machines

[irishmik54]

I know this has been asked before but now it's my turn. I usually hunt with my CZ3 or my old whites Quantum. I want to start water hunting and am considering 3 machines. The Excaliber, Fisher 1280x, and the detector pro. I want it for hunting the surf and fresh water. I don't dive so I doubt I'll ever get it much deeper than 10 feet or so. Ideas?.........

 

[Gulf Hunter]

Of the 3 units you mentioned, the only one suitable for both SALT & FRESH would be the Excal. You might consider a CZ21, as well. It should work well in both applications,as well. The 1280X and HH Diver & Wader(personally used and work well in fresh, but salt water performance was poor), would be fresh water preferred units. The HHPI would work well in salt, but fresh would be a pain, as YOU WILL need to discriminate in fresh water, due to the high ferrous iron content there, from my experience. Best of luck to you mate.

 

[Bling]

Gulf Hunter is right..iv owned 4 1280X and they along with any single freq detector does good in fresh water but salt sand/water drives them crazy..the 3 best units iv used for salt sand are the Excalibur,CZ20 and CZ21..of the 3 i like the CZ21 the best..then there is the PI...it works well anywhere and is the deepest detector but lacks the ability to discriminate out junk and you spend 1/2 your time digging trash..if you are going to hunt just the beach and not get in the water,id go with the Sovereign GT and S12..this by far is the best set up iv ever used on salt beach! good luck..

 

[Ron Lord]

I've been hunting for 30 years and the best thing I have found is for you to find out what everyone in the area is using, because if everyone is using better detectors than you are using you will not find much. CZ -20 are good ,but the Excal go's much deeper, I know I own both of them.

 

[therover]

What percentage of the time will you be in salt water ? If it's 10-15 percent, then the 1280 or HH Wader would do since most of your hunting would be in fresh water. And you would save a few hundred bucks in the process. I have the Wader and use it on the salt beaches of NJ and it works very well. Probably not as good as my Excal, PI or CZ-6a, but it always finds silver...be it rings, chains or coins. I think the lower freq helps on that.

If you are going to do lots of salt water hunting, then the Excal or CZ would be your best bet as they are water proof and discriminate. If you want to dig everything and go deep, get a PI.

Get a good, sturdy long handle scoop no matter what detector you choose to buy...and HAVE FUN !