Operating noise---Has anyone used the Cobra detector?

[HawaiiTreasure]

I am in the market to buy a new detector and I am wondering about the cobra beach and land detector. I have been detecting for just over a year now and have used Garrets Seahunter Mark II. It has done me good and I am considering a new garret, but the cobra is about $200 cheaper. My biggest concern is the noise emitted while searching. My garret usually puts out no sound until I pass over a target. There have been days when it emits a constant crackle sound that drives me crazy ( and I want to quit 10 minutes in).

I saw a video posted here where the guy was talking to the camera while hunting and his machine (brand not mentioned) made constant noise. Since I've only used one type (Garret), I am wondering if running silent is the norm or is the constant crackle normal?

If the Cobra is noisy I will spend the extra $200 for the convenience. Does anyone have feedback on operating noise?
Thanks, Hawaii treasure hunter.

 

[Bobbie]

You've got a good name brand, stick with it.

 

[scubadetector]

n/t

 

[MikeDahms]

I used the garrett sea hunter xl 500 pi, the much older version of the machine that you are using. There are a lot of other machines to choose other than the garrett but its a great machine. I also hunted in Hawaii. I think you are getting some interference from some type of radio. It may be military and/or radar station. I can't remember which beaches I experienced this problem. The machine could be broken and you may have to send it in to garrett for repairs. I always used a very small threshold while operating the sea hunter. With more experience you will do better and in Hawaii you will soon be able to buy any machine on the market. My advice is to go more often, stay longer and go earlier. I am not joking I did verrrrrry well in Hawaii. Stay with the garrett until you get better then consider the minelab or one of the whites or the garrett infinium ls all are expensive but you should easily be able to afford it with all the rings you will be finding. Best to you, Mike.

 

[Gulf Hunter]

This is no hobby to skimp on equipment. You must spend some money initially to get something that works. It will cost you at least $1000. Excaliber, CZ21, BHID, those are what you should be looking at or PIs. If you do spend that money and actually have the tenacity to stay with it, then you will reap the harvest. If not, then you can sell all your equipment, for pretty close to what you paid for it later, if you buy right. Buy that Cobra thing and you will pay in more ways, than one. Just the facts man, from an old salt!

The crackle is NOT a normal noise on the Mark II. It DOES read the mineralization in the waves, as they pass over, as many PIs will. Could be RF interference, or wiggle the headphone wire, to see if there is wire damage. Have you been hip mounting the unit? Could be coil wire overstress or damage there. Also, look at the bottom of the coil. Is there cracks in the epoxy or any area, where the expoxy is separating from the plastic outer shell? If so, coil R&R will be necessary to eiliminate the falsing. 8" coil must be coasted with Loctite Marine Epoxy, or it will split out and false. Keep us posted.

 

[TerryinHawaii]

Here on Oahu, we have a lot of electronic interference due to many military bases. Depending on how well the metal detector is designed determine how it handles the electronic interference. I was very impressed by the new White TDI PI being able to run at full power with no electronic interference problems.

Terry in Hawaii

 

[Mat in MA]

[size=medium]Forget the Cobra. If you want a good land/water VLF machine go with the DetectorPro HeadHunter Wader. It's a terrific detector and works great in the sand or surf. It's light weight allows you to detect for hours without arm fatigue. It also detects detects deep and just loves dimes and rings. I've never found as many dimes as I do with this machine.

 

[king-ghidorah]

Here on Oahu, we have a lot of electronic interference due to many military bases. Depending on how well the metal detector is designed determine how it handles the electronic interference. I was very impressed by the new White TDI PI being able to run at full power with no electronic interference problems.

Terry in Hawaii

The White's TDI looks like a great machine. How have you been doing with it? Any personal impressions from it?

 

[HawaiiTreasure]

Thanks for all of the input. The advise has been helpful. I have decided to stick with what I know works. I am getting another Seahunter Mark II. That way the parts will be interchangable. It is a very productive machine. I found my 127th ring in my first year using it. Of course that was when I lived on Oahu. The finds there are extremely plentiful. I am on the Big Island now and they are a little disappointing after Oahu. I have been at it here for 2 months and have only found 11 rings. Only 3 were gold (if you can call them gold- 2 are 14k and 1 is actually 10k). Even when you find gold here it is not as good. But I hope It doesn't sound like I am complaining. Hunting here is fun even when I don't find anything. It is a great hobby, with or without the rewards. Once again, I appreciate all of the feedback. Very helpful. Good hunting to all.

Side note- hey TerryinHawaii, I think we spoke a few times at Waikiki. Are you the one who suggested rapping the coil with rope to protect it? That tip was very helpful too. Thanks.

 

[TerryinHawaii]

Hawaii Treasure, if you are the one that used to hunt Ala Moana and the one that I told to use a garden hose to make a coil cover. Then I know who you are.

King-ghidorah. If they would waterproof the TDI, it would be a great machine for using here. Here on Oahu, we do have very little wet sand to hunt. So we have to stay in the ocean to find the rings.

 

[king-ghidorah]

Hawaii Treasure, if you are the one that used to hunt Ala Moana and the one that I told to use a garden hose to make a coil cover. Then I know who you are.

King-ghidorah. If they would waterproof the TDI, it would be a great machine for using here. Here on Oahu, we do have very little wet sand to hunt. So we have to stay in the ocean to find the rings.

Why is there a shortage of wet sand in Oahu? What is there about there that is different than most beaches of the world? I am just asking an honest question. I am not trying to be a smart alack.

 

[TerryinHawaii]

One thing hard for people to realize that on a island, we do not get the big tide swings that you get on the mainland. On the south shore of Oahu, our maximum high tide is a little over 2 1/2 feet and our maximum low tide is negative 1/2 foot. Therefore, our wet sand band varies depending on the area hunted from 5 to 20 feet wide under normal conditions. I used to hunt Santa Cruz beach in California and loved hunting when the tide was negative several feet with acres of wet sand to go over.