Panama City Beach

[techdetect]

After 17 years I am taking a vacation to Panama City Beach. Looking forward to hunting with my X-Terra 705 with the gold package HF coil. Since the coil is not water proof i will be hunting the semi-dry to dry sand there close to pineapple willeys. I sure would like some advice about Panama City Beaches, rules, tips, and general knowledge. I do know that a hunt pattern should be perpendicular to the shore line, got that and to use beach mode. I have tried to use beach mode on volleyball courts and seems that small iron (bb size 5inches down) is detectable.

What settings do you use?
Do you use auto ground balance?
What sensitivity are you looking for on dry vrs semi-wet sand(no wave action but moist due to tide)?
What is best time of day and why?

Any help would be great-full and happy hunting to all.

Techdetect.

 

[brianincnb]

G'day Techdetect,
One of my beach hunting buddies here in OZ doesnt use "beach mode" with his xt70 + DD coil. His comment was:

While I was up on the dryer stuff impressed with the improved depth, not in salt mode, I also tried running the machine in 'prospector mode' and tracking GB. I tell you, this thing packs a punch in that mode and will pick up targets easily that Coin mode wont unless the cetre of the coil is over the target and the audio signals are super boosted. The only thing is, no TID, but once you trap a target in prospecting mode, quick mode change and you will have your TID. Prospecting mode will work well (depending on your level of audio tolerance) down to the regular tide line before it gets unbearable, then its a matter of switching to coin mode (no salt) and slow and steady swings.

hope this helps!

 

[bob.oz]

Hey TD...On the beach I use the 705 with the 10x5 HF DD coil.I hunt early morning b4 the people get there and MD any path,cabanas,lounge chair and towel line.
I do auto GB,sens @ 20,4 tone....I don't use tracking or beach mode...I do not go near the tide line or wet sand...just not stable or accurate in those conditions. GL HH

 

[techdetect]

Thanks for the tips! I will post my finds or lack there of

 

[Nuke em]

I am using my 705 on the beaches of SE England and although they are stony (shingle) beaches there is sand and wet sand too. I use the beach mode but first put the ground balance to 27 if its not then put beach mode on. I run to 27/28 sensitivity , threshold just above hearing level and make sure you have good sound for targets in the headphones .
In the past i used my old 705 in the wet surf with the 7.5khts dd coil and although its not waterproof and can get chattery i still found coins in the wet, to give you an idea of what the 70/705 is like on the beach , in 2011 i had

 

[techdetect]

Nuke em,

Sounds like your doing well there in England. Here in the states the value of the coins are well below anything you have there. Unfortunately, the only coin of value readily found is 25centsUS. If your lucky you could find a dollar coin which i do from time to time in the mid-west turf. I love the 5x10 18.75kHz DD elliptical coil, works well here especially in damp soil. I first use the high pitched tone when starting out in any new spot and hone in on that using the first several finds. I only look at the TID after i decide to dig, again, to help hone in on the audio tone. Thanks for the reply.

Techdetect

 

[Nuke em]

I had a very good day yesterday on the beach with my Terra , although the beach looked very poor for finds and it was raining on and off there must have been few people detecting in the last few days so i got

 

[techdetect]

Love the shape and design of the coins you have there. Always loved the "other" than circle coins. The susan B's were at least in my age were the coin to have growing up. We just need more English visitors with holes in the pocket One thing i do have here is history and courage to learn from it. I didn't buy a detector to become famous or rich, just to have fun and put a few penny's in my pocket.

You had a great dig, must have been out for at least 6hours? Come on, don't be modest... Love the bi-metal coinage. Found a 10$ peso, looked very similar, but less of value. Thought i found some real treasure digging that one.

 

[ryanchappell]

The redneck riviera is all sanded in due to constant sand replenishment. I also think most the beaches sweep the beach for trash using a tractor. I and others I know usually do not find anything nice at Gulf Shores, Destin, or PC.

If you try it, I recommend making a game of trying to dig as many zinc, foil, and pull tab signals as you can. Maybe after several hundred you will be posting some gold on here!