PI to augment VLF...?

[controlfreq]

Presently I have a Tesoro Stingray II that I play around with mostly on Texas and North Carolina beaches plus some old home sites on the inlaws farm. Don't know if it is operator error or limitation of the machine, but the wet beach sand gives it fits. By the time I dial out the wet sand I don't seem to be getting anything else either (except pull tabs and cans, I don't believe there are conditions harsh enough to mask pull tabs and cans...) It is extremely irritating in the wet sand. (It also seems to react to the holes I just dug and bumps in the sand.) There again, this is in the wet sand or dry with wet just under it, in completely dry sand it seems to do really well. All this happens at the beach, don't seem to have any trouble on the farm or inland.

My question is would there be anything to gain from getting a PI machine? I have been reading about the Garrett Infinium and find it intriguing (my other hobby is diving) if for no other reason than the versatility. From what I have been reading, the PI machines are not affectedly adversely by the sea salt and other minerals that drive VLF machines (and operators) mad. Comments and suggestions welcome. (Got to get my list to Santa...)

Thanks
John

 

[SeabeeRon]

John, I have the same issues with my Bounty Hunter Land Ranger!! Works great in dry sand ( over $215 in cald since March of this year) but the wet gives it fits!!
I'll be watching this post to see what suggestions folks come up with.

 

[diggindirt]

I use a PI and VLF as they each have their strengths for me when at the beach and water. I usually grab the VLF and quick scan an area or unknown beach section to find good possible targets. If I find a spot with pull tabs, sinkers and clad, I'll slow down and work it to see what I can pull up. I'll use the PI when going into the water, too sanded in, few signals, nice fresh deep cuts or just pounded to hard from other hunters....etc. I'm always able to find something else with the PI and can't imagine not owning both types of machines. As far as the Infinium, I love the machine! It's not easy to learn and takes time and practice to use efficiently. It's very sensitive and needs to be adjusted correctly but works to depth and is super deep. I would not recommend it as the only water machine or for beginners. If you are thinking about one, make sure to read all the posts you can and see other web sites dedicated to the machine (just type Garrett LS Infinium to find some of them). If you're in an area with less (VLF best in trashy areas) garbage and it's been pounded to death with other machines, you just might be surprised to see what a PI can really do! I also feel there's much less trash in the water and I prefer to use the PI over the VLF as I dig all targets in that situation anyway! I also just received some diving gear and will be getting into that part of hunting soon. I've heard the Infinium is outstanding when diving and goes to 200" with no issues. The machine comes with everything to use in the diving configuration and I'm really looking forward to using it this way!!!


Hope this helps and happy hunting to all!!!

 

[John-Edmonton]

PI's are not generally affected by high mineralization or salt content of wet beaches or water. The Stingray is a VLF machine, which all have difficulty in salt water or high mineralized soil. That's not to say it's a bad machine, but that it along with most other machines work better in certain environments then others. Now the Garrett Infinium, a PI, can also be ground balanced for maximum depth and be set to disc out the saltwater. The Infinium can also go DEEP, and get a lot of coins and jewellery that most other metal detectors leave behind. It has two basic sets of tones..."high-low" and "low-high". Both of these sets of tones will be given over metal. "Low-high" tones will also include silver, copper and not gold. "High-low" signals will sound off on gold, but not on silver and gold. So, if you strictly want gold, only dig the high-lows, and you will eliminate the copper, silver but get iron and gold. For coins, just dig "low-high" and you will get coins plus iron. Now the infinium also has an iron check to eliminate most of the iron. What I have explained so far is the basic concept of the Garrett Infinium. There are more tricks to learn, and your ratio of good/bad finds will improve with experience. Let your ears be your guide. The Infinium has a learning curve and is not for everyone. In fact, if you are fairly new to metal detecting, the Infinium might be too much of a challenge for you.

The Infinium doesn't work too well in areas where there are lots of targets. However, use it in an environment that gets hunted regularly, where the targets are far in between with a VLF machine, and using the Infinium you will notice many more targets for your pickings as compared to a VLF machine in the same are. That's been my experience. I have had my best "gold" year this past year with my Infinium. It's a keeper for sure

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