Just for fun, I let a couple AI searches come up with some data on how the manticore might perform in black sand with saltwater, following is the the response from one such search, not sure how trustworth, but added information thats for sure.
"The Minelab Manticore is a high-performance metal detector designed for versatility across various environments, including beaches with challenging conditions like black sand and saltwater. Black sand, often rich in iron minerals like magnetite, and salt groundwater can create significant interference for metal detectors due to their conductivity and mineralization. Based on its design and user feedback, here’s how the Manticore handles such conditions:
The Manticore features Multi-IQ+ technology, an advanced version of the multi-frequency system found in earlier Minelab models like the Equinox. This allows it to operate across multiple frequencies simultaneously, improving its ability to distinguish targets from mineralized ground and saltwater. In black sand environments, single-frequency VLF detectors often struggle with falsing (false signals) or loss of depth, but the Manticore’s multi-frequency approach helps mitigate these issues by balancing sensitivity and stability. It can adapt to the ground’s conductivity, reducing noise from the black sand and salt.
Users have reported that the Manticore performs well in wet saltwater environments, such as the surf zone, when properly configured. For example, settings like "Beach Low Conductors" mode with a recovery speed of around 4, sensitivity between 26–30 (depending on conditions), and adjusted ferrous limits (e.g., upper 4, lower 0) have been recommended for wet salt and black sand beaches. Ground balancing near the water’s edge—ideally where the sand is damp but not submerged—also helps the detector lock onto the specific mineralization and salt content, improving stability. However, attempting to ground balance while fully submerged can be tricky, as the consistent saltwater environment provides less contrast for the detector to calibrate effectively.
That said, black sand’s heavy mineralization can still pose challenges. In areas with thick layers of black sand, some users note that the Manticore may require reduced sensitivity (e.g., dropping from 30 to 27 or lower) to avoid excessive falsing, particularly if the ID readings hover around 1–2, which is typical of saltwater interference. The detector’s ability to run higher sensitivity than competitors (like the Equinox) offers a depth advantage, but in extreme black sand conditions, it might not eliminate all noise without careful tweaking. Switching to a smaller coil, like the M8, can also improve performance by reducing the amount of mineralized ground the detector "sees" at once, enhancing target separation.
One potential issue arises in saltwater when the coil connector at the control box gets splashed intermittently. Some users have reported instability in these scenarios, possibly due to a "floating ground" design, though this is less about black sand and more about saltwater exposure. Keeping the connector dry or fully submerged (rather than in the splash zone) typically resolves this.
In summary, the Manticore handles black sand and salt groundwater well compared to many detectors, thanks to its multi-frequency tech and customizable settings. It’s not immune to challenges—thick black sand deposits or heavy salt may still require adjustments—but with proper ground balancing, sensitivity tuning, and mode selection, it performs effectively in these tough conditions. For the best results, experiment with settings and consider a smaller coil in extreme black sand areas."
AI is turning out to be pretty useful in aggregating lots of internet postings etc.
