RANDY CONNELL said:
I would like opinions on metal detector users that has used different brands models.
I guess I qualify to voice an opinion as I have been an avid and active detectorists for over half -a-century and, I have owned and/or used countless metal detector brands, models, and operating frequencies.
RANDY CONNELL said:
have you found the same with 14 or 5 or 19 or 20 or higher frequency detectors.this applies to relic hunters,coin shooters,gold nugget hunters and water hunters.
I started out with general Coin Hunting in March of '65, delved into Relic Hunting in May of '69, and did most of my Beach Hunting on occasions in the '70s and then mid-'90s with about an even mix of freshwater and saltwater sites. My Gold Nugget Hunting was more of an occasional thing from about '78 through '90. You can add Gold Jewelry Hunting to the mix as well, naturally satisfied finding silver jewelry, but intentionally concentrating on gold jewelry potential sites. This is generally mixed with, but can be separate from, Coin Hunting.
Since about late '71 and into '72 I started keeping two or more detectors in my personal arsenal. By '77/'78 I generally had three to four detectors on-hand for varying applications. Operating frequencies were a VLF/TR-Disc. at 15 kHz for the bulk [size=small]
(85%)[/size] of my detecting needs, as well as a VLF/TR-Disc. at 5 kHz, and two basic TR and TR-Disc, models at 100 kHz and 50 kHz respectively. From '83 to the present, the most-often used detectors I maintain in my Regular-Use Team operate from 10-15 kHz. I have also tried to keep a lower-frequency device in my arsenal that worked at, or close to, 6.59 kHz as well as at least one that was in the 17.5 to 20 kHz range.
Today holds true to my detector line-up as it relates to their operating frequencies and those that I use most often. I have a 5 kHz option with my Nokta Impact and 'test' Makro Multi-Kruzer and a 6.59 kHz White's XLT. On the top-end I have my 19 kHz Nokta FORS Relic and that selection with the Multi-Kruzer and a 20 kHz option with the Impact. And then there are all my favorites in the 'middle zone' of the VLF range detectors. The range from my 10 kHz Tesoro Bandido II [size=small]micro[/size]MAX and 12 kHz Mojave and 14.5 kHz Vaquero to my ±13.9 kHz White's MXT All-Pro and MX-7, to the 14 kHz Makro Racer 2, selectable 14 kHz Nokta Impact and Makro Multi-Kruzer,
and a favorite performer, my 15 kHz Nokta FORS CoRe.
RANDY CONNELL said:
which one do you feel is better and why.
Honestly, most any of the models that operate in that mid-VLF range can work quite well for most any hunting I take on. I was also quite pleased with the engineering design and 'think mode' of the designers at Nokta / Makro to bring us the selectable multi-frequency Impact and Multi-Kruzer models that have a factory default start-up at 14 kHz. That's close to perfect for an all-purpose detector operating frequency.
I opt for the models in the lower-end frequency mainly when I am dealing with higher mineralized environments and specifically concentrating my searches on higher-conductive [size=small]
(copper and silver)[/size] cons. Those are my least-used operating frequency picks. Most often I do make use of my 19 kHz Relic, of opt for the 19 kHz with the Multi-Kruzer or 20 kHz with the Impact, for a lot of my Relic Hunting when dealing with dense iron nail contamination or rusty tin that is generally associated with the ghost towns and some of the pioneer and military encampments that I enjoy searching. But, as mentioned, the majority of the time I'll have a 10 to 15 kHz frequency at work in-hand.
Why? Because with the best search coil for the site needs and using the most efficient settings, models in this frequency range have been my best all-purpose performers for many decades ...
and they continue to be.
RANDY CONNELL said:
water hunters what is your best water detector you ever used and coil size and why for salt water or fresh water.
Back in the latter '90s, when I lived closer to the Oregon coast, I had my greatest success Beach Hunting with a 6.59 kHz modified Classic III SL and an XL Pro, or a 15 kHz modified copy of a Tesoro detector. I also could do reasonably well with the 13.9 kHz MXT Pro. These models also worked for freshwater Beach Hunting as well. In late 2013 I moved inland and have had more opportunity for Beach Hunting river, lake and reservoir beaches only making periodic trips to saltwater beaches.
In January of 2015 I took on the Nokta FORS CoRe, operating at 15 kHz, and then the Makro Racer at 14 kHz. Since that time, even though I have other models in my detector group that operate at 6.59 kHz, 10 kHz, 12 kHz and even a long-time favorite conventional TR at 100 kHz, my most-used Beach Hunting detectors have been, and are, models that operate around 14 kHz and 15 kHz. Today that includes the Nokta FORS CoRe that I prefer for longer-duration hunts using a 7X11 DD standard-size coil.
For me and my health concerns I need to be attentive to weight and balance, plus many beach sites I do get to have fire pits, defined gathering areas for partyers, or other physical things to deal with. Sometimes a small
'OOR' or 5" coil is called for due to abundant trash, or something just a little larger, in the 6½", 7", 5X9½ or 5½X10 size range seems to work well
for me as well as be more comfortable.
The 14 & 15 kHz operating CoRe, Racer 2, Impact and Multi-Kruzer are what I currently dedicate as my Beach Hunting models. Most of the time I'll have the Multi-Kruzer in-hand due to the fact that it is waterproof, plus it provides me the 19 kHz frequency option. I found with the Relic, and then the Impact, that in some sites the 19 & 20 kHz operating frequencies gave me a bit of an 'edge' on the lower-conductive gold jewelry items. Not that the other models working four to seven kHz lower don't work because they do. But I do enjoy some enhanced performance in some environments with the higher frequency operation, and the Multi-Kruzer gives me that in-the-fly option.
RANDY CONNELL said:
i use the nokta impact I want the Kruzer,but awaiting results from hunters.
And where I live I am awaiting more pleasant weather to get in some Beach Hunting time. Warmth is a nice thing.
RANDY CONNELL said:
lastly what Kruzer will you buy and why out of the 3 that is out now.
I have the test sample Multi-Kruzer, but if I was asked to pick from the three Kruzer series models, that is exactly the unit I would choose. The production device does have some changes and an added function not on the test prototype unit, but
for me the primary function provided is the multi-frequency selection. I believe there are a lot of folks who are going to be well pleased with the standard 14 kHz Kruzer. It will work, and like other Nokta and Makro detectors it will work well. But I like the multi-frequency device, just as I do the Impact, because I Relic Hunt a lot of places where I grab my 19 kHz FORS Relic over other units in my detector group, and the Impact w/20 kHz and Multi-Kruzer at 19 kHz have allowed me to quickly change to that search frequency, either as a primary use or for a momentary selection to double-check an area.
I have only used the 5 kHz frequency maybe 3-4 times so far, but I'll hunt more sites when spring and summer weather warm things up where I'll make use of it a little more, but I usually just turn on the Kruzer and get into hunting at the default 14 kHz most of the time and have enjoyed great performance.
It's just a really versatile, multi-purpose detector that is also able to resist water intrusion for sites and applications other than just Beach Hunting.
Monte