Relatively new to MD, totally new to water searching, need advice

[Tagamet]

Hi,
As the subject states. The first advice I think I need is on the specific MD's I should consider getting. I'd like something that has some form of ID, since my hearing descrimination stinks. I'd like something in the middle to upper price range (more middle than upper, if possible)I think you get what you pay for.
I'll be searching MOSTLY freshwater, but post retirement (SOON) WILL be searching saltwater too. I'm reading a lot of nasty stuff about the corrosive effect of salt spray on land units, so do I need one designed to be submersable to keep that salt out?
Sorry for all the questions, but that's just the tip of the iceberg.
Thanks in advance,
Tagamet
PS I currently have a C$, and ID EDGE, and a White's XLT.

 

[thinkin2]

Hi, Tagamet. I live on the South Carolina coast and have been hunting in saltwater for 28 years. First, let me say up front that I have taken about two years off and am just now coming back so I don't know about any technology that's come out during that time. If you're just going to do some very shallow water wading you don't really need a diving (totally submersible) unit, especially for calm, freshwater environments, but it's a good idea. Any one of a number of freak accidents could cause you and your detector to drop all the way into the water and this is more than likely going to happen at some point when you start hunting in saltwater as wave action and irregular bottom will catch you sooner or later. I would suggest logging onto the websites of the major detector manufacturers and seeing what they have to offer. I will tell you from experience that multiple frequency machines offer much more stability in a saltwater environment than single frequency machines. Minelab and Fisher make some great machines that fit this bill and are for saltwater beaches. They should perform just as well in freshwater too. I use both of these machines, a Minelab Explorer II (not totally waterproof and I don't take into the water) and a Fisher CZ-20 which is submersible to 250 feet. Best of luck with whatever you decide on and hope you make many great finds.
Jerry

 

[Tagamet]

Thanks, Thinkin. Exactly the info I needed. I also hear that when scanning at the shore, even just on the beaches, that salt corrosion may pose a problem to regular land detectors? Although I'll do mostly fresh water searching, I'm hoping that we'll get to the shore occassionally.
I really like most Fisher units, so I'll likely check out the CZ-20.
Thanks again,
Tagamet

 

[ikon]

hey tagamet, how are you? good to see you on the detecting forms. i'm stan from reef central philly. hope you had a good holiday. the weather here around philly has been wet but the temps. are starting to go up and i was out a couple times this week. i have an explorer xs which ive had for years and just got a sovereign GT right before christmas. its a pretty nice detector and im still into the learning curve with it but alot of guys been helping me get through it. i retire this march so im really getting pumped up with the detecting. my first detector was a fisher 1280 water detector which i lent to a buddy who's considering getting into hobby. i used that machine alot in creeks and lake around my area and it sure found alot of stuff. then i got pulled into the minlab machines and havent looked back. i know what you mean as far as id'ing . ive turned into a meter reader myself but the tones always get my attention first.
good luck with whateven detector you find .i sure youll pick a good one. this spring when i retire we'll get together.
im still very much into the reefs and will always be in fact it water change day and skimmer cleaning lol.
be good and happy hunting.

stan pa.

 

[thinkin2]

Tag, from what I've been reading lately, Fisher has stopped making the CZ-20. Still, you shouldn't have any trouble finding one if you decide on it. The other CZ units will work fine and as long as you don't drop them in the water you should be okay. I would probably invest in a cover for one to protect from blowing sand or a light pop up shower if you go with a non submersible unit. But don't be too hasty in your decision because the more I read the more I'm seeing other machines that might be worth a look. It's a large investment so take your time, do your homework and if you have a dealer around do a hands on. Best of luck.
Jerry

 

[Tagamet]

thinkin2 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Tag, from what I've been reading lately, Fisher
> has stopped making the CZ-20. Still, you shouldn't
> have any trouble finding one if you decide on it.
> The other CZ units will work fine and as long as
> you don't drop them in the water you should be
> okay. I would probably invest in a cover for one
> to protect from blowing sand or a light pop up
> shower if you go with a non submersible unit. But
> don't be too hasty in your decision because the
> more I read the more I'm seeing other machines
> that might be worth a look. It's a large
> investment so take your time, do your homework and
> if you have a dealer around do a hands on. Best of
> luck.
> Jerry

Thanks Jerry. I'm definitely one who researches first, then buys. This seemed a good spot to START that hunt.
Thanks again,
Tagamet