Sand Shark Questions

[bucketheadben]

I just got my Sand Shark this week and I'm not sure if this is typical behavior. When I'm in the surf, right before a wave hits me, the threshold will get higher and then drop as the wave passes. Is this normal? I'm I doing something wrong? It just seems odd to me.

Also, I'm not finding anything real deep. I think the deepest i've dug to find anything was around 8". I'm just wondering if it's operating properly.

 

[amberjack]

i have another brand pulse and it does that too with wave action i think its pretty normal if there is no water surging it runs stable can always play with the settings if you wish, am sure you will dig deeper targets when they present themselves.


AJ

 

[bucketheadben]

Thanks AJ. Glad to know it's normal. Now I just need to start tunning my ears to the softer signals.

 

[amberjack]

no probs bucketheadben good luck out there

pulse sure is a different beast and wouldn't use anything else from the high tide line down might dig a bit more junk than the multi frequency VLF boys but also find more goodies if there is gold under your coil it will let you know and deep, be sure to post up some nice finds soon

 

[tvr]

When I'm in the surf, right before a wave hits me, the threshold will get higher and then drop as the wave passes.

When the water washes over the coil yes, particularly when in shallow water. As you get waist deep and deeper, and are keeping the coil near the bottom, water movement does not make much of a change unless it bobs you and the detector up and down and then there can be a little change.

I'm not finding anything real deep. I think the deepest i've dug to find anything was around 8".

The more you hunt with it the deeper you will get. Could be you haven't been over any deep but reachable targets. Could be you are still adjusting to hearing the detector better. When you are finding soda cans at 18" and mutter about people cleaning up after themselves, then you will wonder if you really want to dig that deep. Smaller targets won't be quite as deep.

The way I run it is with the volume all the way up to hear smallest changes in threshold and set the threshold at just audible. Pulse width at the preset or higher. Some people max out that too. In theory it may be a little deeper running higher pulse width, I have not observed a lot of difference when it is run at least at the preset mark compared to maxed. There is a little bit of normal wavering in the threshold. Listen for a repeatable rise when swept back and forth. When wave noise is high, it takes a slightly higher threshold setting than when the sounds are quiet. The Sand Shark headphones cut down more outside noise than most.
Cheers,
tvr

 

[donlor4u]

i've used the shark for 5-7 years. i have not noticed any difference in sound or tones between the surf and deeper. my only problem with it is in how deep it detects. i run all my settings at 3/4 max. i just turn it on and go. if you are only finding at 8" something is wrong.

 

[tvr]

I'll modify what I previously reported.

With the volume maxed in shallow water with waves washing over the coil I can detect a little rise then fall of the threshold.

If you are experiencing a large change, loosen and re-tighten the coil connector if it isn't a hard wired one. That may help. If it is a large change due to water movement and re-tightening the connector doesn't help, do you also get a large sound off when you touch the wet salt sand with the coil?

If in doubt send it in for a check up.

 

[amberjack]

i think its very important to see the water conditions before making the call on sound movements i have been out when the waves are well i should have been surfing not detecting lots of water moving in all directions and fast this will cause threshold movement with fast water rushing around the coil how can it not???

getting smashed by waves i wonder what the other people in the water thought bit of body surfing with the old MD as a fin i am trying to paint a picture that all conditions are not the same and i know i think everywhere is like where i am at but its not if in calm water and its going off then i would say maybe something is wrong and needs a tune up but if its surf able and lots of water rushing around the coil then i say its normal.

but i have been wrong before and will be again but this is how i understand fast moving minerals around a coil.

AJ

 

[tvr]

i think its very important to see the water conditions before making the call on sound movements i have been out when the waves are well i should have been surfing not detecting lots of water moving in all directions and fast this will cause threshold movement with fast water rushing around the coil how can it not??? ...

Agree! What I am not sure of is what bucketheadben is actually experiencing. Whole range of possibilities on sounds and whether or not he may need service. I had one Sand Shark coil I stepped on when a wave hit me. While it looked OK with no apparent cracks, after I stepped on it, it sounded off loudly on light wave motion like a very close and good target. It also sounded off nearly constantly when the coil was set down on wet sand. I also had the louder sounds start after I got connector deep in the water and that went away after re-tightening the connector.

Hope you all recover many great targets with the Sand Shark. The one I have has treated me pretty well.
Cheers,
tvr

 

[amberjack]

yes tvr its hard to tell without hearing it and if its doing it out of the water then there defiantly would be a problem if the noise is not consistent with the water movements then that would be a sign too,

anyway he hasn't said anything more so it must be ok?? thanks for the tips on the connections

AJ

 

[bucketheadben]

I'm not having a problem with the SS on wet sand at all, just when you increase the water column over the coil. It doesn't mimic a target's sound, but more like if you were to turn you threshold up and down with the wave movements. From what everyone has posted it sounds normal. I just wasn't sure if it was since I just got the SS and I'm not familiar with it. Which is probably why I haven't found any deep targets, I need more practice with hearing those deeper signals. Thanks to everyone who has posted on this topic. I love this forum!

 

[magglobe]

Duno if anyone mentioned this or not, but, when the wave passes over the coil (and I

 

[Brewbud]

I haven't noticed my Sand Shark threshold sound changing when a wave goes by. I have been out in some large surf too. I will pay more attention next time. It may be something I just subconsciously filter out.

You may want to make sure you do not have too much slack in your coil cord down near the coil. If the cord has too much slack it can move around with the water movement and may cause what you are experiencing.

 

[amberjack]

the new art of duck diving with a detector and scoop its sure is an art what about catching a wave in and using the coil as a fin ??

no wonder people think we are crazy