Hi jnstrom. Most all of the md vets on this forum will say much the same
things for newbies to learn.
>1.. Many detectors are capable, but HOW they're used and WHERE,
are the most important aspects.
>2..The majority of detectors are the VLF type, so that an effective
discrimination mode can be utilized. Unfortunately, VLF's don't perform
very well on wet salt beach sand, because the salt causes a "capacitance"
effect on the electromagnetic (EM) field transmitted from the coil, which
makes the ground act like a big sheet of iron. The wetter the sand the
greater the effect ( a capacitor is a circuit element that holds an electric
charge until it receives a command to release it). But a VLF will work OK
in the dry sand away from the water. I should note that the VLF however,
will work just fine around fresh water lakes or rivers. And all other DRY
ground is OK with VLF's, including wet FRESH water ground.
>3..One can adjust a VLF to work somewhat on wet sand, but it's best to
have a unit that has the controls for it. Those are the manual ground balance
(GB), the Sensitivity control and the Discriminate control. Additionally, the
circuits that have multiple frequencies are better than the single freq. machines
on wet salt sand.
>4..The other major circuit is the PULSE type that transmits X number of electronic
pulses into the ground per second. These are not affected by wet salt or highly
mineralized (ironized) soils as are VLF's. But pulse units are not yet perfected
for discrimination although some are capable of indicating iron somewhat.
Research is still ongoing for effective discrimination for Pulse detectors.
>5..Tesoro has the Tiger Shark (VLF) for fresh water that will work a bit better
on wet salt than most standard VLF's.
Their other water unit is the Sand Shark (Pulse).
>6.. So the Silver will not be very effective on salt beaches, nor will the Cibola.
But the Vaquero or Tejon can be adjusted to be a bit OK for the salt, with their
controls as mentioned above.
>7..Remember that it's only the wet salt sand that is problematic, not dry soils.
If you encounter mineralized (hot) soils, then most VLF's with these controls
(or even factory preset GB) will work just fine.
>8..Case in point: the Tesoro Compadre is their lowest priced unit, but it's preset
ground adjust and excellent discrimination circuit make it a highly effective unit.
A real "sleeper" for jewelry and coinshooting.
Whatever unit you buy, read well the instructions and always use headphones.
BTW, the coils on most every detector are waterproof, but NOT the control box,
except for underwater types like the Tiger Shark or Sand Shark Tesoros.
Good Luck!
