Tesoro Tiger Shark - Removable vs Hardwired Coil

[flysar]

I have a hardwired 8" Tiger Shark but thinking about a 10.5" coil for a little more coverage.

I see some older detachable coil models up for sale every once in awhile, which would be a great option for swapping coils, but I'm assuming Tesoro went to hardwired coils for reliability and/or folks picked one or the other ( 8" or 10.5") and rarely bought both coils.

Interested in hearing experience or thoughts regarding whether a hardwired machine is less likely to leak and/or fail than the older models with the swappable coil option.

 

[DirtyJohn]

The older ones didn't have a problem with leaks. The manufacturer of the waterproof connectors stopped making them, and Tesoro found it more cost effective simply to hardwire their coils rather than try to find a new connector that met their specs. They apparently tried to find a replacement but had no luck.

I have the older Tiger shark with both the 8in and the 10in coils and have never had an issue with leaking from the connector.

HH
John

 

[flysar]

The older ones didn't have a problem with leaks. The manufacturer of the waterproof connectors stopped making them, and Tesoro found it more cost effective simply to hardwire their coils rather than try to find a new connector that met their specs. They apparently tried to find a replacement but had no luck.

I have the older Tiger shark with both the 8in and the 10in coils and have never had an issue with leaking from the connector.

HH
John

Thank you John.

Do you favor one coil size over the other or swap out due to search conditions, i.e. trash, tight or large area, etc.

 

[DirtyJohn]

I generally like the 8 inch coil. It's easier to pinpoint with and gets decent depth, but I do use the 10 inch on cleaner stretches of beach (It is deeper). It's a personal preference thing really.

HH
John

 

[Fletch88]

Keep the 8" coil hard wired machine or sell it to me. I have had both and liked the 8" much much better for water hunting. I had an 8" interchangeable machine that the coil went bad on. I decided go replace it with the 10.5 and of course they hard wired it. I did not like it at all and sold the machine shortly thereafter.

 

[Walknstik]

Just my opinion but overall I would think the 8" coil would be the best size for the majority of beach hunting. Most of the desirable targets are found in and around trashy areas where people hang out and the 8" coil would give you less target masking issues. As stated above coil size is really a personal preference so choose which ever size you think will boost your confidence. Best of luck and HH!

 

[pulltaber]

Send it to Tesoro and let them put a 10 inch coil on it. if you do like it they can change it back off for about forty bucks. If you go with one with one with interchange coil you will still have to find a 10 inch coil which are very hard to find. A couple years ago I had to have Tesoro make me a 10 inch coil for my old stigray2,because I could not find one. They had too sacrifice one of my 8 inch coils to get the concocter and the wire to the coil it can not be spliced it has to be put in the coil or it might leak. Tesoro can also hard wire the coil on with a connector if you desire .But I have never had a any issue with the connectors leaking with over 750 hours and 13 years of use on my tiger shark. The only thing I do not like about the connectors if the detector is half submerged you will get a little falsing but once it is fully submerged it will run smooth, but it is a not that big of deal.

 

[flysar]

I now own a tiger shark that has a 10" removable coil and I am looking for an 8" with the same connector.

In comparing my 8" hardwired to the 10.5" removable on land I can feel a definite difference in the two, maybe water is different. The 8" feels lighter and more maneuverable. I'll get them out in the water in the dive configuration when things warm up a little to see how they feel underwater.

I appreciate everyone's input, thank you.