Tesoro vs Minelab?? Help!

[diehlerca]

So I thought I had made up my mind that a Minelab Excalibur was the machine I was going to invest in for fresh water as well as land hunting but then I read some articles extolling the merits of the Tiger Shark by Tesoro. Other than the obvious advantage of price, what can those of you who have used either or both of these machines tell me about why I should consider the TS? I do not see any Tesoros on Kellyco website, where is a good place to buy? Appreciate any help you may be able to provide, thanks!
JD

 

[ToniSteve]

Hi JD,
The Tiger Shark hits great on small gold and chains. Here is a field test from the Tesoro Forum:

http://www.tesoro.com/info/fieldtests/current/tigershark/

Gene Scullion wrote it and probably is one of the most knowledgeable people on this particular detector. He is a member here and on other forums and goes by the name of scully. I have 2 of them because they work great in the lakes and rivers of the Northwest and I take my daughter detecting with me. I have an Excal too for the salt. I am just beginning to learn the Excal, so I cannot really compare it to a Tiger Shark yet.

There is one problem with the Tiger Shark, the supplier for the water proof jack that goes to the box from the coil no longer making them so Tesoro is now testing a new one, so at this time the detector is not available readily.
If you look around though there are used ones available and you may turn up a new one at some dealers if you call around and search them out.

 

[Sven]

The earlier version looks like the umax but does not say umax on it.
http://www.tesoro.com/info/manuals/older/conquistador/

 

[jersey devl]

Ive heard lots of good things about excaliburs,BUT dont let anyone tell you a Tiger Shark wont pick up small gold or last years dropped items. I read a post that basically stated this on one of the sites and it really bothered me, I wanted to post a pic of the baby ring I found (.2grams,2/10th) and the 1949 class ring I found at the same site,but I didnt have batteries in my camera. For fresh water spend half the money and get the Tiger Shark...if you can!

 

[Sven]

The earlier version looks like the umax but does not say umax on it.
http://www.tesoro.com/info/manuals/older/conquistador/

This was posted in the wrong thread, should have been posted in my Conquistador thread.

 

[Sven]

Picks up the tiniest pcs. of gold and silver with ease for a lot less money than the Excalibur.
Doesn't have the depth of the Excalbur nor the problems of repairs..........
If going saltwater, then it's the Excalbur that is tops.

And the TS is definitly better better than the Detectorpro Wader, which I have and would not buy another.
Wish I had my TS back.

 

[tvr]

grumpyolman hunts fresh water. He has used an Excal in fresh water and swears by the Tiger Shark. He has a number of posts scattered around that paint pictures of his experience with both. Try searching on grumpyolman and Tiger Shark and Excal.

Best to you!
tvr

 

[diehlerca]

Wow, pretty hearty endorsements! Thanks everyone, think I'll take the leap.

 

[AUDuke]

There is no comparison between the warranty's, Tesoro nas it all over the ML

 

[rmptr]

The Excalibur is noted as a top-notch machine... very good.
From what I understand they are complicated and may be difficult to learn to operate to their best capability.
High priced.

Tesoro machines are always straight-forward to operate, do what they are supposed to, and reasonably priced.
Their standard warranty is second to none.

Good luck !
rmptr

 

[bobbyc]

here is a good place for a tesoro good people to deal with www.detectordepot.com

 

[diehlerca]

Thanks to everyone who has responded, bought a Tiger Shark........Come on Spring!

 

[grumpyolman]

As tvr said, I sold my Excal and got a TS. Never looked back. Because there is an interruption in manufacturing I feel like a hog as I found another used one that has just been serviced by Tesoro and bought it as a back up machine. That should tell you something about the TS in freshwater. That being said, if I was going into saltwater it'd be the Excal and/or the White's Dual Field PI.

Tonisteve is getting to be the Garu on the TS. He's really done the research and can test units out right in front of his house.

Would be happy to hear your results after you can chip the ice off the water. I might seed an idea....If the water isn't frozen, with some good waders and gloves, the season never gets closed. Jim