Tigershark Revisited

[scubadetector]

Another outing with the Tigershark, the CZ stayed in my truck. (Hope it's not feeling neglected!)

Took the Tigershark to a very small beach I have hammered to death with the CZ-21. Found one wheat cent I missed and this beautiful 10K ring. Also found three very small silver rings.

So far if I am allowed to say this I see just two things I like about the CZ-21 better. One is the bell tone. I found this awesome submarine with the Tigershark today but I would have loved it to produce an overload so I knew it was a large object. Some know me on here for the large objects I find. I have two guns, four WW1 practice bombs, a machine gun magazine, anchors, and a lot of old toys. The other thing is I believe BUT I might be wrong, that my CZ-21 hits deeper.

I don't like how long the rod is for diving and I will be shortening it soon. That is a personal preference

The second one is a guess only because I haven't found anything deeper with the Tigershark in areas I have hammered with the CZ-21. HOWEVER, I will be going to some new beaches soon and using the Tigershark FIRST a bunch of times and after that hitting them with the CZ to see if I can find any deeper targets. I have a 10" coil on the way for the Tigershark so I will be able to use it before I hit it with the 10" CZ coil.

I am SUPER impressed with the way this thing loves nickels and I know I missed this gold ring for some reason with my CZ. It gave a wonderful tone and I was super surprised when it appeared out of the gravel while I was fanning. Again I hit a lot of small brass and lead targets but no small gold YET.

I believe BOTH machines have their place and they will compliment each other.

The Vlasic farms pickle bottle was an eyeball find and although not very old I am guessing still embossed and a cool find. The Michigan Steel Boat Co tag is the third one I have found. They are from around 1910.

 

[tabman]

Those sure are some really nice finds.

tabman

 

[Sandtick]

I think, with time, you will be able to tell when you hit a large object. Mine will blast through the headphones when I hit a can/ Capri sun container or similar item.

You'll love the 10 inch coil. Only negative is the extra weight. Where did you end up finding it?

Again, great finds! I really enjoy reading your posts, keep them coming.

 

[kaolinwasher]

Tiger is a good machine

 

[scubadetector]

I think, with time, you will be able to tell when you hit a large object. Mine will blast through the headphones when I hit a can/ Capri sun container or similar item.

You'll love the 10 inch coil. Only negative is the extra weight. Where did you end up finding it?
Again, great finds! I really enjoy reading your posts, keep them coming.

LOL weight? I swing a 10.5 on my CZ all the time. I actually found it on here. He gave me a price I couldn't refuse. The coil was 80.00 including shipping.
Weight doesn't bother me at all while diving. I am shortening the rod and will probably hip mount it like I do my CZ.

 

[pistolpete]

Thanx for the report scubadetector

 

[Sandtick]

I thought you may get a smile from that one. You never know though. Once you clean out the lakes you may be forced to start working the beaches.

 

[Rainyday101]

I just back from the water with my Tiger. Got me some more nickels. The Tiger just loves nickels.

 

[scubadetector]

I thought you may get a smile from that one. You never know though. Once you clean out the lakes you may be forced to start working the beaches.

Do you know how many lakes are in Michigan?? 11 thousand and 3. It might take me a while to get the lakes cleaned out!! I call them my private banks. People leave deposits in them all the time, just for me.

 

[Rainyday101]

Scubadetector, do you have your Tiger setup on an Anderson shaft yet? I want to shorten mine up for diving, but don't know how to do it.

 

[scubadetector]

Nope, was looking at an Anderson today BUT a tad pricy for me. It was easy to shorten. You can buy lower rods for 14.00. I only dive with mine so I had another hole drilled 7 inches further down (A machinist friend did it with a drill press) to install the spring clip and then I cut the lower rod an inch and a half above the middle of the hole. Now it is perfect. I found a lower rod on another site for 10.00 including shipping. I bought it for the 10" coil I just bought and I will get another in case I ever wade with it. I don't see that happening. I wade with my CZ-21.

I will be trying it out Saturday morning bright and early and using the same technique I I used on this dive I am expecting a lot more good things to surface.

 

[Rainyday101]

Scubadetector, I am looking at going underwater and could use some advice. What do you think of this rig?

Divers Float Kit

 

[scubadetector]

Scubadetector, I am looking at going underwater and could use some advice. What do you think of this rig?

Divers Float Kit

Major question for you! Are you a certified diver? IF NOT, the rig is worthless to you. In order to get ANY tank filled you have to have a SEA CARD. That proves you are certified and release any dive shop of all responsibilities.

I will NEVER EVER suggest somebody to dive without some sort of certification. LOTS can go wrong underwater.

However you can buy a hookah without any certifications and use it. BUT anybody that does without some kind of certification and training is putting their life at risk to be shortened. People have and people have had no problems. I would never recommend it.

If you are a certified diver why use the rig when you can have the tank on your BC with no lines to the surface? AND one more thing. FORGET the small dive flag. Get the largest one you can as high as you can. Boaters are STUPID and becoming propeller bait is not my idea of having fun.

 

[Rainyday101]

Scubadetector, I am looking at going underwater and could use some advice. What do you think of this rig?

Divers Float Kit

Major question for you! Are you a certified diver? IF NOT, the rig is worthless to you. In order to get ANY tank filled you have to have a SEA CARD. That proves you are certified and release any dive shop of all responsibilities.

I will NEVER EVER suggest somebody to dive without some sort of certification. LOTS can go wrong underwater.

However you can buy a hookah without any certifications and use it. BUT anybody that does without some kind of certification and training is putting their life at risk to be shortened. People have and people have had no problems. I would never recommend it.

If you are a certified diver why use the rig when you can have the tank on your BC with no lines to the surface? AND one more thing. FORGET the small dive flag. Get the largest one you can as high as you can. Boaters are STUPID and becoming propeller bait is not my idea of having fun.

Understood, I am getting certified. I couldn't agree more on boaters being stupid, I know somebody that became propellor bait to a boater. I will not dive until I am certified, I understand the risk and the need for certification to get the proper training.

That being said my interest in this unit is the low start up cost. My diving/detecting would be at the deeper end of beaches where people wading with detectors can't reach. This would be in the 4-12 foot deep range. I have no intentions or desires to be anything other than a shallow diver. The diving instructor I am dealing with has debated the floating tank vs. full scuba also. He is pretty open minded and we have compared cost both ways with good equipment. By that I mean his recommended equipment that he sells. He believes that for what I am planning on doing at present, either way would work. Of course being a diver he leans a little towards full scuba. He however does like the idea of the SNUBA set up because you don't have all that gear on you.

I guess what I basically asking is, are the components in that set-up quality components that you would trust your life too? If I decide to go with the foating tank, I will probably get the components from him so I know what I am getting.

 

[mudpuppy]

Interesting set up Rainyday...I have wondered about something like that myself, sticking a tank or two in the kayak/boat or float set up, and sort of long hosing down in shallow water?...I'm a cert diver, but I hate all the bulk and weight, not to mention getting in and out of a wetsuit! A guy could get into and out of places in a hurry with a set up like this is what I figure, you know, paddle around, locate a good looking spot, (like a raft) go over the side quickly without gearing up with full tanks and all just to have a look?...lots easier/safer than a free dive...then, if the site holds merit, coming back onboard and gearing up proper with a BC and tanks and cleaning it out?

Still, I have a great inclination to defer to Robert's advice on these matters...since he's so dang good at it and has been doing it for so long..maybe simple and tried-n-true methods would be easier, safer, faster and cheaper in the long run? I like your thought process though!
Mud

 

[scubadetector]

I use a wetsuit in shallow water cause I am in it between 3 and 10 hours at a time. With a wetsuit you still need weights to hold you on the bottom. I use a BC and have the weights and tank attached to it. So with that setup you are only saving on a BC.

If you are getting certified and know what you want, fee-bay is your friend and so is Criagslist. You can get all your gear cheap. I have 10 tanks. The most I paid for a used tank is 50.00 each. I guess I would HATE a hose from the surface to where I play. One more thing for a boater to cut.

I don't use fins. I have booties, a wetsuit mask and snorkel and tank BC and weights. I also pull a 15" innertube with a 2' dive flag on it. I STILL have almost become propeller bait. I got rolled over by the keel to a snailboat also after it hit my tank. Luckily it wasn't my neck.

 

[Rainyday101]

Interesting set up Rainyday...I have wondered about something like that myself, sticking a tank or two in the kayak/boat or float set up, and sort of long hosing down in shallow water?...I'm a cert diver, but I hate all the bulk and weight, not to mention getting in and out of a wetsuit! A guy could get into and out of places in a hurry with a set up like this is what I figure, you know, paddle around, locate a good looking spot, (like a raft) go over the side quickly without gearing up with full tanks and all just to have a look?...lots easier/safer than a free dive...then, if the site holds merit, coming back onboard and gearing up proper with a BC and tanks and cleaning it out?

Still, I have a great inclination to defer to Robert's advice on these matters...since he's so dang good at it and has been doing it for so long..maybe simple and tried-n-true methods would be easier, safer, faster and cheaper in the long run? I like your thought process though!
Mud

Mud, exactly what I am thinking. I like the idea of quickly checking a spot without putting on all the gear. I have a 14' john boat that I could make a tank mount for. Find a promising dock, drop in and check it, move on to the next dock or swimming area. I have also looked at battery/compressor and gas engine/compressor setups. I just can't see using one of these. If you had a place on a lake would you want somebody with a noisy engine or compressor running in front of your dock? I wouldn't, so I can't see doing that to somebody else. The floating tank setup is quick and quiet.

Robert, I do value your advice and that's why I asked you. I have been reading your post for a long time. I am gonna get certified and probably go with the float setup to start. I can always add a BC later and have the option to go either way. I will also probably get a wet suit, maybe not at first, but real soon.

 

[scubadetector]

I had a hookah and used it ONCE. The noise on the surface was more than I wanted anybody to hear. I am a bit lost on doing a quick check! I had a wading friend that did that in a few lakes and I proved to him that any quick check is not giving a place a chance.

But anyway, If you were going to use that setup on a boat. You might want to google it and see if you can make it yourself. You would need a 1'st stage and second stage regulator, a long hose in between them, a weight belt mask snorkel and wetsuit and booties. And of course at least one tank and dive flag and pole. The low pressure hose between the 1'st and 2'nd stages might be your most expensive part.

So a tank or two at lets say in hydro, 75.00 each, a good used regulator at 100.00. I am guessing a hose might cost 25.00 depending on length. I am thinking around 30'. You might be able to make it yourself for under 200.00. But certification would be a must in order to get your tanks filled. Maybe your local dive shop would have some good ideas also.

Lots of people try different things. Since I started diving in 1979, I guess I have stuck to it. I hope I have a lot more years to keep playing.

 

[Rainyday101]

Thanks scuba detector. The guy at my local dive shop has priced the components for me. He also suggested making it. The airline typically used in this setup has swivels to prevent line kinking. For this he suggested I just buy the following because it has all the hose peices, swivels, and belt that hooks to the hose so you are'nt pulling on the 2nd stage regulator in your mouth. Hose setup Cost is $121. He has used tanks and regulators all in good condition for sale also, along with wet suits. He also has the certification classes, and when certified by him, he can fill my tanks for $3 a fill. He is a reputable diver, has been in bussiness for over 30 years, and runs dive charters to wrecks in the Great Lakes. I would rather buy all the components from him because he is local and can service what he sells. I talked to Sheriff Deputies in my area that do diving, recovery, and rescue, and they all highly recommend him because he is experienced, a straight shooter, and most of all, honest.

I am going to do this, BUT I want to get the certification, work with someone who is experienced, do it safely, and have the right equipment. I have read to many horror stories about untrained amatuers dying with hookahs while shallowing diving for lobsters in Florida.

When I was younger I did some sky diving. I am still alive because I got trained, used the right equipment, and worked with experieced people. I could have made a parachute out old bed sheets and binder twine and jumped out of my friends Cessna- I knew better though!

Thanks for your advice!

 

[mudpuppy]

When I lived in Alabama, on the Tennessee river, there were all sorts of mussel divers running hookah rigs...they were some big tough guys that would drop over the side in 30' of water, and then crawl along on the bottom pulling their boat behind them!...they were after mussel shells, that had a value to the pearl farmers in the Far east...evidently, these Tennessee river fresh water mussel shells were cut into orbs or slabs and then surgically implanted into an oyster for it to create a pearl around...some of these guys went out solo, some of them had a local tosspot pried out of the tavern up in the boat to make sure the gas powered hookah stayed gassed up and running...now at that time I was not a detectorist, just an ardent fisherman, so I got to see this first hand, these big guys with coccamamie Briggs and Stratton hand made hookah rigs at the boatramp!...

Said all that to say this, these guys were stone cold zero vis allweather harvesters of their target...they were not in it for the sport or hobby...they didnt give a tinkers cuss about safety rules or comfort either...and I suppose if a fellow approaches hunting metal with the same mindset, if he lived through it, he would be hugely successful...I can imagine finding an old raft anchor, jump off site, whatever, first using a bit of research, on old rich water, visually positioning your boat, dropping anchor, and going over the side to have a look with a detector to assess your hunch..if theres a lot of metal down there, then I can see a fellow scraping the bottom with any tool or method needed to get the most amount of metal in the shortest amount of time possible, be it a rectangular wire basket trawl, hand fanning, whatever...not really detecting per se, except to initially isolate a metal rich environment, and then just scooping mud for old glory in zero vis in an ever widening circle around the anchor drop? Maybe even tethered to the anchor line like the mussel divers? Of course you would need a trustworthy tosspot topsides to haul up your wire baskets full of gold, and wave off the boat traffic, perhaps notify your loved ones in the event of an accident, for that position, I am your huckleberry! I am most certainly capable and humbly apply!..
Mud