Water machine:detecting:

[Quartzsite]

Hello all , I am thinking of getting an underwater detector , and was wondering what to get . I want to hunt in fresh water ( Colorado river ) and don't want to go broke . Any suggestions ? Thanks


Tom

 

[grumpyolman]

Freshwater only?? Tesoro Tiger Shark if you are diving. But...they're off the production line right now as a vendor stopped supplying one of the waterproof connectors they use. The White's if you are only wading because their specs claim water proof only to 25'. As soon as they make the earphone/electronics plastic idiot proof, the Head Hunter Diver or Wader will be good. Their good now if you treat the earphone enclsosure with a bit of intelligence and don't throw it on the ground or into your dive bag. You said you don't want to go broke. That lets out the Excalibur and the Infinium. And...don't forget to check the classified part of the forum as you can usually save some serious $$ by buying one used if you can determine it hasn't been abused and can trust the person. Knock on wood. I've bought a few used units and all have been exactly as described. 99% of the people here are good folks. The 1% do lurk though. Jim

 

[Quartzsite]

Thanks ...I'll keep looking .

 

[woodwizard]

I use the wader with no problems-its deep and reasonably priced-check with MrBill for best price at surfscanners

 

[Bling]

if you can spend the money,the Excal or CZ20/21 is the best ones out there.next to them the Tesoro Tiger Shark is a good fresh water unit,but they have been on back order about 6 months.

 

[Ron Lord]

Tiger shark,excal ,cz20 and 21 stand aside let the big boy's in. I have an Infinium LS Garrett and it go's deeper than all of them.I find Gold chains small ear rings all the time .Buy it with a 14 inch mono coil,it will also find small GOLD nuggets. I have a cz20, an excal 1000. and have use a tiger shark and the Infinium LS beat them all.I been huntting for 30 years ,fresh and salt water and love the Infinium LS.. So happy huntting Ron Lord Naples, FLA

 

[Dig]

Just my two bits...when buying equipment buy the best you can afford...that way you know lack of success lies in "user error" and not also crappy gear. Its hard enough to figure things out as it is ...dont hobble yourself with a machine that wont give you every advantage. I also feel the pinch of a tight wallet but like I said...just my humble opinion.

 

[kered]

Just my two bits...when buying equipment buy the best you can afford...that way you know lack of success lies in "user error" and not also crappy gear. Its hard enough to figure things out as it is ...dont hobble yourself with a machine that wont give you every advantage. I also feel the pinch of a tight wallet but like I said...just my humble opinion.

I Agree, payback will probably come that bit quicker too (with a bit of luck of course)

 

[grumpyolman]

I might wonder about the advice of swinging a 14" coil in the Colorado RIVER. In a lake that might be fine but with any moving water, you have a lot more surface area on the coil that will work like the wing of an aircraft. Without rudder, elevator, or ailerons it could be unweidly in a current. If you won't use it in anything but totally still water then disregard this...Jim

 

[danwebster]

I never hunted in a river, im sure digging would be difficult, but far as a machine goes, it is only as good as the operator. You have to practice and experiment with the machine get to know what it is telling you. I hunt fresh water beach areas with a older Whites Surf Master II, it is a super machine it will pick up tiny gold ear rings and gold chains. Whites has some resonably priced water machines that im sure will do the job and then some, but just remember you have to practice and dig those deep signals, in sand i dig up Quarters 12-14", some signals a very faint i move some sand with my foot and it gets louder. The deeper gold rings i have found are down 6-8". After Labor Day weekend i go in the water with chest waders and and hunt in the water. Make sure you ask for permission some state parks you have to get a permit to detect.In The water you have to learn how to pinpoint by placing your foot at the back of your coil then put your dig scoop at that spot and dig away. My Surfmaster has to be in motion to pin-point, this takes some practice this is something you may want to look at if your new to this hobby. I have been detecting since 1978 and still have a old Whites 6DB that we use to rig up a hip-mount set up and float the machine's box on an inner tube with a basket hanging from the tube. Well i hope i was some help, also a picture is worth a thousand words, so if you havent already check out some of my finds under Surf Master II. Good Luck and remember " Practice makes Perfect"

 

[Willee - Texas]

It is flawed logic to try to save a few bucks on a detector that has the potential of paying for itself with one good find.
Detectors do not cost money ... they make money ... if you get out and use them.

If I were hunting for gold nugget's I would own the best Minelab detector they sell for that task.
Buying a used one makes a lot of sense but trying to make do with an El Cheapo special dont.

Fresh or salt water ... it dont matter ... the Excalibur II with the 8" coil on an Anderson rod with the knob protector is IMHO the way to go for coins and jewelry in swimming areas.
Now that the detector part is settled ... ya gonna Dive or Wade?
What about recovery after you have detected the object?
Got proper clothing and foot protection?

The detector is just the down payment on all the accessories that you will need ... ...

Willee

 

[auhunter]

I have a 2 yr old Minelab Excclibur 1000, 10" coil, excellent shape, list $1200 for $700 email gliddenp@bellsouth.net