Water machine question.

[Tseeker]

I am wondering if the Tesoro Sand Shark is a good machine for the area that I am in, Tampa Bay specifically or west coast of Fla. in general. I understand that salinity and mineralization conditions differ from one locale to another and a machine suited to my own area is best. I should ask if this unit is at least adequate. I would like to save up for an Excalibur but I have to be realistic about the amount I can spend.

 

[Gulf Hunter]

I have never used that particular model Tseeker, but most any PI will work in the salt water. You will have some trouble with ID-ing metals though and you will just have to dig it all. Eventually, it is possible that you could auditorily discriminate some, but you should dig it all for a year, till you really know your machine well. Many times a bobby pin or nail will double beep, but so do broken rings, earrings and some chains, how bout them apples? I used PIs (Garrett Mark IIs) my 1st 2 water hunting seasons.

Realistically, the best thing to do is spend the money for the Excal, imo. There are used ones available all the time here on the Classifieds, even though I do not recommend buying a used water detector, unless you know that it has been well maintained and taken care of, OR a closet unit. A closet unit can be great! That is the guy who buys this new detector and thinks he is going to find a treasure chest out there, when he only finds a few pennies and pulltabs, he finally loses interest and sticks it in the closet, THAT is the unit you want, and MAYBE he never sent in the warranty card and WALLA! You could probably get one for around $800. You can pay it off, with one good find, been there done that!

 

[tvr]

Gulf Hunter offers great advice.
A number of years ago I had a Cibola at Mexico Beach, FL. for a long week end. Sand conditions there were easy to work. A little down the coast, probably not much different. After that time and a few other knee deep excursions with the CIbola I knew I wanted a detector I could submerse. Got a used CZ20 ... still have both those detectors.

I picked up a Sand Shark last year and have a very few hours on it so far. I plan to get more hours on it this year.

The Sand Shark will do the job of finding metal at the beach at respectable depths. You will dig virtually everything. That's not necessarily a bad thing in the sand. A magnet in your scoop is a good idea.

Since a second hand Sand Shark in good shape can be had for half of what second hand Excaliburs go for, it can get you in the surf for a reasonable price ... or you can save for the detector with discrimination that is more versatile, but maybe not be in the water as soon. It is all about what your trade offs are for your particular situation.

Good luck with how ever you choose to go.
Cheers,
tvr

 

[Bernie]

I looked at all the options for a water machine and decided on a used DetectorPro HH Wader. I got one used which was a closet machine still with the warranty. This will be my first season with it and it remains to be seen if this was the best choice. The guys who have this detector all seem to like it very much and highly recommend it.