What beach detector to use?

[HighTide]

As I mentioned on another thread, I'll be retiring early next year. One thing I'll be doing is detecting the Texas Gulf coast from dry sand to thigh deep water. I had pretty much settled on White's BHID 300, but if I'm spending that much money, I need to be sure that I'm getting the best one for my money, somewhere between $900 and $1200. I don't want to worry about accidentally dropping the detector in the water. That's going to happen, so the detector should be totally waterproof.

I know that many of you are happy with your detectors and I can respect that. What I'm really looking for is experiences that some of you may have using the BHID300 AND other similar models that would allow you to compare it with others side by side.

I searched this forum about 3 months back and didn't find anything truly relevant. What I don't like about the White's Surfmaster PI is that it doesn't seem to discriminate as well as the BHID because of the pulse induction vs. multiple frequencies. I would hate to buy the BHID 300 only to be told later by someone that if I had just spent just a few more dollars I could have gotten a much better model or much more desired features.

I'm dying to hear what you guys have to say.

HighTide (Soon to be a permanent waterfront resident of Padre Island)

 

[hershey1]

If there is any way possible to try different machines whether through a club or friends do it . I have an ExcaliburII and a Sea Hunter MKII and they will do what they were designed to do but you get what you can afford and learn it. They will all find treasure but the people that find the most are the people that know their machines best. Good Luck with your choice and take time to learn your new machine. HH

 

[Snoopy36]

Wow Hershey - you own an Excal and a Sea Hunter? Awesome. Is the Excal really worth the extra thousand bucks in your opinion?

 

[hershey1]

Snoop36: In my opinion I have found a whole lot more with a LOT less digging with the ExcaliburII than anything I have ever used. I have never had a problem with my machine but if something happens to my Excal I will get another one. It is about 2 years old and has paid for itself more than once. HH

 

[Dig]

Welcome to the forum High! The one piece of advice I will give you is...never hesitate to ask questions. I owe a lot of my success to most of the senior members. The coddled me along and answered all my questions (which they had already answered for others a few billion times) until I figured out which end of the detector to hold on to. If you ask...you will do well!

As far as machines, I have used a Minelab excalibur,a Whites DF (PI), a Fisher CZ-20, and a minelab Etrac. The Etrac is out as it is not waterproof. I didnt care for the DF and sold it. I have found most of my treasure with the Excalibur or just recently with the Fisher CZ-20. I have to say I am at a toss up over which one I like better, i think the Minelab is a little deeper but also it lies a little more. The Fischer is not quite as deep (unless its a big honker band or something) but it never lies. That is to say, if there is something in the ground the fisher will tell you, if not its absolutely quiet. I am not a big Whites enthusiast, but thats just my personal opinion. You should talk to Briley, he used to use a Whites DF and a Whites Beachhunter ID.

Good luck and if you ever have questions, I hope you will ask!

 

[HighTide]

First, let me say that I really value "you guys" opinion. I am by no means hell bent on White's BHID and that is precisely why I'm asking your opinions. Because several of you have mentioned the Excalibur II, I will look at it real strong. I just thank my lucky start I heard about it before making my final purchase. It would be nice to hear from someone who has used both the BHID and Excalibur.

Dig: How do I get a hold of Briley?

Everyone, please keep the recommendations coming.

HighTide

 

[Dig]

Look for Briley59. It's his handle . Then send him a PM. I will send him one as well to make sure he knows you have some questions.

 

[Joel-Winnipeg]

I hunt mainly freshwater.
I recently had my BHID converted to 12 inch yellow coil from the 9.5 floater.
I only had the chance to take it out once since the conversion.
So far so good ,it seems harder to pinpoint underwater but I think its a matter of using it more. Chest deep wave action doesn't help.
I did not have any problem with the older coil when it was on (.5 inch verse the 12 inch
Because most of our newer coins are steel plated I will dig most of the red blips to yellow to blue. Dig the nulls and double faint signals.
If it stays and not budge of red I leave it alone.
Double blips bobby pins unfortunately some nails give good signals and so does bottle caps.
I usually dig most things as it will eventually teach me the right sound.Our hunting season up here is pretty short so that makes it harder to master
the detector sooner.
I also use the Wader and that is a good gold finding detector.

 

[Stix]

Well I have used the BHID 300 and its an easy to use turn on and set GB and go. The lights are a huge help out in the surf especially when ya can mount it on your person making the unit lighter and easier to manage in the water. The Excalibur has major issues with units breaking and trying to get them fixed has ridiculously long wait times. My buddy is one of these people first hand and has been waiting 2 months now and still no idea when it will be fixed. The Excalibur is a great machine but it has issues. The minelab is deeper than the BHID but has a bigger learning curve. They are both sensitive to gold and both can pick up chains.

You cannot go wrong with either unit.

 

[Stix]

Honestly if I had the money I would buy a minelab and a BHID 300. One for when the other breaks down and has to go in as they both are fun machines to run. I hate to knock the Excalibur but CS is a big deal and my buddy wants to strangle them at the moment. He don't have the money to buy another back up.

 

[grumpyolman]

And...be safe out there. Don't forget the inflatable life jacket. It's as important, or maybe more so, than the detector you choose. Can't detect if you aren't around because the water did you in. jim

 

[surfdog]

There is no question as I have used All of the beach machines, several times, over the years. The ONLY machine I use in the wet sand is the Sovereign. I have hunted a large portion of the beaches on the Atlantic coast from Delaware north. If youir going into the water then I would say the excalibur as its waterproof.These machines are excellent in areas of iron. I use a 12" coil and regularily dig targets 18" +. They have a very distinct sound when its gold as well. I dug a mens platnum band at well over a foot last week. JMHO...
Good hunting
Bill