What coil size do you use for beach hunting?

[Celtic Dragon]

I am looking to buy a larger coil for beach hunting. What size coil do you use? Any recommendations would be much appreciated! Thank you and happy hunting.

 

[GeorgeinSC]

Until I purchased an Excalibur II I used the Sovereign GT with one of three coils. 13", 12" or 10X12. All three of those coils worked well for me at the beach giving very good depth. I used the larger coils in order to get more coverage with each swing of the coil. Off the beach I mainly use the 10X12 SEF.

Someone who swings the same machine as you would be able to give you a better idea as to what you could expect with a larger coil on your machine.

 

[LE.JAG]

everything will depend on the machine used
on some detector, a very large coil
will cause a loss of sensibilit

 

[goldnugget]

I use the Stock 8 inch coil for my Excalibur, just go slow in swinging. goldnugget-Charlotte,N.C.

 

[KinTN]

imo, as a general rule, the largest coil that you can swing comfortably is the best for beach use.

 

[mudpuppy]

Yep, I agree, largest coil you can comfortably swing...especially on those really big wide and long beaches...that said, if you dont have a big coil, and are forced to use a smaller coil, it does make a guy think more strategically about the place, and hunt it accordingly...makes a guy try to read the beach and smoke jump hotspots instead of just sweeping sand random...now once a fellow gets good at that, then a big coil would be a benefit!

Heres a coil track I found one morning, next to my little 11"dd... I got serious "coil envy" coming across this track!
Mud

 

[Jim Robertson]

I am using a Beach Hog on my TDI Pro, a 15 inch WOT's om my GTamd the 12 inch coil on my Surfmaster DF PI.

 

[Celtic Dragon]

I have a Whites V3i and I am thinking of going with the 15"x 12" Excelerator coil.

 

[Tom Slick]

If you're using a V3i or MX5 you're probably hunting the dry sand and I would recommend a BigFoot for those detectors on the dry sand.

 

[ajaj]

I only have an 8" standard coil with my Excal. Yes, I am losing area coverage and some depth, but, like it was said above, it forces me to focus on the eroded areas and it helps me maintain excellent coil control. The biggest benefit is during recovery of deep targets...my coil can sometimes fit inside the hole for more precision and target ID. I have dug dimes at 12 inches in sand laced with black sand.

aj

 

[nolanation]

Yes don't go near the water with the V3i, it doesn't like it. I would suggest saving the money, getting rid of the MX5, and buy a machine suitable for the beach.

 

[GeorgeinSC]

I have used the Sovereign GT with 10" Tornado, Sunray S-12, SEF 10X12, Detec 13" Ultimate and the Excalibur II with the standard 10" coil.

All those coils have performed well for me. Since purchasing the Excal I have used it almost exclusively at the beach as I can wander into and out of the water at will without worrying about getting my machine wet.

I can usually run sensitivity higher with the 10" coils and get about the same depth as I get with the larger coils. I lose the larger coverage area but get outstanding depth.

 

[Goldstrike]

This is me swinging my 30 inch custom carbon coil that I use on the beach!!!.................just kidding!!! That coil would pick up targets down in Australia!!! I use a stock 11 inch DD coil and it works fine for me. I have owned and swung the 18"x15" SEF butterfly coil, the 15" WOT and others but find the 11" coil performs great for me. It's lightweight and easy to swing allowing me to swing for several hrs instead of 3 or 4hrs with a heavier coil and as stated by others, I also can get into deep holes without having to excavate a huge wide hole for a bigger coil. Bottom line is personnel preference according to your abilities and skills.

 

[OldBeechnut]

Location dictates which I use, but on the open beach dry into the wet the ULT 13, Good is being able to adjust to conditions and location.