Whites Surf PI Pro Questions :confused:

[hobbes_lives]

I originally posted this message in the PI Technology Forum. Gulf Hunter recommended that I post the same questions here...

I recently purchased a used Whites Surf PI Pro and I have a few questions. I was able to use the machine weekend-before-last for a few hours in the water at Daytona. (I found a whopping 4

 

[Gulf Hunter]

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[Horsesoldier]

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[Craig-PI]

I don't know which detector you have.. how old is it? Sounds to me like something is not right with yours.. I set my gain at 10 o'clock and its very stable and I set my threshold a little above a soft hum so I can hear the threshold drop out when I'm over a deep target. Mine is very stable with these settings, if I was to turn it up to the presets then it would be noisy.

 

[hobbes_lives]

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[Horsesoldier]

...First, make sure you have fresh batteries. Even if you put known good batteries in before you used it, I would recommend a fresh set, just to see if that has an effect. I think what you are desribing with the threshold sounds normal. The threshold is kinda "wobbly" as compared to a convention VLF machine. Of course the gain and the threshold have to work in tandem. It seemed to me that I got better performance with the threshold set at Preset or just below (silent search) with the gain at Preset or at the 3:00 position if I could get it. I think the reason you are getting the tone change coming out of the water may be related to your settings plus the fact that the machine is set up to "trac" (as related to VLF machines) or continually ground balance (maintain its pulse rate). I can tell you one thing for sure about that machine and that is it gets phenominal depth and is super sensitive. The only reason I got rid of mine was that I got tired of digging wet rust spots and hair pins. Hope this helps.

 

[diggindirt]

I had the same problem and the machine should not be doing that (probably an issue with the coil). My detector was sent back and is now working correctly. I can adjust the gain control which is the sensitivity most of the way up. I can go from the preset to around the 2 o-clock position and I've been working in heavy black sand. I can sweep and have a pretty smooth threshold. Since you said the unit was used, do you still have warranty left on it? White's gives 2 years and it's transferable. If it's out of warranty, I would still have it checked just to make sure everything is set correctly and for peace of mind (don't want to miss the gold)! Keep us posted..................!

 

[JW]

If the detector is less than 30 days old call the dealer and get it replaced.

 

[hobbes_lives]

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[GaBeachsweeper]

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[JeffOH]

Hi HL and all,

I still have an original Surf PI so I'm not sure my comments will be completely relevant. I do agree that a fresh set of batteries is a good place to start. On the old Surf PI the presets are not helpful given a wide range of beach conditions. I set the pulse delay to about 10 or 20% and set the tuner until I get the weakest, steadiest tone possible under the conditions. In rough waves, I have gotten a variable tone as my coil moves up-and-down relative to the bottom as I swing the coil. And it does chatter when slipping the coil in or out of the saltwater. The guts got wet a few years ago when I didn't seal the box properly and I got an upgraded circuit from Whites. The darn thing DOES pick up patches of rusty sand if I set the pulse delay too low, but it still tells me about any goodies it passes over like "Dee's" gold ID bracelet and the sterling hoop that I found at Tybee Island last summer.

PS - I've been away from the treasure forums for way too long, it's good to see some of the same folks here from several years ago. I'll see you at the beach! (heading for OBX next Sunday July 29th - CAN'T WAIT!!)

 

[hobbes_lives]

Thanks to everyone that has helped me out with the Surf Pro PI. You suggestions, and a little more time in the water, have helped me out allot.

I found 32

 

[diggindirt]

Glad to hear you've got it working! If you spend some time learning the sounds, you'll see that alot of junk has specific tones and with practice you can start to tell the differences between them (hair pins, nails some iron give a harsh sort of broken tone and or double beep). A book I've found to help is "Water hunting secrets of the pros" it has lots of information listed to help teach you to hear the slight differences with any PI or VLF machine!!! I've pulled nickels and small gold from crazy depths by just listening to the faintest signals when no one else was hearing anything in the same areas! I wish you good luck with the new machine, HH!