Should I upgrade?

[Boatlode]

I posted this in the metal detecting forum and only got one response, hopefully more of the braintrust will help me here. I hunt strictly on the beach, and strictly dry sand. I would rather find an old Spanish ships spike than a diamond necklace (i.e. I'm all about history, not money). I have been using an old (1973) Bounty Hunter I. Yes, I dig everything. In the opinion of the braintrust, would upgrading to a Fisher F2 or Garrett Ace 250 be worth the investment? I cannot afford a dedicated beach machine like the Tesoro Sand Shark.

 

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[fireguy]

So how do you like it. Happy that you upgraded?

 

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[matrix master DBA]

The other advantage of upgrading would be the option of getting a bigger coil which would equal greater depth.

 

[matrix master DBA]

Great choice I have been using the sand shark for 7 years never had any problems. I have used it in fresh and salt water. Good luck with the SS.

 

[Fletch88]

Sand Shark arrived yesterday. I just put it together. http://s1196.photobucket.com/user/bite_me5/media/metaldetectors_zps79520a17.jpg.html

Congrats on SS! In the opening post you said you strictly hunt dry sand and maybe get your feet wet, get ready to dig a lot!

 

[Boatlode]

So how do you like it. Happy that you upgraded?

I just put it together and tested it here at home. Seems like a well built detector. I'll take it to the beach for the first time Monday.

 

[Boatlode]

Ok, I'm impressed. The Sand Shark is far more powerful than my old Bounty Hunter I. Took it to the beach today for several hours. Didn't find anything of value, but among the junk I found was a tiny fishhook, #7 or #8, that was 5" deep. And it was a good strong signal - no way the old BH would have done that.

 

[matrix master DBA]

Maybe you will find something good on your next trip.. HH

 

[donkarlos]

It is amazing how good a fishhook can sound. You'll eventually get an idea of what it is you're about to dig.

 

[AT PRO user]

Congrats on the upgrade I hope it leads to many more treasures

It is amazing how good a fishhook can sound. You'll eventually get an idea of what it is you're about to dig.

Does the sand shark have different tones? I've Never used a pi and I've just assumed pi's don't have much tone differences between targets. Would love to get something I can get into the water with here in ca, my AT goes crazy once I get to the water line. I figured I'd go with ctx to get some target id separation. Would love to see some posts on pi target id separation.

 

[Fletch88]

Congrats on the upgrade I hope it leads to many more treasures Does the sand shark have different tones? I've Never used a pi and I've just assumed pi's don't have much tone differences between targets. Would love to get something I can get into the water with here in ca, my AT goes crazy once I get to the water line. I figured I'd go with ctx to get some target id separation. Would love to see some posts on pi target id separation.

SS only has single tone. Some say you get a double blip on bobby pins, but for the most part you "dig till your arm falls off". They have their place out in the surf, where there's less trash, but for wet sand my personal choice is the sovereign or Excal. With larger coils you can achieve PI depths and not dig junk.

 

[matrix master DBA]

When im on the beach I like to dig all targets. Sometimes trash signals are covering up the good stuff.. I've found a few nice rings mixed in with some trashy signals..

 

[Fletch88]

When im on the beach I like to dig all targets. Sometimes trash signals are covering up the good stuff.. I've found a few nice rings mixed in with some trashy signals..

To each his own I guess. I dig iron and trash too when there's a goody mixed in.

 

[AT PRO user]

When im on the beach I like to dig all targets. Sometimes trash signals are covering up the good stuff.. I've found a few nice rings mixed in with some trashy signals..

I've heard that with the ctx it will give you targets in layers and that when field testing the machine they glued nail to coins/targets and the machine will show you if there is a a treasure below the trash. Do any ctx users have experience with this or is a sales pitch?

 

[Fletch88]

I've heard that with the ctx it will give you targets in layers and that when field testing the machine they glued nail to coins/targets and the machine will show you if there is a a treasure below the trash. Do any ctx users have experience with this or is a sales pitch?

Yes the CTX will show a 2D response of both targets under the coil but it's not like a fish finder where it shows depth, just a red dot where their FE-CO numbers fall. The Sovereign and Excal will accomplish almost the same thing with an audio tone instead of a screen.

 

[AT PRO user]

Yes the CTX will show a 2D response of both targets under the coil but it's not like a fish finder where it shows depth, just a red dot where their FE-CO numbers fall. The Sovereign and Excal will accomplish almost the same thing with an audio tone instead of a screen.

I do like the idea of the durability of the excal, little worried after hearing some of the issues with battery and USB waterproofing seals on the ctx. But I am kind of a techie and think I can put the gps features to use on the ctx. Also like the ctx do to being able to manipulate the machine with one hand seems you need a free hands to tune the excal as conditions change. Also seems the excal is a beach machine where as the ctx is an everything machine

 

[Fletch88]

I do like the idea of the durability of the excal, little worried after hearing some of the issues with battery and USB waterproofing seals on the ctx. But I am kind of a techie and think I can put the gps features to use on the ctx. Also like the ctx do to being able to manipulate the machine with one hand seems you need a free hands to tune the excal as conditions change. Also seems the excal is a beach machine where as the ctx is an everything machine

Actually you never really touch the Excal once you start hunting unless you use reverse discrimination where you hunt in all metal mode then check target in disc. That's why the pp mod that OBN does is so great for this type hunting.

 

[AT PRO user]

Actually you never really touch the Excal once you start hunting unless you use reverse discrimination where you hunt in all metal mode then check target in disc. That's why the pp mod that OBN does is so great for this type hunting.

Lost me on pp mod that OBN does? Defiantly sounds like I need to do more research to justify the difference in cost between the excal and the ctx

 

[Fletch88]

Lost me on pp mod that OBN does? Defiantly sounds like I need to do more research to justify the difference in cost between the excal and the ctx

There is a kit that a member sells that can be installed yourself if you can solder and follow his videos (his charge to install is very minimal). I also opted for better headphones than stock yellow ones since they both are wired into same endcap. It allows you to switch from pinpoint/all metal to discriminate with a toggle switch that's located in handle on straight shaft. This gives you more depth and sensitivity in all metal then flip the toggle and check to see if target is worth digging. Here's a video of the olde pirate himself!

 

[AT PRO user]

There is a kit that a member sells that can be installed yourself if you can solder and follow his videos (his charge to install is very minimal). I also opted for better headphones than stock yellow ones since they both are wired into same endcap. It allows you to switch from pinpoint/all metal to discriminate with a toggle switch that's located in handle on straight shaft. This gives you more depth and sensitivity in all metal then flip the toggle and check to see if target is worth digging. Here's a video of the olde pirate himself! Video Link: http://youtu.be/NilyKi-nsww

Thanks fletch, the info is much appreciated. Hopefully in the next couple months I'll post a new toy. Thanks again and HH

 

[donkarlos]

Congrats on the upgrade I hope it leads to many more treasures

Does the sand shark have different tones? I've Never used a pi and I've just assumed pi's don't have much tone differences between targets. Would love to get something I can get into the water with here in ca, my AT goes crazy once I get to the water line. I figured I'd go with ctx to get some target id separation. Would love to see some posts on pi target id separation.

It's one tone, or note or noise - whatever you want to call it but different stuff sounds different, like between a wire and a coin. But, like fletch88 said, you pretty much dig and dig. And dig. With my SS I can have a whole bag of junk in a couple of hours whereas with my sovereign gt I only have a pocket full.