Help - Looking To Upgrade to Detector In $1,000 Price Range - Safari? Garrett, Other?

[SandPyrat]

I have been using a White's Surf P.I. Pro that a friend gave to me for about a year now. Having a blast, finding a lot coins and stuff on the beach. I live in St. Augustine, FL and hunt only on the beach right now - but am thinking of expanding my horizons and trying some other areas inland, maybe even Georgia or North Carolina (much different soil). Ultimately, I'll probably be on the beach at home most of the time.

My Surf Pro is simple to use and locates coins and metal pretty darn deep, enough to make me sweat and regret beginning to dig sometimes. Thinking though it may be time to go with newer technology, a few more settings and readout that confirms the audio and gives me an idea of what I'm finding (I still dig everything in fear of missing something good). All you can do with the Surf Pro is listen intently for the squeals. Most of the time I can recognize the crisp blip of a coin, but that's about it. It's also starting to make random, inconsistent sharp blip sounds.

I'm lazy and don't enjoy fiddling with settings, nor do I think I'll ever connect a detector to my computer, use GPS, bluetooth, WIFI, NetFlix, etc. I work on a computer all day and don't want to mess with one any more than I have to. Waterproof coil is mandatory, waterproof or resistant detector is a bonus. I just want to get to the beach, turn it on and go - but also have a good detector for other soil types.

The two detectors I've been looking at are the MineLab Safari and the Garrett AT Pro. Would like to spend no more than $1,000 if possible. Are these better than my Surf Pro and, am I missing out on a specific technology by not spending a few more hundred dollars? I notice the next detector up from the Safari, the ETRAC has "smartfind". Is this worth having? I'm willing to sacrifice some ease of use if it gives me a more powerful detector.

The Garrett AT Pro runs about $650 while the Safari is about $1,000. For me, generally higher price means "better". Is this the case here?

Thanks in advance - all advice appreciated.

 

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[1942 merc]

Wait for the new minelab .

 

[smokeythecat]

If you can hold out, go for a XP Deus. They are a little more, but mine does better than either of the machines in a one on one hunt. It's also user friendly. I don't "program" mine, but use it right out of the box. Sometimes I bump up the frequency on the HF coil, but that's about all.

 

[1942 merc]

I love my deus but the new minelab will be multi-freq running all freq at once so you can find a wide range of targets in one swing . If the reviews go well I am picking one up . That will be in the spring for me though . A long five months of winter is ahead of me .

 

[SandPyrat]

Wow - looks like the new Minelab Equinox is the way to go. Glad I posted this question as would have been ticked had I bought a new MD with a better model on the verge of release. Thanks!!

 

[Vldetecting]

I'm getting the Garrett AT Max for next season, it's recommended by many people and it's the best detector in the AT series. So I would recommend that detector, for about 750$

 

[WaterScoop]

The Minelab Equinox looks promising. I suggest you “test drive” a few machines. metal detectors are like cars... when you look on the road around you while you drive not everyone drives the same car....Yes they all have four wheels and a steering wheel but that’s where the similarities end.

I like Minelab and I love XP but they are two different styles. It’s like driving a sports car and an SUV. One is fast the other has more features and carries more.

 

[bowser]

call Dennis at METALDECTORS.COM to get a great deal, Safari prices have dropped considerably

 

[DiggerGal]

AT Pro does not do well on salt water beaches (Dry sand is ok) but great for soil and rivers and streams (freshwater).


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[Tpmetal]

Xp deus, whites mxsport, garret at max, minelab equinox, all fit your bill. stuff like ctx 3030, whites v3i, and ither high ends with lots of options and adjustments sound out of your interest.

 

[cudamark]

As touched on before.....get a multifrequency machine for wet salt water sand and water. Single frequency machines tend to false in those environments unless you detune them, losing depth in the process. Minelab is the king of multifrequency machines right now. Others that will work good too are the Fisher CZ21 and White's BH3000. If the Equinox delivers on it's hype, it sounds like a good fit for you pricewise and performancewise. Safari would work for you too, but, it's not waterproof. Same with the Sovereign, Explorer, and E-trac. The CTX is an excellent choice if you can stand the price.

 

[RustyGold]

I'd hold out purchasing one that satisfies your requirements until the new Equinox is available as it sounds like the perfect beach and water machine.
Good Luck!

 

[WaterScoop]

Don’t pull the trigger until the Equinox is out and several members have spent a few hundred hours with one between all of them. All the videos on the Internet that were done at the Detectival 2017 in England were done with a prototype to build up some hype. It was obvious from the sky jumper to the smoke etc. Marketing at its best. Minelab builds great machines However others do as well.

Patience is a virtue

 

[BrettCo124]

I own the safari and rave about it non stop. With that being said, I do believe I would wait for the equinox 800 as well. It’s waterproof and has a lot of hype about it.

If you are ready to buy One now, you will absolutely not be let down with the Safari. That machine has a language of its own that you learn quite quickly. The coil is waterproof too. You can’t go wrong, but it also sounds like you can’t go wrong with the equinox either, which will be a much lighter machine and waterproof. I don’t know how it would perform against the safari though. Only time will tell.