Wanted to get some input on purchasing the best detector for underwater hunting? I have a Whites PI but was looking into getting another unit for a back up any suggestions for other machines? Fisher? Garret? Hope to hear from you guys!
I would say a pulse induction unit for best detection and depth. If you are diving, the metal, discretion should not be important. Dig everything! Hopefully you are not diving in a trashy area. I actually have a machine that goes against my recomendation (Fisher CZ-20, discontinued). It is a great machine, biut I was thinking about getting another machine, likely a JW Fisher Pulse 8X or an AuquaPulse.The CZ-20 rules on the beach, but I am just refeung to underawter hunting.
Stabn Dilcher
Do want something to use in the surf or something made for use under water? I don't mean to sound like a wise guy but this should affect your decision. The last thing you want is to invest a pile of cash in a detector and have a leak.
For diving keep it simple, Garrett Seahunter Mk II or JW Fishers 1280x. Aqua Pulse is a great machine but there support is in the UK, not the US. The Minelab Excal is complicated to use. I can't speak to Whites as I have not used one. Like it was said above, for most treasure diving you really don't care that much about discrimination.
There are a lot of other threads on this topic search or scroll around a few pages and you'll find other "opinions".
Makahaman, I just noticed your in HI. With the black sand you might want to take a look at the Garrett Infinium. It has a very steep learning curve and is not a user friendly machine. It does however perform well in highly mineralized soil/sand.
I use the Garrett Seahunter MkII as my sole underwater detector. For the price, it offers deep seeking, with discrimination (ie. you can tune out iron and other things like pull tabs) and easy to use. There are not low and high beeps or different sounds to learn. It either picks it up or it doesn't!
Also, it uses AA batteries, so no forgetting to recharge and they last forever! I have had my seahunter for several years and have changed the batteries maybe 3 times!
You can buy 2 or 3 Seahunters for a Fisher Pulse 8x!
I have always used the aqua pulse, and still do when looking for targets deep. I have a new Minelab Excal 1000 and getting used to some of the noises it makes. Unfortunately the Fisher CZ-20 is no longer available. Our Archie has one and would not think of using anything else.
If you are serious about detecting ferrous contacts underwater, definitely the best way is to use a 'differential gradiometer'. That is a type of metal detector that uses a balanced set of detectors in a 3-D or 2-D configuration, and can remove or eliminate most local/geological magnetic influence.
This will allow you to survey a large area quickly, with mostly only man-made contacts being detected.
Here's a URL to the website. I have used these specific devices with great success.