Beachhunter ID 300 questions

[nuggetshooter]

Hello everyone,

I have the opportunity to trade my CZ-21 for a virtually new Beach Hunter ID 300. Although I have read a lot about the BHID, I still have a few questions:

1. I live in California where the minerals in the ground are hot - lots of black sand. Will this detector be able to handle it?

I read a quote from Jimmy Sierra who lives in CA that he does not la fan of the BHID because it will not do the job for him on the CA salt beaches - anybody have a different experience? I mainly plan to hunt fresh water beaches along rivers and lakes in the central and northern parts of the state - such as the American River, Comanche Lake, Lake Tahoe, Shasta Lake, etc. I will use it in shallow water. I have a Spectra V3i for the shore hunting.

2. How does one adjust the volume on the detector? I have very sensitive hearing, and it concerns me it does not have a volume control. On my CZ, I have to run the volume at 1 (out of 10) because anything else is excessive for me. How does anybody deal with excessive volume this detector?
Thanks.

[W6PEA]

I would say keep what you have. Or get yourself a Minelab Eureka I only use Minelab machines had a Garrett years ago.
I find that the minelab machines work better in saltwater and fresh JMHO

[Sandman]

You will be sorry about trading the CZ-21 for a BHID. Besides the volume control missing the coil floats like a cork and it doesn't handle black sand well. The hearing thing can be fixed somewhat with cotton batting stuffed in the ear phones to muffle the sound. The floating coil is light weight for the dry sand, but you will have trouble when lots of black sand is present. I have a CZ-20 so I know what it will do.

The best detector for you right now for water hunting is the Excal as it handles black sand and salt water together fine. You will not be digging any hair pins with the Excal either.

[nuggetshooter]

Sandman and W6PEA,

I have pretty much decided to do as you both suggest - keep the CA-21. After reading Sierra's comments and now yours, and discovering how loud the detector is w/o a volume control. I understand the floating coil thing can be dealt with in a number of ways (such as with a straight rod or some weight), but the part about not being able to handle bad ground pretty much made the decision for me since the ground all over the Sierras where most of my hunting will be done contains a lot of black sand, as do the CA salt water beaches. I can use my Spectra V3i or my Troy Shadow for the dry sand beaches. I had a Sov. GT for a good amount of time, and could never get used to it. That is why I did not choose the Excalibur. One day I may have to decide to give an Excal a go again if my CZ does not do the trick or I get the itch to move on - but right now it does works pretty well. I am just always looking for something better. I also miss not having a threshold. I have also considered a Tesoro Tiger Shark, but they are few and far between. Thank you for your replies.

[billb]

i would like to find a machine that is good in fresh and salt water any reccomendations

[John (Ma)]

Minelab Excal for fresh and salt hands down! I use mine in both and have never had an issue. A little more money, but well worth it. That's my 2 cents

[Adrian SS]

I have an early BHID and it has sensitivity, Volume and Threshold controls. It works great at the beach but does not like iron or heavy black sand mineralisation. The Excal is the way to go.