cheapest "stable" white machine--for beach (wet sand) and inland use relic /coin

[ivan salis]

looking for your knowledge -- I'm willing to spend what I need to to have a proper "stable" machine for dry and wet sand areas of the saltwater beaches and for inland relic / coin hunting in fla--(I don't go in the water)--- however I don't want to spend more than I need to---I am knowlegible about detecting but haven't used any white products as of yet----but like what I hear and see about them---which ones do you think whould be best---thanks ---Ivan

[tinkb]

Ivan, I have a M6 that I have been using for about 5 months now. My buddy and I went to the shores of the Columbia River here in Oregon a few weeks back to hunt a launch site. I was using the M6 in beach mode there along the water and over the water with no problem. Didn't chatter and IDed alot of caps, PT and trash even in the water. It probably doesn't have the full salt solution the ocean has but its still pretty brackish water.

The video on the M6 starts out with them hunting ocean beaches in Ca. Infact I think the M6 was made for both land and beach hunting. Pretty easy to use and it features ground tracking for those places. Might want to do a search on beach hunting with the M6 and see what turns up. I haven't had a chance to try mine on the ocean beaches yet but I have no doubt it would be a good machine for it.

[ivan salis]

thanks for your input---I have heard good things about the M6 abilities --and it can use many differant coils like the higher dollar machines do ---price ain't bad either---gal at kellyco said that it was her "steady" machine--it is one of the models I was thinking about getting.Ivan

[Dimeman]

I have had the M6 since the last part of January and though I haven't been beach hunting with it, it does have a beach ground balance toggle switch.
If you get one, you will like it.

[Rowdy]

thanks for your input---I have heard good things about the M6 abilities --and it can use many differant coils like the higher dollar machines do ---price ain't bad either---gal at kellyco said that it was her "steady" machine--it is one of the models I was thinking about getting.Ivan

Ivan,

I just got an M6 a few weeks ago. It's my first detector so I'm still learning, but it's very easy to use! Incidentally, I got mine through Dallas in the dealer classifieds. He gave me a great deal, was awesome to deal with, and he also supports TN!

[dahut]

Dry AND wet sand on salt water beaches? Whites?

BH ID if you want to have a good chance to ID iron.
Beach PI if you want to develop a strong back diggin' in wet sand for sparkler wires and nails.

Other Whites units will do, of course. Many people press their land units into service down at the shore, and something like the MXT or DFX are useable - until you drop it in the water or raise the coil and allow water to run into the guts of the thing - or fail to cover it properly to keep the sand and salt spray out of it.

Might I humbly suggest that you get a machine made for the environment in which you intend to use it. In this case, that is a dedicated beach machine.

[cosmic]

Got my M-6 from Dallas also.. Had it about a couple weeks I guess.. Don't know about the beach mode but the tone ID works pretty well..
Ray

[Rowdy]

Got my M-6 from Dallas also.. Had it about a couple weeks I guess.. Don't know about the beach mode but the tone ID works pretty well..
Ray

I thought I was familiar with all 7 tones, but that's one I've definately never heard!

[cosmic]

I was clear and strong.. But everytime I using it I laugh!!! I run in tone id., 0 disc., and in iron infested ground..Is it just me or does it sound like a gaggle of geese

[Sandman]

Might I humbly suggest that you get a machine made for the environment in which you intend to use it. In this case, that is a dedicated beach machine.

Most VLF's are fine for dry sand. When you get into wet sand, you need a saltwater mode or a PI type. Using a land detector at a beach where the conditions are rough on the equipment means you like to buy detectors . There is no detector that works well in all areas and as been said, a waterproof detector is a good investment.

[Rowdy]

I was clear and strong.. But everytime I using it I laugh!!! I run in tone id., 0 disc., and in iron infested ground..Is it just me or does it sound like a gaggle of geese

Now THAT sound I'm familiar with!

I just got a 4 X 6 DD coil for mine, and it's amazing how much difference it makes in seperating targets! Now if I slow down, instead of geese, I hear a lot of identifiable targets!

[Jason in TN]

Beach hunter ID if you plan to get wet. DFX is great in the salt but do not get to close and get hit by a wave or you are done. M6 and MXT are one freq machines and is not the best on a wet salt beach.

[Treasure_Hunter]

Just a thought, but you might want to consider a Minelab Sovereign GT if your not going to go deeper then midcalf.

I am in total agreement with Sandman and the others. If your going to hunt beaches much at all.....Get a good beach machine that can also work on land.

I had a BHID and they are good, but you have to be very careful replacing the batteries that you get the door closed properly and or you do not get ANY sand on the o-ring. You will get water in the battery compartment if not careful.......

I got a good deal and trade in on my BHID with Tony (TonyinCT) on the Sovereign GT with a WOT coil.

For the price of the BHID you can get a Minelab Sovereign GT with a 4 year warranty. I have only had mine a couple weeks and I LOVE IT. With the WOT it is great on the wet and dry sand at the beach, very deep and sweet tones.

Just my opinion, and I'm still a newbie, only been doing it for 50 weeks now.

Just mailed off my postal money order for my backup unit for the surf. I currently have a Minelab Excal 1000, I just bought a back up for it in case it is down for repair, I settled on .................................................. ..................................another Minelab Excal 1000

Curious Ivan, why are you not going to get in the water? That is where you will have the best chance of many good finds.....It's nicknamed the mine for a reason.......

Either way good luck and If I can help anytime let me know...I'm in Orlando..

[Kas]

I know one thing. Today I went to a freshwater beach. Used my DFX. Now, of course I didn't go in that deep, no saltwater spray or waves.

I have a healthy newfound respect for those who swing a coil under water. A lot tougher than dry land.

Another thing I noticed... hard to keep the coil on the bottom. Regular sand scoop is no good. Need a long handle jobby.

Are those beachwater machines weighted on the coil end to keep them down? Pushing the coil down and trying to swing it makes it tough.

Ken

[Treasure_Hunter]

I can only speak for the ML Excal, Sovereign and Whites Beach Hunter ID. The Excal and the Sovereign are not buoyant, they do not float, while the BHID is buoyant. I had a BHID and it never bothered me, while other hunters it does bother.

There is diffently more resistance swinging the coil under water, but the digging is easier in the beach sand vs packed dirt. I personally will take water/beach hunting over dry ground hunting any time. You can also cool off quicker just by soaking in the water, which I do often at the beach, although many times it is not by my doing, but rather at the "Surf God's" insistance.

[NC_Horn]

Beach Hunter ID - for dry / wet sand - and surf. Dual frequency of the BHID makes it stable in the wet sand. DFX is also dual frequency but I would not get one any where near the surf. TOO much of an investment to chance it. You will end up wanting a land and a water detector. Good luck in your search.