Newbie anxious to start

[supergrl]

I'm looking to purchase a detector to use at the beach. I need recommendations on one that can be used purhaps in like the very shallow surf, detect pretty deep, and is overall kinda lightweight. Price is not a factor. Any advise is greatly apprecited!

p.s. anyone here from NJ?

 

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[Chiz]

From what I hear, A Minelab is what you want, maybe someone can help you on that one. I use all Whites stuff and have pretty good luck from Sea Isle to AC and also in the Wildwoods....

8)

 

[supergrl]

Thanks for the advise Chiz! Can the good name brands be purchased in stores or do they have to be ordered?

 

[Chiz]

PM me and let me know where you are at... i can point you to a dealer depending on your location......

8)

 

[lab rat]

I use a Fisher CZ-20 out here in So CA, and do okay. It is a heavy machine, but comes with a belt clip, so you just 'wave the magic wand!' -- and its waterproof, so if you take a spill in the waves you won't destroy the machine. This runs about $1000 new.

Do you have a lot of black sand in your corner?

 

[Gold Digger]

I'd have to say go with Minelab Excalibur 800 or 1000... They are waterproof to 200 feet and also make good all around detectors. As far as buying local, think about the taxes you may be required to pay, that can be avoided by mail order. Could end up being quite a chunk of change...

 

[supergrl]

Black sand isn't really bad here. Every once in a while after a storm, some might wash in, but that's not too often. I didn't even think about that tax problem...yikes, it probably will be outrageous. I guess that's the price you pay for wanting to have some fun!!!

Another silly question. I mainly want to use it at the beach. Would I also be able to use it in dirt areas as well since I've been reading about all the cool stuff you guys are finding at construction sites and at parks and stuff?

 

[supergrl]

I've been contemplating ordering my detector or going to a store. I've been doing some research and I've discovered a few cool little hobby stores devoted directly to this. One of them is actually in walking distance, who woulda thought. I am so excited...maybe I will be getting started sooner then thought. Yay for me, thought I would share my excitment.

 

[Lowbatts]

Be sure to try out different makes if possible before buying. Make sure you know the finer points first, careful site research, proper digging and recovery techniques and pinpointing!

Happy Hunting!

 

[lab rat]

You might ask at the store if they rent machines-- see if you can try out a few different ones before buying, so you know what you want.

BTW, I do use my CZ-20 for park hunting. Not the best, but not the worst, either. I like it for the discrimination.

 

[scotty]

I agree with Lowbats and Ok.Fat Boy, try them all out and lift them, and swing them and get the feel. Compare the weights. What might seem an insignificant weight difference in just a couple minutes swinging can make a big difference in an hour, it grows heavier exponentialy. The foreign brand is heavy. It also costs a lot more. America makes some just as good if not better detectors. and much lighter. HH Scotty

 

[Cladius]

Supergirl, Lowbatts advice is on the mark. Go to a dealer and try some on for size. The extra attention and after purchase service will more than make up for a few $ saved on tax. Just my .02 Cladius.

 

[flash]

Supergirl ,,

As you can see there are many options and its not easy to choose.I use a cheap ,old timer, Compass. < Don't buy a Compass!!! > I can't tell you what to buy. But, Don't buy a Compass!!! I will be buying a new machine soon myself,not sure what it will be.I'm thinking about a Fisher or a Garrett.
Good Luck,,

Your going to want a Pinpointer also.They are about $100-$150.I use a Whites $119.

 

[supergrl]

You guys are awesome! Thanks for all the great advice! I wonder if what Lab Rat said is possible about renting machines? Someone else mentioned that to me also. You can rent pretty much anything now-a-days, so why not a metal detector! This sounds like a plan to me :-)

 

[supergrl]

Flash mentioned this thing about a pinpointer. Is a pinpointer a 100% nessecary? I thought the detector tells you that, well the ones with the screens? Boy oh boy, now I'm really confused...thanks a lot flash. j/k

 

[Lowbatts]

supergrl, the pinpointer is a very useful tool for deep objects of irregular shape that may have other nearby targets influencing your equipment. They are most useful if you do not have a machine with a pinpoint function. I have not found one necessary so far. But that came with lots of practice on the machines I used prior to getting my first really full-featured detector, a Fisher CZ-5 back when they came out.

If you are really fired up on detecting, then you will take the time to practice with your machine on a test setup of your own. Practice id'ing, pinpointing and understanding depth. Fairly simple setup. Get a large piece of cardboard and glue or tape varying targets to one side. Everything from junk to gold if you can. Turn it over and start swinging. When you can get to within an inch or so of the actual target then you should be ready to go!

 

[scotty]

The small pinpointer also helps locate a coin in the sticky wet soil that you have removed from the hole or also helps to pinpoint a coin that might be on the side of the excavation. I ran into this problem yesterday at a site I was hunting. I was missing pinpointing some of the coins right on, I was about 2" to 3" off to one side. I finally found out why, the coins were not laying flat side up, they were tilted in the ground and was throwing the signal off to one side like it was reflecting off the face of the coin. Some were at about 45 degree angle. They were still inside the center hole opening in the Whites 9.5 coil. Lots of times the dirt when damp sticks to the coins and comes out of the ground in damp clods and sometimes the coin is in one of them and you can quickly scan them with the small pinpointer and find them instead of having to get back up in a standing position to swing the big detector over the spot to relocate the coin after digging. HH Scotty