A couple threads got me thinking.....

JOe L · Jul 16, 2008

In water/beach detectors, are there really any detectors out there that you don't hear of a problem. I think when I read about detectors, someone has some problem with one of them or another no matter which one.
Maybe we should rate detectors, which is best, by which has the less complaints in a certain amount of time.
Water detectors, Tesoro, Whites, Minelab, Garrett, DetectorPro...... I think I have heard negatives about them all, Example,, "piece of junk, I would never buy another" Then the next comment in a forum or review is, "greatest machine, would by a dozen if I could". Exzagerating a bit but, I think you get my meaning.

Any comments on this?

ringfinder · Jul 16, 2008

Some very good questions you have raised. I am not an expert by any means. But I do own 7 detectors and have found that each has it's own good points and bad points. I guess my recommendation is to Learn a detector. Now you can't learn a detector if you go out and hunt an hour and all you find is junk, and think or tell someone else that your new detector is a piece of junk. I just bought a new Fisher 75 this spring and while my partner was kicking my A_ _, I was trying to learn my detector. I still haven't learned everything about my new detector, but I have come up with some very nice finds, including 2 nice silver half dollars, a 185? silver 3 cent piece, many silver coins and many IH pennies. Now I can't say I have found all good stuff, but that goes with the territory. You have to dig junk to find the goodies, PERIOD!!!!

By the way the detectors I own are 2 water detectors and 5 land detectors. I guess I own so many because I just can't part with them. LOL I did sell a Excalibur detector because it just got to heavy for me to hunt with, even in the water. It is a great detector for the younger guy, but at 61, I tend to lean towards a lighter detector. The Fisher 75 is very light. I also hunt with a Garrett ACE 250 that I really love on land, the first year I found over 4000 new coins with this detector. Many guys don't like this detector, but each to his own. I use a Tesoro Tiger Shark in the water and also have a Depth Pro Headhunter I use in the water. Both are great detectors.

Well enough from me, hope you get many more replies.

HH,Ringfinder

davest · Jul 16, 2008

i'd been whining about my seahunter, but, i decided to slow myself down, way down and let the machine talk to me. this week, i got a little bit of clad, but i also got a nice little gold ring, and two silver rings. on dry sand, . my camera don't take good pix of detailed rings. as soon as I can, i'll get one posted.

JOe L · Jul 16, 2008

Great points. one thing I have,,,, acquired lately is patience. And in MD'ing that's a virtue. 10 yrs ago, or even a couple yrs ago, owing a Excalibur, I probably would have tossed it in the trash, well maybe not the trash but, you get my point.
One thing I think everyone starting out has to realize, your gots to learn your detectors language.
Now as for hardware problems, that's a different story. I guess any MD, no matter who makes it, can have flaws and problems. We just have to learn to deal with them, one way or another.

JoeinMemphis · Jul 16, 2008

Patience is a good thing, so is the presence of mind to know "I dont know everything". I too have recently bought an Excal II, and I know I haven't spent nearly enough time on it to learn its language. Having said that, it does speak its jibberish to me when something is down there. I might not know at this point what it is telling me, but after a while paying attention to the sounds, and using the " long handled discriminator " at some point I figure we will be on " speaking terms ". As to hardware problems, the last time I had a problem like that was 20 or so years ago with a Garrett Master Hunter 5. If ya water hunt with it, your hands get wet, and since the handle was directly over the meter, it would get wet too. Garrett replaced it free of charge, and I siliconed the snot out of it... I am still using it. HH Joe

Keppy · Jul 16, 2008

Joe...We talk about our detector's like we talk about our cars. Some makes we like and some brands we don't like.......You know when they work they are the best in the world...........When they break down we say what a piece of junk..

chipveres · Jul 17, 2008

Truly speaking, the combination of sand and salt water is the worst thing you can do to a piece of electrical equipment. It's a blessing when it works and just to be expected when it doesn't. This is not a reflection on any particular brand or model. If it was heavy enough to be completely and inevitably waterproof, it would be too heavy to lift.

Chip V.

jimb · Jul 17, 2008

Like I said before, you need a detector for every job. One for water, land, deep seeker, coins, relics, cashes. etc. Each is best suited for a specific job. However my old Compus 77 seems to be grate for shallow water and land or sand. Your idea to rate the machines is a very good one. But most dealeras have already done that to an extent.

JOe L · Jul 18, 2008

jimb said:
Like I said before, you need a detector for every job. One for water, land, deep seeker, coins, relics, cashes. etc. Each is best suited for a specific job. However my old Compus 77 seems to be grate for shallow water and land or sand. Your idea to rate the machines is a very good one. But most dealeras have already done that to an extent.

Yes I know Jim, I guess I was just kinda venting...LOL