Beach detector recommendations?

[UrbanGrouper]

Hey all—just moved back to Florida and looking to get back outdoors.

Planning to hunt the Treasure Coast, and I’m in the market for a new detector. I ran my Excal II into the ground, but I don’t really need another expensive fully submersible machine this time around. I did buy a Minelab X-Terra Pro for my wife, in case she wants to join the hunt.

Looking for recommendations on solid, user-friendly detectors that perform well on the beach, ideally under $800. Just trying to see what’s popular and worth digging into.

Appreciate any input—thanks!

 

[guest]

Hey all—just moved back to Florida and looking to get back outdoors.

Planning to hunt the Treasure Coast, and I’m in the market for a new detector. I ran my Excal II into the ground, but I don’t really need another expensive fully submersible machine this time around. I did buy a Minelab X-Terra Pro for my wife, in case she wants to join the hunt.

Looking for recommendations on solid, user-friendly detectors that perform well on the beach, ideally under $800. Just trying to see what’s popular and worth digging into.

Appreciate any input—thanks!

My advice would be an ML Xterra Elite.

 

[LawrencetheMDer]

I'd go w the Equinox 900 and you might get a lot of free bees with the right dealer.
Also, if mostly dry sand hunting, the Vanquish series is well worth considering and the top of the line 560 runs around $400, with lots of free bees. And it is waterproof (headphones are not).

 

[cudamark]

Equinox 600/700/800/900, and Legend should fit that bill.....

 

[UrbanGrouper]

My advice would be an ML Xterra Elite.

I'll look into that one some more. At first glance, it's under $500 which is nice. Thanks!!

 

[UrbanGrouper]

Equinox 600/700/800/900, and Legend should fit that bill.....

The 600 is more inline with the budget, I'll be looking into all 4 models though. Thanks!!

 

[UrbanGrouper]

I'd go w the Equinox 900 and you might get a lot of free bees with the right dealer.
Also, if mostly dry sand hunting, the Vanquish series is well worth considering and the top of the line 560 runs around $400, with lots of free bees. And it is waterproof (headphones are not).

Starting to lean towards the Equinox series. Thanks!!

 

[Knight_of_Excalibur_II]

I am a bit biased, but I believe the Excal II is the best beach detector for SoFlo. Aside from that, for the treasure coast, I'd recommend the Manticore for depth, since you can't detect in the water anyways... I know it goes against your original preferences, but if you use either these detectors frequently enough, they pay for themselves. Aside from that, the Equinox series is fine. The treasure coast is heavily hunted, and your targets will be few and far between. Most of them will be buried fairly deep, as all the easy pickings will have been nabbed by now, barring special weather events.

 

[UrbanGrouper]

I am a bit biased, but I believe the Excal II is the best beach detector for SoFlo. Aside from that, for the treasure coast, I'd recommend the Manticore for depth, since you can't detect in the water anyways... I know it goes against your original preferences, but if you use either these detectors frequently enough, they pay for themselves. Aside from that, the Equinox series is fine. The treasure coast is heavily hunted, and your targets will be few and far between. Most of them will be buried fairly deep, as all the easy pickings will have been nabbed by now, barring special weather event

I am a bit biased, but I believe the Excal II is the best beach detector for SoFlo. Aside from that, for the treasure coast, I'd recommend the Manticore for depth, since you can't detect in the water anyways... I know it goes against your original preferences, but if you use either these detectors frequently enough, they pay for themselves. Aside from that, the Equinox series is fine. The treasure coast is heavily hunted, and your targets will be few and far between. Most of them will be buried fairly deep, as all the easy pickings will have been nabbed by now, barring special weather events.

 

[UrbanGrouper]

I am a bit biased, but I believe the Excal II is the best beach detector for SoFlo. Aside from that, for the treasure coast, I'd recommend the Manticore for depth, since you can't detect in the water anyways... I know it goes against your original preferences, but if you use either these detectors frequently enough, they pay for themselves. Aside from that, the Equinox series is fine. The treasure coast is heavily hunted, and your targets will be few and far between. Most of them will be buried fairly deep, as all the easy pickings will have been nabbed by now, barring special weather events.

Between the Manticore and Excal-2, which do you think will go deeper in the sand? Some sand will be wet, without violating the water line rule. I agree that so much has been picked over, I plan on finding small beach access paths and walking to less hunted grounds. I'll also be going out after big storms, now that I'm close. I might consider another Excel-2 or Manticore. Thanks for your feedback!

 

[UnderMiner]

Go with the Equinox 600, it's the best bang for the buck right now in my oppinion. I use the 800 only because I got it used for cheap, otherwise I would've gone with the 600, which is its equal in signal depth and 95% of the same settings, also waterproof to the same extent (though you must be careful as the whole Equinox series are a crapshoot when it comes to leaking, not the coil but the box with all the important bits, some leak when fully submerged, though I have determined they are generally reliably waterproof in the shallows, also rain doesn't get in either. In my experience it hasn't ever leaked for me. I have heard stories from people whose detectors were destroyed when they took them fully underwater).

 

[UnderMiner]

Between the Manticore and Excal-2, which do you think will go deeper in the sand? Some sand will be wet, without violating the water line rule. I agree that so much has been picked over, I plan on finding small beach access paths and walking to less hunted grounds. I'll also be going out after big storms, now that I'm close. I might consider another Excel-2 or Manticore. Thanks for your feedback!

Excal-2 is my go to underwater detector. I've had mine for 12 years and it's still going, though regular maintenance is needed to keep it reliably waterproof at depth.

 

[UrbanGrouper]

Go with the Equinox 600, it's the best bang for the buck right now in my oppinion. I use the 800 only because I got it used for cheap, otherwise I would've gone with the 600, which is its equal in signal depth and 95% of the same settings, also waterproof to the same extent (though you must be careful as the whole Equinox series are a crapshoot when it comes to leaking, not the coil but the box with all the important bits, some leak when fully submerged, though I have determined they are generally reliably waterproof in the shallows, also rain doesn't get in either. In my experience it hasn't ever leaked for me. I have heard stories from people whose detectors were destroyed when they took them fully underwater

 

[UrbanGrouper]

Go with the Equinox 600, it's the best bang for the buck right now in my oppinion. I use the 800 only because I got it used for cheap, otherwise I would've gone with the 600, which is its equal in signal depth and 95% of the same settings, also waterproof to the same extent (though you must be careful as the whole Equinox series are a crapshoot when it comes to leaking, not the coil but the box with all the important bits, some leak when fully submerged, though I have determined they are generally reliably waterproof in the shallows, also rain doesn't get in either. In my experience it hasn't ever leaked for me. I have heard stories from people whose detectors were destroyed when they took them fully underwat

Excal-2 is my go to underwater detector. I've had mine for 12 years and it's still going, though regular maintenance is needed to keep it reliably waterproof at depth.

Starting to lean towards the Equinox series. Thanks!!

Go with the Equinox 600, it's the best bang for the buck right now in my oppinion. I use the 800 only because I got it used for cheap, otherwise I would've gone with the 600, which is its equal in signal depth and 95% of the same settings, also waterproof to the same extent (though you must be careful as the whole Equinox series are a crapshoot when it comes to leaking, not the coil but the box with all the important bits, some leak when fully submerged, though I have determined they are generally reliably waterproof in the shallows, also rain doesn't get in either. In my experience it hasn't ever leaked for me. I have heard stories from people whose detectors were destroyed when they took them fully underwater).

The 600 is considered discontinued, I might do the new 700 though. I wonder if I added a bigger coil, if it would help with depth?

 

[Knight_of_Excalibur_II]

Between the Manticore and Excal-2, which do you think will go deeper in the sand? Some sand will be wet, without violating the water line rule. I agree that so much has been picked over, I plan on finding small beach access paths and walking to less hunted grounds. I'll also be going out after big storms, now that I'm close. I might consider another Excel-2 or Manticore. Thanks for your feedback!

Manticore goes deeper if we're assuming standard setups (no mods), as it has a larger coil. It's also lighter which helps if you have back or stamina issues. I would recommend the manticore or equinox, if you plan on sticking to land-- I typically hunt in the water chest deep, or in the wave break, which is why I prefer the Excalibur, given it's fully waterproof, handles mineralization very well, and is very stable subaquatic (little to no noise). Technically all of them are waterproof, but the Excalibur has a higher tolerance for depth, and is built more air-tight-- consequently less likely to leak.

 

[UrbanGrouper]

Manticore goes deeper if we're assuming standard setups (no mods), as it has a larger coil. It's also lighter which helps if you have back or stamina issues. I would recommend the manticore or equinox, if you plan on sticking to land-- I typically hunt in the water chest deep, or in the wave break, which is why I prefer the Excalibur, given it's fully waterproof, handles mineralization very well, and is very stable subaquatic (little to no noise). Technically all of them are waterproof, but the Excalibur has a higher tolerance for depth, and is built more air-tight-- consequently less likely to leak.

A lot to consider, thanks a bunch for the feedback!!

 

[Linesider]

For the budget NEW the elite is a great machine. Will pay for itself quickly. If u get a used unit id get the 900. With having 3 year warranty u can still get a used and feel safe for some time if any issues. … id forget the 600/800.. just go straight to the manticore if u want latest and greatest

 

[cudamark]

Unless you're mainly hunting underwater, forget the Excalibur. The other machines mentioned are way more ergonomic, are MUCH easier to change coils, way lighter, and much more adjustable to conditions.

 

[UrbanGrouper]

For the budget NEW the elite is a great machine. Will pay for itself quickly. If u get a used unit id get the 900. With having 3 year warranty u can still get a used and feel safe for some time if any issues. … id forget the 600/800.. just go straight to the manticore if u want latest and greatest

Thanks for the great feedback!!

 

[Tesorodeoro]

Excal-2 is my go to underwater detector. I've had mine for 12 years and it's still going, though regular maintenance is needed to keep it reliably waterproof at depth.

Who does your maintenance and what does that generally cost? And is that the entire unit under water or just the shaft with splash on the head?