Best metal detector for beach

[panos]

Hello from Greece and sorry for any mistakes as english is not my first language
I'm looking for a metal detector for use 80% at salty beach (dry and wet sand), and 20% to search inside some abandoned houses and other areas.
I don't need the detector to be waterproof as I am not planning to use it inside the sea, but i suppose it won't harm anyone if it is. My budget is 3000$ so I suppose there are plenty of choices.
Thank you for the help

 

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[R.Danneskjold]

I'll wait for experts to give the details but you will hear good things about the Minelab Etrac, CTX 3030, excal etc. I'm getting an excal soon. If your in the salt you will likely want a Pulse Induction machine or a Minelab. I have a Tesero Sandshark as a PI and love it!

 

[MexGT]

Since you're not getting into the water just wet/dry sand, my vote goes to Minelab CTX3030.

HH !

 

[Beach Papa]

Since you're not getting into the water just wet/dry sand, my vote goes to Minelab CTX3030.

HH !

I agree.... HH, Beach Papa

 

[panos]

I don't know what to believe about the 3030. Some people seem to love it, others consider it overpriced and with limited depth abilities. By the way I don't mind buying either vlf or pi, I'm open to suggestions. And im not afraid to dig too.

 

[G.I.B.]

You should spend some time in the BRANDS section/thread.

Lot's of opinions and comparisons there.

Each person will state why the detector they have is the best, so judge according to your needs and skill level.

By the way, I'm a Garrett and Tesoro fan. They are the best.

 

[Brooklynhunter]

I have both whites and mine lab detectors. My excal is my go to detector for the beach. I love it and would not trade it for anyother detector . Period! Dry or damp hunting or in the surf its the only detector I use at the beach. That siad. I would not buy a ctx 3030 if you are looking for a beach detector. Although the ctx is rated to 10 feet. There seem to be issues with the seal . In fact all the guys I know who brag about the ctx's abilities never go nearthe water with it and each time we hit the parks, 6 out of ten time they show up with their whites MXT detectors. Makes me say Hmmmmmm. I hioe this helps. HH and best of luck

 

[MexGT]

I have both whites and mine lab detectors. My excal is my go to detector for the beach. I love it and would not trade it for anyother detector . Period! Dry or damp hunting or in the surf its the only detector I use at the beach. That siad. I would not buy a ctx 3030 if you are looking for a beach detector. Although the ctx is rated to 10 feet. There seem to be issues with the seal . In fact all the guys I know who brag about the ctx's abilities never go nearthe water with it and each time we hit the parks, 6 out of ten time they show up with their whites MXT detectors. Makes me say Hmmmmmm. I hioe this helps. HH and best of luck

The thing is, the OP will not get into the water.

I have an X2 10" and my beach is very trashed with iron, my Xcal2 will null the heck out it'd just sound like a symphony of any possible sound the X2 can make in some places, I'm considering selling it and move to a 3030. The ability of the X2 to disc items with iron in the coil area is very limited.

And as naming issues with the CTX-3030 we need to talk about issues with the X2 too.... the stock shaft is useless for what the OP looks for, knobs will detach sooner or later, you can't switch coils or headphones.

HH !

 

[Brooklynhunter]

I agree. The mine lab detectors are made in Asia and the quality reflects that. I like them but they r made like crap. I brok my cam lock an the excal shaft and 2 knobs my first week. I hunt with the excal2 in coney island Brooklyn . It dont come any trashy than that and I have no problem recovering targets. If there is gold . Silver. Or clad its in my scoop. And if you think the excal is heavy wait until you swing the ctx. Whatever you decide best of luck.

 

[Sandman]

No need to apologize for your English which is great.....Lots of our citizens don't know how to speak our own language. For the salt beach sand, wet and dry a Excal or CZ-21 or even a Beach Hunter ID would work as they use more than ONE frequency and will have no trouble with saltwater wet sand. A pulse like the Tiger Shark would be good also but not for doing any homes or where there is lots of trash as they have no discrimination and you would wear yourself out digging deep holes for a hairpin. Though the Minelab's have some quality troubles, they can respond to a gold ring under a iron nail. Stay away from the CTX 3030 as they are heavy and not worth the extra $$$$. In my opinion. The Pix is of my CZ-20, and older version of the CZ-21

Good Luck,
Sandman

 

[Fletch88]

The CTX 3030 for land and shallow water for the price range you're talking about its hard to beat for 1 detector to do both types of hunting. There have been quite a few leak issue reported though. Or you could opt for a waterproof detector (Excaliber or CZ) and a land detector (Etrac, F75, V3i, etc) for the budget you've mentioned.

 

[NJcigarman]

Pulse Induction

 

[Mr.Excavator]

I personally have the Garrett SeaHunter II (PI) with the 10x14" coil. It will NOT miss any metal down 2-3 feet. It is a GREAT machine. I also have the Excaliber with a SEF 12x15" coil and find that I use it more due to the fact that I can mask out iron. Where I live that is a very useful program to have.

Under water I preffer to use the SeaHunter since there is less trash targets and it seems to be more stable.
The beaches, sand and wetsand I preffer the Excal I can be more selective. I just bought another one for the wife today.

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

If your not going into the water your going to be missing 75% or more of the gold targets...... Just saying....................

 

[DrJoePrime]

I think you are really needing two detectors. The White's Dual Field for wet and dry sand. And a 2nd detector..a VLF for the dirt hunting.

 

[TallTom]

No need to apologize for your English which is great.....Lots of our citizens don't know how to speak our own language. For the salt beach sand, wet and dry a Excal or CZ-21 or even a Beach Hunter ID would work as they use more than ONE frequency and will have no trouble with saltwater wet sand. A pulse like the Tiger Shark would be good also but not for doing any homes or where there is lots of trash as they have no discrimination and you would wear yourself out digging deep holes for a hairpin. Though the Minelab's have some quality troubles, they can respond to a gold ring under a iron nail. Stay away from the CTX 3030 as they are heavy and not worth the extra $$$$. In my opinion. The Pix is of my CZ-20, and older version of the CZ-21
View attachment 873435
Good Luck,
Sandman

Good advice, Sandman, as usual. However, I think you had a typo.
When you said "Tiger Shark" I think you meant "Sand Shark", which is
the PI machine from Tesoro.

--Tom

 

[Sandman]

Egad Tom, you are right about the mix up in names. What's a guy to do when I walk to the fridge and forget what I wanted.

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

Egad Tom, you are right about the mix up in names. What's a guy to do when I walk to the fridge and forget what I wanted.

I will go upstairs to get something, forgot what I was up there for and have to go back downstairs to remember.:banghead:

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

 

[Acquisitor]

Greece has by far the most draconian anti detecting laws in Europe. Huge fines, prison etc. Be careful, get a permit first.

 

[Brooklynhunter]

Perhaps the good people of greece need to cgange how tgeir government works. Try running a business there. Its no easier than getting a metal detecting license. You would think given current state of affairs there, they would have better things to worry about. Sadly it seems we are heading in their direction.