PI machines don't have much in the way of discrimination at this point in time. That means you will be digging just about every target you hear. Depending on the trash/iron level in your hunting area, that can mean no problem, total frustration, or somewhere in between. If the trash/iron level is low, it's not that big a problem, and you'll do as well, if not better than a VLF multifrequency machine. At higher trash/iron levels, a machine that will discriminate will help eliminate unwanted targets.... mostly iron. Some people don't mind digging everything, others (like me) don't want to dig iron, and in some cases other low and mid conductors. Another consideration is whether you plan on doing any land detecting. A machine like an Equinox is a much better land machine than a PI. Beyond the discrimination advantage, it will also give you a depth reading, and have search modes to match your hunting needs and soil conditions. It's also lighter than most PI machines, and in most cases, easier to change coils and headphones. As much as I respect Casper's opinions, I have to disagree with using a PI as a first machine. Digging everything starting out is a two edged sword. I agree that it can make you a better detectorist, but, that assumes you continue on in the hobby. My viewpoint on newbies is that most quit the hobby because they don't have initial success.....mostly because they're digging tons of trash targets. I think using a machine with discrimination will help the good vs. trash target ration and keep your interest up until you get hooked on the hobby or decide it's not for you. Early success in a hunt (even now after doing this for almost 49 years) helps keep a positive outlook and keep the competitive juices flowing. Good luck with your choice and future success.
It also depends if you are in it for just the silver & gold or if you are in it for the hobby
I know plenty of guys that dont even want the silver - just gold
dont get me wrong - I want gold too but Im in it for the hobby - I like the silver - the gold and the other neat stuff I pull out
plus i take some pride in cleaning the junk out and making returns
A Pi in the right hands can turn plenty of worked out spots into good spots too
you use it right and you should get stuff deeper than othrs - up here in New england - the salt does a job on steel and iron
so we mainly have to worry about the fresh iron drops - bottle caps and nails dont last long up here -
where down in Fla. and other southern spots - caps and nails and other iron cake up and last forever
I hit a spot in Fla. in my early yrs with my PI and I pulled over 100 caked bottle caps and yes I was ready to quit the hobby
but if i lived down there - seeing as I pulled those out - i would just clean out all those oldies and just have to worry about the
fresh ones - I can take you to over 20 spots up here where you wont find a cap older than 2 yrs old - in salt waters at least
we had a rash of PI users - Im partially responsible for that (I was killing it in the late 90s - early 2000s with my PI pro and others
started to buy them) an those guys helped me clean up alot of spots of older and deep trash - those guys found alot of old gold too
- over the yrs ive had a few of them thank me for turning them on to PIs -
I used a Whites PI pro - I used it differently than most others and believe i got more depth than some - Most of all the PI machines
out there I beleive all do great - you can usually find a used one for under $500 and some times half that
like I said - maybe try and find a guy that has one near you as a back up that will take you out or a dealer that has a used one
and might take you you out - good luck
Your hearing wrong..
