Cheapest/ Best/ deepest wet beach sand MDer?????

[JvilleHunter]

Cheapest/ Best/ deepest wet beach sand MD'er??

I have an Ace 250 right now and am looking for a good salt water/ wet sand metal detector. However, I don't really wanna pay for a high end machine right now. I used to have a Garrett GTA750, which worked well in the sand and shallow salt water but I dont think it penetrated very deep. It goes for around $300'ish on ebay and am considering getting another one if I cant find one that maybe better and deeper for the same price or less. Does anyone have any recommendations?

JvilleHunter

 

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[EDDE]

Re: Cheapest/ Best/ deepest wet beach sand MD'er??

a shovel

 

[JvilleHunter]

Re: Cheapest/ Best/ deepest wet beach sand MD'er??

IM bustin at the sides..

 

[Hoosier Kingfisher]

Re: Cheapest/ Best/ deepest wet beach sand MD'er??

Backhoe

 

[JvilleHunter]

Re: Cheapest/ Best/ deepest wet beach sand MD'er??

too heavy..

 

[JvilleHunter]

Re: Cheapest/ Best/ deepest wet beach sand MD'er??

Wow...didn't think it was such a difficult question to answer. Nor did I imagine that so many would be reluctant to respond to such a trivial request. All I was asking is what some of the experts in here thought would be a good inexpensive wet sand machine that penetrates the deepest. Wasn't looking to dig monster holes or go wandering around in the lease areas. Sorry for the complex questioning. I'll pick up on some of the postings of reputable members to ask directly.

JvilleHunter

 

[Sandman]

Re: Cheapest/ Best/ deepest wet beach sand MD'er??

Sorry for the posts in jest. This is something that I laughed at also. The deepest detector for a beach is a PI type machine. However they have almost no disc. and you will end up digging very deep holes for a nail, staple or bread wrapper or some other waste of time. If you have a strong back, go for it. Many will take over when you crawl back to the car. A good detector cost more money. You have to question why someone is selling a good machine on e-bay for pennies on the dollar. Many or these buyers cry because the detector of their dreams fails to operate to specs. Being new to it's use, most don't know the detector is sick and needs to be buried in the next deep hole. You are better off buying from a reputable dealer, like Tony that post here in the forum. http://www.tcmetaldetectors.com/

Cover your holes in the dry sand and good luck.
Sandman

 

[JvilleHunter]

Re: Cheapest/ Best/ deepest wet beach sand MD'er??

Sandman,

As with all your posts I've read..........thank you for being very informative. I really appreciate that. Having back problems is not what I am looking for either.. . maybe I was asking in the wrong way. Rather the machine goes 1 inch or 24.....doesnt matter. I was just curious which machine performed the best in wet sand at the least expensive price. You gave me something to go on and I thank you for that..

 

[txkickergirl]

Re: Cheapest/ Best/ deepest wet beach sand MD'er??

don't feel bad, I was hoping someone would answer with a brand too. Something that only cost a couple hundred and worked well on wet sand and in surf. I don't want to take my pride and joy to the beach afraid it would get ruined. And my ace doesn't measure up at the beach. So let me know if you find one.

 

[JvilleHunter]

Re: Cheapest/ Best/ deepest wet beach sand MD'er??

absolutely...you can count on it...

 

[ScubaDude]

Re: Cheapest/ Best/ deepest wet beach sand MD'er??

The Garrett Seahunter is a good machine.

 

[spez401]

Re: Cheapest/ Best/ deepest wet beach sand MD'er??

sandman is right about the pi machines. I had a surfmaster PI (whites), which consistently found coins and jewelery at 18" or better. It was a huge pain in tha ass to dig some of those hits... especially when they turned out to be bobby pins and rusty nails... but that is the problem with the PI machines - no discrimination.

As for what machine is best/deepest. That question is more dependent on who is running the machine, whether or not they are experienced or not. I'd put my money on an experienced hunter with a cheaper machine, than a newbie with a top of the line machine that they don't know how to use.

That being said, however, you do get what you pay for. Do not expect to get $1000 performance out of a $300 detector.

My advice for a wet sand/water machine would be The white's PI or beachunter ID, or the minelab Excalibur. Since I got my Excal, my pi machine spends a lot more time in the closet. Many of the experienced beach-hunters here swear by the excal... and so do I.

Save your money and get a better machine. First, it will pay for itself many times over. Second, if you get a cheaper machine, you won't be happy with it, and will end up spending the money for the better one later on anyway.

steve

 

[Willy]

Re: Cheapest/ Best/ deepest wet beach sand MD'er??

Here's my stock response: Buy a used detector. One of the multifrequency detectors (CZ's or BBS/FBS), a Coinstrike, or a PI. ..Willy.

 

[swingman]

Re: Cheapest/ Best/ deepest wet beach sand MD'er??

If you don't need to discriminate, get a Whites Surf PI Pro (pulse machine) - ~$700+ new. You'll get nickels at a foot.
If you want some discrimination, try a Minelab that has a DD coil and is multi-frequency. This combo is deadly in saltwater/mineralized sand - and you can use them in all-metal mode for more depth. I don't know the lowest price - maybe 'used' is the answer. There may be some older Sovereigns kicking around. I have one but you can't have it!
I'd avoid Garretts in this situation - the Green Machine is great for some sites, but not salt, despite the new chip. My opinion.

 

[W6PEA]

Re: Cheapest/ Best/ deepest wet beach sand MD'er??

I have an Ace 250 right now and am looking for a good salt water/ wet sand metal detector. However, I don't really wanna pay for a high end machine right now. I used to have a Garrett GTA750, which worked well in the sand and shallow salt water but I dont think it penetrated very deep. It goes for around $300'ish on ebay and am considering getting another one if I cant find one that maybe better and deeper for the same price or less. Does anyone have any recommendations?

JvilleHunter

A shovel in my wifes hand digging for objects my Sovereign GT detected......I sure glad that she's out of town on business I could get that shovel up side my head for that one.....or this rock pick.

 

[Willy]

Re: Cheapest/ Best/ deepest wet beach sand MD'er??

You forgot about the Garrett Seahunter MK II (PI) and the Garrett Infinium (PI). I've had the Infinium (and an Excal.) and the Infinium wins hands down in the depth dept. (highly mineralized soil). It also has a form of disc./ID. ...Willy.

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

Re: Cheapest/ Best/ deepest wet beach sand MD'er??

Cheapest/Best/Deepest?

Reminds me of a sign at my brother-in-law's cabinet shop:

Done Fast/ Done Cheap/ Done Right - chose any two.

 

[thompy]

Re: Cheapest/ Best/ deepest wet beach sand MD'er??

a used CZ or Sovereign would be your best bet

 

[shootist]

Re: Cheapest/ Best/ deepest wet beach sand MD'er??

One brand that doesnt seem to get as much press is Tesoro. I did quite a bit of looking into buying a water machine and the Tiger Shark is tough to beat for the money. You can get a new one shipped to your house for $600.00,this comes with a lifetime warranty and if you dont like it you can Ebay it and maybe lose about 20 bucks. I watched for one on Ebay for quite awhile and only one ever came up that I saw,it went for around 20 less than I could get a new one for. So few of them coming up for sale tells me that when people buy them they keep them,indicating a good machine. I think you can pick up a used Whites beachhunter for a 100 or more less,that was my number 2 pick for an affordable beach unit,HH...Shoot

 

[Ant]

Re: Cheapest/ Best/ deepest wet beach sand MD'er??

If you don't need to discriminate, get a Whites Surf PI Pro (pulse machine) - ~$700+ new. You'll get nickels at a foot.
If you want some discrimination, try a Minelab that has a DD coil and is multi-frequency. This combo is deadly in saltwater/mineralized sand - and you can use them in all-metal mode for more depth. I don't know the lowest price - maybe 'used' is the answer. There may be some older Sovereigns kicking around. I have one but you can't have it!
I'd avoid Garretts in this situation - the Green Machine is great for some sites, but not salt, despite the new chip. My opinion.

I would go with what swingman posted. The only machines that work on highly mineralized salt beaches are the PI (Puls Induction) type. If price is an issue, go with a used machine from a known source or reputable dealer.

HH