Help choosing a beach detector please

[FishinDVM]

I am in Jupiter FL and unfortunately I don't have a ton of free time. Wife, three young kids, work, etc... so... the criteria will basically be as follows: SOUTHEAST FL, ONLY BEING USED IN WET/SALT/SURF ZONE FROM WATER LINE TO DUNES, AND I'LL MOST LIKELY ONLY BE GOING OUT AFTER EROSION EVENTS. I am pretty good at reading the beach from surf fishing so long (troughs, rips, bowls, original orange/black sand, dune erosion, etc) so to make the most of my time, I'll also be driving from beach to beach after events (tropical storms, winter fronts, extreme moon tides), until I see erosion or deep areas that interest me, before even getting the detector out of the truck. I'm trying to not go over $800ish if that's possible? I was thinking of maybe a Equinox 800, but I am open to hearing suggestions? My biggest concerns would likely be depth, and not having to stop and keep playing with settings/ground balance any time I pass small areas of blackish sand... if this is possible? Thanks for the time... Chris

 

[Terry Soloman]

Minelab VANQUISH 360 Next-Generation Waterproof Multi-IQ Metal Detector $249.00​

Sand Scoop $45.00 - $300.00

 

[Paul Revere’s Ghost]

I am in Jupiter FL and unfortunately I don't have a ton of free time. Wife, three young kids, work, etc... so... the criteria will basically be as follows: SOUTHEAST FL, ONLY BEING USED IN WET/SALT/SURF ZONE FROM WATER LINE TO DUNES, AND I'LL MOST LIKELY ONLY BE GOING OUT AFTER EROSION EVENTS. I am pretty good at reading the beach from surf fishing so long (troughs, rips, bowls, original orange/black sand, dune erosion, etc) so to make the most of my time, I'll also be driving from beach to beach after events (tropical storms, winter fronts, extreme moon tides), until I see erosion or deep areas that interest me, before even getting the detector out of the truck. I'm trying to not go over $800ish if that's possible? I was thinking of maybe an Equinox 800, but I am open to hearing suggestions? My biggest concerns would likely be depth, and not having to stop and keep playing with settings/ground balance any time I pass small areas of blackish sand... if this is possible? Thanks for the time... Chris

I used a Whites Surfmaster PI for 30 years. Bought it because originally was searching for shipwrecks in Boston haba scuba diving. But then started beach hunting. It would find targets in wet sand so deep I’d give up digging with a pointed shovel. Then my buddy would jump in and dig out a monster gold ring. They go DEEP. A year ago I bought an Xterra elite and I’ve found so much with it sometimes I don’t believe it. Wish I’d bought one years ago. I’m not into pressing buttons. Just finding treasure. It’s paid for itself several times over. Came with a 12” and 8” coil. I use both. I only hunt beaches and lately I’ve been outshining the guys on tv. Switching to a CF handle scoop from a shovel and getting a pinpointer which tells me when I’m chasing a deep beer can or something, saves a lot of time to move on and find more. Just my 2 cents. Seek and you shall find. 🏖️