Help me decide please

johnnydarms · Nov 2, 2012

First off a water proof detctor is a must although I will do no detecting in the water. For some reason my great state believes if it is in the water it should stay in the water. As far as the beach I am limited to the area between the water line and dunes. I will be accessing a lot of areas by kayak and this is the reason for needing a water proof detector. I will also be hitting up the parks and local schools not to mention several of my friends houses that were built prior to 1960.

I have spent a lot of time reading reviews and let me tell you it has not been easy. Many people are brand loyal so finding objective reviews and comparisons is like trying to find a needle in a haystack :BangHead:

Price wise I feel these are fairly comparable and I can not see spending close to 1k or more on my first unit.

Here is what I have narrowed it down to (there are things I like about each):

Fishers 1280 X

Garrett Sea Hunter II

Tesoro Sand Shark or Tiger Shark

I have read reviews that say all of these units are decent units and each had some iffy reviews. One review that caught my eye was on the Tiger Shark. I do not remember who wrote it or where I found it. The author (who detects full time) did a side by side with a PI unit (not SS). There were a few cases that the PI unit did not pick up on some small gold. The tiger shark was also passing up a lot of the junk that the PI hitting on.

I will do a bit more research over the next week before I pull the trigger and purchase one. I am really leaning towards the tiger shark. Would like the opinions of some y'all more experienced than me. I would also like to know what size coil to purchase.

I do have a good understanding of PI, VLF.

Thanks for the help. I think I am going to go give my brain a rest now.

cudamark · Nov 2, 2012

If you're going to hunt parks, schools, and homesites, I wouldn't get a PI unit. There is just too much iron junk for those to be a good choice. With your price range limits, I would probably go with the Garrett AT gold. Plenty of features and good bang for the buck.

johnnydarms · Nov 2, 2012

cudamark said:
If you're going to hunt parks, schools, and homesites, I wouldn't get a PI unit. There is just too much iron junk for those to be a good choice. With your price range limits, I would probably go with the Garrett AT gold. Plenty of features and good bang for the buck.

The problem is I need a water proof unit. There is always the chance of flipping my kayak. Havent done it yet but if/when I do I need the unit to be water proof.

spartacus53 · Nov 2, 2012

There you go johnnydarms, now you are given yet a fourth option from someone you don't know.. :icon_thumright:

Come to think of it, you don't know me either so I'll chime in too.... :tongue3:

My advise is to go with the one that has the coolest LOGO on it... After all this may be considered a geek type hobby and there is no reason to look extra nerdy :headbang:

Now that my friend is sound advice :icon_thumright:

johnnydarms · Nov 2, 2012

spartacus53 said:
There you go johnnydarms, now you are given yet a fourth option from someone you don't know..

Come to think of it, you don't know me either so I'll chime in too....

My advise is to go with the one that has the coolest LOGO on it... After all this may be considered a geek type hobby and there is no reason to look extra nerdy

Now that my friend is sound advice

That my friend is sound advice. You rock!

Terry Soloman · Nov 2, 2012

johnnydarms said:
The problem is I need a water proof unit. There is always the chance of flipping my kayak. Havent done it yet but if/when I do I need the unit to be water proof.

Then go with the TIGER Shark, a single frequency VLF detector that is great for FRESH water, Dry sand and dirt because it can discriminate out iron. DO NOT get a Sand Shark or any other pulse induction machine.

cudamark · Nov 2, 2012

johnnydarms said:
The problem is I need a water proof unit. There is always the chance of flipping my kayak. Havent done it yet but if/when I do I need the unit to be water proof.

The AT Gold is waterproof to 10'.

kayden · Nov 2, 2012

cudamark said:
The AT Gold is waterproof to 10'.

Advice given ....end thread!

spartacus53 · Nov 2, 2012

cudamark said:
The AT Gold is waterproof to 10'.

No, keep the thread open. I need to be heard :laughing7:

The only problem cudamark, is that if he in a lake/river deeper than 10' he has a pile of scrap :laughing7:

cudamark · Nov 3, 2012

Tie a tether on it and attach it to a float or the kayak. Even if you drop an Excalibur in deep water, you're not likely to find it unless you have it tied to something. He's just crossing the water, not hunting in it.