In layman terms

[ryan1715]

Being new to metal detecting and trying to pick the right one, can some one help me out by explaining the differences in detectors frequencies... Pulse induction... VLF... Etc... I'm really trying to understand the machine and not just buy one... Thanks guys

 

[airscapes]

You can probably get most of your answers and then the answers to all the new questions you will have here.
Truth about Metal Detecting & Treasure Hunting - All Info!
There is a page with a Glossery of terms. The 20 page article on coils will also be very helpful as it covers a lot more than coils.. I still have yet to explore all the info on this site but take some time and start reading, it is all very well written for anyone to understand!

 

[cudamark]

Low frequencies will penetrate deeper but aren't as sensitive to small targets...especially gold. High frequencies will find tiny gold pieces but depth suffers. A PI machine will not be effected to any great extent with mineralized ground, but has no discrimination so it will pick up every little piece of junk metal. A VLF (very low frequency) machine has discrimination but a bit less depth (in most cases) than a PI. There are some machines with multiple frequencies at usually higher prices. You need to decide what you plan on searching for and your budget in order to chose wisely. In many cases, two or more detectors will be needed to cover all your treasure hunting needs.

 

[ryan1715]

Low frequencies will penetrate deeper but aren't as sensitive to small targets...especially gold. High frequencies will find tiny gold pieces but depth suffers. A PI machine will not be effected to any great extent with mineralized ground, but has no discrimination so it will pick up every little piece of junk metal. A VLF (very low frequency) machine has discrimination but a bit less depth (in most cases) than a PI. There are some machines with multiple frequencies at usually higher prices. You need to decide what you plan on searching for and your budget in order to chose wisely. In many cases, two or more detectors will be needed to cover all your treasure hunting needs.

I'm going to be at the beach 95 percent of the time. My budget is not super high...700... I also plan on doing some diving with it... What detector would you suggest in your expirance?

 

[SusanMN]

Are you going to fresh water beaches or salt water?

 

[ryan1715]

Salt water

 

[Terry Soloman]

On saltwater beaches I use a Tesoro Sand Shark (PI) in the wet sand and water, and a Tesoro Compadre (VLF) in the dry sand. You can get BOTH machines for less than $800.00 brand new.

 

[SusanMN]

The other alternative is to look for a used Excalibur.

 

[ryan1715]

I looked at the Excalibur and it says it's a VLF with multiple frequencies. Can anyone explain what multiple frequencies means. I know that frequencies determine depth correct? And what's a normal frequency for doing beach hunting

 

[Sandman]

Its not the frequency that gets the depth in wet salt water sand as the amount of different frequencies that are broadcast at once. The Excal sends out 17 freq. I think and disc out iron to find a gold ring under the iron that would be masked out be other VLF's. Pulse detectors ignore the salt and black sand but lack disc. Terry's advice is very sound in getting a Sand Shark for the wet sand and a Compadre for the dry sand.

 

[cudamark]

I'm going to be at the beach 95 percent of the time. My budget is not super high...700... I also plan on doing some diving with it... What detector would you suggest in your expirance?

The multi freq machines give you the best of all worlds....deep penetration and sensitivity to small targets while giving you discrimination. The drawback is the price, and in many cases, the weight of the unit. You'd have to ask around locally to see if discrimination is important in your area. If it is, I'd buy a used Excalibur. If not, a PI and a VLF machine might be the better choice. Used machines will give you the best value but if you've never detected before, I'd suggest getting them from someone that is able to show you that they work and will give you some basic lessons.

 

[ryan1715]

Thanks for all the knowledge everyone.... Any other tips advice or anything please feel free to keep it going. Really want to learn as much as I can

 

[treasuresalvor]

I'd say get an excalibur for in the water also but they aren't the most comfortable thing to swing and the target ID is your ears (there's a learning process involved). For dry sand and everything else I use a Sovereign. I'm a big Minelab fan and stick with what I know but I would for sure check out the Tesoro's, I've always wanted to but never have.

 

[woof!]

The two most difficult aspects of "beeping" are gold prospecting and salt water work.

For salt water work on a budget of $700, you need to jack your budget up to where you can afford either an Excalibur or a CZ21. If you go to the beach & saltwater forums you'll discover that these two products (nothing else is even in the running) have very different characteristics, but despite that they do just about the same job.

Since I work for Fisher, I'll tell you why you should buy the Fisher.

1. Made in USA with good service and accountability.

2. Ask tough questions of the two: which is reliable and which is a reliability absolute mess. Find your answers right here, you don't have to rely on my opinion.

3. The CZ21 user interface and responsiveness are user-friendly. They're close to "industry standard". The Excal's user interface and responsiveness are quirky.

--Dave J.