JW Fisher 8X or Garrett SeaHunter for shallow saltwater

[Surfline]

Question for those of you like me who prefer pulse induction in saltwater for detecting (I use an Excalibur also but I want feedback on pulse induction)

I use a Garrett SeaHunter with either the small or large coil currently, but am considering the JW Fisher 8X. The cost is substantially higher at about $2K. Curious what all of you think.

Thanks,

Surfline

 

[OBN]

As far as PI's there are not many choices for a good machine, JW Fisher 8X is a good machine but not good for what we do, it will work but rather weak on smaller targets. but excellent on larger targets like hand gun size up.

There was talk of Nokta coming out with a PI, been a few years now and heard nothing.

I have two Fisher AQ's but would not recommend a AQ. Killer machine on depth and love the machine but too many issues for me to recommend. Each trip I take either out I all most say a prayer they come back home working, And I have had each 5 and 4 years. Got about 100 hunts between them. Have close to 50 gold between them, I would say the deepest water machine out there for what we need.

So not many choices right now, hoping Nokta will show something soon.

 

[Surfline]

As far as PI's there are not many choices for a good machine, JW Fisher 8X is a good machine but not good for what we do, it will work but rather weak on smaller targets. but excellent on larger targets like hand gun size up.

View attachment 2215467



There was talk of Nokta coming out with a PI, been a few years now and heard nothing.

I have two Fisher AQ's but would not recommend a AQ. Killer machine on depth and love the machine but too many issues for me to recommend. Each trip I take either out I all most say a prayer they come back home working, And I have had each 5 and 4 years. Got about 100 hunts between them. Have close to 50 gold between them, I would say the deepest water machine out there for what we need.

So not many choices right now, hoping Nokta will show something soon.

Thank you for the outstanding feedback. This helps on my decision-making.

Regards,

Surfline

 

[CASPER-2]

My Whites Pi was always good to me - used right Ive gotten gold in 2ft range
JW Fisher is used for actual shipwreck hunting - Ive met a few that tried on beaches
very very tough - i bought one looong ago - got a good deal but was impossible to
use at spots i tried - especially if there is iron down 2ft plus
I use Fisher CZ 21s - not same company (lot of people get confused)
I hunt in all metal - run with a background hum and go for the slightest fluctuation
which is the same way I used my PIs
Alot of this was found with my Whites PIs

 

[CASPER-2]

My Whites Pi was always good to me - used right Ive gotten gold in 2ft range
JW Fisher is used for actual shipwreck hunting - Ive met a few that tried on beaches
very very tough - i bought one looong ago - got a good deal but was impossible to
use at spots i tried - especially if there is iron down 2ft plus
I use Fisher CZ 21s - not same company (lot of people get confused)
I hunt in all metal - run with a background hum and go for the slightest fluctuation
which is the same way I used my PIs
Alot of this was found with my Whites PIs
View attachment 2215623

pic is from 2004

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

I still love my excels, I hunt like you, in reverse discrimination, when I find a target I switch to disc, sometimes no response because all metal goes deeper, sometimes it nulls telling me it's iron.
I also use my Nox 800, depending on beach and surf conditions.

I always go with 2 or 3 detectors and 2 scoops. Nothing sucks more than get to beach and have detector or scoop break down, especially when you driving a long distance to hunt. 4 Hours & 250 miles Orlando to South Beach in Miami, 2.5 hours to Clearwater/St Pete beaches, 1:15 to Daytona Beach..

 

[Surfline]

My Whites Pi was always good to me - used right Ive gotten gold in 2ft range
JW Fisher is used for actual shipwreck hunting - Ive met a few that tried on beaches
very very tough - i bought one looong ago - got a good deal but was impossible to
use at spots i tried - especially if there is iron down 2ft plus
I use Fisher CZ 21s - not same company (lot of people get confused)
I hunt in all metal - run with a background hum and go for the slightest fluctuation
which is the same way I used my PIs
Alot of this was found with my Whites PIs
View attachment 2215623

Thank you for the feedback!

Regards,

Surfline

 

[Surfline]

I still love my excels, I hunt like you, in reverse discrimination, when I find a target I switch to disc, sometimes no response because all metal goes deeper, sometimes it nulls telling me it's iron.
I also use my Nox 800, depending on beach and surf conditions.

I always go with 2 or 3 detectors and 2 scoops. Nothing sucks more than get to beach and have detector or scoop break down, especially when you driving a long distance to hunt. 4 Hours & 250 miles Orlando to South Beach in Miami, 2.5 hours to Clearwater/St Pete beaches, 1:15 to Daytona Beach..

I also use my Excal in the water and agree pinpoint mode is deeper. I like to experiment with underwater detectors to see what they can do. The Whites PI Surfmaster could be my next purchase based on the feedback. I know Whites is out of business but they are still around. Appreciate any comments.

 

[Surfline]

I also use my Excal in the water and agree pinpoint mode is deeper. I like to experiment with underwater detectors to see what they can do. The Whites PI Surfmaster could be my next purchase based on the feedback. I know Whites is out of business but they are still around. Appreciate any comments.

Correction….its the whites TDI BeachHunter that I would buy and test. If anyone knows of a good supplier let me know. Thank you!

 

[ARC]

Wellllll... in the old days you could have used ANY detector... now with the gold so elusive its another story.

I learned to detect from people who used 8x's ... and they rocked it.

Here is a picture of what an 8x's can haul... (not my picture btw)

 

[Surfline]

Wellllll... in the old days you could have used ANY detector... now with the gold so elusive its another story.

I learned to detect from people who used 8x's ... and they rocked it.

Here is a picture of what an 8x's can haul... (not my picture btw)

View attachment 2215686

Ok there has been great feedback on this post and I wanted to summarize for selection of the best PI detector for shallow saltwater. We have heard about the Excalibur, SeaHunter (both of which I have and still use snorkeling in shallow saltwater/ocean), Whites TDI - waterproof to 25 feet, Fisher AQ, and JW Fishers 8X. I will go back and test underwater depth (in the sand) for both the Excalibur using all metal/pinpoint, and the SeaHunter (2 coils). My guess would be a men’s 14k band no deeper than 5 inches. I get the impression that the Whites (if I can find one new) will go deeper in the sand and the 8X I am unsure of because one post said it’s harder finding smaller targets. Bottom line, what detector can find a gold ring deepest in sand?

 

[OBN]

Can you give more detail when you say sand. In salt water, wetsand, drysand. Location plays a big part in how much power you can put in the sand and get away with it.



Deepest machine out there now, the AQ.

 

[Surfline]

Can you give more detail when you say sand. In salt water, wetsand, drysand. Location plays a big part in how much power you can put in the sand and get away with it.



Deepest machine out there now, the AQ.

Yes, beaches on the Atlantic coast, NJ and FL for example.

 

[Surfline]

Yes, beaches on the Atlantic coast, NJ and FL for example.

Specifically underwater snorkeling 1-2 feet of water.

 

[OBN]

Just my opinion, I don't think anything out there is going to be better than what you have now.

The D2 and Manticore are some of the best but when they hit the salt water .. performance wise they are no better than the Excalibur on depth. The Whites Surf Master PI, which is a TDI in a WP case has the floating coil and is noted for over heating.. great machine just not for diving. The Whites DF PI is way to noisy I think, then the older Whites PI's were were good machines, just that they will have a lot of years on them and fall into the same class as the Sea Hunter... .. Garrett Infinium, never liked that one either with its hi-lo than lo-hi response. Maybe a CZ21 but even it is Dinosaur now. And no way would I recommend the AQ..

Another question.. what are you hunting for? Fresh drops, old deep treasures?

 

[Carl-NC]

Personally, I would rate most other PI models ahead of the 8x. The 8x is built like a tank and could probably survive to 1000 ft but it is not all that sensitive. The Surf PI is a great choice, a Headhunter PI is an even better choice, and the Tesoro Sandshark is a fair choice, but still probably better than the 8x. The TDI is great in the wet salt sand but the coil floats like a cork and is prone to pressure cracking even in shallow water. The main box was supposedly rated to 25 ft but I would not take it deeper than 5-6 feet as it deforms and cracks the screw flanges, then eventually leaks. If you want something that dives then the Surf PI and Sandshark are good choices but I'm not sure they are any better than the Sea Hunter, and I'm pretty sure the Sea Hunter is quite a bit better than the 8x.

 

[ARC]

Personally, I would rate most other PI models ahead of the 8x. The 8x is built like a tank and could probably survive to 1000 ft but it is not all that sensitive. The Surf PI is a great choice, a Headhunter PI is an even better choice, and the Tesoro Sandshark is a fair choice, but still probably better than the 8x. The TDI is great in the wet salt sand but the coil floats like a cork and is prone to pressure cracking even in shallow water. The main box was supposedly rated to 25 ft but I would not take it deeper than 5-6 feet as it deforms and cracks the screw flanges, then eventually leaks. If you want something that dives then the Surf PI and Sandshark are good choices but I'm not sure they are any better than the Sea Hunter, and I'm pretty sure the Sea Hunter is quite a bit better than the 8x.

Just curious....
Do you have any real experience with the 8x ?
Owned one ?
You spoke as if you have... no offense... just wondering how you based your opinions.

The 8x has been "industry standard"... for ummmmm ...... eons... for any serious water detections.
And yes... it has downsides...
The main one... of course... Larger / heavy and awkward at times / situations... especially if dry.
also... It is "hot" on ferrous metals.
IF you are looking for earring backs... nope. (but no different than MOST to all detectors)
IF you are looking for smaller items... rings etc... it has a HUGE learning / tweaking / setting curve...
It will pick up every piece of metal it passes over if set just right... which setting it just right can be a pain for anything other than ferrous.

I do NOT recommend the 8x for the weekend warrior detectorist.... unless you are only looking for larger items... and LOVE to dig a lot of sand.
As far as depth on larger items... Nothing ... will beat an 8X...
and if skidded.... nothing will even come to half / close of an 8x's capabilities.
Period.
It is a "specialty tool" used for special circumstances / cases... and the biggest problem with owning an 8x is... you will dig ALOT.
And when i say alot... i mean it..... you could pass over an item that you will give up on before you find out what it was... heh

And as far as the "pretty sure the sea hunter is quite a bit better"... many many moons ago... part of a trade / deal...Sold my almost brand new Sea Hunter to buy an older 8x ... heh
I have Never looked back....Later heard the Sea hunter leaked and always had issues... guy wished he hadnt traded and was sending it in.

PS...
I rarely detect anymore...
And when i did... I rarely used my 8x after the excals came out... like i said... it has its purposes...
Like when looking for larger deeper items for someone.... or like pipelines .. septic's... etc etc.
I hung up my 8x when Excals came out.
I am an excal guy... and admit they have problems too.
Personally i would have designed them differently... like for one... both headphones and coils EASY interchangeability options would be the first thing.
Mimicking the 8x in this area would have been stellar.

PSS....
After my early detectors corroded... got dropped in water.... rained on....
sand in pots.... dirt... etc etc etc etc etc etc ...
i went to waterproof detectors only.
I will only ever spend my money on a detector you can drop... or dunk in a pool... and full blast spray off with a garden hose under high pressure.... just me.

 

[Surfline]

Just my opinion, I don't think anything out there is going to be better than what you have now.

The D2 and Manticore are some of the best but when they hit the salt water .. performance wise they are no better than the Excalibur on depth. The Whites Surf Master PI, which is a TDI in a WP case has the floating coil and is noted for over heating.. great machine just not for diving. The Whites DF PI is way to noisy I think, then the older Whites PI's were were good machines, just that they will have a lot of years on them and fall into the same class as the Sea Hunter... .. Garrett Infinium, never liked that one either with its hi-lo than lo-hi response. Maybe a CZ21 but even it is Dinosaur now. And no way would I recommend the AQ..

Another question.. what are you hunting for? Fresh drops, old deep treasures?

I think we’re getting to a solid answer…..keep using what I have and no need to invest further with other equipment. I always prefer old shipwreck coins but the reality is I have only found one in my entire detecting career. Fresh drops are the most typical finds. It’s almost always clad and trash. But I still enjoy the hobby, especially if I can get into clear water. Prefer snorkeling over wading with a scoop because I like the visual. Thank you again for the multiple posts and feedback, it saved me thousands……

 

[Surfline]

Personally, I would rate most other PI models ahead of the 8x. The 8x is built like a tank and could probably survive to 1000 ft but it is not all that sensitive. The Surf PI is a great choice, a Headhunter PI is an even better choice, and the Tesoro Sandshark is a fair choice, but still probably better than the 8x. The TDI is great in the wet salt sand but the coil floats like a cork and is prone to pressure cracking even in shallow water. The main box was supposedly rated to 25 ft but I would not take it deeper than 5-6 feet as it deforms and cracks the screw flanges, then eventually leaks. If you want something that dives then the Surf PI and Sandshark are good choices but I'm not sure they are any better than the Sea Hunter, and I'm pretty sure the Sea Hunter is quite a bit better than the 8x.

Thank you!

 

[Surfline]

Just curious....
Do you have any real experience with the 8x ?
Owned one ?
You spoke as if you have... no offense... just wondering how you based your opinions.

The 8x has been "industry standard"... for ummmmm ...... eons... for any serious water detections.
And yes... it has downsides...
The main one... of course... Larger / heavy and awkward at times / situations... especially if dry.
also... It is "hot" on ferrous metals.
IF you are looking for earring backs... nope. (but no different than MOST to all detectors)
IF you are looking for smaller items... rings etc... it has a HUGE learning / tweaking / setting curve...
It will pick up every piece of metal it passes over if set just right... which setting it just right can be a pain for anything other than ferrous.

I do NOT recommend the 8x for the weekend warrior detectorist.... unless you are only looking for larger items... and LOVE to dig a lot of sand.
As far as depth on larger items... Nothing ... will beat an 8X...
and if skidded.... nothing will even come to half / close of an 8x's capabilities.
Period.
It is a "specialty tool" used for special circumstances / cases... and the biggest problem with owning an 8x is... you will dig ALOT.
And when i say alot... i mean it..... you could pass over an item that you will give up on before you find out what it was... heh

And as far as the "pretty sure the sea hunter is quite a bit better"... many many moons ago... part of a trade / deal...Sold my almost brand new Sea Hunter to buy an older 8x ... heh
I have Never looked back....Later heard the Sea hunter leaked and always had issues... guy wished he hadnt traded and was sending it in.

PS...
I rarely detect anymore...
And when i did... I rarely used my 8x after the excals came out... like i said... it has its purposes...
Like when looking for larger deeper items for someone.... or like pipelines .. septic's... etc etc.
I hung up my 8x when Excals came out.
I am an excal guy... and admit they have problems too.
Personally i would have designed them differently... like for one... both headphones and coils EASY interchangeability options would be the first thing.
Mimicking the 8x in this area would have been stellar.

PSS....
After my early detectors corroded... got dropped in water.... rained on....
sand in pots.... dirt... etc etc etc etc etc etc ...
i went to waterproof detectors only.
I will only ever spend my money on a detector you can drop... or dunk in a pool... and full blast spray off with a garden hose under high pressure.... just me.

Thank you! I have been detecting on land, surf, underwater for about 35 years. Best finds were with my Excal. At this point I’m not moving forward with purchasing an 8x based on all feedback.