Need help picking out the right Metal Detector

Mentalfloss · Dec 1, 2009

As some of you know I am going to move to Hawaii and been thinking a lot about doing some Metal Detecting while I'm there, my wife bought me a cheap MD but if I'm going to be hitting the beaches in Hawaii with heavy competition I'm going to need a descent detector

i seen this on tnet o MP3 Pro With 10" Coil: Condition: Demo MP3 Pro with 10" Coil.
o Pre-owned Garrett GTP 1350:
o Viper Trident - :Condition: Refurbished

I'm just trying to stay under $500

TXPIRATE · Dec 3, 2009

1st off thank you for your service to or Country. If I was land hunting I would pick a Tesoro Silver Sabre. Plus a small coil also would work good in dry sand. 2nd pick the ACE 250 BY GARRETT both detectors can be had from a good dealer for less than $ 250 If looking to water hunt I would try the DetectorPro Pirate pro $399.

Sandman · Dec 3, 2009

Forget the detectors you listed, the only half way decent one is the Garrett. All the land detectors will work OK on the dry sand, sometimes as those islands have different soils/sand and many there swear by Minelabs and Pulse detectors as many others are unstable.

Mentalfloss · Dec 4, 2009

I really like the ACE 250 well i like what people say about the ACE 250 but would it be ok for the beach with the salt and all. I'm sure i will just be on the dry sand hunting around for stuff people drop. you guys are the experts and know what works well. i am going to start looking at Minelabs and Pulse detectors
thanks for the help

Sandman · Dec 4, 2009

I expect the ACE 250 will give you lots of fun on the dry sand. Keep cell phone off till you need it and don't be afraid to turn down sensitivity if it gets squirrelly.

Mentalfloss · Dec 4, 2009

Ok just did some looking around and i found this Minelab X-Terra 30 Pro Metal Detector -2 COILS it sounds like something I'm looking for what have you guy heard about it good or bad for Hawaii beaches i would up grade to Minelab X-Terra 505 Metal Detector if you guys think this would be a better buy for the beaches

BamaBill · Dec 4, 2009

The 505 is going to be a better choice, with more flexibility. I use a 705 myself and its a great all rounder for me, but the 505 would be a great choice and better at the beach than the 30.

Sandman · Dec 4, 2009

The Minelab 505 is going to be a lot of fun at the beach as it should handle it well. :read2:

http://www.minelab.com/usa/products/coin-relic-detectors/x-terra-505

TheHawg · Dec 4, 2009

I vote for the Fisher CZ-3D. Great on dry land as well as saltwater beaches. Just don't get it wet.
It will cost about $750 though.
TheHawg

lafatlife · Dec 5, 2009

I bought a refurb trident just to give the water a try. I didn't want to spend a lot of money on a water machine when I don't go in very often. It worked but nothing spectacular. I don't get to the beach often but since you will be there all the time, look around for a good used machine. The X70 is a great machine and if you can get all 3 frequency coils you can't go wrong. That being said if you want to start going into the water, look for a used water/land machine that will work for you.

Treasure_Hunter · Dec 5, 2009

If your going to live in Hawaii why don't you hunt where the majority of the silver, gold and platinum jewelry is found......In the wet sand and in the water.

If i was moving to Hawaii and wanting to metal detect the beaches there I would be in the water, I beach hunt here in Florida, there is 100 times more jewelry found in the wet sand (from people playing and swimming at high tides) and in the water then in the dry sand, there is a 100 times more trash in the dry sand then in the wet sand and water........

Forget the ones you listed, get a good water detector, a Excalibur 1000, Whites Dual Field or other PI unit, Whites Beach Hunter 300 and go in the water where most of the jewelry is found.

If you are 100% positive you will never go in the water, get a Sovereign GT and put a Coiltek 15 inch Coil on it. You will not find a better beach wet sand / dry sand machine then the Sovereign GT, and when you add the WOT coil you will have a beach vaccum. The Sovereign is the land version of the Excal......

Remember wet sand use to be under water at high tide, only place you will find more jewelry then in wet sand is in the water. You want a machine that can handle the salt water mineralization....None of those listed can handle the salt water mineralization like you need. It is like going dove hunting with a 22, it will work but not well. If your going dove hunting take a shoot gun, if your going beach hunting in Hawaii take a water machine. If you want to compete, you need a water machine to compete with.