Recommendations for a water machine?

[willisjj]

I have never water hunted, but am thinking of giving it a try. I will have some extra money soon and decided to buy a few things that I have wanted for years and haven't had the chance to buy. Don't want to break the bank on a machine, but do want a decent detector though. I am in Oklahoma and would be detecting lakes, ponds, and creeks and such. What would you recommend?

Also..(yep..not done yet, lol)...most of these lakes around here are not sandy bottomed, but are covered with fist size rocks, flint and such. Is that a problem, do I still use one of those "scoops"? Anyway, thanks again...

 

[au4me]

Willis,

Tesoro Tigershark, Get a mask and snorkel that"s what I do.It works.

 

[gollum]

I don't know what you would consider "breaking the bank" but, I would recommend:

Minelab Excalibur

http://minelab.com/consumer/page.php?section=282&pId=12&pNm=Excalibur%201000&x=y

Eric Foster Aquasearch (Pulse Induction)

http://www.surfscanner.com/Surfscan3/Aquasearch1.html

Best-Mike

 

[TonyinCT]

I would also likt to reccomend the Tiger Shark or Excal. The Tiger is the budget priced unit and the Excal is the top of the line unit. If you need more help with your decision please let me know.

 

[Sandman]

Tony is right. I use the Excal and the Tiger Shark for the water. I would still get a huge scoop when you can afford it, something like the Sunspot. Till then the mask and snorkle will do for the bigger rocks.

Tony forgot his link www.tcmetaldetectors.com

 

[willisjj]

Thanks for all of the great advice. I really appreciate it!

 

[spez401]

excalibur... hands down
also... a good scoop... I prefer the sunspot, but nutall makes a great one, and there are several from proscoops, and rtg as well.

steve

 

[willisjj]

I am definately a Minelab man, but didn't want to spend that much. Maybe I can find a used one for a decent price....anyway...thanks!

 

[spez401]

Willis
I picked up my current excal 800 on ebay for 525 shipped to my door. It was still under warranty (something that i think is important in buying electronics on ebay, even though I haven't had a problem). As soon as I got it, i sent it off to minelab in Vegas and they did a complete checkup for me.

keep checking around, you'll probably find a used one cheaper.

steve

 

[willisjj]

How much does Minelab charge to do that? I have had my Sovereign for 10 years now almost and although it seems to work as well as the day I bought it, a little PMCS on it wouldn't hurt. Can I find the info on the Minelab webpage?

 

[spez401]

When I sent my excal in, it was still under warranty. checkup was free, and they even paid for shipping back to me.

Not sure about cost for an out of warranty machine. Hit their website, get the number and give them a call.

steve