Sand shark or tiger shark

[stitchlips]

I know there is another post with the same topic but it didn't really answer my questions. I use a Bounty Hunter IV now and it works great in the wet sand but not in the water of course. I really really want to get a water machine and the sand shark and the tiger shark both have my eye and I am having a difficult time choosing.

I live at the beach and like to hunt the beach and islands in the intercoastal. I don't like the idea of the lack of discrimination on the sand shark, I will be digging all kinds of trash but I guess that comes with the territory.
The tiger shark could replace my bounty hunter and be used in the water, I just don't know how well it will react to the water and beaches here. Like I said my bounty hunter does great in the wet sand never gives me a problem at all unless I get the coil wet, then it goes nuts.

Being my first water detector can anyone give me any advice that would help in my decision

 

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[JOE(USA)]

stitchlips,

The TS is VERY sensitive to tiny gold targets including fine gold chains. Bobby pins are problematic, they sound very close to good targets. I usually end up digging about 50% of them. What I love about the TS is I hunt for 3 to 5 hours at a clip in fresh water and NEVER have to touch a control. To ME this means a lot! To me mode changing and tuning just wastes time and I believe in MDing that translates to finds. For ME I wouldn't want the detector to go one bit deeper. I am not interested in digging 12" to 16" for a target like you would do with a PI machine. At an ocean beach where there is surf and tides moving the water, the targets may be very deep at times. That is why a lot of people use P.I. machines. The other feature of a P.I. machine is they are more stable in salt water than a VLF machine like the TS in salt water mode.
I hope this helps. Joe

 

[thorny196]

From what I have been able to understand the VLF machines will work in either wet salt sand or mineralized soil but not both. I have a Tejon and at the beaches of Northern NC (Nags Head) no amount of ground balancing or sensitivity adjustments will shut it up! It does work very good and deep in the same dry sand. Now from what I understand the northeast beaches are highly mineralized and Florida beaches are not but I would check with others from your area on this board. I was considering a Tiger Shark (VLF) but after talking to Tesoro Tech Department I will get the Sand Shark (PI) its just a much better choice for my area! For what its worth -Mike (this was from a previous post) It really depends on where you are located..

 

[Sandman]

Joe and Thorney know what they are talking about in regards to the Tiger vs Sand Shark. A lot depends on your area if a VLF will work well in the wet. Mostly when they are very stable, they aren't sensitive enough to find white gold a few inches deep. I suspect your BH is detuned, but you may be lucky in having an area without much black sand in with the wet.

If you want max depth, the Sand Shark.

If you want discrimination, the Tiger Shark.

If you want both, the Excal or Sov GT.

 

[stitchlips]

Joe and Thorney know what they are talking about in regards to the Tiger vs Sand Shark. A lot depends on your area if a VLF will work well in the wet. Mostly when they are very stable, they aren't sensitive enough to find white gold a few inches deep. I suspect your BH is detuned, but you may be lucky in having an area without much black sand in with the wet.

If you want max depth, the Sand Shark.

If you want discrimination, the Tiger Shark.

If you want both, the Excal or Sov GT.

What do you mean by detuned? I live and hunt the Daytona Beach Area... anyone know how well a VLF works there??

 

[Sandman]

I should have been more clear. Bounty Hunters like the IV are not known for being extra sensitive to make them easier to use in most areas. For it not to respond on wet saltwater sand doesn't mean it has a superior stability, just not on a par with most other VLF's which work great on the dry sand themselves, but can get a little iffy in the wet. But then in another area they could work just fine.

 

[stitchlips]

Thanks everyone for the advice. I am going to go for the Sand Shark, now can anyone recommend a good sand scoop? I am looking at the garrett stainless steel but it looks like the holes are kinda big.

 

[Sandman]

The holes only have to be big enough to stop a dime, rings are larger. I don't like to bend down anymore so I use a long handled one on the dry sand too.

 

[stitchlips]

Everyone thanks again for all your help! I just ordered a sand shark. All of your input plus this great article helped me to make this choice.

http://www.tesoro.com/info/articles/underwaterdetectors/

I needed a detector for salt water only so the sand shark it is! Now the hard part is I have to wait a week for it to get here.

 

[nudels]

Welcome to the club!