Sand shark questions...

[fwcrawford]

I have been debating getting a detector for use in salt water and am interested in a waterproof version although I don't plan on diving with it.
I have never used PI detector and was wondering what the signal sound is like.
Does it sound like a VLF detector?
I have some VLF detectors including the Sovereign which gives a different signal response than my other machines due to the BBS technology.
While this is a very good machine to use on the salt water sites, I am hesitant to use it in the surf for fear of a wave coming in a splashing it and causing damage.
I am aware that the PI detectors do not have discriminate mode, but this may not be of much of a problem in the surf area where targets may not be too plentiful and trash is not plentiful either.
Just wondering what the signal response sounds like.
Thanks in advance for any replies

 

[Adrian SS]

Sand Shark sounds like a VLf.
Has VCO: Signal sound increases in frequency and volume as you get closer to the target.
Or can be a single tone that gets louder as you get closer to the target.

Have you concidered an Excalibur. As good as your SOV and WP.

 

[fwcrawford]

Thanks for the reply.
I am familiar with the Excaliber, but it is about twice the price as the Sand Shark and I only go to the beach about 1 or 2 times a year.
I understand the VCO mode, but was wondering if the normal mode was like a standard VLF machine or had a broad signal response like the Sovereign.
Thanks again,
Felix

 

[Sandman]

The Sand Shark does not have the broad signal response like VLF detectors if you mean the response changes pitch or tones to ID the target like the Sov GT and Excal do. Discrimination is almost none existent and being a PI, it loves tiny pieces of trash and likes to find them deep. It is a toss up if the increase in depth and the chance of finding deep rings equals the time spent digging those deep holes. But the area it covers at depth gets down where the heavy rings are located. So it depends on how much fun you want to have.

 

[fwcrawford]

Thanks Sandman...
I wasn't sure what the response sounded like and was wondering since I have never used a PI machine before.
I didn't realize it would sound off on every bit of metal and that could be frustrating after a while after using the Sovereign or other discriminater machine.
I have always heard that you should dig every signal while beach or surf detecting and figured since I usually do that anyhow, having this waterproof machine would be a plus.
Like I stated above, I love using the Sovereign and it performs flawlessly at the beach, but I sure don't want it to get damaged from salt or water.
I have a cover on the control box, but I wonder about the salt air and if it can get into the box and controls and cause damage over time.
I think I can avoid the water damage, but what about the salt atmosphere?
These are my concerns during this consideration.
Thanks for the reply,
Felix

 

[Sandman]

Felix, you can cover the control box with a plastic bag, but the moisture in the bag from the humidity can make the Sov act funny and also harm it over time. It has to breathe.

 

[fwcrawford]

I have seen folks doing this that have the box hip or chest mounted, but I have mine on the shaft... don't like the dangling cords.
It would be pretty difficult to use the bag with the box on the shaft and like you stated, the condensation might be a problem down the road.
I do enjoy beach hunting even though I only do it occasionally, but I hate the salt water. Oh well, just something you have to put up with.
Thanks for the tip anyhow.. appreciate it!!
Felix

 

[Terry Soloman]

I have seen folks doing this that have the box hip or chest mounted, but I have mine on the shaft... don't like the dangling cords.
It would be pretty difficult to use the bag with the box on the shaft and like you stated, the condensation might be a problem down the road.
I do enjoy beach hunting even though I only do it occasionally, but I hate the salt water. Oh well, just something you have to put up with.
Thanks for the tip anyhow.. appreciate it!!
Felix

A few guys on Long Island have put their Sovs in waterproof boxes, and go knee-deep. They find a lot of stuff. I find a lot of stuff they miss..

Good Luck!