Tesoro Sand or Tiger Shark?

[bucketheadben]

I'm looking to get my first water machine and I'd like to stick with Tesoro. I belive the Sand Shark would be better for all the salt water that I would be hunting in, but what is everyone else's opinion. I know they are both out of production right now, and I can only find used Tiger Sharks. I would appreciate and facts and opinions about the two. Thanks
Ben

 

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[Smudge]

The Tiger Shark's name is a little bit of a misnomer. It does have a salt water mode, but is designed primarily for fresh water use as it is a VLF detector. However, on dry sand at the beach you'll be hard pressed to find a better detector on small gold. Yes, the salt water mode will take you into wet sand/surf, but my understanding is that a lot of depth gets sacrificed. Maybe someone else can clarify this point as my Tiger Shark experience is limited.

I have also used the Sand Shark, which is very different detector. For starters, its a pulse induction detector as opposed to VLF, which gives you very good depth, but absolutely no discrimination whatsoever. So you will dig plenty of trash at deep levels in addition to very good targets. A lot of people don't like digging all that trash and end up selling their PI's and getting a beach machine that offers at least some discrimination, even at the sacrifice of some depth.

I sold my sand shark and bought an Excal. I now wish I hadn't done that.

To my liking, I prefer the pulse induction, trash or no.

I'd say between the two, if you are not going into the water, I'd probably side with the Tiger Shark. If I plan to spend a good deal of time in the surf, I'd buy the Sand Shark.

 

[Sandman]

Everything Smudge said goes for me, and I will add more info on the Tiger Shark which I have experience with.

The Tiger Shark can be used on saltwater beaches very well in the dry sand. It can also be used in the wet sand without trouble in ONLY SOME LOCATIONS. In those other locations it will be unstable due to salt concentrations being different and varying amounts of magnetic black sand. Nobody said this Magnetic black sand would be uniform. Hense the dude that says his detector has no trouble at such and such a beach. I have used it in the water too and it does better out near knee deep and deeper in some areas. The Tiger Shark is a killer if you can find a Clean Sweep Coil designed for it. The CSC can be used with an adapter from Tesoro that is used on the other detectors. The CSC covers lots of sand in a hurry but is only about max of 7".

 

[bucketheadben]

Thanks smudge. I plan on spending the majority of my hunting in the water(scuba, snorkeling, or just ankle deep.) And I don't mind digging up trash, thats all part of the hobby. But if I get the sand shark, would you use it or my Cibola on the dry beach sand? I know the sand shark would be heavier, which would perform better? Thanks again.
Ben

 

[bucketheadben]

Everything Smudge said goes for me, and I will add more info on the Tiger Shark which I have experience with.

The Tiger Shark can be used on saltwater beaches very well in the dry sand. It can also be used in the wet sand without trouble in ONLY SOME LOCATIONS. In those other locations it will be unstable due to salt concentrations being different and varying amounts of magnetic black sand. Nobody said this Magnetic black sand would be uniform. Hense the dude that says his detector has no trouble at such and such a beach. I have used it in the water too and it does better out near knee deep and deeper in some areas. The Tiger Shark is a killer if you can find a Clean Sweep Coil designed for it. The CSC can be used with an adapter from Tesoro that is used on the other detectors. The CSC covers lots of sand in a hurry but is only about max of 7".

Thanks Sandman, I have heard about the problems of black sand, but that should not be and issue here on the sugar sand beaches of Pensacola, FL. All I have to worry about is the the oil that's still present.
I have a Clean Sweep Coil for my Cibola right now. I know Tesoro sells one for the Sharks, but could I adapt mine to their water detectors? Thanks
Ben

 

[Sandman]

Ben, Tesoro sells an adapter that will allow you to use the Clean Sweep coil on the water detectors.

As for which would be better to use on the dry sand, the Cibola or Sand Shark. It would be the Shark for depth and the Cibola to miss iron. I would go with the PI as a lot of rings will be deep, but if wasting to much time on hairpins, it would be better to switch to a VLF.

 

[bucketheadben]

Ben, Tesoro sells an adapter that will allow you to use the Clean Sweep coil on the water detectors.

As for which would be better to use on the dry sand, the Cibola or Sand Shark. It would be the Shark for depth and the Cibola to miss iron. I would go with the PI as a lot of rings will be deep, but if wasting to much time on hairpins, it would be better to switch to a VLF.

Sandman, So I could get the adapter from Tesoro and use the CSC on my VLF Cibola and the PI Sand Shark. I might have to remove the CSC from the classifieds if that is true. I thought that I'd have to get a PI CSC. I'm definitely leaning toward the Sand Shark. Thanks
Ben

 

[GibH]

Sandman, So I could get the adapter from Tesoro and use the CSC on my VLF Cibola and the PI Sand Shark. I might have to remove the CSC from the classifieds if that is true. I thought that I'd have to get a PI CSC. I'm definitely leaning toward the Sand Shark. Thanks
Ben

No, the CSC (4 pin) for a Cibola will not work on either the Sand Shark or Tiger Shark. A 5 pin Cleansweep will work on the Tiger Shark with the adapter. You might be able to find a Cleansweep for the PI, but they are very hard to come by.

 

[Smudge]

Thanks smudge. I plan on spending the majority of my hunting in the water(scuba, snorkeling, or just ankle deep.) And I don't mind digging up trash, thats all part of the hobby. But if I get the sand shark, would you use it or my Cibola on the dry beach sand? I know the sand shark would be heavier, which would perform better? Thanks again.
Ben

The Cibola will work fine on dry sand, but won't give you the depth a Sand Shark will. However, the Cibola will let you discriminate trash, which tends to be heaviest on the dry sand, something the Sand Shark will not do. So its going to be a question only you can answer: do I want great depth or discrimination?

I would not advise getting a clean sweep coil for your Cibola for use on the beach. Yes, your coverage will be fantastic, but you will lose even more depth than with the stock coil, which will give about 8" in favorable conditions. The clean sweep will max at about 5-6", tops. That has been my experience. I'm open to contrarian points of view.

One word of advice in using the Sand Shark: find a way to hip or chest mount the control box. It is pretty heavy and will wear your arm out quickly. Just leave plenty of coil play so it doesn't get jerked around.

 

[birdman]

Crack Badger has a very nice tiger shark for sale .I have used it and it works great and is in great shape. I would buy it but I don't have any fundage..

 

[bucketheadben]

I've had a couple tiger shark offers, but I think I'm set on the sand shark. Buy the sounds of it, it's a better choice for my location. I just can't find one. Thanks
Ben

 

[Dixie Digger]

iv owned both and are great detectors but i wouldnt buy either one right now until Tesoro gets parts for them.i know a guy that has had his sent in for over a year...all over a connector!