What is the best underwater detector to find gold and silver coins and rings?

[OBXmetalDet]

My Nokta PulseDive Underwater Metal Detector failed on me after going into the water (and not even using it). When I came back on land, although I could turn it on, I couldn't detect metal. Maybe some water got into it.

I'm looking for something that is handheld so about 15" long.

I would be diving right off the shore/beach in relatively shallow, but it would be good to have the ability to go much deeper in case I ever decide to boat dive.

Can anybody recommend anything?

 

[WaterWalker]

Minelab Excalibur

 

[CASPER-2]

mine

 

[CASPER-2]

mine

One of my better yrs

 

[OBXmetalDet]

But the Excalibur is over 15" right? I'm looking for something shorter that is easier to swing underwater. Plus the Excalibur can only go down to 10 feet.

 

[cudamark]

VibraTector for a simple hand held machine. For full function discriminating machines.....Excalibur or CZ21 for deep dives, Equinox 700/900, Manticore, Legend, or Deus 2 for shallower dives. Not much available in new PI machines at the moment. J.W, Fisher 6X and 8X, and Aquascan are the one decent ones that come to mind right now.

 

[cudamark]

But the Excalibur is over 15" right? I'm looking for something shorter that is easier to swing underwater. Plus the Excalibur can only go down to 10 feet.

I believe the Excal is rated at 150 feet.

 

[cudamark]

But the Excalibur is over 15" right? I'm looking for something shorter that is easier to swing underwater. Plus the Excalibur can only go down to 10 feet.

If you hip mount it and use the short dive shaft, it's not too bad. More than 15" though.....as most full featured detectors will be.

 

[OBXmetalDet]

I believe the Excal is rated at 150 feet.

Oh wait, I was thinking of Minelab Equinox 800. It would be hard to swing that underwater.

 

[OBXmetalDet]

Excalibur or

Minelab Excalibur or Excalibur II?

 

[Mike(NC)]

One of my better yrs

View attachment 2211778

Nice haul there Casper.!!

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

Excalibur is rated waterproof to 250 feet if not modified.

 

[cudamark]

Oh wait, I was thinking of Minelab Equinox 800. It would be hard to swing that underwater.

Not much different than any other full size detector. You just need to shorten it up as much as possible. Most waterproof detectors have dive shaft option. I would recommend getting the 900 instead of the 800. It's less likely to have a leak and it's a much better machine and deal IMO. The problem with the little hand held units, is their lack of depth, and in many cases, poor, or no discrimination. Their benefit is they usually have a small coil which will fit in tighter areas than the large coils won't Most are just glorified pin pointers though. Check around as there are a few options out there with some good features.

 

[Mike(NC)]

I've heard nothing but favorable reports on the Excalibur. All I can speak for is my Fisher 1280X Aquanaut. It has been a great machine for me and has found plenty of good stuff including jewelry in some fresh water swimmimg holes.

The control box comes off the shaft for belt mounting if you want, but I don't find it awkward in one piece in the water. On land it would not be a comfy machine unless it was belt mounted, but there's other machines for land hunting.

 

[cudamark]

The Vibra Tector is rated to 100 feet and is made here in the USA. You can also take a look at the Pulse Dive from Nokta, which is another small hand held detector. Both are PI machines though, so, dig every target time. The only waterproof discriminating pin pointer that I'm aware of is the Mi6 from XP, and it needs to be paired with the Deus 2 to get that feature. There again, it's just a pin pointer and doesn't have a big coil option for added depth. 3-4 inches is all you're going to get on a ring or coin size object.

 

[OBXmetalDet]

If you hip mount it and use the short dive shaft, it's not too bad. More than 15" though.....as most full featured detectors will be.

Interesting. How do you hip mount it?