Whats a good detector for Florida beaches?

[bucketheadben]

What's a good detector for Florida beaches?

I'm looking to buy my first metal detector. What would be a good choice for Florida's beaches and clay here in the panhandle? I'd like to stay around $250 if possible. Later i'd like to buy a good waterproof one that I can use while diving. Thanks
Ben

 

[leefields]

Re: What's a good detector for Florida beaches?

would likely be several that you could choose from ....most obvious would be a minelab excall...in your price range you could likely pickup one of the older fisher units....

 

[Smudge]

Re: What's a good detector for Florida beaches?

In that price range, your hunting is going to be limited to dry sand, and wet sand too but you will have to turn the sensitivity down and lose a lot of depth in the process.

The Ace 250 or the Tesoro Silver uMax would be a good choice. I own the uMax and like it a lot.

I doubt you could buy a decent PI unit for that price ($250), even used. So I would start on the beach and once you have accumulated enough finds to purchase a better machine, you can move up to a water detector.

For a decent PI machine, you can buy used for about $400 and up, the price new will be $600 and up.

For a multi frequency machine like the Excal, start used at $600 and new at about $1300.

This should give you an idea of what you're looking at cost wise.

 

[Sandman]

Re: What's a good detector for Florida beaches?

Don't forget to look at the fine land detectors that can be hip mounted. Something like a Fisher 1235 or newer 1236-X2 or even better a CZ-6a. Basicly you want a long coil cable for hip mounting. Hip mounting makes the unit lots lighter and easy to cover with a baggie for the salt spray.

I doubt you can find the Minelab Sov GT for near $600 used even.

 

[Frankn]

Re: What's a good detector for Florida beaches?

On the beach is a different kind of detecting. Forget discrimination and ID go for raw power. On the beach you want to move fast, scoop everything and keep moving. You want a PI unit because it goes deep and doesn't care about water, salt and minerals in the sand. I use a Whites Surfmaster PI that is 10 years old and can still keep up with the best. I have pulled boat anchors from 2' down in the sand. I'm sure there are many other brands that can do that too. You might have to add a little to your $250 to pick up a good used unit. Check out the T-Net classified section.

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