X versus Y

[Skexis]

Quick question please - would a Tesoro Sand Shark be suitable for beach work for a first timer who has never held a detector before?
Could get a secondhand SS for AUD$450 or buy a new x-terra 305 for AUD$395. Wondering if a PI machine is too complex and/or difficult to learn on.
Thanks

 

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[SusanMN]

What kind of a beach - fresh water or salt water? With a sand shark there is no discrimination so you would have to dig every little thing. May be okay for a beach, but not for land.

 

[Skexis]

Sorry - saltwater beach. New to all this so would dig everything anyway. Just a bit worried re the complexities of this detector and whether its too advanced for me. Looking to do both wet and dry sand plus dunes. Not looking to go bush although the odd dry riverbed might be checked out as well. Beaches are the primary target as they're local.

 

[Sandman]

Pulse detectors are simple to use but for newbies they can be tiring as you end up digging every little piece of hair pin ever lost. But they are easier to learn than VLF's which have more controls. Pulse units are not the best for rivers because of the trash. Most any none pulse is good for dry sand and dunes, but they are usually unstable in the wet sand near the water because of salt concentrations. You would have to cover a VLF with a baggie to protect it from the salt spray. We don't use the term (dig) but scoop is OK.

 

[cudamark]

If you plan on digging everything, A PI (like the Sand Shark) is made for you! After a week of that (or in my case, an hour) you'll want something with discrimination. If you're staying out of the wet, a good VLF machine is the way to go. If you're going into the water, the Minelab Excalibur is a top performer.