"Best" 5-6" M6/MXT/etc. coil for shallow water?

[Hawkeye P]

"Best" 5-6" M6/MXT/etc. coil for shallow water?

Long time lurker, first time poster here. Consider this my formal introduction!

I'm well on my way to getting a new M6 to replace my broken Classic III SL, but I plan on getting a smaller coil at the same time. Years ago, I found my first two gold rings - within minutes of one another - with the Bullseye 5.3", when multiple times going over the site didn't produce anything more with my 9.5". I always like to go over a site once with the larger coil, and then with the smaller coil.

Anyway, I've narrowed down my choices and I'm wondering if anyone uses either the 5" DD EXcelerator coil or the White's Eclipse 5.3" coils. According to Kellyco, the 5" DD EXcelerator is "better," but anything made by White's has to be good IMO. Does anyone have any experience with either of these coils?

What may be the deciding factor for me is the coil's performance in shallow water - and not necessarily regarding how much it finds! I love hunting the shallows where I live - the problem is, I always had to use the 9.5", as hunting with the 5.3" Bullseye was like trying to hold a balloon underwater. It was "waterproof," yes, but you couldn't keep the darn thing under long enough to make a full sweep! I tried jerry-rigging a weight to it, but it always came off. Anyway, if you've used and like a specific "smaller" coil, have you had any experience in shallow water or can you venture a guess as to how well your "small" coil would work? In other words, would it be like trying to hold a balloon underwater with the end of a stick?

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

Family Maps of Hinds County, Mississippi, Deluxe Edition - Grab it through Amazon!

[Sandman]

Re: "Best" 5-6" M6/MXT/etc. coil for shallow water?

Welcome to the forum.

Most hunters like to hunt shallow water with a larger coil because it covers more ground per sweep and gets better depth. The coils still float like air filled balloons, even the "near Nuetral buoyancy" coil White installs on it's water detector, the BHID 300.

As for which coil is better, the one from White's or the one Kellyco says is better, get the White's as it has a warranty. If the Excelerator was so good how come White's doesn't install it themselves.?

Taking a M6 in the water is asking for trouble. Never raise the coil above the controls as water in the shaft can flood the box killing it.

As Spooky says down below, "A bag of sand will hold it down." We used to fill a sock with sand and duct tape this on the shaft or coil to help hold down the coil. You always end up with an extra sock or two at home anyway.

 

[Hawkeye P]

Re: "Best" 5-6" M6/MXT/etc. coil for shallow water?

Thanks for the quick replies, fellas! I figured the "new" 5.3" coils were pretty much the same as my old one. I always ended up using my 9.5" for the shallows, but some of the areas were really "trashy" and littered with rusty iron junk, so I always thought that my smaller coil would serve me better. Alas, I tried, but I could never keep the darn thing underwater!

I never thought of using a sock! I've got a ton of "lone socks" in the collection of rags I use for working on cars - and when you're at the beach, the sand is right there! Can't believe I didn't think of that one - I tried bricks, rocks, and duct tape. Guess I was trying too hard!

As for being EXTREMELY careful using a "land" detector in the water, I totally agree. I've been at this on and off for almost 20 years, and my Classic III served me well for many of them. I used it in the shallows whenever I got the chance, but only inland lakes where the waves weren't very big. I was always too scared to go into the "surf" of Lake Michigan - sharks and whatnot, you know.

Good point about the Excelerators, Sandman. Didn't think of that! I'll have my equipment pretty soon, and hopefully some good finds to post! Again, thanks for the info!

 

[TabWhisperer]

Re: "Best" 5-6" M6/MXT/etc. coil for shallow water?

I've never detected in the water before but I used to dive. Wouldn't it be possible to put some sort of ballast on the shaft to counter the buoyancy of the coil?

 

[Hawkeye P]

Re: "Best" 5-6" M6/MXT/etc. coil for shallow water?

It WILL work in a pinch, but you'd be better off getting a true water coil.

Spooky, I'm not sure I know what you mean by a "true water coil." Something that's meant to go on a submersible detector? Doesn't seem like they could be interchanged with most "land" detectors.

I have seen some of those DD (open web type) coils that are "meant" for land, but because of the "open" design, they *look* like they'd work better in the shallows.