Underwater, Beach, Coins, Jewelry & Nuggets: is there one that does it all well?

[petersra]

Underwater, Beach, Coins, Jewelry & Nuggets: is there one that does it all well?

I have MD some in the past but not passionately, I guess I have too many interests. Looking forward to retiring soon and want to expand my options. I found 40 coins totaling $1.98 last evening on the beach in dry sand with my $200 Radio Shack MD. I figure the jewelry is in the water and wet sand where my MD does not work. I am looking for a new MD that I can hunt the beach and surf for coins and jewelry and take with me to the mountain streams to hunt for gold. Is there a MD that will really do it all? I think I am sold on the Tesoro Tiger Shark lifetime warrenty, since it says it does it all. However, it has manual ground balancing and I am not sure it will be effective for nugget shooting if you have to manually reset the ground balancing every few steps like a competitor's literature suggests. Has anyone successfully used the Tiger Shark for small nugget shooting? I won't say that price is not an issue, but if I can pay a little more and get an all in one unit that does it all, I would rather do it now rather than figure it out later after I have spent the money on one that does not meet all my needs. Any input from you more experienced hunters would be helpful.

Thanks, Ralph

 

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[Sandman]

Re: Underwater, Beach, Coins, Jewelry & Nuggets: is there one that does it all well?

Ralph, The Tesoro Tiger Shark will work well in salt or fresh water and it is very hot on tiny gold. I like mine and use the Clean Sweep Coil on the dry sand. You can change the coils yourself. You don't have to worry about the ground balance at all if you check it once in awhile. Its fast to adjust anyway and much better than having a detector that balances wrong or is preset.

I don't think there is a detector that does it all. For the water or diving I prefer the Excal. 1000 because of its different tones for diff. targets and iron mask. It'll find a gold ring under a railroad spike. While in the water wading I'll ignor the coins and only scoop up the gold sounds, but I could miss a Rolex this way.

 

[petersra]

Re: Underwater, Beach, Coins, Jewelry & Nuggets: is there one that does it all well?

Thanks Sandman,
Good info. I read your recommendation on the Clean Sweep on another thread and looked for it on the Tesoro web site without success. I sent them an email and they said they no longer make the Cleam Sweep coil. So why don't you use the Excaliber for the sand or other areas? or do you? I will have to check out the Excal features.

 

[petersra]

Re: Underwater, Beach, Coins, Jewelry & Nuggets: is there one that does it all well?

I do realize that my Radio Shack MD is NOT top of the line. However, went out to the same beach again last evening and found 25 Qtrs, 22 D, bunch of N & P total $9.01. I at least paid for my new batteries. Dry sand only though and I am sure the good stuff is not usually in the dry sand. This unit has been fun but I am looking to get into the water. I did find two rings with it on a beach in Pensacola last year after the hurricanes. I assume the storm threw the rings from the water onto the beach though. Looking for an upgrade that will give me more options and I am not afraid to spend the money for a Minelab, just want to get the best value. More research. I appreciate your input. Thanks,
Ralph

 

[neilo]

Re: Underwater, Beach, Coins, Jewelry & Nuggets: is there one that does it all well?

Hi Ralph have to agree with Sandman the Excalibur is tops in the water but it is awkward and heavy to use on the beach in its standard configuration. I have mounted mine on a balanced shaft which makes it much more comfortable to handle in both water and beach dry sand use. The Excalibur is an excellent coin and jewelry machine, but I wouldnt use it as a nugget hunter, it is not sensitive enough for hunting small nuggets. I think for nugget machines you either go big time Minelab GPs, Sd and Garrett Infinium or small time Fisher Gold Bug 2 or Minelab Eureka Ace.The coin machines dont have a high enough frequency for finding small gold so you are better off buying a propper gold machine made for the job.
The Tiger Shark is a good machine but wont detect as deeply as the Excalibur in water and on beach. Good luck with what ever detector you choose, but there isnt one detector that will do the lot seeya Neilo

 

[petersra]

Re: Underwater, Beach, Coins, Jewelry & Nuggets: is there one that does it all well?

Neilo, Good input. I didn't figure there was a perfect MD this side of the pillow, or you experienced hunters would not own so many different units. Unless you hadn't figured out the perfect MD until after you bought and tried three others. When I questioned Teroso about the Tiger Shark not having automatic ground balancing, they said the control box is just so big and to have it all would take a control box too big and heavy to be convenient to carry around. With miniturazation of electronics, I am not sure if that is true or just an excuse to sell me three detectors instead of one. I'm not fixed on which one to buy yet, since Sandman says Tiger Shark is hot on small gold and I like the idea of a lifetime warranty but you have convinced me that Excalibur goes deeper. Decisions, decisions.... Thanks.

 

[Sandman]

Re: Underwater, Beach, Coins, Jewelry & Nuggets: is there one that does it all well?

Ralph, Neilo is right about the Tiger Shark not being the best for nuggets. It will find earring backs and even earring studs, but these are alloys. Nuggest are best hunted with the detectors Neilo says. The Clean Sweep coil can still be found for sale. I got mine used also and a surf will jerk you all over the beach trying to use it in the water. The coil isn't much deeper than six inches in sand, but covers an area fast. The weight of Excalibur on dry land lets me prefer the Excal in the water and I hang mine around my neck on a mount. Another different thing I do is tape my wire along the shaft on the side to cut water resistance.

Automatic ground balancing is not all it's cracked up to beon most detectors. You have no control over how accurate it is or if it is even working. Years ago manufactures advertised their machines had automatic ground balancing when in fact they were preset. We didn't know any better and bought them and wasted time hunting where they sucked. That's why I like manual ground balance. Excalibur doesn't need it.

 

[petersra]

Re: Underwater, Beach, Coins, Jewelry & Nuggets: is there one that does it all well?

Sandman,
I noted in the Excalibur manual from their web site that it has Automatic Ground "Tracking", not Ground "Balancing". As I read further, it sounds like it doesn't need to be ground balanced because it is using 17 different frequencies simultaneously. Not sure how that is different from ground balancing, but assume the result is that it allows the unit to penetrate deeper with whichever frequency correctly matches the ground mineralization conditions. So why don't you use it on the beach in the wet sand? Sounds like you have it rigged up so the weight is not an issue.

 

[Willy]

Re: Underwater, Beach, Coins, Jewelry & Nuggets: is there one that does it all well?

One thing to consider is whether you're planning on actually diving with a detector or only wading. There are a few multipurpose detectors that make for great prospecting units, as well as superb (depending on the detectorist) coin/ring machines. These would be, in no particular order, the MXT, LST and X70. The XTerra 70, at this time, is unproven as a nuggetshooter (too new), but it has what it takes to be outstanding in that endeavor. Notice that all 3 detectors utilise ground tracking and have a true all-metal mode. They can be used for wading, with a chestmount option on the LST, MXT... Still up in the air re. the X70. If you do decicide to do some diving with a detector, you might want to look into picking up a cheap (relatively speaking) used underwater unit for that particular pursuit, and get one of the above mentioned detectors for the rest of your detecting needs. Most underwater detectors are feature limited, which limits them when detecting over dry land. One advantage of the dual detector setup is that you'd have a backup detector or a loaner. In regards to the suitability of the Tigershrk for nugget hunting, it will do so but wouldn't be in any way spectacular. One misconception about nuggets is that they don't give off a good signal as opposed to gold jewellry. Actually, depending on the purity/size, they can produce a better signal. Reasons why gold nugget hunting is so difficult are:a) the mineralisation where most gold is found b) a lot of the nuggets can be extremely small c) often, gold is found at extreme depths. Eric Foster (if I remember correctly) tested out various alloys of gold and found that pure (or nearly so) gold gave off a great (good conductivity) signal. As various amounts of alloys were added, the conductivity (signal strength) decreased.. even if a higher conductor was used as an alloy component (silver, copper). The conductivity decreased till the gold component went below 50%, and then started to increase in conductivity. I have a 1 oz nugget I popped up in Alaska that runs from .96-.99 fine. It gives off one hell of a strong signal and I got it from about 1' with my MXT w. 5x10" coil in tough ground (86 on the VDI). I'll have to do some snooping around and see if Eric's post on relative gold alloy conductivity can be found.. it's been at least a year since I read it. ..Willy.

 

[petersra]

Re: Underwater, Beach, Coins, Jewelry & Nuggets: is there one that does it all well?

Now I see how you hunters end up with several MDs in your arsenal.... I haven't looked at White's line yet, but I will check it out. I have heard they were good. I guess I got overwhelmed with the first part of the alphabet and did not make it down that far on my research list. Although I am not a diver, I can see using my MD with a snorkel in relatively shallow water. The last time my wife went swimming with our digital camera it was not part of her plan, so I am sure that wading with a non-waterproof detector on slippery rocks or in the surf is just asking for trouble. Like Coindetctor said, I may have to make compromising choices and get the unit that best matches up with the way I am planning to use. Thanks for the suggestions Willy. Happy Hunting......Ralph

 

[lou423]

Re: Underwater, Beach, Coins, Jewelry & Nuggets: is there one that does it all well?

I use a Sand Shark for underwater detecting (Surf)...I do not recommend that one..

A Golden Sabre for coins.... and for pinpoining with the 4 inch coil.

A gt soverign minelab for depth and sensitivity....(when I do not have constraints about digging).

 

[neilo]

Re: Underwater, Beach, Coins, Jewelry & Nuggets: is there one that does it all well?

The Sovereign and the Excalibur are virtually the same machine.The only major differences are the notch discrimination, and the fixed tracking option on the Sovereign. The Excalibur being the underwater version having the same performance as the Sovereign. goodluck with your choice of machine,see if you can take a couple of machines out on trial basis and compare performance.Dont be in a big hurry to choose.

 

[Willy]

Re: Underwater, Beach, Coins, Jewelry & Nuggets: is there one that does it all well?

One option to consider (I thought long and hard about it myself) is to buy a detector like a Tesoro Golden uMax or a Sov. and get an Otter waterproof lexan box. Replace the end connctor on the coil(s) with a waterproof one that mates to a w.proof bulkhead fitting on the Otter box. Inside the box, have the bulkhead fitting attached to a flexible lead with a regular coil connector. Make up a w.proof to stock connector cable to enable the detector coil(s) to be used on land with the detector outside of the w.proof box. Get a pair of w.proof headphones with a 1/4 male end that is hardwired (sealed) to the box. All that needs be done is inserting the control box into the w.proof box and hooking it up. Set the controls to where you want, seal 'er up, and start hunting. Just listen to the tones and scoop up the booty. ..Willy.

 

[petersra]

Re: Underwater, Beach, Coins, Jewelry & Nuggets: is there one that does it all well?

Willy, I can tell you thought long and hard about that one. I had to read it twice and then do a Google search on "Otter Waterproof" before I could figure out where you were headed and picture it in my mind. It sounds much more complicated than it is. I actually think it could work and might be the ticket once I figured out where to get all the wateproof connectors, parts and pieces. Unfortunately, that opens up 16 other MD that I now have to research. Sounds like you didn't actually build it, just thought it up. Probably you would rather be out hunting Hummmm. Actually, I think it is a great idea, but I will probably end up joining the ranks of the multi-MD owners in the end. Since I live at the beach, that will be my primary focus first. I have one nugget picker I found panning and some flakes. I will see if my beach unit picks that up, or maybe check it out before I buy. Unfortunately, I am away from home where the nugget is and I'm not sure I can wait months to buy my beach unit. If I get a nugget specific MD I will probably seriously look into your Otter Box idea. Thanks for the good thoughts.

 

[petersra]

Re: Underwater, Beach, Coins, Jewelry & Nuggets: is there one that does it all well?

Sandman, I think I have a handle on when you use you Excalibur and when you use your Tiger Shark and why. However, seems like you are in Michigan and you are probably not dealing with tides. Chances are the sand you are looking in with your Tiger Shark may be wet but not from changing tides and therefore, the goodies have not sunken as deep on the beach as they may have in the water where you probably do have wave action going on. Question: What is the typical depth you find good stuff in the water as compared to the sand and how deep is the Excalibur effective to as compared to the Tiger Shark? Here at the beach with a six foot tide change, the wet sand I will be hunting in will have just been under water with wave action and if you find good stuff much deeper in the water than the Tiger Shark is effective to, then I may not really have a choice but to get the Excalibur and find a way to deal with the weight and awkwardness if I want to find the good stuff. This forum has been a great learning experience for me. I am real close to making an informed decision. Thanks for sharing. Ralph

 

[Willy]

Re: Underwater, Beach, Coins, Jewelry & Nuggets: is there one that does it all well?

I ended up buying a used Garrett Infinium for prospecting and ended up using it for freshwater hunting also. It was kinda pointless for me to make a waterproof box for a VLF after that 'cause none that I've tested can touch it for depth and iron ID in my ground. ...Willy.

 

[petersra]

Re: Underwater, Beach, Coins, Jewelry & Nuggets: is there one that does it all well?

I looked at the Infinium first, but a feature comparison chart at Garrett's web site said it wasn't recommended for coin hunting.... So, since I might become a multi MD man at some time, how is the Infinium working for prospecting? How small, How deep?

 

[neilo]

Re: Underwater, Beach, Coins, Jewelry & Nuggets: is there one that does it all well?

If you are thinking about the Infinium and buying second hand be careful the earlier models are not good on small nuggets and lack the sensitivity of the later model.Remember for beach and in water hunting it doesnt discriminate as well as the Minelab Sovereign or Excalibur. seeya Neilo

 

[petersra]

Re: Underwater, Beach, Coins, Jewelry & Nuggets: is there one that does it all well?

Last evening I went back to the beach. In dry sand found $2.66 in change and one nice silver ring. Only my third ring ever so I was excited. I also made an interesting discovery. Woman came crying to me that she lost her 14k aqua marine ring. Could I help her find it. I was happy to assist. It was at a small beach wedding that had just ended.... Isolated area, wind had been blowing the sand so the recent foot prints were obvious. I thought, piece of cake. 100' x 50' area max, if I had to cover the whole area. She took me to the spot where she was standing when she noticed it was gone. 2 hours later, I had covered the area three times. 1st time just walking back and forth in straight lines. No ring but I found $0.52 + 4 pull tabs. I can't believe I missed the ring.. Drew lines on the sand in 4' lanes to be sure I covered every square inch. No ring, but I found $0.36 + 1 pull tab. (How could I have missed those the first time.) The ring has to be here, she just lost it. She and here boyfriend are now long gone to the reception. I got their number to call if I found it. I drew lines to make 4' lanes in the opposite direction and do it again. Still no ring, but I found $0.26. Third time over every inch of the same area and I still found a quarter and penny. I could see missing something the first time, but not the second, I was methodical and careful. The interesting part is they were both 8" deep. The book says to overlap your passes and that if an item is deep you may not get a signal if the center part of the coil does not pass right over the target. (I think the ring was either picked up by someone at the wedding or when it came off her hand it ended up in a pants cuff or something, but it wasn't still on the beach.) It was a good 2 hour lesson and I think I have decided on the detector to get. Unless someone talks me out of it, I am going to order the Tesoro Tiger Shark and get the 3" x 18" clean sweep coil. As Sandman said, cover more area, find more. I just proved to myself that no matter how deep the coil will detect, if you don't put it over the target it will not find it. Here is a great link on an Excalibur - CZ20 depth comparison, I sure wish the Tiger shark had been included, since I know it doesn't go as deep.. http://Joyce.home.netcom.com/test.HTML I think I will start by working the wet sand and look for deeper targets later, probably with an Excalibur or CZ20 if any of them are still around. I would like to get my wife interested in joining me and I could pass her the Tiger Shark and justify buying a new one to go deeper All I need to do is get her to try it one time and find a nice ring and she will be hooked. Besides, I am not sure she would be patient enough to use the Excalibur from what I have heard... That's the story and I'm sticking to it........... Unless someone changes my mind before I order tomorrow Thanks to everyone for your thought proviking input and assistance, can't wait to get to the waters edge. Ralph

 

[Sandman]

Re: Underwater, Beach, Coins, Jewelry & Nuggets: is there one that does it all well?

You probably ordered already and I know you will have to buy another machine for different types of hunting. I like to use the Excalibur on the salt water beaches from Florida to SC. and have been to Galveston beaches a couple years ago. thegoldenolde.com/ My son lives in Michigan and I don't have to work so I travel the beaches.

The Excal is deeper than the Tiger and easier to use in the surf because of the open spider coil. However with the larger coil you will cover more ground. Excal is easy to operate as is the Tiger Shark, just different. The only detectors that are deeper are PI's and they love to find deep iron nail, etc. But there is only so much digging you can do in a day and your pooped......