Which detector is best for my needs?

[smalay]

Hello, new to the site, and fairly new to detecting. I am going to purchase a new detector, and want opinions on what I should get. My options are garrett at pro, garrett sea hunter mark ii, and the Tesoro sand shark. I live in Missouri, and plan on using it while boating on the Mississippi river on beaches/sand bars, etc., but we also go down to florida for two week vacations, and I would like to detect there also. I don't scuba dive, but do snorkel, but it will mainly be used ON the beach so the max water depth it can be used in doesn't really matter to me. I know there are limitations with the At pro as far as saltwater use, were the other two would be fine to use on wet salt beaches. So I plan on using it for both freshwater and saltwater use, so what do you think my best options are? I only plan on buying a single detector, so I don't want to buy one for fresh and one for salt. Thanks for the opinions.

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

DR.ÖTEK Metal Detector, Waterproof Gold Detector, Pinpoint & Terrain Modes, Professional Metal Detector - Grab it through Amazon!

[SnohomishDigger]

Have you considered the Minelab Equinox?

 

[smalay]

I have not considered that. Since I am fairly new, I want to keep my budget around 500-700 ish, and these three are the ones that interest me the most.

 

[BrettCo124]

If choosing between those 3, the sand shark is your best option. Lifetime warranty, fully submersible. But you’ll dig everything. If I could offer a new suggestion, it would be to get the equinox 600, which should fall right in your price range. But I own the Tesoro sand shark and it’s an incredible machine. You won’t miss a thing.

 

[smalay]

Thanks, I will check out the equinox 600. With Tesoro closing their doors, the sand shark might not be as good as an option now, as I was looking at the lifetime warrenty. I am open to other suggestions to other brands/models, just these were the three that caught my interest.

 

[BLK HOLE]

I have really enjoyed my AT PRO, easy to use, fully submersible, I have used it in the ocean but I had a difficult time with it in the water but no issues hunting the wet sand. But detectors are like cars some like Fords others Chevys. Best of luck and welcome to the forum.

 

[xr7ator]

If you live in the big city and or have a local dealer I suggest trying each machine out before you buy.

 

[SnohomishDigger]

I have not considered that. Since I am fairly new, I want to keep my budget around 500-700 ish, and these three are the ones that interest me the most.

The Equinox 600 falls into that range.

 

[Philvis]

Equinox 600 and a pair of Gray Ghost waterproof headphones for $160. Since you want fresh and salt water use, I think it's your best bang for your buck. The best part is you can also still clean house with it on land.

 

[smalay]

I am starting to lean toward the equinox 600 for the fresh and saltwater use, and also using it on land also.

 

[Iffy Signals]

I am starting to lean toward the equinox 600 for the fresh and saltwater use, and also using it on land also.

Good choice

 

[Tahts-a-dats-ago]

I'm going to second the recommendation made by xr7ator - try swinging all the machines that interest you before you buy. See which machine feels best, and which machine speaks a language that you understand.

Waterproof machines in your price range:

AT Pro
Minelab Equinox 600
Whites MX Sport
Nokta/Makro Multi Kruzer
Tesoro Sand Shark (PI machine)
AT Max
Sea Hunter II (PI machine)


If a used machine is an option:

Minelab Equinox 800
Nokta/Makro Multi Anfibo
Whites Dual Field (PI machine)

 

[cudamark]

I'm going to second the recommendation made by xr7ator - try swinging all the machines that interest you before you buy. See which machine feels best, and which machine speaks a language that you understand.

Waterproof machines in your price range:

AT Pro
Minelab Equinox 600
Whites MX Sport
Nokta/Makro Multi Kruzer
Tesoro Sand Shark (PI machine)
AT Max
Sea Hunter II (PI machine)


If a used machine is an option:

Minelab Equinox 800
Nokta/Makro Multi Anfibo
Whites Dual Field (PI machine)

I'd only swing the machines that match your needs. If your budget is $700 max for a new waterproof machine, you can forget the Multi Kruzer, MX Sport, and AT Max. They're more than $700, albeit, not by much. If you want to hunt a salt water beach in wet sand or water, you need a multifrequency machine or PI detector. If you want discrimination to help avoid digging every nail, staple, nut, bolt and washer, you can eliminate the PI machines. This pretty much leaves the Equinox as the only one that meets all your needs. It's also a better machine than the others listed, IMO.

 

[RustyGold]

For what and where you want to detect, like those above have suggested, the Minelab Equinox 600 fills the bill.
Good luck with your decision!

 

[smalay]

Thanks everyone for your opinions, I am going to get the minilab equinox 600.

 

[RustyGold]

Thanks everyone for your opinions, I am going to get the minilab equinox 600.

Great choice and good luck!

 

[whistler84]

Thanks everyone for your opinions, I am going to get the minilab equinox 600.

Best of luck buddy, let us all know what you find!

 

[sandmartin]

Thanks everyone for your opinions, I am going to get the minilab equinox 600.

Great choice buddy, I have just bought one too, loving it.

 

[Joe-Dirt]

If you set up an AT pro or AT max correctly, they do pretty good in the wet sand, I haven’t tried mine under salt water yet

 

[Joe-Dirt]

Another thing that pushed me towards the AT line was the interchangeable coils that are very reasonably priced. I have a 15’, 13’, 11” and a 5.5” and I plan on getting the 8.5” this spring