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 👍

Upgraded Night Vision Monocular Digital Infrared Monocular Telescope for 100% Darkness with 8X Zoom - Grab it through Amazon!

[cudamark]

The Equinox does everything an AT will do, and do it better IMO. For sure there is no contest in salt water. 3 coils are now available for the Nox also.

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

How to Research for Treasure Hunting and Metal Detecting From Lead Generation to Vetting - Grab it through Amazon!

[HighVDI]

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

You could have a 2" coil on the AT series and the EQ with the 11" will out seperate it. My F75 is a faster machine than the AT stuff and the Equinox will dust the Fisher.

 

[Iffy Signals]

You could have a 2" coil on the AT series and the EQ with the 11" will out seperate it. My F75 is a faster machine than the AT stuff and the Equinox will dust the Fisher.

Thats a big 10-4

 

[xr7ator]

Those must be some fast machines. Does this mean you can sweep or swing very fast and still get a good hit on something like a screw through a dime? I can hear a coin literally touching iron with my at pro but I have to go slow.

 

[RobNC]

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

I really don't believe you will regret buying the Equinox 600. It's a very good machine.

 

[HighVDI]

Those must be some fast machines. Does this mean you can sweep or swing very fast and still get a good hit on something like a screw through a dime? I can hear a coin literally touching iron with my at pro but I have to go slow.

I've hunted right next to AT pros with my 800 and there is no comparison. You can't put the older platform machines up against the new stuff. They don't compete.

 

[cudamark]

That being said, you still have to get the coil over the target and know what your machine is telling you. Don't discount blind, stupid luck either! I've seen some amazing finds made by newbies with the cheapest POS out there.