whites pi dual field or minelab excaliber?

[into-itbad]

Hello everyone, iv'e already read all the pros and cons of each metal detector. I currently own a MXT and aDFX, but want something for shallow water use. I will be going to saltwater beaches 2 weeks a year and the rest of the time it'll be lakes in Pa. PLEASE help me make up my mind!!! Any help greatly appreciated-THANKS!!!!

 

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[mlayers]

I vote for the Ecal. From what I have heard the Ecal works better in salt. That is why I bought mine......Matt

 

[into-itbad]

Thanks Matt, I 've been back and forth for weeks now. I don't know how I would like not having any descrimination, and wether the whites would work good at Lake Erie, I assume there would be alot of trash there. But concerned about the depth of a excaliber at the beach also. I'm sooooo confused!

 

[Eric Willoughby]

Why just those two detectors? There are many other really good choices that will let you cover all different areas and soil/salt/mineral types. Tesoro Lobo Super Traq, Garret Infinium, and many others. If you wanted my opinion based on the two that you have listed, go with the Minelab Excal, and this is coming from a White's owner, that should tell you something.

 

[into-itbad]

Thanks willoughby, did'nt consider the infinium but will give it a look-see now! Have you used one or more of the detectors listed?

 

[Eric Willoughby]

Thanks willoughby, did'nt consider the infinium but will give it a look-see now! Have you used one or more of the detectors listed?

I overlooked the point of you asking about a machine that will do shallow water, the Tesoro Lobo Suer Traq wont do shallow water, the coil from my understanding, can not be submersed. Scratch that idea.

However, I currently own the Infinium.

The Garrett Infinium is a really fine machine (two-tone machine, not a VDI), great for underwater and land hunting. There is no ground that can beat the Infinium, you dont even have to adjust it at all to deal with soil conditions. It is rated to go 200 feet deep in water, and it absolutely LOVES gold and silver in placer, lode, and jewelry form. The Infinium is a Pulse Induction machine like the Minelabs, only at a much lesser cost. There are 4 different levels of set up for it too. Bare in mind that like all P.I. machines, they are really sensitive to iron, you can tune out the small stuff, but larger iron is impossible to discriminate. The way we use the P.I. machines to tell the difference from the iron, is to "reverse discriminate". Meaning, when we get a very loud and clear signal, we turn the discriminate level all the way to max, if it's not iron the tone will lessen or disappear, if it is still the same loud tone, it's most likely iron. This machine's tones are Hi/lo and Lo/hi. Lo/hi being a good conductor (aluminum, iron, large gold and silver). The Hi/lo being any other low conducting alloys (clad coins, and other rubbish mixed metals). It's not a great machine at all for relics, but if you want to hunt for the really good gold and silver items in all forms, this is the right machine for you, its very easy to learn this machine and be good at it within a day or so. The Infinium also is a very deep seeker. I was digging items up to 16 inches deep.



Other great choices are the White's Surf Master and Pulse Diver, the Tesoro TigerShark or even the older Tesoro Stingray. All of these will do beaches, dry land, hot ground, and in salt and fresh enviroments. My advice is dont get into a rush, do research and ask alot of questions before buying anything. There are very honest dealers on here that will answer your questions wether you buy from them or not. They are in this hobby to help people. You can start buy contacting Woodland Detectors (Mike), Saltwater Max (Max Richardson) for starters. They both carry a very wide range of equipment that will cover every situation you can dream of (and even some machines that can almost do it all in one package).

 

[Frankn]

I have a surfmaster PI + and love it . It has pulled diamond rings from 10" on wet sand. I have pulled coins from black magnetic sand with no problem but I have the beach coil and it has a tendisy to float. There is a water coil that doesn't float available. From what I hear the new Dual field PI goes even deeper. My water hunting is done about 6' to 12' out with a mask and snorkel in the trough area where the best finds are. I use a vibra-tector. It is a hand held unit about 12" long. It has a 4" coil and vibrates when it finds a target. I carry the detector in my left hand and a good Wilcox plastic scoop in my right hand. This way I can detect and scoop quickly and double check the target area without worrying about the scoop setting off the detector. This method works great and is more productive than my beach hunting. You might say I am bias toward Whites, but then I own 3 different brands right now.

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[into-itbad]

Thanks guys, I appreciate all the info I can get from all of you!!!! Very detailed !!! Thanks again !!!

 

[S.S.Tupperware]

I love my Df here on Fl. beaches... I did take it to Lake Erie when we went to Ohio to visit relatives... Man I gave up after half hour of digging nothing but iron. I shoulda brought the DFX. The Excall would probably suit you better there.