Another " Which Detector " Question From A Newbie....

[Steve Herschbach]

The DFX is about as good a beach machine as you will get in a VLF, where multifrequency is king. The only other route is to go to PI but I honestly think you overestimate the joys of digging bobby pins a foot deep. The more likely explanation is that It's getting harder to find jewelry on beaches for various reasons.

You clearly like your DFX and I think you would miss it. It really is a decent beach detector, so what you really need is a better nugget detector. The Gold Bug 2 is a classic and if mastered hard to beat. 

It is a tough question really. There are lots of great "do-it-all" detectors on the market but when you try and mix nugget detecting and beach detecting things get complicated. Salt water responds like a weak gold target. So you can get machines that play nice in salt water, or machines hot on small gold nuggets, but you so far can't get both in one detector.

[Hard Prospector]

If looking for a good PI machine on a budget, the Tesoro Sand Shark has done me good on rings in wet beach sand (and underwater) However it should be considered a "dedicated" beach machine though and not really suited for nugget shooting.

Another reasonably priced PI for prospecting is the Whites TDI SL, the nuggets it has found me over the years have paid for the detector 5X over

Looking for gold in trashy tailing piles, my Fisher F19 has also done a great job.

Good luck!

Rob

 

 

 

 

[MontAmmie]

Hey Prospector!  I was actually just looking at the TDI!  Have you ever tried it on a salt water beach?  Now hubby is saying no way/no how is there going to be room for 3 different detectors in that toy hauler.  I suggested that he take a chill pill and a nap.

Steve, I think you're right about that Gold Bug 2.

Well, it's a beautiful day here in Central Florida.  I think I'll go on down to Paradise Beach and dig some pull tabs!

[Steve Herschbach]

I would be far more inclined to the TDI as a PI option than the Infinium even though the Infinium is waterproof. The coil options alone make it the more attractive alternative, plus you can get one with a warranty. Now that the Infinium has been discontinued used and no warranty is the only option. Unless a dealer has one hiding on a shelf still. A DFX / TDI pairing has possibilities as compared to the DFX / GB2. The Bug is going to do better with small gold but the TDI will handle bad ground better plus be a more useful beach machine. The TDI is a great beach detector, especially since it offers a "ground balance off" mode that offers extra power for beach detecting.

[FschJg]

Hi MontAmmie,

I recommend the TDI Pro, which you can find used. I run one myself for relic hunting and to go after ancient coins. If you get a folded mono coil for the TDI you will have a killer machine which fits your wallet. I would sell you mine but it is modded and customized and will not meet your $ limit. But check ebay once in a while you will find a TDI Pro for a good price.

[Hard Prospector]

2 hours ago, MontAmmie said:

Hey Prospector!  I was actually just looking at the TDI!  Have you ever tried it on a salt water beach?  Now hubby is saying no way/no how is there going to be room for 3 different detectors in that toy hauler.  I suggested that he take a chill pill and a nap.

Steve, I think you're right about that Gold Bug 2.

Well, it's a beautiful day here in Central Florida.  I think I'll go on down to Paradise Beach and dig some pull tabs!

Unfortunately, the TDI series isn't even "splash proof" let alone water proof and this I learned the hard way, let me explain. For several months I was taking my TDI to the beach and all seemed well as I was very careful to stay above the water line. Then the detector started having issues with static and stability. So sent it off to Whites and several days later got a call from the Tec with the bad news. The circuit board was corroded and even a couple of pots (knobs) were shot. He asked if I had dropped it in water and I replied no, but had been using it a lot at the beach and many of those days it had been over-cast and somewhat damp. Well that did it alright , expensive lesson learned (about a $400 repair) so I bought a Sand Shark which has worked quite well for this type of detecting and  also considering buying an ATX for my next shoreline detector.

Until White's makes a waterproof housing for it, there will be no more "days on the beach" for my TDI

[MontAmmie]

17 hours ago, Hard Prospector said:

Unfortunately, the TDI series isn't even "splash proof" let alone water proof and this I learned the hard way, let me explain. For several months I was taking my TDI to the beach and all seemed well as I was very careful to stay above the water line. Then the detector started having issues with static and stability. So sent it off to Whites and several days later got a call from the Tec with the bad news. The circuit board was corroded and even a couple of pots (knobs) were shot. He asked if I had dropped it in water and I replied no, but had been using it a lot at the beach and many of those days it had been over-cast and somewhat damp. Well that did it alright , expensive lesson learned (about a $400 repair) so I bought a Sand Shark which has worked quite well for this type of detecting and  also considering buying an ATX for my next shoreline detector.

Until White's makes a waterproof housing for it, there will be no more "days on the beach" for my TDI

Nooooo!  I thought I had the problem solved and had started shopping for a TDI.  I guess I really need a waterproof detector. I almost drowned the DFX today.  (Knee-deep + big wave).  That nice deep trough between the waterline and the coquina rock is just sooooo tempting!  I'll have a look at the Sand Shark....

 

 

[FschJg]

What about a used Minelab Excal 2 ?

[MontAmmie]

4 hours ago, FschJg said:

What about a used Minelab Excal 2 ?

And the winner is....the Garrett Infinium.  It seems to be the only one that will do most of the things I need it to do reasonably well.  And it's waterproof, which is a huge plus for me.  Of course, when I find Cortez's other boot, I'll be adding a an Excal and a TDI to the arsenal.  Hubby can just mount me some brackets on the walls of the toy hauler. 

Guys, thanks soooooo much for helping me, especially Steve.  This is truly a great community and I look forward to interacting with you-all for many years to come.