"Hearing you folks talk about water detecting has got my interest peaked. I am already a certified diver, so water detecting might be a good thing for me. I looked at the kellyco site for some water detectors and noticed they had a refurbished Cobra beach and land for a good price. You experienced water guys is this something that is alright or should I stay away from it ? It seems like an afordable way for me to get into water detecting. Looking for some opinions."
Thanks,
Inquirer"
Answer from Webmast: "This question gets back to "You get what you pay for"
Top or most popular water detectors in no special order.
Tesoro - Tiger Shark (supposedly great on finding gold chains), very hard to replace batteries, nice warranty, doesn't have variable tone ID.
Whites - Surf PI (some say one of the best out there) PI unit have a major problem with iron mineralization in Michigan lakes, no variable tone ID, you will be digging everything.
Garrett - Sea Hunters and Infinium LS (sorry, don't know anything about them or anyone that uses one)
MineLabs - Excalibur 800/1000 (very popular units) known to fall apart easily, wiring was terrible. Interfer with all other units out there. Still some will say they are the best deep seekers.
MineLab - Excalibur II (supposedly new and improved) yet to be determined, like it's previous version (very limited variable tone ID)?
Fisher - CZ20 and now CZ21 (somewhat hard to change batteries) you have to be vary careful with seal to protect against leakage. These by far are are the most popular units out there. But recently have had major complaints and issues. Have variable tone ID. Can be used in water down to 250 feet.
Whites - BHID (Beach Hunter ID) variable tone ID and visual ID (only unit to have visual ID), easy to replace batteries, complaints of coil floating and can only be used in water down to 25 feet (suba divers can't use them), very dependable.
Viper - Trident (I personally have seen one of these fall apart first time used.)
If you want an inexpensive unit, think about the DetectorPro Headhunter, good bang for your bucks but have weak wiring.
If you plan to only detect in salt water, look at any of the PI machines. However they have no discrimination (will beep at any type of metal) and will drive you crazy in fresh water lakes with high mineral content."
More info on this topic can be found on the GLMDing forum. (Click Here)
If you have any comments you would like to add to this list or have some questions you would like added here, contact me. Email: webmaster@mth.greatlakesmetaldetecting.com
