DetectorPro Products Forum

Finally had a chance to test the pirate pro in saltwater; at Rainbow Haven Beach, Halifax.
Only had 10 minutes though. Pleasantly surprised it was quite stable with the coil immersed in the Atlantic. Sensitivity backed off a hair from MAX. Disc @ 2.
Found a rotten out spoon and part of an eyeglass frame. Beach was rocky and very little sand.
Still need a real test on a proper saltwater sandy beach to check out the depth capability on some real targets.
So far ,it appears to make the grade for fresh and saltwater.

Ken

Nice to hear that you have tested the pirate pro. I know this machines aren't liked by many. I love them.

Quote .........norbyx.........I know this machines aren't liked by many. I love them.


norby.Can you clarify your statement please........... ???????

---

Supporter Of Findmall Sponsors
Proud to be a findmall Moderator !

The only negative I can gather so far is that the wader and the Pirates don't go super deep, but is comparable to middle of the line Tesoros, and many detectorists swear by them (Tesoros).
Some people dislike the Wader (and Pirate) because they say it does not work well in Saltwater, that's why I did the little 10 min test in the Atlantic waters and it passed the test (at least in Nova Scotia beaches). However, I still would like to test it in saltwater on a proper SANDY Beach and dig up some targets to see how deep it can go (the spoon and eyeglass frame were near surface finds). So, saltwater operation is OK, but depth? still need additional testing.

Ken

I used both the Wader and Pirate Pro on Florida salt water beaches.

The Pirate Pro is the Wader just manufactured in China at a cheaper cost. While I found the battery compartment better on the Pirate Pro, the shaft construction is significantly inferior than that of the Wader.

As for depth. I found it was average only. I never use a VLF in all metal mode (If I want all metal, I'll use a PI). I ran the detector as senstive as possible, but again, no deep targets presented thmselves in any of my hunts. All were about 6" or less.

On wet salt sand it was even worse. Sensitivity had to be turned way down which sacrificed a lot of depth. Rarely found anyhting in the wet salt sand and all of it was shallow.

I have researched using single frequency VLF machines on wet salt sand for over two years now have attempted to use at least once every detector that had a good reputation for working there.

At the end of the day, here was my inevitable conclusion: single frequency detectors do not function well in wet salt sand. Period. They can function, yes, but with great sacrfices in depth and sensitivity. Dual/multi-frequency & PI detectors simple smoke them in this area. And there cost is prohibitive for many. This is not to degrade any particular brand or unit. This is true of all of them, no matter how hard they try to tweak the electronics. Deeper targets, if found by a single VLF detector, are often larger targets like lead sinkers and such. Smaller targets suffer greatly beyond just a few inches, if that much.

Some may choose to argue this and by all means feel free, but I have worked this issue in depth and I would not make such a blanket statement if I were not convinced of the result.

---

De-activated at members request

Quote
Elton
Quote .........norbyx.........I know this machines aren't liked by many. I love them.


norby.Can you clarify your statement please........... ???????

Well as you can see from the post before not all people like the dp detectors. I have read dozens of bad reviews on them in the web, still I thought to give it a try and see how it went.

First when on a rocky beach check all the rocky areas, most of my good finds have been in these areas, you would be surprised what gets hidden under a couple of inches of sand, like an 8grm 22 carat gold coin.
Second don't knock fishing weights, up to date I have found about 400kg worth about $600 in your money sometime picking up five in the same hole in the rocky areas. In one small area about 10ft square I had 158 coins which the tide had kindly washed together for me into a small rocky area
Third. I have an Explorer SE which I only use in settled weather as it is not water proof, which we get very little in Cornwall, so with a Wader at least I can get out when the weather is bad. So it doesn't matter how deep the detector goes if you cannot use it because of the bad weather as the sand can drop several feet in a couple of days in storms I can get out before the sand is washed in again.

All of the above is true.

It is not that I like or dislike DP detectors. I am simply giving my unbiased opinion having owned the Wader, Piratepro and Pulse. I have tried using other single frequency detectors that claim to be able to function well on the wet salt sand, but they all, without exception, had the same problem. Some may have gone a little deeper than the DP models, but not enough to impress me at any level.

Jan, I wouldn't knock sinkers at all. I was merely using them as an example of a larger target the DP Wader would find at greater depth. And yes, good targets can and will be found at shallow depths. The problem with beaches here in Florida is that heavier targets tend to sink quickly in this loose sand and can get pulled out of detecting range quickly.

As the for the Explorer SE, you are not only correct in that it is not waterproof, but sporting the FBS technology, the Explorer has some trouble balancing on mineralized salt sand. While it will hunt deeper than the Wader, I don't know if at 3X the cost it is worth it. The Sovereign GT with its BBS technology would perform better, but it is not waterproof and weighs in at 5 lbs. Not a lightweight machine by any stretch.

---

De-activated at members request



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/19/2012 01:59PM by Smudge.

Smudge,

You are correct about the poor performance of the single frequency VLF machines on salt wet sand.

I believe the performance in submerged shallow saltwater is average : examples, Fisher 1280 and Tesoro Tiger Shark. But don't know how it compares as to depth? especially on sandy beaches where targets can be deep.

Has anyone done any comparisons between the Pirate Pro/Wader against either the 1280 or Tiger Shark ? or any links on this ?

I plan to use the Pirate ONLY on travels where luggage and space/ weight is a concern.

Ken

Ken,

We have to remember too that we are likely to get different performances at different beaches, depending on sand mineralization. I could get one result on Daytona Beach and you could go to Virginia Beach and get a different result. Performances vary.

Bearing that in mind, I too am interested to hear more about this.


Hey guys! We finally have a debate on the Detectorpro Forum!!!

---

De-activated at members request

my wader is older & I boosted the depth so now it air tests at 8/9 in on quarters & medium size gold rings....but I haven't taken it to a salt water beach since I boosted the depth.....I used the info from Sven to boost the depth...hopes this helps....HH...Tab.

tabhunter,

I also used Sven's info to boost the depth. In my case, it didn't improve too much as it's already at the max.

I believe the potentiometer inside that I adjust , is in parallel with the external sensitivity adjustment. As I boosted the sensitivity inside, I have to reduce the external sensitivity, otherwise it becomes unstable and starts chattering. Now, the external sensitivity is at 9 being the most sensitive, cranking it past 9 will start chattering (pops and crackle...).

Don't know when I will be able to use it on a salt beach, since I'm landlocked where I live.

Ken

I used to own a 1280x (sold it to fund the TS) and did a few salt water hunts in Denmark (Baltic sea). With the sensitivity on 7, the detector was calm and finding stuff. I also have a TigerShark, which I tested at the same beach in the water. Unfortunately, it had some problem with ground balance and I had to send it back to factory. Since last summer I have bought an older model of Wader and I will be taking both to the beaches of Ristinge in 14 days to do some salt water hunting and compare those two. I will definitely report back how they perform. I have a VibraTector 730 as well, it will be tried as well while snorkeling. I am looking forward to my vacation

Quote
pelanj
I used to own a 1280x (sold it to fund the TS) and did a few salt water hunts in Denmark (Baltic sea). With the sensitivity on 7, the detector was calm and finding stuff. I also have a TigerShark, which I tested at the same beach in the water. Unfortunately, it had some problem with ground balance and I had to send it back to factory. Since last summer I have bought an older model of Wader and I will be taking both to the beaches of Ristinge in 14 days to do some salt water hunting and compare those two. I will definitely report back how they perform. I have a VibraTector 730 as well, it will be tried as well while snorkeling. I am looking forward to my vacation

we should wait on your report to see how it performed.

Does anyone have the setting changes for the Wader. I have purchased a spare Wader and would like to test the old one with the changes.
Thanks in advance.
Weather rubbish and I have also broken my digging spade on wet sand, so I shall have to get a new stainless steel one. So have not been out for the past week.