My “new” Dual Field PI & hanging out with OldBeechnut (OBN)

[Sand Sifter]

Well, it’s taken me 56 years, but after swinging VLF’s and starting as a kid with a BFO & TR, I finally took the plunge into PI’s by adding a “new to me” White’s Dual Field PI to my beach hunting arsenal.

I’m an ole’ turn the knobs, beep & dig kinda guy, so I like great detectors with simple controls, and the Dual Field looked to be right up my alley, only 3 knobs so not too complicated. And after swinging a Minelab Sovereign Elite for the last 14 years, a PI doesn’t scare me as I’m used to digging ½ way to China on the beach with my 12x10 & 15x12 SEF Butterfly coils, lol.

Due to OBN & his buddy Mike’s generosity, I was able to acquire a Dual Field PI that OBN used to own and had modded to accept an external Excal battery pod, and external headphones. Although OBN has retired from making his custom battery pods, since I was getting the PI he used to own and modded, and as a favor to me, he graciously agreed to temporarily step out of retirement this one time to make me a custom battery pod for the Dual Field.

So earlier today I drove down and got to spend a few hours with OBN. We discussed the new battery pod, he found a shaft that would work for the Dual Field, and we got to test out the DF using a set of his handmade headphones. Man, quarters, dimes & pennies sounded so sweet! Joe’s going to replace the external battery cable with a new/better cable, and tweak things a bit. I’ll be going back again to visit once all the tweaks have been completed. I also have some Teflon silver coated hookup wire left over from my amp building days that I’ll be giving to Joe to use for any of his future mod projects.

I’m getting close and am almost done with this PI project. Now, I just need a lower rod to fit the DF coil, and a good set of waterproof headphones. Joe recommended Tony Eisenhower, like a bunch of others on the forums, so I sent Tony an email earlier to ask if he could make me a set.

MANY Thanks to Joe & Mike for getting me hooked up with the Dual Field PI. Although I would take my Sovereign into the water a bit, I was always worried about it getting wet or getting swamped by a rogue wave. So now, I’m really looking forward to hitting shallow water without worrying about the control box getting wet, along with of course, getting some serious depth in the saltwater.

 

[tvr]

Well, it’s taken me 56 years, but after swinging VLF’s and starting as a kid with a BFO & TR, I finally took the plunge into PI’s by adding a “new to me” White’s Dual Field PI to my beach hunting arsenal.

I’m an ole’ turn the knobs, beep & dig kinda guy, so I like great detectors with simple controls, and the Dual Field looked to be right up my alley, only 3 knobs so not too complicated. And after swinging a Minelab Sovereign Elite for the last 14 years, a PI doesn’t scare me as I’m used to digging ½ way to China on the beach with my 12x10 & 15x12 SEF Butterfly coils, lol.

Due to OBN & his buddy Mike’s generosity, I was able to acquire a Dual Field PI that OBN used to own and had modded to accept an external Excal battery pod, and external headphones. Although OBN has retired from making his custom battery pods, since I was getting the PI he used to own and modded, and as a favor to me, he graciously agreed to temporarily step out of retirement this one time to make me a custom battery pod for the Dual Field.

So earlier today I drove down and got to spend a few hours with OBN. We discussed the new battery pod, he found a shaft that would work for the Dual Field, and we got to test out the DF using a set of his handmade headphones. Man, quarters, dimes & pennies sounded so sweet! Joe’s going to replace the external battery cable with a new/better cable, and tweak things a bit. I’ll be going back again to visit once all the tweaks have been completed. I also have some Teflon silver coated hookup wire left over from my amp building days that I’ll be giving to Joe to use for any of his future mod projects.

I’m getting close and am almost done with this PI project. Now, I just need a lower rod to fit the DF coil, and a good set of waterproof headphones. Joe recommended Tony Eisenhower, like a bunch of others on the forums, so I sent Tony an email earlier to ask if he could make me a set.

MANY Thanks to Joe & Mike for getting me hooked up with the Dual Field PI. Although I would take my Sovereign into the water a bit, I was always worried about it getting wet or getting swamped by a rogue wave. So now, I’m really looking forward to hitting shallow water without worrying about the control box getting wet, along with of course, getting some serious depth in the saltwater.

Enjoy the the Dual Field while you can. Looking at the picture reminds me why I don't like pictures of me to be taken ... I hadn't seen OBN in about four years ... ever since we moved south. None of us are getting any younger. I'm glad we are still getting out and detecting though. May God be willing to let that ability to get out and detect continue!

 

[Sand Sifter]

Enjoy the the Dual Field while you can. Looking at the picture reminds me why I don't like pictures of me to be taken ... I hadn't seen OBN in about four years ... ever since we moved south. None of us are getting any younger. I'm glad we are still getting out and detecting though. May God be willing to let that ability to get out and detect continue!

Thanks TVR, I had asked OBN if he minded if I took & posted his pic, he didn't mind, I don't mind posting my pic. I guess we may have reached the age of not giving a hoot. Age is not a question of mind nor matter, if we don't mind, it doesn't matter, lol. OBN only hunts in the water. I've only hunted on beaches for the last 14 years, but last weekend, I had an opportunity to try out my X-Terra Elite that I bought several months ago. This was the first time I've hunted on land in something like 15 years.

Getting down and digging in the dirt was no problem. It was the getting back up part that was the issue, a bit tougher than I remember. I still feel like 30 inside, but when trying to get up from the ground, that's when I feel every one of my 68 years. But at least on the beach, I dig standing up with my scoop and can use my scoop to bring targets up for me to see, so I don't have to bend down to hunt the beaches. I'd like to do more land hunting, have some permissions, but I'll just have to get the ole' muscles in shape or suffer through it until they build up by more and more detecting on land, lol.

 

[tvr]

Thanks TVR, I had asked OBN if he minded if I took & posted his pic, he didn't mind, I don't mind posting my pic. I guess we may have reached the age of not giving a hoot. Age is not a question of mind nor matter, if we don't mind, it doesn't matter, lol. OBN only hunts in the water. I've only hunted on beaches for the last 14 years, but last weekend, I had an opportunity to try out my X-Terra Elite that I bought several months ago. This was the first time I've hunted on land in something like 15 years.

Getting down and digging in the dirt was no problem. It was the getting back up part that was the issue, a bit tougher than I remember. I still feel like 30 inside, but when trying to get up from the ground, that's when I feel every one of my 68 years. But at least on the beach, I dig standing up with my scoop and can use my scoop to bring targets up for me to see, so I don't have to bend down to hunt the beaches. I'd like to do more land hunting, have some permissions, but I'll just have to get the ole' muscles in shape or suffer through it until they build up by more and more detecting on land, lol.

Yup. I prefer the water too. It supports the weight and that helps the back a lot. As the years go on, I am less inclined to work in the higher waves and low period time between waves. Give me under two foot waves and five to six second periods or more and I'm very happy. I do very little land detecting any more; mostly when someone I know says they lost something and want some help.

 

[Cameraniac]

Sand Sifter, I've got extra lower rods that fit the Whites three piece shaft setup. Is that what you need? If it is, I'd let you have one for the shipping cost.

I'm downsizing, big time, for my move back to Florida, so you'd be helping me out by taking one.

 

[Sand Sifter]

Yup. I prefer the water too. It supports the weight and that helps the back a lot. As the years go on, I am less inclined to work in the higher waves and low period time between waves. Give me under two foot waves and five to six second periods or more and I'm very happy. I do very little land detecting any more; mostly when someone I know says they lost something and want some help.

For me, I'm not so worried about the waves, I'm more worried about toothy critters that might be swimming around. Can't really even see my feet on the beaches of DE & MD once I wade into the water about a foot or so. If I can't see my feet, then I can't see anything swimming in my vicinity, so I typically will hunt in the water at low tide, as I usually don't want to wander out past my knees. I figure, when the tides out and I'm in water up to my knees, that water will be waist/chest deep when the tide comes in, so low tide gives me a chance to work further out, without being too deep where large toothy critters can swim more freely than they might be able to in shallower water, lol.

 

[Sand Sifter]

Sand Sifter, I've got extra lower rods that fit the Whites three piece shaft setup. Is that what you need? If it is, I'd let you have one for the shipping cost.

I'm downsizing, big time, for my move back to Florida, so you'd be helping me out by taking one.

Thank You!! Yes, I need the lower rod with clevis that fits into the coil ears, to mount the coil to the shaft. I have 2 pieces; S shaft & middle rod, the lower rod would make this a 3-piece shaft. OBN said that the shaft he gave me is the original White's S shaft for a White's PI DF, which I assume would also fit a Surfmaster PI & PI pro as well, same control box.

Do you know how long the lower rods are? Message me directly with details and we can make arrangements for me to pay you for the shipping cost. Thanks Again!!

 

[tvr]

For me, I'm not so worried about the waves, I'm more worried about toothy critters that might be swimming around. Can't really even see my feet on the beaches of DE & MD once I wade into the water about a foot or so. If I can't see my feet, then I can't see anything swimming in my vicinity, so I typically will hunt in the water at low tide, as I usually don't want to wander out past my knees. I figure, when the tides out and I'm in water up to my knees, that water will be waist/chest deep when the tide comes in, so low tide gives me a chance to work further out, without being too deep where large toothy critters can swim more freely than they might be able to in shallower water, lol.

I don't worry too much about that. Been bumped in the water by manatees, have caught sharks in some of the waters I detect and figure that they are looking for something that tastes better than an old fart like me will taste. I lived in Maryland for many years. Detected the bay tributaries and made many trips to the DE and MD Atlantic ocean beaches too. Now loving life in South Carolina.

 

[Cameraniac]

Thank You!! Yes, I need the lower rod with clevis that fits into the coil ears, to mount the coil to the shaft. I have 2 pieces; S shaft & middle rod, the lower rod would make this a 3-piece shaft. OBN said that the shaft he gave me is the original White's S shaft for a White's PI DF, which I assume would also fit a Surfmaster PI & PI pro as well, same control box.

Do you know how long the lower rods are? Message me directly with details and we can make arrangements for me to pay you for the shipping cost. Thanks Again!!

I sent you a dm/pm.

 

[Cameraniac]

 

[Sand Sifter]

I don't worry too much about that. Been bumped in the water by manatees, have caught sharks in some of the waters I detect and figure that they are looking for something that tastes better than an old fart like me will taste. I lived in Maryland for many years. Detected the bay tributaries and made many trips to the DE and MD Atlantic ocean beaches too. Now loving life in South Carolina.

I know they're not actually looking for or are interested in us, but it seems that sometimes, they'll mistake humans for something else, like someone wearing a black wetsuit while surfing might look like a seal to their eyes. They might decide to take a "test bite" to check things out, then it's "whoops, sorry, you're not what I was looking for", then let go and swim away. But by then, the damage to the human is done. Although that bite may not be life threatening, it may be life altering, like if a pro athlete gets bit and loses a leg, he's done. Or an office worker/typist or writer loses a hand and 1/2 an arm, they're done. They may live, but their life is forever altered by that "test bite". After a "PTSD" incident I experienced in 1975, down in Ocean City after watching the movie JAWS, I decided to adopt the wise words of wisdom from the Karate Kids Mr. Miyagi, i.e., "Best defense, not be there", so knee deep is my limit in dark/murky water, lol.

 

[Odanscoils]

For me, I'm not so worried about the waves, I'm more worried about toothy critters that might be swimming around. Can't really even see my feet on the beaches of DE & MD once I wade into the water about a foot or so. If I can't see my feet, then I can't see anything swimming in my vicinity, so I typically will hunt in the water at low tide, as I usually don't want to wander out past my knees. I figure, when the tides out and I'm in water up to my knees, that water will be waist/chest deep when the tide comes in, so low tide gives me a chance to work further out, without being too deep where large toothy critters can swim more freely than they might be able to in shallower water, lol.

I'm with you on critters.
Saw Jaws one time to many.
Would you believe I've never set foot in the ocean.
My luck a great white would get lost and find me.

 

[Odanscoils]

Well, it’s taken me 56 years, but after swinging VLF’s and starting as a kid with a BFO & TR, I finally took the plunge into PI’s by adding a “new to me” White’s Dual Field PI to my beach hunting arsenal.

I’m an ole’ turn the knobs, beep & dig kinda guy, so I like great detectors with simple controls, and the Dual Field looked to be right up my alley, only 3 knobs so not too complicated. And after swinging a Minelab Sovereign Elite for the last 14 years, a PI doesn’t scare me as I’m used to digging ½ way to China on the beach with my 12x10 & 15x12 SEF Butterfly coils, lol.

Due to OBN & his buddy Mike’s generosity, I was able to acquire a Dual Field PI that OBN used to own and had modded to accept an external Excal battery pod, and external headphones. Although OBN has retired from making his custom battery pods, since I was getting the PI he used to own and modded, and as a favor to me, he graciously agreed to temporarily step out of retirement this one time to make me a custom battery pod for the Dual Field.

So earlier today I drove down and got to spend a few hours with OBN. We discussed the new battery pod, he found a shaft that would work for the Dual Field, and we got to test out the DF using a set of his handmade headphones. Man, quarters, dimes & pennies sounded so sweet! Joe’s going to replace the external battery cable with a new/better cable, and tweak things a bit. I’ll be going back again to visit once all the tweaks have been completed. I also have some Teflon silver coated hookup wire left over from my amp building days that I’ll be giving to Joe to use for any of his future mod projects.

I’m getting close and am almost done with this PI project. Now, I just need a lower rod to fit the DF coil, and a good set of waterproof headphones. Joe recommended Tony Eisenhower, like a bunch of others on the forums, so I sent Tony an email earlier to ask if he could make me a set.

MANY Thanks to Joe & Mike for getting me hooked up with the Dual Field PI. Although I would take my Sovereign into the water a bit, I was always worried about it getting wet or getting swamped by a rogue wave. So now, I’m really looking forward to hitting shallow water without worrying about the control box getting wet, along with of course, getting some serious depth in the saltwater.

Nice pic. Congratulations on sweet machine.
Curious.
Have you ever run a PI before ?
They love iron almost as well as the good stuff.
Be prepared to dig more trash.
Love to see that big treasure chest when you find it.

Good Luck.

 

[Sand Sifter]

I'm with you on critters.
Saw Jaws one time to many.
Would you believe I've never set foot in the ocean.
My luck a great white would get lost and find me.

I did a full post about my "PTSD" incident on another forum, when I was a senior in high school, and we went to Ocean City for several days. The movie "JAWS" had just come out, and we stood in a long line that stretched around the theater to get in. After that, the guys convinced me to get in the water, so I did, and that's when the "PTSD" incident occurred, lol. NEVER watch JAWS then go into the dark/murky waters of the Ocean down in MD & DE, lol.

 

[Sand Sifter]

Nice pic. Congratulations on sweet machine.
Curious.
Have you ever run a PI before ?
They love iron almost as well as the good stuff.
Be prepared to dig more trash.
Love to see that big treasure chest when you find it.

Good Luck.

I've never run a PI before, but I've run my Minelab Sovereign Elite in all metal using my 12x10 & 15x12 SEF Butterfly coils, so I'm used to digging deep. I'll only be using the PI in the wet & shallow ocean water. My Sovereign has great iron rejection built into the discrim mode. I'll use that mode with discrim & notch turned all the way down, just so I can get the iron rejecting and multiple tones that help with target ID.

My plan is to hit the wet & a bit of shallow water with the Sovereign in discrim mode, listening for any nulls that would indicate the presence of iron. If I don't get a lot of nulls, I'll come back and hit it with the PI. But if I do get a ton of iron nulls, then I'll just switch over to all metal mode, crank sensitivity up as high as I can without falsing, then switch over to discrim to double check the target. I always dig everything anyway because I just never know 100% for sure, so shouldn't be anything different with the PI. I'm just hoping that there will be a lot less trash out in the water, but nothings ever predictable at the beach, lol.

 

[Odanscoils]

I've never run a PI before, but I've run my Minelab Sovereign Elite in all metal using my 12x10 & 15x12 SEF Butterfly coils, so I'm used to digging deep. I'll only be using the PI in the wet & shallow ocean water. My Sovereign has great iron rejection built into the discrim mode. I'll use that mode with discrim & notch turned all the way down, just so I can get the iron rejecting and multiple tones that help with target ID.

My plan is to hit the wet & a bit of shallow water with the Sovereign in discrim mode, listening for any nulls that would indicate the presence of iron. If I don't get a lot of nulls, I'll come back and hit it with the PI. But if I do get a ton of iron nulls, then I'll just switch over to all metal mode, crank sensitivity up as high as I can without falsing, then switch over to discrim to double check the target. I always dig everything anyway because I just never know 100% for sure, so shouldn't be anything different with the PI. I'm just hoping that there will be a lot less trash out in the water, but nothings ever predictable at the beach, lol.

I have the Sovereign GT. Love it.
Did you know they will still sound off on good target's while in the null ?
I've never used a PI though have many friends who do.
I'm looking at the Axiom if I ever get walking again.
Again. Good Luck.
Hope to see many nice finds of yours.

 

[Sand Sifter]

I have the Sovereign GT. Love it.
Did you know they will still sound off on good target's while in the null ?
I've never used a PI though have many friends who do.
I'm looking at the Axiom if I ever get walking again.
Again. Good Luck.
Hope to see many nice finds of yours.

Yeah, I've dug quite a few targets that started to null then sounded off. Turned out to be a coin or other decent target close to iron or maybe on top of iron. The recovery speed of the Sov's is SLOW, like taking a horse covered wagon compared to the super speed train recovery speed of my X-Terra Elite and other currently made detectors. But now I've got to think, all the PI guys, especially the ones with the Dual Field, say to listed for "whisper" signals and that nulling of the threshold usually indicates a deep, and often desirable target.

That got me thinking, my Sov nulls over iron in discrim mode, but can't help wonder if it was also nulling over very deep targets. Nah, probably not, lol, the guy who owned my Sov Elite before I got it had an audio mod done, all signals are all about at the same volume. On one hand, it's great that I can hear those super deep targets due to the increased volume, the downside is that all target volume is the same so I can never tell by the audio if the target is shallow or super deep.

 

[Sand Sifter]

Quick Update: Got some additional parts coming, almost there!

Got an email from Tony Eisenhower last night, he’s shipping my waterproof headphones today (Monday) and provided tracking number. I custom ordered a set of his waterproof Blue Divers headphones, cups are bigger/wider than his white phones, which will provide better noise attenuation, also is adding his enhanced impedance matching circuit for louder volume, and holes in the bottom of the cups to drain water faster and more thoroughly. With better noise attenuation and louder volume, my goal is to increase my odds for hearing those faint, whisper targets against the sound of waves crashing around me, as well as planes flying overhead, screaming kids, go-fast boats zooming by off the coast, and all the typical noises we hear on the beach.

Thanks to the generosity of some forum members, I have a couple of lower rods & clevis’ coming, hopefully this week, thanks to Craig & Bill.

Thanks to a heads up from Surf Master (Earl), Serious Detecting has an Anderson straight travel shaft for the Dual Field at 26% off. When I ordered, a discount popped up for $7.00, so I got the entire straight shaft for $113 and free shipping.

Thanks to a reply post Cfmct (Craig) made to a guy earlier this year, who was looking for a coil cover for his Dual Field, Craig suggested trying Centreville Electronics. I clicked the link, they didn’t have any coil covers for the DF, BUT they had orange O rings for the Dual Field, priced $5.00 less than a guy on eBay, so I bought several as insurance in case they go extinct. I also noticed them selling a complete Whites Surf PI Diver’s Rod set that includes the upper rod, grip & arm cuff, and also the lower rod with clevis, all for the grand total of $12.95. The Dual Field control box is the same for the Surf PI & PI Pro, so should fit with no problem. Couldn’t help myself but at that low of a price, I had to order 2 sets. I’ve been thinking about detecting while snorkeling so these rods would be perfect.

OBN (Joe Beechnut) is doing a few last-minute tweaks to the Dual Field, including replacing the external battery cable that will run to my new OBN custom made Excal type battery pod. Minelab cable was originally used, but it developed 2 large slit cracks in the outer covering, exposing the inner wires, so OBN’s gonna use better cable and rewire.

It’s all starting to come together and looks like I might be about a week or two away from having this Dual Field put together. Wife is looking forward to this. Not because of the detector mind you, she’s looking forward to going back down to DE to hit the beach, and the Dual Field is her guarantee that we’ll be heading back to the beach ASAP, lol. Thanks to the Dual Field PI, she’ll be happy, I’ll be happy, and life will be good. Not expecting to, since this will be my first time swinging a PI, but I think swinging a Minelab Sovereign Elite in all metal for the last 14 years has prepared me to swing a PI, but if I’m lucky enough to hit gold the first time out, can’t wait to see her face, especially if there’s diamonds involved!

 

[OldBeechnut]

Enjoy the the Dual Field while you can. Looking at the picture reminds me why I don't like pictures of me to be taken ... I hadn't seen OBN in about four years ... ever since we moved south. None of us are getting any younger. I'm glad we are still getting out and detecting though. May God be willing to let that ability to get out and detect continue!

Pictures don't bother me, just Happy I'm still getting out and enjoying life. And Amen to being Blessed by the Lord....
Had the grandsons this past week, I was able to win a few games of Magic, notice I have to use two pairs of glasses.. that
really is a sign of old age...

 

[Odanscoils]

Yeah, I've dug quite a few targets that started to null then sounded off. Turned out to be a coin or other decent target close to iron or maybe on top of iron. The recovery speed of the Sov's is SLOW, like taking a horse covered wagon compared to the super speed train recovery speed of my X-Terra Elite and other currently made detectors. But now I've got to think, all the PI guys, especially the ones with the Dual Field, say to listed for "whisper" signals and that nulling of the threshold usually indicates a deep, and often desirable target.

That got me thinking, my Sov nulls over iron in discrim mode, but can't help wonder if it was also nulling over very deep targets. Nah, probably not, lol, the guy who owned my Sov Elite before I got it had an audio mod done, all signals are all about at the same volume. On one hand, it's great that I can hear those super deep targets due to the increased volume, the downside is that all target volume is the same so I can never tell by the audio if the target is shallow or super deep.

I would return the audio back to factory.
The audio on the Sovereign's is supreme.