A question you've never seen before!

[CharlesUFarley]

Just kidding. A few questions ending in yet another "which is best for me?" question.

I live on a volcanic island (does that make the land "highly mineralized") such that I need a PI machine?

Oh, and the island saw MAJOR WWII action (tons of ordinance, exploded and unexploded) so does that make a PI wrong for me?

Do PI's have any way to discriminate away bombs, shells, big bullets, etc? If not, is that ability on the way such that I should wait a bit before buying?

I'm looking for beach and UW machine (I dive at least 2-3 times a week) that may work on land (but mostly in relatively shallow water, but I've gone to 177 feet before).

I'm willing to spend on quality, but can't afford to buy the wrong machine and have to get two.

Your thoughts will be greatly appreciated, and though I won't promise to split the loot, I would certainly post a picture or two of my finds.

 

[thinkin2]

I think you should be looking at a Minelab or some other multi-frequency waterproof unit. Personally, I would stay away from the PI units unless the ordnance is some of what you're looking for. The PI units won't offer any discrimination so you'll be detecting all metals. I think the Garrett Infinium is supposed to be a PI with discrimination but I've read mixed reviews about how effective it is. I have no experience with it so won't comment one way or the other about it. Perhaps someone who has worked with one will add to this or you can do a forum search for it. Aside from Minelab, Fisher and Whites both make vlf units for diving but the depth capabilities vary from unit to unit so that's something you'll have to check out as well. The multi-frequency units are the absolute best for handling the effects of mineralization and salt water. Best of luck and don't fool around with any ordnance you may find. That stuff can still kill you.
Jerry

 

[Mirco]

I think you should be looking at a Minelab or some other multi-frequency waterproof unit. Personally, I would stay away from the PI units unless the ordnance is some of what you're looking for. The PI units won't offer any discrimination so you'll be detecting all metals. I think the Garrett Infinium is supposed to be a PI with discrimination but I've read mixed reviews about how effective it is. I have no experience with it so won't comment one way or the other about it. Perhaps someone who has worked with one will add to this or you can do a forum search for it. Aside from Minelab, Fisher and Whites both make vlf units for diving but the depth capabilities vary from unit to unit so that's something you'll have to check out as well. The multi-frequency units are the absolute best for handling the effects of mineralization and salt water. Best of luck and don't fool around with any ordnance you may find. That stuff can still kill you.
Jerry

Second it. Go for disc. I `ve got PI and love it , but in your case mf is better or at least BHID300 with red gasket.

 

[CharlesUFarley]

Thanks for the advice so far! I tend not to mess with the bullets, and the bombs I avoid entirely (though I'm not sure how to scoop up targets without knowing if it's a ring or spanish gold or UXO. I'm still trying to figure that out.).

I'm not looking for relics of the war: I'm looking for lost rings from tourists and, of course, if I were to find some gold coins from the spanish era I wouldn't complain either.

Any and all advice welcome.

 

[Mirco]

Thanks for the advice so far! I tend not to mess with the bullets, and the bombs I avoid entirely (though I'm not sure how to scoop up targets without knowing if it's a ring or spanish gold or UXO. I'm still trying to figure that out.).

I'm not looking for relics of the war: I'm looking for lost rings from tourists and, of course, if I were to find some gold coins from the spanish era I wouldn't complain either.

Any and all advice welcome.

That is why you NEED disc. To know the iron and not to dig it. PI has no disc. Run from iron overloads - it is your death waiting for you.

 

[VBDave]

It's been 30 years, since I was an Aviation Ordnanceman in the Navy, but we took MANY precautions to avoid static electricity AND radio/microwave transmissions prior to handling anything with an electric fuse (that's most ordnance since WWII).

VBDave
"I'm here for a good time, not a long time..."

 

[grumpyolman]

Why in the world did you do 177 feet? I used the Garrett Sea Hunter diving as well as the Fisher underwater. Probably never got more than 60' but never had a problem with either one leaking. Have an Excalibur but have only used it wading so don't know how it'll hold up diving. My experience has been that there are more people in shallow water than deep water, wading, playing with the kids, BSing, so hunting deeper than 3-4' for me doesn't get much as the tourist seeding is less just because the volume of folks in the area is less.. The only expception is if there is a platform anchored away from the shore and people swim to it and/or there is a diving board on it.Regards...Jim.

 

[CharlesUFarley]

Why in the world did you do 177 feet?

I've not detected that deep yet (I've not detected at all: I'm an absolute beginner looking to get into the hobby); but I have been diving that deep.

I agree most stuff would be found in much shallower water, but bear in mind: I live on a volcanic island. It gets real deep real fast. There is no continental shelf like in florida (or anywhere else that is on a continent).

Oh, and then there's that wreck with the gold coins........

 

[CharlesUFarley]

It's been 30 years, since I was an Aviation Ordnanceman in the Navy, but we took MANY precautions to avoid static electricity AND radio/microwave transmissions prior to handling anything with an electric fuse (that's most ordnance since WWII). "

Does that INCLUDE WWII or just SINCE WWII? During the war, this place got absolutely shelled, but no bombs since.

Thoughts?

 

[thinkin2]

I'll second what grumpy said. Unless you're qualified and somebody is paying you an awful lot of money there is no need to dive that deep, especially with scuba. Your down time is severely limited and it's just not worth it. What may seem like a small mistake or accident at shallower depths becomes huge at that depth. You're pushing the envelope too far for recreational diving, treasure hunting or not. I don't know you and don't know what you do for a living or how qualified you are as a diver but nothing you're likely to find at that depth is worth the risk you're taking. As grumpy said, 60' max and even that is deeper than I would want to dive for metal detecting. This hobby is fun and I love finding gold rings but it can take your mind off of things like how long you've been down. I don't dive anymore but if I did I would try to stay above 1 atm. jmo and best of luck to you.
Jerry

 

[VBDave]

Electric primed aircraft machine gun ammo (mostly 50 cal in WWII) was coming into existance during that war. I personnally dumped a LOT of that ammo overboard for lots of different reasons (not in WWII, thank you very much). Since WWII, there are lots more applications for electrically primed stuff; parachute flares, chaff, certain GP and smart bomb fuzes, etc. I'd be hesitatnt to run a detector over any place that likely contains military ordnance.

VBDave
"I'm here for a good time, not a long time..."