Anyone experienced in the Sea Hunter XL500 Pulse?

[Neil in West Jersey]

I am curious of your opinions. I have a chance to grab one fairly cheap.

 

[UK Brian]

Not a bad machine back in 1985 and as long as you didn't expect to much from the "elimination" control. The one I used had an 8" coil though I think they had a large coil as well. Maximum sensitivity, minimum discrimination and a fraction of threshold would get you quite deep finds. Enough volume when diving unlike a few others of the time.
My worry is can you get repairs and replacement seals ? I think the handbook suggested a return to base every couple of years for re-certification and you were told not to replace the rechargables yourself.

If your going to use it in the water I would give Garrett a call to see what the situation is with these older detectors before parting with any money.Plus check it IS a pulse as the Sea Hunter XS500 in its long shaft form was also called the XL500. Waterproof to 200 feet and in the U.K. pack you got both the long beach/wading shaft and a short stem for diving.

 

[Cupajo]

Neal, I still have two XL-500PIs that are usable. I bought them in the '80s just after they came out.

I have both the 8" and larger coils for each and mostly used the larger coils.

None of the coils would take a lot of abuse and had to be carefully protected. (I used a rubberized plastic tool handle coating.)

The control box was carried on a belt around my waist while wading and the cable connector was a constant weak point needing frequent repair.

I couldn't afford to send the coils back each time the cable broke so I learned to patch them up myself.

A few years ago I rebuilt the battery packs and re-entered the water hunting game after over twenty years of inactivity.

I found several gold rings and lots of coins with them before I decided to update my game with an Infinium LS.

I'll never get rid of the XLs and one day may take them out again just to compare them to the LS (or now the Dual Field).

Fortunately I never had to send them in for servicing and I don't know if they can even be repaired any more by Garrett.

It's a testament to their ruggedness that they took all the abuse I dished out and are still serviceable after all these years.

CJ