BH 202 @ the beach- "ok" results

[new202user]

hey all,

figured i would let you know how the 202 worked out on my beach hunt, heres what i found:

i tried to use it in the wet sand at first just to see what would happen. the detector went crazy with the arrows on the screen jumping from object to object and bouncing around differant depths. even when i turn the sensitivity so far down the machine was almost off it still did the same thing. so the detector pretty much acted like there was a battle ship under the sand!

now when i when to the dry sand i started having much better luck. no real significant finds to speek of but i was able to pin point all the way down to 10" with no problem. if the signal was eratic i just turn down the sensitivity and locked on with no problem. the only thing that limited me was a didnt have a sand scoop so targets lower than 4" where a nightmare.

i was able to recover a handfull of foil peices, batteries, pull tabs, bottle caps, a lighter, and a nail. wich isnt bad from what i here because valuable items would fall into the same ranges as the items i found. so if there was any jewelry or other valuable items around i should have been able to find them.

i was the earliest one at the beach, getting there at 5:30a.m.. around 6:45 i saw 2 other detectorists in the wet sand, and at 7:30 when i was walking back to my truck i saw like 4-5 other people in the dry sand with detectors alot nicer than mine so that probly explains the slim pickings.

maybe if i change the search coil to a better unit ill have better luck but considering the unit i have i feel i did well my first time out.

thanks for reading, -new202user

 

[BH-LandStar]

The ones in the Wet Sand were no doubt using Pulse Induction detectors. These are better suited to wet sand hunting... I am glad that you were able to hunt the dry sand at least...To make your own sand scoop, I have used a large metal coffee can and drilled a bunch of 1/4 inch holes in it, then bored them out to just under 1/2 inch. it works in a pinch...You could also go to a store that sells Horse feed, and convert one of the scoops used for horse feed or oats...

Happy Hunting,

Bh-LandStar

 

[nick hunter]

Hi, new202user !

The only reason for your slim pickings is : first time out !

Nothing is wrong with your detector ! On the contrary ! Believe me, I have been hunting Belgian beaches, mostly on the dry (wet is so hard to dig !) for more than 16.000 hours with lots of different brands and md models, my two bounty hunters score better in cash per hour than my spectrum XLT did !

My qd II will work on wet sand providing that I sweep places with no seawater at the surface. I use mainly the 10"coil, but just because it is better to shoot the euros over here.

So, please don't feel you're owning a second choice md, on the contrary !

HH

Nick the Belgian.

 

[new202user]

nick,

i didnt exactly mean to say that my detector was second rate. i ment that there where so many other people in the same spot, and i heard that that beach is hunted often. i feel if there was something there i probly would have found it but its like you said, it was my first time out. i just purchased a 10" magnum coil that greyghost recommended. i cant wait till it arrives.

im saving my pennies for an EXCAL but even if i had one that day i wouldnt have been in the water, way too many jellyfish!
when the sun started to come up i could see hundreds washed up and more coming in. so im kinda glad my detector didnt workwell in the wet sand, i would have been blundering around in the dark getting stung to crap!

ive been eye-balling more inland sites to plunder, ill terrorize those site till i hit the lottery and get an EXCAL.

 

[nugget]

I find that the BH T-IV works OK on the wet sand, you just need to keep a CONSTANT coil height and slow swing speed. I reckon that the 202 will have the same depth etc as the T-IV. I've recovered gold and silver jewelery, plus coins from the wet sand doing this. A cheap alternative to purchasing a new sand scoop: buy a length of PVC storm water down pipe (95mm), and an end cap, find or buy something that will act as a good handle. Cut and shape the pipe into the right shape, mark out your holes with a texture pen, drill small holes first for a start, then drill them out using a 13mm or similar sized bit. Attach the handle using stainless bolts and nuts, and use plumbers glue to glue the end cap on. I used my first one for 3yrs before it split a little, I still use it as a back up. They work really good on the dry sand and do OK on the wet sand too. The plastic yellow ones that you can buy from detector shops are useless, in fact I gave mine away to an older lady I saw detecting the beach early one morning, who had no scoop. HH regards Nugget.