JT,
I hunt at 10uS and a slow SAT only on:
1. All dry sand (including any black sand)
2. All wet sand (including any black sand)
3. Water to about ankle deep
Any water deeper than ankle deep requires me to increase my REJECT to no more than 15uS...this includes water to shoulder deep. I will increase my SAT to MEDIUM in the deeper water as well. For me, 10uS in water deeper than about ankle height starts to get a little noisy. I have a very smooth threshold at 10uS and slow SAT at the conditions described above. Because I naturally sweep very slowly, I default to a slow SAT whenever conditions allow me. Tests I have done on various gold rings show improved depth with a slow SAT....maybe in the order of 15% when compared to a fast SAT.
Regardless of where I search, I must have a smooth threshold in order to hear the "whispers", so really, the GQ will tell me what settings it likes for a certain area.
Also important to me is showing the REJECT setting due respect as a small increase can block out some goods. However, I am confident that even at 15uS, little gold should be missed. Again, I will always tweak the SAT to get a quieter threshold, before ever going for the REJECT knob.
I have black sands on some beaches over here. I find the GQ cuts through it nicely. There may be a little chatter, but nothing that will block out possible targets. VLF's can be quiet over some black sands, but may not find a gold ring at 1" deep <img src="/metal/html/grin.gif" border=0 width=15 height=15 alt=":grin">
At all times, I will have some small ground/water noise, it's not much, but I need a little to use as a reference point for good threshold deviation.
Hope some of this information helps. Again, what works for my beach may not be the same for you, and your conditions. I understand some California beaches are pretty tough to work, but remember, you have the best machine to tackle it !
Regards,
Tony <IMG SRC="/metal/html/ausflag.jpg" BORDER=0 width=32 height=17 ALT="au~">