How bad is the Deus in saltwater

[dan1942]

Ok I am looking to get back into metal detecting and am trying to figure out what machine to get. I have previously owned a Safari and CTX 3030. I kept the CTX for only a short time and then had to sell it but I did really like it but was always wondering about getting a Deus. So I live on the beach in the southeast and I will probably use the metal detector on the beach a majority of the time for fun with my kids but I really do not like beach hunting my main interest is RELIC HUNTING. The problem is I will be using on the beach 80% of the time not out of choice but for convenience will the Deus work ok in wet sand ? From what I understand it is a better machine for relic hunting. Or should I be looking at another CTX or something else.
Thanks!!

 

[Jim Robertson]

Dan
I own both machines and will say the 3030 is the is my first choice for wet sand and second choice for dry sand. I do like the Deus in dry sand but don't like it in wet sand.

 

[HuntinDog]

The Deus struggles in the wet sand, does fine in the dry and excels for relic and coin shooting.

 

[smkunder]

So when you guys hunt dry sand, at the beach do you typically stay in your standard coins or relic program or do you use one specifically for beach? I am in the same boat in that I use my CTX or Excalibur for wet sand and full water hunting, but have heard that the Deus is great on small gold, chains etc.

 

[LTimedigger]

How often will you really get to relic hunt? The Deus is the best but is pretty expensive and has a fairly high learning curve for something you may not use often. If I was going to the beach, I would use my CTX but its as expensive as it gets. My buddy uses a Fisher F75 and I understand its an excellent salt water machine and a lot cheaper. Might want to check it out. HH

 

[Mark kus]

Dan
I own both machines and will say the 3030 is the is my first choice for wet sand and second choice for dry sand. I do like the Deus in dry sand but don't like it in wet sand.

I say the same I have used my deus and I have an Etrac the Etrac wins in my book on beach wet sand and saltwater that's is where I mostly hunt

 

[Digger 45]

I have found that the Sifter program works best for me on the west coast dry sand,6 to 8 " dimes and quarters no problem, the wet sand program with a few tweaks is not too bad. Run power level to -1 and audio to 5 or 6 and it makes it a lot easier to hear the sounds.

It won't compare with the 3030 but not bad up to about 8".

In your area start with the wet sand program and bury a coin at about 6" and tweak with some of the settings and see if it will pick up in your soil.

 

[cometguy]

Changing the path a bit. I didn't have that much trouble with the Deus in wet sand but I like my Fisher CZs better. You can pick up a CZ fairly inexpensively, and I have had great luck with them. You don't have to have a CZ 21 if you aren't going into the ocean and you use some common sense. I have used CZ70s on both coasts and had good luck. Just to throw out another inexpensive choice. Let us know what you decide and how you get along.


Don