How good 1280-X

[nick hunter]

Hi folks !

I have been a "dry" beach hunter for 15 years now, but never considered wading and water hunting at the low tide mark, except a few months with a PI unit from Cscope, but ...iron !! bleah !

My first choice to complete my equipment should be the 1280-X, probably with the 10" coil.

Now the question is : will it work well in the surf and on wet sand, or is it preferable to look at CZ models (or even the ID-EDGE) ?

Really don't know, and test reports plus users experiences are a bit confusing.

Thanx.

Nick the Belgian.

 

[Gulf Hunter]

If you intend to hunt salt water, then the choice is the CZ. There may be some that argue the point, but that's because they have never used both. The CZ is designed to handle salt mineralized environments, without falsing or having to significantly reduce sensitivity. Yes, it's more money, but consider this, silver is at $20.15, gold at $983.60 and platinum is at $2230, per oz. Realistically. how long do you think it would be, until you paid for your investment, savvy? I have the CZ21-10, I like it, but might opt for the 8", next go around. In extremely trashy areas, the 8" will separate better and concentrate the signal better too. The 10" does work better at coverage in the wide open expanses of sand, we have around Galveston. Best of luck in your decision mate!

 

[vlad]

Fisher sold the 1280 as a SALT WATER detector for many years,long before the CZ was even a concept, and it works exceptionally well and has been used on Treasure Wrecks. It working at 3VF allows it to handle the salt.[There are books you can buy on the 1280 in surf and diving in fresh & salt water.] For a more improved version of the 1280 go to SurfScanner Detectors [Mr Bill] and look at the Head Hunters, diver and wader, and the new inexpensive "PIRATE".

 

[rmptr]

I have a 1280-X with 10 1/2 coil.

It is built like a tank, but the shaft with a 10 1/2c seems wimpy.

Clubby, heavy and awkward on dry sand.

Falses quite a bit on CA black sand beaches in the soup.

I have never taken it diving underwater. I understand it does well, and is reliable.

Batteries may last forever, and then some!

It's the only machine I have that has not paid for itself. It's a Fisher, I should give it a better chance.
HH

 

[Bling]

iv owned 4 1280X and they are a good fresh water detector,built like a tank 50 hrs on a set of batt's BUT it is a very poor salt/sand/water detector! it will false the minute you hit wet sand.any movement will produce a sound and if you turn sensitivity down you loose depth..the only VLF's iv done good with(in salt water) are the CZ20,CZ21 and Excalibur.they all 3 work well in salt water.my 1st choice would be the CZ21. if you hunt with any of these on a good beach it should pay for itself the 1st year.good luck..

 

[nick hunter]

Well thanks for these suggestion, folks.

I am still confused, as i am sure the 1280X's a good unit, but many users report falsing on salty sand, which is a bit odd for this type of machine. I know the CZ 21 would be the best choice, but it comes indeed at a price, while I still don't know if I would like wading and shallow surf beach hunting. The Pirate alternative might be a reasonable choice, but I cannot find any reports on the web.Plus a preset sensitivity on such difficult salty environment frightens me a bit.

Anyway, thanx again for your advices, I'll keep surveying reports on those three units !