Hi All
Have not posted for quite some time, mainly due to work commitments unfortunately.....
Just returned from a three week trip to Honolulu
Well, mainly Waikiki
Took along the ATX, CTX, Excal and Dual Field, and gave them all a good work out on Waikiki Beach (in the water only) - could not be bothered too much with the dry sand! Met several local detectorists - including one REALLY nice guy that made his own "Blade PI" based on the DF schematics. It is a very popular destination for our hobby! I really had to laugh at one guy, basically on the beach detecting 'over' peoples towels - wow, that is a bit much!
(funny story there, was sitting down having lunch with family and quietly observing! he was using a DF, pulse machine. Quietly turned on the ATX and left it in the sand under my towel, needless to say, for a good 12 feet around me, he made a near perfect circle, he could not see my machine!) It was kind of fun (and probably a bit mean) seeing him fiddle over and over again with the detector controls trying to tune out that 'weird pulsing'. Turns out, a very good use for the ATX and 8 inch coil!
Needless to say, it was super busy (and a super expensive destination compared to our country and my normal detecting spots).
Damn those 1c pieces & hairpins! I pity the hotels washing machine with those beach quarters. Best not to stay in the Illikai or Banyon for a while!
Detected most days (or nights), when I could get away from other activities with family. I must say it is an awesome spot to detect, but very hard work! The sand seems to have all been replenished? Murky water, unclear and generally quite hard to detect. Generally I came to the conclusion the ATX or DF are the right choice for this beach. Very few targets and the replenished sand was super, SUPER deep!
Came away with maybe ten rings or so (4 decent gold or platinum (and two other gold pieces)) - tried to find the odd owner on Facebook to no avail (only one engraved). Three cellphones (latest Samsung S8 plus, the nice waterproof cellphone, met a 'sudden death' with my scoop (murky water), as did the Japanese iPhone 7. The latest model Sony phone pretty much survived, have not been able to trace the owner in Japan!
Three pairs of new RayBans (all basically identical!). One pair also, unfortunately sudden 'death by scoop'. Damn those things are like $200USD each in the Duty Free! The CTX was great at finding RayBans! 12:02.
Leaving the best to last! One beautiful diamond ring, it thought it was fake! Took to a local jewellery shop (actually 2) as it was not hallmarked. Was super deep, found with the ATX a long way out from shore. Totally 'random' find and there for a long time. I am guessing the main diamond is slightly less than 1CT, but there plenty of other smaller ones. Turns out it is a very 'clear' diamond ring. and.....
And the main find seems to pay for the trip......
Happy to give any tips on Waikiki!
Have not posted for quite some time, mainly due to work commitments unfortunately.....
Just returned from a three week trip to Honolulu
Well, mainly Waikiki Took along the ATX, CTX, Excal and Dual Field, and gave them all a good work out on Waikiki Beach (in the water only) - could not be bothered too much with the dry sand! Met several local detectorists - including one REALLY nice guy that made his own "Blade PI" based on the DF schematics. It is a very popular destination for our hobby! I really had to laugh at one guy, basically on the beach detecting 'over' peoples towels - wow, that is a bit much!
(funny story there, was sitting down having lunch with family and quietly observing! he was using a DF, pulse machine. Quietly turned on the ATX and left it in the sand under my towel, needless to say, for a good 12 feet around me, he made a near perfect circle, he could not see my machine!) It was kind of fun (and probably a bit mean) seeing him fiddle over and over again with the detector controls trying to tune out that 'weird pulsing'. Turns out, a very good use for the ATX and 8 inch coil!
Needless to say, it was super busy (and a super expensive destination compared to our country and my normal detecting spots).
Damn those 1c pieces & hairpins! I pity the hotels washing machine with those beach quarters. Best not to stay in the Illikai or Banyon for a while!
Detected most days (or nights), when I could get away from other activities with family. I must say it is an awesome spot to detect, but very hard work! The sand seems to have all been replenished? Murky water, unclear and generally quite hard to detect. Generally I came to the conclusion the ATX or DF are the right choice for this beach. Very few targets and the replenished sand was super, SUPER deep!
Came away with maybe ten rings or so (4 decent gold or platinum (and two other gold pieces)) - tried to find the odd owner on Facebook to no avail (only one engraved). Three cellphones (latest Samsung S8 plus, the nice waterproof cellphone, met a 'sudden death' with my scoop (murky water), as did the Japanese iPhone 7. The latest model Sony phone pretty much survived, have not been able to trace the owner in Japan!
Three pairs of new RayBans (all basically identical!). One pair also, unfortunately sudden 'death by scoop'. Damn those things are like $200USD each in the Duty Free! The CTX was great at finding RayBans! 12:02.
Leaving the best to last! One beautiful diamond ring, it thought it was fake! Took to a local jewellery shop (actually 2) as it was not hallmarked. Was super deep, found with the ATX a long way out from shore. Totally 'random' find and there for a long time. I am guessing the main diamond is slightly less than 1CT, but there plenty of other smaller ones. Turns out it is a very 'clear' diamond ring. and.....
And the main find seems to pay for the trip......
Happy to give any tips on Waikiki!
