Built like a tank workhorse for fresh water has been around forever..I would get some gold jewelry and test where it breaks off. Guess it depends what you are looking for as small chains etc. are tough to pick up and to get them would have to set in an area where fishooks, bobbi pins would drive you crazy.Indeed make sure it picks up even low foil lest you miss some nice small jewelry..all a matter of your personal preferences...basically if its real slow might run it down to minimum and catch stuff other detectorists miss..Some areas are hit real hard, but do make sure it will pick up small foil and you should do well. Remember if you find a gold medallion drop the disc. down and scour the immediate area well as the chain that held it may lurk close by...water hunting is an art and is really exhausting so eat your wheaties...always felt one hour in water was worth 3 on land as its rough on the body even in shallow water..gosh their is an excellent book on the 1280 that is out of print, but might find one at a Fisher dealer as some keep a copy of older books, field tests etc...