"Surfmaster PI Pro"?

[Goldak]

Hello, I am new to this forum but have been detecting for many years, but most recently in freshwater with a 1280-x. I am interested in a PI machine because I understand that they work better in salt water and wet sand.
I went to the MD dealer yesterday but came away with more questions than answers. Unfortunately, the employee who knew the most about the water machines was out for the day. They had a White's "SurfPro PI" for about $575 out the door which seemed like a pretty good price. Here are my concerns:
1. Is there a difference between the "Surfmaster Pro PI" and the "Surf Pro PI"? The guy helping me said that the former was sold on the east coast and the latter on the west coast but I had never heard that before.
2. The "Surf Pro PI" seemed to "chatter" much more than I am accustomed to. I took it outside the store but had the same result. I have to admit not knowing how to tune it (only has 2 knobs) but the salesman wasn't much help in this area. If my 1280-x chatters it bothers me.
3. Couldn't tell if it was the neutral bouancy "dive" coil or the "floating" coil. Can you determine by looking?
4. I know that air tests are somewhat flawed but I could only read my decent sized wedding ring at 6 to 8 inches which would be comparable to the air test on my 1280-x.
5. On the positive side the machine is well balanced, lightweight and sleek looking. Its shaft extends generously (I'm 6' 1") to a comfortable operating length. The control box is small and compact so it doesn't have the solid, rugged feel of the 1280-x but perhaps that is because of the advances in micro-technology.

Sorry for the lengthy first post but thank you for any responses!

 

[diver4hire]

I have the whites dual field pi and i love it (800$ from kellco) pi detectors do go deep but they pick up everything including very small bits of rusted iron, so you will dig a lot
as for air test, I just tested mine today by tying a small gold ring to a string and buried it in the wet sand and it got a tone a lot deeper then the air test (about 6to8 inches)
there are guys on here that know a lot more then i do but that is my assessment of a pi detector

 

[kered]

If you don't like chater don't get the whites Pi is my opinion, I have the dual field too and it chaters alot, if you turn it down till its quiet you lose most, if not all the depth advantage a pi gives over say a vlf

 

[diggindirt]

Doing an air test won't give accurate results with a PI machine.

The way their designed and work require actual depth tests in the ground.

A beach PI detector is best at home in the water where there's much less trash. If you dig the whispers
in that environment, you'll pull up heavy old gold that others just can't hear!

Sure, it's a trade off and not perfect. Yes you'll dig more junk and need a bigger scoop, however for those that take the time to really learn their PI machines,
they'll make some super finds that might not have been possible with another type of machine!

Nothing goes deeper than a PI detector, and they'll find targets others miss in heavily hunted
and sanded locations!

 

[davidlinder]

i have the whites surf dual , and thers no chater on the beach , if your on the grass there could be electric line under ground , i am looking to sell it for 700.00