The Best P.I. Machine

[Anonymous]

I have a two part question, and if it has been addressed on this forum before, please indulge me...The question I'm asking is technical but also philosophical in nature too. I'm very interested to know what you experts think...
I am interested in buying a P.I. detector for use on the beach and occasionally for wading. I would like to know if there is a P.I.detector out there that distinguishes between ferrous and non-ferrous targets. It's my understanding that the Aquastar is the best beach/water machine on earth. Is this machine able to distinguish by the sound of the target, or by discriminating out the signal, potentially good targets, or do you just have to dig all targets that may be as much as 20" deep? What about the Headhunter P.I. or Wader? Do either of these machines have that capability? What other units are available for this purpose?
The 2nd part of my question is this:
Is my time better spent, and the odds for finding jewelry better, digging every target on the beach, (especially if they're really deep) if I buy a P.I. that doesn't distinguish between ferrous and non-ferrous targets? Or are the odds better for finding jewelry if I can discriminate out all bad targets (nails), and just dig everything above a certain discriminated level (say foil), even if the detector doesn't detect targets as deep? Should I spend 10 minutes digging one 20" deep target, which may be a nail (or ring), or that 10 minutes digging 9 or 10 more targets, even if they're more shallow?
Just for information, I'm not a beginner in this great hobby. I currently have a Sov.XS2aPro w/ wot. I have owned an Explorer since they first came out, and have owned probably a dozen other detectors including a couple of P.I's. I have no brand loyalty. I like to use the best I can afford. I have made many interesting finds over the years, including one that got into W.& E. Treasure best finds in 2001.
Thanks for any imput you have...

 

[Anonymous]

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[Anonymous]

Thanks so much for taking the time to respond to my question. I looking forward to hearing what other's have to say. What's the link to see the Surfscan and Beachscan?
Thanks again.

 

[Anonymous]

It will take you to my Eric Foster page, click detector of choice. Goldquest SS replaced Beachscan.

 

[Anonymous]

Why not consider a Excalibur as well? It's not a PI, but you're already used to a Sov, you would get disc. capabilities to knock out the iron and I've read nothing but good things about it's depth in the water. Seems like the second best thing if you don't want to dig deep iron bits.

 

[Anonymous]

I don`t know if you are talking fresh water or salt water, but as for me I went over a fresh water beach slowly with a Sovereign in the all metal mode and pretty much cleaned out all the trash and coins that were within the top 12 inches. I then went over it with my Beachscan PI and dug up the rest of the small trash and the deeper items that the Sov. couldn`t reach. Yes, I did find the hair pins etc. that the Sov. didn`t find and some old larger hunks of metal that were over 18" deep, but I also found gold and silver chains and gold rings & earrings that nothing else ever reached. Also found old green nickels including buffalos, that were previously unreachable. I imagine if I had a Deepstar or Aquapulse I could find even more at deeper depths, but the cost has to justify the end results, and as for this small beach I was doing, I don`t think it could support the cost of a more expensive machine. In an area with lots of beaches, a Deepstar or Aquapulse could be a real goldmine, just have to take the time to either remove much of the junk ahead of time or spend lots of time diggin everything. One good diamond ring can make it all worthwhile. Hope this helps. Good huntin, John

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the great post and sharing your experience.
As I said, part of the question is a philosophical one...Essentially, if you only have 3 hours to hunt, is your time more productively spent digging 50 shallower targets that you know are potentially "good", or is that time better spent just digging those 15 targets that are 20" deep?
I have my own opinion, but I am interested in other people's experience, which is why I posted the question in the first place. Personally I dig every signal experience has taught me might be a potential good target, especially at the beach where the digging is easy. I ALWAYS dig any deep signal, when I'm in the field where I have found old coins in the past. I'll dig 100 pull tabs all day long at the beach to get one good ring any day!
I once dug at an old boy scout camp in a meadow where I live an old round pull ring. Two feet away was the exact sound and # on the meter, and I dug another same type pull ring. Another two feet away out popped a heavy nugget ring that I still wear today when I detect to remind me to dig! It sounded and registered exactly the same as the prior targets...
Thanks again for your great post. I'm interested to hear from other experts out there too...

 

[Anonymous]

Of course,power wise toward gold,the deepstar I had was unbeatable [ the aquastar may be able to beat it?] The Headhunter pi is very close [ but it depends on what state you live in to my experience ] after that the Surfmaster pi modified by Mr.Bill. [ I didnt try the cs7 umd-pi because of problems I heard abot it and the cs-6 didnt beat out the mod.surf.pi ] The Garretts mark 1 pi, is supposed to be able to discriminate, NOT..... Now to your 2nd part,I have been really pondering[and testing] in this regard! It would seem to me ,after much thought and many detectors ,both vlf and pi,that you are best off watching the beach sand movement and using a Sovereign on the beach and an Excalibur in the water-time wise,you spend too much time digging junk[like a 1/4" piece of fish hook etc] with a pi to make the extra depth pay off.If you could hunt 4 hours a day and could handle spending 3 or more of those hours in solid digging, the good pi's would pay off.If you are going to hunt for a few hours a week,there is no doubt in my mind that a good vlf [ like the Excalibur or CZ-20 ] would bring you more enjoyment and as many finds,in a shorter time period. Thats my feelings after much thought and testing. HH, Chuck [ you can email me or more info,if you like.]

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks Chuck...Great post!
I especially appreciate your thoughts pertaining to the second part of my question. Thanks to everyone for taking the time to email me your thoughts and experiences.