Was advised not to get a PI for Michigan hunting.....

[itsaawgood]

So I'm in the market for a new waterproof machine and was set to get a PI machine, but after talking with a local dealer I was HIGHLY advised NOT to purchase any PI machine. Obviously this gentleman knows what he is talking about and said he has advised people in the past the same thing, yet they went ahead and purchased one of numberous different PI machines only to return shortly after the purchase and ask him to help them sell the detector for them. I guess the shores/waters of Lake Michigan are just saturated with metal junk and that makes it insanely difficult to us a PI machine. The common response is that the machines just drive you crazy...waaaaay to much garbage.

So...back to the drawing board. I own a Garrett AT Pro and really like it...but my goal was to be able to see deeper into the ground in the water.....thus thats why I was looking at a PI machine. He was alittle amazed that I have an AT Pro but was looking for more. He suggested if I really wanted to invest more money in another waterproof detector (and I got the feeling he felt the AT Pro was sufficient), that the Minelab Exalibur II with the 8" coil would be the way to go. The multi-freq. of the Excal would gain me an advantage over my AT Pro...yet stay way from the zero discrimination of a PI machine.

Any Lake Michigan or fresh water hunters out there that can chime in here?!? Am I jumping the gun here...should I give the AT Pro more benefit of the doubt or for SERIOUS water hunting should I really consider the Excal...?!? My focus this summer is going to be IN the waters of Lake Michigan and inland lakes.....I have my V3i for dry beach hunting when I so choose. The Detector Pro Headhunter Wader also looks interesting...but I've just never heard much about this brand.

 

[wltdwiz]

a pi would be fun if you like digging bobbie pins at a foot +
but i would be hunting with the at pro in lake Michigan
it will get you plenty of depth & ignore the small iron
the at loves rings

 

[amberjack]

i have never used one of these but if it does what is says it does then sounds good ?


Infinium LS - Land - Beach - Water
Metal Detectors

96 Operating Frequencies.
Convergence of technologies including Garrett's exclusive new Advanced Pulse Induction (API).
Easy operation with just three controls.
Discrimination Dial provides all-metal detecting or varying degrees of discrimination.
Tone ID helps identify targets via distinct audio tones.
Enhanced discrimination to eliminate unwanted targets.
Reverse discrimination capability assists in identifying most iron.
Adjustable operating frequency minimizes electrical interference
Automatic Ground Track with lock, slow, and fast settings to master changing soil conditions.
Audio Threshold adjustment ensures clear interpretation of all target signals.
Rugged go-anywhere design and stable, quiet performance.
Lightweight, power-saving design uses eight AA batteries.
Choice of four different control housing configurations.
Complete line of new Infinium LS search coils: 10" x 14" Power DD, 10" x 14" Mono; 8" Mono.

 

[itsaawgood]

There are some deals out there right now on the Infinium LS. But I'm hoping to hear from more Michiganders on the subject.

 

[wltdwiz]

i have used it & it will find bobbie pins deeper than any i have used
deep detector but pulses love deep iron in fresh water

 

[bcoop]

A PI machine may have it's place in Michigan fresh water ways that are not littered with iron and junk. You can conduct your own test while hunting with your AT Pro, hunt in all metal for about 2 or 3 hours and dig every signal. Multiply than experience by 1/3 and that is probably gonna give you a good idea what you would be dealing with using a PI machine.

Michigan is no different than any other part of the country whether it be a salt water beach or a fresh water one. Depending on the concentrations of junk your machine may not even keep a stable threshold because all of the strong signals from multiple targets.

Where a PI shines is at Salt water beaches that are relatively clean, your gonna get junk but you can go behind a VLF machine and get the good stuff they can't hear unless its Oldbeachnut with his Excalibur and Doc's Treasure Screamer.

Just my opinion

BCOOP

 

[Terry Soloman]

I am very surprised no one has mentioned the Tesoro Tiger Shark (VLF), which is a dedicated freshwater machine, and a jewelry finding monster! Check the price and lifetime warranty as well!

 

[itsaawgood]

I am very surprised no one has mentioned the Tesoro Tiger Shark (VLF), which is a dedicated freshwater machine, and a jewelry finding monster! Check the price and lifetime warranty as well!

On my other thread Tesoro Sand Shark was highly suggested....but again its a PI. I question if the Tiger Shark would be any better then my AT Pro.....?

 

[Terry Soloman]

Can you completely submerse the Garrett machine?

 

[itsaawgood]

Can you completely submerse the Garrett machine?

Yes...to 10 feet....which is waaay more then I need I do not scuba dive. There is a Metal Detecting Club having an event in the area this weekend. Tomorrow (Sunday) are most of the activities....including several seeded hunts. I am not a member of that club...yet...but have been invited. I plan on going and mingling with the pro's and hopefully getting some for insite on this whole PI or stay away from PI issue answered. I'm not sure how many people will attend the event but it has a membership of around 200 people so I'm sure there will be alot of different machines and levels of experience that can hopefully guide me in the right direction. As money permits in the future I will add a PI machine to my collection....just trying to figure out how to best spend my money right now. Hopefully I might find a few PI machines at that gathering that I can see how they work.

 

[Terry Soloman]

Wow! I would just stay with the AT Pro for freshwater and dry sand beaches. Only move to a PI when conductivity becomes a problem (saltwater and wet ocean or blacksand beaches) The whole reason for PI is to cut through the conductivity (mineral masking) for depth and stability. That Garret sounds like a great machine!

 

[itsaawgood]

I had a great time today at the clubs seeded hunt....ended up joining the club. I got the chance to check out quite a few different MD brands and models. I also got to talk with several very avid water hunters...and the recommendation was unanimous....for this area (Michigan)....in the freshwaters here nothing out performs the Minelab Excalibur II. On the bad side I was not happy to hear that my local beach waters have already been hunted this year and 3 gold rings found. Darn it....thats 3 less rings I might have found. There is a nice storm rolling in right now with high winds....bring it on....move the sand around!!

 

[kaptainkosmic]

is that iron in particuliar small iron deteriorates quite quickly in salt water enviroments where as in cold fresh water it can last for years. this multiplies the issue of the p.i.'s loving small iron that have been passed over by vlf's that can tell they are iron and have left them.

this is just one more pc in the puzzle, so i hope it helps.

Steve

 

[itsaawgood]

Yaa...I have given up on the PI hopes for here in Michigan. I took someones advice and ran all my detectors with zero discrimination and max sensitivity and it was horrible!! Then multiply that with a deeper seeing PI....nope...I can't do it. If I ever stumble across a screaming deal on a used PI I will grab it to add to my collection but thats the only way I will ever own a PI.