What's a good machine for the wife? Ladies advice welcome!

[Anonymous]

We are moving to Fort Myers area of Florida this year. We will be going down in a few days to visit our inlaws who live in the North Port area for the upcoming Easter holiday plus scope out the area for housing etc., plus me getting to hunt beaches with my Explorer II. YEE HAH!!!
My wife (who thinks any coin hunting in Ohio is a waste of time) seems to be interested in hunting beaches. She still to this day does not understand why I get excited coming home with a few older silver coins, indian heads etc. here in Ohio. The worst thing that can happen to me is that I'm gone all day hunting instead of doing chores and come home with 37 cents in clad!!! It does not help trying to promote this fine hobby to her! Some of you fellow Th'ers who are married know what I mean! I believe that deep down she is a treasure hunter at heart and she just gets frustrated that I don't come home with a jar full of silver and gold coins.
Gold jewelry seems to get her attention and I'm trying to get her interested in the hobby. She believes that you only find gold jewelry on a beach. OK. That's probably true rather than here in Ohio with the type of hunting I do, so that tells me to get her a detector now that we're moving and let her have her own experience and get her hooked. One gold ring and I know she'll be my hunting partner for the rest of our days together.
So I need advice for a simple to operate detector with great performance on beaches. My EX II is way to complex for her to ever understand. At least for now. I used to be a White's user for over 20 years before I converted to Minelab and it took me awhile to grasp technology to fine tune and maximize performance in finding good stuff.
So I want to minimize the pain for now. I don't want her to be too discouraged finding junk all the time, like I have, to get the goodies. I'd like her to be able to have something to show from her efforts to really gain an interest in this hobby, then I can gradually ease her into what it takes to make this hobby motivating, research, digging everything etc. Once she gets going she'll want to upgrade just to get the edge on me!
The door to opportunity is open and I want to make the most of it and finally turn her into my treasure hunting buddy after all these years. I want her to wake me up in the morning and hear her say "Let's go hunting" instead of seeing her roll her eyes again when I tell her I'm going out digging for stuff.
We have everything else in common and this is the last bridge to cross. Any suggestions and input appreciated! Thanks everyone!

 

[Anonymous]

I use Whites Surf PI Pro. Very easy to use, beep dig.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi, I have been hunting for almost a year now. I have been using the Garrett GTA 550, this machine is sweet, I can fin almost any coin there is to find. I have also found a silver ring, my first, in the surf, well the edge of the water that is, I was ankle deep when I came across it. I was careful not to get anything wet while doing this, due to you cannot get the GTA 550 wet, or it is worthless. I was given a Garrett Seahunter a few months ago, I have found stuff with it in the surf, I am just beginning with this one, but I can't wait til the warm weather gets here so I can really hunt the beaches, in the water. Also, with the land hunter, it does great on the parking lots, that is where I have mostly hunted, and can easily leave at the end of the day with much clad in tow. I hope this helps, and good luck.

 

[Anonymous]

........retired, live just 10-15 minutes from the nearest beach and have been using a Fisher CZ 7A Pro almost since they first came out. That model has since been superceded by the CZ 70 which is identical save for an added tone and a cosmetic change of the "Square Tab" to "Relic".
Those two CZs are VERY easy to learn and use deep-seeking detectors with a "Salt" mode for operating in the wet sand or shallow water. While not fully submersible like the CZ 20, there is some weather-proofing that has allowed me to use it in light rain and saved the day when I was once trapped up against a deep cut and a rogue wave knocked me down and dragged us outward with the receding sand and water. While most other detectors would have been history, my CZ was undamaged. A truism in beach detecting is that it's not IF but WHEN you'll get the detector box wet!
The CZs are extremely reliable and rank among the few detectors that come with a lifetime warranty for the original purchaser. My CZ was purchased prior to the introduction of the lifetime warranty in 2000. I've had only one problem that was fixed by Fisher and promptly returned at no cost to me, although my warranty had expired.
As with most other detectors, fine gold chains are elusive unless they coincidently have a pendant attached. However, I have found several of those tiny gold "baby rings" on the beach with my CZ.
Depth-wise, I often find clad dimes correctly IDed in excess of the 10" scale on my CZ.
In the earlier days of the CZs much was said about their affinity to iron. However, if one reads "Mikes CZ Tips" and gains experience in interpreting the detector language, most of those complaints will evaporate.
Weight-wise, those CZs weigh 3.8 pounds using the standard 8" coil. Although I have a chronic back problem, I don't ache or tire due to it's weight/balance IF THE COIL IS SET ACCORDING TO THE MANUAL. It seems there are some detectorists, intimidated by the vastness of the beach that try to cover more ground by extending the rod length and swinging it fast like an XLT. Both are no-nos as one will easily tire with a long rod length and greater depth will be realized with a CZ at slower sweep speeds. Also, the combination of too fast a sweep and too high a sensitivity setting can result in end-of-swing falsing. I find my CZ attains maximum depth at a SENS setting of 6 and further increases just broadens the field of detection.
The 10.5" coil does present a weight/balance problem when rod mounted. This can be overcome by hip/chest mounting when using the larger coil. The new SUNRAY 12" coil weighs the same and should present similar problems. The Fisher 10.5" coil is a hybrid that provides a larger footprint than a true concentric such as the SUNRAY 12" coil. Unless Ralph eventually gets back to me with contrary evidence, I assume any gain in depth is a trade-off in coverage.
Hope this information is useful in choosing a detector.
Chet

 

[Anonymous]

JZ...since you are already a minelab owner look closely at the Quattro. This is what my wife uses and she finds more than I do with my Exploror II.
My wife is 5' tall and 105 lbs, she uses swingy thing from Doc and can go for hours. Check out the new Quattro forum.
I know a top notch detector living in Northport, name is Jay, don't know last name, he and his wife are both avid detectors and I am sure he would be glad to help you if you can locate him.
Good Luck
Chuck SWF

 

[Anonymous]

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[Anonymous]

I have a QXT White's. I dig everything I hear. This past weekend found a tiny .925 St. Christopher pendant at a playgound. After she gets accustomed to the sounds, it is a fun machine.
Adding to my collection when I hit the lottery with a Quattro MP.

 

[Anonymous]

the controls are in the headset. I am short and do not have a lot of strength in my right arm, so this machine is real easy to use. It is PI so she will dig a lot of junk, but will find any gold if it is there! Plus it is waterproof.

 

[Anonymous]

I was reading Andy Sabisch's book again today on Mastering the Explorer, the beach and water hunting chapter. The wife asks me what I'm reading. I told her about the beach hunting tips and setting the Explorer up to reject clad coins and just go after gold items and disc out trash as you go. She says "yeah, I don't want to waste time on modern coins, I want to find rings". I laughed and asked her what makes her think she's going to use my detector! So like I said she's a TH'er at heart but wont admit it!
I can see this will be a great time whether we find anything or not. I'll definitely post pics of everything we find when we get home 1st week in April.
As far a getting a detector for her, I'll wait and see how she likes using the Explorer II. She has seen the Exploring the Explorer video and understands the unit is pretty hi tech for a "toy".
Everyone has made great suggestions. I know it's tough to choose. Like I said earlier, I'm an ex-White's user. I had the 6000 D, Di Pro, Quantum XT, XL Pro and DFX. Found lots of good stuff with those units over the years. Now I'm using the Explorer II and would never go back to those machines. I've made more finds with the EX II going back to sites I've hunted over the years than ever. That's what is great about this hobby. Everyone has their preference and can have a good fit with any machine out there. I do like the XL Pro the best over all the other White's units I had. I just love that analog meter system.
She needs something lightweight and easy to use. Probably should be waterproof. If she gets my EX II soaked in salt water she's walking home!
I can't wait to get down there. More snow coming down again as I write this post. Sick of it already!
Thanks again and happy hunting!

 

[Anonymous]

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[Anonymous]

Regardless of which detector you eventually chose, current detector technology is to ID targets based on conductivity. Depending on alloy content, rings and other gold items can be found throughout the entire spectrum of conductivity ...... which explains why the majority of seasoned beach detectorists opt for a zero disc "dig all" approach.
On the beach I start the day with that philosophy but eventually notch out "Zinc Cents" when they become pesky. The trade-off? Although the percentage is quite low, I've found some gold rings that share the same conductivity with "Zinc Cents".
I have been known to play the odds when pressured for time while chasing out-going tides and notch out coins so as to concentrate on the higher probability gold ring range of conductivity. The obvious trade-off? I'm missing those silver jewelry/coin items as well as some gold and vermeil targets by doing so.
Scooping up targets in beach sand is fast and a lot easier than digging targets in terra firma. I suggest you initially adopt a zero disc dig-all approach upon your introduction to salt beach detecting and modify your approach only after you gain a lot of experience in that environment.
I couldn't think of a more common trash item than pulltabs. But you know, that conductivity is one of the hotspots for gold rings ......... as you'll find out when using a zero disc dig-all approach.
Hope that increases your knowledge about detectors and beach detecting.
Chet

 

[Anonymous]

You bring up a good point Chet. I set up the program Sabisch mentions in his book. I'm not too happy about knocking out the coins. I know I'll miss silver jewelry and possibly silver coins. Not only that, I tried different size gold American Eagle coins and they were discriminated out as well. I've seen people wearing the Eagle coins in bezels on chains and I'm sure they can get lost too.
I have no idea what the probability is to find an old Spanish gold or silver coin on the beaches I'll hunt either. I'm not comfortable taking the chance. I have no clue how trashy a beach can be. This is my first time.
I do plan to start hunting, accepting everything at first until I get the feel for the area. What's nice about the Explorer is that I've stored the basic no coin beach program. I don't have to use it. If I do I can modify it on site.
You are right about the sand. Easy to dig and sift compared to cutting plugs in the Northern soil.
Either way I'll play around with the settings and see how it goes.

 

[Anonymous]

could not get it all together some of it LG wears or has been made into goodies for her.
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<img src="http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0QwDrAmUTFYvIn2mdgaWXN1kUhm2TOWWMiAqgJKAG*sv3sKyU6p!o8hM4cZmjXXCVJm*LQ61*aDBRZD9ulr6KWnI0lXJkvuSb6cqx3A2o8aM/treas.jpg?dc=4675513151417739999" alt="" />
Of course you will get some other types of treasure about 3 to 4 months together not counting pennies.
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<img src="http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0RgD7AqoUueFDdseBVQo43w0xKjwHjA2Th3txIWWPDfTls9arM0ribfl2JqJL9kjm20*rtAWiVhm9vPl4Ent54DTsyHwDuY00KcMw2ve4osM/junkkkkk.jpg?dc=4675513151370288564" alt="" />
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and everything overseen by "the scope" the green eyed yellow lab
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<img src="http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0RQAgAygU9b4BfECLEOL11bpaEniqgSf2F!Qyx79Q8Q7iu2PKt3a6Q6qmIkEyrRPnc8OrU26kNCsF0YM1e2NqzbHEAP1!RSMdK6ThMlEfugA/dumbdog.jpg?dc=4675513151332683739" alt="" />

 

[Anonymous]

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