Howdy Fillies and Gents,
I used to frequent THunting but have been experiencing problems with the site over the last few months. It seems to be running well today so I am writing this post with hopes that I will be able to review the opinions that I get and/or answer.
The question itself is pretty simple but I certainly must let anyopne who reads this know where I am at in this hobby. I have only been coin hunting for less than two years but I am a very well hooked guppy! My only MD purchase was a combo deal that included the MPX with a BH Pioneer 505.
The 505 easily became my favorite. Although I can operate it with better results now, it is still on a lower level than the BH. It's large search coil would alert on a target when I would brush the grass! Turning down the sensitivity was of no help due to the false targets were at full power when I would brush just a few blades with the coil.
Using the 8 inch coil helped greatly but it still can't compare to the BH period. So, to wrap up, I use a Pioneer 505 and have little experience with anything other than an MPX.
A few months ago, my 505 started to have issues such as not going into pin point when I press the button. As of today, it's discriminate mode cannot see anything below a target ID of copper penny which is roughly midway through the spectrum of targets on the unit. I have fiddled with it many times and I actually have it set hotter than I originally got it which makes me turn the sensitivity down from time to time.
I have had great luck with the 4 inch sniper coil( I oz silver bar in a trashy gravel alleyway) and now understand that the 10 inch search coil should be used mostly to find hot spots in a large open area with little trash. Once I am ready to truly hunt, the 10 incher comes off.
I can still use the 505. I actually think that it's front panel with the buttons has gone bad. Still though, I am at the point where I want something that I can run over my previously hunted spots and get better depth. Also, better target ID at those deeper depths would be nice. I have come to believe that Mine lab's multi-freq technology might be worth looking into.
I also would love to get a unit like the Excalibur series but I would really need to talk to someone who owns one and find out more details before dropping two grand on one. I know of a place in this area that has had people getting drunk in waste deep water for a very long time. I am 99% sure that no one has truly hunted this spot with a capable detector such as the Excalibur seems to be.
So here are my main questions.....
Is the multi freq technology as good as advertised? My second choice would have to be the X-Terra for the versatility but I haven't gotten the chance to get any reviews. Is the X-Terra as good as advertised?
My third choice might seem to be a huge plunge in quality but falling in love with my BH 505 has me really looking at the platinum or Gold MD's that they recently came out with. Have any of you guys had any experiences with this MD or know anyone who has?
Lastly, what other unit's would fit my criteria for adding a little extra depth over the Pioneer 505? I really love some of the high dollar units but I can't really say at this point if they will give me the improvements that I desire.
At this point, I will not go over $2000.00 US. The Excalibur is right there and I would have to say that I see it as being tops but is it truly a top notch unit? Does it have the technology that Minelab puts in it's best unit's and can you easily interface with the detector with it's underwater configuration when you are not in the water? Would I do better with a multipurpose unit that has the full display seen on Minelab's best units?
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Thank you for your time in advance. I must drive out to a customer's vessel a couple of hours away so I will log back on to review any suggestions.
Thnx
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Tri City Ditty
