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Looking at buying first detector - Advice on what I'm wanting to buy
Ukihva  
Posted : Wednesday, 9 January 2013 11:17:53 AM(UTC)
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I've been browsing Trademe and I'm thinking this would be the ideal buy, average price range I think?
http://www.trademe.co.nz...er/auction-548937272.htm

I'd be searching around rivers, lakes, beaches and backyards. Would like to search in water though to do that one would need to spend over a thousand? This one has a 8" waterproof search coil, what exactly does that imply? It can go in 8 inches of water?
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oroplata  
Posted : Wednesday, 9 January 2013 12:09:00 PM(UTC)
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{you} {bargepole} {that detector}

Not even that.

Get whatever Fisher detector you can afford from the NZ agent. You'll get personal service here in CHCH.

The one in that auction is an unbranded detector made in China. There is no telling if it even works.
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Shilo  
Posted : Wednesday, 9 January 2013 12:14:47 PM(UTC)
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Forget it. It is a no brand name "Chinese" detector. If it lasts you will only find shallow targets and if it doesn't then warranty will be an issue.

For the same amount or not much more you can pick up proven brand name detector like:

Whites
Garrett
Fisher
Minelab
(there are others but the above are the most well known here)

There are members on this forum who are licenced traders in a couple of the brands above and will be well worth buying from for their support (they should be around shortly). Alternatively you can buy from a reputable overseas dealer like Kellyco.

Most modern detectors have waterproof coils but I still would not recommend using them in the water unless the whole detector is waterproof. Chances are using you will end up dropping or getting wet the rest of the detector and frying the unit. Also if the shaft is lifted higher then the processing unit then water will run down the shaft and fry it.

Also unless the detector is multi-frequency or has been designed for it, it will have a lot of problems with the conductivity of salt water. This will restrict you to only detecting on the dry sand or very shallow depths of the wet sand.

For a water detector the cheapest would probably be the AT Pro at around $700 plus postage and gst (Kellyco prices). Next will be the designed especially for salt water like the Excalibur etc.

Remember though that this hobby pays for itself if you put the time in. Thus a $1500 detector could have not only paid for itself after a year but given you a profit as well. Because of this I recommend buying the best you can afford.
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nzpoohbear40  
Posted : Wednesday, 9 January 2013 12:45:57 PM(UTC)
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Hi Ukihva, Dont buy that detector,you will be very disapointed... for around that same price you can get a fisher F2 which also comes with an 8" waterproof coil....it is a great start detector and it is what i am still useing....8" waterproof coil means that the coil is 8" inches in cercumfrence and is water proof..the detector and coil can be put into water as long as you dont put the control unit in water... the F2 is great for parks and beaches..i have heard some say they arnt real good at the beach but as we are the fisher dealers i had to take mine to the beach to find out and i havnt had a problem with it yet..and i have had it right down to the water line and in the water up to my knees.

There are a few of us going down to brighton beach tonight around 6pm or so....weather permitting......if you are free come along and i will demo the f2 for you. we will be starting just south of the pier and heading north... you will see us there....just ask for me (poohbear) Chris..

Cheers and goodluck with what ever machine you decide on.
Chris - Fisher Dealer http://www.puiakisupply.co.nz/
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Ash_T  
Posted : Wednesday, 9 January 2013 4:17:23 PM(UTC)
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I'll have a AT-Pro there ya can check out/have a play with,
and agree with whoever suggested it, as a good, easy to use, waterproof detector.

Edited by user Wednesday, 9 January 2013 4:19:52 PM(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Check out my BLOG : Its where i post my finds :D
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Littlespec  
Posted : Wednesday, 9 January 2013 4:44:19 PM(UTC)
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I couldnt reccomend enough with your first detector, and all others, go with the known good brans, Garret, Minelab, Fisher, e.t.c they are more expensive but they work.
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1864hatter  
Posted : Wednesday, 9 January 2013 4:57:06 PM(UTC)
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Have a friend who used to have one of these, it was a very dissapointing detector yo say the least!
And now....On sandy beaches and muddy soil, rings and coins await my coil!
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Ukihva  
Posted : Wednesday, 9 January 2013 5:59:28 PM(UTC)
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Thanks for the help and this site "http://www.puiakisupply.co.nz/" going to go with the Fisher F2, since I'm a beginner it seems like the right choice, plus it's at a good price.
Happy I stumbled upon this site or I would have wasted my time and money. Many Thanks.
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oroplata  
Posted : Wednesday, 9 January 2013 8:09:07 PM(UTC)
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Congrats! You have made a wise decision!
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madsonicboating  
Posted : Wednesday, 9 January 2013 9:05:32 PM(UTC)
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knock knock knockn...but no one's actually owned one of those detectors!! Oh hang on...I HAVE!! And if you watch my videos on youtube you'l see just how much those detectors will find...its a shitload. yes they are chinese, yes they are slower to cover ground, BUT they detect 7 silver pocket spills, gold rings, shitloads in spendables, and the deepest hole I ever dug for a coin was bloody near 10 inches deep!

So knock knock but don't knock if ya aint ever owned one. For price to buy...they are in fact a bargain. Mine broke a handle (but come one i'm a fkn mess mate every thing I touch breaks) so I rangy'd up with a bit of rough alloy and to this day (I brought it march 2010) it is still in use by krystal and is still finding good stuff.

http://www.youtube.com/u...nicboating/videos?view=0 my channel...go back to first vids its a GC1010 detector...or same thing!

seven silvers one hole...found with yes a chinese detector :) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eX67dJFWqFM
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andy  
Posted : Wednesday, 9 January 2013 9:21:12 PM(UTC)
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Iv got a gc1010 I still use aswell had the same problem with broken handle so I mounted the unit on an adjustable length crutch I had from when I injured myself.was inspired to get it from watching mad sonic boatings vids on youtube.
ATpro
ACE250
GC1010
teknetics Eurotek Pro
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