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Returning Digger needs X-Terra opinions?
Mudwiggle  
Posted : Tuesday, 22 October 2013 7:00:39 PM(UTC)
Mudwiggle

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Having just unearthed my very ancient Garrett SeaHunter 500xs, a flood of fond memories came back...
I rebuilt a 'new' battery pack from an old cordless drill battery which gave me about a half charge so I shot off out the door to a secluded patch of public grass nearby to see if it still worked .

Half an hour and $5.50 later (plus the usual ali/wire scrap) and I'm keen to get back into it.

Question...
Barring the submersible side of things, how does the Garrett compare with, say, the X-Terra 305?

I'm not after all the bells and whistles but I'd like something a little above "Family Adventure" level to be able to pull the occasional bits of bullion out of the dirt.

I've glanced at the sales blurb on the websites for a guide but prefer comments, for and against, from users past and present.

What's the typical battery life on the 305?

Thanks in advance,
MudWiggle

Edited by user Tuesday, 22 October 2013 9:43:43 PM(UTC)  | Reason: Clarification
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Djevel  
Posted : Tuesday, 22 October 2013 8:32:23 PM(UTC)
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305 would I assume be the same as 705, you get 25-30 hours I'd say on a 4 pack of brand new energizer batteries, the machine won't even turn on with the cheap asian shop batteries and it says in manual rechargables are not to be used..
2014 Finds
Rings - (2 gold) - (2 silver) - (2 junk)
Silver Coins - 25
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Mudwiggle  
Posted : Tuesday, 22 October 2013 8:58:04 PM(UTC)
Mudwiggle

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Thanks for that, I'd probably be running lithiums anyway.

Just been doing a deeper Google and they seem to be fairly well regarded, But if there aren't a lot of pluses over the Seahunter, I'll probably stick with that (and the subsequent spinal deformation from lugging the monster pack around on my hip) Plus it means I don't have to worry about hiding a new unit from the spousal unit...

Not a lot of info on the 500XS out there - probably due to the fact it just about predates the interweb!
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Djevel  
Posted : Tuesday, 22 October 2013 9:05:46 PM(UTC)
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Haha yeah, I know what you mean after spending around $1500 already on everything including going out costs it's going to be hard to convince the lady that I need an excaliber .. but she'll come around I hope .. maybe I can get that nice new 2 grand detector under my xmas tree?
2014 Finds
Rings - (2 gold) - (2 silver) - (2 junk)
Silver Coins - 25
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gjj109  
Posted : Wednesday, 23 October 2013 5:40:57 PM(UTC)
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I have only ever used rechargables in my 705. Use it all day, never gone flat. That was one of the appealing things, that it used only 4 x AA's.
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Mudwiggle  
Posted : Thursday, 24 October 2013 8:57:03 PM(UTC)
Mudwiggle

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Hmm... 140 views, guessing no-one remembers the Seahunter enough to give a comparison.

Found me another $7 this morning before heading off to work so guess I'll stick with it and always wonder...

Might try some of the boards State-side. See if there's any ex-seahunters there

Edited by user Thursday, 24 October 2013 8:58:30 PM(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified
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