Struck Out!

[Bayoutalker]

Another day at the beach and another strike out.

I really need to get a better machine for the wet salt sand in this area. My ATPro works great in the dry sand but rarely finds anything in the wet. By the time I ground balance and lower the sensitivity there is precious little power left to override the mineralization.

All the dry sand produced was a smashed can, a couple of nails and a few other pieces of junk. All in all a wasted hour and a half before I got disgusted and went on to other endeavours.

Has anyone had any luck with the ATPro in the wet salt sand of Southeast Texas? If so, want to share any tips?

 

[Ra1der5]

Been there. No gold for over a year. $0.38 on Saturday but $8.47 Sunday morning. It helped to hunt an area where an area an event occurred the day before, but your "luck" can change just like that. Keep at it. Watch the signs. Hunt smart and your "luck" will change.

 

[Grumpysrb]

It doesn't go deep, around 2 to 4 inches, in wet salt sand. There just has to be something there.

 

[Bayoutalker]

I don't so much get discouraged by coming up empty. Goodness knows I've done enough of that. I just don't like being handicapped with marginal equipment. The ATPro is great just not in the salt.

I really want a machine that I can depend on to find the deep stuff in all conditions.

Cliff

 

[L.I.Digga]

I was in the same situation and finally i got the ok from "the boss"to upgrage.I guess she got sick of me sayin the same stuff you are.At Pro is great for the money and for what it does.Only been out with my Xcall twice now but the difference is just insane.

 

[007tallguy]

i must be doing something "wrong" with my AtPro: 1 silver ring 2-3 inches down in the sand IN the water, a silver necklace and pendant 4-5 inches down in the wet sand, one 14k ring 8 inches down in the wet sand and numerous coins, tons of pulltabs, bottle caps, those annoying blobs of melted aluminum and other little odds an ends.
in the wet sand i run the g/b around 14-16 and often run the sensitivity at 7 or 8. yes, i do get chatter, but i back off the sens to no less than 6, but i normally have it set at the higher numbers mentioned.
there are times and certain sections of the beach where it's quite difficult to get it running stable, but in general, it seems to work fine.

 

[L.I.Digga]

It all depends on the kinda beach.On the north shore of Long Island my At is useless.On the south shore i can use it but only at half power and its chatty as hell.Once you gotta cut the power your handicapping yourself.007 Sounds like your lucky to live around a beach the at will work on and sounds like your very lucky to have had your coil over good targets.At least now when im on the beach i know im using full power and when my detector makes a sound i know its cuz of a target...

 

[Bayoutalker]

i must be doing something "wrong" with my AtPro: 1 silver ring 2-3 inches down in the sand IN the water, a silver necklace and pendant 4-5 inches down in the wet sand, one 14k ring 8 inches down in the wet sand and numerous coins, tons of pulltabs, bottle caps, those annoying blobs of melted aluminum and other little odds an ends.
in the wet sand i run the g/b around 14-16 and often run the sensitivity at 7 or 8. yes, i do get chatter, but i back off the sens to no less than 6, but i normally have it set at the higher numbers mentioned.
there are times and certain sections of the beach where it's quite difficult to get it running stable, but in general, it seems to work fine.

Your beaches are apparantly different than the ones here in Southeast Texas. Those GB numbers are what I get but I cannot use anywhere near that much sens. The noise is constant at that setting and I get lots of unrepeatable hits. Anything over a couple of inches deep is safe from being found.

 

[Bud-sc]

Look around on Craigslist. I found a nice Whites beach hunter ID for $400. Great machine!!!! Bud-sc

 

[Gold Digger 2]

don't get discouraged,,,,,easy to do and believe me, there is not one person that doesn't go through dry spells,,,the ATpro is a great machine for fresh water and my son used to live in Sour Lake and there has to be some good fresh water swim holes around where you are and toward Huston,,,,there are many good salt water machines and VLF machines are more popular,,,,,Excal or CZ used can be found, especially close to winter time,,,,,GL HH

 

[Bayoutalker]

don't get discouraged,,,,,easy to do and believe me, there is not one person that doesn't go through dry spells,,,the ATpro is a great machine for fresh water and my son used to live in Sour Lake and there has to be some good fresh water swim holes around where you are and toward Huston,,,,there are many good salt water machines and VLF machines are more popular,,,,,Excal or CZ used can be found, especially close to winter time,,,,,GL HH

I'm not getting discouraged due to coming up dry, just not having the right equipment for the conditions at hand. I have no problem finding something with the ATP in dry sand or dirt conditions. There is not much fresh water in the places I frequent on my precious little time off.

That is why I am looking real hard at a VLF machine. I was considering both of the models you suggested but after checking prices, I think it is going to be the CZ. Minelab is very proud of their toys and dealers are not allowed to discount. I thought that was illegal.

As for used, from what I am seeing there is just not enough money to be saved to justify losing the warranty. I take care of my equipment and prefer to buy new when possible.

 

[DaviDs]

As for used, from what I am seeing there is just not enough money to be saved to justify losing the warranty...

If you have the money for new, then great. B-U-T, the prices for used machines, especially the CZ's have been remarkably low. During the last 4-weeks, the final price for (3) CZ-7a's, (1) CZ-7a PRO, and (1) CZ-20 were $289-$450...which included shipping and all had a 3-7 day return policy.

In Florida, there are multiple Sovereigns for sale for $400-500.


In regards to AT-P performance variances, check with USGS.gov data on Texas geology and/or google search TX geological survey to find test data from your beaches. I worked with a geologist for my last report and found data on Florida beaches that was really interesting. For example, SE FL by Naples has sand with less than 0.05% mineral content while NE Fl by Jacksonville has areas with more than 53% content, primarily Fe. Perhaps, it ends the he/she said arguements about the machine and simply identifies whether or not you are hunting a beach that has been scientifically proven to have a high mineral content, while another AT-P owner is hunting a beach with less.

-David

 

[Cfmct]

Dual and multi-frequency machines are needed to hunt wet salt sand... those who turn down their sensitivity are doing us a favor while you clean up the shallow trash we will come by for the deep gold

 

[Bayoutalker]

I hear what you are saying David, but $450 is almost half of a new machine with newer technology and full warranty. One repair could easily cost the difference and I am not much of a gambler. I guess I will just have to save a bit longer.

As for the beach data, I will check into it. I do know that the beaches I have been to definitely cause the ATP some issues in the wet sand and water. I have also been advised to stay away from PI machines due to the Fe debris in this area from hurricanes, refineries and chemical plant waste.

Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[leslie(nova scotia)]

yo B

i never use my Pro near salt water sir. P.I. machies are the way to go thus out comes my Seahunter MK11.
Is a good machine minus that and good luck on the next dig or swish.