I think the only realistic option outside of a CTX is to buy two detectors. One for dry sand, like an AT-max, and one for wet sand & water like an Excal. Total cost would be about the same and then you could cover the same terrain. But who wants to drag around all that equipment? Also, do you have the time to master two detectors instead of one?
Eh', I've always had multiple detectors, well, until I bought the CTX. It took less than 30-days of ownership before I started to purge my collection. ..just saying!