White's Spectrum XLT

I use my Spectrum XLT in dry sand searches, fresh water beaches, parks, schoolyards, etc. It has now been moved to "backup" detector status but I still really enjoy using the machine. I bought me the 5.3 inch coil one year and it really works well picking out good targets from the trash - I highly recommend XLT users to get the small coil as an accessory. I typically use a modified relic program, I turn off the icons and just go by the VDI numbers. **Update: I gave this detector to my nephew in 2008 he has been having a lot of fun with it.

White's Beachhunter ID

When I needed a water detector that could cancel out all those pesky bobby pins and bottle caps I decided on a Beachhunter ID. I have found more gold with this detector than all my other ones combined (up to now anyway). This is a great machine, although it probably won't go as deep as some other brands top of the line models it is has done great by me. It uses three tones to distinguish between iron, gold and silver. Along with the tones there is a visual ID system (three colored LED's) that allows you to still get an ID on item even when searching in all metal mode - this is a powerful feature. I use this detector primarily for water hunting.

The more I used my Beachhunter ID for regular beach hunting the more I was impressed by it. I use this machine along with my Elite and CZ-70 for beach hunting on a pretty regular basis and I can't say I make more or better finds with either the Elite or the CZ. I know that comment may ruffle some feathers out there but it's the truth. The Beachhunter has a couple unadvertised (or at least under-advertised) pluses that I think attribute to this. First, a lot of people have complained that the coil isn't weighted so the coil floats when water detecting - this is true, but, when you are beach hunting out of the water the lightness of the rod and coil when hip mounted is a huge plus that shouldn't be discounted. A light coil means hunting longer with less fatigue with better coil control. Second, the LED ID's work even when in All-Metal mode so you get the best of both worlds, the extra depth from All-Metal, with the built in VCO (tone's change with conductivity of the metal), plus a quick glance at the LED will give you a dig/no dig answer. Finally, I get really good depth with the beachhunter on the beaches I hunt here in Southwest Florida, with the sensitivity set right.

As a side note, White's Electronics is an inspiring company when it comes to customer service. I left the battery pack in this machine for too long in the garage and the batteries leaked and corroded the inside of the lower control box (thank you Florida heat and humidity). When I contacted Whites to buy a replacement they sent me one for FREE. Awesome, Awesome, Awesome....

 

Click here to read the Beachhunter ID review at Lost Treasure Magazine.

White's Surfmaster P.I. (Pulse Induction) - Sold

I used my White's PI for water hunting and diving. I also used it when I wanted to get extra depth in the wet salt sand. **Note: I sold my SurfMaster to a hunting partner of mine, he will be putting it to good use.

Click here to read the Surfmaster PI review at Lost Treasure Magazine.

Tesoro Cutlass uMax - Sold

I originally purchased this Tesoro Cutlass as a backup detector to keep in my truck at all times. I wanted a low cost yet powerful detector and that is exactly what I got, extremely easy to use and great discrimination. Although a great little detector I sold this one a few years ago.

Click here to read the Tesoro Cutlass review at Lost Treasure Magazine.

Fisher 1220-X - Gave away as gift

I bought this detector in 1987 while I was still serving in the US Army. For the money ($225 at the time) it was an excellent machine, I found my first silver with it. **Note: I gave this machine to my brother, he loves it! In my humble opinion this an excellent choice for the beginning treasure hunter. The equivalent machine today is the Fisher 1225-X.

White's Coinmaster TR

My first detector - photo from early 80's.

This machine was my first real detector, it was a good little machine that started me down the path. I found a lot of coins and some jewelry, in fact I still have a couple of the rings that I found with it. Unfortunately I no longer have the detector.