My MD Freaks Out On Wet Sand

[macmonkey]

With the Christmas tide pulling the water way down - I headed to the beach extremely early today to search parts of the beach that are normally under water.

I've had fine luck learning my detector in dry sand finding plenty of coins, trash and nick nacks.

When I take the detector into the "wet sand" zone it freaks out and gives me signals all over the place. In short I was unable to locate anything in that area. I tried pulling down the sensitivity and messing with the descrimation but it didn't help.

Any suggestions as per how I might be able to successfully hunt this area and why my MD is freaking out?

Thanks
jw

[Dixieldy]

Wow.... I am glad you posted this. I don't have an answer but I am heading to the beach for a few days stay and I hope someone has an answer so I will know also what to do. I'm sure some of these very nice seasoned detectorist will chime in and help!!

[bdahunter]

Crackbadger has a video that gives excellent advice on using the ACE250 in wet sand as well as how to prep your detector for use in an environment that it wasn't really designed for.

Good Hunting,

BDA

[Dixieldy]

Hey that was an awesome video. Thanks so much for the post, I sure learned alot by his video.

[liquid1]

WOW looks like the ace 250 is wicked good, his vids are to the point and shows live results..Thanks for the info..

[macmonkey]

Basically he says keep the sensitivity around 4 (or 5) and expect some ghosting.

YouTube - CRACKBADGER AND THE ACE 250 QUICK TIP VIDEO!

[bdahunter]

YouTube - CRACKBADGER AND THE ACE 250 QUICK TIP VIDEO!

This guy is very knowledgeable about the ACE250, with the experience and results to make his suggestions worth listening to. No nonsense advice that is simple and straight forward, though you may want to watch it twice as he packs in a lot of info and key bits can slip past you. Crackbadger will also respond to your questions if you e-mail him a question or comment.
So many detectorists wind up overcomplicating this wonderful hobby by getting too technical. I had problems in the wet sand with my ACE250 when I started out and the solution was pretty simple - drop the sens, drop the disc and slow down the swing. The 'yeller feller' is a lot of machine for $200 but it is still a $200 machine, taking it into the saltwater is reay pushing the limits of a $200 machine but I've done it. With the lowered sensitivity you are not going to find deep gold in the wet sand with an ACE250, this is not an Excal1000 after all. You will find shallow gold and silver though, especially if you slow the swing down. Slowing down the swing is one of the keys to water detecting, that and keeping the coil firmly in contact with the bottom at all times. All that salt water passing between the coil and the sand will make even a high end water machine false, especially if you are swinging as though you are hunting relics in a farmer's field. That slow swing is also why I hunt the water only, because it is so darned relaxing and enjoyable. It is a lot like pleasure skating or waltzing, only done in the water with a wetsuit on.

Cheers,

BDA

[Buster]

Good info and thanks...Buster......