First Outing with the Pirate

[Digging Fool]

Hope this thread is not out of place in "General Discussion", but....I purchased a DetectorPro Pirate back in the winter, but just tried it out today. I went to a couple of swimmin' holes. Here is my opinion of the machine. I found the electronics to be very stable, and the discrimination is also very responsive.The machine seems to have ample power to get the job done. For the types of water hunting that I do, it's good, for the most part. I used a White's Surfmaster for years, and this machine is to take the place of my White's. Now, for the "other things" that I noticed. The upper shaft assembly has a little "play" in it, and with the sand that will inevitably find it's way into these crevices, that will most likely worsen rather rapidly. The foam handle doesn't seem to have enough angle to make gripping and swinging underwater as easy as it should be-- there's not enough "S" shape to it. The velcro cable straps don't stay tight, and I'm going to secure both ends with duct tape(may not be pretty). The "spoked" coil doesn't slip through the water as well as my old White's thin, flat coil did. One other note....The arm-cup is not quite deep enough for me. In my opinion, the only forseeable problems could be with the construction of the shaft assembly, but other than that, It's a nice machine. I found a few coins, a keychain, and some pull-tabs. It was slim-pickings, today. I am not going to "knock" this machine, because it is very user-friendly, stable, and the price is hard to beat. I think I like it

[homefire]

Good Write up! Thank you.

[pris]

Thank you SOOO much for posting this. I have tried to find reviews online but haven't found any. I have been thinking about buying one for when I go to the beach. Please keep telling us about the Pirate.

[Digging Fool]

Originally Posted by pris

Thank you SOOO much for posting this. I have tried to find reviews online but haven't found any. I have been thinking about buying one for when I go to the beach. Please keep telling us about the Pirate.

Looks like I may give it a second whirl tomorrow morning. I was supposed to be wearing one of those heart monitor/recorders, but the computers are down at the doctor's office, so we had to postpone(good). That means that I can get in the water tomorrow without having to worry about getting somebody else's electronics wet!!!!! I couldn't find any reviews about the Pirate, either. The reviews that I did read about some other DetectorPro models were not very "positive". Hence, I really didn't know where to post my observations about the Pirate. After seeing the performance this morning(even though I didn't find gold), I don't regret the purchase. If you are going to hunt every day, this machine may not be structurally capable of enduring the rigor and stress that one of the leading MFG. models would. My "driving motive" is to find ONE ring that would more than pay for this machine. Then, if it breaks, I got my money's worth!!ONE OTHER THING I FORGOT TO MENTION... Pinpointing is fantastic with this machine. I probably dug 12 targets, and only had to dig twice on one of them. Only then because it was deep. Very stable machine!!!

[bdahunter]

Beach Metal Detecting Forum is where you want to be but heck just so long as you post nobody really cares much. Thanks for posting, there is precious little on the Pirate detector but I have managed to garner a fair bit of info from Mr. Bill on another forum. He represents Eric Foster's creations, including the Pirate. Basically the Pirate is the ACE 250 of the water and is priced accordingly. I've found some kewl stuff in the water with my ACE 250 and expect that the Pirate will do the same, which by all accounts is what it does. A great little back up or starter underwater detector but not a main detector for a serious surf pirate.

Cheers,

BDA

[Digging Fool]

Originally Posted by bdahunter

Beach Metal Detecting Forum is where you want to be but heck just so long as you post nobody really cares much. Thanks for posting, there is precious little on the Pirate detector but I have managed to garner a fair bit of info from Mr. Bill on another forum. He represents Eric Foster's creations, including the Pirate. Basically the Pirate is the ACE 250 of the water and is priced accordingly. I've found some kewl stuff in the water with my ACE 250 and expect that the Pirate will do the same, which by all accounts is what it does. A great little back up or starter underwater detector but not a main detector for a serious surf pirate.

Cheers,

BDA

Thanks.... I'd say your equating it to the 250 is a great analogy!! Gonna go again in the morn........

[anne]

Seems like you had a good start with the Pirate,good luck tomorrow

[Digging Fool]

Originally Posted by anne

Seems like you had a good start with the Pirate,good luck tomorrow

Thanks, Anne!! I'll let you know how it goes

[EBCIII]

Hey DF I am glad you got that unit. I have looked at one of those myself. Good write up overall. Thanks for letting us know.

Good luck tommorow, Beale.

[pris]

I had no idea that the Pirate had been comared to the Ace250 but for the water. What a great compliment!!! I think that has cinched the deal, so I'll have to start saving for one, for sure.

I sure can't wait to see if it's as popular as the Ace250. Thanks!!!!