New Detector help please

[HowieYtown]

Hello All,
New to this forum and I'm searching for a metal detector and hoping for some experienced input.
I am mostly looking for an underwater detector to use while scuba diving but it will also be used on the beach and in surf. I'm in Ohio so fresh water is the norm up here! I would also like it to be something simple to use as my son would also be using it on the beach/surf.
So far what I have come up with is either a Tesoro Tiger Shark, Fisher 1280X on the lower price range and at the high end a Minelab Excailiber or a JW Fisher Pulse 8X. The price of the Pulse8X is way high for me but I like the option of using a boat towed coil, not saying that its something I have to have immediately, anyways~
Tesoro has the lifetime warrenty, more my price range and not a PI type so less trash right?

I'm not just looking for gold rings and coins but relics of iron or other metals too. Of course pulltabs will always be found but you know the price of aluminum is going up too! LOL
Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[sandyfeet]

My 2 first choices are...Excal 1st...Fisher CZ21 2nd...both are fine machines

Sandyfeet

[Ric-san]

Good luck in your decision making. Me, Im new to md'ing and ended up getting an Garrett Ace 250. Seems pretty good to me, havent found the mother load just yet, but did find an actual working iPod last week at the creek near my house...Im still learning this machine. Have fun once you decide what you want...!

[MinelabMan]

Hi Howie and welcome to TQ. I have an Excalibur and love it! It's a great surf, sand and beach detector and would also work well on land. It's kinda heavy on land so I bought the straght shaft, balances it real well so weight is no longer an issue.

[anne]

Excalibur first choice.......Tiger Shark second.........Welcome to TQ

[Buster]

HowieYtown....Welcome to Treasure Quest...I have a Whites PI that I use...Have not had it in the water all that much...but will get into that later on this summer..Good luck on your choice..You can also talk to our sponsors also,...They can help you in the wright direction...Buster...

[grasshopper]

i have heard great things about the minleab excalibur, and close behind about the tiger shark. never used either personally but good luck with your decision!

[HowieYtown]

Thanks to all who replied, and for all the welcomes. Nice to see people from all over into this stuff!
I've got it narrowed down now to whatever I can afford, LOL Probably a Tiger Shark. Since my son will be using it and hes only 10 I'll save the higher end models for later and that will give me time to figure things out better also.
happy hunting folks~

[bdahunter]

The Tiger Shark will compete with the Excal in freshwater. In saltwater there's no contest, Excal all the way. Since you are only detecting in freshwater I would say go for the Tiger Shark, it will also pick up fine chains and small jewellery that the Excal will miss completely. The F8 is overrated for dragging behind a boat. Another route is to be dragged behind the boat yourself while wearing scuba and using a plywood wing or diving plane to control your course and depth. Teddy Tucker used this technique to find wrecks with excellent results, visibility will be a factor of course.

Cheers,

BDA

[gordiesgirl]

Hello and welcome to TQ, whichever machine you choose I know you will love the hobby, Happy hunting