Cheap underwater metal detectors

[kelemvor]

Has anyone ever used one of the super cheap underwater metal detectors that are floating around for sale? If so, did it work at all?

I'm thinking of these, for example:
Overland Fortune M3 Prices range from $115.00 to $279.00. (Russian)
Barska BE11924 10-Inch Search Coil Premiere Edition Underwater Metal Detector $255.00 (Unknown)
MD-7020C $140 (Chinese)

I'm sure none of these are good, but I've never even used a metal detector before. I've got something of a passing interest in checking out my local beaches. My best friend lost a wedding band there. I bet lots of people lose jewelry at the beach.

Is it possible that any of these cheapies might detect gold? I bet I will only use it once or twice ever and so I don't want to spend a bunch of a more expensive unit.

 

[northernone]

Borrowing a good one from a friend would be ideal. The cheap ones do work (not specifically your links but my uncle had many over the years), but the results in the hands of the inexperienced are seldom rewarding and quite frustrating.

 

[Zerovis]

The best low cost , ( they are not cheep ) is the vibratector Treasure Products, Inc | Home of the Vibra-Probe
however they are only good in the water, being too shore to use on land except as a pinpointer
as far as reliable goes these are the best.

 

[ljpm]

My wife gave me this one for father's day. Scuba Tector – Quest Metal Detectors
I haven't had a chance to test it out yet. I'm planning on taking it on vacation this winter to play with in the surf.
The reviews on it are pretty good and there are a number of youtube videos using it as well as comparing it to the vibra-tector.

 

[Zerovis]

looked on the site above they seem to have an interesting pinpointer ,

 

[akdeepdiver]

I don't think it's in your ideal price range, but I am listing my fisher pulse 8x in the classifieds for $500 cheaper that you would buy new.

 

[rboyer]

I'm going to order one of the Quest detectors. Heck for 170 bucks. Why not

 

[Geobound]

What you need to know is that those detectors are pulse induction detectors, meaning that they will beep at the sign of anything metal.

So whether you go over a coin or a ring pull, or a rusty tire iron it's going to beep.

Don't get me wrong they are a lot of fun to mess around with, but be prepared to dig everything.

 

[GaMatt72]

A cheap detector is not a good detector. I have been a detectorist for years. It will depend on what you want to find and where you want to find it. One of the best driving detectors is a Minelab Excalibur II for the money. Never buy off line call any of the detecting dealers and get a deal. I have never paid full price for any of my detectors or supplies. Not even when I bought the elusive Minelab Equinox 800 when they just came out.

 

[Kharon]

My wife gave me this one for father's day. Scuba Tector – Quest Metal Detectors
I haven't had a chance to test it out yet. I'm planning on taking it on vacation this winter to play with in the surf.
The reviews on it are pretty good and there are a number of youtube videos using it as well as comparing it to the vibra-tector.
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I have a vibra-tector. I'd be interested in your comparison.