Uncovering Lost Treasures: A Comprehensive Guide to Coils for Saltwater Detecting
Coils for Saltwater Detecting: A Comprehensive Guide
Metal detecting is an exciting hobby that has been around for decades. It’s a great way to explore the outdoors, find hidden treasures, and connect with history. However, saltwater detecting can be challenging due to the harsh conditions of the ocean environment. In this guide, we will discuss everything you need to know about coils for saltwater detecting.
What are Coils?
To start off, let’s define what coils are in metal detecting terms. Coils are essential components of metal detectors that emit electromagnetic fields that help detect metallic objects beneath the ground or water surface. They come in different sizes and shapes depending on their purpose and design.
Types of Coils
There are two main types of coils used in metal detectors – concentric and double-d search coils.
Concentric Coils – These have a cone-shaped field that narrows towards its center point before broadening again at its tip. Concentric coils work well with high-frequency machines as they provide better target separation than Double-D (DD) search coils.
Double-D Search Coils – These have two overlapping D-shaped loops which produce a more even field than concentric ones, making them ideal for low conductivity targets like gold nuggets or small coins.
Saltwater Detecting
Detecting underwater is much more complicated than land-based searches because there are various factors to consider such as wave movement, currents, salinity levels etc., all of which affect your detector’s performance significantly. When it comes to saltwater hunting specifically, there are some additional considerations to make when choosing the right coil:
Size Matters
The size of your coil affects how deep you’ll be able to detect targets underwater while also influencing your machine’s sensitivity level towards smaller objects like coins or jewelry pieces buried just underfoot (literally). Small-sized coils tend not only narrow down detection area but also increase sensitivity levels greatly allowing easy pinpointing of targets. However, larger coils can detect deeper but with less sensitivity.
Waterproofing
Saltwater detecting requires a waterproof coil to prevent damage from saltwater corrosion and rust. It’s essential to purchase a specially designed coil for saltwater hunting as it will be able to withstand the harsh underwater environment over time.
Frequency Range
Different frequencies suit different types of metal detecting activities, and saltwater detecting is no exception. Lower frequency machines are better suited for deep-sea searches while higher-frequency detectors work best in shallow waters close to the shorelines where there are more small items like coins or jewelry pieces that can be easily missed by lower frequency machines.
Coil Shape
The shape of your coil also affects its detection abilities underwater. Round coils perform well in open water environments such as beaches because they provide better coverage and depth than oval-shaped ones which tend to have narrower fields limiting their detection capabilities greatly.
Recommended Coils for Saltwater Detecting
1) Coiltek 15-inch WOT Search Coil – This waterproof search coil has been specifically designed for use in saltwater conditions. Its large size provides excellent depth penetration, making it ideal for hunting on beaches or diving sites where you may find lost treasures buried deep below the surface.
2) Minelab 10-inch Double-D Smart Coil – This double-d search coil is perfect for use with high-end metal detectors like Equinox 800/600 which have multiple frequency options available. It offers good target separation while being sensitive enough even towards tiny objects buried just underfoot.
3) Garrett Sea Hunter Mark II Search Coil – The Sea Hunter Mark II’s submersible design makes it one of the most popular models used by treasure hunters searching in shallow waters near shorelines, reefs and rocky ledges along coastal areas worldwide.
4) NEL Tornado 12×13” Search Coil – A new generation DD-coil that performs extremely well on highly mineralized saltwater beaches. The Tornado Coil is waterproof and features a hard outer shell to protect against damage.
Conclusion
Saltwater detecting can be an incredibly rewarding experience, but it requires special equipment that can withstand the harsh underwater environment. Coils are an essential component of any metal detector and play a significant role in determining your success rate while hunting treasures submerged beneath the waves. When choosing a coil for saltwater detecting, consider factors such as size, frequency range, shape and waterproofing capabilities before making your final decision. With the right coil in hand and some practice, you too can uncover hidden treasures lost beneath the sea for centuries. Happy hunting!