Photo of Old Tesoro Royal Sabre Control Box.This is an old detector, but it still works well in a variety of circumstances. It is very well designed. The controls can easily be changed with one finger without changing your grip. The bar over the control panel prevents changing the settings accidentally and can be used for mounting the box on a belt or whatever. The control box is compact and can easily be packed into a small space.
This detector is very good at finding small pieces of precious metal in dry sand. It has found its share of cobs and gold.
Moving on - Coastal erosion can expose boats, houses, graves and artifacts. That is not unusual but it is happening at a fast pace in Alaska. One boat that was suddenly exposed was quickly lost to the sea. Some archaeologists claim that the process is happening too quickly.
Interesting article on a subject relevant to any coastal area.
http://www.anchoragepress.com/articles/2010/05/19/news/doc4bf46dd8b550c180204696.txt
I received an email from a fellow that uses Ground Penetrating Radar to map cemeteries. Interesting technology. You might want to visit this web site that tells more about ground penetrating radar.
http://www.topographix.com/cemeterymappingservice.html
There is a 22k money chain for sale on ebay. I think it is worth examining. Notice the stamped markings on the links, for example.
http://cgi.ebay.com/GENUINE-22K-GOLD-MONEY-CHAIN-RAVENSTEIN-SHIPWRECK-1726-/140409525263?cmd=ViewItem&pt=US_Fine_Necklaces_Pendants&hash=item20b10f540f
I got an email from one of the best detectorists in Florida. He has a Minelab detector that was sent for repairs. He says that there is a backlog on parts and he might not get his detector back for three months. That is not good. I'll be watching to see how that turns out. Surely Minelab provides better service than that.
I know of another Minelab that was recently sent to Las Vegas for repairs. I'll be watching both of these to see how the service department rates.
In the past I've used a variety of brands of detectors. Two of the common brands that I've used are Tesoro (various detectors) and Fisher (1280 X). Those detectors held up well under heavy usage and when service was required, were repaired and returned quickly.
Tesoro offers (or offered) a life-time warranty, which in my opinion, even though the Tesoros that I've used are not good on salt water beaches, makes them worth considering for other applications and as back-up detectors.
My Fisher Aquanaut was a very reliable detector and made a lot of finds. Service, although seldom needed, was very good.
I once failed to properly close the battery compartment and some salt water got in, but due to the fact that the detector was designed well and the battery compartment was well sealed and isolated, little damage was done. When I did send it in, it was repaired quickly and returned. I also had that same detector tuned-up and maintenanced once after a number of years of use. Again the service was good, inexpensive, and the detector was returned promptly.
I've been satisfied with my Tesoro and Fisher detectors. They are not as deep seeking as some of the more expensive custom detectors that I've used, but they've done a good job and I am happy with how they were serviced. I've been less pleased with some other detector brands and will be watching to see how the Minelab service department performs.
Forecast and Conditions.Well, well, well! It looks like the surf web sites are now projecting something like seven foot seas for next Tuesday/Wednesday. I hope this is not one of those false alarms that as we get closer, the web site starts showing decreasing seas. Only time will tell, but right now it looks like there is the possibility of improving beach conditions next week.
Sometimes it takes more than seven foot seas. It also depends upon other factors such as the wind direaction and angle of the waves.
Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide@comcast.net
