9/26/19 Report - Karen Turns Our Way. Software Update for Equinox. Metal Detector Maintenance.

Written by the TreasureGuide for the exclusive use of treasurebeachesreport.blogspot.com.

Tropical Storm Karen and Hurricane Lorenzo

Source: nhc.noaa.gov

We have two systems in the Atlantic to watch now, although neither is likely to affect us much, but they weren't sure about Dorian and Karen has already made a turn.

Projected Path of Karen.

Source: nhc.noaa.gov

Karen, which was heading north/northeast, has made a turn and is now heading west towards the Bahamas.  They are still saying she isn't anything for us to worry about.  That doesn't necessarily mean she won't eventually send us some nice surf.

Predicted Surf for the Fort Pierce Area.

Source: MagicSeaWeed.com.

As you can see the surf is supposed to increase next week.  Unfortunately I'm not seeing any north winds to go along with it.

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Several people notified me of the 2.0 software update for the Equinox detectors.  I'll include the note from Joe D. because he added some other useful information, including his experience with the update.

Here is what Joe said.

   I hit Carlin Park today after a quick look, just before low tide! I really liked what i saw, and hunted multiple lines from dune cut to water line! And also amongst the rocks! I love hunting here when this much is exposed by the weather! Although there were some mushy spots, there was plenty of areas to search!  

    On the not to love side, there were few good targets! A lot of minute can slaw, and probably 50 pull and pop tabs! I was mostly aware of what the targets were, but dug everything anyway to reinforce 

sound differences! I pulled a few coins in the rocks that were near cemented in, and had to work to get out! But nothing old! Still and all, l still like it there!

     I got a notification from Minelab of a new software update! This was the first update since I've owned this machine! The process was fairly quick once i figured out where to find it on the site! It was listed under the specific detector, not the main page! 

    I also took the time to disassemble and clean my detector! I've used it a lot lately so the need was there to check out all the parts! I had noticed that the plastic arm cuff was creaking a lot when detecting, and i thought it may break a few times today! (Really the only cheap part) I added a temporary fix until i get a new aluminum Jeff Herke cuff from Steves Detector Rods; that i ordered today! I've emailed Steve several times in the last several days, and he was extremely helpful, and accommodating for the order!

     I also checked the silicone seal that i installed a few months ago in the handle, and cleaned before reinstalling! Its doing a great job keeping water and sand out of that area! Well worth the money! 

    The cleaning process reminds me a lot of cleaning my rifles!  I got nailed by a few carbon fiber strands from inside the shaft sections, but now I'm ready to go again! 

     Also, i pull the coil cover off and wash the coil out after every beach run! It can build up a lot of sand there, as well as the lower section of the shaft, which can clog and hold water and sand! Some people hate coil covers, but i would not hunt without one! Or my coil would be destroyed by now!

    I will send a few pics, as always!

 Joe D.

Thanks Joe, and thanks to all of those who took the time to notify me of the update.

Here is what Minelab describes as the benefits of the update.

Difficult ferrous targets — the common enemy for all detectorists. That is until EQUINOX. Hit the download on our EQUINOX update to make those pesky bottle caps, rusty nails and other falsing targets a thing of the past. Fire up the Minelab Update Utility and you’re on your way. It’s simple. You’ll experience the enhanced Iron Bias feature, improved EQUINOX 600 backlight and much more.

Improved Iron Bias

Iron Bias has been enhanced with the addition of a new Iron Bias settings profile. The original EQUINOX Iron Bias 'FE' settings will still be available, but there is now the option to switch to the new Iron Bias 'F2' settings, which have an improved capability to reject a much wider range of difficult iron targets, including bottle caps.

EQUINOX 600 Backlight Brightness

The EQUINOX 600 now has the ability to adjust the backlight brightness to an additional 'Low' setting that matches the minimum setting on the EQUINOX 800. This 'Low' brightness is ideal for detecting at night and in low light conditions.

And here is the link for the update.

https://www.minelab.com/usa/equinox-software-update-2-0?fbclid=IwAR3QcyFBFqKsq-uzIG0tAhWewoMFjvKAP2DCuqhRGGIrzB7cR2GZG9i4L9g

I really didn't have much trouble with iron or other trash using the Equinox 600.  I've discussed the reasons for that in the past.  It is more the possibility of skipping gold than hitting trash that bothers me.  There are a variety of ways of staying away from or identifying iron.  Sometimes you don't want to skip it though.

I think I'll quit there today.

Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide@comcast.net

10/6/13 Report - Karen To Skirt Florida Panhandle, Shipwreck Spikes & More

Written by the TreasureGuide for the exclusive use of treasurebeachesreport.blogspot.com.

National Hurricane Center Map 

Here is the projected track for Karen, now a tropical depression not a hurricane.

Her track east along the Gulf Coast might push high water onshore.  If that happens it could make for some good beach hunting at some of the Florida Panhandle locations including the Destin area where Honeymoon State Park is located.  I mentioned not too long ago that that park is one of the most visited state parks in Florida.


Some of the guys up that way write in occasionally.  Let me know what happens.  I'd like to see pictures of erosion and finds.

Some of you from the Treasure Coast of the West Coast of Florida who take day trips might consider checking that out too.  I always liked hunting the Panhandle area beaches when I was up that way.

On the Treasure Coast we still have very little surf and aren't getting any effects from Karen.  The surf will pick up a little, but not much, according to the predictions, around the middle of next week.

Karen probably won't survive, but could possibly cross the state and come out in the Atlantic.  I doubt it though.

Find and Photo
Submitted by William M.

It seems William is on quite a hot streak.

Two lessons are illustrated.  First, even when overall conditions are poor, there can be isolated spots that are producing.

And second, don't give up too quickly on an area that is producing.

I suspect that Karen, will create some good spots along the Gulf Coast, but it depends upon how the waves hit the beach, and it will hit the beach differently at different places.  The beach up there has a lot of curves to it, and one place will get new sand while another loses.

I used to always say, when sand is building one place, it is leaving another.  I usually tried to find the place it was leaving.

One way I put that is, "Follow the sand but don't catch it."  In others words stay behind it.   Trace back to where ever it is coming from.

 Sometimes the place the sand is coming from won't be accessible.  Perhaps from deep water.

Nice looking spike William!  Congrats.


Here is a great photo of a very nice collection of spikes submitted by Ken D. and posted back in my 5/5/13 post.

Photo Submitted by Ken D.

Notice the one towards the top just right of center where my arrow points.  It appears to be similar to the spike found by William M.

That is a really nice collection showing quite a variety of spikes, nails and tacks.  Thanks again Ken!

One thing to remember is that not all shipwrecks are treasure ships and there are wrecks from nearly every age period out there.

One Treasure Coast location where a lot of spikes have been found seems to be from a wreck or wrecks that are considerably later than the 1715 wrecks.

Here is the link to the post originally showing Ken's photo.

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7XZ56Og9iYQuXD3z-5eDGzwn9Rc7FRLIP2MICzv0rXgYmvEsoXB9OSFUOztvhkIRgybmevnbJkjE4eDGJo61GxMN-uYR6T4SjziZaM1mW2b-lRcxjOA_SMvp762ic2BEqR_hxYRMfGWnc/s1600/KenD.JPG

10K Signet Ring Beach Find.

Bernie C. says the October meeting for the St. Lucie Metal Detecting Club has been canceled.   Let him know if you want to get a hunt together or anything.


Occasionally you'll find a signet ring that doesn't have any initials on it.  Here is one of those.

If you hunt long enough, you'll find a lot of duplicates of more common ring designs.

Two very common ones are the lion head with stones in the openings for the mouth and eyes and the band with what appears to be screw heads spaced along it.  I think the later are probably one of the most common.  Those were so common that some people have found quite a few of those.  And of course, bands are very common, as are class rings.

Of the watches, those Gucci watches with the replaceable color plastic bands that go around the face are very common beach finds.

Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide@comcast.net