looking for on advice on what PI detector to build

[Cadmaster375]

I have been researching for weeks and still cannot figure out which DIY detector project is the best (for me). from what I see the major builds are

HammerHead 1.5
Surf PI
Minipulse Plus Kit - Rev D
Baracuda Legend Kit
MICROCONTROLLER P.I. TREASURE HUNTER MARK STUART version 2a

which has the most bang for the buck? I live in Ontario Canada on the shores of lake Nipissing so I have a wide range of detecting options. water, beach, old mines, bush, abandoned sites, etc.

I plan to build it in phases if it is expensive or get a kit if not to expensive. I was a mechanical designer (unemployed) so I am not completely ignorant with electronics. I was thinking that a challenge for the mind and hands might just do the trick. dont have an Oscope just a multimeter and a soldering iron! LOL and a fair bit of patients.

thanks for the help!!!

[Cadmaster375]

another option I was looking at was buying an Groundhog Master hunter VLF/TR in working order for $75 CAD, or something similar.

[6666]

Well if you buy a machine it will get you hunting today.

[Cadmaster375]

LOL not a chance 3 feet of snow and freezing rain and another 6 inches of snow forecast. heck we have been getting down to -30C and -40 with wind chill. reminds me of where I grew up in thompson manitoba -40 without wind chill. late march or April is a better bet.

[jladre]

My suggestion is.. If you buy detector then you can used it right away and hustle free.. But if you build your own detector it may give you headache but in times you finish it the rewards is priceless. You know why? It because the learning you get from it is much more than those mid price detector.

[Qiaozhi]

I have been researching for weeks and still cannot figure out which DIY detector project is the best (for me). from what I see the major builds are

HammerHead 1.5
Surf PI
Minipulse Plus Kit - Rev D
Baracuda Legend Kit
MICROCONTROLLER P.I. TREASURE HUNTER MARK STUART version 2a

which has the most bang for the buck? I live in Ontario Canada on the shores of lake Nipissing so I have a wide range of detecting options. water, beach, old mines, bush, abandoned sites, etc.

I plan to build it in phases if it is expensive or get a kit if not to expensive. I was a mechanical designer (unemployed) so I am not completely ignorant with electronics. I was thinking that a challenge for the mind and hands might just do the trick. dont have an Oscope just a multimeter and a soldering iron! LOL and a fair bit of patients.

thanks for the help!!!

I would advise building the MiniPulse Plus (MPP). You can get a complete kit from here -> www.silverdog.co.uk

The Hammerhead is very good, but is also the most complex, and you will need access to an oscilloscope to build this. It's not recommended as a first DIY metal detector project.
Several people have had problems building both the Surf-PI and Baracuda, mainly due to lack of experience and documentation.
The Stuart PI is probably the least popular one in your list.

The MPP has the best documentation, and the highest success rate as regards actually ending up with a working detector. If you follow the Build Document carefully, it is possible to build this detector without a scope.

[kt315]

14usd for bara board and you are in game. bara is simplest PI and works without any tuning. only
set two trimmers in middle position and forget. for underwater diving you will need submersible box,
look special threads in the forum. George writes there are problems with Surf and Bara boards from silverdog.
you do 800-900usd price detector.

I live in Ontario Canada

Sven is too Canada, will soon give you reply. Sven does Hammerhead's and expert in DIY PI projects.

[SVEN1]

PM'd you, my PI detector was built to be used first on Lake Nippy, North Bay beaches and in the water.

Forget about the Ground Hog unless your going to sample rock for native silver in Cobalt.
That was our main detector back in the late '70's that was perfect for that job.

[Qiaozhi]

George writes there are problems with Surf and Bara boards from silverdog.
you do 800-900usd price detector.

Actually there are no problems with the Surf-PI or Baracuda boards from Silverdog. The problems are generated by some of the people that build these detectors.

[Cadmaster375]

Thanks folk for all the great advice!

Ya I have read a pile of posts here and else where talking about the problems. Mostly user error. while I am totally inexperienced in MD I am a tinkerer and have done DIY repairs on VCR's, TV's, phones, Computers,stereo amps, Microwaves and coffee machines. I was always interested in how things work and how to fix them.

I can screw things up with the best of them! LOL

my strongest points while working as a Mechanical/Piping Designer and Computer/CAD specialist was trouble shooting and technical problem solving (other than people problems at which I suck). I found to my detriment that I can solve the problem, but the companies don't like designers telling them how they screwed up and how to solve it only bosses and senior engineers are allowed to do that.