Budgeted Beach Detecting

[adamBomb]

I can't imagine anyone paying $250.00 for a sand scoop. My idea is to have one that has NO METAL in it.
I put a broom handle on a plastic scoop for my use. Plastic ties and JB Weld to hold the handle.
Note: I do not go in the water--------------just sandy beaches. I want to be able to scoop while standing and then run my detector over it. I see VIDS of guys W/Metal scoops shaking out the sand and really not knowing whether they have anything or not.
For me a metal scoop would be a time killer.
Marvin
https://www.amazon.com/Garrett-Plast.../dp/B000RZC5AG

I don't really understand. How does a plastic scoop dig through hard sand, shells, etc without snapping into pieces? Also, shaking out the sand can save a huge amount of time. You are saying you run your detector over your scoop and then try to find it by eye/hand? That would take forever. I dig, check, dump. Assuming the target is in the dump I take the small section where it is and shake till the target is there. Takes a few seconds. I don't need to bend over and I can move on. I don't see how it can be done faster than that and I have tried everything over the years.

[BeckySpencer]

ANTP, Tiger shark, and Equinox are worth a lot of money to own

[pulltabfelix]

not to mention rocks and packed shells on fresh water beaches. I hunt on a large lake in Georgia and it is not always pretty white sugar sand like you find at the Destin, FL area. You need hard stainless steel and a very good handle.

[Treasure-coast-steve]

Do your self a favor and find your self a whites surfmaster pi used and older model I live in Florida and all I do I beach hunt it the best machine I have ever touched but it totally a dig all machine

[NWMP]

One option is to save as much clad as you can. At end of year you may have enough to buy a used AT Pro, along with your set aside cash. A lot of machines end up getting dumped at year end as folks lose interest for various reasons. I go into fresh water lakes up to my neck and get better at finding gold and silver rings etc., every year with the ATP. These days the ATP seems to be viewed as an average mid range, but quite capable machine. If you can hang on and reach up to this machine you will have a very capable performer for lower cash outlay. Another option is the Nokta Simplex that just came out. I recently bought one as it tests out as an amazing performer for surprisingly little cash. If you are really into keeping costs down you can think out of the box for scoops etc. I think that I saw a thread once where a fellow used a galvanized hand held feed scoop that he drilled a bunch of holes in. The options are only limited to imagination. But in my experience, buying inexpensive junk just leads to buying better stuff later anyway. The better stuff is much nicer to use and usually lasts for many years. Buy used if you have to, but go for the better stuff.

[LawrencetheMDer]

Agree that Ace 250 is fine machine for fresh water beaches, just don't submerge the control unit. You'll need some type of sand scoop and think of possibilities around the house or make you're own scoop if your beach hunting is limited. But do try the water, just not too deep.

[Brandphic]

Hey! Keep your ace 250 until you have enough cash to get a AT Pro.

[CASPER-2]

A quality sand scoop is going to cost $150.00 - $250.00 all by itself. Beach hunting is expensive. The most inexpensive waterproof FRESHWATER detector is the Garrett AT Pro ($555.00).

...but Terry will tell you too...it can be worth the money -
If you get lucky and just find an average size 14k wedding band - you can pay for that scoop easily
and a couple more and you can get a better salt water machine - Terry has done very well - so has OBN who has well over 100 gold rings this year
...AGAIN!
Depends on the time and commitment your willing to put into it
http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/me...48-albums.html

[maxjayden748]

Hey You can find your ANTP, Tiger shark, and Equinox are worth a lot of money to own

[betterfithomecare]

There are very quickly to find a solution on this section please go head

[Coinboy]

3 words: NOKTA MAKRO SIMPLEX

[Rad1sh]

I would get a Nokta Makro Simplex for fresh water detecting. $250.00 very well spent. Best value currently on the market. Salt water Gets a bit more expensive!

[Irishgoldhound]

I can't imagine anyone paying $250.00 for a sand scoop. My idea is to have one that has NO METAL in it.
I put a broom handle on a plastic scoop for my use. Plastic ties and JB Weld to hold the handle.
Note: I do not go in the water--------------just sandy beaches. I want to be able to scoop while standing and then run my detector over it. I see VIDS of guys W/Metal scoops shaking out the sand and really not knowing whether they have anything or not.
For me a metal scoop would be a time killer.
Marvin
https://www.amazon.com/Garrett-Plast.../dp/B000RZC5AG

I’ve seen videos of guys shaking their scoops like crazy and I shake my head. Proper technique is to check your hole after each scoop not waste time and energy shaking out sand when you don’t even know if the target is in the scoop. Simple scan over the hole every scoop first. A metal scoop for the whole beach is the way to go. Their is no need to scan your scoop either. If it’s not in the whole it’s in your scoop.

[Xraywolf]

Ace functions in wet sand [fresh] just fine, I used to take mine in the water right up to the control housing [which you don't want to dunk]
As everyone else suggests, get a decent sandscoop. I got a beauty from a Ukrainian guy on ebay for under $100 shipped. Pinpointers also come in handy for shallow targets wet or dry, don't even need to scoop.