Equipment needed for starting to treasure hunt.

[Doowop Dave]

Hi Everyone,

I'm new to the hobby of metal detecting and treasure hunting. I live in Melbourne Fl. I've recently semi retired and after watching youtube I'm hooked on getting into the hobby. There is so much to learn about metal detecting I need advice on what to buy to get started. There is so many types of machines I would welcome any information anyone can give me. I'm in great condition for an old man and so is my significant other. She and I will be most interested in detecting on the beaches in shallow water. We're not looking to become millionaires, we just want to have some fun and a little excitement dong something we can both enjoy. Please let me know if you have any advice for a new pair of rookies...Thanks in advance. Doowop Dave

 

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[against the wind]

Welcome to the forum from Port Allegheny, Pennsylvania.

 

[against the wind]

If you are going to be doing salt water and sand,, go with the Equinox 800 and a good 2 piece sand scoop.

 

[Mudflap]

Welcome Doowop Dave from CT. Great hobby. Your gonna love it. Great folks on here and always willing to help.

And NO... I won't trade any of my Skyliners LPs for metal detectors,,,,, grin

 

[firemanphob]

Welcome from Indiana

 

[Doowop Dave]

Thanks for the advice. I'll look into it.

 

[Terry Soloman]

The nice thing about the Minelab Equinox 600, is it works on a saltwater beach, freshwater, dirt, dry sand, pretty much anywhere, because it is a multi-frequency detector. It is lightweight and waterproof. Look for a lightweight aluminum sandscoop, like a https://www.kellycodetectors.com/catalog/6-extra-heavy-duty-stainless-steel-sand-scoop

 

[RustyGold]

Welcome to TreasureNet Doowop Dave. Either the Minelab Equinox 600 or 800, see differences here:https://www.minelab.com/community/treasure-talk/equinox-600-vs-equinox-800
Good luck to you both!

 

[vpnavy]

Welcome Aboard! Take a look at Forum: Florida for information (i.e., clubs, etc.) directly related to your state.

 

[teleprospector]

Welcome!
Jon from s/e Michigan
I would suggest the Minelab Equinox 600, a good sand scoop and a waterproof pin pointer. I use the Garrett carrot pin pointer in and out of the water and I never have had any issues with it.
I also suggest for a detector the White's sport, not sure how well the salt tracking feature works, but on my White's MXT it works fine on the salt water sand areas.
The equinox and sport are waterproof to 10' depth but you will need to get the waterproof headphones for the Equinox if you want to dive over your head, and if you are going in past your waist into the water I suggest fully waterproof headphones.
The meters on the detectors are hard to read once they are under water so you will need a quality diver mask to read them, or goggles. If I'm gonna dive tho I don't use goggles.
Hope this helps,
Jon

 

[Rookster]

Welcome to tnet from Mississippi

 

[Metal Detecting Stuff]

Welcome, looks like you are getting good advice from the members above. I'm a sponsoring dealer on Treasurenet, I'm currently using the Minelab Equinox 800 and the Xtreme scoop. Give me a shout if I can help in your decision, I offer some great packages for Tnet members.

Wayne
(832) 928-9135
www.metaldetectingstuff.com

 

[DeepseekerADS]

I have the EQ800. But when I go in the water, my Excal II is the machine I trust.

 

[Doowop Dave]

Thank you.

 

[Doowop Dave]

Welcome to TreasureNet Doowop Dave. Either the Minelab Equinox 600 or 800, see differences here:https://www.minelab.com/community/treasure-talk/equinox-600-vs-equinox-800
Good luck to you both!

Thanks for the great info.!

 

[Doowop Dave]

what kind of package can you make for an Equinox 600 that would include a pin pointer?

 

[RustyGold]

You would just have to ask one of our sponsors if they can bundle a deal. Although, if you going to beach hunt, in the dry and damp sand, then a sand scoop should come before the pinpointer. The easy digging in the sand with the scoop usually doesn’t necessitate the need for a pinpointer. Hard ground is a different wheelhouse where it’s usually beneficial to have a good pinpointer.

 

[Mackaydon]

Dave, I gave you a LIKE just for bringing back great memories: Doowop--though you don't look that old to have had that experience with Doowop.
Don........

 

[A2coins]

Welcome from Mi Tommy

 

[Doowop Dave]

Dave, I gave you a LIKE just for bringing back great memories: Doowop--though you don't look that old to have had that experience with Doowop.
Don........

Thanks for the kind words, but I'm older then I look. I was in one of Alan Freed's rock and roll shows back in 1958 in NYC.