Figure we have a good water scoop thread going. Lets see what everyone uses for the dry stuff. I would like something that drains fast, breaks down for travel and is built well.
Excal 1000, Excal II, Sovereign GT, CZ-20, Tiger Shark, Tejon, GTI 1500, Surfmaster Pulse, CZ6a, DFX, AT PRO, Fisher 1235, Surf PI Pro, 1280-X, many more because I enjoy learning them. New Garrett Ca
The biggest trouble with breaking scoops down for travel is usually the handle locks up from sand and saltwater. I like the RGT Beachmaster scoop for dry sand and some wet sand digging. It is light weight but strong enough for wading however the basket is too small for the water (6 in.)
Some guys like to bend over with them one hand sifters and others like the longer handles for pushing in with your foot.
Another vote for the RTG scoop. I have one with a steel bar across the back of the screen. Strong enough to step on, but the screening clears dry sand out in a heck of a hurry.
I have seen video of VA Beach Max using a lightweight long handled scoop. Where he simply pushes the scoop in with his foot and then lifts & flings the material out in front of the excavation using both his arm to lift and his foot to quickly spread material in front of excavation. He scans the hole to verify he has moved the target and then locates the target in the "debri field" either visually or with his detector, then he quickly picks the item up with lip of his scoop.The whole operation took only seconds and involved no bending over or shaking of the scoop to clear sand.
Heres a link to video if anyone would like to watch it.
Good video of Max hunting...... Max is an expert, it was because of correspondence with Max and Sandman, that I first got turned on to how great a Sovereign GT is at a beach, Max told me how great the SOV is with the WOT coil added, especially when your not going in the water deep. I currently use the Sov GT with the SEF 15x18 inch Butterfly when hunting just the wet sand area.......
When in the wet sand I dig target, empty the scoop on ground, when target is no longer in hole I spread the pile with my foot then scan it again and kick section with target, then recover target..... That method works in wet sand where the water isn't flowing and receding over target your working, it want work if it is, and want work well in dry sand either....
Can anybody tell me how or what Max uses to attach his scoop to his belt. It looks like some sort of hook, but I cannot see close up on the video to see exactly how or what he uses to carry it. Thanks.
Excal 1000, Excal II, Sovereign GT, CZ-20, Tiger Shark, Tejon, GTI 1500, Surfmaster Pulse, CZ6a, DFX, AT PRO, Fisher 1235, Surf PI Pro, 1280-X, many more because I enjoy learning them. New Garrett Ca
He mainly hunts the wet sand or "Lane" as he puts it so his method works best for him. If he had waves washing over his hole he would just hold the scoop in the water to let the waves do the work to sift the sand out, then lift his find. So the screen is a plus for letting the water do the work. In the dry sand a screen type scoop can have the item clear of sand by the time you pick it up to your other hand to slip in your pouch without studying it for all to see.
Excal 1000, Excal II, Sovereign GT, CZ-20, Tiger Shark, Tejon, GTI 1500, Surfmaster Pulse, CZ6a, DFX, AT PRO, Fisher 1235, Surf PI Pro, 1280-X, many more because I enjoy learning them. New Garrett Ca
Can anybody tell me how or what Max uses to attach his scoop to his belt. It looks like some sort of hook, but I cannot see close up on the video to see exactly how or what he uses to carry it. Thanks.