First, welcome! Myth#1 you need an expensive machine. No, you don't. You need a machine that is operational, there are a lot of machines, especially used ones you can get for $300. My favorite would be a Tesoro Cibola. I have had one for 8 years now. It is very capable. Check out Ebay for a used one. Some of the Garretts and other Tesoro models are very good also. I can't comment on some other brands in the same price range as I haven't used them. I had a White's a long time ago but don't know their product line these days.
Myth #2 You need all the gear to go with the detector. No, you don't. For years and years and years and even more years I used a WWII army shovel my dad had brought back from the war. It did great. The little camping shovels at places like Walmart work well also. When I got into deep woods sites I started using a full sized garden shovel, and I still do. You can't do that in a lawn, but on private property with permission in the woods, it works well. I also used a Buck Knife for a long time. I finally broke it. Pinpointer: No, don't need one at all. I detected for over 30 years before I got one. Before I bought my first one I would hold a handful of dirt up to the loop when I thought I had the target and when the machine beeped I checked my hand and retrieved the item, and I still use this method. I tend to temporarily lose my two pinpointers constantly. Carry bag: Why bother? I shove the machine in the truck and take off. Time wasted putting the machine in and out of the bag and sometimes my machines look like they were in WWII in the mud! Knee pads: No. Carry belt, I got one from the hunting store 25 years ago and still have it - somewhere.
You don't have to go nuts and get everything out there. Check out reviews and videos, be careful of videos, they can be made to show exactly what the video producer wants you to see. If there is a dealer anywhere near you, you might check them out for their recommendations.
Good luck and happy hunting. It is addictive. I ought to know.
