scoops with multiple size holes?

Smoogle · Jan 26, 2012

well having lost the odd target and replaying "it may have been gold" in my mind for too long.... it is time to upgrade to a bigger beast. I've been using a 5" prostock and it has and still is practical and hardy with uniform 9 ish mm sq holes (from memory) - but I'm considering a Stavr Monstrik-6 due to the smaller size holes and scoop load size- they are consistent in size all over, I have a little shell grit to contend with so I would be sorting through on the odd occasion - any thoughts from those who have one?
I also like the stealth 8 but am wondering because they have now got rid of that front section of small holes in their new models saying on their site that clearing was not effective in that region of the scoop,
Why would a scoop have small hole areas in various places - as the heavies sift down surely some small items miss the small holes escaping through the bigger ones - would it not depend where the item was relative to the scoop inside the sand load - I can't see the point? - especially for those vertical lift scoops that seems to self clear as a heavy load is lifted or hand hopped up?

Sandman · Jan 26, 2012

I really like the small holes up front in my Stealth scoop. Granted the area isn't very big up front but most of the material sifts thru the larger holes in back on a straight lift. If something light falls thru it mostly lands near the surface of the sand on the bottom where it might be seen. A gentle scoop with just the point picks up these tiny charms and earring studs. I've epoxied magnets behind the small holes to keep small items up front. But everyone is different and I've seen guys that handle the scoops like gorilla's heaving back on the handle like they were trying to break it. This is the type scoop that works for me with my type bottom material.

Treasure_Hunter · Jan 26, 2012

I looked at my scoop at the angle it is at as I hold the scoop when lifting, and then I attached a piece of the aluminum screening you use for rain gutters. I attached the piece of the aluminum screening to the bottom 1/4 of my scoop where the final sand and water drains from when lifted. I attached it to the bottom 1/4 of my scoop where the last of the sand and water drains from when lifted as it is held at an angle due to the handle. I have captured several earring studs this way.....

snooksion · Jan 26, 2012

new sunspot is way way better than the older ones 1/4 holes.and the sand sifts out faster.also tiny splitshots and small studs i now find when i never found with the old one.

Sandman · Jan 26, 2012

We will never be satisfied with which ever size holes our scoops have. I found the scoops with the smaller holes hold a lot more shells and small rocks in the basket. Just depends on the bottom material. I sometimes get some clay or marl in the basket an this doesn't sift out. But Sunspot does have a new handle that I am going to order, see below. This will allow more of a point downward with out getting your mug in the water while leaning forward. You still lift straight up.
http://www.gold-scoop.com/hybrid-handle.html :thumbsup:

I still think I would be happy with a Miller scoop with a Sunspot basket. I love that handle. Years ago I floated a screen sifter to place the material in while I waded but then had to carry that back to the van while I worked the dry sand on the way back.