Well, I don't know anything about the situation with PI Rat, but I do have a
Stealth 720i scoop with 48" wood handle and the lift assist handle.
I use it in the wet sand and I really like it. I like that it's big. That gives me
a choice between digging a full scoop so I can go deep quickly, or digging
a shallow, wide scoop that's lighter weight when I think my target is shallow.
I should also point out that I'm tall (6'6", or about 198 centimeters to you
non-Americans), and the 48" handle works fine. I got the short handle because
I didn't think the longer handle would permit me to store the scoop in my
Camry's trunk. (And now that I have it, I think I was right.)
However, I'm only detecting in wet sand and shallow water, up to about ankle
deep. If I start detecting in waist deep or shoulder deep water, maybe I'll
regret the shorter handle. I'll find out soon, now that the hot weather is
starting.
By the way, I don't use the 720i in dry sand. It's much easier to use a
smaller, metal hand scoop for that. But in the wet sand, I really do like
my 720i. I strongly recommend the lift assist handle to make it easier
to lift heavy loads of wet sand. It eases the strain on the hands nicely.
--Tom