I don't use a pinpointer on the beach, I just use my foot to spread out the pile of sand I scoop then narrow the location down using the detector. That said, I always use a pinpointer when hunting on land, especially on permissions. On the beach, we can be a lot "messier" with sand, as long as we fill in our holes. But on dry land, I don't want to be digging huge honking holes so the pinpointer is a must have for me.
As far as digging to China, I've been there brother, and I know your frustration with losing a good signal. In fact, I did a post about that problem several months ago:
Here's a tip for those new to hunting beaches, especially on dry sand. I started hunting beaches probably about 14 or 15 years ago, and in my first year, I was primarily hunting dry sand. There was 1 thing that first year that would drive me nuts. I'd get a good signal, take my first scoop of sand, and dump it out. I'd scan the dumped sand with my detector, no signal, then I'd rescan the hole and the signal was still there. So, I'd take a 2nd scoop, dump it out, run the coil over the sand, no signal, so back to checking the hole, signal was still there. So, I'd take a 3rd scoop, dump it...
But I think I can tell you what's happening with those disappearing signals. When I first started hunting the beaches, there were many times I'd get a good signal, then I'd start digging to China. At some point, the signal totally disappeared. It wasn't in the pile of sand I scooped out, and it was no longer in the hole. During one hunt, I got totally frustrated with one of those disappearing signals and probably due to anger, I shoved my scoop back in the hole and grabbed another bucket full and dumped it. When I ran my coil over that sand, the signal reappeared.
99% of the time that you get a disappearing signal on the beach, I'll bet it's a coin. What happens is the coin is lying flat in the sand when you first detect it. At some point, when you're shoving your scoop in the sand, there are times where the coin doesn't get into the scoop but instead it gets pushed aside and is no longer lying flat. It's now standing rather than lying flat. Once the coin changes from a horizontal to vertical attitude, the detection area of the coin reduces from the circumference of the coin to the width of the coin, which dramatically reduces the chance of detection, especially if the coin is deep in the sand, like 10" or more.
Next time you're digging to China and then lose the signal, don't get frustrated. Just shove your scoop back in the hole and take another bucket full, dump it, and run your coil over that sand. Chances are very good that the signal will have returned, and it will most likely be a coin, or similar shaped target. No pinpointer required, lol.
