Anyone else not use a sandscoop and 2014 strategy

[Dave The Slave]

Stage 1, currently using my original Bounty Hunter Tracker IV, on dry sand. Hoping to find enough to buy Garrett Ace 250.
Stage 2, mid September moving onto the wet sand as the beach empties of holiday makers and using recently bought CS4PI to find deeper and older items.
Stage 3, hopefully searching inland with an Ace 250 for the historical items.

As you can see I detect on a budget, equipment upgrades have to be funded with finds. Since I got back into this last year have been using a wooden/plastic kids spade on the beach. The Tracker IV has good pinpointing, normally take out a spade full of sand run the detector over the spade, more often than not find is on spade, if deeper same method again. This works for me. Does anyone else not use a scoop ?
Started detecting earlier this year, last year just school summer holidays, so am already up on last year. When going onto the wet sand will have to try garden spade, a scoop will not be affordable. anyone else detecting on a budget ??
Normally do a 2hr session with a target of 10 coins and a total value of £2+. Always a relief to find that first £1 coin.
Regardless of what I find this hobby is so enjoyable and addictive.
Good Luck everyone,
Dave.

[beaubrummell]

Hi
There's quite a few Youtube videos showing guys making home made scoops. There has been a few such topics on this forum too so you may be able to make one for next to nothing.

Don't detect on beaches myself, hope to one day. Good luck.

[roamingrob]

I have tried using a scoop a couple of times on the beach and just can get on with it. so I use a mini spade, works well for me. Rob

[rockape]

I remember watching clip on u tube where a chap had made a scoop for his son out of a plastic jug (the sort u can get in a pound shop) and he had pierced holes in it all over the bottom and half way up the sides which meant that just a couple of shakes and the dry sand came tumbling out of all the collander-like holes leaving the prize if any in the jug. A child was using it perfectly and so if I ever go on the beach I would construct a 'Jug-Scoop' for my own use
HH
Rockape

[Owain 1405]

I detect on a budget & do beaches without need for scoop, just use mini spade. I'm from the old school where if I cant afford it I save up or do without. If I need any extra bits of kit, I let family members get me them for, fathers day, birthdays Christmas etc, if its an expensive item I just get a couple of them to club together. Beats getting another pair of socks

[jonbradley]

I just bought a horse feed scoop from amazon £5 delivered, and drilled a bunch of holes in it.

[geomorphicmat]

Dave,
MAPLINS do a plastic sand scoop for only 5 quid (paid for in a couple of sessions!)- excellent on dry sand and quick at retrieving items. I've found this to be better than a spade.

I generally use a short spade for the wet sand although your back can ache at the end of a session.
At 80 quid plus for a good scoop I find them too expensive unless you're doing the beach regularly (not me).

All the best. Matt

[Koala]

+1 for the Maplin scoop not worth making one at that price. Works well in the dry sand

Need a spade with a point grinding on it for some beaches to push the stones out of the way.

[Emrys]

Stage 1, currently using my original Bounty Hunter Tracker IV, on dry sand. Hoping to find enough to buy Garrett Ace 250.
Stage 2, mid September moving onto the wet sand as the beach empties of holiday makers and using recently bought CS4PI to find deeper and older items.
Stage 3, hopefully searching inland with an Ace 250 for the historical items.

As you can see I detect on a budget, equipment upgrades have to be funded with finds. Since I got back into this last year have been using a wooden/plastic kids spade on the beach. The Tracker IV has good pinpointing, normally take out a spade full of sand run the detector over the spade, more often than not find is on spade, if deeper same method again. This works for me. Does anyone else not use a scoop ?
Started detecting earlier this year, last year just school summer holidays, so am already up on last year. When going onto the wet sand will have to try garden spade, a scoop will not be affordable. anyone else detecting on a budget ??
Normally do a 2hr session with a target of 10 coins and a total value of £2+. Always a relief to find that first £1 coin.
Regardless of what I find this hobby is so enjoyable and addictive.
Good Luck everyone,
Dave.

i have an old sand scoop complete with wooden handle you can have if you want it (for free )
if you live anywhere devon then let me know if you want to pick it up
i dont know how much it would cost to post as its a bit heavy hence why you can have it as im only a little shortie and a pain for me to drag around the sand when my pockets are full of quids lol

[pommy]

Hi i don't use a sand scoop i use a spade that I got from Wilkinsons for a fiver I put a post on here about it i find it easier to use you don't have to bend over so much

[pasttarg]

easy to make a scoop from a grass seed scattering container .you just need to bevel the front end and drill the holes in the plastic ,they work good

[Dave The Slave]

Hello Emrys,
Thanks for the generous offer of the sand scoop. I will have to decline having decided to go down the spade route. Basically when I put this post on, I was just curious as to whether anyone else did not use a scoop.
Any way for making the offer, you should get lots of finds
Good Luck.
Dave.

[Titus Pantus]

Hi Emrys, I could put your scoop to good use if you are happy to let it go. I would only need the scoop as I have got a length of SS tubing from work to use as a handle. I have sent you a PM. Thanks

[Dino - UK]

Evolution pro scoop for me, spades are a total waste of time on wet sand when the holes are filling with water.

[Nailman]

We have access to a static caravan so only go beach detecting 2-3 times a year.
Maplin sand scope is spot on I purchased a cheap long handled stainless steel garden trowel from a supermarket.

Would love a PI machine for the wet stuff but can't justify the price against lack of use.