schoolofhardNox Posted February 19, 2023 Share Posted February 19, 2023 I use a small spade for all dry and slope sand. Works great. I also have the Xtreme scoop and carbon fiber handle. Pricey for sure but built extremely well, but it is a lot heavier than the light gauge ones that seem to break at their seems. So if you are not into lugging a heavy scoop on your shoulders, then it may be better to buy a couple of light gauge ones and have your welder on speed dial 😉 Seriously, I have not tried to pry rocks with it, generally scoops don't handle that too well anyhow, but I have buried that scoop as deep as it goes and never had an issue with it. The only issue is being able to pull a full scoop of wet sand up and flip it. That can lead to a sore wrist pretty fast. Hope that gives you an idea of the Xtreme scoop.  2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bootscrape Posted February 20, 2023 Share Posted February 20, 2023 This is the scoop I use here in Oz. They sell for around $US120, so won’t break the bank. Mine has stood up to some heavy work in the tidal rock zone, so I’m happy with its durability. I have added two aids to my fibreglass handle, one a central lifting stem and the other a top mounted Raptor handle both of which let me lift or pull a full scoop from deep sucking holes without straining my wrist and forearm. The Raptor handle also allows me to drag the scoop behind me in my left hand leaving a gridding line in the sand while I’m walking and swinging. Win, win....  6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bootscrape Posted February 20, 2023 Share Posted February 20, 2023 These guys stock them. https://gulfcoastdetector.com/collections/digging-tools-and-scoops 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TampaBayBrad Posted February 20, 2023 Share Posted February 20, 2023 3 hours ago, Bootscrape said:  The Raptor handle also allows me to drag the scoop behind me in my left hand leaving a gridding line in the sand while I’m walking and swinging. Win, win....  That's what I do, too. Otherwise I'd probably be detecting the same ground I had already covered when I turn around to head back to the car. The "line in the sand" is quite useful. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sirius Posted February 20, 2023 Author Share Posted February 20, 2023 17 hours ago, schoolofhardNox said: I use a small spade for all dry and slope sand. Works great. I also have the Xtreme scoop and carbon fiber handle. Pricey for sure but built extremely well, but it is a lot heavier than the light gauge ones that seem to break at their seems. So if you are not into lugging a heavy scoop on your shoulders, then it may be better to buy a couple of light gauge ones and have your welder on speed dial 😉 Seriously, I have not tried to pry rocks with it, generally scoops don't handle that too well anyhow, but I have buried that scoop as deep as it goes and never had an issue with it. The only issue is being able to pull a full scoop of wet sand up and flip it. That can lead to a sore wrist pretty fast. Hope that gives you an idea of the Xtreme scoop.  I've already put a home depot iron rod on my currently broken scoop so it's probably 4-5 Lbs right now. I think that xtreme scoop would be an improvement! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dsb Posted March 19, 2023 Share Posted March 19, 2023 I bought a used RTG scoop with a stainless tip. I get through the gravely sand fine plus if i can wiggle a bigger rock easy just wiggle some more and they come loose most of the time. If it don't move your just trashing your scoop. I detct fresh water only and have around 200 hours on a used scoop pic is not mine but still in good shape. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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