Well , I did read the whole thread....(As well as a bunch more since I joined the forum!).
My advice is wait. Then get the one phrunt has been using , you share similar soil. And it solves the import problem too !
I detected for 30 years without a pinpointer , or a sand scoop , and didn't have one built into the detector...
I made screens . big screens , little screens ,floating screens with 1/8" , 1/4" Hardware Cloth mostly , figured 1/2" would lose too many smalls.. I have seen some that use plastic screen but never tried it figuring it wouldn't last too long but it is a good idea if you want to use a PINPOINTER in it Skuh kuh kuh kuh kuh
Usually wood framed and the floaters just added pool noodles to the sides.
Gigmaster in Fla. has some U-Boob vids of some floaters that he made with PVC.
Even without anything but a shovel or one of mom's old garden trowels , I could still pick through or spread out the sand/dirt and use the detector if I couldn't see the target.
Having one now , I do think it speeds things up , especially when I miss the target with the hole and probe the sides to find which way to go.
I have bad elbows from hefting too many amplifiers and speaker cabinets so prefer smaller lighter tools and chose my sand scoop and shovel size because of it.
OK , I'm popeye size too (I've seen you describe yourself as more the Bluto type so just adjust to your preference ...)
I envy you folks down in NZ and Aus for the population density.
More unfound targets and less people looking...as we say up in MY neck of the woods OH AYUH !