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As most of you guys noticed I make and sell picks, this all came about from me making picks for myself and other detectorist wanting to know where they could get one. So I would like to know, What are you using? What do you like about it? What do you dislike? What handle length, inches? How about a picture of your pick. Ivan

I am not saying my way is the best or anything like that, but I figure for newcomers at least some idea of what a person might need detecting would be helpful. Click images for larger versions. Steve in the field This is what I look like out detecting. In Alaska I would probably be in a rain jacket and mosquito headnet but things are a bit nicer down south! Main thing to note here is I am using a small camelback style rucksack which serves three purposes. It is my detector support harness, it contains some essential items, and it gives me a quick sip of water when I need it. The GPZ 7000 bungee clips to my right shoulder next to the water tube. The speaker module goes on the left shoulder under my good ear. I pretty much always use the module unless wind forces me to go to headphones. The bungee wanted to pull off my shoulder but I found a simple solution by routing it under the cross strap that connects the shoulder straps. I use the standard GPZ 7000 velcro/clip on the detector itself to attach the bungee. I really like how easy it is to disconnect from the detector while digging, etc. which is also facilitated by the remote speaker. Closeup of bungee routing The rucksack is a freebie I got at the Minelab convention a couple years ago (thanks Minelab). It is an Urban Peak Hybrid Hydropack with 2 liter water capacity and for a item I got quite by chance it turns out to be about perfect for me and my use. My rucksack/bungee harness I use the GPS system built into the GPZ 7000 pretty religiously these days but still am also using my Garmin GPS which is clipped to my left shoulder strap for easy access. You can see in the right hand belt pocket the GPZ 7000 ferrite ring ready to use if I ever need it. Here are the contents of the rucksack: Items in the rucksack The waterproof container in upper left has basic first aid supplies, bandaids, pain killers, moleskin, lighter, emergency blanket/tarp, etc. Next is a plastic baggie with emergency toilet paper. Then a cheap plastic disposable poncho in case I get caught by a sudden downpour. A plastic spoon and a Swiss Army knife. Next row some waterproof first aid tape good for lots of things. Some parachute cord. A Delorme InReach emergency satellite communications device. A digital scale with cover and 10X loupe/magnifier with cover. A Garrett AT Propointer and finally, my camera. Often a spare GPZ battery or food or other items join this stuff but these are the items always with me. I have long been a fan of the White's belt pouch (P/N 601-0066 $14.95). It has three main compartments and two little side compartments with velcro closures. The largest main compartment gets all the trash I find. A smaller compartment has my gold bottle and maybe my camera or a water bottle. The third compartment is a holster for my digging scoop. One of the two side compartments has more emergency toilet paper (can't have too much) and maybe spare AA batteries if I am using a VLF. The belt is nothing special just a nylon utility belt. It has a nylon pick holder mounted to hold my pick when I am not actually using it. Trash and goodie pouch with side compartments Finally, the pick. In Alaska I hunted tailing piles a lot and so favored picks with big hoe digging implements. Now with the GPZ I want the metal at a minimum and I find I do not need a digging hoe so much in the desert and such down south. So this is a Hodan 24" digging pick which does all I need. It has a super magnet stuck on the head, with a small hose clamp placed ahead of it that keeps the magnet from sliding off when I dig aggressively. Digging pick Oh yeah, the gloves. I always wear gloves to protect my hands when digging and just in general. I have had people comment that some of my photos must be staged because my hands are always clean! Anyway, that's about it. I am going to put my camera in a pouch on my left shoulder right under the speaker module so it is always handy. I saw a bunch of antelope recently and the camera was in the rucksack. No good as sometimes you only get seconds for a good photo. Other than that I am pretty happy with my setup. Like I said, it is not what everyone needs and lacks some things some people might need, but it at least offers an idea and suggestion for things to consider. Urban Peak Hybrid Hydropack

At Long last I got some proper Prospecting Picks From back Home in OZ, I have had A Devil of a time trying to get them, In the End A Mate who Makes them sent me 2 and He Has Done a brilliant Job First Rate High Class Picks Thanks to Him I am Almost ready, I took one to the hardware Store and each one I went in Asked what they were, So its no Wonder I had Such a Bugger of a Job Getting them, I Bought A Pick Axe Handle and shaped it to Fit the Pick and then I cut the fat end off, Then I bought some of that Gorilla Glue, My mate said use PVA but I wanted something a bit more Bullet proof, with that Gorilla Glue it tells you to make the Items to be Glued WET/Damp so I did the Handle and in the Steel Cup to, Then I coated the Handle in the Glue and inside the Tube of the Pick then I poured some into that Tube and Pushed the Handle In and gave it a few Wollops with My Hammer and then I wiped off the excess and left it for about 20 minutes, When I went back to it the Glue had expanded Like the expanding Foam, Man that is some Crazy stuff, within 2 hours it was very Hard so I cleaned it up and Put A Screw in the side just to make sure, So Hopefully it will stay put, but it is Tight enough without the Glue or the screw and I spent about 2 hours shaping it to get it right, so if it does come Loose I will stick it in a Tub of water over night and make it swell back up, so All is Good, John

Been too busy during the day light hours to swing a detector so I channeled my energy in to making a couple of new picks in the evenings in my and my neighbors garage. My neighbor is a welder by trade and has all the fun stuff...plasma this and MIG that (a good neighbor to have)! He did the welding and I designed them and hand fit the handles. I used 1/4" AR-400 steel and Ash and Hickory for the handles.... Now I have to get out and see if they can take some abuse. I think the AR-400 should hold up well. They are both 11" long from tip to scraping end and 5" wide at the scraping end. Handles are 26" and 30" long. Both less than 3lbs. Dean

The rake I use for tailing piles and mine dumps is a cultivator rake with a super magnet attached one end and a arm rest and handle the other end. I can move alot of dirt with this setup. The super magnet is your best friend and trashy areas.

So I am in Hawaii. Got the trusty Excallibur2. Finding lots of targets and doing well above the water line. BUT I FAILED TO BRING MY SAND SCOOP! I need pinch hit idea`s for a surf digging tool. Suggestions would be a help. Thanks.

Hi Guys Any advice on what kind of Headphones to get for a F19, and basic digging equipment. I have a sandscoop coming for the beach. What would i need for parks?

Hello all. I'm pretty new to this forum. Great stuff posted by many. My question is: What type of sand scoop do you folks prefer for beach hunting, both ocean and/or river. I saw a guy a while back, on a northern California beach, with a long handled scoop which was driven into the sand like a shovel (by foot). The entire head also pivoted. It appeared to be made of aluminum or stainless steel. Any pictures and or links would be appreciated. Thanks, Mike