Which Sand Scoop Should I Get?

[Detecting with CM]

Which sand scoop should I get? Maybe preferably one with a 48" handle so as to be able to be used in the water. 

[PhaseTech]

Quest Scoopal. Install any handle you want as it uses U brackets to attach, so you are not locked in to a specific size like nearly every other scoop that uses a tube. It's a good mid size too, not too small, not too big. 

[F350Platinum]

It really depends on how much weight you want to carry, and what sort of sand you're going to be scooping. 

Stainless steel scoops are heavy, especially those that are 2mm thick steel, but they're great for pebbly rivers and beaches. The one mentioned above is fine, and there are many others, some far less expensive, some far more. The low end is about $150.

For fine sand up to pebbles and to save weight you can get a titanium scoop, usually they are 1.5mm thick. They're pretty tough but you don't want to lever rocks with them. The low end is about $250.

For either one there are many shafts available, wood, stainless, aluminum, carbon fiber. Some come with the scoop, or are an add on.

Steve's Detector Rods makes custom carbon fiber shafts for many scoops. 

Personally I have a CooB Shark V10 2mm stainless on a Steve's 48 inch carbon fiber shaft, and a Dune Titanium scoop on another.

For river current hunting and sometimes longshore current, I wish more people would make longer shafts, about 60", but they are expensive to ship.

The CooB setup weighs about 5 pounds, and the Dune weighs about 2.

You also might want an assist handle, I use Raptor handles I get from Amazon. It really helps picking up the scoop,  and acts as a direction pointer in murky water.

[Joe Beechnut OBN]

Where are you hunting, type of hunting planned .. fresh drops.. old beaches.. wetsand.. water .. dry...rocks... And your budget? 

I've found in my little world of detecting, Me.. I need two scoops. One for the old beaches where targets are deep, and a scoop for fresh drop beaches (shallows). Having the right scoop for the job can save you time and... for some of us... time can go fast and you want to make the most of every second.

[rvpopeye]

Decide how much wet sand you want to lift many times before you pick the size. 

[Tony]

This is my opinion only but try and test out whether you prefer a "V" or "U" style leading front edge and base. I say this because I found that in firmer packed sand and shell, the "V" style tends to roll to one side easily when taking that first bite....it kind of pivots on the "V" whereas the "U" style stabilises more readily when you set it on the sea floor. I can recall rolling my foot and ankle many times when I had the "V" style. Like I said, test before you buy. Others are perfectly happy with either style. The "U" style also takes a wider initial bite due to the shape.

Just my personal take only........coming from a seasoned professional who just got washed out to sea.😗

 

[Doc Bach]

So I was going to start a new and similar topic but decided to plug into this one instead.

I am looking to purchase a high quality scoop not so much for detecting but for wading and digging for Native American artifacts in a couple of very productive waterways that I have been working for the last fifty years or so.

Using a long handled shovel is a little cumbersome and tiring so I'm trying to improve my game.

Have been looking at T-REX,COOB,CKG and EXTREME scoops and even Merrills Honey Badger but I am leaning towards Extreme Titanium all terrain because of the weight factor.

The soil conditions are somewhat harsh with a mix of mud, clay and a lot of rock and tree roots so I need a more aggressive and less rounded point and would like some advice as to whether or not the Titanium will standup to a lot prying and abuse or do I need to go with the much heavier stainless steel?

Also the smaller the size of the drain holes the better in order not to lose some of the smaller shell and trade beads that are often encountered even though I will be classifying the material in the altered Tube Tubb that I refitted with 1/4" wire mesh to catch the beads and make the small delicate obsidian points and tools much easier to see.

 

[skywatcher]

Good day

 

 You can get dune lochness mini its an all round scoop will last u a lifetime if you maintain it. The Dune kraken is also good but will depend on your beaches terrain  if you need pointy V scoop or  round shovel shaped or in between.

[F350Platinum]

53 minutes ago, skywatcher said:

Good day

 

 You can get dune lochness mini its an all round scoop will last u a lifetime if you maintain it. The Dune kraken is also good but will depend on your beaches terrain  if you need pointy V scoop or  round shovel shaped or in between.

I think that is the titanium scoop I have. 👍 Put it on a 48" SteveG carbon fiber shaft with a raptor handle. ~2 pounds. It compliments the XP 9" coil.

https://seriousdetecting.com/collections/dune-scoops/products/dune-scoops-loch-ness-mini-9-x-6-titanium-metal-detector-sand-scoop

They seem to be out of stock.