I have been detecting for about 20 years now, I started as a Cub Scout activity with my son. Although 20 years is not that long ago, back then (at least in the Southern CA area) metal detecting was not that popular and in our area had a social stigma attached to it in that it was reserved for the retired old guy who wandered the beach in black socks, sandals and giant headphones (you know the cartoon caricature). In fact back then if you were young and metal detecting you got strange looks, my son actually quit when he was a teen as it was not the way to attract the young cute girls at the beach!
Well things have really changed, now when we head to the beach we literally have to drive for miles to find a spot where there is not someone already detecting. On the 4th of July the beach is the most crowded day of the year, so of course our usual plan is to head down on the 5th and see what we can find. This year to my surprise when we arrived at sunrise we counted 19 people already detecting, and that was on one little section of beach....it looked like a meet-up event. We decided to jump into the mix and try to carve out our spot. As we were roaming around we would talk to the others and found most were there at midnight! But what stood out was over half were swinging Minelab Equinox 600's. I used to think we had a competitive advantage as my son and I were some of the first to get our Nox's early this year.....Well so much for that! It was nearly impossible to get in front of the group and detect fresh sand. Prior to the Nox I would say most of the detectors I saw were lower-end Whites and Garrett only the very serious were using the expensive Minelab CTX and Excalibur. But with the price point and quality of the 600 it is clearly becoming the detector of choice and more people can now buy into a very capable detector which also works in the wet.
So I look at the Nox as a good and bad thing for us, we have found more good treasure with them than our prior detectors ever did but the increased competition has started to impact that. In fact in just the past few trips to the beach we have already noticed less and less targets. Southern CA is a great place to live due to the climate and year-round detecting, but dealing with all the people and now the treasure hunting competition it is really frustrating. I can only imagine what our experience will be a year from now.
Is anyone else experiencing this?
Well things have really changed, now when we head to the beach we literally have to drive for miles to find a spot where there is not someone already detecting. On the 4th of July the beach is the most crowded day of the year, so of course our usual plan is to head down on the 5th and see what we can find. This year to my surprise when we arrived at sunrise we counted 19 people already detecting, and that was on one little section of beach....it looked like a meet-up event. We decided to jump into the mix and try to carve out our spot. As we were roaming around we would talk to the others and found most were there at midnight! But what stood out was over half were swinging Minelab Equinox 600's. I used to think we had a competitive advantage as my son and I were some of the first to get our Nox's early this year.....Well so much for that! It was nearly impossible to get in front of the group and detect fresh sand. Prior to the Nox I would say most of the detectors I saw were lower-end Whites and Garrett only the very serious were using the expensive Minelab CTX and Excalibur. But with the price point and quality of the 600 it is clearly becoming the detector of choice and more people can now buy into a very capable detector which also works in the wet.
So I look at the Nox as a good and bad thing for us, we have found more good treasure with them than our prior detectors ever did but the increased competition has started to impact that. In fact in just the past few trips to the beach we have already noticed less and less targets. Southern CA is a great place to live due to the climate and year-round detecting, but dealing with all the people and now the treasure hunting competition it is really frustrating. I can only imagine what our experience will be a year from now.
Is anyone else experiencing this?
I helped any one who had questions ranging from my Equinox won't find a half on edge - wrong, to my ctx won't find a 6 inch deep half silver dollar, nice "custom" program- not 
My favorite one was get a brand new Equinox turn it on for the first time and walk onto the hunt field, now that was a steep learning curve. Then there are the old hands that clean house, you will probably see all 4 examples on the beach Eric, just be in the last group!!
When I have you and Frank out there I always have to try and step up my game. I’m playing in the sand the rest of the week except Saturday. Hope to see you out there on Sunday. (Should have taken my detector on the way to Ensenada today. Those beaches looked inviting).