new to the game....

[bjjprincess]

I have never used a metal detector before and was wondering which is the best for the beach. I'm very interested in the hobby and hope to pursue it in the future. I would like something easy to use and understand.

 

[Joel-Winnipeg]

Your best bet is to read all the excellent past post for some good info.
It's a great library of useful wisdom. Many good posters on this forum.

 

[tvr]

Yes ... read a lot.
Some questions to consider:
What can you budget for a detector?
Are you near the beach?
Fresh water or salt water beach?
How important is light weight vs a little heavier?
Does it need to be new or is used OK for you?
Do you want to get into the water and dig with a large scoop?
Is there a metal detecting club near by that you can go to some meetings and get some tips, hands on help and an opportunity to try some detectors before buying?
If you are near a larger resort town / beach, there may be some rental detectors available to try before you buy.

All that said ... if I assume:
You don't want to spend $1,000 but a few hundred is OK.
You are fairly close to a salt water beach.
Doesn't have to be the lightest but needs to work well.
Used is OK.
You don't think you want to jump into the water with a detector and large scoop yet.
You want to just do it and not get with a club right now.
Then you may want to consider a Fisher CZ5, CZ6a, CZ7, CZ70, pretty much any CZ. They aren't the lightest, but are easy to learn, deep, handle the wet salt sand areas extremely well and don't care if you crisscross the wet to dry sand, you won't need to readjust settings. You just won't be able to jump into the water with one. I just watched a very clean looking CZ5 sell on-line for $280 plus $17 shipping. If you want to go with a different detector later, you don't loose much reselling a CZ.

If my assumptions are wrong; read ... and let us know more about what are leaning towards.
Oh ... and welcome aboard!
tvr

 

[Sanddigger]

n/t

 

[harvdog42]

Welcome aboard. Tvr covered just about all the technicalities fluently. I agree with him...you just about can't go wrong with a Fisher. They are easy to use, relatively inexpensive and will find you treasure.

Now for the mental side. I think it is essential that you enjoy the hunt regardless of what you find. If you are just out there to find something valuable then this hobby will probably disappoint you. I found about a buck fifty today and nothing else...but I enjoyed the heck out of the hunt. I always show curious kids what I have found. They really don't seem to care what you have found but the more old and crusty it looks the more they seem to like it.

By the way, the gold, in my experience, seems to come out when it wants to...not when you want it to.

Harvdog

 

[hunter 18]

Tvr you are right on the nail
harvdog
the gold, in my experience, seems to come out when it wants to...not when you want it to.
Have fun enjoy the time.( (Patience and determination will yield treasure))