New to the Hobby, Purchasing White's Surf PI

[CrestviewFLHunter]

I have been thinking about getting into metal detecting for awhile. I will be mainly detecting beach areas and am purchasing a White Surf PI.

I was wondering what other accessories I need.

Scoop
Belt Pouch
Coil Cover??
Coil Support

Any other suggestions?

Also does anyone hunt the Pensacola to Destin areas? That is where I will be doing a major portion of my detecting.

Thanks

James

 

[Mat in MA]

[size=medium]Welcome to the forum and metal detecting.. I have a White's Surfmaster PI and it's a great unit. You'll be digging all kinds of junk as well as the good stuff as a PI doesn't discriminate, but with time you'll get to know the different sounds.

You will need a scoop for sure. If you plan on working the dry sand to and into the surf at the 'moms edge' then a wire mesh scoop is what you need. Beach sand goes through it much quicker when it's dry.

If your going knee deep and beyond up to chest deep water, then you'll need a good sturdy scoop. There are plenty of them around. See what you can afford and get something that won't break the first time you use it. Stainless steel cost more, but it's worth it as it is more durable. Also be sure there is a brace connecting the basket to the handle as this reinforces the scoop. The one I have also has a foot pad where I can push it into the sand, almost like using a shovel.

Anything else other than that is optional. Some people use a waist belt that can carry their lunch, camera, additional tools and a bottle of something to drink. I can't see carrying all that stuff when I can just go back to the car and get what I need. If you carry a digital camera just be sure it's waterproof or in a waterproof case.

Good luck and Happy Hunting!!!

 

[Excal1]

James, I live in Navarre and hunt those areas. On the scoop, call Jack at Treasure Finders in Ft Walton Beach on Walter-Martin Rd. 244-3744. Send me an email at bgaston1@vzw.blackberry.net.
Happy Hunting.
I also have a White's PI Pro, I split the hunting time with my Excalibur 1000.
As far as things you need:
waterproof finds bag
Scoop
water shoes or dive shoes from local dive shop (if most of your hunting will be in warm water-just regular water shoes)
Polarized sun glasses with a around the neck glasses holder. so the waves don't knock them off.
That's about it except for towel and detector (fresh set of batteries)
Jack has a mesh bag at his shop that I use and I love it. Oh, also a web belt to hold the bag.
Yeah, and plenty of fluids to drink.

 

[Terry SoCal]

Hi James,
I use a fishing vest to carry my extra stuff. Extra batteries, magnifying glass, dry cloth, cell phone, camera, flashlight, water. Critical items are placed in zip lock bags. The yellow plastic bottle is zipped into a pocket and used for gold rings.
HH Terry