Scoop's handle length for snorkeling?

[Maui Mike]

I'll be snorkeling in 3-8 ft water 95% of the time. free diving is no problem,i do it all day at work. What is best?, a very short.. just hand sized handle... longer?... how long.. any thoughts from the pro's would help. I want to buy the correct one. what do you use in this situation? Mahalo Maui Mike

 

[Lou from downunder]

Hello Mike,

I'm an all day snorkeller as well, although its getting bloody cold in my area.

The scoop I have I purchased sight unseen from the same mob I bought my excal from via mail order.
Its not particularly robust, the bottom section being wire mesh, however it came with 2 detatchable handles, a long one suited to wading and a short one that is pretty well useless.
Both however slot into a tube welded to the top of the scoop itself.
This tube makes a perfect handle and this is what I use. I use both hands for excavation, one on top holding the handle and the other on the end pushing as I wiggle it from side to side.

If however the sand is only a few inches deep I prefer to fan it away.
I just love it as the target appears as the sand blows away!
Its also educational to see the angle the targets at.

Cheers Lou.

 

[mynahman]

Mauimike,

I've been MD on and off for about 4yrs and always dug with my hand. My thought was preservation of the coral. Within the last month, I really got the MDing bug and digging by hand became a drag. Today was my first time using a scoop (18" handle stainless) and here are my thoughts.

First off, if I'm in sand ONLY I used the scoop and it was great. I didn't have to spend much time looking for my target and I didn't have to worry about being injected by a contaminated needle.

In areas of rock and sand it was easier to dust the sand away from the target by hand. I did find it cumbersome to hold the scoop in one hand and the detector in the other. When a wave came and hands full, it's hard to keep my balance. Another thing is the detector picked up signals from the scoop, so I need to figure a way to secure the scoop when I don't need it and keep it away from the coil. Since I'm swimming, I think the 18" handle is the way to go.

Also, As I was using my scoop I was thinking of a way I could mount the scoop to the detector handle (compression clips) so I have full use of one hand should I have to grab onto a rock or dust sand away but keep the equipment together.

Mynah

 

[Maui Mike]

Aloha Lou and Mynah.. you both have the in-put i needed to hear. Lou, got a web site for that scoop?.. and Mynah you live Hawaii? and where did you get your scoop Mynah? Mahalo both of you shaka Maui Mike

 

[mynahman]

Got mine from Dale Rohlf, ALL ISLAND TREASURE DETECTORS. He lives in Aiea, Oahu.

Mynah

 

[Maui Mike]

whats that model called? and it's price? Mahalo Mike

 

[Lou from downunder]

Aloha to you too Mike!

The web site your after is mdnsw@bigpond.net.au but... bear in mind I, we are in the land of Oz, transport costs would be a killer and the scoop was'nt that cheap considering that its not even non ferrous! I mean it was a lovely golden colour {anodised?} when I first got it but now its a rusty mess... still, it does a great job. From memory it was about $140 Aud.

For a description, look at the middle picture of the three that Mynah sent you.
Mine is the same wire basket setup with the solid front section but with a half inch band around the rear end as well.
Welded to both the front and rear sections are three legs about 3 inches long, these are welded to a length of tubing 6 inches long that lies along the axis of the scoop, providing a solid handle.
The ends of the 2 detatchable handles are bent at a 45 degree angle and slip into this "handle section" and are secured in place with the same spring loaded locking mechanism that is used on the excal for the shaft or the battery.

I've tried the short, approx 18 inch, handle for snorkelling but found it to be a hindrance.
As stated earlier I dig by a combination of pushing on both the attatched handle and on the rear of the scoop whilst wiggling it from side to side.
If I need a free hand I just drop the scoop. Its not going anywhere on any day thats good enough for detecting.
I have'nt yet but will put a clip on my weight belt to attatch the scoop when over an area of shallow sand and am mostly fanning.

I know a picture is worth a thousand words but as I'm virtually computer illiterate a thousand words will have to suffice for now!
One day soon I'll get my kids, if they ever visit again, to show me how to use their digital camera and how to post photos.
Might be able to brag a bit myself then!

Cheers Lou.