What's the best sand scoop + handle that you'd recommend?

[abcoin]

I'm looking at getting a new sand scoop and I'd love some recommendations.

I realize that "best" has different meanings for everyone, so here's my situation:

• I mostly hunt sandy salt-water beaches in the warmer months, though I'm trying to get more into river hunting for old coins/relics. I want a scoop that can handle both environments.
• I've used a couple of cheap aluminum scoops that bent/broke easily. As a result, I want the next scoop and handle that I buy to be rock-solid. I don't want to have to worry about buying a replacement for a long, long time. If the price is high, I'll pay it.
• I travel a fair amount, so a handle that break down and easily fits into a suitcase would be great.

I've been looking hard at Xtreme scoops, particularly the stainless steel Surfmaster Plus with the three-piece travel handle. I'm open to other suggestions if you feel there's something better out there, though. Thanks!

 

[WaterWalker]

My present scoop is the Extreme Titanium. Very light in weight and very tough for digging. My first scoop (bought in 1992) was Stainless Steel. Very heavy but Titanium was not available back then. Three times I had to have a new digging point welded on to replace worn out ones. The weight got to be unbearable at my age (over 75 years) and the only answer to improve my detecting experience was to spring the big bucks for the Titanium scoop with the optional 54 inch carbon fiber handle. I also bought a 3 piece travel handle that packs in my baggage when I travel. My only wish is that I could have bought the titanium scoop 50 years ago. One other plus of the Titanium scoop with carbon fiber is that the handle tends to float and therefore I do not have to have the scoop tethered to my body, the stainless steel scoop & handle would sink. I know of two detectorists that lost their scoops while salt water hunting. That is the reason that I tethered mine, I do not need to tether the carbon fiber and scoop.