Update as at 1 July 2014

Time for an update on what has been happening.

My BeachSandScoop Miami did turn up in the end. Apparently, the online order did not go through properly and it wasn't until I emailed them directly (not emailing through website) that they realised I had made an order.

The scoop did work a treat though and was very easy to use on the beach. It does weigh 2kg which is about the same as other competitors.

Our first outing with it was with the Brisbane Metal Detecting Club. The put on a beach day at Broadbeach and The Spit on the Gold Coast. This was my first beach detecting day and I think I learned quite a lot in the short time we spent. Alicia took her EuroTek Pro and I took my CTX 3030.

We didn't find much in the 3hrs spent detecting. 20c in total which was a 10c and 2 x 5c. There wasn't too much junk either which made think the beaches were fairly clean. I know the tractors come along and sweep the beaches first thing in the morning so they obviously do quite a good job.

Sorry, no pictures taken.

What's Happening With My BeachSandScoop Order?

What's happening with my BeachSandScoop Miami order? Well, I wish I knew.

• Ordered on 8 May 2014 (Site states there are 6 in stock)
• Credit Card billed on 12 May
• 2 emails sent because the Site says "Pending"
• No reply from store whatsoever
• 18 May, site still says "Pending"

Rather crappy customer service if you tell me. I have no idea if the product is already on its way. Very tempted to cancel the order.

I blogged about them, I put a "Like" on their Facebook page when I first ordered. Hope they read this blog.

Coiltek 10x5 - CTX3030 Coil

Utilising the Minelab CTX technology this coil is fully approved and tested to the highest standard. Now offering more choice for the CTX3030 user the 10 x 5" coil provides excellent sensitivity and target separation complementing the detectors ability. Fully submersible to 3 metres this coil matches the detectors submersible capabilities. This coil makes pinpointing easy, conveying an accurate location for fast retrieval.

Size: 242mm x 138mm Weight: 479g / 16.9oz

Official release date is 16 June 2014.

Minelab Day - Brisbane Metal Detecting Club

Click on the picture below for all the details of the Brisbane Metal Detecting Club - Minelab Day also sponsored by The Open Range.

BMDC Minlab Day

BeachSandScoop

Have been looking for a beach sand scoop with a long handle for awhile now. Anyone who has looked on the net for one knows how expensive they can be.

I finally found one that looks strong (stainless steel) and comes with a long stainless steel handle. Shipping to Australia is not half bad either. Try looking on Ebay to see how much companies charge for shipping to Oz.

I decided on the Beach Sand Scoop Miami.

The Brisbane Metal Detecting Club has a Beach Day coming up on the 22nd June (venue to be decided). I'll be there with my CTX and my daughter with her EuroTek Pro. Guess I will be doing all the digging.

Funnel Web Headwear

Thinking of picking myself up one of these hats. The sun and I don't get on too well.

This wide brim hat allows you to wear headphones and there is a flap at the back to stop the neck from getting burnt.

M3 for small headphones, M4 for larger headphones

Made by Funnel Web Headwear in NSW Australia.

Price: $39.95 AUD

New Metal Detecting Show Coming to BBC 4

Detectorists

Courtesy of Radio Times

Comedy fans are in for a treat this spring with four new shows coming to BBC4 including a six-part Mackenzie Crook sitcom in which he plays a wannabee archaeologist.

Detectorists will see Crook draw on his own experiences as a metal detector enthusiast and “taps into the world of the male hobby which is very funny and touching,” according to BBC controller of comedy commissioning Shane Allen.

Crook's main co-star has not been formally cast, though the BBC is hoping to announce a “big name” signing soon, according to sources.

The pair “embark on a journey of greed, betrayal, rejection and redemption as they hurtle towards Danbury Metal Detecting Club’s greatest ever find,” according to the BBC.

Mackenzie Crook in Pirates of the Caribbean

Minelab Clothing

On the 10th Dec last year, Minelab announced that they had introduced the Minelab Lifestyle Collection.

Well, nearly 2 months later, I have yet to see any (Australian) retailer advertise this range. I sent an email to Minelab Australia in Dec for pricing and availability and I am still waiting a reply.

Has anyone got any details on pricing and availability?

Minelab SDC 2300 - New Product Details Released

COMING IN 2014!

Not Available to Order Yet.

This exciting new product is a portable, compact, waterproof gold detector featuring Minelab’s improved MPF technology. This will be the best mid-range gold detector. Second only to the Minelab GPX Series in performance, the SDC 2300 will be the best mid-range gold detector available.


They say the best things come in small packages! This is certainly true for the SDC 2300. It’s compact, waterproof and built to perform in the toughest conditions. Undiscovered gold patches on land and underwater won’t stand a chance when the Minelab SDC 2300 gold detector makes its debut.



The SDC 2300 is a high performance mid-range gold detector, perfect for chasing down those elusive sub-gram nuggets both on land and underwater. From Minelab, the company that knows Gold, this compact waterproof gold detector comes with easy-to-use controls and is assembly-free! Let the versatility of the SDC 2300 open up a whole new range of possibilities for finding more gold nuggets!

Key Features and Customer Benefits include: · Compact – 16 inch (40.64cm) · Waterproof – 10ft (3m) · Rugged and assembly free · High performance MPF technology · Audio and Visual Target Response · Easy to use · Intuitive icon user interface · C –Cell Batteries Included · Quick and Easy patch hunting Compact Size Folds to small portable size, 8 ½ ” (216mm) by 16” (406mm). Fits into carry-on luggage and most backpacks.

New Addition

My daughter Alicia loves coming out with me when I go metal detecting. She likes to get involved and likes to swing the detector around whenever she can. The only problem is the CTX 3030 is way too heavy for her and she tires easy.

I thought for Christmas this year, I'd do a little research and see if I could get her a descent detector. If I could find one for not a lot of money that was easy to use, light and could be made short enough for a 9yr old child to use, I would get her one.

In the end, I got her a................

Teknetics Eurotek Pro with 8" Concentric Coil

To keep the weight down I decided to stay with the 8" concentric coil and not get the 11" double-d coil.

It's very easy to setup and use and I think the perfect detector for a child and a beginner to start with.

Minelab Lifestyle Collection

Finally, it's about time they made it easy to purchase Minelab apparel.

Minelab Lifestyle Collection

These should be available through your local Minelab stockist. PDF can be found here.

New Minelab SDC 2300 Coming Soon

This exciting new product is a portable, compact, waterproof gold detector featuring Minelab’s improved MPF technology.  This will be the best mid-range gold detector. Second only to the Minelab GPX Series in performance, the SDC 2300 will be the best mid-range gold detector available.

New Minelab SDC 2300 Detector

New Minelab Detector - News on 9th Dec

We should be hearing news of a new Minelab gold detector on Dec 9.

New Minelab detector coming soon

Could it be called the SDC 2300? I only say that because that was what the filename of the pic.

• Mid range - above xTerra 705 Gold Pack and Eureka Gold
• below GPX series
• Folds to 16 inches
• Waterproof
• Pulse induction (PI)
• Rumours of a Feb 2014 release

Does this look similar?

Finally Got Around to More Detecting

Finally got out this morning with my daughter Alicia and did some metal detecting with a handful of members from the Brisbane Metal Detecting Club.

We headed out to a public park located on Brighton Road, Sandgate in Brisbane.

A lot of trash came out of the ground but we did manage $3.12 and a Boy Scout button. Initially thought the button was military until it was washed.

Items: (found in this order)
20 cents x 3
$2 x 1
2 cents x 1
Boy Scout button
50 cents x 1 (mangled by lawn mower)

Sorry about poor quality pic (missing the $2 coin)

Good to finally get out and do some coin hunting.

Garrett ATX in Australia

Courtesy of NQExplorers

Setup & Controls