Carry Bag Suggestions?

[Cool Rod]

Hello folks. I'm a Minelab newbie. I've been lurking here and reading your informative and enjoyable posts.

I just bought an Excalibur at Kellyco, but I couldn't afford some of the accessories at the time, so now I'm doing my research.

I need to buy two things: a padded carry bag and a long handled scoop for beach work.

I'm going to shop online, so I can't judge quality. Could you give me your opinions as to what bag you think is good and what scoop you recommend?

Is there a vendor that you think gives the lowest prices for things like these?

I'd like to get it right the first time!

Thanks in advance.

 

[Bling]

http://www.rtgstore.com/ i use Reilly's scoops and love them

 

[Barry NY]

Reilly has great scoops.
For clean wet sand beach hunting (fewer rocks and shells) the Aluminum works great and is much lighter than the SS. I use the RTG Pro aluminum 6" water scoop.
if you are working a rocky area then you need either the SS version or the aluminum with SS tip (as the rocks will chew up the aluminum). You will definitely be stepping on the back of it so make sure you get one that has the angle brace.
For dry sand, you want the type with the basket vs. the holes - i just ordered the Privateer sand scoop for the wife (less than 2 lbs) - definitely need long handle - don't bother with the hand held unit.
i also have seen here that the Nuttall scoop is very popular - that pointy front edge will work wonders in very rocky or shelly sand.

Carry bags are another problem - have not seen much out there and i scoured the internet. Actually thinking of manufacturing a full belt set-up with removable pouch, water bottle holder, D rings to attach MD/scoop (and you will need to attach scoop in the water), etc...There is a guy on ebay has a belt/pouch for about $40. Make sure it has not rivets that will rust.

 

[Cool Rod]

Thanks for the tips. I didn't know about the Reilly scoops, and it looks like they're very well made.

I think I'll order the Pro traveller scoop, which breaks into two short pieces. My car's trunk isn't very big, so that would help.

I'm going to Orlando next month, so I'll go to Kellyco and see what their carry bags are like.

Thanks again!

 

[JOHNMARKHAM]

buy some foam or tape to cover the screw that holds it together so you dont tear your hands up..
ill keep a watch out for you when your in my back yard..

 

[Cool Rod]

Hey John, thanks for that tip. I didn't know that a screw held the shaft pieces together. In the unclear picture on their website it looked like it was a pushbutton. If it's a screw then I'll probably go with a fixed handle, because a screwdriver is just one more thing to carry and I'll probably forget it at some point.

 

[kered]

next after the scoop, before the carry bag should be a straight rod if you don't already have one, you will know what i mean after the first outing without one, good luck

 

[OldBeechnut]

Watch ebay for your minelab bags..got one for 24 dollars last spring.

My travel has Bolts.Come lose once annd awhile, just tighen them before I go out
no big deal...it is Babbs travel, SS tip..will be in my video of OC in a week or so.

Check out Maxs scoop in my videos on youtube, it is a 5in alum 11 in nose..
he uses it like a 3rd arm

http://www.youtube.com/user/OldeBeechnut

Check out videos on the Excal......... Obn

 

[Cool Rod]

Thanks.This is so true.

I went to the beach just one time and I ordered a straight shaft as soon as I got home!

When I tried the Excalibur in the showroom it seemed very light compared to my White's Silver Eagle II. But there's something about the curved shaft that puts a lot of torque on your forearm. It wore me out fast.

As for the travelling scoop design, they should just use the push button method of joining the ends together. It would be easy to do and then the scoop would be a little simpler to assemble and a little simpler to travel with because there would be less loose items involved.

I saw a couple of carry bags advertised on this site, and the price was good, but I don't know one from another and I hate buying something and then finding it's not good quality. Maybe I can find a detector vendor here in Miami and go see what he's got.

Thanks

 

[Willee - Texas]

The red and black Minelab bags are heavy duty.
About the best ... IMHO.

WIllee

 

[kered]

my carry bag is the boot of the car, big enough for most, although one tends to get an acumulation of sand

 

[Cool Rod]

Thanks Willee. I'm going to check them out. They make good detectors, you'd think they'd make good accessories too.

 

[Gerry]

I use for my MXT as a carry bag a "BOW" hard case, its shaped in a half circle has foam in it. I can carry most everything with it , my detector, probe, pouch, digging tool spare batteries, knee pads etc. I place everything in the case and its all together for the next hunt, cost $36 dollar, fits in the trunk and nothing is rattling around. I am looking for one for my Excalibur, G I Joe Sporting Goods had the case on sale.

Gerry

 

[Cool Rod]

Thanks Gerry. That's a good tip.

I went to Cabelas online and I saw what you're talking about. Does yours have foam padding on both sides? Most of them at Cabellas are only padded on one side and are hard plastic on the other. Looks scratchy.

I'm going to check out a Bass Pro Shops near my house and look at bow cases.

Cheers

 

[Cool Rod]

I went to Bass Pro Shops today and I think I saw what I want. There are soft bow and arrow carrying cases that look ideal for a metal detector. Lots of pockets and very thick padding all around, nicely lined and covered with cordura-style fabric. One had straps and movable foam blocks that are held in place with velcro. Beats anything I've heard about that is made for a metal detector. Some of them are expensive, some of them not so bad. I'm taking my detector there today and I'll make sure everything fits and if it does I've got my bag.

Thanks