Ok, so when I say "beginner" I don't mean I found these the very first time I hit the sand with my TK4.
I did do a couple test hunts on some public beaches during middling tides just to get the hang of the machine. Found some clad and sinkers and odds and ends, but wasn't expecting much.
From studying posts on here and getting advice from former Oki-pirate 'onthespot' I understood that my best chance, especially with a low-end machine, would be on resort beaches, in the swim areas, at negative tides.
Finally my chance came- 1:30 am on a weekend (I work full time) very-low negative tide, unseasonably chilly weather and huge gusts of wind, but I've done recon on a resort beach close to home and found a sneaky way in without having to go through the hotel grounds. I'm going for it!
Two hours later- got some clad, junk jewelry, and odds and ends to show for my efforts. Had a guard shine a flashlight at me, but he didn't feel like braving the weather to come tell me off. Had to run for cover a couple times when unexpected showers passed over (no waterproofing for me yet!) Getting properly blown over by the wind time and time again. Starting to wonder if my TK4 can even detect precious metals (didn't have any gold to test it on). Should I give up? Probably. But maybe one more pass through that middle area...
Suddenly I get a really odd high tone-- multiple beeps in rapid succession. I figure I'm falsing on a rock (again), but I kick the rock over and re-sweep because--that's what you do, and the signal is still there. Pop a squat and dig with my little home-made hand-scoop.
There's something distinctly shiny in there...circular...(getting hopeful). I fish it out and it's definitely a ring and it's definitely not tarnished even slightly. With half-frozen fingers I wipe away the sand on the inside and squint in the dim red light of my headlamp at the inscription...
PT900
Platinum! What a RUSH! I can't even describe the feeling! Wow!
After taking a few minutes to get over my excitement I figured I couldn't head home right away-- gotta at least check the surrounding area.
Next target-- tiny pristine ring: 10k white gold. Soft little low tone just like it should be. Unbelievable.
Platinum and gold on my first resort hunt! Now that's some beginner's luck right there!
(Pictures should hopefully be on here-- this is my first time attempting to post pics so if it doesn't work I'll find a way to fix it ASAP.)
I did do a couple test hunts on some public beaches during middling tides just to get the hang of the machine. Found some clad and sinkers and odds and ends, but wasn't expecting much.
From studying posts on here and getting advice from former Oki-pirate 'onthespot' I understood that my best chance, especially with a low-end machine, would be on resort beaches, in the swim areas, at negative tides.
Finally my chance came- 1:30 am on a weekend (I work full time) very-low negative tide, unseasonably chilly weather and huge gusts of wind, but I've done recon on a resort beach close to home and found a sneaky way in without having to go through the hotel grounds. I'm going for it!
Two hours later- got some clad, junk jewelry, and odds and ends to show for my efforts. Had a guard shine a flashlight at me, but he didn't feel like braving the weather to come tell me off. Had to run for cover a couple times when unexpected showers passed over (no waterproofing for me yet!) Getting properly blown over by the wind time and time again. Starting to wonder if my TK4 can even detect precious metals (didn't have any gold to test it on). Should I give up? Probably. But maybe one more pass through that middle area...
Suddenly I get a really odd high tone-- multiple beeps in rapid succession. I figure I'm falsing on a rock (again), but I kick the rock over and re-sweep because--that's what you do, and the signal is still there. Pop a squat and dig with my little home-made hand-scoop.
There's something distinctly shiny in there...circular...(getting hopeful). I fish it out and it's definitely a ring and it's definitely not tarnished even slightly. With half-frozen fingers I wipe away the sand on the inside and squint in the dim red light of my headlamp at the inscription...
PT900
Platinum! What a RUSH! I can't even describe the feeling! Wow!
After taking a few minutes to get over my excitement I figured I couldn't head home right away-- gotta at least check the surrounding area.
Next target-- tiny pristine ring: 10k white gold. Soft little low tone just like it should be. Unbelievable.
Platinum and gold on my first resort hunt! Now that's some beginner's luck right there!
(Pictures should hopefully be on here-- this is my first time attempting to post pics so if it doesn't work I'll find a way to fix it ASAP.)
Can't think of a much better start to detecting than that! 
LISTEN to SD!!! It WILL pay for itself in just a few hunts with all the high K stuff you guys over there seem to get.
Yep- definitely hoping the TK4 can earn me an upgrade soon. I couldn't help but think as I was swinging that I was basically just scratching the surface of what the beach might have to offer. If even a TK4 can score plat and gold I'd love to see what a better machine can spot out there! 
