The VLF detectors I have used on the beach are the Arado 95, Fisher 1235X, Fisher 1235X PRO, CZ-6 Quicksilver, Minelab Sovereign XS, Whites Eagle Spectrum, and the Spectrum XLT.   There is not a lot to choose between these detectors on the beach. All will make good finds, if conditions are right.My current detectors are the Fisher 1235X PRO the Whites Spectrum XLT and the new Whites DFX.  With these I know, if conditions are good, I will make finds. The XLT is good on the top end of the beach.   The DFX is a good all round beach detector.  All three will make good finds on the beach, although I now favour the new DFX over the XLT because of it's dual frequency. 

Both the DXF and the XLT will cover more ground than the Fisher because of their larger loop size.  For me, more ground covered equals more finds made. If my arms are feeling a bit delicate, I will still settle for using the 1235X Pro, with its smaller and lighter 20cm loop and hip mounted control box. .

If an off-shore wind has not caused the incoming tides to build up the sand on the beach, or an in-shore wind has caused the tides to rip the sand off the beach, then you can find those losses that sank through the soft sand down into the black or hard packed sand below.  Each time the tide comes in it soaks and softens these layers and the losses sink deeper.  Remaining in the original area of loss, but going deeper each time. Some losses are washed around by the tides and will eventually end up in areas known as "glory holes".  These are where the black sand is not very deep.  They can be anywhere on a beach, usually in hollows or around rock pools. Other places where losses end up are along groins (sea breaks), and the bottom of the pillars supporting the pier. 

Once the losses  have lodged in a glory hole, each time the tide comes in it softens the black and hard packed sand, and the losses sink further down - perhaps as far as 30cm to 40cm.  There is a limit as to how deep the sea water soaks into the lower layers of sand, and the depth to which heavier loses may sink, but you cannot be prescriptive.  It will most certainly vary on different parts of the same beach. Losses will sink deepest in the glory hole areas, where the sand gets stirred up and swirled around the most.  These are the areas where the pulse induction detectors come into their own, so long as they are not to close to iron structures!  Always work pulse detectors very slowly. Always use a good pair of headphones, and listen out for the quiet mellow beeps

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