I got this idea from a thread on this site which led me to try this myself and post so other may benefit. I purchased all of this for around $90 on the internet. My setup is a bit different in that I use a Garrett cable which plugs into the headphone jack with the other end being a 1/4" stereo...
Met up with max today for a few hours to see what we could pull off the beach. I was able to get a silver earing, a quarter, 2 dimes, 3 pennies, a few pulltabs and a stainless steel pipe. Hopefully max had better luck on his return trip back down the other direction!
Had a package waiting...