Level-Winds

What's the story with these for beachcasting? How much distance are you really going to lose? Should I go for a reel with or without?
N.B Have not been fishing long

Start with a fixed spool, you can still cast as far as with a multiplier with no worries of birds nests. Less hassle day and night for a beginner

In ordinary every day fishing situations,a level wind wont make any difference to your casting distance,but the positioning of the top bar can prevent you wrapping your thumb around the spool to get a full lock on the spool.This combined with wet line and cold hands can lead to slippage and early release of the lead with a loss of distance and a burnt thumb (very painfull).Why not go for a modern reel with mag brakes with no level wind (heavily braked they are quite docile),and it's not hard to master line lay with finger and thumb.
Good luck.