Does Size And Or Success Matter? No Right Or Wrong Answer.

[Norvic]

Gold of whatever size for me, I have not used the Z since getting a 6K. Its ergonomics lightness and capability make it THE Gold detector for this old codger but the Zs not for sale as yet.

[Gerry in Idaho]

Flakmagnet - Yes the GPZ-7000 has served me well.  I still love the performance but hate the weight/ergonomics. Reminds me of an old girlfriend I had, she knew how to keep a smile on my face, but afterwards my back was worthless for a few days.  What's that saying, "hurts so good".  Well the truth is starting to show with the performance of the 6000 and the amount of happy customers going home with gold in so called worked out patches, is hard to ignore.  We also know the majority of bigger gold in the areas we frequent in US has already been picked.  So moving over to the 6000 is just logical for many.  To be honest, I actually still own a GPZ-7000.  Not sure how long I'll drag it around in the truck as a Back Up though.  I think the longer we wait, the less value it will have.  The other aspect (I doubt it though, is if Minelab releases a new GPZ-8000) next year or just leaks of onw, then the 7000 prices will really drop.  As for upgrading, your call buddy and I have no hard feelings either way.  Honestly, as long as you are having fun with what you have and don't feel your have more fun with the new, then keep the old girl.

Rick - You have been there this summer since the GPX-6000 has come out more than I, so for those of you who think I say what I do just to make sales, you don't know me that well.  Rick don't work for me, he's just another gold digger that does really well and is not afraid to try the new.  Your words in the 6000 for RP is golden.

Geof_junk - That aussie gold sure looks so nice and wish just the right amount of shine added.  Your lady digger Carol must have had surgery swinging that pounder.  That picture will go down with you two to your graves and well earned.  Would love to hear the true story behind it and the hunt that took place to find it.  Thanks for inspiration and a blast from the past.

Gold Hound - Amazing pic taken there.  Is the handful of Au a season or a trip?  Yes I too feel the need for a 14 - 16" round MONO will add some depth to the GPX-6000.  Jonathan did mention he felt the GPX-6000 was on par for depth of the GPX-5000, so if that is true, that's perfect and fine with me.  You Aussie mates still have untouched ground and also proven ground that has had little pressure with big gold detectors.  Yes we have a few in the US, but out patches so small when compared to what I have seen in Oz land.  Again, beautiful pic of Au and lets hope CoilTek is getting their ducks in a row real soon.

Klunker - I have seen both ends of the spectrum.  When I was taking groups to Ganes Creek Alaska, I witnessed a guy get so pissed off he wanted flown out immediately, because he was not finding gold and most others were. .  I've witnessed guys wrap a $5000 detector around a tree and have seen a few detectors get air-born across the hillside.  Not the kind of folks I prefer to be around, but they do provide a little bit of entertainment.  As for just digging up a major find and then doing something stupid, buddy I have to disagree on that part.  I once dug a 10 ounce rock (my 1st big honker) and literally dove head first into the pond next to the tailing piles.  it wasn't until 10 minutes later I realized my wallet was still in my pocket.  The pics of the nugget below is the one that I freaked out.

In the 90's while on a detecting trip to England I was detecting with well known TH'er Jimmy Sierra Normandi (a detector legend) started jumping up/down running in circles and thanking god.  He and a couple others run over to me and asked to see the gold coin.  Heck it was my 1st Roman coin and worth about $2, I didn't care.  

Then when I did find my 1st gold coin, it was in the US.  After I gathered my emotions, I drove to the nearest high point to get a cell signal and called my dad (the same guy who put a detector in my hand in 1972) and started crying like I kid.  I was so overwhelmed to finally be the 1st in our family to find a gold coin. pic below.

So I do get a little excited and probably do and say stupid shit when something special happens.  But I also get very excited when one of my own friends or clients digs a special find.  Guess I just like to act silly sometimes.  I look forward to hearing your report and the pros/cons of the GPX-6000.

[Joe D.]

   Gerry,

  Case in point; the video you posted today for your nugget find!!! I hope you never loose that kind of excitement!! And may it be contagious for others!!👍👍

[flakmagnet]

2 hours ago, GoldPanDan said:

Where was he washing his carpets out exactly?? 😁

In the Merced River up by Briceberg…why? (I got all his fines...😉)

 

[nvchris]

For me the 6000 hits the mark as a patch hunter.
Chasing weight is what I like, and the roaming about and camping.


Big coil (17") on a lite, quick machine.

 

[GotAU?]

6 hours ago, flakmagnet said:

In the Merced River up by Briceberg…why? (I got all his fines...😉)

 

I was a raft guide there in the 80’s. We had a group of musicians playing blues in camp one night next to Briceberg and a miner came off the hill to join our little party.  Nice fellow who went back to his place and get his gold from the season to show us- he had a large mayonnaise jar full that he dredged from his spots nearby the bridge. Wow! I never saw or held such a heavy collection of gold.  Sure was pretty too, and it was mostly coarse stuff. I can see why it brings such excitement to the finder!

[Gold Catcher]

Size does not matter to me and success can mean many things. To me, success is having a great time with a hobby that I love while being surrounded by the beauty of nature (desert or mountains). Gold is a reward that is not absolutely needed for success the way I define it, although with the 6000 this reward is more frequent (and at times more plentiful) than with any other detector I have ever owned. But I happen to believe that most of all it is the location that matters. No detector will create gold where none is and you simply need to know exactly where to look. If you are on a rich gold field, perhaps on a private claim from a friend, then the choice of detector is somewhat less important as long as you have a decent detector and gold is under your coil.

PS: The 6000/17 is my favored combination in the desert, with Auto+/Normal/Threshold on. Dave, I was at Bonanza Gulch last weekend and had a blast. Mostly lead with some gold, but I could not believe how much I found in what is known to be a "to death pounded area" 

[flakmagnet]

8 minutes ago, GotAU? said:

a miner came off the hill to join our little party.  Nice fellow who went back to his place and get his gold from the season to show us- he had a large mayonnaise jar full that he dredged from his spots nearby the bridge.

Yup, that was probably the guy…in his 70s? And, yes, he was a nice guy.

[Reg Wilson]

All gold is good gold, but 'real' nuggets are what turn me on. I like to hunt unproven ground, but by doing so I can go months without colour. This does not bother me at all as I just think that each day without joy is one day closer to my next virgin patch or good slug.

Many people like to get colour on each trip regardless of size, and get disappointed when returning home empty handed. There is one area nearby where the gold is all small (120 bits to the ounce) but not far from there I got a 27 oz nugget. Both these areas were virgin situations.

There is nothing like the feeling of hitting the first colour in an area never worked before in modern or old times, but the 'one nugget patches' are frustrating to say the least.

[geof_junk]

For the recreational prospector it's the enjoyment of doing that counts. The size has affect if the value is not to high, then they become trophies. When they can be swapped for a car, boat etc then it is hard to keep them. 

The recreational prospector requires something that can get small sub ounce (not extremely tiny nuggets) that make it a pleasure to uses (Weight, Balance, and Ease of matching the ground conditions. For other nuggets then it is special backup detector or coil where coverage and depth is required to bring down the odds of not getting any nuggets. Steve has summed this up on the first page of this POST.