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I had about an hour before we were going fishing for fish this morning, so what better to do than to dirt fish? I was trying out a new set of aptX LL BT earbuds that were ordered for when the other ones start to fail. They paired fine, but they certainly were not fast. If I'm running 7 recovery, I don't want them to sound like a 3 recovery. I disconnected them and continued to hunt. About 5 minutes into no earbuds, I got a strong 11 ID. Not knowing what it really sounds like, having taken the earbuds out, I decided to dig as it seemed like a robust signal. The Carrot was able to hit the object from the surface, so it wasn't too far down. There are no markings, but from the looks of it, it appears to be about 18K based on my wedding band at 14K. I believe this makes 10 gold rings/necklaces for the year. To my recollection, all found with the 15" coil with 7 recovery. I remember the first few years of detecting when I found no gold. I really appreciate this machine! Florida weather doesn't hurt either, as it is far easier digging in non-frozen soil year-round! Almost forgot...fished for fish for 4 hours and didn't catch a thing. 🤪

Several of us on this forum are former Marines or Marine "brats." Today marks the 70th anniversary of the beginning of the 17 day Battle of Chosin Reservoir. My dad, a sergeant in the First Marine Division at Chosin, later co-founded the Sea Angels scuba diving club with Mel Fisher. Their treasure hunting experience, along with that of the Depression Era "survival" gold prospecting experiences of my grandfather and great grandfather, influenced me greatly. Off topic, and reminiscing.

As far as gun laws in California, and New York! My answer is: "I would rather have 12 jurors, than 6 pallbearers"!! One of my dad's favorite sayings, when asked about the legality of concealed carry laws in "difficult" states!👍👍

Yes this happened to me a few times in the early 70's. Mama found my porn stash under the bed and it was what set up my career. After all, I tell many I'm in the Adult Entertainment business selling high end toys. These early magazines had me squeamish in bed a many sleepless nights. A boy my age was quite naive, so seeing such raw and natural images sent my brain into overload. I had no clue what the future would hold, but I feel it came out quite right. View these 2 early magazines and you'll notice some of the articles and headlines. 1st is GOLD by True West, 1969 Vol. 1, #1 and looking at the inside page of the articles are authors mostly long gone. But I give credit to them for allowing me to dream. If anyone knows of these names, it would be neat to get updates. 2nd magazine porn I used to drool over, Old West 1971 and just as incredible is an article about "Elk City Idaho" and just below that....perfect timing. "One Thanksgiving Day". Folks, I can't make this up any better. I go to my old stash and grab a couple and these are absolute on. The inside cover (I forgot to check the centerfold) is a full page ad from Jetco and their top detectors 50 yrs ago. The models of the detectors are catchy like many muscle cars of the day, GTO, Mustang, GTX, Treasure Hawk...didn't Minelab have a Treasure Hawk? So I ask you folks, show the rest of us your Treasure Porn that kept you dreamin, drooling and -master swinging.

Always detect back to your vehicle or start point, I am often amazed by the amount of good nuggets I find within 50 feet of where I park my 4x4. This 26 gram chunk was a good solid broad hit in HY Difficult yet when I checked it in General the signal was more subdued suggesting it was going to be less than 1/2 ounce, got the shock of my life when I threw it on the scales. I’d say the rough exterior made it more of a Fast Time constant target than the weight implied. So a 14 gram morning bonus’d out on a lucky find because I kept the motor running after a long hot session. 😎 Always a nice feeling when they won’t fit in your container. A 40 gram session is always greatly appreciated by the bookkeeper

We all have different styles of gold nugget shooting and across this globe are so many varying terrains to chase nuggets. Our skills and years at it vary and on this fine forum, it could just as easily be the eager beaver newer member who's grateful for their 1 and only nugget, as it could be a salty savvy veteran with a lifetime of Thankful gold finds. And yet many of us have a certain detector that meant so much to our pursuit of heavy metal. What model of gold detector are you most thankful for and why? For me, it's the Fisher Gold Bug-2 as it was the 1st gold detector we (detector & I) became 1. It was the machine that kept gold coming in and eventually lead me to the Pulse Induction powers/depths beyond. It's not my favorite to swing today (not even top 3), but I have to give credit when due and the GB-2 is the gold detector I am most thankful for. I look forward to hearing your Thankful gold detector comments.

This just shows all the Detectors’s that has been over the years.

I had to add some jokes that was in the magazine.

I'm soooo happy to see this post! I can show my wife... that I'm not the only one who has old gold/treasure magazines/articles saved from decades ago!

I should have checked first before posting old in the title but guess old can be relative. My Niece and Nephews would agree it's old. The hand craft look to it means the master was hand crafted. Having a good amount of backround in casting soft metals I knew what to look for. Usually modern pewter is britannia 8 (lead free). Pre 1770 there was no lead free pewter. The weight was a good indicator. Last bit that in the 70's and up with the use of silicone molds many spin casters used cheap zinc then plated them. Zinc can't be used in the older organic rubber molds as they can't take the higher melt temps. A piece like that if it was made of zinc would have signs of plating and there is no trace on the cross itself. The detective work is half the fun I think.

2 machines standing out head and shoulders for me regarding finding gold,its in a different format as basically here in the UK nuggets are almost non existent,but we do have gold in coin and artefact format and these 2 stand out machine for me are my 'original' T2 that i have had since 2006/7 and the DFX one of the 1st batch that came here back in 2003. Not sure exactly what the magic is with these 2 are but they have found me celtic hammered gold coins,and George 111 ful guineas an Viccy Sovereigns and also some small gold artefacts,i also have all the modern machines ie TDI Pro,Deus HF coils and Nox but non have come close to anything that the T2 and DFX has found,the ironic thing is that i stopped using these 2 special gold machines because i though the grass was greener on the other side so i bought the Deus and Nox but that has not happened. So for the last 6 months have been using these 2 old classic again as everyday use and also noticed that my finds have once again increased again,we hope to come out of a lockdown after Dec2 and will be able to get out detecting again on my own permission again.

Did some relic hunting today with the intention of comparing some detectors (Deus, Tarsacci) but the Deus was on fire and besides keeping me from running a detector comparison test it also made it more difficult for me to proclaim 2020 a complete and total dumpster fire, but there is still another month to go.... Anyway, about a hour into the hunt, with the Deus connected to the 11" X35 coil and set at 12 khz with pitch tones and reactivity at about 2.5, I had found some keeper lead and brass. Then I happened upon a strong, 45- 47 signal. Thought it was likely can slaw but I was digging any repeatable non-ferrous signal. My handheld pinpointer indicated it was not deep, and I used my digger to come at it from a safe angle, just in case, and low and behold, out popped my first ever gold coin find - 1849 Open Wreath $1 Gold Piece. It was surreal. My digging partner thought I was kidding, but there it sat glimmering in daylight. Sent a text over to prove it since we were appropriately social distancing (something that comes naturally with this hobby). What a great initiation into the GC club. Needless to say, I kept swinging the Deus for the rest of the day except for a brief half-hearted attempted to see if I could get the Tarsacci going, but save for one so-so brass target, it was a Deus day. I swapped to my 9" round HF coil after the Tarsacci run and finshed up strong with some button, buckle, and bullet finds. One of my best detector single day outings ever in terms of both quantity and quality of relic finds. Only missing silver on this trip, but not complaining. Hopefully, this was a just a preview of what might be in store for 2021, as 2020 has been pretty much a lost year for many of us as far as detecting and other life pursuits go. The Tarsacci/Deus bake off will just have to wait for another day. Stay safe out there and happy hunting. CG

If you want the best that fit your hearing needs you have to make them yourself. These are wired, waterproof headphones for the Minelab Excalibur. Everyone knows how bad the ML waterproof headphones are....So after several years of experimenting and testing I was able to find a combo that allowed me to hear deep targets no one else could. I ended up using Unlimited audio 50mm piezo's that gave me the higher pitch, 2400HZ that fit my hearing then add a unique horn design to amplify the audio for all metal hunting only. Being they work great for me on the excalibur I tried them on the Fisher "AQ" Limited and no doubt they are pushing the limits of unheard deep targets of the "AQ". I did test several speakers / earphone elements and these were the more popular used in Aftermarket metal detecting Head phones. Audiosears higher tone..used in several of the bigger name HP's..Sunrays Pro, Black Widows, then a few of the GG models and if I remember correct there is one set that is made in the UK that uses them also. Then the bass sound of the old Rat Phones...using Kobitones...Many swore by the Rat Phones years ago but now no longer available. I was able to make all of the speakers I tested water proof using a proven method. .

Alexander Enterprise was the guy I got my White’s 66 TR before I came a dealer myself. Has name was Jim Alexander . Later Jim moved out to Az. having something to do with mining and that’s the last I know. This all took place around 72 and it’s been a lot of water has run under the bridge. Chuck

Were we suppose to read what you wrote, I just look at the nice pictures. Just kidding!

For me, it used to be the X-terra 705. That detector continually impresses me. And at times it has frustrated me. But now it is the Gpx5000.It offers me so many settings and ways to mix and match how I want to set it up to hunt a particular area that it easily wins. My Gpx4000 was quiet but never quite like the Gpx5000. A detector that continually amazes me is a detector that I seek to unlock all it's capabilities. For me the 5000 paired with the Evo coils, covers most all of me needs. Versatility is what I need in Montana. The 5000 provides it.

I guess for some people, with certain applications and/or with mid-size to larger-size targets to go after, some of the 'aftermarket' search coils might be helpful. For me and the types of places I usually hunt, big-size coils are not the answer. Helpful at times, yes, but not when a location has too many targets, too closely spaced and at varying depths. I know we can'r simply go by a coil brand or model / size just because a similar coil worked OK on a different make & model due to different circuitry. In this case, I used to evaluate and use several Detech coils on Minelab FBS series models, and most of them were okay. But I tried a 13" Ultimate on a couple of other brand detectors and didn't care for the weight and balance, nor the performance. I've used some bigger-size NEL coils, a brand I like better, but the coil and detector were not a good match for the location I worked. To me it is interesting to see how many people gravitate to larger-size search coils. With the Apex and for the variety of urban and remote places I go, I'm comfortable with the Ripper mounted on one unit as a general-purpose coil. I'll give the NEL 5" 'Sharp'some serious time and most likely it will fill a void and be mounted on my 2nd Apex. For open grassy parks or hitting a plowed field, the new 'Raider' DD is likely to be my coil-of-choice and I don't see a larger-size coil providing me much improvement n smaller-size coins and the like. I am going to check out a few aftermarket coils n some 'depth tests' on US coins, but I am not holding out hopes of improvement. Monte

Hello All, It's been a tough year for everyone! My wish to you all today, is a Safe and Thankful Holiday! May you all be Blessed with Good Health, and Better Finds into the New Year, and beyond!🦃 👍👍

You're really showing your age, Paul. My wife and I got lectured by our niece maybe 10 years ago using that old lingo, and that was after she put her eyes back in the socket. Those are 'flips' among younger generations. I'll let you Google Image 'thong' if you're not up on 21st Century terminology (and all the more reason to if you are 😏). OTOH, having read many of your posts, maybe this was part of your typical subtle, clever methods.... You've spent too much time hanging around with those feisty Meganesians.

Thanks, good to know. The best would be to check with the local authorities. From what I heard, the "tolerance level" varies from county to county based on the local sheriff. The question is in what trouble you might actually get really into if you ever had to use it (god forbid). CA gun laws are super strict.

There used to be a wider selection of decent metal free boots but I'm having trouble finding anything these days which meet all my criteria. I also use my boots for work, general mining/prospecting, and daily use. The Reebok/Converse ones used to be the gold standard but their quality and comfort has declined and they are too large/clunky for daily use. They used to be more comfortable to me than actual hiking boots but now every pair I buy has pressure points that never go away so I've given up on them. If anyone knows of a boot that fits the following criteria I'd be interested to try something new: Fully leather and 6-8" high for snakes/general sharp thing protection Composite safety toe for working around heavy equipment, falling rocks, kicking stuff out of the way, etc Side zip or slip on for easy off/on daily boots Light colored such as tan, sage, or at least light brown and not black for desert/heat use Not overly puffy and large like the Converse's, nice enough to wear with normal clothes The closest I can find are the 5.11 Evo 8's but they do have a small bit of metal on the zipper and they discontinued the reddish brown color I like. They were more comfortable to me than my hiking boots despite being duty boots. 5.11 discontinued the other boot I really liked about 5 years ago too and these were the replacement for it. Doc Martens has some nice all leather boots but they aren't comfortable enough for hiking. Argh. It seems in the detecting world that anytime a good boot is found, it's discontinued shortly after. Cowboy boots fit the criteria, but they always flop around on my calves and drive me crazy.

Not so in Siskiyou County California. Our Sherriff told me that just being in the woods, away from people is enough reason to carry a gun. He said that no law officer would bother you for that.

Here’s some more.

Ditto for me, Gerry!

Ace 250 for me. Affordable enough for me to buy when I was just starting college, easy enough for me to learn to use that it got me into detecting quickly, and was so much fun that it made me start looking into other types of detecting like nugget shooting. Without it, I'd probably be ultra into bungee jumping or who knows what now instead. Happy Thanksgiving!

The title of the thread reminded me of Gary Drayton. He pronounces that alloy word a lot differently than I do (or have ever heard), and frankly his pronounciation is pretty gross with the mental images it creates. On every treasure/gold TV show there's at least one person (usually more) who tires me out with either nonesense -- Drayton -- or obnoxiousness (nice word -- many better ones) -- Parker Schnabel, anyone? (I heard Parker belongs to assaholics anonymous, but so far it's not producing the desired effect.) As far as the real topic, being able to recognize reproductions (or fakes) is an acquired skill. Often the context is a big clue. For example, I found a coin which looks like it came from Medieval Europe. I found it in a USA schoolyard.... "Clang, clang, clang!" (warning bell sounding loud and clear) There were other clues, too. Good sleuthing, kac.

2k likes? Makes me feel old hahah. Glad there is enough others to read my dribble to get me there! Thanks!

Thanks for the information as you and many others on here always give us newbies great information and good products. I am still hoping to get out before the freeze here in the Mid-West.

I think that warnings on the forum are appropriate, if they will help prevent this in the future to anymore of our hobby mates!! This is not political, it's unfortunately real life directly relating to our hobby! My prayer's go out to the family and friends of lost prospectors!🙏 😪

The Bose headphones are superb especially if you work in timbered country. Most wind noise through trees is low frequency and the QC cuts that noise right out, they are also good if you work in areas where there is a lot of road noise from vehicles etc, but not good if you don’t like surprises when a car drives right up to you and you don’t hear it 🤫 😳 They work very well with the SP01 Enhancer and the B&Z booster, with the GPZ I feel a ‘booster’ is a necessity using the Bose QC NC headphones. I run my volume on 7, Volume Limit on 10 and Threshold 25 then vary the sensitivity to whatever the are I am working can handle. Suggestion: Set the sensitivity early in the session not later on as your ears/brain become accustomed to loud variation and you will not get an accurate idea of how variable the volume of the audio is. I start at 9 and slowly increase from there listening to the general detector behaviour anywhere from 9 to 15 is my general range working in my areas in Difficult. Be aware Normal has much higher volume levels than difficult so it might pay to lower the Main page volume a bit lower for booster use. JP Pics of the 3 ounce ugly duckling nugget I found last year, before and after shots. Pic of a 24 gram slugster found at 2+ feet a few weeks back

Some pics of my now sold crystalline collection. JP Palmer River Crystal piece I found many years ago Enrichment piece, not crystalline but beautiful

I haven't been able to get out very much due to work and this COVID thing, but the few times I was able to get out were productive. I hadn't used my EuroTek Pro in a long while so I broke it out and found this nice little 10K gold bracelet in school playground a few weeks back. While getting re-acquainted with my new Tek Omega 8500 I found a couple of silver rings. Been going nuts so while I was bench testing last night I decided to throw up a picture. Maybe it will encourage some one to get out and find something. HH Mike

You know, now that you mention the sweating thing, I do remember them doing that. At the time I was in the water alot and I just ignore that fact. I'll still get another pair. For me they were super comfortable and had good traction. I wear boots with metal eyelets for years now with pulse and vlf detectors, and as long as you keep your feet away from detector, it's been no issue for me.

...hits a big silver chain in his first beach hunt! In baseball a batter has hit for the cycle when they get a single, double, triple and home-run all in one game. I sort of hit for the cycle on a recent hunt by finding an earring, ring, bracelet and neck chain (all sterling silver).However, on the previous day I took a friend along for his first real beach hunt and set him up with my old Whites Pro PI. That day I found 5 rings, all junk save one small silver but my friend scooped out a 26 gram, badly tarnished, sterling silver chain which I took home to clean for him. He hasn't seen it yet but I think he will be pleasantly surprised.My friend's chain is the one on the outer perimeter. My "cycle" finds are inside of it. As much as I would have loved to have found that big silver I was honestly thrilled for him and think that he may now be hooked on the hobby.GL&HH!

Wanted to post some pictures to go with the last couple of stories from this summer: (Half an ounce of goodness found by my son with his X-Terra 705.) A 3-gram nugget he found on a lonely little shelf. A nice piece my son found all by himself, his first time using the 705 for nugget hunting (he has over 500 hours on it coin-shooting though). It seems to be good luck to wave your hand over a pan of gold before you start detecting, certainly worked for us! The main haul we both made the first day, largest piece 6-grams. All the best, Lanny

I've got a lot of extra time on my hands right now. Transition between seasons and school starting is slow for my business this time of year. So I've been spending some time metal detecting and making videos. Hope you like it. Book value is $500 plus.

Folks here have referred to carrying guns for self defense. In Arizona it is forbidden to blame the "victim" for a crime. As strange as it may seem, claiming self defense is no longer an acceptable practice as it blames the "victim". You run considerable risk carrying a gun. I write from painful personal experience. I was assaulted in a parking lot. I fought back and hurt the guy. He lied to the police claiming I was a violent homeless man because I wear a beard and was wearing a ratty old coat. I was charged with felony assault. Since I could not claim self defense, I was compelled to plead no contest to felony assault. I had no other option. I carry bear spray, and in potential confrontations I launch an audio recording app as soon as the situation develops. With bear spray if I were charged, it would be for assault not for murder. While I have spoken of the law, I am not a lawyer, and it is always foolish to take legal advice from any forum.