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Everything posted by Steve Herschbach
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Frankly it’s just playing the odds, and therefore a gamble passing aluminum range targets if you want gold. You can weed out irregular aluminum to some degree by digging only targets that return a single, strong target id number, which translates into audio tells if you hunt by ear. One reason I like full tones as it gives far more audio differentiation as compared to 3 or 5 tones, which lumps way too many targets into one audio response. But you will also pass on most chains, irregular shaped pendants, and especially broken rings, if you only dig those “round” targets. Reality is there are both gold targets and aluminum targets that will respond at almost every target id number across the entire range. It’s governed by size, not the metal. Way more to it than that, I just wanted to offer one simple trick, not write a book. See below for that. It is interesting because just like any gambling, a degree of gambler psychology creeps in. Those that aggressively pass targets almost always are very confident in their ability to leave lots of aluminum in the ground, while they also are quite sure they are missing minimal gold. The problem is simple. You can’t know what you are missing. Some extremely high value women's gem set rings give really lousy signals due to large prongs or multiple prongs, and some oddball creative designs. You only have to pass on the wrong ring once, to pass on a find of a lifetime. That all said, even though it uses DFX as an example, this is the best jewelry cherry picking book I’ve ever read personally, and why I still own a DFX, which I only use for jewelry detecting. But the methods apply to all capable brands and models, and I highly recommend anyone into jewelry detecting have a copy. Plus, here is the Mike Hillis book list, with which I whole-heartedly agree. DFX Gold Methods by Clive Clynick You can find all these great books, and many more, on Clive’s Website. He is also a forum member, so you can Contact Him Here
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Love Finding Indians!
Steve Herschbach replied to Tometusns's topic in Metal Detecting For Coins & Relics
Very impressive. I love the coin, because where I lived in Alaska it was an impossible dream, just a bit out of range for age. My stuff was mostly 30’s, rare 20’s, and teens all but unheard of. I had as much chance of finding 1800s coins as finding a gold coin, maybe worse actually. So count me as a super thumbs up! ?? -
Who Has Had Issues With Their Gpx 6000?
Steve Herschbach replied to Goldseeker5000's topic in Detector Prospector Forum
Good to see you posting again Reg, I missed you. Happy New Year, and may your pockets fill with gold in 2022! -
Shipping costs have gone up dramatically during the pandemic, which in turn raises the price of everything in the supply chain. Simple economics 101 for yet another issue everyone wants to politicize these days. It makes shipping low value/high bulk items uneconomical, and painful when you have to do it anyway. Try ordering some large styrofoam blocks online to get the idea. I had this issue forever in Alaska. Shipping Keene marlex dredge floats for example. Anything large and light gets “cubed” out for volume, and extra shipping charges apply. Large Coiltek coils, picks with long handles…. anything that makes the box large can make shipping cost exceed the profit a vendor is making on an item, and only answer is shipping surcharge. In the old days it was so extreme, everything so high price due to shipping to Alaska, we had a nickname for it. The Alaska Gouge Factor. Complain about high price, answer always was shipping. It got way better the last couple decades, with prices in Anchorage not much different than Seattle. Even lower, as no sales tax. But going the other way fast now. Its getting harder and harder to sustain free shipping on items. I am on west coast, and the price to ship a box doubles or more, once it goes east past the Mississippi. It’s affected my selling online. I used to just do free shipping. Now I’m back with eBay, mostly because I can sell the item for a base price. By plugging the dimensions and weight in, it calculates shipping for various methods, let’s buyer choose what they want to pay. If they are too far away it may be too much, so they don’t buy, but in such cases I’d not want to eat the shipping either, so it works out. If they want it bad enough, they pay the higher shipping. Their choice. eBay made me getting the resulting shipping label a one button process also, so once set up it’s really streamlined. Just got the new higher shipping costs for USPS two days ago, so timely subject.
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Alternative Detecting Technologies
Steve Herschbach replied to mcjtom's topic in Metal Detector Advice & Comparisons
Interesting. Smell based detecting. If a rat can find it, a device could be made that “sniffed” the air for the same molecules the rat is detecting. A Nobel prize awaiting somebody. Cute little guy. RIP Magawa. -
Gold Monster 1000 Or Equinox 800?
Steve Herschbach replied to ks1652's topic in Detector Prospector Forum
Been said already many times. Long story short Monster for ease of use. But to go above and beyond, IF you are willing to learn the machine, the Equinox is the better choice for me at least. But again, you have to be willing to make the effort to get the extra functionality out of it. Bonus is it will also cover you for coins, beach, relics.... most people genuinely need nothing but an Equinox. It is still the most versatile detector made, bar none. https://www.detectorprospector.com/forums/topic/7468-my-tips-on-nugget-detecting-with-the-minelab-equinox/ -
No wonder metal the place is a hotbed of metal detector development! “The world's oldest known gold artifacts, a couple of 6000-year-old goat figures with holes punched in them, were not found in Mesopotamia, the Indus Valley or Egypt, they were discovered in 1972 in a grave by a tractor operator laying some electric cable in northeastern Bulgaria. [Source: Colin Renfrew, National Geographic, July 1980] The largest golden goat was about two-and-a-inches long. It was discovered along with about 2,000 other gold pieces (weighing more that 12 pounds) in 250 excavated graves in an ancient cemetery near the Black Sea town of Varna. The pieces included golden necklaces, breastplates, chains, bracelets, earrings, a hammer, and a bowl painted in gold. The find was shocking. Most cultures still used stone tools in this period, a few had developed copper axes and awls, and the development was bronze was a thousand years away, and iron two thousand years. The gold pieces date back to at least 4000 B.C., and they may go as far back as 4600 B.C.” “The first residents of Bulgaria to be recorded in the written historical record were Thracians who are believed to have been around since at least 3000 B.C. according to the archaeological record. The Thacians had no written language so all that we know about them is inferred from Greek or Roman accounts or the archeological excavations. A mound discovered near Varna, dated to 1000 B.C., contained a four wheeled chariot and the skeletons of three horses, one with silver bit and harness. Next to them was the skeleton of a woman with a spear in her chest that may have been a human sacrifice. Another grave contained a 30-year-old man with 70 bronze arrows and silver and gold armor, and a an 18-year-old woman with a golden crown and knife blade lodged in here ribs.” “On a wooden chest containing two different sets of gold treasure left behind by the Getae, a Thracian tribe at the largest mound at the Sboryanovo Historical and Archaeological Reserve in northeastern Bulgaria, Svetla Dimitrova wrote in se times.com: “Weighing more than 1.8kg, the treasure was from the late 4th or early 3rd century B.C., buried as part of the funeral of a Getic ruler, archeologist Diana Gergova said. We found the chest in a vesicle at a depth of 8 metres … Inside were two sets of gold objects. The first was a set of women’s jewelry, including a unique tiara of a type never found before. There were also four spiral bracelets and a ring with an incredible haut-relief image of a lion,” Gergova told SETimes. The other set comprised an iron bridle and a number of gold items the bridle was decorated with, including horse harness decorations and buttons, as well as two large round pieces with the image of the goddess Athena and an exquisite forehead piece with a horse head.” [Source: Svetla Dimitrova, se times.com. January 18, 2013]” Much more at https://factsanddetails.com/world/cat56/sub362/entry-6012.html, well worth the read.
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Minelab MF5 Introduction
Steve Herschbach replied to Steve Herschbach's topic in Minelab Metal Detectors
I'd like to try nugget hunting with one, but not enough to buy one. If they can even be had outside military channels. But the circuit could be the basis for whatever replaces the Gold Monster some day. If ever. Minelab said no more single frequency, and that includes any future gold VLF models. Nugget capability on Equinox in Multi was almost an unlooked for accident. I can only imagine a machine tuned specifically for nugget detecting, and this machine looks like something very similar. But ditch the housing, please! -
Sorry to be a whiner Carl. It's mostly just frustration. I so much want a U.S. company to be leading the charge like we used to do............. I was worried about the epoxy filled pod from day one. Makes it as unserviceable as the Equinox I'd think, and I had heat buildup concerns, although those may have been unfounded. Certainly makes no sense if there are to be dry land versions. And for me personally, I get why knobs are a zero visibility thing for divers, but I'd lose them just over serviceability issues. Better off with something more like ATX has, and just wipes clean. Good to hear the battery change etc is getting done, as that is key.
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Sunray Pro Gold Compatibility With The Equinox
Steve Herschbach replied to GB_Amateur's topic in Minelab Equinox Forum
They really should just make the universals, because people who buy the ones that don't work on some models get left with a bad taste in their mouth, and maybe switch brands. Any TRUE metal detector headphone should work with all detectors. Minelab accounts for a huge chunk of the market, and putting out phones that will not work with their models simply makes no sense. I admit I've largely gone wireless, but when I used wired phones, it will always be my SunRay "CTX version" that I grab. I've got my old worn set, and a brand new pair set aside, "just in case." -
This comes up with every new detector. Will it detect thin chains and small ear rings in salt water? Yes, but no better than some existing models. Why? Physics. It's not even in question if you know how detectors work. I'm just tired of this one so will leave it there. Believe me or not. Hint. If an item reads in the same range as salt water, and you tune the salt water out, you can't detect the item either.
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I assume he is referring to the AQ Limited. Which supposedly was being redesigned physically, because yes, it really needs it. But Kellyco and FT video's imply more on the way in the original Limited housing - which sucks. I'd buy another AQ in a proper housing with drop in batteries, but the Limited design needs to be replaced. So my big question is, did FT abandon the planned redesign of the housing, and is staying with the flawed design? This is what was being promised back in August and earlier: Battery system replaced entirely with four drop in 18650 rechargeable Li-Ion batteries Depth rating to be increased Lower rod made longer to accommodate taller users Headphone connection being relocated to back of pod An 8” accessory coil is in the works (done) https://www.detectorprospector.com/forums/topic/13664-more-details-about-next-version-impulse-aq And it was also supposed to be in our hands by now, or at least an announcement made. Well, we got the announcement, but it's apparently just more of the same old same old. The Limited was supposed to be 100 units and no more. So are they still just trying to sell the original 100? What a mess. Here is what Kellyco is hawking as "new for 2022." Looks like just the same old Limited model to me, but maybe they had no photos of the new version? Would be poor advertising were that the case to at least not note that. And the discrimination claims are way over the top still. Worst of all "Written by Corey Hoff, Chief Revenue Officer at First Texas Products." Seriously, the Chief Revenue Officer, whatever that is, is writing ad copy? https://www.kellycodetectors.com/pages/new-tech-feature-fisher-impulse-aq/ I'm sorry to say that my once favorite company has lost all credibility with me. I'll believe it when I see it, and even then only after others have used it first. This reminds me all too much of the final days of the old Los Banos Fisher.
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Minelab MF5 Introduction
Steve Herschbach replied to Steve Herschbach's topic in Minelab Metal Detectors
I just added specs and a comment to my post Jeff, while you were posting. It may be that as a military detector the design has extra shielding. One thing they can't have is interference screwing up mine detection and killing someone. The new DD coil design may also have something to do with it. Perhaps a cancellation coil? -
Minelab MF5 Introduction
Steve Herschbach replied to Steve Herschbach's topic in Minelab Metal Detectors
Or just Multi-IQ, and a person in marketing doing what they do. Just a note on progression. The SDC housing originated as the F3 Compact countermine detector, in response to a specific government military contract, that had a design spec for waterproof and folding. The Garrett ATX was spawned the same way - same contract actually. Both companies made a waterproof folding mine detector first. Then, to get more money from the expensive housings, they stuff a consumer PI in them. So for Garrett is was Garrett Recon first, ATX second. For Minelab it was F3 Compact first, then SDC 2300. And next up the MF5. Which despite the marketing blurb I really do think it's just Multi-IQ, a stripped Equinox ferrous/non-ferrous circuit, stuffed in the F3 Compact housing. Sadly, I've learned to be pretty cynical when it comes to reading between the lines in marketing info. Read the operating manual and see what you think. https://www.minelab.com/__files/f/444357/4901-0373-1 Inst. Manual, MF5-EN_WEB.pdf It does have a cool new coil with a unique target response: The biggest thing I see is the frequency spread, which tops out at 75 kHz versus Equinox 40 kHz. So it is optimized for finding the tiniest firing pins or thin wires.... and might very well make a nice small nugget VLF. If you wanted to pay the price, and swing the weight, for what would still be a VLF detector. -
Multi-iq Vs Multi-flex
Steve Herschbach replied to Captorofsin's topic in Metal Detector Advice & Comparisons
Yes, Vanquish would be a step up from DFX, though I always have to caveat that with it depends on your ground and your targets. But yeah, I'd put a Vanquish up against a DFX anytime with no fear personally. The only thing the Apex offers you is a really sweet physical package, and nice headphone/pinpointer wireless integration. But keep in mind if you are a control junkie nothing will match the DFX (except V3i), and personally I love the Signagraph meter design, light years beyond a simple target ID number. But in the end I honestly only keep my DFX because it runs my Bigfoot coil. That, and since I started detecting with a White's almost 50 years ago, well, I need to have at least one around. -
Minelab MF5 Introduction
Steve Herschbach replied to Steve Herschbach's topic in Minelab Metal Detectors
I found this new marketing blurb very interesting...... "Minelab’s unique Simultaneous Multi-Frequency Digital technology results in the MF5 providing superior detection capabilities by combining the advantages of Pulse Induction and Continuous Wave technologies." https://www.minelab.com/usa/countermine/detectors/mf5-military-clearance-landmine-detector-by-minelab -
SDC Not Working As Water Detector, Get A Nox?
Steve Herschbach replied to c47gold's topic in Minelab Metal Detectors
Main problem with SDC is it is a hollow, air filled cork, both body and coil. The housing was never designed as a true underwater detector, but as a swim proof military mine detector. The F3 Compact came first, and Minelab merely recycled the housing into a gold prospecting detector. And then added beach detecting to the marketing effort. https://www.minelab.com/usa/countermine/detectors/f3-compact-landmine-detector-by-minelab -
Multi-iq Vs Multi-flex
Steve Herschbach replied to Captorofsin's topic in Metal Detector Advice & Comparisons
True that… I always think Equinox when thinking Multi-IQ. Having run the Equinox, Vanquish, and Apex, I can say Vanquish can equal Equinox in many ways, and is basically just a stripped down variant of the Equinox. Both are 4th generation multi from Minelab. Apex frankly is a first generation effort, more on par with my White’s DFX for performance. But I still have the DFX and sold the Apex, for whatever that’s worth. Until Garret makes a more refined, more powerful version of Multi-Glex, it’s simply not on the same class as Equinox/Vanquish Multi-IQ. All the right ingredients are there though, and I look forward to seeing what Garrett cooks up next. If you are looking for bang for the buck, the Nokta Legend would surely be worth a little waiting. -
Can You Fit A Nox Remote On A Deus Stem??
Steve Herschbach replied to brys's topic in Minelab Equinox Forum
Because as what has probably been the worlds best selling high performance metal detector for almost four years running, they don’t see the need. I’m a fan of S shaft on light detectors, but trying to do it with Equinox gets klunky. Your best option…. -
Multi-iq Vs Multi-flex
Steve Herschbach replied to Captorofsin's topic in Metal Detector Advice & Comparisons
The only difference between Multi-IQ and Multi-Flex that matters is that in real world use Multi-Flex is falling short as a genuine challenger. But frankly, it was never my expectation given the Apex placement as an Ace series detector. The performance matches the category and the price. -
SDC Not Working As Water Detector, Get A Nox?
Steve Herschbach replied to c47gold's topic in Minelab Metal Detectors
It’s not weight above water that matters, but displacement. The SDC is a fail as a water machine for the exact reason you mention. Unfortunately you missed my posts about that. Equinox is just fine in water, though it’s leak rate has been higher than one would like. It’s hard to sort as it’s so popular even a small percentage of fails would mean a lot of leaking machines. And some serious hunters use for three years with no leaks, others have had multiple machines leak. Good news though is no hassle replacement under warranty for three years. Despite the issues the Nox has been one of the most popular water machines ever. It does get the job done very well. -
Which Coil For Deus 2- 9” Or 11”?
Steve Herschbach replied to GnshpCSO's topic in Metal Detector Advice & Comparisons
Yeah, in the worst ground coils getting larger coils often gains no depth…. might even get less than smaller coils! Hard for most to believe, but I’ve seen it plenty with VLF, and it is why prospectors have to go PI in bad ground if they want to run large coils. I really get large coils just for ground coverage, and consider any depth gained just a nice bonus. I’d love an Equinox style 15x12 on the D2, would put it on a custom balanced rod, but I don’t expect it to happen, so 13x11 is best I might hope for.