Steve Herschbach

The Compass 77B runs at 100 kHz which was normal for the old TR detectors. But it’s not a frequency thing with the 77B versus the newest detectors. The lack of ground balance means you will lose 1/2 to 3/4 or more of the depth that you see in an air test. They are ok in low mineral ground. In high mineral ground you might only hit a quarter at two inches. And don’t let the 100 kHz frequency deceive you into thinking they would be good for nugget detecting. They won’t detect small gold nuggets sitting on the coil. There is some mystique surrounding these machines and their see through capability in nails, but trust me, something like a Nokta Simplex completely blows these old detectors out of the water. I’m not saying that to discourage anyone from playing with one or disrespecting anyone who wants to use one. I just don’t want the normal 99% to think there really is any major reason to consider these old classics.

Already checked in online for my flight with no bags. So have officially passed on the GPZ7000, GPX6000, Manticore, and Equinox 900. All have been on my mind for various reasons. But I’m taking my own advice on not being diverted by the latest toys or specials, and am going to continue using what I have for now.

Smaller coils handle ground better and are sharper on small targets, easier pinpointing. A little less depth on large targets. Large coils get better ground coverage and a little more depth on large items, while having marginally less sensitivity to small targets. They struggle more in real bad ground. Medium coils are the best compromise between both extremes.

Andy is a member but has only appeared on the forum a couple times.

I agree that Keene has a tendency to being overly complex in many things they make. I prefer simplicity. I’ve never seen these myself but maybe what you are talking about?

Agreed

That’s a 6.59 kHz coil for the XLT, XL Pro, Sierra Madre, 5900, 6000, QXT, IDX, and more. So yes, it should work in your detector as long as the connectors match.

Welcome to the forum Scott. It’s been great hanging out with you and Darun the last few days. The new facility looks absolutely fantastic, you’ve both done a great job!

Yeah if I was forced to pull the trigger today I’d get an Equinox 900 instead of a Manticore if gold nuggets were a serious concern. I know it works, and I have the coils already.

Because the serious gold hunters don’t really care about the minimal difference between the Equinox and Manticore on gold. I’ll be swinging a PI while the VLF sits in the truck and I’ve already got a couple detectors that are good at that.

I’d be content if the announced 5x8 coil would just get out the door.

Thanks for the kind comments. Garrett has been doing the Tailgate Talks for a couple years, and mine was just the latest of many. It was fun, just sit with Steve Moore and BS for a few minutes. There was no script or even a plan, we just sat down and talked in a single take. I’m used to doing live radio and this was no different really. That was the last of the video I’ve shot with Garrett in the last year so a wrap for me.

There are the 54 replies on the previous thread on the subject to refer to:

Dudley and I started the shop while in our senior year in high school in 1976. By 1980 it was still pretty small, just mining gear and wood stoves. Over the decades we added product lines to build a year round business as mining is too seasonal. It’s morphed now into a local institution and is a nationally recognized premier power sports business. Boats, snowmobiles, ATVs, and a whole lot more are the core business, hitting 30 million in sales last year. We bought the dealership down the street a few years ago, and the mining store is now our third location in a two block stretch. Besides AMDS (Alaska Mining & Diving Supply) we have AME (Alaska Motorsports & Equipment) which is the old Arctic Cat dealership, but we added Mahindra tractors and more to the mix there. The Mining Superstore concept was formulated then as it’s never been a good fit in the old facility as it got overwhelmed and pushed aside by the power sports business. We decided the only solution was to separate it with a dedicated staff, so here we are. Dudley and I created an ESOP and sold the company to the employees with a note funded entirely out of our pockets, allowing them to purchase the company over 15 years. They have exceeded our expectations and paid us off early a year ago. It’s a wholly employee owned company, and it shows. The people really care about and love what they do. Just ask any of them. It is and will be the crowning achievement of my life outside of my wife and daughters, creating a company coming up on 50 years now that has provided a livelihood for a huge number of Alaskan families over the last 46 years, with many more to come. Dudley and I together are the Board of Directors and Trustees acting as guardian angels and mentors. Which is why I am on site now. The AMDS Story

The https://www.akmining.com site has a limited selection that is laid out very poorly and not up to date (Edit, deleted now, see link below). Like the Manticore they have is not listed, etc. That site is designed for power equipment and frankly I hate the way it works for mining gear. As soon as I get home I will be working on bringing my old custom site back to life. We used to do huge volume to the Lower 48, but to be honest the shipping issues these days will make us less competitive with many large low cost items versus the Lower 48 vendors. I plan on putting up an online catalog that shows what we have, but a lot of it is geared more for local sales. Only a smaller selection of items will be geared for direct internet sales, like metal detectors for instance. I’ll have something much better up and running online in a couple weeks, basically a separate website within a website custom made for the mining and metal detecting. Edit: New website is up and running https://miningsuperstore.com/

That was us. And thanks for the great idea. We have not had those shirts made for many years, but I’ll look into it today. I am almost certain it will happen as we are doing anything we can to help launch the new location. Dudley and I have talked about bringing the shirts (and little miner hats) back for many times, but it never quite happened. Now is the time to do it.

I posted the photos on this new thread…..

Scott Posey, Mining Manager AMDS Mining Superstore 3032 Commercial Drive Anchorage, AK 99501 907-277-1741 mining@akmining.com https://miningsuperstore.com/

I’m up visiting my old shop in Alaska. We are doing a massive expansion of the mining department into its own building. The idea is to create a mining and metal detecting superstore. The doors are actually open but the reality is we are still stocking up, doing the signage, and just generally getting ready for the busy season that starts in April. It’s close enough now though and since I’m here I thought I’d give you all a preview of all the neat toys on display. Scott Posey, Mining Manager AMDS Mining Superstore 3032 Commercial Drive Anchorage, AK 99501 907-277-1741 mining@akmining.com https://miningsuperstore.com/

Actually Equinox or Manticore with 15x12 coil would be the perfect detector in Alaska for places like Ganes Creek. Low mineralization and few hot rocks plus large gold nuggets and literally tons of ferrous garbage = top performing VLFs with larger coils. Back in the day the MXT was a top performer. If I was headed to Ganes tomorrow one of the machines above would be my choice.

I’m up visiting my old shop in Alaska. We are doing a massive expansion of the mining department into its own building. The idea is to create a mining and metal detecting superstore. Anyway, they have the 900 and Manticore in stock. Some might find it funny but getting one just to get the new handgrip instead of the round post my Equinox 800 offers almost seemed reason enough to take one home. Kind of doubt I will though as I’m a bit over it all at the moment, but I’m here a couple more days so have time to think about it. The new shop is shaping up nice, tons of new toys including mini excavators. I’ll take some photos of the new store today and post later.