Coffeeguyzz

As a relatively new Legend owner (purchased primarily for gold prospecting), I am somewhat reluctant to 'jump into' these fascinating "Beast" threads. However, so many of the above (much appreciated) comments hit home when one is looking for small, non ferrous, low conductive targets ... such as small gold. Should Nokta combine a software package such as Beast into a deeper punching, much anticipated PI machine, the product could be awesome. I'm heading out in a few minutes - weather permitting - with my SDC and Legend to a nearby workings and continue my evaluation/comparisons between the units. If there is something worthwhile that I can post, I will gladly do so.

HP, Thanks for the info. I've recently purchased a Legend (thanks, Snake Jim) primarily for prospecting and have been thrilled with the early results. I've been able to hit a nearby workings about 5 times now (constant rain here in CA/OR region) with little to show for it except a huge time/effort savings when compared to using my SDC. I will update to the 1.14 shortly and share my in-field findings. (Aside ... Jeff, I am unable to reply to your classified regarding buying your Carrot if it is still available). Thanks again to all who so generously contribute to this site. Gerard

I have taken 2 separate day long instruction lessons from Ray Mills and I highly recommend considering this as an option. (I found my first gold with Ray). His 2 uncles were full time gold miners/prospectors 'back in the day' and passed much of their knowledge onto Ray. He has been a longtime, regular contributor to the monthly online ICMJ magazine (a wealth of useful info itself) and has 2 e-books available on detecting for gold. Good stuff. Good man.

Rnr, Welcome to the site and best wishes in your new ventures. I need to re-emphasize rvpop's comment regarding the Legend and its pre-set settings (tailored for Park, Beach, Field and Goldfield hunts). I recently purchased one for $509 with wireless headphones and larger coil included. While there are umpteen online comments/videos about how sophisticated this machine is - and daunting to achieve significant mastery - it is absolutely 'turn on and go' if one wants to simply use the pre-set parameters (frequency, recovery speed, sensitivity, etc). Prior to my recent - first, using this unit - prospecting hunt on an old gold mine area, I set up 16 different profiles with a wide array of settings in order to learn more of how this machine operates. (Too soon to tell, but I like what I've seen so far). As one prominent Youtuber has said, his 1,000 hours using the Legend is about 500 hours shy of what he needs to consider himself an expert. Conversely, by simply turning on the unit, a user can start swinging immediately using the settings optimimally set for local conditions by the experts who designed the thing. Bottom line, if you diligently apply yourself, you increase your chances of success. The Legend offers a 'newbie' set up with the optionality to employ more sophisticated settings for more experienced users. Again, good luck.

Mr. Diggins, I appreciate the work that you are doing and the fact that you are keeping us updated in these matters.

GM, Yeah, my idea has been done by others before with varying degrees of success, from what I've been told. It is essentially reversing the tracing method of the old timers by starting at the downhill part of their diggings, and detecting downwards in an ever widening arc. There are pocket diggings all over the place (initial recovery success largely unknown). Lottsa persistence and effort might be the key, as in all worthwhile endeavors.

chrisski, Yeah, those BLM claim signs are common, along with a fair number that state the ground is available. Outside of markings on trees, I have not seen any physical boundary markers, but they are likely present. I've been using the My Land Matters Gis maps to determine how many active claims exist in an area and their approximate locations. If these active claims match all the posted BLM signs (as I believe they do), then large amounts of 'uphill' ground might prospective for a diligent detectorist/mountain goat as there are frequently signs of pocket mine work from the old timers. I will be heading to the County Recorder office(s) and try to nail down the precise boundaries of several creek claims so I can (hopefully) legally work some interesting ground. Thanks for the info.

GhostMiner, 'Look for signs of past exploration'. Exactly. What I've been discovering is seemingly virgin forest ground is actually nearly entire mountainsides of tailing piles covered in thick undergrowth and leaves. I've talked to guys who have repeatedly worked some creeks over the years with good recovery and asked them about metal detecting uphill. They both seemed skeptical. (My interpretation was that they preferred the more familiar, reliable small scale dredging rather than continuing with the minimal, fruitless detecting that they both had attempted). I will (continue to) follow your suggestion regarding research, especially promising areas where access/camping should pose no problems. Thank you for your input.

Mr. Diggins, I thank you for the detailed explanation. I have been spending quite a bit of time driving/hiking up and down bocoop mountainsides eyeballing the numerous claim signs which are virtually all along the creek beds. My understanding (possibly incorrect) is that the 20 square acres can run outwards from the creeks 500 feet each side. If so, this might leave a lot of potentially prospective ground going up the hillsides. As a prospector could easily (and legally, I presume) park upon and hike across a claim and work on unclaimed ground, the possibilities of both friction and misunderstandings loom large. I will attempt to precisely identify specific claim boundaries that are of particular interest. Again, appreciate the information.

Mr. Diggins, Thanks for the info. Does the My Land Matters site contain the precise locations of the claims? If not, does one need to go to the county recorder and/or a local BLM office? I have been prospecting in the California/Oregon border region - where virtually all of the promising creeks are claimed - and hope to detect 'up the hills' a ways, off site from claimed land, but - hopefully - finding nuggets as they are working their way downhill. Thanks again for the forfeited claims info.