Jakepilot86

Yep, and that's exactly what happened Steve. I tried with and without flippers. With and without the detector. Couldn't seem to get more than 30-40 seconds on the bottom before it engulfed me. And even though I got some good hits, I couldnt even get my hands into the sludge deep or quick enough to find what they were...

So back in January on an ice-fishing adventure I hooked into a whale of a trout, so big that when my wife took her phone out to snap a picture, he shook the ice and down the hole went the new phone. We tried bobbing for it with a strong magnet and more holes, to no avail (although it did ring when I called it one more time before the battery died from the cold). Turns out there we several hundred pictures on the extra SD card that weren't backed up, so I'm going to take the plunge. That part of the lake is only about 12 ft deep (per fish and game's mapping), and we marked an approximate gps location. The water aint getting warmer, and my neighbor had a dry-suit to borrow. ATX is cleared to 10 feet, so with the 4 ft or so of extension i should be able to stay above. Luckily my lovely lady will be waiting above in the kayak, anchored down while I use a tether to slowly spiral outwards. Anybody done this before or got suggestions? (Yes, I've considered that the card might be shot anyways, just holding out for a little hope ?)

I've started most of my beach trips with the setting Steve listed above, except for the factory reset prior to beginning, I may give that a go this coming week, got a short work trip stopping through Guam and I'm hoping to hit a beach I havent been to since I was a kid. Found a 6-diamond ring snorkeling last time I was there, and proposed to my wife with it! Maybe the ATX will show me what else is in store out there...

So it sounds like you're the gatekeeper from now on! 

My best day yet! Most nuggets, biggest, and probably most weight. Not a lot, but it sure was exciting! Got a really nice specimen too, but I'll see if i can get a picture.

3 hours ago, sjmpainter said:

I've had USPS tell me the insurance is only good on packages that are properly packaged. The package was double boxed and spray foam filled. They said by the damage that occurred I should have put it in a wood crate! Refused my claim. So much for insurance. LOL!

Cause I'm sure they checked your packing job when they took your money...Tell them you thought they were putting it ON the truck, not running it over with it.

That's what I've got! My first (and only) two little nuggets were using that down there last year. Made a nice pair of earrings for my wife though. Still got a lot of equipment to pay for...

After an unfruitful couple days in NorCal (only a couple specks), heading down to Crow Creek with the GPAA guys for 5 or 6 days and hoping Steve left something behind! It's the only place I've found anything worth talking about so far, so here's to doubling it! GMT, ATX, Sluice and Pan...any other suggestions?

I went to a beach on Monday that was so littered with garbage that I spent hours digging the same few types of items with a nickel or dime thrown in. With the exception of learning how all the valuable items sounded (since I didn't find any of those), I can attest to those readings. The nickels were reading just like the whole pull tabs, the dimes like small pieces or the old-style aluminum bits. I dug them all to get more familiarity with my GMT, and had to have the sensitivity dialed way down. It's just so sensitive to even the small bits of aluminum. Still haven't bothered to empty the pouch of all the junk...

Oh excellent, so in the BLM report that comes up, when it lists the coordinates, if it then states Subdivision: SW, the actual area claimed is SW or that is the SW corner? That helps a lot though, because if the claim is a 160 acres and is a standard square shape, I know I can track a half-mile straight north or south and stay in bounds, or draw a polygon like you stated earlier.

Thanks Andy! Luckily most of the ones I did so far were in areas that had some good terrain features to help line it up. I didnt know about the polygons though, and I might try those out next. I'm trying to figure out the easiest way to find claim points though. Alaska's adfg website is good because it shows the actual claim locations, but places like mylandmatters on list in large section and tell you how many claims are inside it, without specific data. How easy is it to request one, or many of those, from the blm? Is it something you can do on the internet or is there a different location I should go to find it?

Here's my first attempt, overlaying existing claims from adfg near Hope, Alaska.

Woah, that is a much better way to do that. I will do more research before asking more questions about labeling and such. Thanks Steve.

So now that I have a Rino, what's the best way to put claim maps on it? Or do i need to use some of the online map sites and plug my own lat/longs into a custom route? I downloaded the base camp app and have watch the tutorials, its just gonna take a while to build surrounding claims and such by hand.

What kind of external speakers do you mean? Like something that hangs around your neck/shoulders? I've got a small volume adjuster that I can place between them, works as a splitter. 

On 4/1/2017 at 10:55 AM, Steve Herschbach said:

There are times I want to use headphones but my big over ear ones are too much. Like when wearing a wide brim hat! I also find most ear bud type headphones simply fall out of my ears when detecting. Especially my right ear, which has a small ear canal.

So I got a set of Bose SoundSport in-ear headphones a couple years ago and could not be more happy. They have a design that locks them into my ear and they never fall out, plus the sound quality is so good I also use them for music listening. They make versions for Apple and Android devices with built in volume controls, but mine are the basic no volume control "audio only" model that cost half as much. These unfortunately have apparently been discontinued. I like mine so much that in the course of researching this post I just ordered a backup set on eBay while then can still be had.

 

Do you just use a jack converter to make it a normal earbud size? Is the output about right? I much prefer earbuds so i can choose my headgear without worring about the headset going over the top.

Stop it...you're making my fever flare up! Now I need to go dig something up...

Looks like some great options! I'd like to have something where I can preload the coordinates and maybe even map it out on a computer and just upload it. 

That beartooth device sounds really cool! Might have to get a pre-order in on that while they're cheap. I think I'll start searching for one of those Garmins now

Fairly new to detecting and starting to explore more. Was thinking about buying a small GPS unit to upload coordinates and topographic maps, does anyone have a preferred unit or an app on their phone that does a good job keeping them inbounds?

Still sounds exciting ? So let's say I knew someone who wanted to come try some California prospecting around that area, what's the best way to make sure he doesnt end up on claims, BLM off-limit areas, private property, etc, but still find some gold? Anybody making trips down there in May?