walkerrj

The gold that I've been lucky enough to find here in Colorado has been with the MXT and the 4X6 Shooter. Nothing big, mostly pickers off of tailings piles. My wife is a great detectorist in her own right. Up till now she was using our second MXT but recently bought a GMT to use as soon as the snow melts. For the beaches I've used quite a variety to include the Garrett Sea Hunter, MXT with concentric coil, Garrett ACE 250, AT Pro, and (don't laugh), a Minelab Go Find 60. The MXT has found the most gold and silver rings, whether it be beaches or parks.

Roughwater; back to your original post/question: I own 9 detectors and detect for gold in my home state of Colorado, dry sand beaches on both the east and west coast of the U.S., beaches in Mexico, and lots of green grass parks in between (probing only). If my wife said to get rid of all my detectors except one I would keep my trusty MXT along with these 3 coils (6X10DD, 4X6 Shooter, and 950 Concentric). Although you didn't ask, my second choice would be my XP Deus. Sure had fun in Colchester, England last year with it.

I see the Garrett website is now advertising the new ACE 400 for an msrp of $399.95. Probably a "lightweight" machine compared to most of the detectors talked about on this forum but could be one to consider for general purpose detecting such as parks, dry sand beaches, etc.

Just ordered a signed copy from "Dr Tones" on ebay. Thanks for the info Steve, looks like a great book!

The Garmin handheld Rino 650, 650t, and 655t series has that capability. In addition to GPS pinpointing of each other's position it's a combined FRS/GMRS radio. You can even text each other! I believe the prices start at $499.

According to a July 20, 2013 article in the Seattle Times, Bertha will "bottom out" 100' BELOW sea level when it passes under the current viaduct. What's interesting is that if they are able to repair it thru the current hole that was dug to get to it that will not be an option later on if it breaks down again depending on what part of the city is above it.

Speaking of the XP Deus, here is a quick story: This morning I was asked to do a hunt for a lost car key because to replace it would be over $400. After a short search with my Deus I found the key in a 2 foot snowdrift. The elderly woman who lost the key was very happy but I'm even happier as she gave me permission to detect around her 1890 Victorian house whenever I want. May have to wait until Spring though as the snow is slow to melt here in the mountains (8,600' to be exact)

Here is a link to the one and only Meteorite I've ever found. Almost tossed it since I was detecting for gold and didn't know any better at the time. Fortunately, the wife was smarter than I and we held onto it until it could be examined by a Museum. Turned out to be the real deal. http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meteor/metbull.php?code=30451

Interesting question you bring up and since this was my first trip to Colchester I can only give you my opinion as a "Newbie". First off, I would call it "hardcore" detecting. By that I mean we were up at 5:30am each day, quick breakfast, pack our gear and after a quick drive we were in the fields by around 7:00am to 7:30am. Detected non stop all day until around 6:00pm with a quick sack lunch at noon. Rain or shine we were out there. Weather co-operated most of the days I was there with one exception where it rained steadily all day. Everyone had rain suits and rubber boots but by the end of the day we were whipped and covered with mud. I'm thinking that when you put a dozen detectorists out in the field, day after day, detecting non-stop the odds are in your favor of finding gold and other good things. I did a lot of research on metal detecting tours in the UK before making my decision on going to Colchester and one of the reasons I chose them was because of their reputation for doing the right thing. Having said that I would love to go back but not sure if my 71 year old body could take it. I haven't exerted myself that much physically since my year in Vietnam many moons ago.

I just got back from a two week hunt in Colchester. What an adventure!! No gold except for a small piece of Victorian gold jewelry. Most of my finds were silver coins, both hammered and milled, and one Roman bronze. There were two nice gold finds in our group, including a stunning Queen Anne gold coin. It and all of our groups finds can be viewed in the "Oct Finds" of the Colchester web site that Steve mentioned above. I was using an XP Deus which seems to be getting very popular for hunting in the UK. Steve, I hope you make it back there next year. I'm sure there is a Celtic gold stater with your name on it somewhere

I've had my GF60 since Kellyco first introduced them and I certainly wouldn't call it junk. In fact, it seems rather robust for it's size and plastic weight. I just got back from a trip to Canada and had it in the unpressurized nose compartment of my plane at 45,000' and the outside temperature was -45 degrees centigrade. I didn't buy it to use as my main "go to" Detector. I have 8 others to use depending on what I'm looking for and where I'm at. It serves mainly as a backup and travel detector due to it's light weight. Might even take it along with my XP Deus and MXT when I go to Colchester this fall. So far I've used it in city parks and beaches and it seems to be dead on with coins. The grandkids have been getting some good use out of it also. For the price of $309.00 I think it's well worth it.

Steve, I think the 2nd week on Louisiana Sal's Team still has openings. You're welcome to join the fun. As a "Newbie" I'm not quite sure what to expect but Celtic Gold sounds good. Better yet, how about another gold Viking ring like the one somebody found this past year??

For the past year I've been sitting on the fence researching the Deus and trying to decide whether to get one. Finally ordered one yesterday from a dealer when he informed me that Deus had announced another price drop just a few days ago. Now I need to get up to speed with it before my two week trip to Colchester this coming October. The person leading our Team to Colchester is a Deus Dealer(the same person who just sold me my new one) so I should be able to pick up some good operating tips while I'm there. As a backup I'll also be taking my trusty MXT.

Finally got a chance to give my new Minelab GoFind60 a go at a local park. Got it a few weeks ago from KellyCo but too much rain lately to try it out. Went to a local Park for two hours and found a few dozen clad coins but no jewelry. Seemed to be dead on with the coins including the graphic read out and tones. Can't tell much about depth as I only use a probe in "manicured" grassy areas so most of my finds were only an inch or two down. Love how it folds up compactly like a Swiss Army Knife. Main reason I bought it was it will fit easily into a suitcase for my travels in the plane.

Personal Locator Beacon.

My 10 year old Grandaughter is getting pretty good at finding coins with a Garrett ACE 150.

Great advice, thanks alot. I've had an MXT since they first came out and it's served me well down thru the years. Just had White's do a "tune up" on it along with a new DD coil so guess I'll take that as my primary detector. For a backup I pre-ordered one of the new Minelab GO FIND detectors that should fit perfectly in a carry on bag due to it's small fold up size. I'll be going with a friend and neighbor who has been going to Colchester twice a year for the past 5 years so I've got a good mentor.

Steve, I just signed up for a two week detecting trip to Colchester, England this coming October. Since you've been there before I would appreciate your advise on the best detector to take there. I currently own a White's MXT and a Garrett AT Pro but have been considering a new XP Deus due to it's light weight. Your thoughts? Thanks.

Just "Pre-ordered" a GO-FIND 60 from Kellyco. Cost was $309.00 plus shipping. Includes a digger, ear buds, and a pouch for a smartphone. It should be perfect for throwing into a suitcase for all the traveling I do.

I've been using my new AT for two weeks now. I purchased it mainly because you can use it in vibrate only and the fact it's waterproof. The sensitivity seems to be on a par with my TRX but still doing some testing on that. I paid $137.19 for it from a local dealer.

For years I've used a White's MXT. For tailings the 4X6 Shooter is my choice. For parks the 6X10 DD coil is great for jewelry/coins. With those two coils it's like having two detectors in one.

Great advice! Thanks.

Has anybody on the forum attended one of the XP DEUS Boot Camps? Wondering if it's worth the money, time, and effort to travel to one?

My wife and I each have an MXT, purchased over 5 years ago. She uses a 4X6 and I have the 6X10 coil. All our gold prospecting is old tailings in the gold districts here in Colorado. We're happy with the results but also use our machines for Meteorite hunting and coin/jewelry detecting in city parks. The MXT does it all.

Steve, How do you think the SDC would perform in Hawaii where you did the ATX testing?