IDdesertman

Right now I don't see how they would be any more beneficial than Google Earth is. I can already get a good bird's eye view of an area using Earth sitting at home, and decide if its worth a closer look. If I'm out in the field I'd rather be detecting than messing around with a drone. 

Technology is always improving though. I could imagine a time when one could be used for more detailed analysis of geology, etc. Heck, maybe even hook one up directly to a detector and have it do the hunting for you! Seems far fetched, but we're about to have self-driving cars so I suppose anything is possible. 

Wow.. just wow. 

Hermit crab? Or maybe a gold tooth. - about a 3 grammer.

I always saw a cowboy boot, then someone pointed out it also looks like Godzilla. 

Wow, I was expecting a crazy crystalline piece or something. Not what I would expect that nugget to sell for! People do like gold from unusual locations but that is wild! 

Different areas I think. The Devil's Ear Nugget came from the Ukhagan Mine in Irkustk Region (central Russia). This once the just found is said to come from the the Khaborovsk Territory which is right next to the Pacific Ocean. 22 pound nugget!

I bet there is a lot more of those out there in Russia. Lots of areas with very few people and hard conditions for mining.

Pretty good read. I tried to read the comments but my brain started to sizzle... lotsa experts out there.

Thanks for the update. Looking forward to seeing more of your treasures from that location. Looks like there are plenty more to come!

That was some mighty fine gold LipCa. I've still got a couple that went in my personal collection. Go find some more! 

Sounds like a GB2 would be a good replacement for his GB2.

That looks like it would get the job done. Hate to be a broken record, but yes indeed it's frustrating you can't drop that in the water this season... 

1 hour ago, Randy Lunn said:

40 pieces of bird shot and 5 pieces of gold ........ I'll take that ratio!

Exactly what I was thinking!

Wouldn't a company usually have the finished product before rolling out with introduction videos, a deadline (sometime in April), and telling all the dealers around the country that the can start collecting money from their customers? I've always assumed that doing pre-orders and early announcements has more to do with hype and advertising than actually needing a few more months to "perfect" a product. 

3 hours ago, Steve Herschbach said:

Oh, and by the way, the Garrett Z-Lynk has no volume control. It is dependent on the detector or headphone volume.

Volume can be adjusted on the receiver end on the Z-Lynk. I'm running mine through the Gold Screamer on my 4500, so headphone volume can be adjusted on either the Gold Screamer or from the receiver on the Z-Lynk if you are using earbuds.

That's a steal of a deal!

Very nice indeed!

I sometimes change tone and take relatively frequent brakes compared to others. Even if its just for a minute or two. My brain gets fuzzy after a while from constant threshold and I will notice that I'm getting sloppy when detecting.

I've had two different media outlets contact me for interviews about the "new gold rush to California!"

I passed. I could have told them about how natural erosion works does add some gold to the rivers, but I could tell they wanted to sensationalize it into something bigger than it is. Gold is are everywhere! Bring a bucket to fill with all these nuggets!

I'm set on finding a 1-pounder someday. It's a tall order, but I know a few prospectors that have done it in the areas that I hunt so I know it can be done. And if I have to dig up a few ouncers in the process I guess I will...

Read the forums and you'd think 100% of people fill their holes. It's not like people chime in and admit they are lazy.

I know of a couple sweet spots on private property that are now closed due to lazy slobs.

I just stumbled across this thread and thoroughly enjoyed it. I am in Western Oregon for much of the year but haven't ever tried prospecting the beaches. I have always wondered about how a guy could scale up and move more material.. since there is basically unlimited sand... there's a lot of gold in that beach if you could just run all of it through that sluice.

Looking forward to your updates.

Hi Chris,

You mention that it's tough to find claims that mining companies want. Care to give any info on the mineral/type of deposit you are leasing out?

Hi Steve,

Do you see any notable difference between the Elite and the EVo coils?

And nice lump of gold!