Rob Allison

Hello All,

   Here we are again, a partner and I placering a dry creek bed.  The process of placering is to remove all the overburden (rocks, gravel) and process or work the paypayer/bedrock.  We are doing that by using rakes, shovels, crevice tools and then using metal detectors to scan the paylayer and bedrock for gold nuggets.  

This process is back breaking hard work, but can be very rewarding in the right locations.  As you can see in this video, we hit a nice crevice that had a hidden beauty in it, a 3/4 ounce gold nugget.  The nugget was wedged below the hardpack gravels and wedged in a bedrock crack.  

In this video we were using the Minelab GPZ 7000 metal detector, Garrett AT Pinpointer and several hand tools, including "Two Toes" nice crevice tool he shipped me.  We have gotten a ton of use from this tool, very good on narrow bedrock cracks and holds up well.  Contact Gary for more information, or visit his "Two Toes Youtube Channel.  Thanks Gary!!

Remember, the true treasure is the ability to get outdoors and enjoy your friendship with others that also enjoy this hobby.  

God Bless,

Rob

Hey Reese,

   Thanks.  Ya, agree you have great books, for anyone that don't own the Nugget Shooter's Guide, it's worth the money.  Great info, tons of color pictures! 

Anyone looking for Reese's great book, we have them in stock.

Rob

Hey Lunk - 

I have to agree with your statement below.  It would have been nice to see a small coil a year after the release of the GPZ 7000, not 5 years later like the NF Z Search coil now.  However, later is better than never I guess.  I also have found so much gold with the stock Minelab 14x13 GPZ 7000 coil, I'm very happy.  I really like the new small NF, more for the weight and a slight sensitivity edge.  However, as you mentioned about coil prices going through the roof, this new coil I believe will be $1100-1200 MAP 😞

I'm excited to see what the new GPX 6000 will bring.  The lighter design and ergonomics of this unit will be a huge plus.  

P.S.  Try not to beat us to all the old nugget patches out there! 

Rob

Especially with the inflated coil prices these days; the same amount of money that buys a 14”x9” NF Evo used to get you a Coiltek 27”x21” Bonzer. I was delighted when the GPZ 7000 was released because the stock coil found gold of all sizes at depth, eliminating the need for a coil arsenal; the only exception being the lack of a small coil for tight spots and heavy scrub, which appears is also going to be the same deficiency on the upcoming GPX 6000, with the 11” round mono coil being the smallest offering.

Hey Bud,

   I'm going to consider doing some more, but I'm so darn limited on free time.  Thanks for watching.

Rob

Hello All,

   A forum member sent me this question after I posted one of my videos.  To answer his question, years ago I started to make a video series, but only ended up getting like one video up about "What to Look for in the Field."  This video might help some to ID handstacking, which is very common in areas that have been placered mined.  You might need to turn the volume up a tiny bit.  

Rob:  Nice job with the latest video.  As a beginner I am always interested in learning more about identifying favorable terrain.  Do you have any video or still shots of what the general area looked like so that I might learn how to identify favorable terrain and what indicators you used to spot a potential area?  Thanks for any help you provide.

Hey Guys,

Agree, the Minelab Gold Monster 1000 and any Pulse Induction really is a good solid combo.  

Thanks for watching.

Rob

Hello All,

Here in this video a partner and I have been working (placer mining) a dry creek bed for gold nuggets. This process including digging down, raking and metal detecting the paylayer and bedrock for detectable gold nuggets. We were using the Minelab Gold Monster 1000, Minelab GPZ 7000 & Garrett AT Pinpointer along with various hand tools for digging. 

We dug a lot of old rubbish, not shown in the videos to preserve time and boredom  

This is part 1 of the entire video, the second part will be up soon.  

If you like our video, please Subscribe, Like and follow us on Youtube.

JP - I'm gagged also! I guess we will let others tell us about it .... 

Rob

Hey Guys,

   My experience was different than yours, my x coil outperformed it and that’s why I’m selling it. Seems no one wants them in Australia I haven’t got any enquires about it. 

MC30 - I find this hard to believe, customers from Australia are calling here and looking for them, as they are out of stock in locations in Australia.  This would only make me think they are selling very well and customers are trying to get them from different regions to supply the demand for them.  

I would have NF check out the coil you have, I think it could be faulty from what you're saying about it.  

Rob

Mc30  - I have only been out one trip with the Z Search coil.  From what I can see here in Arizona, the NF Z Search is more sensitive to tiny nuggets or dinks.  I could still hear many of them with the Minelab 14x13, but they were much more obvious with the NF coil.  

I had no issues with EMI whatever, my coil was really stable and smooth.  

I know mine is working well, picked up over 16 Grams the first trip.  

If you're looking for a lighter coil, a bit more sensitive to small targets, easier to pinpoint with and can get into tighter spots, then the NF coil will work great for you.  

Hey Guys,

   I understand all the ins/outs of the patch leads and coil.  I guess the moment you ask a general question, the assumption is you don't know anything.  I have been using and selling these products for over 25 years, so I would consider myself an expert on what I use and sell.  

I know this all started when someone thought I was trying to talk down about X-coils and that wasn't the focus, but more we finally have a searchoil available for the GPZ that just plugs in that is not a Minelab coil.  This is what I have hoped for over 3 years now.  I heard rumors of Coiltek, NF and other companies experimenting and trying to get something off the ground, but it never materialized.  

Many don't want to tinker, modify or chance any risk of damage or voiding a warranty.  This is only fair to tell anyone and then let them decide what they want to do.  

The new NF Z Search coil in my opinion is a winner.  The demand is super high, but unfortunately here in the US we need a huge shipment to fill  backorders (hurry up Rohan!).  

I think we will potentially see this issue going forward about aftermarket coils.  Sure looks like the new Minelab GPX 6000 will not allow the use of any previous GPX Searchcoil, Minelab or aftermarket, but time will only tell.  

Rob

Hey Guys,

   Great comments from all you and Thanks for the better explanation about the patch lead.  I'm still a bit stumped, Nugget Finder is not endorsed by Minelab, but they somehow got around and built the cable that will just plug right in.  This would be nice for X-coils, Coiltek or anyone else that would like to design coils for the GPZ or future detectors.  

I 100% agree about aftermarket coils, their company loyalty to Minelab and the fact with them, Minelab is selling many more detectors.  

I'm still selling Coiltek, Nugget Finder and Detacc searchcoils for detectors that are 15 years old and older.  All these additional coils give the end user many more options on gold types, ground mineralization, ground terrain, more depth, more coverage, weight, greater sensitivity to small gold and on ......

I think Coiltek, Nugget Finder and many other companies, plus others that are newer should be able to prove their worth to Minelab as down the line it would only increase more sales. 

Just my thoughts.  Hope I didn't offend anyone originally, that was no my intentions whatsoever.

Rob

Hey Guys,

   JP - The coil was super quite, but kind of expected that with a small coil.  I didn't take it around anywhere I felt there was a problem with EMI, I was pretty much in the outback of Arizona with minimal to no EMI (electrical, airplanes, microwave towers and such). 

Dave - We can agree to disagree.  If the X-coils were "plug right in" I would be selling them.  I had the same opportunity to sell these coils here in the US.  I think the X-coils put the fire under other companies to either build additional coils for the GPZ 7000 or not.  I personally think originally if the patch lead was included with the purchase of a coil early on, there wouldn't be any issues.  However, that was not the case, you had to purchase the coils from Russia or elsewhere, then find someone to make a patch lead using a wiring diagram.  These are the facts.

I agree with you, where customers might have been having the patch leads built, or doing it themselves is a different story.  I never stated that the X-coils were bad, but more so giving a customer more options of coil sizes and potentially more gold in different hunting environments.  

This is the information anyone that owns a GPZ 7000 deserves.  If a customer wants to have additional coil options, they need to be aware if there are issues, Minelab will not cover the expense or make the repair.  

Lastly, If one manufacture can make a coil for the GPZ with the correct connector that just plugs in, why can't X-coils?  What is the reason for the adapter? 

Rob

Hey Jasong,

  I just got off the phone with my rep to clarify.  It was my understanding and I just make the correction and posted above about it, that Coiltek right now is the only manufacture endorsed by Minelab.  I mis-heard that NF was also endorsed on this new coil, but I was wrong as of now.  My rep is going to inquire more from Minelab Australia, but as of now, Coiltek is the only manufacture that is endorsed by Minelab. 

This does not mean any other manufacture such as Nugget Finder, X-Coils, Detacc, NEL or whomever don't make great products.  I guess it's more of being backed by Minelab, more of maybe a safe guard to a customer.  

Rob

Hey Dave and Phrunt,

  I appreciate your comments.  However, my business ethics over the years don't have to be explained, I think all my customers would say I have been upfront, honest and gave them the best service and advice any dealer could give.  That being said, I'm not sure about your selling techniques, or if you even sale.  When anyone calls and tells me they damaged a $8000 metal detector due to a modification error/issue, then it's only fair for me to tell anyone out there to be careful and make sure it's worth the potential risk.  

I have never told anyone not to inquiry, test or purchase any product or coil, just make sure you do enough research.  

I'm not sure either of you called Minelab and tried to satisfy the customer, but I did.  I did everything in my power to have Minelab work with the customer(s) to see what type of options they have (if any).  

On another note, I had to make a small correction on my original post.  I posted "that the new Z Search" coil was endorsed by Minelab" and I was told today, this is not correct by Minelab.  I'm going to follow up with Minelab Americas/Australia to find out.  This is a question someone might ask.  

It's my understanding today, the only Searchcoils endorsed by Minelab are Coiltek Manufacturing.  

P.S.  As for the pinpointing issue, it's more about time then true issues of finding the target.  Lets just make it easy, the smaller coil makes it easier to pinpoint more precise and less time recovering nuggets that are grains in size, not sub-grams, or grams. 

Rob

Hey Guys,

   For the people, Yes and I'm not going to say names or exact numbers.  I have been a dealer for almost 25 years, so there are customers that had units burn up, had to purchase completely new detectors were purchased.  As you see, there is already a friend and forum member that stated one person had two units burn up.  Please keep in mind, I can't speak for someone else, just know there were issues/damages from modifications.   These were not faulty coils, but rather a "modification process" that allows you to use a aftermarket Minelab coil on a Minelab metal detector.  I just want to make sure that is "crystal clear." 

Minelab will not warranty, nor fix/repair a burned up GPZ related to a modification or tampering.

  The only coils endorsed by Minelab at this point are Coiltek.

I can't speak for how a person does the work, wires it, or whatever the issue(s) might have been.  These coils are probably great, I had a handful of opportunities, even from the designer to test a few.  I didn't find the value at that time, with a smaller coil to see that much performance difference (risk vs. reward).  

I decided I was finding enough gold with the 14x13 that I didn't really need to risk any potential damage, so I waited it out for another Minelab coil or a coil that was 100% endorsed and backed by Minelab.  

After over 4 years with the Minelab GPZ 7000 and stock coil, I found this new NF Z Search coil a pleasure to use.  Its lighter, more sensitive, well built and plugs right in.  It also includes all the hardware and lower GPZ Shaft.  

Furthermore, I just want to plug a coil in and go play.  I don't want to tinker or modify.  

Rob

Hello All,

   Had a great time testing the new Nugget Finder "Z Search" Searchcoil today on a wash I haven't hunted in some time.  This small coil for the GPZ 7000 is much lighter, more sensitive and easier to pinpoint small targets with.  I was super impressed with the new coil, wish I had a few dozen in stock.  I also love the fact you don't have to modify anything, just mount and plug in like a stock GPZ coil.  

I have already had 3 customers burn up their $8000 GPZ 7000 by making some wiring mistakes on adapters for aftermarket coils.  In my opinion, I don't recommend anyone voiding a warranty or sacrificing a $8000 metal detector if you make a mistake.  

Pictured below are nuggets found today with the new coil here in Arizona.  The coil comes with a lower shaft, mounting hardware and skidplate.  

Hello All,

   Well, here we go all, going to test the new Nugget Finder "Z Search" Searchcoil for the Minelab GPZ 7000 metal detector.  The coil is super light, well built and includes a lower shaft.  This coil will plug right in, no modifications needed.  I will be carrying these coils once they become available from NF.  I don't have a solid MAP price yet and already have a good amount of pre-orders and pre-down payments to hold some of the first ones in the US to be sold to the public.  

I know this is going to be a solid searchcoil for the GPZ 7000.  I'm super excited to test the new "Z Search" out.  Thanks Nugget Finder! 

Pictures below -

Thoughts? Customer sent me this, looks more like a Military unit.  Not the GPX 6000 look I expected.  A prospecting store in Australia has this info, a customer sent it to me to check out - https://tryhardprospecting.com.au/is-this-the-ultimate-sdc-aka-mf5/

Hey Guys,

   Thanks for the comments.  

Strick - Good question, but I think the simple answer is the gold was in a thin lens to start with.  It wasn't a round ball, or cube that got pounded and flatted like that over the years, but rather a thin lens (tiny vein) running through the quartz or schist.  The thin lens broke away from the quartz or host rock and then got worn down.  The piece was always flat, just got smoothened out.  

Hope this helps,

Rob

Hey OneGuy,

   Yep, that is correct, not a ton of fines.  There are fines, but not in any quantity that is worth running in my opinion.  We have ran a drywasher many times in spots on bedrock and other times the Drywasher and Vacuum and didn't really do well enough in my opinion for the time/effort.  

Rob

Hello Everyone,

   First, wishing you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New year, it's less than a week away.  

I haven't been out much, nor doing any videos.  I figured I probably need to toss something on my YouTube Channel before I lost all my Subscribers.... LOL This spot a friend and I have been working on and off for over a year.  It's a dry wash bottom and we are placering it.  We are removing the large boulders and gravel and trying to work the bedrock for nuggets.  In some spots we have attempted to vacuum up the gravels on bedrock and dry wash them, but to be honest the results were not hot.  Sometimes when you're into large gold nuggets, you don't have a ton of fine gold.  I'm not honestly sure if it was to do with the particular mining district and geology, but over the years we never found a lot of fine gold or small flakes/pickers to make it worth all the effort of Dry washing.  

It's seems more productive for the time we have to work it, to just expose as much bedrock as possible and metal detect it very well.  We normally use the GPZ 7000 or GPX 5000 as the primary detectors to cover the bedrock, but will pass back over the same areas much slower with the Minelab Gold Monster 1000.  That being said, we normally don't miss much, as the small gold is just not there and the Gold Monster really don't clean up much.  

Well enough of the chit chat, here is the video.  Hope you enjoy, if so, Subscribe to our YouTube Channel after watching to follow us.  

P.S.  Nugget ended up being just shy of 1/4 ounce.  Very dense, sluggy nugget gold is this area.  

Hey Guys,

   Thanks for all the comments.  All found with the Minelab GPZ 7000 metal detector.  I wouldn't say any were really faint, as we were placering down the wash to hardpack or bedrock.  In some areas, the hardpack was still covering the bedrock, the old timers didn't get all the paypayer and the places where there is still caliche on the bedrock could mean nuggets!  

P.S.  I don't own or operate a Backhoe. 

Rob

Hey Guys/Gals,

  It's been a bit since I posted anything.  The forums are very slow, at least mine here.  I have to get all you guys/gals more fired up to post more stuff so we all can learn from each other and share experiences.  

That being said, the COVID-19 really changed how we do stuff, let alone set out mass FEAR to the World. There is no doubt it's real, but I will just leave it there and talk about gold nuggets! 

I managed to get out recently and had a nice run of luck with the Minelab GPZ 7000.  I rounded up over an ounce in one day working any old channel.  All the gold was down on bedrock and it was difficult to get some out of the cracks as they were covered and full of hard pack Caliche (notice the color or caliche on the gold).  

Just over 31 Dwt's (20 Dwt's = 1 Troy Ounce).  Not a bad days work getting 1.5 ounces of the good stuff. 

God is Great.

Rob

Hey Guys,

   Like Steve, I carried Hodan Prospecting picks for many years until John turned the business over to his Son.  From what I know, his Son ran it for a few years and didn't have the passion John did.  Hodan Picks are long gone, unless you find one used or in some package.  They were great picks, famous for the Walking Pick, 36" Handle.  

John Hodan had a great run of high quality, lightweight prospecting picks.  

P.S.  The Nuggethunting.com site is one of my first, original websites.  It's very outdated and I need to remove it.  

Rob