Rob Allison

Hey Steve,

  Well said, it's nothing many of us didn't know 10 years ago when the Internet was going strong.  I knew it was a just a matter of time until Big Box retailers were selling the products, then Amazon and such.  I agree, many of the small dealers do in fact probably drop ship 90% of their products, but there are a few of us that still keep a full line in stock of most detectors and all the aftermarket and other accessories like Doc's, Apex picks, DetectorPro headphones, Coiltek coils, NF coils and such.  

We are a dying bread, small dealers will all go away at some point in the future.  

P.S.  If you see me selling Lemonade along the roadside, don't laugh! 

Rob

Hey Phrunt,

  You have a good point, there has been a lot of regions where potential customers want to buy products, but their country don't even have a dealer/distributor and under a dealer contract, we can't ship outside the USA?  I can see where this does benefit the end user.  

However, if that is the case, why not just open the dealers to allow them to ship anywhere in the World?  Give us the opportunity to make that sale rather than the manufacture direct?  I understand the local dealer in the area don't want to allow outside dealers to sell in their region, but potentially now they are selling against their Manufacture, what is the difference?

Interesting if anything ... 

Rob

Hey Guys,

   It was brought to my attention that Coiltek is now direct selling against their own dealers in Australia.  A customer asked if it effected the US market, but I told him I didn't even know they were doing such.  Curious how it has affected the dealers in Australia, if any?  

I'm always curious when someone like Minelab will direct sale against their own dealers here in the US?  I would think with all the hundreds of dealers/distributors here in the US that advertise on their own, have their own websites that drive sales, they wouldn't eliminate dealers/distributors, but could decide to just sell themselves.  

I hate to see this, but I guess business is business   I always like the business structure of Manufactures and even their Distributors to not direct sell against their dealers, but for some products that is not the case here in the US either.  

Fingers crossed for all us dealers/distributors here in the good ole' USA.

Rob

Its a real deal, not sure how many detectors they are going to release with a 6 month time frame ... 

Hey Beatup,

   What a beautiful gold nugget!  Congrats on the new find and the NF 17x13.  Many have been asking about the success with the new coil, so glad we have some reports coming in.  

I hunt with very similar settings, High Yield, Normal and a Sensitivity of 9-10 max and have found many very deep nuggets and tiny gold near the surface around a grain or so.  I like a smooth running detector and concentrate very hard to ID breaks in threshold or faint whispers or anything that disturbs the normal sounding threshold.  When in doubt, a quick boot scrape of an inch or so will let you know! 

Rob

Hello All,

  I told Doc I would toss up a post here about his new "Doc's Gold Monster 1000 Control Box Covers with hood (Olive Drab Green and Aussie Digital Camo colors).  The new Olive Green one is $56.95 and the Aussie Digital Camo is $59.95 + S/H.  The older style will be discontinued that was $54.95.  We still have them available and also bunded with all Gold Monster 1000 purchases.  These new Gold Monster covers have a removable Hood and the Hook/Latch are made of 3M material for superior strength. 

Here are the new pictures.  Doc always does a great job.  You can purchase them from Rob's Detectors, any dealer that sales Doc's Detecting Products or Doc's himself.  

Olive Drab Green - https://www.robsdetectors.com/docs-green-minelab-gold-monster-control-box-cover-kit/

Aussie Digital Camo - https://www.robsdetectors.com/docs-aussie-digital-camo-minelab-gold-monster-1000-cover-kit/

Rob

Hey Guys,

   I have heard of two reports back as of tonight from customers that ordered them from us.  Hey Bill, thanks for the order, you will love it.  A customer of mine called this evening and stated he found a beautiful 1/2 ounce solid gold nugget in an area he hunted hard with the stock 14x13 and NF 12" Z Search that he also purchased earlier in the year.  He said it was just a faint whisper, but said he flat out missed it, as several nuggets were found within a few feet and he gridded the area off.  Sounds like he practically paid for the coil with one nugget, which we all hope to do at some point.  

I have found a few pieces so far, nothing as big a 1/2 ounce, most of them were 3-4 grammers at deeper depths in old patches.  I have a few spots I want to give it a run on, but I'm so limited on time.  

We still have a few left in stock then we all have to wait until the next NF shipment arrives in the US .... 

https://www.robsdetectors.com/nugget-finder-17x13-z-searchcoil-for-gpz-7000/

Rob

Hey Deathray,

   I don't remember the conversation on my forums, I'm sure it was a long time ago.  Was it about what coils came with the Minelab GP Extreme? Gerry's correct, when purchased new the GP Extreme came with two coils, 11 inch and 18" and they were both DD/Pseduo Mono's.  You also got the black hard case, which was pretty nice if you traveled.  

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Thanks Gerry! I recieved everything but the 18 incher...then it became a heated back n forthon Robs old forum, and out of respect for Rob, I dropoed it. So thats what I thought. Still searching for anyone who has one they want to sell, or may lookat any other bigger DD coils. Im thinking theres more, deeper in my spor, haha.

Gold Ryder,

  I agree with you.  I still remember when the GPZ 7000 first came out, priced at $10,000 MAP.  Many were sold, but most were die hard electronic prospectors that just had to have them.  It's wasn't more than a couple of years, maybe less, that the price dropped to $8000.  I have to say, I received many emails/phone calls as customer were frustrated to hear such.  

If the so called GPZ 8000 (if that is what it might be called) is lighter, more sensitive and maintains at least the same amount of depth as the GPZ 7000 now, I might potentially drop $8000 on it, but I honestly can't see paying more.  It seems much more immune to EMI than the GPX 6000 or any previous Minelab PI, which I really like.  

Rob

Hey Reese,

   Great video and beautiful nugget.  Hopefully the NF 12x7 coil on the way to you will give you great results also.  Per on phone conversation, make sure you carry a nice hair comb, they work wonders on flicking a cholla ball right off you (you don't have to grab it and the comb allow you to get good leverage and break it loose).  

I have had many cholla ball attacks! 

Rob

Hey Guys,

  Hopefully we will hear some great reports soon.  All of my coils were shipped to customers this week, so I'm sure by tomorrow or Wednesday some reports will start trickling in.  The only NF coils for the 6000 to arrive on this batch were the 12x7 elliptical.  They seem very well built, pretty light, so we will see.  

Rob

Hey Gerry,

    When the SD2000 first came out, several old-time electronic prospectors I knew couldn't wait to get this coil and Pulse Induction detector over some deep ground.  One guy I knew that traveled from Arizona, Northern Nevada, California and parts of old Mexico was doing a pound of gold per day with this set up.  He was smart enough to also get on one of the first flights out of the US to Western Australia and got 160 ounces the first season, which he claimed was a short season due to the time he arrived.  

I would guess 10's of 1000's of ounces were picked up in a few years from prospectors across the Globe using the Minelab SD2000 and the Trash Can 18" Mono (Fiberglass) searchcoil.  

I'm sure a lot of it was the right timing, the right ground with the right detector.  

Rob

Hey Guys,

   Being a dealer for over 20 years, you would think with some of these prices the units would be flying out the doors.  The price of gold is nearly $2000 per ounce, but the sales are in the tank across the board.  If you noticed over the last 6 months, they have dropped prices on the Gold Monster 1000, Equinox series, CTX 3030 and now for a limited time you can get a GPZ 7000 or SDC 2300 for 25% off MAP. 

What about the recent, purchase a GPX 6000 and get a FREE Gold Monster 1000 included.  I've never seen this from Minelab.

There has been some new detectors like the Equinox 700 & 900 to reflect the price drop in the prior Equinox series and the new Manticore (if you can get one) for the price drop on the 3030.  Maybe we can expect a new GPZ 8000 to pop out this season, but if it's not much lighter and priced no more than $7999.00 I'm not sure it's going to be a huge seller either.  

Just my personal thoughts, kind of crazy times right now.  Inflation is super high, prices of most good are double if not triple and gas is no cheaper.  I think most people are holding close to their money due to the uncertainty in the World economy.  

Correct me if I'm off base ....

Rob

Hey Gerry,

   Thanks for the kind works.  Ya, the industry as a whole is much different.  A buddy said he wanted to start selling detectors, don't know anything about them, but thought it would be easy.  I told him good luck!

Rob

Hey Guys,

   The NF coils are tough right now.  We did get a small batch of the new GPZ 17x13 Z-Search coils, most of them all gone.  We received some more Sadie 8x6 Mono's and 14x9 EVO's, but most of the other EVO's are on backorder still and NO GPX 6000 coils.  We are only getting one size on the next shipment, I believe the 12x7 GPX 6000 coil.  

I also agree about the color, would think a lighter color like white or even gray would reflect UV better than black, shit we all know car manufactures claim a Black Vehicle is 3-5 degrees hotter than a White vehicle.  Maybe plastic is different, but I look at just about everyone other coil manufacture and they are white, Orange, Tan and Gray for the most part.  

Oh well, if they work well, keep swinging them!

Rob

Hey Guys,

  This is coming from another Dealer, Gerry has his own ways .... LOL , but is a stand up guy and fights the good fight for the detector industry.  If I could of just tape recorded or shot a video of the handful of times Gerry has stood up against the Minelab bigshots during these conferences, fighting for better prices, better products and just to listen to us (the dealers and end users a bit more) on feedback about new products/detectors.  

P.S.  Ok, Gerry now you owe me a slice of pizza and a cold one from that Rye Patch bar/restaurant ... Hehe 

Rob

Believe it or not, the NF 17x13 Z-Search coil, which we now have in stock (see classifieds for details) really balances out the GPZ 7000, even better than the stock 14x13.  Nugget Finder did a very well job on constructing this new coil for your Minelab GPZ 7000.  

Hey Guys,

    I have swung the Minelab GPZ 7000 from day one with the stock 14x13 searchcoil, but the moment the new NF 12" Z Searchcoil arrived here in the US, I purchased one and haven't taken it off.  I might loose a tiny bit of depth, but it made the GPZ 7000 useable to me all day without any assistance (harness, bungee, swing arm and such).  It's super light and super sensitive and much easier to pinpoint with.  

Now that being said, the new NF 17x13 GPZ coils are just about to arrive and now I have to try them out.  I never cared much for the stock 19", so the NF 17x13 might be the ticket for more deeper gold.  

I personally don't think the smaller CTX battery is the solution for a lighter GPZ.  I found it to throw off the counter balance effect, so prefer the standard or stock battery to add a bit more weight on the back end of the detector.  

End users light consider the use of a good custom harness/backpack, bungee cord, swing arm or going with a small searchcoil like the NV 12" Round Z Search or potentially a X-coil.  

Hey Steve,

   I didn't think their was much truth in it, but it was a legitimate question that was brought to my attention from others.  I was directed to the original post on a social media site.  I'm impressed with the Garrett Axiom and know it's not some old Minelab SD or GP technology from the performance.  I figured with your knowledge and involvement with many different manufactures the truth would be told quickly.  

Thanks for your detailed explanation of Garrett.  I wasn't a super huge fan of the Infinium for gold nugget hunting, the ATX was better, but way too heavy in my opinion, but I believe Garrett hit the Axiom out of the park @ $3995.00.  

A few customers are using one at a mine site and they are impressed with it's sensitivity to quartz/gold using Monoloop.

Rob

Hey All,

   It was brought to my attention from a friend, that the new Garrett Axiom is just old Minelab technology.  I really didn't know how to answer this question, when it was asked.  Someone (name not listed) posted this on a social media, so myself and other customers are curious on the validity of it?

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I also am a Garrett dealer and for those that do not know Minelab sold their older Pulse Induction patents to Whites then Garrett acquired Whites and used Minelab’s older technology to make the Axiom. I have nothing bad to say about it and it is a great entry level PI detector.

I'm not sure what Ultra Pulse Technology really is, beyond Garrett's PI version or technology.  Curious mind would like to know .... 

Hey Steve,

  Good points, especially on the 11" DD for gold hunting. I'm sure the Iron ID works well and could give you better target separation

Swegin - A few of my customers have been out, the reports are all about the same.  Everyone I talked to so far light  the weight, Discrimination works well, pretty sensitive detector and works well on most ground conditions.  All my customers that own a new Garrett Axiom have scored at least one nugget with it on the first trip out. 

Since the detector is so new, most are probably out playing with it, or hoping to get out soon with their new Axiom. 

Rob

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Hey Gerry,

   Great report on the new Garrett Axiom.  I haven't had much time on mine yet, most keep going out the door to customers, you know how that goes.  I did just write a quick first impression post about it.  

I think Garrett hit a Home Run on this one.  I spent most of the day with it, light, strongly built, USA made, priced right and such.  

We could only wish the overall economy was better for any manufacture releasing a new product at this time, but I think as time goes on and hopes of things economically turning around, Garrett will be glad they built this unit.

Rob

Hey Guys,

   Due to my limited time, I haven't had much time on the new Garrett Axiom metal detector.  However, my first impression on the unit were pretty good.  

First, the new Garrett sells for MAP of $3995 or 15% discount for USA Active/Retired Vets.  I believe Garrett marketed this unit to fit perfectly into the budget of most gold prospectors and treasure hunters.  They also give you the option of two packages, one with wireless headphones and a 11" Mono and 13" DD, or wired headphones and a 11 DD and 13" Mono.  Many of my customers have been split on the packages, the ones that want more depth out of the box seem to take the larger Mono packages, while the ones that are looking for max sensitivity to small targets and nuggets go with the 11" Mono.  

Secondly, overall the unit is very light, lighter than any other gold hunting Pulse Induction metal detector including Minelab's GPX 6000.  I also believe Garrett built a bit better design, haven't seen issues with a shaft turning or wobbling as of yet, seems like a stronger design from other similar manufactures.  

Finally, on the Goldfields, the unit was very stable overall.  I used the 11" Mono the entire time the first trip out as I wanted to just get used to the performance of the unit before dabbling too much with the DD and Iron ID.  That being said, Garrett does offer the Iron ID on this unit, where most other PI's have done away with any type of iron discrimination (GPX 5000 and prior).  Many believe there is still a need or use for Iron ID in trashy locations, which I do tend to agree.  

The unit was simple to understand without even reading the Quick Start Manual.  I charged the Axiom the night prior, let it charge overnight and removed in the morning prior to the hunt.  I powered on the Axiom, adjusted the sensitivity, placed in Normal mode, Tone around 55, adjusted my threshold, used in Medium Tracking then did the EMI tune and started hunting.  The unit ran really smooth and stable, the only time it was a bit unstable, which happens with most detectors is when a airplane flew over.  This would last a minute or two, then calm down.  

Believe it or not, my first target in a very trashy area was a nice nugget (pictures will come).  I couldn't believe it, had to yell over to a friend and say, "Dude do you believe this?"  That being said, I spent the next hour or so digging through a bunch  of trash and didn't find another piece until later.  I only had a few small hotrocks respond, which could easily be ID's when seen.  

I ended the trip with 4 nuggets, two pretty nice ones and two smaller ones.  I also had a nice pouch full of iron rubbish, as I was not using the DD or Iron ID on the Axiom at the time.  This will be something else I need to experiment with, as I heard the Axiom does very well with the Iron ID mode.  

I was hoping for a bit more sensitivity to small targets, as I was running the "sensitivity" almost all the way, but realized later I wasn't in "Fine" mode, which I believe will increase the overall sensitivity to small gold even more than the "Normal' mode.  

Quick Conclusion - Garrett did a great job on this unit, it's priced right, performs well, very lightweight and will have other searchcoil options available.  The unit is super easy to use, almost a turn on and Go detector.  I know there are a ton of people going to ask, is it better than the GPX 6000, I'm not going to say that, but I think with the price, performance and a USA made detector, Garrett hit a "Home Run" here.  

P.S.  I don't claim to be an expert on this detector, I have had very limited time on it, but do have over 30 years detecting experience now, so I felt I could give a fair, quick field test on this new Garrett Axiom.  

May all your targets be Golden! 

Rob

Hey Guys,

    I have had a handful of users claim they can locate veins, nuggets, treasure or whatever, but when it comes down to them showing up and doing a presentation for you, they never show.  I think LRL's are a scam, never seen anyone use one that can successfully prove it.  

What I always tell someone, look at the industry experts, hobby end users and even some of the major mining companies, if they are not using one, then that should tell you something.  Don't buy into any claims that they are the only ones that know about it, know how to use it right .... blaw ... blaw ... blaw!

I'm not a big believer of Dowsing Rods either beyond maybe looking for large metal objects (buried pipes and such) or water.  I do know some of the water companies have used Dowsing, but I'm talking about searching for items like coils, gold nuggets and such.  I buried a 9+ ounce solid gold nugget and both "expert dowser's" (their words) walked right over the top of the nugget with less than 2 inches of top soil over it.  I'm sure all the other "Dowsing Experts" will tell me they didn't know how use them .... 

Just my thoughts,

Rob

Hey Steve,

   A few good point, Microsoft Defender is pretty good if you're internet savvy and don't open unknown attachments, strange emails and such.  There are plenty of people that see an email that comes through and says "discount" and then click on the attachment to see what they get, beyond the virus the just opened up ..... 

I have a couple of Anti-virus programs, but Defender has caught all the strange stuff just as well as some of the high dollar Anti-virus programs.  

Rob