Gerry in Idaho

Did you find a 6" coil and WP headphones yet?

14 hours ago, N7XW said:

Thanks Gerry and Steve, appreciate the responses.  I went out yesterday and did a little detecting and panning.  I quickly found that the h

As Gerry so eloquently put it, I am certainly a newbie to the game LOL.  I've been a dedicated coin hunter for the last 10 years but have only dabbled in trying to find the yellow stuff.  I knew the ground around here was hot, but I was still surprised to find so many hot rocks and hot bedrock.  

I'm also beginning to think that this area isn't worth investing in a dedicated gold machine.  If I did end up getting one, it would probably need to be a GBPI.  I'll probably try my old Infinium on my next outing to see if it fairs any better.  I'll also try the sluice box next time to see if it produces anything.

Cheers.

 

Glad you are on here asking.  So many folks unfortunately purchase the wrong detector for the task before they do research.  Your time to ask could end up saving you alot of headache.

Keep the dream alive though. 

On 6/13/2023 at 12:19 PM, Wilderland said:

I very recently witnessed an air test comparison on small gold with the X-Terra Pro against both an Equinox 800 & 900, a Manticore, an Axiom, and a 6000 & 7000. 

Good to see you on here sharing a little of what you learned.  Mostly glad you were able to join us for the training at Rye Patch.  Don't worry about those who say negative, they don't know what they don't know and they don't have the varying gold to test, as they MISS IT.

Yes, the X-Terra Pro was able to respond to some gold the GPZ-7000 and other high end gold detectors can't see. Yes I could do a video of it, but what's the use, nay sayers would argue and think I'm trying to trick the world.

Fact is and Steve H mentioned it- Not all gold bearing ground is mineralized.  

Remember folks.  Sometimes hand placer gravels and some tailing piles, have the mineralized dirt removed already.  Thats why it has been mentioned a few times by a few of us who know, in some situations, a VLF with larger coil, gets near the depths of PI's...but we are able to use features the VLF's have (such as target ID and or Iron ID).

No, I'm not saying the X-Terra Pro is a gold detector and I never did.  Even to this day I won't say such.  But as Simon and a couple others indicated, it could be used for someone who mainly hunts coins/relics/beach and if the rare occasion arrives, they could try it in a pinch. 

The training we offered, the X-Terra Pro and the Manticore were the 1st time there as we were just as curious as the rest of you, what these detectors can see and the ID #'s they read on the screen.  My Field Staff and I were just as surprised as you and really impressed, actually way more impressed than I would have expected.

Not sure why so many folks get stuck on price points and feel the more you pay, the more you get.  Heck remember, a less money Garrett Axiom or Minelab GPX-6000 outperforms a way more expensive GPZ-7000 for a variety of gold.  As for VLF's a less money EQ-800 with outperform the more expensive Gold Monster 1000 on a variety of gold in different soils.  And yes, the X-Terra Pro can even see a few kinds of gold in certain situations, the big machines are blind.

As said, those who miss it, don't know...they missed it.

Thanks for sharing part of what you witnessed and yes, I do feel the X-Terra Pro will eventually become a very popular detector at that price point for many tasks.  No, I won't be selling it as a gold detector, but do know it can do more than most realize.

After all, it was my buddy (here on DP) Ron who sparked my interest on the X-Terra Pro.  He already mentioned his bit of knowledge/learning when he did a little testing.  I agree 100% with him, it actually does better than expected for a sub $300 detector, who would have thought?

Happy Fathers Day back at you Chuck and may your day be blessed.

Even though my spoiled child is not proper, I still love him to death.  No proper kids for my wife/I, so we just spoil the 4 legged type.  Pics of my baby with one of his toys when he was all ears and no body.

and then when he filled out and started costing us money for food.

Happy Fathers Day to you all no matter who you love/spoil.

SunRay Pro Gold are another top brand but Ralph retired a couple years back.  Here's the scoop for those that don't know.  John Smith is the guy who used to build the SunRay headphones for Ralph.  John Smith also has his own brand "Killer Bees" and I myself prefer the "Wasp" model.  He also has top performing 1 ear headphones for areas with rattlesnakes.

Killer Bee's are American Made and lifetime warranty (and he backs it up).  All he asks is that you register the headphones when you get them.  He's a great guy to deal with in the many years I've done with him.

I heard Gray Ghost went through some management change and their products are not as good as before.  Maybe that is hearsay?  But when enough folks start complaining, that says something.

Black Widows are also top performers but a little tight on the head if you have a big grape.

The Koss UR-30's on most Minelab's have top quality sound, but their durability?  Does not exist.

We have a member on here that just moved back to NC.  He's done some of that work for folks and all looks good to me.  Look up Steve Wandt on Facebook..  Heck, he might still be on DP?  Good luck and be sure to show us the final product.

That's a fine chunky au nugget and the depth is most amazing.  Welll eanred.

10 hours ago, dirtman said:

Sounds like you've "taken to" the Axiom well 👍

I'm a Lurker trying to learn as much as possible about this USA entry to Electronic Prospecting.

My main concern yet is to start seeing nuggets being detected at depths, like 6 to 18 inches 😎🤠🎯

Good Luck an Happy Huntn !

Not my deepest Axiom gold but one I caught on video.  Sorry for the extra exuberant...but I get all giggle when chunky in the hand. 

17 hours ago, Calmark said:

I believe the ability to manually select different modes or timings on the Axiom are what set it apart from more automatic units like the ML 6k.  Got salt?  Switch to salt mode without need to swapping to a different DD coil.  Too many tiny shards of iron from cans or wires wasting time?  Switch to normal timing to knock out the tiny targets.  And even low sensitivity settings find the gold, and quite tiny and coarse too.  I have more sub .1gr nuggets with the Axiom so far than I ever got with the GPX 5000 and even my SDC!

Mark,  Glad you were able to score some Rye Patch gold on the last soaking adventure.  What's even more impressive is your ability to do it with the Axiom.  I've said it so many times before, but some folks think it's sales talk.  Glad you mentioned it as well.  The Axiom with it's Fine Tuning capabilities can do things the more expensive GPX-6000 can not.  

As for depth, I've dug some 12"+ nuggets (specimens) and on bigger gold, the Axiom is so close to the GPX-6000, you are splitting hairs.

My group was there training June 9th - 11th and the ground was not that bad, but it was still the worst June hunt I have ever done.  I think 15 to 20 nuggets were found by all.  There was a storm coming in when we left, so that must have been afterwards, as the pics below were not as such when we pulled out.

Yes I was sent a couple pics of the cross roads to the burn barrel turn off.  Looked like a serious gully washer came down.  

Majuba in the background.

Again, great on you for realizing the situation you were in, the GPX-6000 was not the best tool.  Thats why I always take  a couple on any given trip.

Lundy,  When the ground is ideal, be sure to let us all know so we can head that way.

On 6/15/2023 at 11:56 AM, N7XW said:

That's a beautiful find Gerry.  

What I'm really after is a fully waterproof vlf gold machine.  I've narrowed it down to the Legend, Nox 900, Gold Kruzer or Manticore.  I'd really like to know if the Gold Kruzer is still available or if it has been discontinued.

 

Thanks.

 

Our US Distributors have informed us that the accessories for the Gold Kruzer are being phased out.  I don't know what that means for the Kruzer, but would expect that it wont be around for much longer.  Again, they did not tell us the detector is being phased out, just the accessories for it.  You can read between the lines from there.

As for water hunting gold nuggets?  I can tell from your questions, you are new to the game.  Finding gold on dry land is hard enough.  Yes I have found gold in running creeks in 3 states (Alaska, Idaho and Oregon).  But as someone who  weighs the time vs take of gold.  I usually pass on the hunt for nuggets in water.

There are many great nugget hunters on the Prospecting site here on DP.  Ask the question about hunting in water and see what you learn from the others.

As for bedrock sniping?  Since you mentioned, cost is no factor, it could be a PI machine you need most, if the bedrock is highly mineralized.  I've had great success with a variety of VLF's on bedrock and I feel the elliptical coil is of importance.  Right now, we can't get any word on the release of the coils from Minelab for the Manticore so if you trip is soon, then get something with such coil as an accessory.

Now that that Legend can be purchased under $500, that might be a great starter or the Gold Kruzer.  EQ-900 is a great detector for the price when compared to the Manticore and the 900 comes with 2 coils, plus CoilTek offers a 10" Ellip.  Manticore needs to be proven yet.  Heck, we just now get our 1st software update (which is good).  Manticore coild end up being the best performer of all mentioned in mild bedrock, but only time will tell.

I've detected bedrock so hot that VLF's can't handle it period.  In that case a PI with a smaller coil would be best.  The Axiom is best value and has more features than the popular GPX-6000.  I wish Minelab would upgrade the GPX-6000 to add adjustable Threshold, Fine tune GB and more Soil Timing.  GPZ-7000 boat anchor just needs a complete redesign of housing and weight.

Again,  If the best rock is not that mineralized, all the detectors you mentioned can do the task.  Just realize, most who snip bedrock prefer smaller coils and if available, go small ellip.  Good luck my friend,.

Minelab USA,  didn't call me, didn't text me or email.  I heard 2nd source.  Minelab USA probably didn't even know until yesterday or today.  Sorry it's not what we'd like, but it's what it is.  At least we have an update. 

I was just informed of the Software update to the Manticore.  One of the items mentioned, is better performance for Gold Prospecting.  Glad to see that added.

I look forward to hearing what others have to say Pros and Cons. 

On 6/5/2023 at 12:18 PM, N7XW said:

Any promos for the Nox 900?

 

Sorry I did not reply sooner as I was in Nevada chasing rattlesnakes, trying to find a few pieces of gold and being run out of the desert by afternoon thunderstorms.

Minelab and most other manufactures usually are not ones to run discounts or freebies on the new detectors.  The EQ-900 is one of their most popular sellers.  I doubt we'll see any promos on it for quite a while.

Are you interested in the EQ-900 for General Use (Coin/Relic/Jewelry) or Gold Nuggets?  The pics below are of the 1st piece of gold I recovered in 2023, with the EQ-900.  A nice 6 gram specimen.

Simon, Minelab USA goes through spells.  Back in the 90's and through most of the 2000's we used to have promos to match the US manufactures.  Then a certain person came in shut down dealer promotions, dealer give aways, took away the 3 Day Air shipping and even took away the free hats on big orders.  The promotions you have seen the last 6 months could be due to lost market share, drop in stock prices, lack of sales and profits.  I can't understand why some  countries don't get them though.  Who knows, all it takes is a new person in charge with new ideas.

Love seeing those cuts.

Now you can say you went behind a GPX-6000 and found gold he missed and you didn't spend $2000 more either.

Which is best?  Heck man that's an open end question.

Best at value?

Best at Ergonomics?

Best at Discrimination?

Best at coil options?

Best at durability and least amount of issues?

Best at Relic Hunting?

Best at small gold?

Best at Big Gold?

Best at User Friendly?

I own both and have posted much gold found with both in times past.

For a 50% more price increase of the GPX-6000 in the USA $6000 vs $4000 for the Axiom, what is best?  I don't see the average person needing to spend the extra $2000 and in fact I would recommend that person get a good VLF to complement the PI.

As I said, I own both and for now, plan on keeping both.  But I use them as tools and can afford both.

I'll be in the field soon and hopefully find some gold this year.

So far my best piece is a small chunky specimen with the Equinox 900

The Axiom is more sensitive than a GPX-4500, so you better contact your dealer and have him test it. I feel the Axiom is not working properly.

You made a wise decision to upgrade and eventually you see the benefits of the Axiom.

Jim McCulloch - "Paps", You have been an ambassador and inspiration for this industry for at least 30 yrs and probably longer.  Names like Jimmy Sierra Normandi, Hoss Blackman, Larry Sallee, Jim Straight, James McCulloch (you), Woody Woodworth were all the bigger names when my puppy ears started listening for the nuggets.  Sure I go back to the early 70's for Coin/Relics, but it was not until mid 90's I started taking gold detectors seriously.  Thanks for the comments on my article being worthy of a magazine.  What is a magazine anyway and are there any left?

As MSC mentioned, that's pretty good for RP considering how hard it's been detected for 25 yrs.  I noticed Larry had his detector set for bigger gold than you Lundy?  Or is his old ears starting to miss the really small bits?  Great on you both.  Be sure and leave a few for my customers coming up for the training in June.

SnakeJim - Glad you are using the features some detectors provide and saving your back/legs for another hunt.  Yes, I too used to dig it all and then wondered why some machines have those features on them.  Just like a new truck has options and features most of us never use, but in the right situation, those bells and whistles actually make the truck that much more enjoyable.  Thanks for the input.

D&P-OR (Del) - Eastern Oregon (my stomping ground as well) has some really nice gold.  Here's a golden grin of the Idaho find before I cleaned it.

Below is a pic after cleaning.

Your neck of the woods below (Eastern Oregon).

The 10 ozt. specimen below, I recovered in ore dump piles with a GM-1000 while training customers.  They were running GPX detectors and the amount of iron they were digging was very frustrating for them.  I tried explaining the importance of using different gold detectors in situations that can save time and energy.  I used one of the students Monsters and recovered this $5000 rock.  I didn't keep it though.  When you hand over a chunk of gold that size to the claim owners and explain why they make different gold detectors with varying features, it surely makes a believer out of them.  Could a GPX detect it?  Most certainly, but they had about given up with those machines as most PI's raw depth and power is a double edge sword.  It's a hard pill to swallow, when someone with a $5000 gets so frustrated and then a sub $1000 recovered the gold with much less effort.  Just another reason why I try to help educate folks on the importance of different technologies and detector methods.  As for the piece I recovered with 24K, that's an Idaho find from ore dump piles.  The gold in the pic with the bill, is from Oregon and was also Ore Dump piles using Iron ID.  Thanks for your enthusiasm.

Blackjack - Most certainly different regions/areas require varying tactics.  Knowing where/when to use Iron ID/Target ID/Disc is key.  At one time (we all) used to dig it all.  Some of eventually wonder if there is an easier or more proficient way.  Most certainly is in many (not all) situations.  Glad you are open to trying features on your detector.  Heck, when the Equinox 800 came out, how many people actually used it for gold?  Most laughed at me and thought it was all salesman talk.  

 I'd say more on the subject, but my mouth is full at the moment.  Thanks for your input as well.

Geof_junk - Yes, it's an art in a way and knowing when/how to use it can be very beneficial.  I realize many areas are not the same as I hunt here in the USA, but the area you show in the picture with rusty cans and tin, is a good place for different detecting techniques and approaches.  Expert hunters as yourself even said you walked away.  That's exactly my point.  The best of us give up on certain areas and explore the fringes and outer perimeters of that site, in pursuit of less trash.  But in all honesty, here in the US, it's time to go back to such sites and use features some of the detectors provided.  1st thing I would do on that site is drag some super magnet bars and try to remove as much as possible.  You're experienced enough to know different tricks to get a few more pieces.  Now, I agree 100% if small bits in that trash area, then I'm not as desiring to spend a lot of timing cleaning up the trash.  Sure, I know some gold may still be there, but I'll chase bigger stuff 1st.  Actually, at my stage of gold nugget hunting, I'm not one to get excited on small bits anymore and I don't do it for a living.  the last 5 yrs, I spend most of my time focusing on the few bigger chunks.  Thanks for adding.

Noriv - I'm totally content with you using zero DISC for those open areas.  When I visited Au back in the 90's, I never once even thought of using DISC as the sites we hunted were as your mentioned and pretty much trash free.  Sure there is the occasional surface target (usually trash), but nothing like I encounter here in the US as I mostly hunt previously worked gold bearing ground.  And yes I agree, as we age with wisdom, we learn to conserve the amount of energy our body provides us each day and use it most wisely.  No more spring chicken left.  Thanks for chiming in.

Gold Catcher - Yes for the average beginner Joe, I feel using DISC or Target ID features is not desired.  Those folks have not learned the ropes yet and need to dig their share of holes.  Heck, that's exactly why I don't mind having a group of newbies go swing an area before me.  Just make sure they pack the trash out that they are digging.  In the end it makes my job much easier when they remove the majority of trash.  Yes, small gold and even bigger gold at depth will not register properly on all detectors.  Each one built that has such features, there's a depth or ground conditions that all of them can be fooled.  That's why when I'm at sites like Rye Patch and realize the gravy is gone, I'm more apt to use ZERO DISC.  I usually won't chase those screamer surface targets out there either as 99% of the time, they are fresh bullets.  Knowing when to be selective is very important.  Thanks for adding.

Andrew - I'm glad to see you chime in as I know your experience with a PI for relic hunting is near the tops.  You have tested, compared and listened to enough targets to teach yourself the fine lines of PI's and how they respond.  Heck, even your skill with many of the VLF's is tops.  I've seen enough of your posts and videos to know you're one of the few who takes the time to go out and just compare/practice/train your ears.  Using DISC in your head is very important and you do better than most.

Jasong - Interesting quotes my friend.  Being a WY guy who travels to many areas/states hunting gold, I think you/I are alike as we encounter many more options of gold bearing grounds.  The rules to gold hunting?  I honestly don't think there are rules to hunting gold, as there are to many variables for the ones who travel.  That's part of the reason why some have success more often.  But being able to adapt is a big part of it as well.  Thanks for providing.

Dirtman - The ear is a great tool.  I just wish more newer customers relied on it and not the LCD screen on their detectors.  Even advanced hunters such as yourself use Mind Discrimination and make a decision based on signal width, strength and site location.  I noticed your profile does not give a location of you and it's hard to tell where you spend your hours swinging?  Based of your comments and style of detecting, I'm willing to gestimate you usually don't hunt dredge tailings much?  No worries, as many folks don't, just for the facts that not are around.  Everyone has one.... I've seen that before. Alls good and thanks for input.

10 hours ago, mn90403 said:

Gerry,

You ARE an EXPERT.

Mitchel

Detector Expert....I know more than most.

Gold Prospecting Expert... Not exactly when compared to those I know who do ti full time.  I sell detectors for a living and provide knowledge from my near 50 yrs of swinging them.  I don't hunt gold for a living and I don't get checks from the manufactures.  I have a select few customers who do hunt gold for a living and I'll warn most, it's sometimes a rough, solitude life with a different mindset. 

As mentioned before. The more mineralized dirt in the cup, the harder it is for coil to see the exact same target.  That's why I train folks to not grab a bunch of soil on the weaker signals.  Mineralized ground (even a little in the cup/scoop) can mask a signal. 

Take it a step farther.  I have recovered small gold nuggets that were in a red stain and when I was the red stain away, I can hear the same small nugget much easier.  Heck sometimes, the small stained nugget reads as Iron on the ID.  I clean the stain off and the gold magically ID correctly.

Great read.