Gerry in Idaho

18 hours ago, YubaJ said:

Gerry,

            What frequency(s) were you using with the Nox 800 for the tailings piles?

Multi

Very informative video on finding small and really dink gold with the Manticore.  I noticed your machine does the same chatter each time you put it on the ground.  It's not the ground per say but the loose coil cord which Manticore easily detects.  Try cleaning up some of the excess cable near the coil and it will help.  Yes I realize it's good to have some flex as we are always adjusting angle when in use.

Mentioning the other detectors in the comments but never did say how you would rank them for small gold hunting?  If you don't want to, that totally fine as I know sometimes testing unreleased coils and or detectors, pointers, there's certain things you can't do or say. 

You're quite becoming very good at the natural gold my friend and I appreciate you sharing your thoughts on the update and coil.  Keep it up.

My Staff/I will be around Rye Patch the 1st week of Nov. getting ready for students eager to learn.. if you're in the area swing by. 

Again as expected from you, well done.

I have a couple cancelations for this upcoming class, so if you want to get up to speed with your gold capable detector, call me at 208-345-8898.  My Field Staff Experts and I are eager to get some more 1 on 1 with you.  With us offering 3 days and the knowledge really sinks in.

Pics are of my customers at Rye Patch.  Mike came to take the class on a new gold detector and Sally was a tag along using her GPZ-7000.  She was above camp while the group was training and she pops this solid slug.  Guess the ride home for Mike was an ear full.  No worries, I'd be proud of my wife if she could do the same.

22 hours ago, strick said:

"- In mold tailing piles, the mineralized dirt has been removed and performance of VLF vs PI is not as big a difference."

Love that first picture...Ive never heard this term and I'd like to learn that a "mold Tailing pile" is ? 

great write up gerry

strick 

Strick, Thanks for keeping me on my toes and I did do a correction "many Tailing piles".

As for tailings/hand workings, I know you have some there in CA.  After you and your lady took our class, did you ever go back to any of those with the VLF's?  Yes I realize you could go hours and on occasionally days without a speck of gold, but at the same time, I've seen world class specimens come from a few of such style workings in the "Golden State".

On a side note, I could have said "moss tailing piles".  I've actually recovered gold in such piles and I even own a couple moss covered gold pieces (sun bakers).  I have found a few in NV and Oregon.

Below is a pic of one piece still showing moss type material on the top side.  If you view the throw out piles of rocks in the background, you'll see they all have the moss type growth on the tops.  This particular treasure with ounces of gold in it, will not detect on an older SD/GP machines.  It was literally laying on top of the pile and the improved Sensitivity of the Garrett Axiom help me make the find.  Interestingly, a quality VLF sees this particular find at about the same distance.

14 hours ago, Glenn in CO said:

This is so true in the area I and my wife prospect for gold specimens on tailing piles here in Colorado. We have tried many different types of PI detectors in the past on none will detect the gold specimens we find with a VLF detector. We were hoping the Garrett Axiom would be able to detect this type of gold and this last spring met with Rusty Curry with Garrett to see if the Axiom offered some promise. Unfortunately the Axiom wasn't able to detect the gold specimens, even using the different types of coils they had to offer. We are hoping someday a PI detector will be produced by somebody that can detect these type of gold specimens, as there are certain areas where we are plagued with hot rocks and minerialzation and a VLF detector is basically useless.

Here is a .67 Gram wiregold specimen that a PI detector will not detect:

 

Thanks for agreeing with me and showing proof Glenn.  It takes a lot of time in the field with many detectors to learn these things and most folks will not do that.  Yes I agree with you, the Axiom does not see/hear some invisible gold, but at the same time it also will find more of the invisible types than many of the older PI's.

As for a PI being able to do as well as a VLF for such gold?  I really don't see how they can do it as the technologies used are so different.  Maybe if a manufacture were to build a VLF within a PI so you can switch back and forth.  Wonder how much that detector would cost us?  Well f it was Minelab selling it, I recon $10K.  If it's someone else, say like Garrett, I would expect them to be more reasonable. $5000.

Love seeing your finds my friend and sorry I never made it up there this year, maybe 2024?

Yes it's a hard pill to swallow when someone with a sub $1000 detector can find a $1000+ piece of gold and a $5000 or $8500 machine can't even make a peep on it.  I've pissed off a few folks in the 3 days training sessions we offer, by showing such.  They just assume the more money you spend the more gold you find.  We Staff and I provide Knowledge and some of it is stuff many dealers don't even know about or have seen.  What you do with the knowledge (being pissed or happy you learned that about your detector) is up to you.  My training shows and explains what kind of gold your detector is best at and I also want you to know the kinds of gold and hunts it's not so good at.  That way you are not wasting time in the field with a detector that is not good for the task.

Why so many folks don't research out a good reputable dealer who's actually in the field showing success, to help them make a detector purchase, instead just order on Amazon and then wonder why they have not found any gold....is beyond me. 

You're one of the wise ones my friend.

16 hours ago, dig4gold said:

Hi Gerry. You have truly found some stunning pieces. It is a credit to you. I must have missed the ones stuck in your gob.😂

Would you still rate the MXT 300 for detecting bucket dredge tailings. Or would the Nox 800 be a better bet with the larger coil?

Cheers

D4G

MXT 300 helped me find quite a bit of nice size gold back in the day.  When compared to an EQ-800/EQ-900, I'll take the newer technology detector. Multi IQ, 100% waterproof, lighter weight and better at certain specimens/invisible gold...vs MXT.  But boy, was the MXT back in the day, a true gold grabber for those of us who learned how to use it.  Actually quite an easy detector and much so more than a GMT along with better depth on bigger gold than GMT.  Not true on small picker nuggets, the GMT shines through and also on invisible gold vs MXT.

11 hours ago, oldmancoyote1 said:

Very nice!  

Do you prefer a standard coil (say a 9" elliptical coil) or a larger coil (say a  13" x 15" double D) on your VLF when detecting dredging piles?

Thanks for asking a very important question.  As you view some of the pics, you'll see my coil size and selection varies based on the detector used.  When running the older GP and GPX series with some Iron Identification, one must have a DD coil and the detector set up accordingly.  I really like the 10" Ellip DD in some of the rough terrain areas and also the lighter coil on those bigger heavy machines is more manageable.

When running VLF detectors in such sites I'm swinging the stock size coils as I'm not really interested in tiny bits and pickers.  Back in the day on a Fisher GB-2, Tesoro LST, White's Gold Master series, I used stock 10" Ellip and larger 14" Ellip.  With MXT series the 950 coils and or even 12" round.  When newer Fisher GB came out and after some testing, I liked the 11" Semi Ellip. spoked coil.  Then came the X-Terra series by Minelab and my testing provided me best results with the stock 9" round Concentric coil in the 18 kHz and if really rough terrain the 10" Ellip DD in same 18kHz.  After that was the Equinox series and boy did the EQ-800 with stock 11" round coil and extreme light weight really get it done.  I even used the larger 12x15 in a couple areas that had produced a few bigger pieces and managed to squeeze out one more sandwich of gold.

Below for my big mouth fans...

Below pic was found with NOX-800 and 12x15" coil.

The Manticore and coil size.  No option yet, just a bunch of BS teasing us.  Yes, I have used Manti with success and the 11" round DD is fine and will be more preferred coil.  Eventually, I'll step up a size for a select few areas...but at the rate things are going, it will probably be next year before I get to swing one as winter is setting in around my closer sites in ID, NV and Eastern OR.

As for the GPZ-7000, I used the stock 14x13" coil but only in a few select sites as there is no Iron ID.  Same with the newer GPX-6000, the stock 11" round is just fine.

With the newest of the big boy detectors, the Pulse Induction Garrett Axiom and it's variable capabilities and coil options is ideal for a variety of such style of detecting tailings/diggings.  It has Iron ID capabilities the 6000 and 7000 do not.  Plus, the Axiom's advanced PI technology does better on many kinds of specimens and invisible gold many other PI's miss.  My own style of detecting and the size of gold I'm chasing with the Axiom at such sites, I've been swinging the 12x13" MONO coil.

One piece of advice for those who prefer to use a big deep detector, be sure to have a good VLF with target identification capabilities nearby.  Doing so will save you so much time and energy.

Realize what is different about me than most.  I don't really like chasing small gold, unless that's the only gold remaining in the area.  When you have dug up a couple trophies, it's tough to step back to small again.  Yes, I know there's more small gold than big and that's exactly why when my Field Staff and I do training, we teach most to use smaller coils as they provide better results for the majority of what's left.

Always varying scenarios and choices out there and not 1 way, 1 machine or 1 coil is best for everything.  Options in different detectors and coil selections allows me to find more heavy metal.

Sorry to hear there are such stupid idiots in Australia as we have here in the USA.

The majority of my bigger gold finds have come from tailing piles.  I've detected dredge and hand placer digging piles in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Montana and Nevada with success.  If I were to hunt California, Arizona and Wyoming tailing piles, I'd do what I've learned in the 30 years of chasing bigger gold and do what I usually do, I'd run Discriminating VLF's and find even more.  Yes I have used PI's and even ZED with Success at such locations, but I run out of energy much sooner, as shovel heads at 3 1/2 feet are Ball Breakers, grease buckets over 4' are heart attaches.  Here's the funny thing about the bigger machines. I've yet to actually find a bigger chunk of gold beyond the depths of my VLF's capabilities.  I'm sure it has been done by someone, but my Success speaks for itself.

I run into folks in the field on occasion and they swear up and down, those said sites can be PI'd.  OK, then why is my VLF Success 10X of theirs????  Sometimes a little Success with a PI in tailing does not mean that's the best way to do it.  Problem is, some folks are happy with a little bit of Success and too hard headed to learn and or teach themselves a new style.  OK with me, as I'll keep doing what works for me and they can keep doing what works for them.

Not all tailing piles are the same and many are not even in good size gold nugget/specimen country.  Many folks forget this fact.  In many of the tailing I detect, the highly mineralized soils have already been removed, so the VLF's capabilities are optimal which = a closer performance comparison of said VLF vs PI.  Again, different parts of the country in the US, the piles vary.  It's just that in the regions and states I've detected tailing piles, I've been able to get best results with the Discriminating VLFs.

- A lighter and faster VLF detector can be used for longer periods of time

- The Iron ID VLF's save time in identifying ferrous and non ferrous targets.

- Today's newer discriminating VLF's with target Identification can be taken a step above and helps me separate the nonferrous targets and saves me more time not having to dig certain non ferrous targets.

- In mold tailing piles, the mineralized dirt has been removed and performance of VLF vs PI is not as big a difference.

- Very important and not mentioned by most.  Invisible gold - It's out there in way more places than most realize, but you don't know as your detector can't see it.  Many older PI detectors and even a couple current models can not see or will respond to such gold.  I have numerous multi ounces pieces a VLF responds to and bigger detectors can't or do it but not as well at a depth as the VLF.

I love detecting tailing & hand work placer piles.  I highly recommend to those who have not done so to try it and be open minded when doing so.  There is no right or wrong way, but do what seems to work for you.

If you have a bigger PI or ZED and don't own a VLF, I know you're missing gold and in some areas, you could be missing the best gold.  No sales pitch, just what I have learned from being in the field for many years.  Heck I couldn't believe my own eyes when I 1st witnessed this 25+ yrs ago.  Now I take a big machine and VLF everywhere I go

Here's some pics of finds with a variety of detectors that I have been successful with.

Thanks for all the great comments guys.  You and at least another 1/2 dozen successful DP members have joined my Staff/I in the field and learned the ropes.  It amazes me how some of you have taken my class so long ago and still sending referrals my way. Thanks millions.

PS.  Bill from NV (yes one of my customers who's taken the class) just showed me this pic with over 2 1/2+ oz of recent NNV gold finds he made on his last trip with his GPX-6000.

Beautiful history saves.

Beautiful History save Glenn and so glad your efforts came through.

Part of when I enjoy about metal detecting, is doing research to find a site.  Then spending the time to actually locate the site you want to hunt.  Eventually you get to swing the site and each of us have a particular item we are wishing to discover.  In your case, a token with the town name.  What a feeling of euphoria it is when all comes together, and that little piece of history is sitting in the palm of your hand.  Well earned. 

Most certainly a great site with history saves like those.  I found the exact same year and denomination 1852 $2.50 as my 1st gold coin find ever.  I know you are over 10 gold coin finds, so you certainly have the research capabilities and sites for such.  Great on you and I Iook forward to seeing/hear of more finds and updates.  Again, Hats off to you for your probably best coin find of 2023.

Great on you Reese for finding your best Nugget of 2023 (so far).  Love the raw footage and actual tools that were around to make it happen.  So many folks don't understand what all it takes to have the perfect ideal video, the best lighting, location, proper tools needed and then for the dagum target to actually be gold.  Usually, its on the fly and what's available around us to get the task done.  Well earned my friend and glad your buddies were there to catch it live.

I ship them and detectors in the mail almost daily.

Many options out there now.  If you want Simplicity of Turn ON and Go.  Get a GM-1000.  It lacks some of the fine tune features most all other higher kHZ VLF models have and it's literally is made for a No Brainer - anyone.

If you are a White's fan, the improved GMT (Gold Master Tracker) is very similar to the actual running of the old V-Sat.

If you prefer the most updated White's model, the now called Garrett 24K is the way to go.

Now if you desire to also hunt coins/beaches for jewelry, go with Minelab Equinox 800/900 as it does it all quite well.

Either way, sorry to hear of the loss.  I'm surprised the Insurance company is even giving you any value for the 25+ yr old V-Sat.  You can pick them up used for around $150 to $300.

Glad to hear you are getting excited again and hoping to see some pics of success posted soon.

You getting me all hot and bothered again Rick.  I don't know what's more exciting at my age, the girls with goldy locks or you and the golden eye.  Well earned my friend.  NNV is best in the later season before all the heavy rains.  Keep it up.

On 9/30/2023 at 4:23 PM, MSC said:

I have a Garrett carrot, lately once I turn it on I cannot turn it off, have to remove the battery, replace it, then start all over pinpointing, what the heck?

Garrett has one of the best Warranties on pointers out there (3 full years).  I just called and sent them one Friday.  I actually wore clean through the tip of the orange plastic (my fault).  Anyway, call them at 1-800-234-6151 and get it sent in for repair.  be sure to write the RMA # on the outside of the shipping label.

Interesting video and glad to see Minelab sent one for your willingness to promote it.  Sorry to hear they don't allow you to use or even mention any other brands for a real comparison. But at least you got one for free (minus your time).

On occasion but not in most - I like having a pointer that offers Iron Identification, but I think the Iron ID feature is not really well designed? Is a certain light ON or a switch in a POSITION to easily show its either ON or OFF or do you just assume?  What if I turn the pointer off and then for my next dig, I turn it on, what mode is the Pro Find 40 in then?  Not seeing a simple way to know if Iron ID is still ON or OFF is frustrating, as when you mentioned in your video... if ON, the pointer does not provide best depth.

Since I was never sent one to Test (and not under oath terms as you are), I can provide my input on the other pointers out in the market.  I feel the ProFind 40 is better than nothing (no pointer at all), but I know of 2 others I would rather use.  

My detecting is not just for gold nuggets, as I enjoy chasing old coins/relics and gold jewelry in rivers/oceans/hot springs.  I like a faster pointer than what my ProFind40 provides as I'm quickly moving around in the dirt, rocks or crevice. To me, the idea of carrying around another $100+ item in the field is to help recover more targets in same amount of time, quickly.  The ProFind 40 is not one of those.  But, I do agree with you on a few things.  It does a good job of helping find a signal (albeit not as fast) in a deeper hole, so I don't pick that nugget or coin and damage it.

Pic is from one of my customers who was in a hurry and not using a Pointer.  Yes, I have done the same on occasion but not to a US 1857 $10 gold coin.

The ProFind 40 is inline with the other well known options as it does offer SENS adjustment, which is nice in different soil conditions and it's better than no pointer at all.

One thing you might mention in other videos that I feel is a + for the ProFind.  Many other brands/models of detectors will cross talk and bleed EMI when a ProFind pointer is turned ON.  Minelab realizes and has built the ProFind series to be quite adaptable to their detector models.  As a dealer who sells them all, I need to ask my customers for what all applications are they wanting to use a pointer.  It's better they know up front, than when in the field.

Thanks for sharing your video and input for what you are allowed to say.

Scroll below for update post as of Oct. 19th 2023.

Detector Knowledge = Golden Success. Why is nuggets/specimens hard to find with detector? Majority of folks don't know what they're listening for or how to properly set up their detectors to find Au.

Video link of gold excitement https://youtu.be/gBakppQe8yo?si=ljp2zAnsK-58Rjg0 dig from one of my customers at Rye Patch during the Training.

Gerry's Detectors along with Field Staff Experts has 1 more 3 Days Field Training at Rye Patch, NV on Friday, Nov. 3rd - Sunday 5th. Group session/camping trip with like minded folks eager to learn their gold capable detectors. Cost of the 3 day class is $500 for anyone and those who purchase their detectors from me earn a $150 discount and only pay $350. If you are tired of wasting money and trips on the hunt and come home with zero gold, quit wasting more time/$ and learn from the Pros. Pics are of customers and some golden smiles. Call Gerry's Detectors for any questions.

North NV is one of my favorite part of the country to hunt gold.  Yes I have been to AZ and Gold Basin with Success, but NV is my favorite of the 2.  I imagine part of it is the time spent and knowing of the area.  You have been to AZ and spent many more hours swinging a coil there than NV?  Same with me about NNV, I have thousands of hours on many detectors going back 25+ yrs and some crazy great finds made.

No matter where your desire to swing is, at least you are getting out there and doing it.

Thanks for sharing and sorry your so called friend pulled the stupid on you.  I actually think it's happened to us all at 1 time and some of us more than once.

Nice variety of treasures.  Even though this is of recent finds, what do you consider your favorite beach find overall?

I carry and use my Garrett AT Carrot on most of my Tailing hunts.  It's so hard to dig a hole in loose piles of rocks without the sides collapsing and filling the hole again.  The pointer is great at trying to isolate the correct rock (specimen) without the hole sliding in.  Also, many of those rocks look the same, so having the pointer to speed up the process of isolation is great.

Another use for Pinpointer - When using a bigger PI or GPZ sometimes those holes get quite big and deep.  Having a pointer to help narrow down where the nugget is, will speed up recover and also help from it getting damaged from the end of my pic.  Who wants to find a nice 1/2 oz gold nugget and see a fresh new gouge in the gold from the pick?  Also, those deeper holes, the coil is hard to get into the hole and the pointer is great for that.

Trying to carry a big powerful detector and an extra smaller VLF detector is really tough.  Having a small compact pointer to wear on the hip or in your pouch is much easier.

Good luck.

Thanks for sharing the info and names of those before you Jim.  The traditional prospector worked their butts off so hard. Dirty work with many times not much reward.  It's not my style of Prospecting as I like to cover area and move along.  I'll stock to swinging a detector and let the traditional miners do their thing.  I image, it all depends on ones mindset and I'm all for folks having fun and smiling as they show their gold, no matter what technique they used to find it.

Speaking of having fun while on the hunt for Au.  Last week I walked/slid/stumbled for 2 days across tailing piles to eventually come home dead tired and sore feet/body.  I whined a little to my wife about it and she looked me in the eyes and said, "then why you do it?"  I actually was caught off guard a little and thought it over a bit before answering.  Then replied "the thrill of the hunt".  

Yesterday, the same tailing piles and I was finally rewarded with a specimen.  Still went home with a sore and beat up body, but for some reason it didn't quite hurt as much.  

Thank you my friend for allowing us to go down memory lane of such a great Prospector.