Gerry in Idaho

That's a problem I don't find often enough. 🤣

Sorry for the crappy long dead time in the video, but I don't know how to cut pieces out. At least everyone can easily see, I'm no expert with video capabilities.

I was detecting some old mining piles that were pushed around years ago and was able to score I really nice chunky Gold Specimen with the Axiom. Some after pics of the quick spit washed showed a nice find for my efforts. Globby gold on one side. 13" MONO coil on the Axiom while using Garrett AT Carrot Pointer. Beautiful. . 2.17 ozt Sucking the juice out of it. Hey you only live once right.🤣

Scott (OneGuy), You were a shining example of what so many want to be. Your detecting experiences and numerous adventures were a joy to read. We'll catch you on the other side some day and hopefully start where we left off. Until then, we all miss you down here. RIP my friend.

Norvic, Sorry to hear you are experiencing LCD screen displacement. Of all the Axiom's I've sold, that's a 1st for me, so sure it's not a common problem. I've seen this a few times with the GPZ-7000 and yes with some field mods it can still work/perform. As for the Axiom's ability vs a GPX-6000 and you starting to see it shine more. Buddy, we all know, the more time on a detector and us trying to fine tune it, then the results get better. Biggest issue with me on the GPX-6000 is the lack of User Control when compared to all the features the Axiom has and it's ability to make adjustments (like we had with a GPX-5000). Also, here in the US the price difference is a big factor, but I see/hear outside of US is not so true. Still wonder why? Thanks for sharing the good/bad from a real user standpoint.

Gold Catcher, Fantastic article and read as I too am a big fan of VLF's (with identification) in trashy areas. Your soils are a little more hot that a couple of my Eastern Oregon sites as I try to get GAIN around 18/19. Also, when the smaller coil comes out, I think this will help us a little. Keep up the great reports my friend and may the next big signal produce one of those monster specimens in all that trash.

I got to thinking of some old sites I've been to in years past. Swinging since the 70's I have partaken and or witnessed some interesting and sometimes crazy finds. I came up with 3 conclusions of how a larger nugget could be recovered from the surface in such a well known area. 1st - Trash from previous Prospector was near the nugget and or even covering it. I say this, as a friend of mine detected a cellar hole in NV back in the early 90's. He recovered a gold coin I had missed. I did very well in that hole previous and the only way I would have missed it, is from rusty old cans. 2nd - Serious erosion and earth movement. It could have been from a flood and or a simple uprooting from an animal. I have recovered both gold nuggets and coins from such happenings and the last time was right at Rye Patch, NV. We had a serious gully washer in a particular wash that had been quite productive. I decided the amount of earth movement would be worth a swing and sure enough, I spotted a half gram nugget on the surface, just before I swung the coil over it. 3rd - Previously lost by someone else and then found again. I was detecting Nevada with an Axiom. A well known nugget hunter had been in there previously and found some nuggets with his Axiom. He left the site to me so I could find a few. Well low and behold, I hit a jackpot. I get a stronger signal in between to small bushes and see a film canister. Guess what, it has a few nuggets in it and I didn't even have to dig. In situation #3. Do the nuggets in the film canister now belong to me, or do they belong to the 1st person who found them?

Our gold hunting friends are slowly fading away. Sorry to see another be put to rest and my heart goes out to the family/friends nearest him. Each time this happens, so much knowledge is lost to the wayside. It was fun and a pleasure to read his experiences. Life is not the cycle most of us wish. Thanks for keeping us informed.

It's a nice story but I'm on the side of dig4gold. With something like that being reported, it draws so much attention (good and bad). Now folks with detectors will try to sneak in the area. Now there's a higher premium on the price of claims in that surrounding area. I would think those who stumbled across it, would at least detect the area and get the gravy 1st. Either way, it's great to hear/see.

Steve, you've been my shadow, my mentor, my friend for 25 years and mostly because of metal detecting. SHADOW - I say shadow, as our detecting careers started right about the same time. I say shadow because I feel you are one of the few who says it like it is and won't let a manufacture dictate your words. I say shadow because your ability to adapt to different detecting conditions and still earn success. I say Shadow, as I feel we both enjoy helping folks with their detectors. I say shadow because your capabilities detecting for a variety of treasures is tops (Coins, Gold Nuggets in different regions, Recovery of gold rings). MENTOR - Very few in this industry impress me with their detector capabilities but you are one of those few. Mentor, as I read, watch, listened, chatted on the phone and in person...with you a number of times to learn about detecting gold in other areas besides the desert and traditional gold areas. Your knowledge sharing helped me at one of my favorite styles of gold hunting, the Tailing Piles. Mentor, because your desire to spread detector knowledge is TOPS in this industry. FRIEND - You always had my back and support, likewise. We've hunted trophy gold at Ganes together, chased big Au at More Creek together, hunted NV a few times and all the stories, camaraderie, knowledge shared back and forth has benefited us both. Friends, because even when you pissed me off, it was probably for the right reason. Friends, because my door is always open to you and you always call back if I leave a message. Buddy, My mindset, the body and my desires are slowly changing as well. I imagined those so called "golden years" would be fun filled swinging a detector all day and worrying about the next hunt. Oh boy what a crock of sheet I was thinking. Lifes lessons we learn as we go and grow. I totally understand your mindset and reality. It's coming to me as well. One thing is for sure Steve. Buddy you lived the life so many dream about and the way you did it.. is amazing. We appreciate all you gave/give as I know the time you did all that was time away from those family around you. Nothing to be ashamed about, we all have our issues. Looking forward to our next visit and probably just sitting around telling stories. Hats off to you and a detecting career only a few could pull off.

I appreciate the confidence and yes I'm quite skilled on a variety of detectors as many of you know it's a passion thing I've been doing for 50 yrs. What I find interesting about this whole thing is Minelab wanting to charge the people. If this was a metal detector dealer or club and they were putting on an Open Hunt with prizes, then yes it's been going on for years. But a detector manufacture doing it just doesn't sit well with me. Hey, I'm just one guy who is going off of past experiences in my 50 yrs swinging and when I used to run the circuit of Hunts in the NW back in the 80's and 90s. I get it, times change. Just like Big Box Stores selling detectors. Heck at one time my Dealer Contract protected me from such. Well things certainly do change and so who knows, maybe this is something that will be come normal. One thing that's interesting is they left out the Western States and the Prospectors, but yet they call the contest "Masters of Metal". I guess Gold Nuggets are not metal? Interesting title though.

They want to find great detectorists to promote their needs AND CHARGE ????? This is the same Minelab that decided big box stores were to get more Manticores than dealers. A handful of (not all) dealers are some of the best detectorists out there...and Minelab already knows them. Minelab is really stretching it now. Boy have times changed. Good luck to whoever accepts. There's probably some fine print - No Minelab dealers allowed. Reality is they pissed many off.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?