Gerry in Idaho

Been lucky to travel a little with metal detector. Below - 1st pic is Positano, Italy and I detected the beach. Found some coins and a sterling ring. 2nd pic (below) is my 1st ever one ounce gold nugget. Found on the runway at Ganes Creek, Alaska. 3rd pic (below) is from Australia and the hot ground. 4th pic is from Bahamas Detecting England in the early Spring Rains and some of the success from the group trip. Interior of Mexico and the soldiers watching over/protecting the gold Anyone been around old mining should know what this is...MX Lake Tahoe and the rock statues watching the gold. I was able to earn a little yellow heavy metal from Lake Tahoe. Last pic - My CTX-3030 says something metallic in the rock.

Started detecting in the early 70's and was very skilled at old Coins, CW Artifacts, and even found a handful of gold rings . Early 90's (20 yrs after I started detecting for Coin/Relics/Jewelry), I purchased my 1st gold detector (GM-VSAT) and went at least 6 trips to Eastern Oregon trying to find gold. Ended the year with ZERO. Next year I upgraded the detector to GM-III and went to the exact same areas I previously hunted with the VSat. Why? My buddies were finding nuggets with theirs at those same locations. At the end of the year, I have ZERO nuggets. 3rd year of owning a gold detector with ZERO gold nuggets to show for my efforts, I've pretty much written them off and decided to stick with Coin/Relic/Beach detectors. The better half of me (my wife) advised me to attend a class on how to use a gold detector. Say what darling? I've over 20 yrs experience and dug so many coins/relics/rings, even been to England with Jimmy Sierra and killed it on Romans. Why do I need a class? Yes I was a hard-head. That May of about 1994 I paid $100 and attended a half day speaking session at Rye Patch, NV and listened to a gent by the name of Gordan Sahara talk to us about "using gold detectors to find gold". He never did any hands on training with any of us, just stood up and talked and went over the motions with his own VLF detector. I took the guy and his wife out to dinner in Winnemucca that night and listened to him some more. He informed me, I was using my 20+ yrs of success/experience of hunting Coins/Relics/Rings the wrong way and I needed to toss all of that knowledge and thinking out the door. Long story short, I was listening for the wrong things and did not have the right coil control or mindset. How much did I learn from that 1/2 day group session at the burn barrel of Rye Patch? I went home with new hope and fresh mindset and new desires. A couple weeks later, Memorial Weekend I went to Sumpter, OR to the same exact location and dug 13 nuggets in 11 hours. Been hooked ever since. Moral of the story. Get off your hi horse of what you think you know and listen to the folks that are regularly doing it with Success. Watch them, listen to them, study them and hopefully they invite you along some time. Or you can waste so many tanks of gas, flat tires and weekends digging trash. My 20+ yrs of Success...chasing different targets in different conditions and being damn good at it, was my own demise. Along with my upbringing of...I was a young stud Marine USMC back then and so I was taught to have confident in myself and capabilities. You know how the joke goes. - A young bull standing the top of the hill with an older wise bull and they looking down the meadow below at all the cows. The young bull says to the older bull, "hey, lets run down there and have our way with one of those cows". The old bull stretches, sighs and then says to the young bull. "No son, lets leisurely walk down to those cows and have our way... with them all" For gold nugget hunters new to the game, my best advice is find that special person who knows the ropes and continually has success. Become acquainted with that person, buy them breakfast or dinner or etc and get to know them. Maybe, just maybe they might take you under their wing. Be sure to bring them something to the table as many of them are tired of being taken advantage of their knowledge. Good Luck Thanks Mike for posting and hope to see you this summer. Tell Sally I said hello and I'll still impressed to death with that nugget she found at Rye Patch with her GPZ-7000 while we were giving the class.

Some of my customers are making snowmen down there. I have Brad, Jim and another guy (camped around the burn barrel). Another guy from Boise, ID (Rob) is heading down Thursday and I think Ray, Faustino and one other, is also heading down this weekend. I heard Lunk was running around with the Axiom and scored a couple yesterday. The ground will still have a quite a bit of moisture, so stay on the ridge tops and keep your GAIN/SENS moderate. Since I just returned from Cancun, I need to weigh all my gold jewelry and get caught up with customers before I head down. Crazy it's already mid April and so many of us have yet to find our 1st gold nugget for 2023, well at least me anyways. That's exactly why I had to get out of dodge and head south across the border. Have fun guys and if you need any detectors or coils, I can ship them C/O at the US Post Office in Imlay. If you stop in Mill City (it's not a city at all, just a couple buildings) say hello to Trudy at the Star Trading Post. If you really want a treat ask her about the Prime Rib and Lobster Dinners (you must pre register). Tell her Gerry's Detectors from Boise says "Hello". If you are around the dam, stop in and see Danny at Gold Diggers Pizzeria and Saloon. Treat yourself to the coldest beer in the area and one of the best hand made pizzas you'll set your lips to. Danny, is the grandson of famous Ed Spears. Tell him, Gerry's Detectors said "hello". I forgot the name of the girl who offers sight seeing trips, but I know you won't be disappointed. It's amazing the imagery you can see under moonlight. Dang, were did I put that card? Have fun everyone and be sure to have good quality tires, a spare and know how to change it.

Fantastic is the word. Your 1st gold has finally shown itself. What is most common (and it was in your desire as well) is the fact that most folks go many trips and even some a couple years or longer before they find the gold. Heck, even myself was the 3rd year of trying and purchasing different detectors before it happened. Now that you have a nice chunky specimen, be sure to not expect all signals to scream as loud. Practice to find the tiny gold and listen for smaller targets...so you don't miss the majority of nuggets. Great to see the enthusiasm and keep the swing going. Well earned.

Yes, I purchased everything they had, so they are SOLD OUT. I'm looking for Field Testers = DetexFarts & DetexFlirts. The DetexFarts need no experience required since we don't want to be affiliated with a dealer. The DetexFlirts need no experience with a detector, but purple and pink hair is preferred. If you have your own Social Media page. April 1st was yesterday....

Hey, Step back Reg, it's guys like Simon who keep dealers in business. You know the saying.. The man who dies with the most detectors, his dealer wins....😆

Nice rock of gold my friend. Have you had your dentist give it an X-ray? 16+ oz is a handsome payday. Don't tell me you crushed it?

As a dealer for 25 yrs, I would have never expected to be in this situation. It drives me crazy as my customers who've been loyal for so long...I have no answers for them? My list is shrinking each day as customers find them from other sources. I'm ok with that...as a detectorist, I understand the desire to use the next best tool (detector). I have noticed an uptick in my Deus-II sales as well. As for the military discount a select few dealers offer. Those sales, are a partial loss of profit for both the dealer and the manufacture. The manufacture only gives a partial credit (towards more detector purchases). In the end, the dealer and manufacture both make a little less money. We all make mistakes and hopefully lessons will be learned and down the road, things will get better.

Man what a monster of a nugget and the Equinox 800 did the trick. 80+ ozt at $2000US = $160,000 just in gold US Dollars. Collectors value could go half a million if a couple folks get excited. Good on him and his family. Thanks for sharing.

I've had so many people in my 25 yrs of selling detectors, ask why I do not sell them. I tell them the tools I sell are the tools I know that work and can show folks how they work. When the big gold rush in Africa yrs back with all the GPX-4500 sales and Commader coils selling for $1000+ each, GPX-4500's selling for $10,000+ on eBay... I had many Africans ask me about my Field Training and could I show them their long range locator? Sorry, I can't train them. Sales of metal detectors is walking a fine line, but at least I feel comfortable selling what I do, as I know how it works and have had great success over the years. Sometimes, I get labeled as "Gerry, all you do is selling a dream". OK, I guess it's no different than selling a gold claim, selling a fishing pole, selling a house. We buy things...we dream about and have expectations of Success. Go online today and you can buy a wife. You were in a tough spot Mitchel and took it well. Not much more you could really do. he has your experience and knowledge so hopefully he does a little more research this time.

Total shock to me as I just on the phone with him about 10 days ago for an hour. We were going to meet in April for a RR hunt and then I was going to show him around Rye Patch area for the June outing. Monte was one of those guys who's memory was sharp as a razor blade when it come to detectors and his sites/finds. He/I hunt some of the same locations in Oregon and he always had nicknames for them. Man...just shocked to hear this. I know he was in and out of the hospital quite a bit recently as I also was chatting it up with him last month as well. But I did not expect to hear this so soon. His desire/passion to hunt with a small coil in iron infested sites was top notch performance. One of the few folks who when he spoke, I was all ears as I know he's been around detectors since the late 60's. One of the few who still enjoyed helping others become better with their detectors and or techniques. You must be proud Monte Jr. as your dad was/is in a very elite ground of detectorists. Prayers for you and the rest of family.

And yet Minelab management wonders why dealers (especially those who promote the hobby and such models) get so irritated. 1st it was All Sales to Dealers Only and those dealers could only sell and advertise in their regions. Then it was changed to All sales to Dealers Only and dealer advertise anywhere in the US. Which then lead to most sales to Dealers and Only Go Find (beginner models) to Retail. Then it changed to most sales to Dealers and select detectors to Retail Big Box. To now, some sales to Dealers and Minelab Prefers to deal a big portion to Retail. When Minelab offered a class on how to sell on Amazon, I realized the writing on the walls. No worries, it's not illegal they say....just unethical in my mind. Different management with different styles and ideas. I'll get used to it, or I'll fade away.

So I'm now...I'm either labeled as a thief who stole history from the future or....I'm label a lazy a$$ liter bug. One thing is for certain, as I'm becoming of age, I realize trying to please everyone is just as crazy as trying to educate everyone.

No, I was a young kid back in the late 60's and early 70's so trash dumps in the desert were very common. One of the best places to go target practicing back then. As we get older and more wise, we become educated and some of us change our ways. Today, so many folks dig up a piece of trash and toss it back on the ground. Whereas those of us who've learned over time, we tend to dig up a piece of trash and pack it out, so we don't find it again. Yes in some areas and laws (which I don't agree with) if you do dig up a nail or rusty tobacco tin, you are supposed to leave it there and not remove it? Why is that.

I've been in discussion with Trevor at CoilTek and they will be working on a smaller coil for the Manticore. It's going to be Ellip in shape as well. Hopefully they can get it out later this year. Let's keep our fingers crossed. Yes the winter this season has been so annoying and long. Here it is almost April and I have yet to break an ounce of nuggets, heck I've yet to find a nugget in 2023. To be exact, I have yet to even dig a gold ring this year. Now that's most certainly not my style.

Just curious why you had to reach out to Australia? Did they provide you details USA could not? So if they could tell the serial number of your detector was one of the faulty ones, did they provide the range of serial #'s so everyone can know? Glad they could get you taken care of.

Bill, Glad to see another detectorist out there testing, comparing and utilizing the features of the new Garrett Axiom. Most importantly you are sharing your thoughts and experiences for us. I wish more people would do the same but at the same time, some folks when they find something really good and exciting, they tend to keep it to themselves. I totally understand their point as well. Your Beach Hunting Test is another reason I feel the Axiom and it's value point is so desired. I was not able to do such testing due to location (Idaho), but as a seasoned detectorist I could see the potential most certainly there. I also feel the same with the CW Relic Hunters back East, this new Axiom is going to open some eyes. It's all about options and to me, the more options the better. Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts and knowledge and congrats to being the last article for W & E Treasures. My collection of their magazine goes back into the early 70s with a couple of 60's issues. Well done my friend.

Doc, 1st off, sorry for being 3 months behind. Since last Aug, I've been through the worst of times with a major flood of the shop and trying to deal with contractors. To this day, still not done. Yes I know you are alive and well my friend. Or at least you were when we had dinner together with our wives in Italy. Sure miss those good old days of Minelab. Heck, I try to get sales for you and the accessories your team puts together as I'm a firm believer of options. Your body covers are what I especially tell folks about and push. Heck, investing in a detector and not protecting it seems kind of silly to me, but many people don't. Rumor has it you're going to retire soon? No, I did not start this one though. I told him, heck no.... Doc will never retire, he enjoys his different tasks to much and all the people associated around them. You're an Energizer Bunny my friend and just keeps on going, or is that Timex? Well hopefully Minelab does decide to have a dealer conference soon as some of us old time dealers are getting long in the ears. Seems that the one time we all get to see each other. Keep on beatin the drum my friend and we'll see you down the road. PS. Here's a Blast from the Past person. She's was one of the hardest working Minelab Managers I have ever worked under in my 25 yrs. Always willing to go the extra mile and she had your back. Boy do I miss those days.

Jeff, Glad to see you out there chasing the heavy metal and cleaning up the environment for all of our youth days of running around with .22 rifles and slinging lead at anything that moved. Yes, I was one of those youngsters that shot up more bottles tweety birds and split the ears of jackrabbits for nothing more to do than get rif of a brick of ammo. Good report on the EMI update and yes that's quite a few targets, so tell me the CoilTek GoldHawk 10" Ellip is getting the bushes and between rocks quite well. I need to get down there one winter and say hello to Bill, it's been a while since I chatted with him. Who knows, might even chase a few nuggets with him one day. Does anyone know if Minelab Australia or other ever did come out with the serial #'s of the faulty GPX-6000's? Maybe a post in times past on here that I missed? I had a customer want to take advantage of the free Gold Monster 1000 with a GPX-6000 purchase during Christmas, but he wanted to know if my inventory was the new updated version without the issues? As a dealer who sells most of the higher end Gold Machines, I expected an email or update? Nice gold and again thanks for providing us some feedback.

Mitchel... Mitchel... Customers don't do that, you know better. Today's folks are ED-Ucated. They read all the reports from websites who compare. They watch YouTube videos of stars who are giving advice from their back yard of detectors they've yet to put 10 hrs on. Then the knowledgeable customers shop Amazon for best price and get free Next Day Air. Yes Sir, todays customers have it figured out. Their overpriced college ED-Ucation taught them smarts. Yes the sad thing is so many folks want to take short cuts and the fast lane to finding gold. All I can say: Silly Rabbit, Trix are for kids.

We all have humble opinions on this and experiences. Nobody is right or wrong. I'll stick with what I've learned in my 50 yrs of detecting (30 of that gold) and use ID and Discrimination detectors when needed. I'll never dig every signal at each site I hunt as some sites, I won't live that long. You want to dig every signal, have at it. Never wear blinders and think one way is the best for all situations. Just because one is successful does not mean they are the best. I'll start a post on this in a week or so as it will provide some free education. Here in the NW states our gold season will be opening up in a couple months. It's an important enough post that it does needs it's own and not run behind this original thread. I'm not saying my way is the best. I'm saying you do what works for you and I'll do what works for me. I assure everyone reading this. You hunt some of my sites and you will either die trying to prove your point or you'll get educated and learn. I'll never dig every signal....and I know I'll miss occasional gold...and I am at peace with that. But again, I'll never dig every signal.

Glad I was able to get one to you before Summer is over. Others may not be so lucky? If I see you selling it on eBay for $2000+ I'll wish all your deep digs to be lead sinkers for the rest of your life. Thanks for allowing me to earn your business again.

Discrimination is very important in certain areas and without it, you're left wasting energy and time digging trash. I'll pay for discrimination and lighter weight. Knowing how and when to use it is key.

Oh my, I've lost it. I actually informed folks not to buy the latest and greatest. And I'm supposed to be a Salesman? SELL, Sell, sell. Sorry, If you don't purchase the next new wiz bang detector from me, you won't find $hit.

Selling a GPX-5000 right now??? you take a big hit. Even all the extra coils. Heck I can't even get 30 cents on the dollar for the coils as so many people (20 yrs worth) have coils in every corner of their garage. Only the newest of new coils by CT and NF are worth anything. Used 5000's in the last year typically go for $1500 to $2500, depending on package size/condition/etc. If I were in the market for new detector only and it was between the Axiom and GPX-5000, I'm going Axiom as I prefer lighter, more compact, much more User Friendly and able to find the smaller gold (more of it still out there) and specimens better than a GPX-5000. Here's the bottom line. Some people chase gold with the mindset, a new detector will find them more. The facts are... The detector one knows best how to operate and maximize, I feel is your best tool. It's been said before, Proper skill level and technique is more important to newer players than the newest detector.