Gerry in Idaho

Luckily I was in the store office and not the field office. Glad I could help again. What would have been great Scott, is if you said why you needed a new battery? No worries, we all get old.

Totally different terrain than many Americans think of when we hear of Australia. Many of our Western Sates in the US are the same way. Here in Idaho we have dry desolate desert regions with antelope, badgers and rattlesnakes. Then in the Northern region is conifer forests so thick you can't see 10'. Mighty snow capped mountains, deep glacial lakes with mountain goats, wolves, moose, caribou, and grizzly bears. Very nice pics.

When finding a Bling Ring, many are fake. This one I tested and blew me away. Did the couple get in a big argument and she tossed it into the lake? It's happened. The lake level is low right now, maybe she was swimming earlier this year and it fell off? How long has this beautiful ring been sitting at the bottom of the lake while nobody could see how much it wanted to sparkle and shine. Maybe it can be returned to the original person and if not, then hopefully a new owner will be happy to share and show it's diamond glow. Is this one of those Finders Keepers things? What would you do if you stumbled across this ring? I don't think there is a right or wrong answer here. If you found it and it means so much to you or you plan on giving it to your lady of love, then joy will once again shine on this ring and across a woman's face full of smiles. Love is a crazy and funny thing that many of us go through. This ring could just as easily been tossed into the lake for reason of someone breaking another persons heart. Either way outcome of this ring, I want it to shine and make someone happy, it deserves a 2nd chance. https://youtu.be/tM2OWltxC6Q

Eventually I'll probably sell it but since I have yet to sell any tokens, I don't know their value. Do you know of a site or group who specializes in early California mining memorabilia? Thanks for the input.

There are quite a few of us who've recovered gold teeth, caps, crowns in years past and many/most have been recovered in or around water as that is a gathering magnet for people. I expect many of them who lost their teeth from being drunk and getting into fights. On a side note, one of my favorite token finds is a Downieville, St Charles Hotel piece of history. I imagine there are some fabulous pieces of history all around that town and area. Water holes are great places to hunt. Keep it up and thanks for sharing.

Simon, When getting that many targets in the area, you/I and everyone else knows there's still more gold to be had. Yes a less sensitive coil will help but realize gold of the same size will be missed. I suggest listening for the single tone weaker signals, which usually means deeper on the GPZ-7000, but not always. Yes I tend to adjust my detecting style for certain areas and prefer playing the odds and % mathematics to help in my recovery success. Pellets near the surface give the double tone (which you mentioned) so I pass on those and leave them for Simon. Softer single tone signals is my focus for those such sites. Thanks for sharing m friend.

I'm expecting to get an update later this week, but since I'll be at my USMC Reunion, I'll not be back until Tuesday to update everyone.

Years ago at this same spot we had used the 5000's to collect a few of the more solid specimens. We then found even more with the VLF's. Then I came back with the Garrett Axiom, as I knew the site had many Hot Rocks. The VLF's missed this specimen as it was right under a big hot rock. Power of the Pulse Induction Axiom to be able to ignore the hot rock and get the specimen. Some PI's can ignore Hot Rocks and find gold nuggets because the nuggets are solid. Most PI's can't do the same under a large Hot Rock and still find some of the gold specimens. Chalk one more up for the Axiom Metal Detector's technology.

Not my biggest but one I'm very proud of. Found with a Fisher Gold Strike.

Boy that sure will fire up some prospectors. Those nuggets are certainly getting better and bigger. Glad to see you out there scooping up more gold Steve. We need to get back up to Moore Creek with these Axioms as you know it has more Hot Rocks than any other place I have ever detected for gold. Funny, how I am about to post a nugget that was found under a large Hot Rock and my VLF's missed it as well as other PI's. Well done my friend.

Me, as a guy who's 6' 2" or 6' 1" depending on who measures me at the VA = Call it 6" 1 & 1/2". I have never had issues with the GPZ-7000 or the Axiom. In fact when doing our Field Training I see many folks extending their detector shafts all the way out so they can get great big arching swings from Left to Right and covering most ground. That's actually not how we like to train customers. The farther out a coil, the more strain on one's back, neck shoulders and as we age, who wants to be adding more soreness from a hunt. When standing straight up and proper posture, the coil on most detectors should be approx 12" to 18" in front of you. I realize some coils that are large ellipticals (such as the 24" Ellip) are harder to work that way. My Axiom and GPZ-7000 are almost exactly the same length when fully extended and each of them is way to long. My preferred shaft setting has 4" to spare on both machines. Heck the 7000 can easily hurt someone while trying to swing the stock coil for a day when all the way out. You'll be so much more happy with the design and massive weight reduction of the Axiom, if that's how you prefer to swing. I feel for those who are 6' 6" or less should not have any issues with either detector if adjusted properly. Now I can't change the way old salty folks have been swinging their coils for all these years, but I can help the newer folks who don't know. As for you Deep Beeps, if you feel the need to have extender on your 7, then I assume you'll be wanting to do the same with the Axiom as again, they are almost identical in length. Realize the majority of metal detectors are built for the average person who would be using such device and to also keep the weight down, they don't want the majority of folks swinging the extra weight just to help a few. It's totally understandable as well. Luckily for those really tall folks and or those who insist to extended their reaches beyond the recommendations, most of you in this hobby have already learned to accept that you'll be getting a longer shaft. Another good bit is the aftermarket companies are always trying to find a fix for those few. Again, the manufactures are listening to what most of us ask for and so keeping the weight down is most important. Also trying to build the correct length for the better part of the folks is most important. I know this may not be the answer you want to hear, but at least it's accurate. In no way would I disc the owning of an Axiom because of the length. After all, when comparing the Ax to the Zed while swinging at full length, it's night and day difference in comfort, I promise.

Goose berries & Gold is a fine title. Those berries (when ripe) had that wonderful bitter/sweet taste. The gold is just a bonus. A really nice bonus at that.

There 20 to 1 Land Hunters though and I think the Beach/Water/Prospecting is just icing on the cake. They are going for the masses in my opinion.

Beach hunting is much different than water hunting, at least my style anyways. I myself will be more in the water so I need the better of the 2 for waterproof (Manticore). I also prefer the better target identification of the Manticore. No, I am not a dig it all guy when looking for gold rings. I could care less about coins. When using the proven Equinox in the water, these numbers will help your odds. I think the Manticore will do just as good or better. I posted this info to another post recently but it's worth a 2nd. #'s 6 - 18 cover the majority of gold/platinum rings that I have recovered. Only 16 of the 200 rings register a reading outside of those numbers. If you want to play the odds, the 5 best #'s are 10, 13, 14, 15, & 16. Those 5 #'s account for over 50% of the 200 rings. The 2 best #'s are #13 & 14 as they register 50 of the 200 rings = 25%. We all know nothing is foolproof and all of these numbers can be slightly off if targets are at depth and or on edge or under/over another different target. But if you enjoy playing the odds and saving time, I have yet to find anyone with a more extensive test. I do see in some situations the Axiom being the better to though, so I feel it's your style of hunt that will tell you. Best option is to purchase both from Gerry's Detectors and now your bases are covered.🤣 Good luck everyone.

Since I play with about 10+ different detectors that use USB and I sell hundreds each year, it really has not been as bad as an issue as with our 1st cell phones. I attribute this to the actual amount of times we use/chare our cell phones vs the use/charge of a detector. I've sold over 400 Equinox in the last 4 yrs and only had 3 or 4 calls of folks having issues with the USB. So I think the USB is here to stay as it really is not as bad as we may think. I'm 100% on board with your thinking of the Bluetooth. Well maybe the Axiom-II coming out next year will address it.

Here are 2 links to more info on the fireball and the 2nd is a video Mark explaining the find (very interesting). https://scitechdaily.com/fireball-lights-up-the-sky-over-salt-lake-city-16-times-brighter-than-the-full-moon/amp/?fbclid=IwAR3Gk4yTzwWc4GxcQJvv7kxjy39L7f4nrspLaMvjn9ZlW1iWyivCANXCh7o https://content.jwplatform.com/previews/14cwH9MZ?fbclid=IwAR2-G8ePbq0Hb6QG771kLSYC2Dq33SPko0LElJisDq8iZf2Dlp9Z5Ep0_0Y

I've found 80% of my gold rings with the stock size coil. Realize when detecting in water, it's harder to swing a larger coil. The other 20% of my 200+ gold/platinum rings were recovered with larger coils. When in the sand and needing the extra depth, I feel the larger coil is best. As you can see, I don't spend as much time on the beach, but more of - in the water.

I'll give you the pleasure of posting his video as he talks about the discovery and how it went down. Quite impress to say the least and only 5 hr drive from me. We follow each other on FB. Thanks for sharing.

I mentioned it in my new post. But what I do and the way I hunt is not the norm for most others. I like having it and so many peeps "just dig it all". Kind of like my ring hunting. I use ID #'s when possible and so many "just dig it". What I have found when hunting same site on the same day with those who "just dig it", my returns are better. I also realize I could have missed some, but it's hard to ignore great results. I'll just say, I still think PI's have a ways to go on the Iron ID. But this one does give me the option and my other 2 high end options did not.

Swegin asked and I applaud him for doing so. What things I don't like. Yes there are a few things I don't care for but also realize of the probably 30+ detectors I have recovered gold with, I have yet to find one I totally like for every reason. I'm not a fan of those USB plugs and trying to get the cable in the little slot. The age my eyeballs are, I have to go and find my glasses to get it right. I'm not a fan of cable cords and feel if XP can get rid of them, then why can't Minelab and Garrett? It could be because of it being a PI, I'm not sure. I don't like having to use Garrett's Z Lynk wireless in todays modern electronic age. Why can't I use any wireless? I hate the hollow sound of the coils and the hard plastic rubbing the ground. It makes 2 to 3 x the amount of noise. I prefer a softer plastic like the other models and brands use. Sure we wear them out sooner, but at least I can hear the whisper signals better. I honestly feel 75% of the folks who gold hunt are walking over weak signals and not even realizing it. Still wishing for a better Iron Identification system on a PI, but it's what it is. Small iron like boot nails will not DISC out (on purpose so not to miss small gold). Large iron will identify better than small, but even large iron at depth is an issue. I also found out the hard way and was not too excited...if the ID goes silent across a target, it does not mean it's iron. So a piece of gold will just not make a response at all. Iron will produce the grunt sound. I realize most folks do not use Iron ID and I'm one of those strange ducks that does. But I only use it in certain areas and play the odds. Me, I personally don't like the dull gray coils as it does not help when taking pictures. Now I know Garrett Engineers could care less, but the marketing guys sure would like something different. I wish the Axiom would allow me to carry my cell phone and do video without EMI issues. All bigger detectors are like this, even many of the VLF's out there. I wish the Axiom was set a different frequency level of my Garrett Carrott pin pointer. I found out real fast like, they can not be very close when both turned on. Engineers will never totally please me with a detector as the way my mind thinks. Let me test it and I'll tell you ways to make it better. The problem with my thinking is not always what's best for the masses. I'm one of a few and detectors are usually sold for the majority. Prime example. The GM-1000 is a great selling VLF Gold Detector and I sell it more than most others, as it's dummy proof. I myself prefer the EQ-800 as it allows me more control and provides me with more information and better identification. But as I said, the masses prefer the GM-1000. No big deal. I do feel the Axiom runs smoother than many PI's out there and also has greater sensitivity to smaller gold and specimens. I also prefer the options of more tuning than a some of the others. Have I had some of the EMI issues Steve mentions. On a rare occasion and I have noticed the same on some of the recent high end machines the last few years and even to the point of some VLF's on certain soils. Ambiant air temperature is a big facture to a smoother running detector. Back when I was crazy about gold and Rye Patch was semi virgin (half ounce days were common & occasional 1 ounce days), I was going 12 months of the year. July/Aug it would get so hot, I started detecting more at night. I also found the detectors to run more smooth and retain a quieter Threshold. I then also noticed that mornings were better than mid days and adjusted my detecting hours. Atoms (energy and electricity) in the air actually mask a little bit of performance of the detector. When using the Axiom I noticed the hottest part of the day at a couple sites produced more Noise Canceling than other sites and or temperatures. Again, the same thing I noticed on other big machines. What I like and dislike might be, could be and should be different than what others say. We hunt different areas, states and kinds of gold. Our knowledge and skill levels are also never going to be the same. I don't know if there are any other Field Testers of the Axion in the US, other than Steve H and my staff/I. I do wish they would have more testers as well in other states, as that is a bigger picture to go from. Yes, the Axiom has things I don't like, but to tell you the honest to gods truth. It's a much better detector that what I initially was expecting to be testing. Have to give them credit as Garrett really did make a great move and option. But waits is even more impressive (actually I expected that) was all of this at the price point vs the competition.

That is a very good question and deserves an answer. I'll make a separate post and thanks for asking.

Yes I was able to go BEAST MODE again with the Garrett Axiom. Interesting that the specimen does not hit as well on many of the other high end detectors. I find more varieties of gold with the Axiom... but as I said before. If you are happy with your machine so be it. On a side note. So funny how a few folks become jerks on social media. Not sure why, but they (including a few lazy ass dealers) feel it's better to slam me and even say that my finds are fake. So, if my 4.18 ozt chunk was fake, then I guess these other nice finds I am making are just as fake. What most folks don't know is the amount of time and effort I put into trying to find bigger gold. No it's nothing like what the Aussies find, but its nice in my mind and especially when compared to what most of us in the US do recover. I've gone days without gold, heck even multiple trips. You know how many times I video a potential dig to only find a lid to a tobacco tin or sardine can 2 feet deep. I get into a zombie mode of just keep doing it and recording and sooner or later I'll find something worth my efforts. Here's a pic of the score on the gold scale and yes I have it set to OZT not OZ. Dealers complaining because I'm getting to test some of the higher end gold detectors. Maybe it's because of my previous 50 yrs of detecting Success. Maybe it's because of me sharing stories, photos, videos of my customers and my staffs success for the last 25 yrs. What sets me apart from most dealers is the many relationships I've built in the 25 yrs training customers on their gold detectors. I've built those relationships over time and trust. I've handed over $10K chunks of gold and was sick to my stomach, but knew it was the right thing to do. Those gestures and the deals I make with claim owners have gotten me onto private grounds or claims most will never swing a coil. Keeping my relationships strong with such owners is not cheap and easy, but I figure it out. The many years in a variety of gold fields of a bunch of states (not just my back yard) has many miles of travels and early on in the gold chase I did not know what I do today. The detectors of the 90's do not have the capabilities of today's machines, so old worked ground from then can still produce some decent gold. So no, most folks/dealers will never be asked to test a new detector as your track record of Success, the amount of positive posts on social media and overall experience has not been built yet. Realize, I've been swinging a detector for 50 years and it's just an extension of my arm. Will it ever happen for you? I hope so because eventually I'll tire out and decide to quit promoting and just detect. I'll become like a few of my customers and just keep digging gold and occasionally grin as I stick more into the bank. Sorry to rant a little but I get tired of having to justify when I post new nice finds. So the Axiom is for real and it's capabilities vs price point are ranking very high on my list. PS, Maybe I should try and promote Mean Bean Coffee Energy Drink as well. It's GOLDEN.

Really good video showing some impressive results for those small NV nuggets. To see the new Deus-II find gold is also a win and you need to make sure they get a copy of that video. Well done again Andrew.

Maybe (just a thought), your cell phone shielding is not up to snuff? Either way, I hope you find a solution.

Please forgive me and don't think I am going at anyone, but there is some great info posted above. I'm not here to argue with anyone and will allow folks to make their own opinions. But I'll give some facts of how the 10" Ellip GOLDHAWK coil will put more gold in your poke. I really don't care if you agree with me or not. FACT- The 10" Ellip is more narrow and at the sites we tested it, it did in fact find nuggets that had been missed with the factory stock 11" coil. If you can't get an 11" round coil all the way to the ground or between 2 bigger rocks, or under brush as well as the 11" round, then you are tough out of luck. FACT- In all my years of testing detectors and coils, I've been able to get a smoother operating detector with smaller coils. FACT- Smaller coils see less mineralized ground than a bigger coil. FACT- Bigger coils cover more square inches of the same mineralized soil, if at the exact same site. FACT- The more mineralized soil a detector encounters, the harder it is to respond to same size small target. FACT- Not all sites have the same soil matrix. FACT- On bigger gold a larger coil gets greater depth. FACT- From times past on a variety of gold detectors, the smaller coil has produced better depth on the tiniest of gold. FACT- From what was mentioned above at the top. If a detector has "better ground handling and smoother threshold", then you'll be able to hear the fringe and deepest/weakest targets. Again, Each site is different and those sites usually have an average size of gold nuggets. Each nugget and it's density + the depth of it, has a sweet or optimum size coil can hear it. Either way, if someone is not happy with their coil purchase, at least you tried. I do applaud folks taking the time to purchase one and do their own testing. I also appreciate it for the folks who are willing to share their experiences. Just realize there are many factors of testing to see a true winner and one site is not even in my opinion. Heck, that's exactly why I have been testing the Axiom in 3 different states.