Gerry in Idaho

I have one of my Field Staff who uses it extensively JP and you probably know who I'm talking about. If anyone is an authority on the GPZ-7000, you have certainly earned that badge and we appreciate your free education and guidance on the matter. Well done my friend.

There has been a change to the options for US customers who are interested in the new Garrett Axiom. US customers can now order the detector in 2 different configurations. Read the link to get a better idea. The price is the same though, but one of them just makes more sense for most of you. Again, If you are wanting to get one, please get on my list. I've been a Garrett dealer for 20+ yrs and also one of the contributing Field Testers and an active member here on Detector Prospector for many years. As a veteran myself, I am proud to offer active and veterans the full 15% military discount. Also, if you are new to gold detecting and would enjoy spending 3 days in the Field with like minded people and my Field Staff Experts learning the ropes of finding gold nuggets, you'll get an additional discount on the class. My website Calendar of Events has the remaining dates for 2022. Thanks, Gerry at Gerry's Detectors in Boise, Idaho www.gerrysdetectors.com

Who cares what detector we are using...if we are having Success and fun, it really doesn't matter if it's a 15 yr old detector or a new $8500 one. Success and fun is contagious so sharing is just as fun. Attached are a couple pics of one situation I was very proud of, years ago. Little man named Garrett came to my Field Training one summer at Rye Patch, NV with his Grandpa. Grandpa surprised little Garrett with a birthday gift of a Garrett metal detector. He so wanted little grandson Garrett to find a nugget. So one day Gramps find a signal near the surface and as I'm listening to the signal and knowing the location, I was certain this could be a nugget. We took little guy Garrett over there with his new $200 Ace-250 GARRETT detector and let him dig it up. In all metal mode the Ace-250 did it's job and fun was flowing. Some of the great memories I cherish forever. Grandpa was so thrilled that I caught the moments on camera and took the time to send him pics, he had them put into a display (with the gold nugget) and hanging on the wall for the rest of his life. That was in 2005 and little Garrett is grown man now. Memories for a lifetime and who cares what detector it was.

I have noticed the stock 11" round does make more noise when on edge or even when off the ground. The smaller CT GOLDHAWK coil does not do it as much as the stock coil. Yes the sides are hot, but since the design is wide on edges and narrow on heel/toe, the easiest way to pinpoint is with the toe in my experience.

I'll try to catch it on video next time, if I remember. Soft signal is not as pronounced and sharp as a surface signal of the same size. Larger deep gold on the Axiom has a broader sound than a surface target. I try to play a game and guess the size of the target and approx depth before each dig. I've become pretty good at telling small narrow surface sounds from medium and larger deeper sounds. Now a .22 casing at depth fools me as I hear soft sound and it's not broad, but I know it's not on surface so I dig it.

Interesting thread. I do agree that some detectors have a sweet sound to the ear for round gold ring targets. But since there are so many types of gold rings and so many shapes or the way it's laying in the soil, the only 100% full proof way it to dig. Now I have been able to up my odds at finding gold rings with certain detectors and or areas by ignoring some of the targets and sounds. For example, take the pic above of all the finds on the green lid. If the goal for me is to find a gold ring at that location, over half those targets I would not have dug. They don't register in most gold ring ranges. I would not have dug most of the coins, the silver rings, the toys, the bigger sinkers, the vape pipes or that many bottle tops. My time at that site would produce much less targets, but the targets I go after would be what most gold rings read it. There is no 1 way to find gold rings. But there are way to up your odds and dig better targets possible of being a gold ring.

That didn't take long for some Success pics to show up in my email. My customer used his new GOLDHAWK 10" Ellip coil he just received from me last week. Went to the same exact site he's been swinging the GPX-6000 with stock coil since last year. Over 4 grams of nice Montana gold. Most of us know the 10" Ellip, 14" Ellip were some of the hottest coils in years past on the old technology GP/GPX detectors in much of AZ, NV and CA. Well until now, we have not the option for the GPX-6000. Hats off to CoilTek for allowing us more abilities to get more gold. Has anyone else be able to use their GOLDHAWK coils yet and have any Success to show? I realize they just arrived into the US a couple weeks ago.

We think alike HotSauce and it doesn't take much to get me excited. So many people tell me my videos get a little eccentric, but I'm used to it. Heck I look at it like this. I plan for a trip and many times it's testing a new coil or as recently a new detector. I try my best to put myself in the location I feel to make it shine at the task I plan on showing it. I video so many digs and 95% of them turn out to be trash. This takes a lot of extra time in the field. Eventually my goal is accomplished and Au is in the hand. Yes I get excited and if it's big I get really going. Even a small dink on certain occasions turn me up. I especially enjoy if it's a new site I just discovered or a new patch off a beating one. I know there is more greater potential to come. I do the same thing when hunting for old coins or gold rings. I put so much effort into a trip or hunt and when I do succeed, I'm extremely happy, grateful and joyous. Big Game hunting, fishing, detecting is all the same to me. Now the reverse of that can be said about me as well. There have been times (not that many though) I've dug up so much gold, that I totally get bored. Heck it's just another small gold nugget. I've done this with VLF's, PI's and even the ZED. Many times on extended trips I prefer to mix up my hunts. I'll do gold for a few days and then old coins/relics and then back to gold at a different location. I try to keep my mind fresh and eager for the next prize. Congrats on your happy gold.

I never seen a need for the ferrite but at the same time the sites I usually hunt with the 7 are in NV and just not that bad of ground. Heck, even when I went to AZ, the sites I used the 7 was no issues. I quit carrying it on me after a while. I do think there are sites that it could help though. After all, why did they decide to send it? Maybe for the same reason the cross bar on the harness? Just wasting space in the box? I realize a few folks do use the chest cross bar, but I don't care for it. Actually, I don't even use the harness with the rods, as I feel they are a pain in the arse.

We've been doing the same thing with the Axiom at a couple known sites we've detected in times past. We Play the odds and do not exert energy to chase those boomer signals, which is normally trash. We've been listening for the softer and deeper signals. Usually, the deeper the better of the odds of Au. The surface BB's and small rubbish can be quite annoying in some areas, but you learn to deal with it. An experienced ear can tell the width of the signal and even if it's a surface target. Another thing to do in areas (you know) with surface trash, is to scuff the top inch and if it moves, I usually walk on while trying to spend the time on targets that are not surface. Again, I mentioned in ground you know from previous success hunts.

Hat's off to you for finding a dinosaur bone. That is one item you have 1 upped on me my friend. Love the nice dense nuggets as well. Pictures are amazing, well earned.

I hate it when the sound of a bullet whizzes by me as I'm on a hillside.... At this time, I'll pass on the comparison as I sell them both. I really do appreciate your desire to hear my thoughts as it means you believe some of what I say. I'll say this for now and possibly/probably more down the road, when allowed. Since I hunt a variety of areas, terrains, kinds of gold in different situations....I want a detector that is more capable of settings and coil options. If that tool is a chunk of change less money, then I'm more happy as I can afford to go more often. I know this is not the answer you are wanting, but please understand all the gun barrels pointed at me. Heck I was taking out the trash this morning and a truck driving down the road backfired. I hit the deck, grabbed the Axiom and emptied my clip.🤣

Mitchel, I like what you posted and agree with most of it. I want to expand a little if I may. I've not tried to spend a day comparing it to a GPX-6000 on tiny nuggets at Rye Patch to see if it becomes the next Hoover. From what little bit of testing on small gold I have done, it did better than most PI's out there at the location I hunted, which was not that hot of ground. My gut tells me in more mineralized soils, I think the way the technology is built into the Axiom, it will indeed have improvements. But is there am amount of mineralized soils that it may not do as well? Could be, I have not found such site. Much of my Field Testing is chasing bigger gold as I'm seeing the others finding little nuggets with it, which is great. When the GPX-6000 1st came out, I was pushing all the gold missed at Rye Patch and showing it's capabilities. I personally found over an ounce of those little nuggies and it looks impressive. The 6K is a great tool for that task and I'm glad Minelab gave us that option. With the Axiom, I wanted to find a "chocker nugget" and chase different Au. So far I don't have the numbers of others, but I have the size and weight. Not as much as I would like, so I keep going. I've experienced some nice size gold for my efforts and when I compare the features vs other well known models from the friendly competitors, I'm pleased. As for the beach hunting - I think it will eventually be the best PI detector. The only thing I see being an issue is the coils and hopefully they make a water coil that sits on the bottom (for those who desire). It's all about options my friend and if the price is right, then let's go swinging.

It's out of my control buddy and I feel your pain. I'm just an old school dealer trying to give options to the people who enjoy the passion I've been privileged to live for many years.

Chuck, You/I and a few others have been on the merry-go-round for a few years now. We know it takes more than just owning a new detector to find the gold. Heck, I can find more gold than most with a 10+ yr old detector. Here is the difference of some new shiny detectors (Axiom). The lighter weight, better ergonomics, smoother operation, better selection of coils, Ground Timings, Iron ID and a better price point. Allows me to afford to go more often (price), hunt longer hours (weight), not have to worry about taking extra detectors (features on 1 machine) and in the end, I have a better chance of success. Yes, those crumbs are not the brutes of years past and I should leave a few for my elders (just 1 more go around nugget), so they get the golden grin again. I think a few would be happy. I should probably just give you the water bucket now and see how well you can help make them grow....without digging them up (no peeking). In actuality Chuck, I realize a bucket of water is heavier than most detectors. I'll try to look after your longevity and make sure you are not carrying anything to heavy...including gold.

Just looking over all the gold I have been able to recover with the new Garrett Axiom and this one kept me intrigued. Finally noticed an award I won at a metal detecting hunt back in the 90's and it's the Legend Jimmy Sierra Normandi. If any of you were able to meet the guy and or better yet, hunt with him, you know you were walking among Legends, now we realize. The Axiom runs smooth, is one of the faster Ground Balance high end PI detectors and has been able to handle the soils in the 3 states I've used it, with ease. If any of you knew or know of Mr. Normandi, you're blessed. We detected England together for a few years in the 90's Hats off to Garrett again for another fine detector and one that is very comparable to the higher end detectors from the other manufacture, but at a better price point. If you are wanting to get on Gerry's Detectors list for the new Axiom, let him know. Yes he'll be offering the new Military 15% discount as well. I used the 13" DD coil, GAIN at 6, FINE GOLD Timing, Ground Tracking Off. Nugget was only 5 or 6" and clear signal. This kind of gold is not really dense and so many PI detectors have issues with it when compared to a dense nugget.

Bill, I know this was directed to Steve and I appreciate that. He's certainly had more time on it. I'll be trying to get to Oregon this weekend or next and testing the DD coils with Iron ID. I realize PI's in typical have a hard time identifying small iron but are good at ID'ing large iron. So the good thing is I should not be digging up as many old rusty cans and tobacco tins as I normally do with some of the non Iron ID gold machines I use. No ID system is 100% as there are always to many variables. It is a feature I like though and glad they did it.

I've changed my thoughts on the abundance of quartz and associate with gold. When I was chasing it 25 yrs ago, I thought the presence of quartz was a great area to hunt. As I spent much time in the field in many areas and including Australia/Mexico, I've learned that gold is where you find it. I remember in Aussie flat lands, I could go for miles and never see quartz, but I found gold. Quartz is an indicator though but not a certain to hold gold. The nastier and more stained the rotten quartz is, the more indicators of a variety of minerals that might promote the occasional Au elements. At the famous Rye Patch, we find very very very few pieces attached to quartz. I look back at the thousands of nuggets and only a few had quartz attached. Then in other areas, it's a certain type of quartz veining we look for and if that area is gold indicators on old maps, it's worth a swing or 2. Hopefully other chime in and give their thoughts. Sometimes a rare occasion Rock of quartz, just beeps loud and clear.

Yes the 4.5" coil is most desired for the smallest of Au nuggets the AT Gold can recover. You mentioned clay layer and conglomerate. Many times we have found nuggets on old clay layers. Sometimes the hardpan layer is tan in color and many times it's a reddish/orange or even a off yellow. In some of Oregon, it's glue/grey in color that holds the gold. Either way, be sure to swing any little rise on the side of a hill as those are natural catches as gold works it's way down. We look forward to seeing your 1st success posted with a big grin here on DP. A few folks might get a trick or two from this video we did years ago when i was a Field Tester for it. Knowing the size of gold in an area and your detectors capabilities is crucial.

I feel your pain my friend. Some of the tents, campers, vehicles I drove and or stayed in while in Australia and England, were eye openers to me and I wanted to get them so bad. The cost to get one to US was just outrageous and pissed me off. Why things have to be this way is not understood by me. If I was Garrett and in charge, I'd make sure the price point was good enough that all Aussies, NZ'ers and others was fighting to get their hands on it. The Garrett Ace series were a prime example of Bang for buck and so many people purchased one because of price point. Then when the masses had them, everyone else decided to jump on the bandwagon. Garrett went to the bank on those and even the next step up the AT series for a while. If you do come over, I'll be able to sell you one. If not, then we'll have to wait until I come across a used one. As for the VET discount? I'll work with you my friend as you earned it.

I was incorrect on the VET discount and it is in fact 15%. I've yet to be officially informed of the options we'll have but since the email we dealers were sent, showed just 1 option for US, I'm assuming for the time being and down the road more options. As soon as I know for a fact, I'll be letting everyone know.

Love those smooth dense nuggets. Those digging tools look well to used for my liking but I also realize that hard efforts to get down into the pay layer is a must. Well done and I hope your Thanksgiving weigh in is updated here on DP for us. Thanks for sharing.

Do you use it for finding patches or strictly gridding and deep gold? If gridding, do you overlap to get best overall depth? Interesting beast and I hope you find a couple pounds to fix your back... down the road. Good luck either way as the enthusiasm and hunt is half the fun.

1st you need to make sure the detectors capabilities of that exact size of gold you found in the wash below. Get those bits you found and or a few others a little bigger and test them with your detector in the soil of the site you plan on hunting. I think you'll be surprised how soft of a sound that smaller gold makes. Also, your pics show much vegetation and overburden. For small gold you need to rake the overburden down to the hard layer. Hunt all cracks/crevices and bedrock. Keep coil near surface. Be sure to go where gold nuggets have been found below. Good luck.

Years ago (before all the YouTube stars) Minelab and I had a contract for videos. Then new management came in and that was cut. Since I do a variety of metal detecting, my videos were of all kinds. The last few years I pretty much stepped away from doing/watching them. On a rare occasion and a killer once in a lifetime find, I'll do a video from the phone. Quit carrying the high end Go Pro years back. Here is a unique find that I'll probably never see anything like again: Now when something cool gets found, I freak out as I know how hard it is to make such crazy (sometimes once in a lifetime) finds. As other have stated for same reasons, I cut back on doing videos. On a rare occasion I'll work with someone to put something out, if I feel it's justified. The other aspect is the ignorant folks and their stupid comments..."That's not real" when in fact most of them don't know what natural gold looks like and the many formations it can take. This video here ended up being a classic as it's one of the enjoyments of life: Sometimes the educational videos are interesting and here is one I did that many people never realized could be done with the X-Terra detector: As a dealer I'm expected to promote the hobby and share/show excitement and fun finds. As a detectorist I feel some videos I did in times past gave away to much info on sites. Each of us has our own ideas of a right and wrong video for different reasons. Kind of like why I own so many different detectors I guess. It was fun doing them, but I'm kind of over the YouTube thing trying to be professional. If I do more, it will be with a phone and to show what a manufacture asks of me. Jack Lange did some great videos back in the 90's and then he kind of blew away and JP took his place. We all eventually move on...as life is.