Gerry in Idaho

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.

Good morning, I'm going to let some things cool down as I head to the heat with Axoim in hand. My new software update just might and a different coil option just might squeak out another piece or 2. Who know, I might end up really high in some ore dump piles or down low with the rattlers/badgers/skunks (not some of the greedy gold getters), the wildlife. Anyway, wish me luck and I'll try to catch a mountaintop or 2 for a signal. Again folks, the Axiom is another option for us and features some of the current machines can't match. Just owning one is not going to get you the gold.

Sounds like that Drop Shipper Jason mentioned would not be a wise choice of a so called dealer when you know there is no Customer Support. But hey, it's your dollar and you get to choose who to spend it with. Just realize that Drop Ship WY place he mentioned probably won't be around long. I know of so called dealers who practically give some detectors away..just to piss others off. No worries, I believe what goes around comes around. As for the few forum members who know this also. You are correct. One difference my friend, most know how to keep a good thing quiet and don't post it on the #1 forum in the US. Just trying to help you think ahead in the future of other detectors down the road. I do understand though, the dollar is a hard thing to let go of.

You know he's not even going to touch that... This coming from a guy who swore to depth you were never getting a GPX-6000 and then when you did it was a bad one. Man I just have to laugh sometimes at (not you...but some of the posts). Heck I've yet to finish my 2nd Jack & Coke and I'm going to get into trouble. I better get off now. I do agree with some of your posts though...You also know I answer the phone.

The well known company markets their new models totally different. 1st off (and I have no issues with your asking) when the ATX came out and started to replace the Infinium, they didn't say "30% more depth", didn't say "sees all gold". Those advertising styles on the box has caused a few issues with some customers and total 100% refund. Sometimes the product just looks like it can do better. I totally get your point though and I agree/disagree. It is something to think about though the way different manufactures advertise. Interesting point.

I won't provide mine. It's a slap in the face to my long time loyal customers who understand quality dealers who go/do above and beyond.

Wow... Are they really even dealers then just doing Drop Ships. How does that help the few of us dealers who take the time to test, compare, share knowledge on detecting sites and promote the hobby? As an active supporting dealer, just asking.

Happy and excited DP forum followers. Yes my Field Staff and I are just as excited about another Pulse Induction detector option and or addition to our tool supply. 1st off, I need to apologize for not keeping up with everyone's questions on this high powered and advanced tuning PI ( the AXIOM ) by Garrett. Guess what, I'll be honest and can't physically keep up. My email, text, phone are just blowing up with mostly questions about what it can/can't do and should I sell this/that to get it. Come on, I'm not here to tell you what to do and I can't (NDA) answer some of the questions I've been presented. Realize my position as a Multi Line Dealer and the greasy tight rope with a noose...I'm trying to walk. Our fine friend Steve H., is not in my shoes and has zero skin to any manufacture as he lives the retired life. But Steve's blood and desire for the best ultimate gold detector runs through my veins as well, we are like minded guys. A couple of my team and I are off to the quiet zone free of TV, phone, email all in the interest of education/promotion of another detector options. Notice I keep saying option, for a simple fact, that's exactly what the Axiom is giving us. It's another tool for us to use and the features/capabilities it has (we are still learning) will be used again on this trip and we'll be making adjustments, coil size runs and hopefully be able to find some gold/take pics and or video. I'll post on here telling you to sell this and get that. I don't know you well enough, don't know the areas you detect, don't know your skill levels and or know how serious you take gold nugget prospecting compared to your other hobbies. Heck I don't know your financial position of owning a $4000 detector. But if you are on DP, I'm most certain many of you already have so that's why I'm here, just like you. So far our initial impression on the Axiom from Garrett is, "You have a WINNER". What does that mean to the average Joe/Jane and or those not sure yet which way they lean? For the gold hunting we have experienced in 4 locations of Nevada and 2 additional states, it's the best PI Garrett has come out with yet. Is it better than Minelab? AUT...Aut...aut, you know better than that. Read above "greasy tire rope walk with a noose on the end". I'll say this. The Axiom can find a variety of gold nuggets the $3400 SDC-2300 can not. It can do things performance wise and ergonomically that a $4000 GPX-5000 can not. It can find gold and ignore rocks/minerals a $6000 GPX-6000 can not. It can even do some things and find gold in situations a $8500 GPZ-7000 can not. Now to be fair (life is not fair), those machines can do things the Axiom can not. Heck, the new improved 24K can find gold none of the above mention can find. That's a fact. There is a reason (you know it) many people (not all) walked away from their GPZ-7000's and purchased a GPX-6000. Most folks are happy with their move of the GPX-6000, but not all. Where we have been using it, the Axiom easily takes care of the issues some 6000 owners have had. But since I do not hunt in everyone's location and I have only used a few Axiom units, there could be a location of same issue? Is the Axiom the #1 all to go PI detector on the market? Heck no and I'll never say there is. The all new Garrett Axiom with Untra Pulse Technology is another option for you. It has features and design I'm very impressed with and it looks to be that so are a few other well known Prospectors. If you are happy with your current model detector and the success/enjoyment you get from it, then I am happy for you. Remember, I promote the hobby of metal detecting. If you want to try something new or need to add another tool to up your game, I'm here for you as well. In the United States, metal detecting in my mind and I tell all when selling a detector, is a "hobby". Do some folks take it to an extreme? Most certainly and those are a select few very rare. They hunt gold, find gold and have to sell their gold to continue, the hunt to survive. I hope most of you are not that person. Another question that is the same from many people, so it must be important to a big group. Will this detector be good for Relic Hunting (primarily Civil War Relics). I've yet to actually take an Axiom and try it. But I have done very well (better than many VLF's) with PI type detectors and especially in highly mineralized Back East soils. The Axiom and it's soil tuning capabilities, combined with it's ergonomic design, the Iron Identification and option of 6 coils looks promising. I went out on a limb and posted on here DP over a year ago that most nugget hunters who owned a 7 would step to the 6. I'll do the same thing with the Axiom and tell you right now from what little bit of time I've used the Axiom, it's design, features and capabilities will soon make it a very popular CW Relic detector and you'll soon be seeing them. If you are interested in getting an Axiom from Gerry's Detectors, please get on my list soon as we've been told they will be short supply at 1st. Remember, as a VETEREN and long time DP contributor, I'll be happy to offer the new Garrett Military Discount to those who earned it. Pics of a small picker gold found with Axiom. The hunt goes on, with Axiom in hand and I'll be back sometime next week. Again, Please be patient and thanks for understanding the situation.

Old ground with a new machine. Partially luck...but the Axiom did it.

Well Sir, you have a couple nice nuggets and a few dinks.😉 Actually... your gold will sell much faster than my quartz crusty specimens. Well done Steve, you got.