Gerry in Idaho

Here's a couple pics of pants that have the knee pad slit. What's so nice is that they don't cut into the back of your knees and they don't slide down and get dirt behind them when on the knees and digging.

I've reread that post so many times and my eyes walked right by. Finally this morning with a fresh cup of coffee, I realized my issue...wanking/walking while swinging, yes that my friend is indeed funny, my bad. You Aussie folks have a good laugh, but be sure to add some knowledge as well. Many of us Yanks can only dream of your gold field opportunities and sitting around a campfire telling Aussie humor while chewing on Roo tail and pulling flies out of your whisky cup.

The 6" round is better on the smallest nuggets, but you gain a little extra ground coverage with the Ellip. The 10" Ellip is better than the stock 11" round on small gold but the 11" round has greater depth on bigger gold. Hope this helps.

My time is very limited with the manufactures I already work with. They are not claiming it to be a Gold Detector and their background has not been focused on Nugget Prospecting. It certainly doesn't mean it's no good as I have not tested it...but I have a gut feeling it won't do what the Equinox 800 can. I would really like to see some folks use it and see what their results are. Again with me, it's the lack of time trying to test a machine that is not known. Please don't think it's not capable, I never said that. I would much rather test something that's geared towards the prospecting and is more recognized from previous history of success. Thanks for understanding.

That was a very informative video. Thanks for sharing.

With the 1st big weekend of the year coming, many new eager Nugget Hunters are wanting to get out in the field. Some of you don’t have a seasoned Nugget Hunting friend to help you learn the ropes. Since my Field Staff and I offer detector training, we see the many mistakes some folks make. I’ll try to give some Field Knowledge and info to possibly help make your adventures more golden. Anyone who has good advice, please chime in. These are some of the items I recommend. I’ll mention detector technology type afterwards as my staff/I use different tools for the varying machines. Knee Pads - If running VLF detector, Knee pads and preferably ones with no metal. I’m at the point now that I personally don’t use them because I have pants that were designed to hold knee pads. I have Duluth brand but now there are many and including Military BDU pants with knee pad sleeves built into the knees. Footwear - Non Metal Boots or Hiking Shoes. This is especially needed if you swing a bigger powerful type detector (GPZ-7000, GPX-5000 or below). The new GPX-6000 is not as bad and some regular boots/shoes are OK, but you’ll learn how to walk without getting the feet to close. As for my preference of footwear, I have Danner Slip on non metal boots and Merrell Hikers. Magnet - Strong Rare Earth Super Magnet. This little tool is so important in fast recovery and or identification of targets. Many folks have no clue why we want a good strong magnet. I myself keep the magnet on my metal pick at all times. Non Metal Recovery Tool - Non metal Nugget Cup or Trowel/Scoop. If you swing VLF and trying to get the tiny dinks, I prefer the nugget cup. If looking for bigger gold or using bigger machines, the scoop/trowel is fine. Caution – You can’t use your bare hand on a VLF as the detector will respond to the minerals in your hand. Jewelry/Metal - Remove your rings and leave them home. If you wear a watch, get one with a non metal band or don’t wear one on the arm you use to swing the scoop across the coil. Pick - I like APEX brand as I get the rare earth super magnet on it and they come in different sizes/models. I’m a bit over 6’ tall so I prefer a little longer of a pick. 24”/30” are ideal for taller folks and especially if you run a deeper big machine. 18” handle is ideal for most folks swinging a VLF type detector and or if you prefer to carry the pick on your hip. Realize 24” handle length is hard to have on your hip as it gets caught up in your legs when walking. I wear the 24/30” picks on my back. Harness - I like the Doc’s Ultra Swingy Thingy and use it with all my Prospecting detectors. Not only does it allow me to carry my pick on back, but it has a bungee to help with the weight of your detector. As a bonus, it holds up my pants so I don’t get burnt on the plumber crack. Seems older guys pants don’t hold up as well as when we were younger. Trash Pouch - You’ll dig more trash than treasure so do your part and pack it out. No use in finding all those bullets and foil over/over and over each trip. Nugget Holder - Yes you should keep one on you at all times. I prefer plastic pill bottle, film container or scrotum pouch. Not a fan of glass vial as they can easily break. Also the glass will dull the gold. Swing Arm - There are a variety out there and the one off my GPZ-7000 goes with me at all times for many different detectors. The swing arm allows much better coil control and longer detecting hours with less fatigue. The SDC-2300 is a prime example of a detector that should have a swing arm. Same with GPZ-7000. Heck, even my Equinox with a larger coil is much easier and better to use when using a swing arm. Test Target - I like to use the size of test target for the expected size of gold I plan on finding at a particular site. Get a small #8 lead bird shot and tap it with a hammer to give a little flatness. Glue it to a plastic poker chip. If you are hunting in areas with bigger gold, then have said like size test pieces to bury and listen/tune the detector. Coils- If running VLF detectors I recommend you get the smallest coil possible for that detector for most areas. The smaller coil actually goes deeper and gives a cleaner signal response to small gold than the stock coil. There’s more smaller nuggets out there than bigger gold so keep the odds in your favor. If hunting for larger gold with VLF, the stock coil or even a larger coil is preferred. Don’t think you’ll get the depth of a PI with a bigger coil on your VLF in most gold type soils. PI’s rule the depth on larger gold. In tailing piles I actually prefer a VLF with good discrimination while running stock coil or even bigger coil. Todays newer PI and DVT detectors don’t have Iron ID, but hopefully things will soon change (come on Minelab – you can do it). If using PI or DVT, use the coil size for the terrain you are in. Yes there’s always exceptions. Spare Battery - Always have a Back Up Battery, always. Headphones - I highly recommend them for most areas I detect. Wind is a killer on deeper weaker and or smaller nugget sounds. Good headphones allows you to hear the detector much better. Location - For a beginner, don’t expect to find gold in unknown areas. Go where nuggets have been found with a detector. Never leave gold to find gold. As your nugget hunting skill progresses, then you can Prospect for new areas and ground. Spare Tire - Always keep one that holds air. Know where the jack is and how to use it. A few newer type trucks have a key that drops the spare. Know where the key is, know how to use the jack/change a spare. Phone - If swinging a bigger machine, your cell phone will give EMI to your detector. Try to keep it in the OFF position if possible. 1st Nugget - Take as many pictures as possible and soak in the moment. There is only 1 first and you want to remember forever. DP - Share your hunt experience with the rest of us here on Detector Prospector. As mentioned in a previous post, some of us Old Guard are fading away and we need some new young guns to keep the powder burning. Again, These tips/knowledge is just from my standpoint and always have exceptions. If something mentioned in this post gives you a better chance to find some gold and share a smile, then we are all winners. I look forward to reading from others who have tips for the newbies so chime in.

Hey Outback Yank, Be sure to take a spare detector or at least have someone there who can provide. Nice to hear you get the opportunity to go back and do it right. Wishing you the best of luck and looking forward to reading your posts.

Yes, Minelab offers the discount as well.

Some of us military background older VETERAN dealers have been asking for awhile now and it seems our wishes have come true. Garrett Electronics with the help of their dealers are allowing up to a 15% military discount on certain detectors. As a VET myself, Gerry's Detectors will offer the full 15% for those who have earned it. I realize Garrett is not known for their Gold Detectors, but assure you the 24K is a very capable detector. Plus the ATX has some great features but it needs some serious redesign and who knows, it eventually could happen. Thanks Garrett Electronics (American Made) for helping support those who allow us the freedom to enjoy this prospecting, gold hunting, metal detecting hobby.Military Program Dealer.pdf Military Program Dealer.pdf

Right now I prefer the Equinox 800 as it has one of the best identification systems out there and can run in Auto GB or you can Manually GB the unit. Now that the new Deus II is out, my Field Staff and I will be comparing it (will take time at different sites/kinds of gold/soils) to see what the results are. Another VLF detector that has great features is the Garrett 24K. Fisher needs to get something going soon or get off the pot. They been pumping us a bunch of gas the last 10+ yrs. When purchasing an EQ-800 from me, you get loads of knowledge/settings & I match the internet price. As always the US Military past/present get an additional 15% off. Out of state residents don't pay tax either.

Largo is still around with us but can't get around much. I spoke with him a couple weeks ago. He's had some health issues and things not going well, but I guess it's part of life. PM me and I'll get you contact info. He's one of the nicest guys you'll run across in the find. Showed me around Rye Patch, NV back in the mid 90's. Top notch guy.

You guys sure are finding some amazing gold right now but at the same time, I know how hard you are working to get it. Keep it up as it usually doesn't provide quite so well like recent. Mums the word to the locals until all is gridded both ways and then some. Well earned.

Gold in Idaho? No we don't have any. Why do you think I do all the 3 day Field Training class in NV? No gold in Idaho. Actually quite a very interesting article. I'm not a geologist so I have no clue why gold is in Idaho, but I do enjoy finding those smooth Idaho Golden Potatoes.

Andew, Sorry I couldn't get over the hill to meet up with you and the Steve twins but as you know I was trying to keep my customers focused on learning their detectors. Great write up/read and video on the trip for you all. It just amazes me that for all these years of your detecting, you found more gold nuggets on 1 trip than ever before. I can only think the capabilities of the GPX-6000 is most of it as well as your good coil control. Now location is the other key and being able to Swing with (not just 1, but both) Steve and the ground they hunt is a huge bonus. I'll have a GPX-6000 in your hands before you know it now that you have the fever. Be talking with you soon and thanks sharing the event.

Very informative info and results with that small coil on the GPZ. Yes it does look like a french fry and the last pic of trash is the leftovers casserole. Well done again Simon.

Yours is thicker than mine, but I have the length.

So glad to see you out there with the new GPX-6000 and making EPIC GOLD FINDS Reg. Yes this detector is truly everything they said it would be. Each week there are more and more people starting to realize it's potentials. Tha's a bad ass find my friend and most certainly well deserved. You know what I like so much about the find and pics? Your smiling like a young lad and I'm sure you had a little extra hop and skip in your walk that day. Big gold certainly does do that for us. Again, well earned. Thanks Mr. Beatty for catching this rare moment of your friend and allowing us the excitement of seeing it. If there happens to be a video of the Reg Dance and shimmy shake, it would be well worth the watch.

I've never detected that low but I did notice in a few areas quite a bit of heavier rock material which would be great for catching nuggets. We did the burn barrel again.

Gold Catcher, I have yet to get one of the aftermarket coil for the GPZ-7000 as I don't like the idea of voiding my warranty. As for factory shipped vs factory shipped it not close at all. Now I would like to do a comparison for a day on undug targets just to know for a fact. I'll never go back to the GPZ-7000 though at RP as the GPX-6000 is just heaps lighter and easier to swing and handle. In the few areas I need the extra depth of the GPZ-7000 for really big gold, I'm certain the stock coils with it are most ideal. If you happen to be around Rp this coming June, maybe we hook up for a day and compare some nuggets. On a side note, I see the long thread of GPX-6000 issues and you folks know I've posted on that thread before, but I would like to say that of the 7 GPX-6000's I listened to were all good operation with no issues.

We never can get them all. I've thought I worked a patch totally clean to only go back another time and pull another or 3. So many variables from weather, EMI in the air, soil moisture, coil direction and or coil control, coil size, timing on the detector or even just doing a Noise Cancel. Those Rye Patch patches have been giving for years. As for interesting nuggets. I've found a few off shaped ones and YES some of them are crazy interesting to the mind. You know you are getting really good at nugget hunting and starting to be as good as the Master JW, when he invites you out, knowing you have a broken bone in your foot....😏 Hopefully it heels well and soon. My giraffe head nugget from Alaska is pretty interesting.

Rye Patch, Nevada. It’s the place so many prospectors dream about the chevron golden riches and yet so few actually succeed. The openness of the RP desolate dry desert has it’s own natural beauty with some amazing features when you pay attention. Yet at the same time the exact site poses the most unexpected of weathers, frustrations and or failures. In reality, Rye Patch area is a love/hate relationship for many. My Field Staff and I recently returned from our 1st of three Rye Patch Nevada Field Training/Camping Adventures. The 3 day weekend (Friday – Sunday) was surrounded by like minded folks who want to learn their gold detectors and how to be most proficient. Class size was subject by the amount of Staff I had present and we had to keep 3 eager students per Field Expert. Here’s a run down of how our 3 days unfolded and the knowledge shared/gained by all attending. Getting to RP is actually quite easy (if you are prepared for the unexpected) and one of the main reasons I prefer to train there is location. It’s kind of centrally located for the most of folks attending as many of the customers are coming from CA, OR, NV, ID and WA all though I have had customers from all over the world. Sacramento, CA and surrounding cities are an easy half day drive. Las Vegas, NV and Eugene, OR are both about 8 hrs. Salt Lake City is approx. 6 hrs and my home of Boise, ID is jus under 6 hrs drive as well. So many people from larger metro areas of surrounds states can all do RP in a day. We always have the few exceptions of distance folks and for this trip was Loren from Gig Harbor, WA., Steve from Zortman, MT., Mike/Sally and Maria from Colorado. The latter travelers had 11 hrs drive to the RP oasis. If you are prepared? This is part of the complete Northern Nevada eco system that makes it so adventurous in good/bad ways. In my 25 yrs of pointing folks to RP and Northern NV., I try to help get them prepared before they leave their home and start the trek to my stomping grounds. I have detailed directions, list of things needed and what to prepare for and or expect. It seems a good part of the class listen wisely and take proper protocol and then there are the few who enjoy winging it. Yes the thrill of “spare of the moment, off the cuff, just go do it”, is kind of exciting in a way, but at the same time could be a relationship nightmare. Actually the latter is very true as I’ve witnessed a few spats or a dozen in my times. I’m assuming part of the party was shared my notes of knowledge and then part of the family was not? Hazards of RP- Holy flat tires. Yes some folks will get one, a few maybe 2 and on a rare occasion you become the tire changing king. Just ask Steve who drove from MT. I passed him along the main road below camp coming in that Thursday evening. I could see a rig attached to a camp trailer pulled off the side and figured it was another of my students. Sure enough, as I inch up closer (don’t want to cover him with desert dust – fine tan power that ends up in every crack and crevice of our truck, campers, electronics, and even orifice of the body) I can see a flat tire on the trailer. I introduce myself while checking the scene and after affirming my hunch of it being one of my students. I calmly ask if he took heed of my tips for the trip notes. In it is, “please carry 2 spares, a jack and know how to change a tire”. Yes, Steve said and then went on to inform me that was flat #4. That’s right folks, Steve was changing the 4th flat tire and he had not even reached the class site yet. To be fair, he was only 2 miles away though. Yes, Steve is a Tire Flat Fixing King. His wife who was sitting in the passenger seat of the truck, I can only imagine….what a fun and exciting trip this is.. Hats off to Ma’am. The hazards of RP vary as much as the temps from day to night with occasional bigger swing than most realize. We started off Friday morning around calm 40 degrees and sunny. Heck one of the students was in shorts already. The noon break showed the high desert sun was more than a few expected as we were slapping the sun screen on cheek bones, legs, arms and nose tips. By that afternoon the temps reached 80 degrees and a cool water was a must. Come Saturday morning and we had a change of heart and 27 degrees with 20 to 25 mph winds and gusts of 35. No bear skin that day and all desire of a cool drink were denied while we looked for hats, scarfs, gloves and warm coffee. I realized 3 rigs had those fancy tents that come off the back of your trucks and all were near by that 1st Friday night and Saturday morning. But on Saturday evening not a one of them was near? Probably pretty wise, as the 19 degree morning on Sunday was a tough one for us. Snot rags, chapped lips and chattering teeth was the norm Sunday morning and all I can say is we were lucky the winds were not around to make it even worse. Around noon things turned to decent and the folks started to enjoy themselves in the NV desert again. We have no control over the weather so when I pick dates many months in advance and customers sign up to lock in those dates, we just have to go with the flow. Now for some smiles, a little gold and the fun. Of the 12 folks who were hanging around the class and learning what my Staff/I had to offer, all but 3 went home with a Rye Patch nugget (piece of gold). Yea I realize some of them were little picker nuggets, but to go home with gold is much better than going home with no gold. I make sure everyone realizes the purpose of the class is education and to not expect gold. If it happens, then you are doing things right and it goes to show you paid attention. The big winners of the weekend were the girls who attended the class. 3 ladies and all 3 dug gold. Sally was the Big Nugget Winner with a stunning 8.6 gram slug of gold. Her GPZ-7000 had no issues smacking that one about 10” down. We tested the GPX-6000’s and they screamed “Golden Glory” at the top of their lungs as well. On a side note, this is the biggest nugget to be unearthed during a training session in at least 5 yrs. Well done Sally and I heard the 2 of you ended up with over a dozen by the time your trip was over. Local lady Diane (below) from Winnemucca was on her A game over the weekend and her 3 nuggets proved she had the proper coil control down. Diane saved the best for last and the nicer nugget of about 1.5 gram. The last day Maria (below) from CO was able to pull a decent nugget at depth nearing 10”. Funny thing was the GPZ-7000’s had issues with this nugget and gave a goofy wishy washy response while the 6000 was smooth a s butter clear and clean. The lone GPX-5000 had not chance on the target until we were much deeper in the dig. No VLF machines could hear it as expected. Some of the other students with their 1st gold of the trip, a couple 1st gold ever and so they were all smiles. I too was able to pop my cherry for 1st gold of 2022 and of course as expected it came from Rye Patch. Steve (above) from MT was able to ease the pain of his pocket from 4 flats after he scored this chunky nugget. Andrew (above) from CA is proud of his GPZ-7000 nugget. I know more will be coming his way. Boyd (above) from Oregon was quite relieved when on Sunday morning he popped the GPX-6000 cherry. Loren (below) from WA hits a nice triangle piece at RP with his 6000. Randy (above) is proud to show off his 2 ounces of NV gold he uncovered with is GPX-6000 in less than a yr. He came to my class last Fall and has been scooping gold ever since. Another ounce (probably only take him a few more weeks) and he'll have his GPX-6000 paid for. Spencer (below) thinks the buggy can go anywhere. That mud hole is the only thing left of Rye Patch Reservoir which happens to be the lowest I've ever seen in my 25 yrs. . Sorry I did not get pics of George from Idaho and his gold with his GPX-6000 as I know he found at least 3. The overall results were as expected. The GPX-6000’s found the most pieces of gold. A couple of the small nuggets at depth, the GPZ-7000 did not hear at all. The old school and proven many years over GPX-5000 did not score gold, but was able to pop a strong signal at depth over the 8.6 gram slug Sally found. The lone VLF had issues with the moisture and many times we could not get an exact ground balance on it. Plus, it was running the larger 11” round coil when in fact I would have preferred the operator to use a smaller 6” coil to up his odds. Moral of the story on the detectors for Rye Patch is not going to be the same for other areas in NV or even for sites the customers themselves may be detecting in their states as each site varies. But as I new would happen for RP, is the GPX-6000 is the bread winner and will continue to be the nugget collector of machines for the near future. Yes the GPZ-7000 can still find gold at RP for those are on their A game and know the area, but when comparing signal after signal and target after target, the GPX-6000 walks away quite easily. A prime example of this is Mike/Sally from CO. They own both and swing both each day trading off machine the next. Mike’s comment to me was the GPX-6000 scores 4 or 5 nuggets to 1 on the GPZ-7000. Happy Hunting folks and we look forward to another eventful and fun filled session coming up in June.

Very nice.

The US Military Discount is something I fought for and asked many years ago. It was finally implemented when one of the better Minelab GM's, Gary Schafer was in charge in USA. The US Military Discount is a voluntary promo at dealer discretion (not mandatory as some US dealers are not supporters of the military) and can offer up to a 15% discount on 1 detector if the appropriate documentation is provided. As a US VET myself, I don't blink an eye for anyone who has served and I offer the full 15%. No it is not a complete 15% loss of profit for me. Minelab requires at the end of each month for me to send in all US VET purchases and then I get a % of the 15% added to the books as a credit. I have to use it within a certain time and have to purchase Minelab products. Does not apply to pin-pointers and accessories. Do I find it strange that Minelab Australia does not offer the same promo for their military customers? Most certainly and I feel the dealers in Australia should put their foot down and let Peter C. know their feelings. Hopefully this clears a few things up and for those who are interested to use the military discount, please contact Gerry's Detectors of Boise, Idaho www.gerrysdetectors.com and we'll be happy to provide, since you earned it.

Horst, I'll be happy to work with you on a detector at discount from your military service. My issue is Minelab contract does not allow US Dealers to ship new detectors outside of the US. I am allowed to ship used units though.

As a VET myself, I'm happy to provide the 15% military discount to those who have earned it. Some of my most loyal customers for the last 25 yrs have been Military and I thank you. Gerry's Detectors www.gerrysdetectors.com