Gerry in Idaho

On 2/7/2024 at 1:43 PM, Rob Allison said:

Hi Gerry,

   I think it goes back to what most can afford.  Everyone would love to own a GPX 6000 or even a GPZ 7000, but most know there are other priorities for most that come before a super, high end detector.  I get calls all the time about how someone would love to own a GPZ, but the wife would leave them.  

Just my thoughts,

 

Hey Guys/Rob included.

I ruffled a few feathers and want to be straight.

I want everyone to know my true thoughts of Mr Allison. and his business practices.

1st off, he and I hunt different styles and for the most part areas.  But it does not make one of us better than the other.

2nd is Rob's time to play with a detector is not as often as mine.  He is a devoted husband, father and well known tax paying American who has a primary job (income stability) to provide for his wife and daughter.  That right there speaks volumes.

3rd. Rob is a genuine good guy and one heck of a detector dealer.  He's stood the test of time and his customer loyalty and reputation is something to be proud of.  I would rather have 20 more Rob's Detectors as a friendly competitor than 100 of the so called dealers who don't know crud about gold detectors.  Seems manufactures will hand a dealership to anyone these days.  Manufactures don't test their skills and or knowledge any more, they just want to sell.

4th.  Of all the dealers I've known in my 25+ yrs selling gold detectors, if I went on a gold hunting expedition for a month, I would want Rob with my Field Staff Experts and I...he's that good.

Many of you don't know it, but years back at the Minelab Dealer Conference, I was presented many awards, more than any other dealer.  But there was one award I did not get.  It was the "Customer Care" award.  To this day, that bugs the crap out of me, as I too feel my customer service is on par with Robs.

Does Rob and I agree on everything?  Most certainly not, but at least he and I are man enough to stand up and say so.  You'd be surprised at all the folks in a meeting who has the opportunity to help dealers and when it comes to questions or new ideas?  They clam up... afraid, afraid to rock the boat.  Those days are pretty much behind us now.  But those same dealers didn't realize, it was the dealers who were floating the dang boat.

When I decide to pull the plug on my dealership so I can swing and chase more gold,  it's Rob will be getting the majority of my referrals.

Until then, lets enjoy for once a great priced Pulse Induction detector.

We know the bigger this company gets, the more options for us will come.

I've got your back Rob, even when I serve you cold coffee.  Besides, your a cowboy and I respect most.  Anyone who can jump on the back of a bull, you have bigger testicles than I.

14 hours ago, Gold Ryder said:

Come on 8000 show yourself.  One of the beauty things about PI detectors is they keep the masses out of the price range.

There is something to be said about that.

Many of us are not worried about the weekend warrior nugget hunters as our tools are superior to most.  The few who do invest in the higher end detectors, don't have the skillset we do.

With a more reasonably priced PI, it will allow the masses the chance to peruse the precious metal.  Many will fold after time, as their patience is not up to task.  But lets, say 10% of the 100% actually become proficient and get good?  Now there will be that many more swingers out there covering the same grounds many of us already do.

As it is now, I enjoy seeing clubs at Rye Patch.  I like to go the week after their big gathering.  Now I know I can hunt my favorite spots and realize most of the surface trash was just removed by the newbs.  It's a win win for me not having to dig surface bb's and pellets.

Truthfully though. I'm still not worried about the masses who will purchase one at $1500.  But yes, there will be a % of them who graduate and take a little slice of our pie. 

Keck, I'm used to it anyway, that's why my Field Staff and I enjoy sharing knowledge and offering Field Training.  Seeing folks find their 1st gold is always a blast, as you know you had something to do with their little success.

1 hour ago, Rob Allison said:

If most would just focus on what they can find, rather than what they might be missing!  I could "what if" all the time. 

The big advantage I see with the AlgoForce 1500 is the price and all the aftermarket coils you can use with it.  

I think if Minelab continued to carry and support the GPX 4500 @ $2499, we wouldn't probably be having these discussions today.  

Just my thoughts,

 

Rob, That's where you and I totally differ.

I like sharing and mentioning the kinds of gold most folks miss and the older Minelab PI's, including the GPX-4500/5000's miss as well.  Heck no, I'm not going to pay $2500 for old technology to find the few rare solid nuggets out there at the locations we all hunt.

You like mentioning the fact that specimens, wire gold and hardrock ore laced with gold is not the norm and or is rare.  Buddy, I hate to tell you, but the majority of gold I recover anymore is of those styles and it's more weight than when I was getting a few ounces a year with the older PI's.  Plus as a bonus, many of them are worth more than the actual gold, sometimes 1.5 to 3X the price, especially if it's wire gold.

That's what I have been trying to tell folks for the last few years.  The newer technology PI's (Axiom, 6000) are doing better on the specimens, reef, wire, tiny bits.  That's exactly why I highlighted Nenads comments on the AlgoForce.  I didn't bring it up at 1st, he did.  I just so happen to know the importance of such potential detector.

And no, its not just in Idaho that I'm finding them.  Some of my collection is from CA, AZ, NV, WY, MT, OR, and Idaho.  It's out there, but it takes people to change their mindset and go hunt hardrock ore dumps and hand placer workings.  Why do I say that, because for 30 yrs most of us have been swinging old school PI's and missing those kinds of gold.

When I can go behind one of my experienced customers on a site he gridded both ways...who pulls 11 ounces of gold with his GPZ-7000 and I found 3 more ounces with newer detectors, it really opens his eyes. One of the pieces is golf ball size and has near an ounce of gold.  His 7000 would not hear it, even in air.  

That's what I'm trying to say.  The newer technologies are seeing more gold than the old.  Problem is the old gold (solid nuggets) has mostly already been found at the sites we hunt.

I know you don't care about "what if gold", so when/if you decide to sell the AlgoForce, are you going to sell it based on price only? 

I love what Nenad said about the different kinds of gold....as I know there is plenty more of it out there to be collected. It's not as rare as you seem to think.  I hate to say it..but in fact.  I'm sorry you don't get out and explore more gold bearing regions.  I also realize selling detectors is not your main income, it's kind of a side hustle.  Hopefully (it can't be too far away), you'll have more time to play and venture into the invisible to many PI's gold.  It's a lot of fun and very rewarding.

I do commend you for your time and comments though.  And I still enjoy BSing with you and Dawn on the rare times we get to.

No hard feelings either way and who knows, maybe I'll have egg on my face.  It wouldn't be the 1st time, only time will tell.

1 hour ago, Wasatchgold said:

So does that mean you are looking into being a dealer for this machine?

Most certainly.

What’s all the excitement about a $1500 PI when my beloved GPX-6000 does just fine on tiny gold.  My recently acquired (used) GPZ-7000 easily puts my back into traction bars while I swing a boat anchor and dig beyond the depths of modern man with a handheld pick, to get the rarest of gold, a 1/2 ounce nugget.  Why do I say rarest of gold.  Because the majority of folks in the US who put a 2^nd mortgage on their house to purchase a GPZ-7000.. has yet to find that half ounce nugget. 

Now I’m taking pain pills to manage the beating from the ZED’s capabilities and lack of ergonomics… as well as from the old lady who seen the credit card bill. We know this new AlgoForce E1500 is not going to perform any better than what many of us here on DP already swing.  Or do we???

Who wants tiny bits, specimens and reef gold anyway?  Do those kinds of Au even classify as gold and register to those around us?  Most folks only know what a solid gold nugget looks like, right?  Show them anything else and they just role their eyes and wonder why you spent $4000, $5000, even $6500 or the crazy few (more than I realized who would), spent $8000 and up to $10K.

Which begs me to wonder again and out loud this time so I can hear myself.  What am I missing? 

Well, I’m the odd duck here in the crowd most of the time anyway.  I pretty much speak my mind and offend a few when doing so.  When it comes to using a metal detector, I seem to be a lone wolf in my style and desire to swing.  I say that because I swing many states, and pursue a variety of treasures. I do like to specialize in gold though and since I enjoy the hunt and travel, I make the time to reach far places while trying to collect a variety of gold occurrences. 

I’m not the norm, for that is a sure thing.  I like collecting all gold that can be found with a metal detector. And…I seem to find my share of gold, a great deal of the others miss.  Is it because they are lacking knowledge or skill and possibly both.  I’m not sure?  I do know that my finds have increased substantially since I learned the importance of how different kinds of gold responds to detectors and their technologies.

One of the things that immediately caught my attention about this new detector being released, was mentioned by our friend Nenad.

On 1/25/2024 at 11:51 PM, PhaseTech said:

 If you want to find small gold as well as specimens and reefy gold, then the AlgoForce E1500 is worth a look. 

I’m licking my chops and counting the eggs (golden eggs) my roster is going to provide me.  How about you.

Nenad, Sorry I'm late to the party as I was chasing gold in Caribbean again and just got back in the US yesterday. 

I'm very interested in this new detector as an End User because I enjoy hunting specimen gold that many older PI machines miss.  I'm also interested in selling it to my customer base of 30 yrs. At the price point and it's mentioned abilities, I see many happy faces.

All along many of us have wanted "detector options" for Pulse Induction machines, but at a better price point.  It sounds as if this machine will fit in nicely with the focus it's been designed for.  Hopefully everything comes through and the FCC gets things moving here to the US.

Shipping with no battery is a smart move actually and will save the company time and money.

Looking forward to learning more as this is the 1st I have heard of it.

 

My original post was in Prospecting Page as that's where I usually hang, I'm a gold hunter.  But after much thought, I'm deciding to put part 2 in the appropriate section.  You can find write up part 1 (days 1 - 4) in the Prospecting page. Warning, long detailed read, with a few good pics.

Day #4 As the wife/I stepped out of our room and headed for breakfast, we both noticed change in the weather, and it was already cool and breezy.  I decided to hunt in the deeper waters in the morning before the stronger winds show up, usually afternoons.  After some time of bobbing up and down with the rising/falling waves as they roll in and past me, I tried to keep my spirits up.  Getting only a few targets here and there, I did happen to manage some bling, 2 rings, a bracelet, couple pair of sunglasses and a few coins. 

 

The one ring is a white gold 10K with a decent weight of 5.5 grams. 

 

The bracelet is stamped 18K, hopefully real and not one of those fakes?  Once home I ran it through the tumbler and it cleaned up very nice, actually a stunner bracelet. 

The above pic shows links are all thin and or hollow, so it does not have serious weight, coming in at 19.5 grams.  With the price of gold around $2000 an ounce, I’m also seeing more gold pendants, bracelets and chains that have hollow links to save on weight and cost.  I am still not 100% certain it’s genuine 18K and need to get it tested. 

I’m pleased with my efforts and time for a bite and fill up of water.  While enjoying lunch and viewing across the ocean, my wife commented how rough the seas and shores were getting. 

The pic above shows the palm trees blowing sideways and the white caps on the waves.  Water is still mostly clear now.

She’s always worried about me.  As I get older, I also become a little more cautious of my activities.  It’s not necessarily because I’m getting wiser, but more of me worrying about a broken leg, hip, ankle or other long lasting ailment.  I know from personal experience how powerful a wave can be.  I’ve been slammed a few times and once even took my scoop handle to the gut and knocked the wind out of me.  Luckily I didn’t faint as I would have drowned.  On a trip to Bahamas once, my video guy got slammed and blew his knee out.  It finally took surgery for his knee to be right again.  Waves are no joke and need to be respected.

A quick kiss with “good luck wishes” from the wife and I’m heading back into the dunk trying to catch a bright and shiny ring. Well, the weather was really getting right down rough, and I only lasted a couple hours before I decided to call it a day.  It’s not worth getting hurt and ruining the trip for a couple blings to already ad to what I have discovered.  Heck, I’m already quite happy anyway.  Finds for the afternoon only included a few coins, a crusty sterling ring and 2 pair of sunglasses. 

That crusty sterling ring tumbled up really well and it even has an "A" that's gold. 

Sometimes you don't know until you get home and start cleaning up the treasures,

That evening while viewing over my dismal recoveries for the day, I realized…at least I managed a piece of gold (which on some trips is much better than my gold nugget success) for the day.  At the end, it’s just like the small nuggets of the desert, even a thin gold band or charm find, it all adds up.  Sure, I’m not scoring rings like I’ve done in the past, but there’s many factors and sometimes it’s just the times and generational changes.  One of the other elephants in the room, the weather…. has a lot more to do with ones Success than we usually realize.  Remember, the crusty sterling ring with the gold A was not even known at the time.

Day 5.. Time to take a break.  It became a body recover day and mind/soul relaxation.  Indeed, a perfect idea as it was also the roughest winds and surf so far.  I couldn’t have timed it any better. I spent time with the boss at the poolside enjoying a few drinks and occasionally walking over to the beach and seeing stupid people get tossed around in the back of my mind I’m thinking, you're certainly helping me for my next hunt. 

Dinner for the evening was interesting. We wanted to see a show, so did dinner a little early.  The special was Pork of the Pig. 

They should have actually called it “pork of the pigs head”.  I had to catch a quick pic for memories/proof.  I so much wanted to put that big ring on the pig's snout for a quick pic, but I had not enough drinks yet and besides, the ring was securely hidden in the room.  It would have been a hoot though to see such a pig/pic.

Day 6 started with strong breeze which was frustrating to my mindset.  Notice the shallow water is much murkier and starting to see a few shells/small rocks being exposed.

As I walked to my intended location, I started doubting myself a little about being able to swing a good day's hunt.  Getting into the rough water where the waves were cresting, I usually desire to get beyond them, so I’m not tossed around as much.  Plus, in the wave breaks and another hurdle is its very time consuming trying to recover the target.  My military mindset says to “march on Marine”, and so I head out. As I’m walking through the rough, half-hardy pushing my detector ahead as I’m working to the deeper less ferocious wave activity, I actually get a low tone signal….

Now what???  I’m thinking… as I realize the importance of low and mid tones, but also the thrashing my body and equipment will take while trying to recover target.  I decide to chase after the signal anyway…. and just as I go to retrieve, a wave slams my backside and thrusts me forward totally out of control of the situation.  Mistakenly my body lands on Manti and I can feel the coil stuck between my legs.  As my 230 pounds is trying to recover with my arm strapped into Manti arm cuff, I feel something give….and I know it’s not well. 

Getting my bearings and my arse with Manti to the beachline and out of the wave crash zone, I see with my eyes what my arm and mind were feeling…what the give was.  SNAP…The coil is dangling by the cord of the end of Manti shaft. 

In total disgust I realize nothing I can do but head back to the room and get the backup.  In the room I realize my backup is a brand new Manticore and so I really don’t want to use it.  I decide it’s best just to take the lower rod from the backup Manti and use it on my original unit. Besides, I didn’t have the coil cover to the backup unit all zip tied together. 

Side note.  For you water hunters.  I highly recommend you zip tie the coil cover of the Manticore to the coil in 3 or 4 places as they easily fall off.  I actually know a few folks who remove the coil cover all together when water hunting.

 

Now up and running after a half hour delay, I’m determined to get at least 2 or 3 hrs swing time today.  Taking the previous day off, I get this “must do it anyway” in my head.  So off to the beach I go.  This round (I lost round 1) my plan is to immediately walk through the wave break zone and out to the semi calmer waters at depth.  Yes, I realize it’s going to be a tough day but troop on.  Again, if I had not taken the day before off, I’d probably call it done.  In the deeper swells, I swing, bob up, come down and swing, was the pattern I did for the next 15 minutes or so before I’m rewarded with a ring for my efforts.  1^st target in the water was a thin sterling ring, followed by a nice 18K yellow gold 6.4 gram band, and surprisingly another 10 feet away was a 2^nd yellow gold band of 14K weighing 2.6 grams, followed by a monster ring from those cartoon figures.  Interestingly, that one small area seems to be some kind of trough or settling zone.  Why I think so, well 6 targets and 4 of those were rings, which the other 2 larger heavy coins.

 

Day 7, I awoke to the evil winds a howling and realized my day was going to be a tough hunt.  I decided to walk quite aways to attempt at finding a calmer section of water.  On occasion I even take a tax to a couple well known areas that have built in wave break.  My walk paid off and I noticed a resort down the way which had a section of semi calmer waters.  This beach I usually don’t hunt as it seems to produce more coins and trash than some of my favorites, but at least I get to hunt.  As I walk out into the water and look back, down a hundred yards, I see a sand cut and also notice much sand movement has occurred in water as well.  This scenario can be an indicator that I could have a banger kind of day at his location.  I’m excited for what my mind starts racing to expect. 

Well, my finds didn’t exactly overflow with Gold as I ended up with mostly heavier targets and unfortunately only 2 rings.  Luckily one of them being an 18K yellow gold. The other is a crusty sterling ring that’s been in saltwater for quite some time.  Yes, I did manage more coins and trash than usual, but that’s the breaks when leaving my favorite areas for stretches of the beach that are not on my high points list.  I shouldn’t complain at all (I did get gold) but honestly, I was a little disappointed.

Notice above, the coins and items recovered have been in the water for some time.  This is good indicators of some potential great finds, if you are willing to take a chance in the water.  I recommend you have a buddy...just in case.  

Day 8/9 were some of the strongest winds I’ve encountered at Cancun.  Again, my wife mentioned the potential hazards and events (broken shaft) I already experienced. Hinted that I should spend time with her and to be thankful for what I’ve already recovered. Actually, she is correct because some of my finds were really top notch.  Even though I didn’t get a high-end diamond ring on this trip, I managed some brand name designer piece. The beach was red flag both those days and to the point they kept asking folks to please stay out of the surf and to only use the pools.  

I’m not the hard-core Marine I once was when I first started going South some 15 yrs ago, so I took the bosses advice and called the detecting part of my job of this trip, an end.

Just out of curiosity and the morning we left, I walked to the beach to get an idea of what was happening, quite a bit more of sand movement had taken place over the last 2 days of extreme winds and tidal movement.  I was sure there had to be more gold for the taking.  Oh well, there always next time. 

Wrap of the trip finds I brought home.  Missing one sterling ring and one small 14K gold band my wife tipped herself.

Total of 25 rings were recovered.  My gold counts. 10 gold rings and one sterling ring with a gold overlay “A” letter. Another gold item is a very thin 10K box chain type gold necklace.  Still need to get the dentures tested as it could have value.

 

Weight of the gold, 1.620 ozt, not counting the bracelet.

 

Not knowing todays trends, brings me to another point. On previous trips, I have had 4 or 5 sunglasses days.  I only know Ray Band as having value.  Well, I was giving some away to the lifeguard one day when someone was telling me how expensive a couple pair were.  I have since learned to look them up on google before giving away for free.  After all, I do give aways most of the coins, most of the cheaper nonprecious metal jewelry and even on occasion a tungsten or sterling ring.  I try to help those at resorts who make my trip more enjoyable.

Update on the dentures and BVLGARI Ring.

After getting home and in contact with Cooperate, they assured the resort would contact me.  They did.  I emailed a pic of the dentures and also mentioned finding a BUGARLI ring.  They replied back saying that nobody had reported them lost.  I find this quite strange as I have had issues in times past as well.  Honestly, I don’t trust the folks that deal with the lost and found at these resorts.  One particular time, I just left the resort and got to the airport, while in the restroom, I realized my $140 electric razor was sitting in bathroom at the resort I had just checked out of. I immediately called and told them my room #.  They put me on hold for a bit, came back and told me that no such item was found in the room.  Another time at a different resort, I accidentally left my dress shoes for evenings out with the wife, under the bed. When I returned from the trip, I realized they were gone.  Again, $100 shoes and nobody knows anything about them.

Well, if and or when I decide to sell, at least I know I did contact the resort and tried to see if they were that important to someone that they would report them lost.  Not reporting a ring, ok I could see that as some folks don’t even know they lost one.  The dentures though, how could someone finish a trip without them?  I’m most certain they would have reported, unless so embarrassed, they decided not to.

That's the end of my 2023 season hunt in the Caribbean.  Manti never leaked and that's great news.  So far, I'm pleased with its results but still feel a CTX 3030 has better depth on man's gold wedding bands.   To be fair, I do not have even close to the number of hours in saltwater with a Manticore as I did the 3030.  I know, it takes time and tuning to get dialed in and eventually that will come, I hope.