Gerry in Idaho

48 minutes ago, strick said:

and BTW Gerry when will the rechargeable battery pack become available ? I need one.

strick

Heck Strick,  Your unit is probably out of warranty and about ready to be traded in for a new one with all the upgrades...and I know a dealer who can help.  As for your older style battery system and getting the new Drop In.  I have been told all batteries are going into the new detectors right now and now to expect any extras to be sold as Accessories for a couple to few more months.

Thanks for allowing my staff/I to train you and Lisa as you both seemed to enjoy it and I know both found gold as well.  Here is one of her smaller ones that Chris Ralph missed while Steve H was chatting with us.  Good times.

I've noticed the same thing with a variety of detectors in years past.  A couple factors to consider, is the coil being used DD vs MONO or Concentric and the 2nd is the direction you are coming from when passing the target.  I always try to circle my target while swinging back and forth.  Also with some other detectors, I'll put detector in ALL METAL MODE and do a Size/Shape Imaging sweep.  Kind of hard to explain, but as I sweep across the target many times and directions I pay attention to the response and many times, I can tell a longer signal from a round coin/ring one. 

The same thing can happen to a few coin detectors if the coin is on edge.

Not sure if this is the answer you were looking for and hope this makes sense.

On 11/26/2020 at 2:09 PM, oneguy said:

Not sure if these would be considered "detecting boots" but I'm partial to my Whites Smokejumpers.

https://whitesboots.com/firefighter/the-original-smokejumper/

 

Well if you wear those with an SD, GP, GPX or GPZ, I don't think you'll find much, as there is enough metal in those boots...  But at least they'll last for years as they are quality built.

11 hours ago, Ridge Runner said:

Alexander Enterprise was the guy I got my White’s 66 TR before I came a dealer myself. Has name was Jim Alexander . Later Jim moved out to Az. having something to do with mining and that’s the last I know.

 This all took place around 72 and it’s been a lot of water has run under the bridge.

 Chuck 

I think you may have sent me a few of those older magazines at one time Chuck.  Just think how many boxes of magazines you have stashed away, as I seen your name on the shipping label going all the way back to 1971/2, so I suspect you have 40+ yrs, maybe 45 of being a dedicated TH'er and magazine reader.  Heck, I imagine these are more rare than the Playboy of the time.  Great post and pics.

One of the worst weather Wars of the time with 17,000+ American casualties.  Just think what it would be like trying to fight outdoors with 1950 clothing in -35 degree weather.  It is said that more casualties were from weather (non battle) than actual deaths fighting.

From one Marine to the next...Semper Fidelis = Always Faithful.

On 11/23/2020 at 1:08 PM, Randy Lunn said:

Thank you Gerry, and I also need to thank you for getting me started. About five years ago I bumped into you at Rye Patch as you were about to start a class. You let me join. You, Lunk, Spencer and the team got me up to speed on how to use my GPZ giving me a great understanding of the settings and how to swing and listen. The detectors response to different types of nuggets was amazing. Each team member gave me different insights that have paid off. 

At that time the GM 1000 was just coming out, and I ordered one from you. This is the detector that found my nuggets in Salome, AZ. 😃
 

 

Randy,  So glad you took took the time to stop in and decided to get the training from my Field Staff/I.  Most folks don't really know how important genuine real hands on training is and I feel that's part of why so many people go to Rye Patch and never find anything.

What has kept me in business all these years and even with the Amazons/Internet/Mail-order is my happy customers sharing their stories/success.  Thanks again for being a repeat customer and I look forward to selling you a GPX-6000 or other when the time is right.

57 minutes ago, Gold Catcher said:

I personally had no luck with the Bates. Poor quality and cracked after 2 months. Perhaps it was a lemon. But it really all depends what you do with them. On flat terrain they are a acceptable, but when you hike into steep rocky canyons you need something more solid

Bates, just like many other major brands, have cheaper and higher end products.  I have had exactly what you experienced, a couple models of Bates in years past, the stitching started falling apart after a few days detecting.  But at the same time, the last 2 pair of Bates I have purchased are tough as nails.  Thanks for the refresher of my memory, as I didn't like the early ones either.

Yes this happened to me a few times in the early 70's.  Mama found my porn stash under the bed and it was what set up my career.  After all, I tell many I'm in the Adult Entertainment business selling high end toys.

These early magazines had me squeamish in bed a many sleepless nights.  A boy my age was quite naive, so seeing such raw and natural images sent my brain into overload.  I had no clue what the future would hold, but I feel it came out quite right.

View these 2 early magazines and you'll notice some of the articles and headlines.  1st is GOLD by True West, 1969 Vol. 1, #1 and looking at the inside page of the articles are authors mostly long gone.  But I give credit to them for allowing me to dream.  If anyone knows of these names, it would be neat to get updates.

2nd magazine porn I used to drool over, Old West 1971 and just as incredible is an article about "Elk City Idaho" and just below that....perfect timing. "One Thanksgiving Day".  Folks, I can't make this up any better.  I go to my old stash and grab a couple and these are absolute on.  The inside cover (I forgot to check the centerfold) is a full page ad from Jetco and their top detectors 50 yrs ago.  The models of the detectors are catchy like many muscle cars of the day, GTO, Mustang, GTX,  Treasure Hawk...didn't Minelab have a Treasure Hawk? 

So I ask you folks, show the rest of us your Treasure Porn that kept you dreamin, drooling and -master swinging.

1 hour ago, GB_Amateur said:

 If you open responses to more than just detectors, I credit Long John Latham (and especially his illustrators and authors) for his dual publications True Treasure and Treasure World.  You've got to stimulate the brain first and they sure did that starting back in 1970 (the first issue I read was from then; they started publishing and distrubuting a couple years earlier).

Worth its own post and I'll start it, so please add.

Very good question my friend and I am not sure why you didn't get more replies.

I spend over $100 a years on boots and sometimes near $300, if I get some that do not last.  I go through about 1 pair of boots a year and sometimes 2, 1 year it was 3 pr.  As those who hunt with or around me know, I am extremely hard on my boots.  I use them as a surface scraper at Rye Patch all the time since I chase whisper ghost signals and I usually can't tell if it's an actual signal until I have removed 3 to 4" in a broad 18" wide by 16" tall area.  Could I use my Apex?  Most certainly and many folks do, but since I carry it on my back, the time it takes to reach back and get it out of the sling and then put it back 3 minutes later, I just feel the boot grader is fine.

In reality I have 3 pair of boots I take on a prospecting trip.  My #1 (current) boot is a Bates. https://www.batesfootwear.com/US/en/8"-tactical-sport-boot/20073M.html and it is very tough and durable.  Now, like most other Bates I have tried, it's not a comfortable boot, so I spend another $10 to $20 on inserts, which last about 6 months.  These boots are 100% non metal and even advertised as such.

My 2nd boot is a worn out pair of Converse and I can not read the part#, but they are tan in color.  They are actually pretty comfortable, lighter in weight than the Bates and great in summer.  My biggest complaint with them is their durability and they literally started falling apart after a few workouts.  Last years I went through 2 pairs of them and started on the 3rd pair.  I can't seem to find that style anymore, but mine did not have the size zipper as someone else posted pics of.  I ordered a pair of the side zipper boots (Converse) that were advertised as non metal and the zipper handle was metal as was 2 small breather ports near the bottom of the boot on the sides.  I sent them back and was refunded.

The most comfortable boot I wear is a Merrell Moab: https://www.merrell.com/US/en/moab-2-mid-ventilator/720026487929.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&adpos=&scid=scplp720026487929&sc_intid=720026487929&gclid=Cj0KCQiAwf39BRCCARIsALXWETwfabwVRhrl8JlBSEJOOB1iZeyTA6rzeGwJKYSLhlkWjZF2B2FyG90aAoB8EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds and I use it when I know I'm not going to be grading/dozing with my feet/boots.  These are not designed for that style of use and when I tired, dirt and gravel seem to get into the boot up over the sides as they are high ankle mid ridge.  Now one thing you'll need to do with these, is remove the upper eyelet as it is brass, but the rest of them will easily hold the show on there.

I also know of a staff Member who purchases cheaper $30 to $40 boots with no metal shank (takes his pinpointer into the store and tests them), but does have metal eyelets.  He then removes the eyelets and threads the laces in the holes where the metal eyelets used to be.  He puts an insert in the boots to his feel/liking.

A different Staff member just got a pair of (mentioned by another person) Keen's and he is quite happy with them, but they too are mid ankle level, but he says very comfortable.

I also know Doc's Detecting Supply used to sell Bates books, so maybe he has some that work for you.

Hope this helps and be sure to let us know what you eventually go to and how you like them.

We all have different styles of gold nugget shooting and across this globe are so many varying terrains to chase nuggets.  Our skills and years at it vary and on this fine forum, it could just as easily be the eager beaver newer member who's grateful for their 1 and only nugget, as it could be a salty savvy veteran with a lifetime of Thankful gold finds.  And yet many of us have a certain detector that meant so much to our pursuit of heavy metal.  What model of gold detector are you most thankful for and why?

For me, it's the Fisher Gold Bug-2 as it was the 1st gold detector we (detector & I) became 1.  It was the machine that kept gold coming in and eventually lead me to the Pulse Induction powers/depths beyond.  It's not my favorite to swing today (not even top 3), but I have to give credit when due and the GB-2 is the gold detector I am most thankful for.

I look forward to hearing your Thankful gold detector comments.

Those are some beautiful pieces of gold and will bring some extra $$$.

Happy Thanksgiving to your family as well Joe. 

The Minelab GT 16000 introduced in 1987 used DD coils. I know this model is later on but I know it was DD.

My own personal detector, 1st DD (that I recall) was the Minelab Sovereign and the Soc series is still desired by a few.

11 hours ago, Valens Legacy said:

Is that ounces or grams?

Grams my friend.  If it were ounces, I feel Lunk and I would still be out there.  I've yet to hit a 34 ounce trip, but have been fortunate enough to earn a few multi ounce trips.  

This pic is probably one of my all time best ever and it was with a VLF. 25+ ounces with over a pound of Au.  Just think if we would have kept all the gold we found back in the days?

I finished my 2020 Field Training of customers a couple weeks ago at Rye Patch and was able to run the 7000 without interruption for 6 days.  My best day was 12 nuggets but I also have to admit that on 2 days, I was skunked (the 2 days I was swinging new ground looking for a patch. ).  Almost all the gold were whisper signals most folks are not good at and in a particular wash near the burn barrel, I pulled 7 in a day.  I even called over some customers who were hanging around to let them listen, watch and learn.  It just amazes me this detector can pick up nuggets at 14 to 18" deep and they are less than 2 grams.  Now I would never expect these kind of results in the Spring though so make sure you know your ground and timings.

I was able to also watch Lunk dig his 1 ouncer and it blew me silly how it had been missed by the older machines.

Anyway, we had a great trip, fabulous customers/camaraderie, some delicious meals (Thanks Chef Rusty) and good gold.  I'm starting to see a pattern when training though.  The lady customers seem to pay more attention and their proper coil control gets them more gold.

Yes the big 19" coil does find small nuggets as your finds are proof.  

Glad you made it down there and hopefully you'll save a few for when I come down.

Yes the nuggets from this last Spring sure look good, great pic of them.

Thanks for sharing.

Randy,  Glad you were about to attend Bill's rally and get to spend time with well known nugget hunters.  As someone who does quite a few Field Events, I know the the extra efforts and time it takes to put one of these together and realize not everyone will be pleased. But if the majority of folks are happy, then it's a win win.

Not many dealers will take the time to put events like these together as there is more to it than most folks realize, but Bill/Tammy are the exception and they enjoy sharing knowledge.  To anyone who might be interested, just being around them, listening/watching can help someone become a better Nugget Hunter.

Thanks for sharing and congratulations on the gold finds. Just being around them was a nugget in itself.

Quite interesting to see those older White's CM series.  You say the one you had back then was not one of the Coin-masters?  I have a really old Nugget Master and and 2 older Gold Master's.  Pretty sure they were late 60's and early 70's models.  I too was using the blue box Coin Masters in the late 70's and through 80's.   I see you both are on the beach and wonder if your Success back then at finding gold rings was better or worse than finding gold nuggets?

I did not start chasing natural gold nuggets until mid 90's and yes I used my White's on the beaches a few times in late 70's and throughout 80's on occasion, I did not do as well as I had expected.  I don't think the older 6.59kHz were good on salt beaches for gold rings.

You are one lucky man to have a lady who also enjoys detecting.

Thanks for the memories.

I'm back to Boise now and getting detectors in customers hands.

Thanks for everyone's input on this dandy collector piece.  I have yet to do an AZ gold show so if possible, I might try the one this winter down there (if Covid doesn't ruin it).

I may not have dug as big of gold as LUNK did right in front of me, but at least I found a collector piece.

Thanks again everyone.

Lunk,  So glad we were able to do a couple days swinging Northern Nevada with the 7's before the storm blew in.   That 1+ oz'er is sure a great way to start your season off and I am so glad to be there and witness the live dig.  Amazing that old patch has never had a 7 out there and it just goes to show the newer technology will get you more gold.

I know your season is about to start and so I look forward to reading more of your posts in DP.

If I don't get into MX this winter for some swinging, I'll certainly fly down for a week or two just to thaw out (snowing in Boise right now) and dig a few AZ nuggets with the 7.  We'll need Chef Rusty to keep us fueled, so make sure he is on board.

Last time to Yuma was so funny as we drove the rental car .5 mile off paved road, pulled over at some dry wash piles and started beeping nuggets.  I'm sure it won't be as easy this time so I think I'll drive the car a full mile before we pull over and start hunting.

Good to see you again Amigo.

I enjoy Rye Patch area in October and sometimes November before the snow accumulates.  My 7 performs best this time of year and the day temps in 60-70s is ideal. 

What I like most about this region is the variety of natural gold nuggets.  So far I've been able to score a couple small Chevron pieces and a dozen or so small .1 gram to 1 gram pieces.   My total weight so far is just over 10 grams.   

No,  this is nothing to write home about as for gold weight wise,  but one of them is $$$.  It's a 1.2 gram collector nugget.  I've only found 4 or 5 of these beauties in my 25+ yrs of hunting nuggets. 

I posted this picture on Facebook and have a couple offers,  but I have a habit of falling in love with my gold finds.   Does anyone know what something like this would sell for to a collector?  Yes I realize there are many variables,  but just want to get an idea. 

BTW, if anyone else has found these kind, I'd love to see some pictures. Thanks everyone for input and good luck on your next swing. 

PS my phone is acting up and not working half the time so it's hard to promise any replies right away.  Thanks for being patient. 

14 hours ago, madtuna said:

" Please don't take offense Steve, but we just found 3 little sub grammers and it might be the start of a patch so we'd rather keep it to ourselves"

It was on a spot I pointed out to them!

Greed is an evil thing and I have lost what I thought were friends over gold/greed.

What is amazing is guys like you and I want to help people become successful and my staff/I enjoy being around clients/friends when they dig their 1st gold.  Sorry you had to go through that.

Rick,  When I 1st started detecting Rye Patch in the mid 90's, I was poor and many trips from Idaho, I'd carpool and pay half the gas.  Life was simple back then with just the basics.  I'd sleep on the ground on a tarp and toss a military wool blanket over me and all was good.  Well about a yr later my old-timer friend Tom C. (since passes away) pulled out one of those night lights.  It was amazing the amount of glowing scorpions scattering all around us.  I bet we counted 15+ in a matter of 30' area and it was right there above the burn barrel. 

When I was a teenager out catfishing one night, I accidentally sat right on one and it was a very unpleasant night.  The burning pain was only half the battle, but the swelling in my glands and throat (making it hard to swallow) was very real.

Needless to say, I have never spent a night on the ground since that glowing night with the UV light.

Interesting rocks and what is the history of them?

Nice gold by the way.

Some very good input and answers by a variety of seasoned/new detectorists.  

Yes most certainly with the price increase of gold around $2000 US, the Security is essential.  We hear so many stories now of vehicles getting broken into, just to steal the detecting gear. 

Luckily we don't hear as many stories of actual houses getting broken into and their gold being stolen, but I know it happens.  One of my NV buddies who was loved by many and a wealth of Northern Nevada knowledge had the most beautiful custom made bar in his house and the bar was designed to have built in display cases.  I have pics of the bar as it was so impressive.  He had his house broken into and of course the cleaned out his 50+ yrs of collecting history/gold.

Pictures and video are amazing and I still like doing it, but I have learned from my mistakes about what not to show.  Sometimes a ridge in the background could be a dead giveaway to your new patch.

I don't know if the tax man keeps track of all the big finds that are shared on forums, but if so...I have never found anything worth a dime, but my 25+ yrs of customers have me share their pics and videos all the time.  Luckily I don't keep track of where the customers live as I'm just the middle man.  OK, I did find a small nugget one time, but lost it when I went to take a picture.😏

Having your truck spotted in NV is a dead giveaway to a potential gold site, so now I must drive down in my truck, park it at the trashiest bullet ridden site I know of and then jump in someone else rig and sneak off to the real gold patch.  Many yrs ago before Lunk started working with me, I heard he was on a patch (over a pound of gold pulled from it) and anyway, I was down there one Spring with my brother and we were hiking over a few ridges and guess who I spotted down the ravine a mile below me.  Lunk's truck was hidden behind a small hill.  I sat on the ridgetop for an hour watching him methodically grid (with cones) the area.  He sure didn't leave much for me...

I myself feel it's important for a good % of people to share so we have something to dream about.  But, be sure not to give away to much details, especially if it's a site you were invited by a friend.

My 1st article for a treasure magazine had the below pic. and it was amazing the amount of people who I ran into out there that was trying to align the angel of the specimen with the mountains in the background.  I was even chatting with a guy one time, standing on that exact spot the pic was taken and he is showing me the article...not even knowing it was me the guy who found and wrote it, that was standing there talking to him.  I learned quite a bit from that 1st magazine article.  BTW, a magazine was a like a mini newspaper dedicated to certain topics.  We don't see magazines much anymore as some of the old time great authors have passed away, just like the magazine is doing.  Smart phones and internet is taking over.

Be safe, share a smile of success and keep it simple.