Gerry in Idaho

Very Interesting to hear. I know of 2 well traveled Electronic Prospectors who were swinging back then. Would the guys name happen to be Chuck from TX and the other is the famous Pieter H. I won't devolge the last name.

Fantastic videos Andrew. What's cool is you were able to score a gold ring on your 1st dig. You got me beat my friend as I dug that diamond ring the 1st day I used it, the 1st hour, but it was the 2nd target. Anyway, I just watched a few of those videos and you really do a great job showing the results for that hind of hunt. VLF's in that salt are actually better than the PI's as they get close to the same max depths but all targets less are providing more info to the VLF's. Well done my friend.

My 1st gold finds with a PI were while swinging the green SD-2100. I immediately noticed the depth difference vs VLF's and so I called Minelab to become a dealer. The well known Kevin Hoagland (now with the GPAA) told me to wait a month and they would have the newer model SD-2200. It was green as well but the 18" coil was a flat smooth hollow one. Some of the deepest gold I've ever found was with that detector. Not sure why I don't dig as many deep holes anymore, but I attribute it to, no nuggets of that size are left at that range? You tell me. Sure the newer technologies are finding smaller nuggets at depth, but I sometimes wonder on those 5+ gram solid slugs, why can't I seem to find those at 18 to 24"+ depths? Curious, if anyone has tested an old SD with big coil vs a GPZ on solid big gold? I think it would be pretty close. But then again, I could be dreaming and the GPZ might be doing it's job just fine. I do know the battery size of the SD and the GP series was like a 4 or 5 pound brick. I actually seen those batteries being used for Motorcycles. Sure miss those deep holes, as many of the areas I hunted was no trash, so as soon as you hit the 6" and below mark, it was 99.9% gold. Thanks for all your comments gents.

Going through some of my boxes and cleaning up the back rooms of the shop, I find some interesting items on occasion. Here’s a wall hanger of a coil if even been one. This is a genuine Minelab 18” round coil for the early SD-2000 and I think maybe the SD-2100? If I’m not mistaken, it’s nickname was the Trash Can Lid? My question to those who have been around Minelab longer than I, have you used one and was it any good? As the photos show, this is a pretty crude hand made coil and the waves must have been for extra strength, I’m not sure. I think I heard someone asking for a used 18” coil a while back, but I’m thinking this one could be older than what you want? I’ll make a heck of a deal if you’re still interested and sell it for whatever the cost of shipping is. As you can see in the pics, it looks as if it was sitting in the desert for a while and seems to have some dried up sea gull/bird crap on it (no charge). No I have not tested it. What’s amazing about this coil is that it’s actually pretty lite in weight. I’d love to hear from folks who used it and or if you have pics of Success with this coil. Certainly a wall hanger with Minelab and probably 30+ yrs old, but if you know please chime in? Anyone else have any old Minelab Wall Hangers collecting sea gull chit?

Both of them were ahead of you on the list. Check your email as I sent a message to you earlier today still wanting to know if you want 1 or 2. I now see your reply. You asked to be on my list later Oct. I still have a couple customers from Aug., a couple from Sept who are ahead of everyone. But they have said they don't need them right now because of where they live and winter. They are allowing me to sell to others on the list behind them, very kind. My list is shrinking daily not growing. Some folks have had enough and purchase Deus-II's, some pulled the trigger and purchased EQ-900's, people on my list purchased from Cabela's and a couple of my customers found them from really small dealers who recently received an order. It looks like things are starting to move a little more, which is good for all of us. As for my thoughts of Cabela's getting them, a product they know nothing about. I've told Minelab management my thoughts. 25+ yrs as a multi line dealer. I was fresh, eager and had energy to help my customers become better with their detectors. I had decent profit margins and perks, now mostly gone. I've watched many of my friends shops die off, watched 2 bigger major detector manufactures shut their doors. My perks from manufactures have been taken away. My margins from manufactures have been cut (some in half). But I'm expected to survive. Many dealers don't even carry inventory, just do drop ships. Manufactures change their words and loyalty and sign up dealers all over who do nothing, but cut margins even more, even on a product we can't get. Why are those folks even dealers? Why allow Cabela's to even get them? As long as the manufactures move the product and they get paid, the share holders are happy. Yes, I get old and grumpy at times and no I don't take change as easy. I guess I should try to survive and change with times. I don't know. Thank you my customers who are sticking it out with me. You know I'll always have your back and you know I'll share more knowledge than Cabela's. After all, 50 years of swinging a detector and I've learned a thing or two.

Minelab listening to dealers now? Boy those days are gone. Here's the good thing Rob. You usually take the high road and stay out of gunshot range (smart man). You and just a select few others were always sitting at the same table most of the time and agreeing. Sure, we do things a little different, but we found a Nitch for our style of business model. Options is a good thing. Thanks for being there and not giving in and or up. This industry sales margins have been cut so bad, it's hard to make a living just off detector sales and I see why so many dealers have a regular job. I'm still trying to make it, just can't afford the steak and lobster the same night. Most certainly will get the 1st round for you and Dawn, it's been a long time.

I still like eating steak and lobster on occasion, so need a few sales here and there.

As I had posted above, I misspoke. I was under the impression there was also a Software Update. As a dealer I should know this. Just as Minelab knows I'm a dealer but yet never did tell us about the hard fix either. I agree with you Jason about the speaker fix, it should actually allow us to hear deeper and smaller nuggets, both. Crap, Now I have to send mine in and get the speaker update taken care of and then go test it and see how it stacks up to Axionother detector. Actually, I've done enough comparing and know where each shine. They both can easily sit at the Big Boy table and are fine detectors.

I misspoke. It's a hardware Upgrade and you are correct.

Glad you are able to get a few meteorites from there as well. The 2nd one is really cool. While watching/listening to your video, my ears were pretty keene on the sounds your GPX-6000 was making and I was most certain it had not been sent in. You are right, it's tough to send in the detectors when we need them for our daily use. Unfortunately, I'm not quite caught up with you yet on the travel as needed. Give me a few more yrs and I'll be there. Yes the GPX-6000's can find gold without the updated, heck most of us on here have been doing it for over a year now. I've yet to run side by side with a detector that has had it done, but I was informed there is a noticeable difference. I sometimes wonder, if there is any loss of depth or sensitivity when getting it done? Keep it up and hopefully 2023 is golden for you in many ways.

Tim, Thanks for taking the time to write such a fine detailed review of how I run my business. Yes, as a Veteran myself, I enjoy working with and helping other Veterans earn 15% off. You are also correct in that a Veteran sale is less profit in my pocket. But sometimes it's not always about the money. Heck, if that was the case, I'd sell the few Manticores I've received at full MAP, but instead, 3 of them has been Military. I figure what comes around, goes around and if I do my part to try and help folks, I have a great chance of staying in business. Thanks again Tim and everyone else for the great comments. Hopefully I'll get some time on the Equinox 900 soon and be able to share my findings, knowledge and notes.

You did well my friend. I as well, hundreds of hours on my Equinox and yet to break the ears. But I've seen it happen. Those rings are nice and the gold nugget a great bonus. I've seen a half dozen nuggets so far recovered from that storm and the beach hunters. Still hoping to get down there next week, if possible. Very nice and well earned.

Nice speci find from Gold Basin. That area has been a good one for those who are patient and know what to listen for. I watch and listen to the video, thank you. That hot rock about fooled me as well but a little softer than the speci signal. Question on your GPX-6000. Did you send it in yet for speaker update? I haven't on mine as I might need it soon. Although I do have the Axiom...but my partner would then be without. On a side note, anyone get any meteorites? Well done.

Mind over Matter. Sometimes the mind, intuition and focus pulls us to a spot for a reason. Many times I've gotten to a site, looked around, grab detector, walk over, turn it on...and bang. Then the rest of the day is trash. Very nice golden way to start the New Year. Well earned.

Back in the day when Minelab USA used to communicate and work with their more popular dealers who were in the field (those days of Minelab are gone), they sent me a prototype GPZ-7000 to test. My Field Staff guy and I spent 5 days in Northern Nevada testing it and were pretty impressed with the detectors depths. We didn't get a manual or did we know what we were really doing, but we did see/find/hear/feel things we had never done before. Yes deeper gold, yest smaller gold, yes different sounds, and most certainly yes, a sore and worn out back. He's (Ron) is standing up at the begging of the day, dug some deep gold throughout the day (just bungee, no swing arm) and was sitting down and worn out at the end of the day. The next version we tested actually did have a Swing Arm and that's the same one I recommend to many customer who hunt for longer periods of time or swing larger coils.

I'll double down on the next post for you..

Xcal's BBS technology was a game changer in the saltwater, glad to see you still using one. I do wish they would keep the same technology, but redesign the complete shaft/body. I've done well in years past with the NOX, but it takes time to learn, just like it did with the Xcal. Tell him to not give up. I used Tony Eisenhower WP headphones for this trip. I actually purchased and used them on my NOX last year and they did fine until my full body was totally under, then I still had the weak target issues. The Minelab headphones are just as bad under water, but worse above water. No, wireless headphones for the NOX and the Manticore will not work when submerged, but the technology is getting close.

If I called it the "cock line", it just doesn't sound as glamorous.

Not sure if I paid for the complete trip as the resorts I stay at average $400 a night. Airfare for the wife and I, approx $1000, cabs/transportation for the trip is another $200, tips given out is another $150 to $200 = Average trip cost if purchased with credit card is $5K. Some trips I use reward miles and points to save 25% to 50%. This trip I saved $1000 by using rewards for the airfare, so out of pocket cost of this trip $4000. Now me being a dealer, I get to write off the trip "business expense", so that's one of the main reasons I'm still a dealer, the benefits are there if you know how to use them. As for the shaft drag in the water. I never used the NOX on this trip, but the Manticore felt about the same. Mathematically though, the thinner shaft will cut easier through the water and use less effort. Good point you mentioned.

Glad to see you down there in AZ putting some time on the Axiom and getting results better than many and most had expected. To read that each detector responded on the same exact targets and just as importantly, neither detector found a target the other missed or could not, says volumes of how far Garrett has come along. Now this part is even more exciting for me and should be for others as well. I'll use example of the GPZ-700 and the GPX-6000 as I ran both from day 1. The way I was using those detectors and even to the point of training customers, has evolved. My operation and settings of those machines today is different than at 1st and who knows, maybe down the road, I find other ways to get more out of the detectors. The Axiom is so new, many folks are just now getting them and already making finds. Well 6 months from now, we'll have a better understanding of the detector and even possibly a few tweaks to our Settings. A year from now, we might even get a bonus software upgrade and down the road, the results will be even better than today. In the end, we all learn each time we get out and if we pay attention and always try to make our machine and skill better,, then our results will show. I'm happy to read your knowledge and the time you put it to test both machines at the same day, same site with approx same size coils. Not many folks have the luxury of owning both detectors. Well done again Lunk.

I have owned both and had great success with each detector. I've been able to do things with the SDC-2300, many other PI's could not, including using it fully submerged in water and find amazing treasures. Warning, it's Waterproof capabilities are not as good as I had hoped. As mentioned, the SDC-2300 is Turn on and go with not many adjustments needed. It's Processing and Timing are designed for smaller gold.. and or certain specimens the older PI's can't see. Yes it can find big gold, just ask a few of my customers. The SDC-2300 is a great detector for certain tasks and I have many customers who enjoy it's compactness and capability. It's extremely awkward to swing and most who hunt for a period of time should be using a swing arm (the same one off of a GPZ-7000 is perfect). The Axiom (new kid on the block) is still unknown by most. I assure you, it's gold hunting capabilities are above the SDC-2300 for a variety of tasks. It has more coil selection, better tuning options, Iron Identification when needed, is much lighter and easier to swing. The coils are hot on the edge as is the SDC for pinpointing small nuggets near surface. It can find a variety of gold at greater depths vs the SDC-2300, but that's because of the added Timings and coil options. At today's price comparison, you can purchase a new (10 yr old detector) in box SDC-2300 for $3400 and it comes with 1 coil, 3 yr warranty and crappy headphones that most of my customers seem to break. It's a very compact detector but heavy, turn on and go, finds small gold with ease. The new kid on the block Axiom is $3999, American made with 2 yr warranty. comes with 2 coils, better headphones, is compact, light weight, and has more capabilities for more kinds of gold prospecting. A nice padded Carry Case/BackPack comes with each purchase as well. Another thing many folks miss, is the ability for Software Upgrades vs the SDC-2300. As a Bonus (just a matter of time), you'll see a good following of Relic Hunters using the Axiom because of it's added features and coil offerings. Something many folks don't look or think about. RESALE - SDC-2300 is pretty much a gold prospecting tool and has a smaller audience. The Axiom will be more desired for Prospectors, Beach Hunters and Relic Hunters, so your resale audience is bigger, broader and easier to move which is an added value and more $$. For my style of detecting, it's an easy answer, Axiom. Either way you go, they are both fantastic detectors and the SDC-2300 is proven for it's limited uses. The new kid on the block Axiom just needs a little time to shine. Heck I remember when the SDC-2300 came out and how so many folks were not happy at 1st. After time it was realized yes, it is a great detector for smaller nuggets. Hopefully this info helps you and many others down the road. Below gold found by Steve Herschbach with the Axiom. Bottom line, these detectors are tools and those who use them most get best rewards. Gerry's Detectors www.gerrysdetectors.com

I'm hoping you actually did find $21 in gold coins, but think a spelling error and it was $21 in old coins? Either way, those off the beaten path sites, can be honey holes. Nice quiet beaches in the pics as well.

I beg to differ on your factual statement above. Now if you are talking bigger solid gold, then yes. What so many people don't understand is different kinds of gold and the characteristics of how their are in select specimens. Some expensive gold can be missed with the older technology of the GPZ vs the newer GPX-6000 or Axiom. That, I know for a fact. Gerry's Detectors

Now that's one of the easiest ways to know the area has not been pounded clean, a sunbaker. I know you didn't mention the detector as most any would have heard it, but are swinging VLF or bigger? How did your brother do? If I get back to WY, this year, I'll look you up and we'll see what the new Axiom can do out there. I realize it's not a GPZ-7000, but it has features and things it can do for a price that you might want to add it to the arsenal.

That's a very impressive haul of Au nuggets and your time in the field was rewarded. So you may be off a little in weight, but you gained in more pieces. Was your body more thankful swinging the lighter and easier 6000 vs the 4500? Plus, getting the extra pieces more often keeps a smile on the face. Thanks for sharing.