Gerry in Idaho

As a dealer myself, I have to agree with Rick. Sometimes manufacturers miss some of the simplest of things. Nice adjustment Skookum. What's even more funny is that we get a broomstick attachment in the box. Please someone post a pic of your Monster on a broomstick.

Oh my, That is one of those things most everyone treasures and some more than others. Are you selling the complete roll for 1 price, or maybe in 5' lengths, heck, possibly per sheet. Non used TP a month ago was a money maker. Today, I think it's just another ass-wipe.

As a very fortunate and experienced gold hunter who has had my share of success with a variety of gold detectors and found my share of heavy metal, I get asked this question all the time. Yes I have my favorite but will not share it at this moment. The reality is, there is no "the best", for all situations and or people. What I'd like to see, hear and read is your input and answers. No wrong answers as this is your opinion. In fact, even those who have yet to find gold with your detector, your input is wanted. After all, why did you decide on the model you own? Was it price, features, weight, depth, warranty, or referral from a friend? There are many to choose from. Just off the top of my head, I can think of 20+ different current models of gold detectors. Surprisingly each manufacture makes more than 1 so there is a reason. Some on here are well known salty pros, others are seasoned veterans and quite a few accomplished rookies. Now with the price of gold we are seeing a new run of wantabees. Realize everyone's experience is different, so please also mention your level at gold hunting with a detector. Thanks for sharing your time, input, thoughts and knowledge. Me personally, I've been chasing Au for 25 yrs. Again, I'll mention my favorite at a later time.

Beautiful gold chain and charm and hats off to you. Most folks totally walk away from gold chains and bracelets, not even knowing it. I've only found about 10 of them in 40+ yrs of detecting. Most were recovered because of the charms that responded, not the actual gold chain. I do have 2 I remember that did not have charms and they were not even solid signals, just broken blips. One gold ankle bracelet I found on a beach in Bahamas was pulled up with my scoop, but it was not the initial target, a coin. The ankle bracelet did not even respond to the detector at all, just got lucky. Well done and I wish you more in the future. Thanks for sharing.

Very nice chunky silver band. The company mentioned in the link seems to sell some pretty high end items. Nice save.

Once in a lifetime find x 2. Hats off to you.

As a user, dealer, and trainer of the very popular SDC-2300, I have to agree with some of the negative comments mentioned. But I also have to brag on its good features and Steve mentioned a couple. I'll mention the strong points in order of my own greatness to this detector. #1 Performance. It really does shine and in so many sites it outperforms the GPX for the majority of gold being found at many sites I've been detecting gold for the last 25 yrs. #2 User Friendly. By far the easiest PI detector Minelab has made in recent yrs and also more user friendly than any VLF gold detector, but 1. During our group training sessions, my Field Staff and I easily see how the customers of the 2300 are up to speed and onto success while most others are still learning. #3 Compact. Just the wow factor alone says "how cool and useful that is". A MUST Have tip for you. Those who own an SDC-2300 and have not tried the Swing Arm from a GPZ-7000, do yourself a favor and get one. Not only does it make swinging the detector much easier, but your coil control becomes more stable and perfect, which will get you better performance and more gold. With the ability of the CoilTek Extreme coil selection, the SDC-2300 and these improvements will help make it even more popular. BONUS- I don't know what the biggest chunk of gold to have been recovered so far this year in the United States actually is, but I'll be posting about one of my customers finds real soon. Yes it was recovered with an SDC-2300. It's just amazing to know gold this size is still being recovered.

I was detecting a site yesterday (1900 to 1940's) and made a few interesting finds. The video can be view on my "Gerry McMullen" facebook page. How old do you think this Dr. Scholl's brass metal insert is and does anyone know of collectors for such stuff? The other 2 items are sterling and the pin is stamped. Looks like a military type pin, and your help in ID'ing is needed. The flower was a little more black and when I rubbed it it shined, like a coin does. it looks like it could have had a stone in it. Anyway, I was hoping some of you could ID a couple of these and other folks can learn from them. Thanks in advance.

That ground looks good to me, but Steve said it best. "go where gold has been found before". Now if you are in the general vicinity of gold bearing ground with those pics, I myself prefer the 1st picture as it looks like there are larger rocks, some iron stones and hills. I see the hills have had really good weathering and so the lighter material has eroded away which exposes the bigger rocks. Good luck on your prospects and please share/show us some of your gold finds as you get accomplished.

For me personally, I get a gut feeling to wait and see. I know it will turn off a few of my followers, but I got turned off by all the delays and inconsistencies. Now with that said, I'm hoping FT realized the importance of "Getting it right" the 1st time. As we have seen most new products have been delayed some, but this one really stretched the moon cycle. I'm all about new products and enjoy getting my teeth wet (especially on gold nugget detectors), but as an inlander in Idaho, my water hunts are usually 2 to 4 times a yr taking a plane ride, so that does not give me the opportunity to test and compare it like I do on gold detectors (in my back yard). Cost - needs to be affordable or they will not sell many units. What is affordable? I'd say $1000 and no more than $1500. We have some nice options out there with all the different manufactures and some of the well built ones can do white a bit and only cost $900 (NOX-800). I realize it is not a PI, but Minelab priced the EQ so that many people would jump and boy I have sold hundreds of them. Depth - of only 3 feet is a big issue with me as most of my water hunting is fully submerged detector 8 to 10 hr days. I realize 3' is probably what the control box is at, but so many times I lay my detector down (some float and others sit on the bottom). I like hunting water 3 to 6' depth. The 3' threshold they are telling us, has my mind going - "potential issues". Why not the 10 feet so many others are using? Heck FT has 2 waterproof detectors they currently sell and both are 250'. Please Fisher give us 10'. Coil Size - 12.5 seems a little big considering they are pushing how it can find gold rings hidden among iron targets. Now I also realize 12.5" gice more depth too and since most other water detectors are 12" and under, then there is an advantage for depth, but not in iron trash? Built - Looking at the unit from Steve's pic (arm cuff and forward), all looks clean and doable. Looking at a full pic of detector and the back end gives me the chills. The 3 exposed connectors are potential issues, but it's what it is. I do like the idea of a lighter detector, not for me personally as in the water the weight is negated, but for those who walk the beaches, this is ideal. Iron DISC - This is probably one of the major points of this PI and I hope it does as well as we're being told. Volcanic Sand Setting - That feature alone (if you do not lose to much depth) will be a seller for some of my customers (Terry in Hawaii, are you listening). I just might have to come over this Fall (post CV-19) and do a hunt with you again Terry. I think some of my MX hunts could also become even more productive with this feature. Technology - Yes I really like to see new ideas, but this looks to be a spin off of a couple other smaller brand detectors. Nothing wrong with that at all, as long as they make it BETTER. I do give them kudos for trying something different as that is how things do eventually get better. We'll know pretty soon, but I am excited to hear of the folks who live on the beaches and their 1st reports. Where do I rank on your chart Steve, well not as high as many of you had hoped, but I will walk cautiously. Me personally it looks like I grade a "Late Majority" on this unit. But you know me, I might try and put a spin on it and see how well it works at finding low conductor gold nuggets in iron trashy tailings. Who knows, it might score me a few more nuggies? What would I like to see of this new detector? Mostly no major issues as I realize there will be a few. Overall customer satisfaction is "Above Average", just can't please everyone. And most importantly to see each of the different manufactures pushing the boundaries with good competition. If we only have 1 major manufacture doing detectors, then our options become limited. I sure loved those good old days where we could find multi gold/platinum ring on a trips. This new detector just might help make that happen again, we'll see. Hats off to Fisher for pushing and giving us another option of lighter more advanced PI with better Iron Discrimination.

Brian, I'll have to say that is the best find you have made so far in your detecting career. Yes the gold you found on my Field Training trip is what helped you realize it is doable, but this is one of those times when you Sir, get to tip your hat to yourself. I too enjoy a challenge and in instances like this, when you are not familiar with the object being hunted or the style of detecting, is what makes you stronger in the long haul. Great story, fantastic pic and even more impressed with you and how far you have come along in the MD'ing arena. Thanks for sharing.

My sales have went down on Fisher detectors as well, which I hate to see. But in all honesty, my sales on Minelabs have went up. White's is holding their heads above water with the 24K (which I really like) and the GMX and I sell my share of them. Garrett's Gold detector sales for me anyway, have slowed some. The GB-2 must have sold out at Cabela's as I don't see it any more. Funny how the GB-2 is the KING OF TINY GOLD, but the largest nugget I ever found in the lower 48 states was with a GB-2. Here is a video right after I just it up (had to hike back to the truck to get the camera).

Now if you are interested in bottom dollar pricing for a gold detector, this is certainly a capable VLF unit. What I like is the fine tune capabilities I get to control. That is one of my hits on the so popular Gold Monster 1000, as some of us old school guys like a little tuning option.

RickUK, We use the stock 11" coil for most of our water hunts as we need the depth. I'm still praying someone makes a 10" Ellip for the NOX as I feel it will be a killer coil for gold nuggets, but also great in rocky beaches for gold rings, and also rough terrain for old coin/relic hunting. This was my best ring on the last trip with the NOX.

One of my customers has a GM-1000 and an EQ-800. Not only does he like gold nuggets, but he is an avid old coin hunter who also likes to do beach hunts with me in MX. His Success with the GM-1000 is better than most, so I knew of he'd take the NOX out to the same area, he'd be quite impressed. Here is his words and the 2 pics he sent of his NOX gold over the weekend and his exact words: "Got a little over a quarter ounce this weekend. 5.2 penny weight. Man dude it's amazing how much better the nox is from the monster. No back and forth on tiny nuggets. Solid 1. Largest nugget was a 6. All hot rocks are a 12/13. Ronnie ran the monster one day to compare targets. The ones we scratch at to investigate with monster were hot rocks every time. Ronnie switched back and started banging nugs right away." The other pics are the gold rings he found with his NOX while on my MX Water hunt.

Good to hear your report of success on the tailing piles. Yes I said "success" as you learned from this trip and will continue to learn as you go. My Field Staff gurus and I are still learning bits of info, little tricks and such each time we're in the field. Just yesterday one of my guys emailed me his weekend Success with his new NOX-800. He was doing pretty good with the Monster and did not know why I kept telling him to use his NOX instead. He likes the NOX for our water hunts, but could not fathom it being a real gold detector. He kicked butt with over a 1/4 in small pickers. Does the heavy dark rock stick to or have a good tug from a rare earth super magnet? Keep at it and if you still feel you are not getting the finer details, let me know.

Johndoe, My family and I were "the White's Family" back in the 70's and most of the 80's, but as a true MD'erist I have to keep an open mind to the competition and what they are making. So many folks wear blinders when it comes to metal detectors because they had success with a certain brand in yrs past. Those folks are really missing the boat when it comes to new technologies and their old hunted sites are really not producing for them. Now if they try something different and new, they might actually enjoy the hobby even more. The downside is that you could have to make yourself learn something different and new. I know for older guys, we are the hardest to accept change as we certainly get caught in our old habits. I just hope White's does indeed come out with something special soon so they can keep their loyal customers happy. I am actually a 24K fan and it is my favorite "Gold Only" VLF detector, but the NOX can do more, is software downloadable and 100% waterproof (just to name a few features the 24K is missing). When the time is right to get that NOX or 24K, I'm here to earn your business. Realize, not only will you get some great knowledge from me of the different styles of hunting, but my Staff and I do the 3 days Field Training sessions at Rye Patch, NV and Eastern Oregon.

What would really Kick Ass from CoilTek is a 10" Ellip DD coil for the Equinox. Trevor, please talk your wife into allowing the team at CoilTek to make one. I promise it will be a stellar seller.

RickUK, I have some customers that are pretty beat up and the one thing we really like is the Swing Arm off of a GPZ-7000. I sell so many of those and if you swing an SDC-2300, the Swing Arm is a must. Now some of my staff are also really big on the Hip Stick my buddy Chris in NV sells. I even seen the folks on Gold Show using them. Steve H. Funny you feel the 24K has the same advantages I do as I had said some of those things in my reply to Dances with Doves a few minutes after your post. Any YES Minelab is really missing the boat with a 10" Ellip DD coil or even a smaller 6" Ellip DD, but I know most folks would prefer the 10" Ellip. Trevor at CoilTek….Help us out. I promise it will outsell the SDC coils.

Matt, I'm always trying to get the best Settings for a particular site or size of gold targets, so I change as I hear/see it needs it. As for standard Prospecting, I tell you the Engineering team did a pretty good job for the most part with the FP's. The one think I do make sure of most of the time, is I use the Horseshoe to OPEN up all metals and then listen with my ears. My SENS is in the 17 to 21 range most of the time and I really like 19. I always use some Threshold for a good background hum. I sure wish the Monster had Threshold. I'm usually in Gold Mode #1. If a lot of iron in the area, I like to go to IB F2 in the Advanced Settings. "be sure you have the last software update", or you'll not see the F2. As for PI's missing Specimens? Many PI guys would shit themselves if they seen some of the gold my lil VLF finds that their machines can't see. I have $5K pieces and a 5000 won't do squat. 3 yrs ago I even found a 1 ounce speci with $500 worth of gold right in front of my customer with his ZED. He was totally blown away as he had just finished hunting the spot (in fact told me to go there). He couldn't believe he did not cover than little piece of ground. Well 30 minutes later and a few more pieces in my pocket, he comes over and wants to check the speci on his 7000. Nothing, nauda… I did sell him a Monster later on though. Settings and who's is best is only part of the game. To me, the most important aspect of Prospecting Nuggets with a VLF is proper coil control, sweep speed and knowing what to listen for. If you really want to learn from some Kick Ass Gold Collectors, my staff and I will be training at Rye Patch, NV next month. I still have openings and if you are interested, let me know.

Dance w/ Doves: Both detectors work well for the 2 applications you asked. I've been told the new GMX is a waterproof 24K and if that is the case with no other changes, then I know the 24K is quite capable since I was one of the testers. Now if you go to a salt water hunt, all bets are off for the 24K or GMX. They are single frequency detectors designed for gold prospecting, so to try salt water is not what they were built for. I actually like the smaller coils on the White's more than the 6" round on the NOX, but I am cutting hairs by now. ID capability on the NOX is better than 24K and for gold rings or coins in tot-lots, hot springs, rivers and freshwater swimming areas the NOX will punch deeper, partially because it comes standard with a 10" round coil. If you are a White's guy and used to their VLF gold machines, then probably stick with American Made White's. If you think having more capabilities, an extra yr of warranty and might hunt coins or salt beaches, then go NOX.

I have them in stock as well and they are great for allowing your SDC-2300 more capabilities which can bring in more gold. Gerry's Detectors in Boise, Idaho www.gerrysdetectors.com

Jeff Mc.- I still have a few sites the NOX has issues with as for mineralized ground, but that is what PI and ZVT are for. What really impresses me with the NOX is the classification of "Multi Use" and then when compared to the VLF gold specific detectors for a variety of gold hunting, the NOX is my choice. I just have a hard time trying to convince folks who call and ask of my opinion and then think I am trying to sell them a Multi Use detector for their gold hunting needs. Realize, I'll sell you exactly what you ask for...but if you keep fishing me on what I use, you'll get the truth and it might not match your initial request. I actually feel Minelab did a piss poor job of promoting how effective the NOX is when used as a VLF gold detector and in fact how well it does for a variety of MD'ing styles. But at the same time, I realize they have other detector models that need to be moved. Phrunt - Yes the selectable Notch Discrimination is a great feature on the NOX. That is part of the reason we prefer it vs our traditional gold machines as they are not quite there yet. As you can see, we enjoy finding bigger gold, but the sites we hunt have higher concentration of 100+ yr old Prospectors trash and Iron can kill you. Digging occasional iron is OK, but when I have a detector that has the capabilities to ID it better than the competition, I'll be swinging it. Digging iron wastes to much energy at these sites and that is why they still produce gold. Now, there are times when you need to remove everything, so I have no issues with folks who like to do, but realize some detectors can make life easier. I just happen to be in a position to get and test the majority of them. Lunk- Yes you have some in those pics. Sunbakers are my favorite. Dances with Doves and Matt, I did not forget you and will reply later, the wife is already telling me this weekends hubbydos.

Part of the reason I made this post.. Uneducated folks calling me and wanting to get a certain gold machine. No worries, I'll sell it to you, but when you ask how I like your potential new detector? and I tell you I don't own one anymore as I now swing the NOX...don't get pissed off at me.

As some of you know, I am a metal detector dealer (so half the stuff I say must be salesman-shit?) who enjoys the hobby and actually gets out in the field much more than the average guy or dealer for that matter. I also am very hard core when it comes to detecting and feel my detector knowledge, skills and tools used are the best I can get my hands on. I sell all the major brands and have been for 20+ yrs., so I am not really bias as to what is the best brand. Yes some of you will say I lean towards Minelab, but only for the models of detectors I feel will give me the advantage and edge. I want to go home with treasure and since my Field Staff Experts are some of the best hunters in the US, I better be on my A game all the time. I need to make sure I'm holding my own with those wizbangs and so brand, model and price is not a factor to me. I like to compare detectors on undug signals and see for myself what the results bring. I also listen to and rely quite a bit to my staff and their experiences as well all hunt different sites, locations and styles. But on some trips we do manage to get a few of us together and that is where the work starts as we pull out our detectors and see who has the best setup for a signal. After doing this numerous times over a weekend, we learn pretty good/fast which detectors are the Winners and the ones we'll be sure to not be swinging. I'm not going to say there are Losers as I enjoy certain traits of each. I've tested for most major brands and so far, have yet to find the ultimate gold detector. In fact, I get so tuned and focused, I don't think the ultimate unit will ever get built and be in my hands. I'm too damn picky and want perfection. Where am I going with this. Sorry, the Equinox for Gold? As most of you know, the NOX is a multi purpose detector that is capable of many styles of hunts including gold nuggets. Here is where the issue lay. It is classified by most to be a Multi Purpose detector and as it has been in 45+ yrs past of my own MD'ing career, a multi purpose detector is capable, but not as good as a genuine gold detector. OK, I know what so many think and feel as this has been the history of Multi Purpose detectors. Well since gold detectors are my specialty, and there are at least 10 models out there, I can say for certain how a detector performs for my areas as I have actually used them? I'm here to tell you the KNOWLEDGE that we have learned while in the field with a NOX chasing gold in 5 different states. If you don't agree with me and feel your trusty VLF dinosaur is doing you fine..I personally have no issues with that. Please don't think I don't like other VLF gold detectors, as I mentioned above, there are certain things I do like and or prefer vs the NOX, but overall and at this time..the 800 NOX it out of the park. Here are some pics of Au my customers and I, that are in the know have recovered with the Multi Purpose NOX. I'd like to see out there who is actually using the Equinox 800 and or even 600 for that matter for Gold Prospecting and some of your Success with it.