Gerry in Idaho

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.

Nice nice digs and thanks for sharing.

Very interesting video and ideas for future trips with the wife.

Great piece of adventure and advice. I don't kill them any more and in fact don't mess with them much either. I used to though. These pics were at Rye Patch, NV from years ago when I was stupid. And before anyone chimes in and says that is not a real pic and it's photoshopped? Please look at the pic and notice the shadow of the gold nugget on the snakes back. Please folks, no use trying to get yourself bit like I did that day. Not worth it. Yes I was a dumbshit. Good that the 2 of you both got gold too.

Beautiful find Klunker and even more impressive after HF bath. Well done to the both of you. Now go dig some more trash and let us see those KLUNKERS...

Any gold is better than no gold. The main thing is you got out to try the EVO on the 5K and found gold. Nice pics.

Most certainly some gold in those piles, but since it is not my stomping ground I don't know if the origin of the gold in that area was flour gold, or flour and small pickers or flour with small pickers and occasional nuggets? Then on the nuggets, is it more of specimen gold and or were there known solid pieces of size? I have done well detecting tailing piles and some of my biggest gold finds have come from such. I normally do not recommend a small coil in tailings, so stick with the stock 11" you have for now. 99% of the gold you'll ever find with the EQ-800 will give consistent readings below #20. In fact, most of my gold found with the NOX reads 0,1, or 2. I have found a few pieces in the lower teens. Be sure to set another Mode at 5 kHz to get a idea on those 13 - 15 #'s. Usually big iron, but with a quick check in Park Mode #1 set at 5 kHz, will help verify. Checking the same signal in that mode will give iron targets the jumpies and most times in the 30's. When you see inconsistent big variables of readout #'s, it is time to fill the hole and walk. Keep us posted of your 1st score. Attached is some Equinox gold I found in tailing piles. Good Luck.

Good looking ground too. Thanks for sharing.

The Wimpy Arm nugget.. or to be honest, more of a flake.

I'm in the US Tony and it is not that I don't enjoy selling detectors to Aussies, but the shipping can get pretty pricy. If you are still interested, shoot me an email at gerrys1det@cableone.net

Hunter, Those history dig saves are amazing. What is even more cool, is to have your ancestors gold scale kit. Thanks for sharing.

Oy my!!!! Very nice. "Unknown Location", no more... Hats off to you.

Norm, That is what I love about gold, is the uniqueness. So many different textures, shapes, sizes, matrix mixed in or around and overall characters. Keep us posted on your prize find.