Gerry in Idaho

Peg, You are an inspiration to all prospectors. Not only are you one of the most Successful Lady Gold Diggers I know of (besides Sue Sallee), your outgoing outdoor personality is tops. You were one of my favorite early customers to train and you still make me proud. I just wish there were more ladies out there sharing the stories, success and golden photos. Enjoy your winter in FL and if I get down there, we'll go bug Gary Drayton for a few days together.

Dumb Answer. I must have gold under the floor because my machines go nuts. Actually, I power many machines on when I take a used unit in trade and need to see if it powers up ok. I also go through the menu real quick just to make sure all is good. Never had a detector have long term issues from it, but I don't recommend folks doing it all the time either. I know the GP and GPX series, I put them in the "Cancel Mode" so they quiet down. VLF's I do it all the time and no issues other than my ears for a short time. I think you'll be fine on occasion to do a quick power up to check "Battery Level" before a trip.

Hard to post finds when you don't go and have anything to post. Now you can keep us Northern Frozen folks happy with more photos of finds. I hope you get to go more often and wish even more golden pics. Thanks for sharing.

Heck, I missed a 1/3 oz'er? That my friend is a dandy from RP and just goes to show..."it is never hunted out". I will say this though. If you are not using an SDC-2300 or GPZ-7000, the gravy train left. Yes you can still find an occasional piece or 3, but the amount of time spent drives most folks to craziland and then back. My last trip there (end of Oct.) netted me 34 grams of nuggets myself with the 7000. So YES there are still good days to be had. Thanks for sharing Lunk and thanks again for helping get our customers up to speed. Not sure if you know, but Brian found 9 nuggets with his GPZ after our class. I have a gut feeling he will become a great nugget hunter.

Lanny, Your gold recovery is amazing and those are some fine looking nuggets. Being able to spend quality time with your son outdoors chasing gold with a good machine (Makro Gold Racer) certainly makes for lifetime memories. Thanks for sharing your photos and success stories. Hopefully 2019 brings more enjoyable dad/son trips of gold.

Bill, Sorry I did not get to this sooner, was out of town again testing a coil and some new Settings. My input to your questions is my findings at the beaches I used and different locations could (probably will) result in change. 1) Yes the TDI beach Hunter is Deeper (on coins and most rings) than my Xcal, 3030 and Equinox in salt water. Not sure it is 40%, but I did notice the depth difference. Sensitivity to small targets. I found stud ear rings in the water with the TDI and that I did not expect from a PI. Now I will tell you, the Equinox is even more sensitive to the tiniest signals, but when I use the TDI I'm mainly looking for rings and the extra Sensitivity to other jewelry finds was a bonus. 2) The Hi/Low Tone Feature is a Lifesaver and after a day and a half, I had to nailed down. Even the iron hair pin (which does come in at a Hi Tone like most gold rings) I could tell from the pattern of the hi tone. Not having to dig all the coins (low tones) is perfectly fine with me. 3) My 40+ yrs detecting has taught me some pretty easy pin-pointing when compared to a Novice Hunter. Realize a larger 12" will make multiple beeps on a surface target, so be sure to lift the coil 6" to 8" off the ground to get a single response. This is also a good way to get a "gestimate" of target size and or depth. I had no problems. Again it was more Sensitive to smaller jewelry that I had expected, which is a win win. 4) Pulse Delay Setting varies, but I try to keep it from 12 to 18. If hunting a site and beach conditions/time permits, I'll be around 12 for smaller gold, but if I need to grab and go and after the gravy, then around 16-18. Ground mineralization also affects the desired setting of Pulse Delay. Realize the Ground Balance too is working with the Pulse Delay so there is no exact setting for all. Word of caution on the Hi/Low Tone Identification System. As you make bigger adjustments to GB and Delay, it does change the pattern of Tone ID, so again you are best to have a couple sample targets at your desired location and play with them, the detector and settings to learn what is ideal for that site. Yes it could take you 15 to 20 minutes, but Detector knowledge at that site = Treasure Finds Success. All ear ring finds in the photo were recovered with the new White's TDI Beach Hunter on the trip. I'd say it certainly does have Sensitivity to small targets and that usually is not what a PI is best at. White's did quite well again.

So my brother who has been detecting for 20 years has only recovered 1 gold ring and that ended up in a museum in England. I promised him if he used the new White's TDI "DEEP" Beach Hunter the whole time on our hunt that he'd find more than 1 gold ring. Not only did he do that, but he also recovered the best ring of the trip, this monster Emerald, diamond and yellow gold beauty. Hats off to you Travis for not giving up on those deep signals. Folks, the TDI Beach Hunter is a Pulse Induction detector and it goes much deeper than standard machines. Plus it runs smoother than most in salt water and is simple to use...just turn it on, set the knobs and go. One of the cool features of the TDI beach Hunter is the Tone Identification system that allows you to decide if you want to dig the High Tone Only, which gives you a greater chance of gold and platinum rings, or the Low Tones which are usually most coins. This feature alone saves time as you will end up digging DEEP. One other thing to have, a good Deep Beach Scoop.

Lunk and I were in Nevada last week training customers on their gold machines and when the class was over, I invited him to an old site I like to swing by...before heading home. This Buick plate is really cool and I still can't believe he did not hit it with his shovel. If anyone knows the history or or the approx date of the plate, please let me know. The porcelain one I dug a few years ago has the exact same script design, but I think Lunk's is older? Please share you knowledge of these finds with your friends, car nuts and or clubs to help us. If you have found anything like it, please post pics as I enjoy seeing old brass plates. BTW, Lunk is so cool he handed the plate to me and said "Thanks for the invite".

Fantastic recoveries Brian. Certainly a hot site as those finds are quite rare and I love the two piece types. Also, the token is quite interesting and I always enjoy seeing those part powder flasks. Keep it up.

Finds of a lifetime for sure. You earned those gold pieces Steve and should be on cloud 9. Colchester is a heck of a detecting site and I have been there many times. Mindy and Ron are top notch group leaders and I have hunted with both in years past. The guy that runs the show has a heck of a site, land and identification system but his personality can be a "Dill" at times...just like mine on an occasion. Its all good though and your story, photos and finds are very enjoyable to read and dream. As you are about to find out, the gold artifacts end up "Declared the Lands Treasure" and could be purchased so you'll get some compensation for them. The best part though....your detecting skill helped save an item that is of historical significance and will end up in a museum for all to see. Keep us updated on the findings.

Tony, USA to Australia was not that hard and I think it arrived quite fast too. Glad I was able to get the TDI Beach Hunter in your hands and sorry folks there are having difficulties getting them. Anyone else wanting one, let me know as Australia and New Zealand customers of mine are enjoying the benefits of the smooth operation and Depth of the Pulse Induction. Yes I too have dug a few deep ones 16" plus and recovered a pair of sunglasses close to 2 feet deep. Just love the 2 tone identification system as it saves me time not having to dig clad coins.

We hunted in salt water.

Interesting to recover so many religious medals on 1 trip but "Faith" was on our side. The best of the 5 is the yellow gold with diamonds in the middle, but I have to give credit to my brother as he saved that one. The sterling pieces are very nice as is the other ones of lesser metal, but with the same powerful meaning. The TDI Beach Hunter did its job and I have faith this machine will do well for many. Steve, If you feel this post needs to be in the Jewelry Forum, I understand. Some folks do not feel religion wear is jewelry..so I walk softly.

Rod, So many detectorists walk right over those stud earrings and not even know it. Proper coil control, good ears and knowing your Settings is key. Keep at it and sooner or later one of them will be the real deal diamond stud.

Rob, You did very well. The 14K yellow hog (over 1/3 ozt) is a brute. The sterling with stones is dead gorgeous too. Keep it up. Just curious your beach machine of choice?

You met one of your MD'ing goals Duke. Gold and a nice one too. Now the monkey is off your back and the next one should not take as long. Hats off to you.

Boy, I did not realize this little find would generate such a Buzz. Now I need to go to the store and get another bag of munchies and come back to read some more. If anyone else has found such interesting devices you are welcome to post, but don't do it on a weekend, as my local mini mart usually runs out of Cheetos. Thanks for all the interesting comments.

Very interesting and information post Mitchel. I'm not a seasoned Beach Hunter as Idaho's Coastal line is a little different and out lake banks are the areas I practice. Getting to take bits of knowledge from a veteran BH'er is important when I do get to real coastal beaches. Why so many big loop ear rings is a stumper to me, but I have been told the water/sand movement seems to gather like size/weight targets. You certainly read the beach correctly enough to find the sweat spot and your rewards show. Keep up the good work and enjoy your posts.

Seems to be some type of glass or ceramic.

I'll never write Rye Patch off, as I have fond memories and many stories of Success for customers and myself back in the day. In fact, I still enjoy offering Field Training there as the few pieces of gold the new customers recover are well earned. The folks who think they can go out there and clean house, missed the boat by at least 10 years. But even today (just as you said) the newer GPZ and SDC technologies are winners and good gold can be dug up. My last year hunt produced 43 nuggets with the trusty Zed from Rye Patch proper and some of my customers just found a few more 2 weeks ago. Yes the new technologies will allow old patches to give that soft golden feeling again in the palm of the hand. The up and coming GPZ-7500 with small 8" coil will get a few more and the GPZ-8000 with Disc Mode will certainly open up some of the trashy sites. I can't wait to get my hands on those 2019 new models...if they ever make them? Those are fine chunks you and the Mrs found and a few with Chevron patterns too. Words well spoken Lundy and thanks for sharing.

I recently returned from a Beach Hunt and was able to put some time on my new White's TDI Beach Hunter. I'll be posting photos of some of the finds as time permits. This interesting discovery had me laughing all the way home. Not exactly sure what it is, but about 5" long and looks to be a snorkel with a 2 headed and 8 legged octopus on the side. One end has a breathing mouth hole piece and the other has a small hole with brown stain around her rim. I'm sure you can't go down vary far with such a short snorkel, but I'm no expert either. Anyone have any clues?

I prefer the small coil on the 24K for tiny bits and specimens. It is a fine machine and I give White's a big thumbs up on this one. Good luck to you.

Very nice specimen finds and thanks for sharing.

I have been trying my best to let folks know how much I really like the 24K and posted quite a few finds with it. But because I'm a dealer and sell them, most folks write it off. Nothing I can do about that but get it in the hands of other well known nugget hunters. You are doing great on the small gold, which is one thing I never went after as I've yet to get to NV with it. Nice recoveries Lunk and that specimen is a stunner too. Keep it up and hope to see you soon.

I say its certainly a keeper. 3 more specimen nuggets from the 24K Mine. White's new Gold Master 24K metal detector sure is an easy gold grabber. What makes it so tough for folks right now is the recent release of the GM-1000 last year and the great (better than expected) Equinox 800 when used on Prospecting Mode. But folks please don't overlook this new White's 24K. If anyone who has a clue about VLF gold detectors uses it, I am most certain you'll be quite happy. I own so many gold machines, it is silly...but at the same time I am a Gold Detector Snob and I try to make sure I know most machines and their capabilities. The 24K with its new and improved features, turn on/go user friendliness and price point with the 2 coils is a serious contender for those who enjoy VLF gold machines and or the folks who own a Pulse Induction detector and want to start finding gold their PI misses. Yes the 24K will find gold my 5000 can't see and I have even tested it on high dollar wire gold and nice specimens my SDC and 7000 don't respond on either. Now I am not saying it is overall better. I'm saying it is a tool that is needed in your hunting arsenal. I'm getting ready to be in the field testing for a while and so if I do not reply back, please realize I am trying to learn more about new detectors to help my customers and their success.