Gerry in Idaho

It happens across the United States a few times during the holidays. Well to do people helping those less fortunate.

Trying to work from this phone in another county is causing me a few errors, sorry. If you're not in a hurry I'd like to discuss the +/- of each EQ-800 vs EQ-900 with you. I have thousand + hrs on 800 and quite a bit on the new 900. I know them well for Prospecting, Jewelry Hunting and Old coins.

Sorry for not responding sooner, but I'm in the field testing the Manticores waterproof capabilities. With the recent Idaho snows, it was time to head south to warmer waters. Sometimes I have to do the dirty work and take one for the team.

I take metal detecting and teaching how to do it properly, more serious than most dealers. But it's been my passion for 50 yrs and some, it's just a job.

I don't think the US market will go up as it's already inflated over other countries. Interesting to see how this plays out.

Amazing finds my friend and one things most certainly known, you're not Lucky. Might be your knicname, but your skills and efforts are most of it. I agree the small coils on the 6 are like painting a barn with a paintbrush 🖌. Well done both of you.

Whichever dealer you go with, make sure he actually hunts for gold nuggets and is Successful. I've recovered pounds of gold with the Equinox 800. For small nuggets and pickers, you should get the small 6" coil. If you're willing to travel some, 2 of my Field Staff Experts are in Arizona for the winter hunting gold nuggets and meteorites. Their 1 day 1 on 1 is Tops and both own an Equinox.

Amazing story and gold pics Allen. It just goes to show that your patience and persistence eventually PAID. Love seeing those bigger rough chunky nuggets and specimens. The GPX-5000 is a dandy detector in the right areas and once you build confidence in it and yourself, the gold comes much easier. Looking forward to seeing and hearing of more of your Success stories.

The VLF technology of the 24K is quite capable gold detector in tailing piles. I tested it for White's and did manage a few nuggets using the small round 6" coil. Also dug some nice specimens in ore dump piles using the small 6" round. Interesting thumb nail nugget below. Some really good ore dump specimens with 24K. And one dandy specimen, below. All were recovered with 24K and 6" round coil. That's not what I would recommend to you though. Only reason I used the small coil, when they handed me the machine to test, that's what was on it. So here is my recommendations. For all the gold below the 1st pic with small pieces, I recommend the stock 10" Ellip coil. For the tiny stuff, then use the smaller coils (6" round or 6" Ellip). As for Settings, I don't like cranking up the Gain and you being newer to the gold detecting game, try to stay around 7/8. If you go "10" that kicks in the Audi Boost mode and for new ears, the extra noise and unstableness could be an issue. As for exact settings? each site is different and their own soils, hot rocks, salts etc. Some great videos on YouTube showing the 24K. Good luck and keep us posted of your adventures and or success.

JP, As mentioned on DP before, your words/comments are very well respected in the PI and gold prospecting industry. I agree that the GPX-6000 is most simple and hi performance. In my opinion, it's too easy and not enough features for the advanced users. I also know the detectors are usually built for the masses of people and their knowledge or lack of. Like the Gold Monster 1000, the GPX-6000 is missing some potential, in my opinion. The Garrett Axiom (another high-end performing PI option at a much better price), gives us features the GPX-6000 does not. Here is where I read your comments and wonder. Do you feel the next high end ZVT technology detector will be as simple as a GPX-6000 or allow the user to have more control and feature options? I would think, a lighter housing GPZ with the ZED Timings, but at the same time hopefully get the super Sensitivity of GPX-6000/Axiom on small gold and specimens. Heck, it might even be easier to take the GPZ-7000 technology and put it in the GPX-6000 housing. I realize the DOD coil weight will still be an issue, but only on the larger coils. We've already seen the aftermarket coil options and their weight/sensitivity advantages. Since you are one of Minelabs primary Field Testers, please inform them to go triangular on the shafts and this will help with the coil shift that is so common on the GPX-6000. One thing about manufacture competition, is it allows the end user to get a better thought out and built detector. We're all looking forward to the next hi end gold detector tool. Thanks again for your time, efforts and input on DP, well respected my friend.

You are spot on when it comes to technology change and the kind of gold being recovered. Your collection is quite stunning and impressive. I see quite a few of my old time customers doing quite the same here in the US. Sure there is the occasional "slug solid chunk" but the reality is more small gold and specimens, as the older technology was missing the majority of what is recovered today. The new PI's are such a treat (lighter weight) to swing (Garrett Axiom and Minelab GPX-6000) when compared to the older PI's, but at the same time, your kangaroo scrotum sack was loaded will a little more weight of heavy metal too. Doc used to sell them sacks. Thanks for being us down memory lane.

Gold Dozer - Welcome to Detector Prospector and hopefully we see you on here more often in the future. We need some of the newer DP members to start posting more so us old geezers have something to read. Just curious where you're located and what you swing? As for making finds. Not sure if I am spoiled or just in the right area. As for area, heck I travel to get to many of my locations so I feel maybe it's "Time". I seem to have more patience than most and am willing to put in the "time" at those "areas" that have been productive for Prospectors in centuries past. I honestly feel I could do even better, provided I had more "time" on my hands. Who knows, maybe when I fully retire and quit selling/educating new Prospectors, all though I do enjoy training. Keep up the positive spirits.

Your capabilities on the computer are as good as your detector skills. The only difference is I feel the one that will make you the most money, may not be detecting. Great input and I love the detail.

You are most capable and even a better friend.

Love reading these adventures and seeing raw pictures of the good and bad. That bed/bumper getting stuck was way more angle than most would take with a trailer in tow. Just think of a regular size bed of normal truck as the rear wheels are even more forward allowing for even longer rear end. They'd still be out there.

Thanks for sharing as I don't recall seeing this. Would love reading an update to its whereabouts and if it changed your life or at least style of detecting.

Doc, The last time I checked my body, I had so many Minelab cuts, bruises and battle scares, I was afraid to look at myself in the mirror 🪞. They Minelab already has our names on the Wall of Flame.. They're waiting to burn 🔥 it. No worries, I still have my award. The only problem is nobody currently working at Minelab USA even knows about it. I should have known the writing on the wall when I was presented this extremly rare, prestigious and valuable award at the Banquet. I purchased over 1 million dollars in detectors in 1 fiscal year from 1 manufacturer (Minelab). Kellyco and I were the only ones. This beauty is my reward. No free truck, no free week in Hawaii, no free TV. Not even a free GPX-5000. Just a piece of glass with my name on it. That folks is what you get for buying over $1,000,000.00 of Minelab detectors. laughing all the way to the bank. Oh well, at least for a while I was pretty well known across the industry. Now, just a more wise senior talking about the good ol days. It was fun though, you, AZO, Rob, Stu, and a few others. Most aren't even around in the game anymore. Kinda sad to see.

Welcome to DP and hopefully some of our knowledge will help you succeed. I'm usually running the stock coil with a VLF when in tailing piles and occasionally the larger. For the GB-2, I recommend the stock 10" Ellip and on occasion even the 14" Ellip. I'm not a fan of using a PI in tailing but when I do, I prefer a DD so I can use Iron ID. If using the buddy system (both detectors at once), then you can use a MONO on the PI. Watch out with a PI as they are extremely deep and those tailing also have big deep trash. Best of luck to you and I look forward to hearing of your adventures.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Great to hear your adventure story Steve and glad you were able to find some gold and get back mostly healthy. Yes, we like minded folks seem to like "scratching the itch" each year for the sole and excitement. Sure it's dangerous at times, but so is driving to the store these days. Planning and doing such Adventure trips is what keeps our minds fresh and alive. You keep at it buddy and sharing those hunts as I always love reading about them. Lunk and I went into MX a few years back and really enjoyed ourselves. it would have been much more nice to have an ATV or side by side, but we managed and made memories. Even found a little gold we did. Thanks for keeping us entertained and wanting to scratch that itch. Heck the gold is just a bonus...we know that.

This was shared to me and I thought of my Detector Prospector family. I'm not as good with a computer as I am a detector or I would have put a PI in the hands and said saving "Heavy Metal". Happy Thanksgiving and safe travels during the holiday sseason. Here's a Turkey for you Lunk.

Happy Thanksgiving and safe travels.

Glad you are happy with NF coils (past and present). They are an asset to our hobby and helps us find more gold. As for my previous experiences with NF. I'll compare them to my Coiltek. I've probably ran at least 20 different coils from both NF and CT in years past and I've been able to dig quite a few extra ounces of gold with both. Early on one of my favorites at Rye Patch was the 14" round MONO (the orange one). It seems one company will have the upper hand for a series and then it goes back to the other. I know there are other brands out there, but for 2 cents, I feel you need to stick with CoilTek or Nugget Finder as their longevity in this industry is solid. Lets hope on the next ZVT gold machines, both companies give us options and do it sooner than later.

that's so comical...and true for most of us.

Love seeing those golden cracks and that's quite a haul. Well earned my friend.