Gerry in Idaho

1 hour ago, PSPR said:

Gerry is going to Mexico with the first Manticore he gets.  I hope he is leaving someone in the office to ship out YOUR Manticore to you, strick!

Hey,  You'll have all the dealers pissed off at me again.  I assure you all 100%, Minelab USA has not sent me a Manticore.  Heck they don't even know when they are shipping me and or how many.  Even if Minelab USA gets some next week.  Then they ship to the distributors and the distributors ship to dealers.  I'm not expecting Minelab USA in Chicago to have detectors in my hands until around mid December.  Even then, how many will I get?

About time for me to relax in a warm climate area for a few days and then get ready for the storm.  Besides, sometimes I have to keep the boss happy and she is certainly work keeping.

3 hours ago, strick said:

Gerry don't forget you are Santa for some of us... and watching Santa play with the toys before he hands them out to the kids is not a good look...just sayin lol 

strick 

Hey, You know I need to test it out 1st and make sure it's a great product for my Loyal and worthy (deep pocket) customers.  I'm going to swing into Chicago and grab one before I head to warm weather beaches.  Be patient my friends and your Christmas list just might get checked off.

Pic is one of my better MX trips when I tested the CoilTek coil for them.

19 hours ago, Lunk said:

I'm currently doing comparison testing between the production model Axiom and the GPX 6000; it's not scientific by any means, just observations for my own information, but I will report my methods and observations on the Metal Detector Advice and Comparisons forum when I'm finished. And there will be gold pics. 🙂

That's exactly why you are on my Field Staff Team.  Always thinking ahead and willing to help others.

51 minutes ago, Swegin said:

Looks like Minelab has started to ship these. Minelab made a post on Facebook about 15 minutes ago.

 

 

Not so fast my friend.  They are shipping to the countries main headquarters, not the dealers.  You guys started my phone to blow up and I could not understand why.  No worries, at least some of my customers will get them pre-Christmas.  Hopefully dealers get good allotments and not trickle in like the Equinox did.

If all goes well, I will be sharing pictures of Manticore finds from in the salt water.  Hurry up Santa, Gerry's Detectors has places to go.  He also has customers patiently waiting.  It looks as if the wait time could be pre Christmas for a few.  Let's just hope us dealers get a good allotment of units the 1st few rounds.

Glad to see you get out there one last time Gary and find a few pickers.  Hopefully that GPX-6000 is doing everything I promised and then some.  Looks like this coming in weather will have us shut down for the season, unless a warm spell comes in Dec.  Well on you two and thanks for sharing some success.

I'm not much of a dig a hole guy unless my detector indicates to dig there.  I do have bottle hunter buddies that can dig a hole extremely fast.

Here's a pic of a hole one of my Field Staff dug on our last day of the trip.  We were in Alaska up at a place called Moore Creek (supposed to be good gold up there) and the last day, most of us had our gear already packed and just hanging around waiting for a plane to drop in.  Spencer is still gung ho and happy to be swinging not caring a bit about being ready for the plane.  Guess he decided he'd be on the last plane out.  He is swinging right in front of the tents so everyones watching.  Eventually I look up and see him digging with his pick and think nothing of it.  Some folks start giving advice like the group of supervisors usually do at a construction site.  Finally 5 minutes later I look up and see Spencer has a shovel and is getting serious.  Now we all know when detecting dredge tailing piles, the big holes usually mean a tobacco tin or rusty can from some old prospector 100 yrs earlier.  At this time a couple of us start to wander up as we need to give better more detailed advice of how to remove the trash.  Well a few minutes and another almost foot later, Spencer gets the target out of the hole.  He starts scanning all the rocks and gravels removed from the pit and his detector is just screaming so loud and brood it's hard to isolate where the target actually is.  A pin pointer would have come in handy at this time, but most of us already had our gear packed.

Eventually he recovered it and that's when crazy started happening.  You should have seen how many guys started digging through they bags trying to find their detectors for a quickie.  No bad so sad...as I was one of them who done packed away.  I've learned a lesson though.  When in big gold country, never stop swinging until after the fat lady sings.

Just shy of 1 pound troy of AK specimen/gold .  Spencers' trip home was quite romantic as he was the sexy guy with the gold.

You just never know until you dig it.

On 11/25/2022 at 12:57 PM, Arky said:

Thankful for the lesson this 2.8 gm taught me near Quartzsite earlier this month. Just because it's really loud and moves in first your boot scrapes, not good to just walk away.

Happy Thanksgiving yo all.

Mike

Mike,  You are the winner of the Minelab Vest, Hat and Care Package.  Please PM me the ship to address.  Also, what size Vest you want? 

13 hours ago, midalake said:

Still waiting for you to come down to my winter haunts, the water temp rarely gets below 88 degrees! .....You can bring my new Manticore!!! 😁

That just might happen but I need to have one in my hands as well.  Just to make sure, do I have you on the list?  We're expecting some news to come out in the next week or 2.  Hopefully it means there's movement of the Manticore.

On 10/24/2022 at 10:40 AM, rled2005 said:

You listed that there is a 50% increase in output power, what would that relate to in total transmitted output wattage?

That's for engineering types to say.  In days of old Minelab would use terms like "up to 30%" or such.  This time their wording changed and so I have no clue.  The bottom line, there really is to many variables to give a depth.  Soil conditions, size of target, recovery speed, coil size, target metal etc.

I'm expecting we'll start hearing of depths and comparisons very soon.

On 10/12/2022 at 11:30 AM, CoinShooter1 said:

Gerry, you mention a new Minelab "8" x 5/5" semi ellip" coil from Minelab...Is this 8" x 5.5" ? Any details on that? Looking forward to a small Minelab coil! Thanks in advance!

Not until they get caught up with orders will we start learning the cost of accessories and different coils.  Should be hearing something real soon.

Ridge Runner (Chuck) thanks for sharing a nugget of pic.  I realize the old days and pics were nothing like we have today.  My most memorable times are on 8MM reel when I was a sprout running around on weekends with family and detector in hand.  I have no issues with you pic as it brings back memories and that's exactly what this holiday is about, being thankful for so many things, including the early prospects and hard work for the color earned. You name is in the hat my friend.

Purplehays69 Now that nugget pic has so many twists and or stories to tell.  Oh my I would love to hear just half of the history it could speak.  I'll have to look up the mention.  Yes there's way more history across that Black Rock desert than many who travel through each day have no clue.  Did they happen to fit?🤣.Your name is in the hat my friend.  

LuckyLundy, (Rick) I have to agree 100% and that's why I used the term "nugget" as there's so many ways to use it.  Friends and stories made on gold collecting journeys is most valuable to the soul.  The beautiful yellow stuff is just the icing on the cake.  Your name is in the hat my friend.  

HotSauce I can see you have put some time on your coils and the adventures have a golden shine at the end of the road.  You've done well my friend.  I used to think I would remember all my nicer finds and I probably did for 15 to 25 yrs, but I think the sharp tack mind is starting to wear on me a little.  Now I have to use notes and cheat on occasion.  The hunt for the next big o gold is always on our minds. Thanks for sharing and your name is in the hat my friend. 

mn90403 (Mitchel), Gold finds like that can leave an everlasting highs/lows in the soul.  There's usually great joy and pride but for some reason a few sour grapes seem to surface as well.  I'll check out your story later on.  Hopefully those great times and memories with the ones around at the time will last forever.  Thanks for sharing and your name is in the hat my friend. 

geof_junk Silly me.... I have never seen a guys hand so small.🤫  Or could it be your stones are so big?  Well either way those memories will last forever my friend.  Thanks for sharing and your name is in the hat my friend. 

Glenn in CO My gosh Glenn, that golden dove is just amazing.  You are so lucky to have a nugget beside you on every trip and willing to take part.  I wish you 2 many more golden years to come.  Thanks for sharing and your name is in the hat my friend. 

Arky (Mike) Good to see you and your best find still out there swinging and learning.  Each site is different and something to learn all the time. That’s a fine chunky nugget there and most would think around the heavily pounded Quartzsite area, it should have been picked up already.  Maybe it was me who boot scraped it and walked, as I have done so many times before.  I especially do that in known trashy areas.  If site was new to me or if a lot of surface trash, then yes I probably walked and left one for those more determined.  Good to see you again last month and hopefully seeing you more down the road. Thanks for sharing and your name is in the hat my friend.

oneguy (Scott) that pic is certainly a golden pan full.  Many hours and memories to be thankful there.  A few really chunky ones as well.  Be sure to ask Santa for a new pair of gloves for X-Mas., as I’m sure you need them.  Thanks for sharing and your name is in the hat my friend.

Norvic Finding that virgin site is something most of us dream of and especially when you are finding golden slugs and fist size sunbakers. You certainly have many hunts and memories to be thankful.  I imagine there are a few of those such sites left, but they are certainly getting harder each year.  Thanks for sharing and your name is in the hat my friend.

deathray I love the shoe plate and to get a complete one if even more rare.  The display of Au and the plate is stunning.  To hand it over to the landowner is most advantageous in so many ways.  I do it quite a bit myself and it usually brings back the “come back any time” comment.  Well done and thanks for sharing.  Your name is in the hat my friend.

12 hours ago, 1515Art said:

I grew up with and was friends and neighbors with a family in Saratoga California Matt, Dan and Steve Navakovich the oldest brother Matt was in my high school class and Dan worked with me in the fire Department, Dans dad George was a Captain in the local town fire department where I first started. The family owned and still runs a small farm a fruit orchard of 10 acres. Haven’t talked with any of them for over 25 years I’d guess,  I wonder and am curious if this is the same Steve Navakovich I grew up knowing as it’s kind of an unusual name outside of Slavonic nations and most hockey teams, lol?

Different spelling as the top dog at Garrett is spelled Novakovich.  Below info from Garrett website.

On 10/11/2022 at 8:25 AM, strick said:

Have they said exactly what they are fixing yet?  what parts? Looks like I'll be sending mine back again but have to wait till this next trip is over...one of the problems I'm having is that it all seems kinda vague to me...what are thy fixing? I really wish a dealer would get on here and shed some light if they know anything we dont...

strick 

Strick and others.  Sorry I was not on the ball last month when all this was going down.  You guys know me better than that and I'm usually much better focused.  Honestly, I've been so focused on the Axiom and getting as much time in the field with it.  While at the same time, I had a massive flood in my shop and total strip down/rebuild in the rooms.

I love DP but at the same time, I can easily get wrapped into it so deep that I'm not taking care of other things and sometimes they are very important.  Just getting on and reading a couple posts and then I want to help and reply.  Next thing I know is it's been 3 hrs and I'm missing something else.

It was one of my own customers on here who brought it to my attention  Go figure.  So in the meantime I've patiently waited for Minelab USA to inform me and not a word.  No call, no email no communication what so ever.  If anything, a simple mass email to all dealers would be nice. 

So I guess we'll use DP and the friendly folks posting to keep us (including dealers) updated.

No I didn't have time to read all pages and threads on this subject so hopefully I'm not repeating something already said.  Not sure if another US dealer such as Rob or other has chimed in but honestly I think we all were in the dark. Bottom line is it should have been taken care of in a better manor.  Let's hope they learn from it.

The good thing, eventually is, we now have a fix.  What that means is they are listening/watching/reading.  At least in other countries.

Yes I asked Minelab USA about that email the other day and they would not reply?  Now it could just as easily be as already mentioned, "Buy a GPX/GPZ and get (here in US) a GM-1000.

Knowing Minelab, they are trying to keep detector sales and market share from swaying to Garrett.  Just so many turns/promos the last few weeks with Minelab and the recent release of the Axiom.

Or, there is actually another detector coming out around the same time as the Manticore and so they choose the "in pairs".

Either way, we're falling for it and peeking to see what's next.

3 hours ago, rvpopeye said:

Wicked good review Gerry. Thanks  !

Seems Garrett made a believer outta yer crew and YOU !

If their first try is that good , I can't wait to see the next generation too !

If this keeps up....

Maybe someday,,,,,,,someday I CAN afford a PI !

 

 

 

 

That's exactly why we need competition and options.   The more options, eventually means a better price point for my customers.  We've already seen Minelab make adjustments and that's great news for everyone on here.

Steve H - 100% agree that Mr. Novakovich and his engineering team are making a difference.  This machine and it's price point are so great for the competition and having the features they provided us along with the performance is a real winner. Sure there will be the few who flat out will disc it (heck there's been well known dealers on this forum who were blowing it off at first) and find every way, wrong washer to down talk it.  They just assumed and we all know what what that means for they lack of knowledge.  Another part of your comments are well accepted from me as Garrett plans on staying in the game.  I sure hope they offer even more new and exciting technologies to come. 

Norvic - You know me well enough, always trying to make a bloke silly his cup while reading DP.  You also know, I've put my foot down on the dirt enough times to have a pretty good idea when something new and good is for us.  Will be interesting to see if "Axiom" makes it's way on your profile of "Gear Used".  Either way you decide, you of all know this will help keep pricing inline.

Simon - Sorry they did not price it so well for other countries.  I'm still trying to wrap my head around that one as I can't figure it out.  We would think, the price point would be comparative to US, but somethings surely off.  You are dead on about competition though and that's the bottom line.  We can look back just a few years ago and see how XP has done so well and that make Minelab step up their game.  The more options, the better the price point and that my friend is helpful to all.

Smigo - It's kind of a long standing joke and reputation I have with the mouth shot that started 25+ yrs ago.   I'm not sure if my body/gut has been so infected that is now used to it, that it doesn't bother me much anymore or I'm just stupid lucky.  Either way, you do bring up a great point (especially around old mine sites and free range cattle).  Thanks for pointing it out.

Northeast - You're another old timer who knows the ropes well.  As with Norvic, I hope you do give it (the Axiom) a true run and comparison vs the price point.  On a side note.  One of your interests is "Footy".  Do you wash her toes before you do that?

GR Guy - The 6 coil options are from Garrett and we don't have to worry about 2nd sourcing.  I'm all on board with NF coming out with the coils for the 6.  They sure have a way of stringing out their release though and not sure how that happened but a smart and strong company like them better make some changes next go around.  This release of the NF coils has really soured a crowd.  If/when the coils are in many hands then the more options we get the better.  My main point was from the manufacture.  Minelab offered 3 coils for the 6 and that is it. Garrett offered 6 which is twice the amount for 1 machine.  Another thing I expect about the coils from Garrett.  I'm willing to bet their price point in the US will be better as well.  Options are the bottom line that allows us more fun.  Thanks for asking my friend.

57 minutes ago, UtahRich said:

As a NOOB to PI's / nugget hunting, i was thinking the standard Axiom package was the way to go - 13" DD & 11" mono.  Should i reconsider?

Rich - 

Most certainly and don't even look back.  The actual answer depends on your preferred detecting style, but since you mentioned NOOB, then go with the US version.  Here's the great thing about the Axiom.  Once they get all orders caught up and start working on coils, there is already 6 different options to select from.  Another bonus with Garrett (if we look at the past), is their coil pricing will be more reasonable than the other brand.  

If the Axiom sells good (and I don't see why not), then we might get options from other coil manufactures as well.  Options and more options is what we want.

I've already had to explain this to a couple of my customers of the Axiom.  All of the 1st allotment I received were American version Axioms with 13" DD and the 11"MONO.  I feel that is the best for most folks.  But then it was brought to my attention, the videos I provided showed me using the 13" MONO.  So they wonder what is up with why I want them to get the 13" DD.  The main point....I was hunting for bigger gold.  Most folks want any and all nuggets.  I knew what you and Lunk were up to so I wanted to be different.

Thanks for the detailed explanation.

Thanks for bringing this up Steve as my test unit is still the older version.  I was told to keep it that way and compare it to one of my other Field Staff Members Axiom, which his has the upgrade. Yes when we compared, there was a difference and I think he told me he was 2 clicks off of Max, as I was running MAX.  My MAX unit runs to smooth for my liking.

What's most astonishing is that Garrett took the time to listen to our feedback and then actually did something about it.  So so many times in this industry, when a Field Tester gets something, the product is pretty much complete and they are just looking for our opinion and for us to make some finds for their advertising.

This go around we actually had something in time with room to improve and it really did help make a difference on a few of the things we noted.  I prefer it this way, but in times past with most other companies it's not that way. Well done Garrett you are on the right track.

Thanks again Steve.

Those are some nice chunky digs my friend.  Your hard work and efforts have rewarded you with a collection of Au nuggets and even bigger of the man made trash type.  Be sure to haul that stuff out so I don't have to find it next time.  Thatks for sharing your Success pics.

On 11/18/2022 at 1:23 PM, Arky said:

Gerry,

It was great to chat with you on our last day at Rye Patch. I was curious about what the weather did to you since we bailed the day before it got bad. Great results! It was also great to see Lucky again and meet Brett. That Goldhawk is an awesome coil. It kept the skunk away on at least 3 days for me and it's also popped the three smallest nuggets in our poke.

Mike

Mike,  We didn't freeze to death but it was cold.  You and the wife be in AZ this winter?

Let me know when either of you need a new detector.

Stay safe this winter and warm.