Gerry in Idaho

Yes I have many times and he still comes back for more. As some of you know I enjoy hunting tailing piles. My machine of choice (VLF, kHz in teens or 20's, Light, Fast, Good Iron ID) hopeful the new Equinox-800 fits those needs. Back to the post. On a particular hunt my brother shared a site he found a nice 8 oz specimen and thought it was a fluke? We went there with nothing to expect and much of the day was just that. Then on the way back to the truck I decided to swing a pile of tailing with more finer gravels and earth. BAM- as I stumbled a nice walnut size specimen, so decided to hunt that pile a little harder. Not 5 minutes later I hit another quartz rock with stingers of gold running throughout. I whistled a few times for my brother and no reply back so I kept at it. Not 10 feet more and I BANG a really cool one with thicker vein of heavy yellow metal. Boy was I on fire. After this discovery, I was feeling a little guilty and called it quits until I could find Travis and wanted him to hunt some on the pile. After all, lets share the wealth right. Anyway, He could not find a piece to save himself and was pretty astonished at my feat. Well to add fuel to the fire, after he walked away I decided to swing the pile again and YES it happened one more time, out popped a milky quartz prize. To say the least, he was quite perturbed. But why does he continue to go out with me? Knowledge and experience go a long way and big brother was chasing gold with a detector when he was still chasing girls. He knows days like that one are tough to swallow, but he has also picked up some fine tips and tricks as well. In fact, another story and I'll tell you about the day I about made him walk home, as he showed big bro what I had missed. (for a later read).

Thanks Barry for the update and more than most will eventually try it out.

Welcome Boogness, Steve knows both machines well and his abilities with most gold detectors is TOPS. Advantages of the ATX is the extra ground coverage per sweep, more depth on larger nuggets (not that many out there), also more depth on specimens (more of those to be found than large nuggets). One factor I really like on the ATX is the Iron Disc abilities vs the SDC-2300 (none). Now many people will tell you to dig it all, but I just can't waist that much time and energy as I get older. I use features on the detectors at certain times to help my odds. Steve is DEAD ON when he says "not a shallow machine". Yes, the SDC-2300 will not go as deep as the ATX on big gold, but in fact will go deeper than ATX on 1 gram and less nuggets. I have customers who have even dug 14 to 16" and found gold with the SDC, but I have yet to find or hear of any SDC nuggets at 18" or more. The compactness of the SDC is better than the ATX and the weight is less as well. I do like the fact the ATX has a variety of coil selection, which allows you more opportunities in the field. The price of the SDC-2300 is steep vs ATX, but you get an additional 1 yr warranty on SDC (3 years total) vs ATX at 2 years. Ive used both, fold gold nuggets with both and also have used both in water when hunting gold rings, with success. If you show up at Rye Patch, NV (worked to death for 30+ years) I would bet money, the SDC-2300 will find more nuggets than the ATX. So when I see it happen (while training customers) more than once, I realize the machine for RP is the SDC-2300. Not taking anything away from the ATX because they priced it much better and it fits in some folks budget easier too. I just took in a lightly used ATX DeepSeeker with both coils and also have a used SDC-2300, as one of my staff just stepped up to the GPZ-7000. Contact me direct if you are interested in either of them. Here is a way to cool down in the hot summer temps and find gold..of a different type.

Works great. It is Garrett's #1 selling VLF gold machine.

Just think of the history that box could tell. What a find/friend. You are lucky my friend.

GB, Yes I feel the same when hunting Tailing Piles. Depth is like a double edge sword and when hunting TP's as there can be some big iron at extreme depths. I would rather have a lighter detector with decent iron discrimination than a PI or ZED. Now if you find a pile that is loaded with nuggets, it is always wise to go back over that same pile with the deeper PI or ZED.

Merry Christmas to all my customers, friends and even enemies. May the holidays bring joy to you and the people you are with. Have safe travels and we look forward to a treasure trove of discoveries in 2018.

Al, You are certainly welcome my friend. Good knowledgeable dealers such as Steve (in the day when he was one) Rob, Chris, Doc and a couple others all have the same goal and passion. To promote the hobby of metal detecting and help educate those who desire to learn. Back in the 80's I realized I enjoyed helping people with metal detectors and so a few years later, turned it into a very successful business.

Christmas Reading for newbies and or those who want a refresher. Here is the article mentioned by one of the forum members. Thanks for getting it to me. Hopefully it comes up properly for all to read. Realize this is almost a 10 year old article and some things might have changed, but take what you can from it. W&ET2009.pdf

I have been fortunate to hunt gold in many Western States, AK and even Australia. I was also able to find gold at the places with both VLF & PI type technologies. I've been fortune enough to own and learn almost 40 models of detectors and find gold nuggets. I still have about 5 units I like and would never go on a trip as described with less than 3 different units. Here are the 3 I would take on that trip and why. Gold Monster 1000 as it is very good in tailing piles for larger nuggets. You need light, fast and good Iron Identification. It is also tops at finding small gold pieces and also great when detecting ore dump piles for species and wire gold. GPX series PI with a DD coil. Really doesn't matter which version (4000, 4500, 4800, 5000) as they all have Iron ID when using the DD coil. GPZ-7000 to detect in areas with hardly any trash and to get the best depth/sensitivity combo. Love it for well known areas that have been picked clean by all other detectors. Would never recommend it in dredge tailing piles. Now if I only had room for 2 detectors, I would remove the GPX and use the bigger coil on the Monster in those trashy areas. The Equinox has me excited as I want to see how well the Iron ID words on it. Could be great for big gold in dredge tailings. Again, These are just my recommendations and you could easily put in one of the other more popular VLF's that runs high kHz to substitute the GM-1000. Some of you could also use an SD-2200 or GP series with DD, other than those do not like certain kinds of gold as well as GPX series. Yes I enjoy dredge tailing piles and have found a couple grams in them. Ore dumps are also quite generous to me as sometimes the higher dollar specimens come from those and PI technology does not do well on many of them ones I find. I'll have to look around and try to find that article...maybe scan and copy it on here.

I'm still paying off my 7000, so it will be a while before I can afford plates. Very sharp looking though.

Golden words of advice Doc. I too find gold most times I go out to known nugget areas. I am usually getting the big EGG-O when Prospecting for new ground. But on a rare occasion that new ground can lead to some serious gold. The attached photo is of one of my customers who spend a winter doing research and decided to hunt 4 different areas with his dad. The last place turned to be a real winner with over a pound of gold from there. Keep it up.

Lets say you have been a working person for 20+ years and contributing to the growth of our fine country. You are not rich by any means, but if need be you could find a way to get a good metal detector or two (just like most folks on here reading this). Heck, even after hunting season, you could sell a couple guns? NOT... You get invited by an old friend on a 1 week vacation Prospecting Trip to detect for gold. Yes, the trip of a lifetime for some and just another fun adventure for a few. You are told there are dredge tailing piles, hard rock ore dumps and also the potential to hunt both alluvial eluvial placers. Do you know these terms and the kind of gold generally associated with them? Which detector would you take and why? There is no wrong answer and please lets not attack anyone, brand or model.

Many factors, but for new product it is usually supply and demand. Also, you must realize we do have dealer contracts we sign. If we undercut the product pricing, then we could get canned. Also we are cutting our income. My job is a Full Time Metal Detecting Dealer that goes above and beyond the average. My staff and I write articles, do YouTube videos on education, work directly with engineering and do field testing of proto-types.. We offer 3 day Field Training, gives seminars etc. My only income is all through detector sales. Most folks on here has or did have a working job they earned a pay check. I just happen to enjoy my job more than most. Bottom line, will I offer a discount to a non military person? Repeat Customer Loyalty goes a long way with me. So does the referral program. Attached photo is of staff and I comparing different sizes of coils on undug targets.

I did not say it was complex. I want my staff and I to know the different terms of this new machine and some of its technology. I want to make sure my field staff are keen to the catch words and then be able to describe what they actually do. Maybe its just me and the way I have been doing things as a Senior 20+ year Minelab Dealer (Managed Partner), but I feel you better know what you are selling. With my staff and I, to be honest....we are detectorists 1st and dealer 2nd.

I'll be taking two of my Field Staff members to Phoenix for the 2 day Equinox Training for Dealers. I feel this is very important for my guys and I to learn as much as we can as fast as we can. Eventually we'll be able to pass our knowledge down to the customers. We look forward to earning your business. Yes I'll be there as well as Lunk & Scott. I figured 3 of us taking notes and listening is better than just me.

I'll accept VA Card, DD-214 or Military ID cards. Yes I am prior military myself (USMC). Hope this helps.

I feel the 3 Star Rating on the DISCRIMINATION is because the $1550 E-Trac and $2500 CTX 3030 have way more intel. At the price point of $900 for the EQ-800, there are going to be things on it that are not as good as their upper end Coin/Relic/Beach machines. We can't have it all for $900 or they would not make enough money and then we'd be swinging the old brands again.

Jin, I totally agree with Steve. Small ones for jewelry are easier to move than big ones. Also the 1 to 5 gram ones seem to move easier as well, since most folks don't have the extra money sitting around for a $1000 or more piece. One of the guys in the US who buys/sells nuggets is www.naturalGoldTrader.com and he has written a few articles for ICMJ. He usually pays a little more than most, as he tries to sell them individually to get top dollar. A few of my customers ell their nuggets to Gus and he always treats them right. You can get rid of it all quick and deal with 1 guy fast, but may not make top dollar, or you can sell many pieces separately and end up with more money, but taking a lot longer and dealing with more people (which could be bad in the long run). Another option is to trade the nuggets to a Minelab Dealer towards a new GPZ-7000.

Gary, Very nice gold my friend and can I share your photo to other potential customers? I recommend like the other guy and drop your Sens down a couple notches. Just curious which coil is giving you more fits, as I have sold 100+ units and am taking notes from my customers. We'll have to do a couple hunts next year.

As a nugget buster who has found pounds of gold with the MXT and pounds of gold with the X-Terra 705 and ounces of gold with the AT Gold, here is my spin on them. For Prospecting Only the AT Gold is better at smaller pickers, specimens with salt/pepper gold and wire gold species and if around water, the AT Gold is it. The MXT is better on larger gold nuggets, chunky specimens and much better for Coins. It also have a bigger variety of coil selection. The X-705 with the new price of $499 is much like the MXT, but lighter in weight, more technology/features and can identify iron better than my MXT. The X-705 is also a killer on Gold Rings over my MXT & AT Gold because of the Selectable Notch Discrimination.

Condor, Those photos are Rock and bring back memories. 1st off, hats off to you for busting balls to get off the beaten path. Bikes are king in many areas. One thing I would like to bring up in the bike photo is your Apex pick. Many moons ago in the 90's Largo and I were at Rye Patch and I was on my BW-200 (Big Wheel). Had the pick on the back rack. Well some how I did a wheelie and fell back onto the rear rack. That pick put a good gouge in my lower back for a month. If you can, try to keep the pick on the downside of a pack or cooler or such, just in case you do fall back. Other than that my friend, Rock on.

Doc is ALIVE and BIGGER, BADDER and BOLDER.. We go back a lot of years my friend and like I always say. You can be the norm and a follower or you can be one of the select few and a leader for others to follow. Glad to see you spread your wings even more so. Most of us dealers don't have the room to carry all the different accessories you do, so I gladly recommend Doc. After all, us 20+ year Senior Minelab Managed Partners have learned a thing or two and sharing knowledge helps everyone. See you next month Doc.

Fantastic AZ finds Chris. The 7000 is better than my Hoover when going over old ground. Like Steve said, the one with sharp crystal indentations is way cool. Keep it up.

Sorry so long. This coming from a White's user for 35+ years and a White's Dealer for 10+. I don't get on the forums much, but this was forwarded to me and I wanted to share from a dealers view. Now realize, I am not an average dealer that does not know much about detectors. I enjoy using, comparing and testing many brands/models. For almost 2 months we dealers had been getting bits of info, emails, teases of the new MS Sport. We were lead towards taking pre-orders, as the initial inventory would be short and hard to come by. We were to also get the consumers excited about the new product. Most of the info and talk, suggested this new machine was going to be the next better than MXT and then some. As a big MXT fan who has found literally pounds of gold nuggets with it, I myself was eager to get my hands on one. In fact, my initial order was express shipped to me so I could test one on a recent trip to MX. Luckily the detectors arrived the day before my flight. 2 days after the MS Sport arrived at my shop (Feb. 21st), I was swinging one in the warm waters in Mexico. Right from the 1st target signal recovered, I realized something was not right. After spending the day using and adjusting the detector, I realized the signal response was not to my liking at all. In fact, I was not very happy with it, but hoped maybe stateside coin hunting would be different. When I returned back to US, I immediately called White's and told them of my issues. The person I spoke with, said I was the 1st to have an issue and that they would get with Engineering and someone might get back to me. No phone call from White's, no email from White's. On March 28th, a long time MXT user and customer of mine emailed me a very informative and lengthy letter explaining his points (both good and bad) of the new detector, as he had recovered 600+ coins and many other items in the 4 weeks of winter in UT. With his info, I then realized there was something wrong. Then with mud on my dealer face, the customer emails me again with a link and the sending in.. if you have a unit that is bad. Folks, it was my own customer who told me about the upgrade, not White's. To me, Management dropped the ball because they did not tell the same dealers they pumped up to sell the new MX Sport, the bad news. White's should have immediately contacted the dealers and let them know of the problem. Yes I did eventually get a call from Whites, but that was after my own customer contacted them and cc'd me the dealer. Did White's do enough to notify people of the firmware issue? NO If you have an MX Sport, were you notified? Not until I told them. I was notified by my customer there was a firmware update. Are you satisfied with how it is being handled? No, but as a dealer I expected more from White's who is a top metal detector manufacture in the world. At least they used to be. Any other comments for White's? I will say this though. In reality White's Engineering did get a fix for it in less than 40 days from release and that I feel is acceptable. Now for the folks who were testing proto types and such. Either they lied their asses off to get a free detector, or Engineering did not care what the field testers told them. In my 35+ years of detecting, I have seen so many times, testers make a great report and not be honest with a new product. Seems they are more worried about keeping Mr. Engineer happy and not wanting to hurt an Engineers feelings because that new detector is his baby. Testers, If you don't tell the good and bad about what you are testing, then the manufactures look bad and eventually your word becomes worthless as well. Engineers, If you can't handle getting a report on your baby, that it walks funny and only has 3 toes, then maybe this is not the right job for you. Management, Find well known MXT users across the board who will give honest feedback (both good and bad) about your new upcoming detectors and listen to then. It seems this was not the case for this MS Sport. White's is a Metal Detecting Manufacture who's name is known worldwide for many good reasons and millions of treasures found. The company will get back on track and will provide us enthusiasts with many more great products. Will there be hick-ups, bad hires and bad fires? Yes, just like at every other metal detecting manufacture. And there will also be great Engineer hires, thorough field testers and another new young Jimmy. I'm still on board and looking forward to more new and exciting detector technology and I know White's Electronics will be one of the brands producing it.