Gold Catcher

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GC

https://www.pfizer.com/news/press-release/press-release-detail/valneva-and-pfizer-report-further-positive-phase-2-data

5 hours ago, jasong said:

What is most important at your experience level is learning to find good gold first, and the 6000 is built for that type of exploration. In steep, vegetated terrain, the GPZ is very difficult to use. And the 19" coil isn't a whole lot deeper, but is a whole lot heavier. It's the last coil I'd ever consider using up in the mountains, in fact I'd never use it for anything personally. Also: in highly uneven mountainous terrain, or working cuts and steeps, the bungee/harness doesn't help much at all.

Nick: jasong's comments are absolutely spot on. To some of your questions: I recommend the 6000 for you since IMHO it makes the best sense in your circumstances. The 7000/stock coil is best used in open flat terrains, like the desert. You can go to smaller coil sizes but this would require either the purchase of the NF-Zsearch 12 inch coil (the only ML approved coil for the 7000), or some more invasive after-market modifications to use X-coils. Please read the extensive discussions that we had about X-coils on this forum (if you have the stomach and a few weeks uninterrupted reading time.......) and form your own opinion about it. The GPZ 14 inch stock coil is heavy and will not be of great use in uneven terrain. I say this because it is really important to match the right detector (and coil size) to the right terrain. If you mismatch detector and grounds you will miss gold! I am in the fortunate position of having three out of four major ML detectors in my fleet (SDC-yes I still Iike it Phrunt, 6000, 7000) and I can tell you that the 6000 will produce the most gold in many areas that I am hunting in. There also seems to be a misconception that the 6000 is somehow inferior in it's technology to the 7000. This is absolutely not true. Both detectors are fantastic choices but have somewhat different scope and utilize different technologies for their particular design. Please note that many experienced detectorists (including myself) have switched their to-go detector from the 7000 to the 6000 and there are many reasons why we are doing it. So, it's not that the 6000 is some sort of a "beginner's machine" that is only recommended for learning. The 6000 has much broader all-round capabilities than the 7000/stock coil and will produce more gold in many circumstances. But aside that, don't also underestimate how important it will be for you to learn using a PI detector coming from VLF. You need to master your detector and detecting techniques in all aspects to be productive, and the 6000 will be a much better choice for that. Regarding depth, the 6000 has significant depth capabilities that will be more than enough for most situations (see also post from jrbeatty above). Thus far, I mostly use the 11 inch coil and the 17 inch only for covering more ground (i.e. shallow gold in the desert). But the 17 inch coil is not adding a significant depth advantage over the 11 inch coil IMO. So, I hope this is helping you a bit. One option for you to consider would be to buy the 6000 now, use/learn the machine and the proper detecting techniques, and then if you like trade it in for the new GPZ release. But by that time I can almost guarantee you will love the 6000 and never wanting it to give away.

GC

IMO the 6000 is designed for shallow/medium depth gold. The 17 inch is great for ground coverage but it's focus is still shallow/medium depth gold, despite it's size. Hence, I am not sure if an even bigger coil would make that much of a difference. For outright depth the 7000 is the only good choice.

GC

Coming from the GM, go for the 6000, no question (IMO). Start by using the detector with the lowest sensitivity setting (still amazing) and get slowly used to it. Then, over time gradually dial up the sensitivity but bare in mind that it will take some practice and experience to run the machine efficiently at higher gain or auto. Use threshold-on right away and learn to listed to threshold variations. Also, get the 10x5 Coiltek coil (or NF equivalent)-once available, this will be better for your terrain. I do not recommend the 7000 for you!

GC

25 minutes ago, BagdadAz said:

Hey GC, are you detecting  nuggets or is it more fine Gold? I have done some dry washing out by the Granite State mine, nothing spectacular but enough to keep me interested. This was back around 2013-2014. Last time I was out there the area had been claimed up. If you don't mind divulging info, I would be interested in hearing how your mining goes with respect to your current claim. 

Hi Mark, I only do metal detecting. I will PM you then we can continue our chat offline.

GC

4 hours ago, BagdadAz said:

Thanks Gold Catcher. Has the Eureka District been good to you? I worked with a guy here in Bagdad that said he had some success. He  worked a claim off of Burro Creek road for awhile before running afoul of the BLM. Anyway, lots of places to hunt so I try to not limit myself to one particular area. Good hunting to you and hope our paths cross someday.

We just got the claim a few weeks ago but the preliminary findings by the team have been very promising.

GC

On 4/29/2022 at 12:40 PM, Norvic said:

Behind that 6K audio response there is still those repeatable almost ghost like signals that reveal the 6K is not a surface skimmer but like the Z and PIs before has depth. I guess we could exploit those "almost ghost like signals" by using a booster and going for that extra response, but for me those "ghost like signals" are magic they are and have always been since year one detectors. 

This is such an important point, Norvic. I read your comment just now. We are so used to hear the screaming signals that the 6k is producing for shallow surface targets that we kind of expect this all the time. But there is a whole different world where the 6k produces faint subtle target responses for deeper gold. Quite remarkably, actually, and I experienced this just yesterday. It shows you that our brain tends to focus on what it is used to hear, rather than what it hears in totality. The 6k continues to amaze me! BTW, love the Avantree!!!

GC 

Yes, try the 14DD next time. This is why it comes in the box. The 11 inch coil is absolutely not recommended near powerlines and is the wrong coil choice in high EMI conditions. Hence, no surprise with the bad result. I have no problem detecting near/under powerlines with the 14DD in EMI cancel mode and it runs much smoother than my GPZ (and SDC). 

GC

On 5/12/2022 at 11:34 PM, BagdadAz said:

Hi Everyone, My name is Mark and I've been prospecting for gold for a few years. I primarily do metal detecting but I also like dry washing. The learning curve for detecting has been a long one for me but I've eventually managed to find enough gold to pay for my first gold detector (a ML GPX 4500). As I live in Bagdad Arizona, I wonder if other members have had much success detecting in the Eureka District here. I detected my first gold nugget in a small feeder wash off of Cowboy Wash a few miles southeast of the Cowboy mine but other than that, I've not had much success in the district. I would be interested in hearing what others think about the area?  I enjoy prospecting in areas like the Bradshaws and Gold Basin here in AZ and also like to do occasional trips over to the Dale District in Southern Cal. The Cargo Muchachos are a favorite as well. So good prospecting to everyone and try to stay safe out there. 

Welcome to the forum, Mark. I own a claim near Bagdad together with a few friends. Perhaps we can meet up one day. 

GC

1 hour ago, goldenoldie said:

To get back onto the topic of "Hot Rocks"

Thanks, Goldenoldie. I was about to change the title of the thread..... Yes, it's always good to check those hot rocks and not just automatically dismiss them. Some of them (but far to few) will give you the golden smile.

GC

1 hour ago, phrunt said:

Thank you also Petere, so that's now 3 people that hear the hissing.

I hear the hissing as well, but it actually sounds more like a faint electrical humming noise, but not always. It doesn't really bother me though. And of course, there is the constant ringing in my ears too (hells bells....).

GC

8 hours ago, phrunt said:

This is called presbycusis, age-related hearing loss. It is the natural aging of the cells in our ears

Age has not been a big factor for my hearing decline over the years. Instead, an AC/DC concert that I attended with 16 is to blame....🤪

14 minutes ago, jasong said:

I have an early 6000 from one of the first US shipments, and I don't have enough problem with shaft twist that it really bugs me. I do find I have to retighten it every so often though.

Exactly my situation. Although I have to admit that if it's not perfectly aligned it drives me nuts. But that's just me.

GC

9 hours ago, phrunt said:

The manual states they're meant to go solid blue when charged, and this is exactly what they're meant to do.

They must have changed it then, because the old manual that I have says the light should turn off when fully charged, not solid blue. But I see in the newer version of the manual they corrected it.🤔

GC

53 minutes ago, Goldseeker5000 said:

You know, I really wish Minelab would make a pinpointer geared specifically for the gold nugget hunters that is ajustable with sensitivity but has the ability to hit tiny pieces of gold and hit them deeper than all other pinpointers. Maybe have a clear tone difference to alert you of wether it is iron trash or non ferrous. The two tones on the profind 35 are to close to really differentiate between them. Maybe a setting for deep mode and interchangeable tips with the standard tip and a tip that is a 2x3 tip. I hope Minelab reads this. I know some that will carry around the nox or monster shortened up to pinpoint the targets, but what a pain in the ass that is. Just saying.

Not a bad idea. I am not a fan of dragging around the GM when I am out there hiking with the 7000 and digging 2 feet holes. But some sort of collapsible mini-SDC for the pocket would be good to have, especially when using bigger coils that are hard to maneuver in deep holes. Some sort of super pinpointer that can also be used in crevices with much better accuracy. I would not care so much about discrimination, just to better pinpoint the target. I think this is a real market niche. None of the pinpointers that I have used are really that great. I would not mind a higher price if it really would make a difference. I am not that often using pinpointers but I can sure think of situations where a high performing one would come in very handy. But I don't want to be off topic, I know we discussed pinpointers several times already.

GC

26 minutes ago, Aureous said:

One other thing I noticed that others have mentioned is the low quality plastic of the coils, it DOES scratch incredibly easy and even just after 4 hours, there are lotsa marks there after swiping my scoop across the top....I think Simon commented that it seems like recycled ice-cream containers or leftover lego scraps lol. I totally get it now and I might add some tape just to protect it better, looks silly but obviously a practical move....

Yes, the coil surface is susceptible for scratches. I guess a price to pay for low weight. I made myself a habit of not scraping the coil to hard with the scoop, which is also not really needed IMO. I just briefly shake the scoop so the heavies are on the bottom before I lead the scoop over the coil, barely scratching it at all. The detector is so sensitive that the full scoop-coil contact is not needed, not even for recovering tiny flakes. Just my experience.

GC

1 hour ago, Aureous said:

Yeah the headphones don't seem to show full charge, its supposed to stop ANY light (just go out) when fully charged. But mine and yours simply dont....it still works (brilliantly I might add) but no clue as to when I should stop charging em...

Great going, Aureous. Welcome to the 6000 club! Regarding headphone charging, mine is red when charging and then turns into a solid blue when fully charged (just like the SP01). I always thought this is the way it's supposed to be until I read your post where you cite the manual saying that the light should go off when fully charged. I missed that in the manual. I think there is some lack of consistency with the headphone charging procedure. They should fix that. But I actually really like the headphones, although I am a bit worried about the somewhat fragile material of the muffs (when compared to the rugged grey ghost muffs). I got my aventree torus today, I finally ordered them after so many praises here on DP. Will check it out on the weekend although I am a bit worried having something dangling around my neck when I am digging. Have fun with the 6000, despite all reported issues it is just an amazing detector. And don't hesitate to go down with gain and difficult on. It will be much tamer while still keeping practically all of it's punch.

GC

4 hours ago, Sheppo said:

She’s German, she’s mentioned it a few times.

Thanks, Sheppo, that's what I always thought. I do recognize my own accent.

GC

59 minutes ago, Jonathan Porter said:

I don’t use the 6000 for outright performance on DEEP gold, I have the 7000 for that, I use the 6000 because it is fun and uncomplicated and ergonomically brilliant and I’m just about assured to get a nugget on just about any known gold nugget area I have ever worked.

That's precisely why IMHO both detectors have a right to co-exist and are not redundant, even not for here in the US. Not everything here is shallow or medium shallow gold, and I have recovered some quite deep gold here with the GPZ too. In addition, I use the GPZ for shallow gold (although not it's design intent) in cases where I don't care about microscopic iron filaments. Regarding easiness of use, I think the "ready to go detect" statement for the 6k only holds up when the sensitivity is dialed all the way back (which is perfectly ok). For maximum gain or for any of the auto functions you need to do more work to keep the machine really user-friendly. This is certainly no problem for more experienced users, but I don't think new-beginners will be able to do that effectively (or at least not as easily as advertised). Just my 2 c.

GC

2 minutes ago, phrunt said:

I think that's also well engineered.

I think if it weren't the business team would have long been fired... 😉

4 minutes ago, MSC said:

The woman in the video is a pleasure to listen to, she has a real good personality for U-tube videos. She congers up a little bit of a smile in the way she talks and acts. Not a fake act. 

All of her videos are the real deal and are superbly made. She is also totally fun to watch.

GC

1 hour ago, phrunt said:

It's funny, and sad at the same time Minelab are competing with themselves with their detectors.

I think redundancy is always a problem for every manufacturer's product line. IMHO, all ML detectors are somewhat different with respect to their technology and scope, and I personally don't see that severe redundancy. At least not to the extend that one machine completely would make the other one obsolete. That being said, that's just my view and I can see how others might think differently. The question to me is just how one would prioritize them, and that would depend largely on your individual circumstances and the grounds your are hunting and the detector requirements you are having (and budget of course). I would certainly say that the 6000 has the broadest scope of the entire fleet and is the most pleasurable to use. So, if I had to buy just one it would be for sure the 6k. 

GC

3 minutes ago, vanursepaul said:

Plus you need the 2300 for pinpointing those deep holes.....lol

For sure, works better than the Pro-Find 35....😁

Yeah, if I would not have already owned the 7000 I would have just bought the 6k. But on the other hand having both makes quite a powerful ML package and I like what additional options the 7000 brings. However, one could certainly ask the question whether the steep price tag for owning both would really be worth it for US prospectors.

GC

This is an excellent comparison from one of my favorite Youtubers. I don't necessarily agree with the initial intend of the video (which one is the better detector?), but the comparison is well made for surface detection in difficult ground with hot rocks. Overall, the 7000 (run with her settings) is much less susceptible to hot rocks, but looses some sensitivity for small gold (not much however). I can very much relate to this video, for instance when detecting in iron rich volcanic ground that is littered with hot rocks (i.e. many places in the Mojave desert). The 7000 is much more benign there but still catches much of the smaller gold as well (NF-Zsearch and X-coils). I like her conclusion at the end, both detectors being absolutely superb. I totally agree, but having the 6k will not make me sell my 7k as I view both detectors as being complimentary, at least in some aspectes.

PS: Man, those flies.....

GC