Gold Catcher

PS: Get Nenad's SP01 audio filter/booster. This little device works magic with the SDC (and GPZ...) and I would never go without it

On 8/10/2020 at 3:59 PM, oneguy said:

My question regarding the SDC is about threshold change over targets.

My recommendation is to dig all targets, regardless of hi/low or low/high. Sometimes, shallow iron trash gives a very "melodic" high/low response, or a "raspy singing"  at times. But I still would not want to use this as a true indicator as gold gives many similar noises depending on depth, shape, consistency, nature of host rock, coated mineralization, coil angle and swing height/speed  and many other factors. The SDC, with its MPF timing, is made to capture small gold and steals the show of VLF's in mineralized ground very spectacularly. In addition, it is actually quite good in detecting deeper gold as well, much better than most would believe. However, the threshold sound then changes to barely audible mellow variations or warbles. I have recovered many depper nuggets this way. Hence, it is important to keep the threshold as stable as possible (sensitivity 2 or sometimes 3) to be able to hear those faint variations. Not always an easy task since the SDC tens to be noisy. Some ramp it up to 4, but the threshold will then be very unstable in most cases which will prevent you to hear these small variations, and you WILL loose a lot of gold. As true for many other detectors, less can be more as long as you train your ear/brain to capture these faint variations. Good luck!

On 8/7/2020 at 12:26 PM, jasong said:

Now you know at least one. 😀

The nice thing about prospecting is that everybody has their own technique and whatever works the best should be adopted for individual needs. So, all good. I can just say that for me making sound decisions is not a productive way. So often I have been wrong when guessing what the GPZ is signaling, so I just don't take any chances. In certain cases, when I know the area really well, I disregard surface screamers if I know the gold is deep, and if my boot can just kick it away. However, for me the sound discrimination is just not a good practice, especially for a detector like the GPZ. 

4 minutes ago, phrunt said:

I am betting a few people have missed their find of a lifetime by ignoring a screamer.  Junk fatigue sets in.

Yup. Steve was also pointing that out in his great youtube clip. 

In my view, any threshold variation can be indicative of a gold target. Too many factors determine what sounds it would make under what circumstances. Sometimes you can guess, but you should never rely on it. I don't know of any serious operator of a high end gold machine who would reliability discriminate by sounds. Got to dig them all my friends.

2 hours ago, Reg Wilson said:

The best processing happens between your ears. It's the difference from being able to drive formula one and an auto family sedan.

I dig everything, also for my mental sanity. At night when I am home I wold think of all those undug targets

3 hours ago, VicR said:

Maybe its an adaption of ground penetrating radar (ultra wide band impulse radar) combined with pulse induction technology

This could challenge ZVT and perhaps challenge the 7000 franchise

2 hours ago, Gerry in Idaho said:

ealize the GPX-5000 was $5800 at one time and then they dropped them to $4000.  We dealers have been wanting another detector in the $5000 to $7000 range as there is now a big gap (GPX-5000 for $4000  through GPZ-7000 at $8K).  They just fazed out the GPX-4500's so I (don't know shit) would hope the GPX-5000 at $4K would stay around a while. 

 Take a look, now you can buy the GPZ even at Walmart, for $10k!.....Gerry, I bet people get a better deal with you 🤣🤣

6 minutes ago, Gerry in Idaho said:

Realize the GPX-5000 was $5800 at one time and then they dropped them to $4000.  We dealers have been wanting another detector in the $5000 to $7000 range as there is now a big gap (GPX-5000 for $4000  through GPZ-7000 at $8K).  They just fazed out the GPX-4500's so I (don't know shit) would hope the GPX-5000 at $4K would stay around a while.  

Makes sense, Gerry, the business aspect I had not considered. I guess the rumor mill will spin for a while longer.

PS: If there will be X-coils for the GPX (old or new) Simon would be the first to know 🙂

2 hours ago, Gerry in Idaho said:

The last thing they'll probably do is allow for better Iron Discrimination than the standard GPX-5000.

That would assume the 5000 would remain in the fleet. With a new 6000 and the 7000 as the flag ship, it would be tough to see the value proposition for the 5000 to remain. The 6000 could just take over and then be the only gold-PI with an iron meter, next to other improvements that you mentioned. We shall see...

1 hour ago, phrunt said:

The Commander coils might be finally upgraded with spiral windings and be promoted to Captain coils! 🙂

With the X-coils being the Generals..:)

Let's see how big the wheelbarrow loaded up with money soon needs to be to buy a ML detector. 

5 hours ago, phrunt said:

More timings maybe? The GPX 5000 wasn't a giant leap from the 4500.   Maybe they've been working on better discrimination with word Fisher is doing similar.

If they've done target ID's on a PI I'm in 🙂 I am in fantasy land, but it would be outstanding.

A smart iron probability meter, perhaps a supercharged version of what the GM has, would be a game changer in my view. Here I see the most advancements to be made even beyond the 7000 and would allow for hunting in trashy areas where currently iron discrimination is a must have. It likely would not work well for deep targets, but for surface targets this would be great to have. And worth the money when combined with additional timings and coil options.

This is just the beginning....Take a look at the picture. This will happen again. Nobody seems to care anymore.

I prefer a hot day in the desert anytime over a muggy hot day in a steep Motherlode canyon. Dry heat is much easier to handle. Plus, I love the desert and the majestic nature. Every time, at day's end after a long hunting trip in the middle of nowhere in the desert, you come back as a different man.  

4 hours ago, flakmagnet said:

I agree, it's uncomfortable in the desert. But I have read written accounts of prospectors in Arizona near Quartzsite, who in the and early 1900s would routinely be out working in 120 degrees. Those guys would laugh at us.

At those days there was still alot of gold to be found there. I would have gone out there too. Today, no....;)

Correction in spelling: Goler Gulch

13 hours ago, DolanDave said:

Gold Catcher,

  The Mojave Nugget was not found by Jim Straight, but by Ty Paulson. Jim Straight knew Ty Paulson, and was prospecting in and around the Randsburg, CA area at the same time. Jim Straight in the ICMJ November 2004 Volume 74 says Ty Paulson found the Mojave Nugget in Benson Gulch on the ridge to the right side of the gulch, which is part of the taft prospectors claim, just south of PCSC (Red Chispa) claim. There have been some pretty good size multi ounce nuggets pulled out from the Red Chispa Claim, and to this date still are every now and then.

Dave

Thanks, Dave. Interesting. I heard several versions of this story but I trust your account is the correct one. I am a member of Taft and also PCSC. This whole area is intriguing from a geology perspective but also heavily worked. Whenever I am out there I hardly ever see another soul, unless there are club outings. This area seems to be given up by most. I have a secret spots though in the Golder Gulch, but it requires substantial hiking. Every now and the I see Pat Keene cruising around there on his atv, but thats about it. 🙂 Love this entire area. But if you hunt there you could think mankind has disappeared . 

So presumably another PI, not ZVT

Reminds me of this guy who mounted a military grade mine detector in front of his jeep and drove through the washes in the El Paso mountains (So Cal, Randsburg area). He found one of the largest nuggets ever recovered in CA ("Mojave Nugget) several feet deep. That was in the 70's...The unconfirmed rumor goes it was Jim Straight. Perhaps some unconventional techniques like that are worth wile thinking about? I suspect no hand held detector would have caught it at that depth.

According to one report, only 0.00047% of all surface gold has been mined. Let's hope the detector technology improves.....I have seen in one episode of Aussie Gold Hunters this guy dragging a huge coil behind is tractor while driving over a salt lake. Perhaps that's the way to go....

https://www.westcoastplacer.com/how-much-gold-is-left-on-earth/

Gold is on a tear and could easily go up > $3000. At least according to analysts. Let's just hope they won't bring back the gold standard....

5 minutes ago, Chet said:

I have two favorite picks. One is a 3 pounder and the other a five pounder. Either one is carried on a padded military belt. The pick holder is a Drill Pouch from Home Depot. It is attached to the belt with a 10/32 screw, fender washers and locknut. It swivels and allows the pick handle to be slid into the large opening without looking. 

The five pounder is often carried in my left hand when hunting without the Equinox in areas with little trash. Both picks have rare earth magnets attached so they can pick up much of the trash.

The key to carrying heavy picks and heavy water loads is the padded belt. Wear it tight so that the load is on the hips. The shoulder straps are loose and only needed for the Hip Stick and Bungee cord attached on top of the shoulder. Having the top of the Hip Stick at top of shoulder height prevents pulling down on the shoulder.

Cool, thanks Chet I will check it out. I use the Camelbak Ambush for the hipstick attachment and have a gun belt that I use as my utility belt. I have a lot of stuff on it (GPS+holster, digging tool pouch, apex pick and holster, W12, SP01,..). Hence, I need a belt that I can attach alot of things on it (via belt loops). I use the swing arm for the GPZ, so the heavy pick is mostly in the holster. Hence, the belt tends to slip down over time so every now and then I have to pull it back up which can be annoying. I don't want to use shoulder straps to keep the belt up since I already have my Camelbak and it would be in my way. Overall, it all works out for me, but suiting up can take a while. I wonder what others have as their favorite set up with all the gear needed. Obviously, the simpler the better, but there is just alot of things you need when wondering away from the car. At other times, I just have my GM in the hand with the scoop in my pocket and small pick. That's it. My preferred gear at >100 deg F.

On 7/24/2020 at 10:24 PM, Chet said:

In the trashy areas I hunt with the Equinox 800 with the small coil in my left hand and the GPZ 7000 in my right hand

Pretty cool, Chet, and the pick? A three-armed man has a definite advantage in the filed  😉

But congrats to your finds! I was at Malakoff diggins yesterday. Amazing site to see the largest hydraulic mine filed in CA, but hunting is mostly off-limits. Iowa Hill is another place I like to go but driving up the narrow canyon road from Mineral bar is suicidal. Bur every time I risk my life doing that I am rewarded. With two arms only though unfortunately.. 🙂

You are an inspiration, Steve. Thank you for sharing your life's excitement. You keep the dream alive for all of us. Thanks And, well done!