Steve Kiesel

My whine has to do with the coils provided when buying new detectors.  This applies to all manufacturers.  Why not give a base price for the detector, then let the buyer decide what they want for coils.  I tend to use small coils the most.  Especially the 5x10 and smaller elliptical coils.  Most detectors seem to come standard with larger coils, which never get used in my case.

This is especially true with my ATX.  Sure would like the smaller coil.  But at $400+ dollars it's not going to happen.  I just do not get the opportunity to use it enough.  Guess this will be the next one to go.

Fletch, have you seen this one for sale on Treasure Net?

http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/treasure-related-stuff-sale/470349-minelab-sovereign-elite-metal-detector.html

I picked up a used Rotapan this last winter.  Heading to N. Ca in a week.  Will be using it for the first time.  I'll let you know how it works out when I get back.  I got it for packing into the hard to get to places and as a sampling tool.  Stay tuned.

I've seen ticks mentioned several times in this thread.  I use to prospect around Sumpter in Eastern Oregon.  I seemed to always have ticks on me.  I was using the 100% Deet.  It helped, but not totally.  Since I started using Permethrin, no more ticks, haven't seen one on me since.  Took the following from another website.

"Permethrin 0.5% based sprays (on clothing only, not on skin, always follow manufacturers directions) for clothing, especially: shoes, socks, pants cuffs or on other fabrics such as mosquito netting, tents.  It is a synthetic pyrethroid insecticide rather than a true repellant, and works primarily by killing ticks on contact with treated clothes. It lasts up to 2 weeks and provides high levels of protection against ticks and mosquitos."

Here's a field test done by Chris Gholson on the Nokta Fors Gold.  Chris is now a dealer for the Nokta detectors.  Rob Allison is the dealer in AZ for the Makro line of detectors.  Hope this helps in your decision.

http://arizonaoutback.ipbhost.com/index.php?showtopic=12040

I would say it's gold with a calcite (or some) coating making it cloudy looking.  Not sure what the underlying country rock might be.  That's my SWAG. 

Priced by the pound.  $7320.00 USD

My order is in also.

Very interested.  Thanks for posting the links.

I agree 100%.  Maybe if we bring it up enough, the manufacturer's will some day make a change on how they package coils.  Not holding my breath though.

I agree the 10" x 5.5" needs to be the stock coil for the Gold Racer.  In fact it would be nice to just make that the stock coil for both Racer's, then let the customer purchase whatever additional coil works for them.  As everyone has different desires and needs.

Personally, those bigger coils that I'm always forced to buy just set in the closet and never get used.

Wow!  As always Steve, great information.  Thanks.   

Junkman, go to Rob Allisons forum http://www.nuggethunting.com/.%C2'> Check out the postings by "Local Digger".  He is finding some decent gold in Virginia.  You might be able to glean some info that will help you out.  He hasn't posted lately, so go back maybe a couple years.  Good luck, and have fun.

Seen this press release on the Treasure Depot: http://www.thetreasuredepot.com/cgi-bin/bbs62x/ss_config.pl?page=1;md=read;id=270315

So much for the 12 step program.  Did you order the pink one?

Here it is.  Truth or myth?

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CDwQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnsla.nv.gov%2FMyth_068%2F&ei=VX6dVP3TOs3aoAT3kIGACg&usg=AFQjCNGgTaUx3-7RzybVKgSwdwyIGW2J9w&bvm=bv.82001339,d.cGU

Rick, tossing the ring in the water is right on.  I remember reading an article many years ago about this being done off some bridge in Reno.  If what I remember is really true, maybe Steve or Chris know about it.  If true, the area is probably off limits for detecting.  Maybe a night hunt is in order (just kidding)

After writing this, I need to do some research, got me wanting to know more.

Look what Santa has in his right hand.  Hoping that this new model will be as good on gold as the Fors Gold and Fors Core.  It's going to be an exciting new year with all the new toys coming, especially from Nokta. 

Steve, don't forget, the F19 Camo also comes in Pink.

Great post by the way, lots of good information.  Thanks to all that contributed.

Wow!!!  That has a lot great character.  I like it.

I'll be right over.

Thanks for the great post Mike.  Look forward to more.  If you don't mind sharing, could you give some examples of your claims (beaches, parks or other).  I currently live in an area where there are a lot of campgrounds.  In the last two years I have found one gold band, and one 925 ring, plus several junkers. 

A couple of the lakes have fairly popular swimming areas.  I've hunted them a couple times, but I can tell from the number of finds that someone is beating me to them.  Haven't hunted the water yet, but plan to try that next year.  Currently the roads are gated off for the winter, so no access until next spring.

In your next post, I would like to hear your opinion on the Fisher F75 for coin/jewelry hunting. 

Thanks again for starting up an interesting post.

Nokta, I'm really impressed with how your rep's respond to folks on the forums.  Not many manufacturers providing that level of support, if any.  Keep up the good work.  Looking forward to the new product releases.

Congratulations on the Nokta/Makro merger.

Nice list of detectors Steve.  I'm headed down the same path with my ATX.  I've been wanting to get a smaller coil on it, going back and forth between the 8" mono and the Infinium 5x10 DD.  Haven't seen anything written to sway me towards the 8" mono.  So given the cost of the 8", I decided to do what you did by mounting the 5x10 on a Whites rod.

A lot of pluses for going this route.  1) I get a smaller coil for less dollars 2) I lighten the load of swinging the ATX all day, and 3) I will hopefully eliminate the signals from bumping into rocks and brush.  It will be a pain swapping from the standard ATX coil to the 5x10, but I'm assuming the 5x10 will stay on most of the time as I'm hunting mostly river side bedrock.

Please keep us up to date on however you modify your ATX.

Bob, I ran across this one the other day.  Claims to be waterproof, made by Makro.  Check it out http://www.makrodetector.com/makro-pointer-metal-detector.html