~LARGO~

Hi all, This is an excellent review of this new machine, done by an excellent detector operator. The thing that I find really interesting about this revolutionary gold detector is its very unique ability to find really unique gold. I personally have pounded the Northern Nevada country, with nearly every Whites Goldmasters of every kind, to most Fisher Gold Bug models, and even the very early Minelab VLF gold detectors, through the many SD, GP, GPX, and SDC gold detector models. I thought all the gold had been found. Now what we see is this very exotic specimen gold coming out of those pounded areas. Why couldn't we see that stuff with earlier machines? I don't know, other than they have at Minelab, some pretty sharp minds, who seem to always have a "new card" to play in metal detector design up their sleeves, held in reserve. Thanks, Rye Patch Ron, I appreciate your views on this new machine! Gary/Largo

Just before Steve posted his good idea, I thought about possibly using a camera lens brush, which retracts into a pen like enclosure, plus there is on the opposite end, a small feature that is enclosed, when opened, allows the user to remove finger smudges, etc, after the dust has been brushed off. About 6 bucks or less, fits in your pocket, just like a pen... Gary/Largo

Hi all, Charlie was truly a pioneer in the metal detecting industry and will be greatly missed. On one of his business trips through Boise, I had the opportunity to be photographed with one of his early dealers locally, Tommy Long. Gary/Largo

Paul, Wow! Wow! Good on ya mate! Largo...

Professor Hestor, You are very welcome! Having spent some time myself, as you have indicated here, looking for a detector that might fit within a tight budget can be very discouraging. As you will see, there are also those who are willing to help you out, until you can find just what fits your needs. Best wishes, Gary/Largo

Professor Hestor, Steve is right, there are NO dumb questions! Don't give up looking for your detector! If you have some interest in searching for gold nuggets with a metal detector, there is one out there in your price range that will show up eventually. Often if you don't see an offering of a metal detector you can afford or would consider buying, the next best thing is to put your own ad in a free listing on most detecting websites and forums, stating what detector(s) you may be looking for. Many dealers or people have detectors collecting dust in a corner, that they would be more than happy to sell, but dismiss that notion, thinking it is an older model, and no one would want it. Dealers rarely advertise every detector they have in their shop. Sometimes it is best not to put your top dollar in your ad, as that is what the responder may ask for, even though his offered detector may not be in top dollar shape. My guess is, this advice I offer here, may have already been covered by others on this fine forum... Gary/Largo

NuggetBob said what I had thought I should say, that is "If ya ain't peeing you ain't hydrated and if'n your pee is yeller ('cept for coffee or vitamins) you best drink more. Thanks, NuggetBob! You did good! Gary/Largo

Hello all, Having spend some time laying in my tiny camper for several days dealing with heat stroke in the northern Nevada desert, I can tell you it isn't fun, and can happen more than once, very easily. I told my doctor I was going to be in the desert metal detecting, he comment to me was "drink plenty of water, and rest when your body tells you to." O.K. fine, that is kind of right, makes sense, but what he didn't say, was to replenish your sweating body with chemicals lost to the process of sweating. As an aside, when you get to the point if and when you cease to sweat, you are already in trouble, and need to get cooled off, and hydrated, whatever that takes... I had found a patch of gold nuggets, and was busying looking for the next one, the temperature on this day was over 102 degrees, just for conversations sake, I don't really remember, but it was very hot. I felt I couldn't stop looking.. I had come to the point I almost dreaded hearing another signal of a nugget in my headphones, I didn't want to get down on the ground and dig another target, I was in trouble, and didn't know it... My thought process was to the point I was now virtually unable to make a decision. Something I can only describe, thinking back to that instance, was something in my head felt almost like a shock had occurred in my brain. I am no doctor, nor do I know the symptoms of heat stroke even now. I had come to the place I felt I needed to get to the shade of my little Casita r.v. if I could. Long story shorter, I spent the next several days laying in the trailer exhausted, as my dad might have said, "weak as a cat"... I guess I drank some water, not sure what I ate, but probably not much, but obviously, I did make it. When I felt I could get out and hook the trailer to my truck, I left for home, a 5 hour drive, by myself. What I do now when I go to a hot environment, after having had a deep "why didn't you tell me" talk with my doctor, I learned that he should have included in his talk about hydration, was that just water alone just doesn't do it, you need to include the other things, sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, the electrolytes your body loses in it's heated condition. I know some of those things, cause I just read it off the bottle of the stuff that I use every time I go to the desert, and it hasn't let me down, thus far. Kind of like the Gatorade you see the football athletes drink, when taking a break between plays, but having no sugar. I am a borderline diabetic, so I try to avoid a lot of sugar, not to say I don't use sugar, as one of the "must have" things I carry with me, are good quality energy bars, maybe some jerky, which will give some protein as well as a little salt, when I am on a multi-mile hike, far from where I left my transportation. When I prepare for my day, just before I leave my camp site, I "top off", with water, knowing that I can't carry all the liquids that I will need during my hike, drinking maybe nearly a bottle of water, whatever amount that is, to the point I can't drink any more. Just beforehand, I have already put 2- 32 oz. bottles of PowerAde ZERO calorie sports drink in my hip pouch. Then I head out, and try to have a great day, stopping to think about things once in a while, taking a break as needed. Surprisingly, these two bottles of PowerAde ZERO (64 ounces) will only last me less than half a day. Learning to pace yourself, and realize your own capabilities is key. No use in kidding yourself, or trying to impress your buddies, about what you can physically do, either. Doing so, you become a liability, maybe even worse! Others will have their own ideas, even some I would like to employ, but this is pretty much what I do. Thanks! Gary/Largo

Ivan, You just jogged my memory a bit...I have a Desert water bag somewhere, can't imagine anyone stealing the thing. Dad kept one hung from the radiator cap on the front of his old car, so it would keep the radiator a little cooler so's it wouldn't boil over...the real older ones like you show here, have the cork, the newer ones have a cap with a spring loaded affair to keep the cap in place. Sorry jasong, to have been a part of getting your thread off on a tangent! Gary/Largo

Hi all, I have a Camelbak 100 oz camo pack now, in which I have replaced the original big mouth bladder with a 100 oz./3 liter bladder, made by Geigerrig, http://www.geigerrig.com/ The bladder is of very good quality, easy to turn inside out to clean and dry, has a great warranty, and best of all, it is made in the U.S.A. On the above Geigerrig.com website, you will likely find the pack and bladder you are looking for. The very BEST thing about this bladder, is that it is inflated by a small squeeze bulb, and that internal pressure forces the water out via a small valve that is operated by your free hand. The interesting thing about this concept, is, you don't suck on anything, it is squirted into your mouth, or give your dog a drink, or spray yourself for a welcome cooling off in the warm weather. I found mine at a Costco showing, and the bladder can be purchased by itself for about $49.00, if you already have a pack that meets your specifications. Also on this website, there are accessories for the bladder, as well as inline filters you can buy for those places with a questionable water supply. Check it out. I really have enjoyed the bladder I bought, have used it out in the field. Very handy if you are a bicycle rider or what, I think you will be pleasantly surprised at this great technology! Gary/Largo

strick, Beautiful country, looks like wonderful place to be! I do miss those places similar I recall before I left Ca. Gary/Largo

When I saw this, I had to laugh, Steve. I wasn't signed in at the time, and the only option I had was to click on the <report> button, but I knew that wasn't what I wanted to do! It HAS been a very mild winter here in Boise as well, and I think I would much rather be in Nevada, swinging my detectors, but I also know camping out there in my cold little cargo trailer, it gets a bit nippy! Keep up the awesome work! Gary/Largo

Hi all, I bought some L rods long ago, super sensitive with nylon bearings to make them even more sensitive. If you like the idea, consider those that have a witness chamber, to place a small piece of the material you are looking for within. Yes, they help round out my collection of gold and rock hunting stuff, and simply can be looked at as a donation to the folks that make such things. Just like my hundred dollar pick complete with it's own stamped serial number from Arizona I bought years ago, with metal that tends to bend when prying out a rock. But it is sure a good looking thing! Have a great day! Gary/Largo

I suppose you guys don't believe in xombies, flying saucers and bigfoot for starters?? I think I hit the wrong link...sorry... My wife told me I need to lighten up, so I am practicing here... Gary/Largo

Hi all, Now my grandson's won't have to inherit an old Bounty Hunter BFO detector that they were already excited about. Grandpa will be getting one of these new Minelab's for them to enjoy! The getting in line to get one, is likely to be the biggest problem. Gonna get me a 60 for MY truck! Gary/Largo

If you want the dome type lead acid battery, you can get them at any good battery store. The dome comes off quite easily, if you need another dome, you can get one ordered from you favorite dealer, OR Doc used to stock them at his place in Las Vegas... This is what it should look like with the dome attached, This is Doc's ad: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Minelab-GP-Extreme-SD2200-GP3000-GP3500-Battery-Metal-Detector-6-vlt-Lightweight-/321191435515 Doc has a good pictorial catalog at Doc's Detectors. Hope this helps! Gary

Hi strick, I remember you! I hope you can get your issues resolved! I hope to get out to the placers sometime, but right now my wife still has significant health issues. Gary/Largo

RE: MISSED OPPORTUNITIES Hi all, An acquaintance of mine had the opportunity to be the first dealership in the U.S.A. for M.G. cars, you know the little sporty cars?? MG Midgets, yep those... The man who approached him with the deal, to make a long story short (please do, gary) was the owner/manufacturer of the company based in England, who was disheveled and tired, needing a shave, wearing "a moth eaten long coat, and a soiled fedora", after his long ocean voyage from England to the U.S. The acquaintance had been a relatively successful car dealer on the east coast, his notoriety apparently had reached this man from M.G., but he was too busy to listen to him very long. He said, "tell me what's on your mind quickly." The man says "I am the owner of a small garage in England. We make a quality car, and heard you were successful in the auto industry, so we thought we should approach you first, to be our first Garage's dealership here in America." My acquaintance says to me, "I gave the guy the bums rush out my front door, as I knew what he was offering me couldn't be true". "Now here I am a courtesy attendant, parking cars for a Ford agency here in Boise, Idaho...". He continues, "Looking back, and reflecting on what I had done, what I missed out on, because I was a rude, and arrogant s.o.b., I now listen to what everyone has to say, because that person may turn out to be my next very best friend, and that is a tough life's lesson I think about every day." Indeed, that WAS a tough life's lesson. I share it when I can, to those who take the time to listen! Gary/Largo

Hi strick, Way to go! You did very well! About you machine acting up. I haven't had enough use with my SCD 2300 in the field, to declare it having a problem similar to yours. What I have experienced, however, when the temperature is just right, and the wind blows a bit, my Minelab GPX 5000, or GPX4000, have squalled a bit, kind of like a cat might do, if it got it's tail caught in the screen door. Best comparison I could come up with. But it has happened to my machines numerous times. My take on it, is that there can be a buildup of static electricity in the machine, and when conditions are just right, it makes that weird screeching sound, as the electricity leaves the machine, usually when touching dry weeds, as I am swinging the coil. Not being a electronics whiz, my terminology may be not be precise in this case. Now, thinking about it a bit, it could be there could also be static electricity built up in the dry weeds, and is discharged when your machine touches them, causing the strange sound. Don't know if that is possible or not... UPDATE: Later today...Having some curiosity about my humble opinion about static electric discharge, I did a little search on the subject, that anyone could do. Here is a patent application made by Whites Detectors, I think on a search coil with a static electric dissipater in it's design. Essentially the application shows the coil design, along with a long explanation, as patent applications must have, to prove their point, and need for such. Within this explanation, is pretty much what I have said above, about dry grasses, electricity, and a metal detector not working as it should, to wit: going crazy... Having experienced "Saint Elmo's Fire" on my trucks radio antenna in the dark of the night out there, which manifested itself as a buzzing green ball of electrical plasma on the antenna's tip, I am convinced strange things can happen electrically, that you can't explain right away. A couple of things you can count on out there in N. Nevada, the wind blowing, and the temperature getting REAL COLD as soon as the sun sinks into the western horizon. My nephew went out detecting and found himself in a very dark night, in an unfamiliary place, without a light, and disoriented as to which way to go. Eventually, he did find his way back to his r.v., but had he not done so, he may have spent a very cold night there on the placers, and at about 4200 feet altitude, it IS cold. Looking back, he reflected that his solution to his near problem would be, leaving a light on his r.v. so he could see where it was, have a small quality flashlight with you all the time, I do. And tell someone you are going out, so they can check on you before things go sideways... Sorry to be so lengthy, it is my habit... Gary/Largo

Hello Mr. Lunk, Thank you for that information about Dave Varibioff at goldbay.com! Hoping you are doing well! Gary/Largo

Hi Steve, Part number is "8005-0080 Strap, Shaft With Buckle" for this item. It is not set up as a standard accessory item to purchase, but I suggest anyone wanting one to quote this part number to their dealer and see if it can be ordered. I gave this info to my local dealer Gerry McMullen, who called Minelab, the girl told him she couldn't find it anywhere in the Minelab data... But she might be new, but that is the most current info I have on the part... Too bad, as I think they might be handy, but then again, Minelab may have their reasons. Gary/Largo

I visited my dentist today to have a dicey tooth fitted for a gold crown. He told me he has sent his scrap dental gold to a couple different refiners, one he was satisfied with the check, the other check from another refiner was less than expected for the weight of the gold scrap he had sent in. I know he is pretty sharp about dollars and dental gold being what it is, can vary a bit which he would be aware of, after many years of looking at people's teeth. I wonder if some refiners think they can hose new customers? I would think some might, but once the word gets out, their run at success as refiners would be short lived, I expect. I will give him the info above, and see if his success with them is equal to or better than expected. He does send in about once or twice a year, but didn't say what his average quantity might be. I have another appointment with him in 2 weeks...I will find how much he usually sends in. Have a great day! Gary/Largo

Hi all, With reports like we have now on the new Minelab XXX 7000 I won't be bowing towards Australia any time soon! What a great opportunity for U.S. detector folks to fill in the gap, But that won't likely happen anytime soon... I will stick with my 5000 for a bit, until a good used 7000 Shows up on ebay... Is the coil on the new machine dedicated, as with the SDC 2300? I may have missed any talk about that, in all the lead up excitement. Gary/Largo

Hi Steve, All I can say is, this machine is HIGH SPEED! I really do like the backlit screen, and the headlight is really unique! I am curious about the on/off control for the flashlight, and the backlight, are they separate or do they have to be used all at the same time? Perhaps I missed that in my reading. Thank you again, for your great insight to these new machines. I think they should be a real hit, BUT the only concern is the turn around time for repairs, when needed. Will there be a U.S. repair location? To have to send a dicey machine to Turkey or wherever would be problematic I would think, but as all other things about this company, they have pretty much covered all the bases, let's say... Gary/Largo

Hi Guys, Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but you are dancing all around the correct MSRP, but I have the inside track on this one. If Paul made any more guesses, he may have hit it right on the head...but this isn't a dart game. Minelab has been letting out deceptive info to select people, just to make us all believe the new detector will be more expensive that is really will be. Reverse psychology is what it is, and that is something Doc knows ALL about, because that is what he is schooled in... And I think Paul has an inside track on the psych stuff as well, because he works with it all the time... When people find out that the machine is less than expected, more folks will be prone to put out the do re me, which is, Dollar$, resulting in lots of sales. The correct MSRP will be $8950.00, US Dollars, and don't ask me how I know. I hope you have a great Valentines Day! Gary/Largo