Jim McCulloch

No. But thank you for asking.....

Why don't we let White's offer their explanation? It could be that ONE of the above-expressed opinions is correct, but which one....

Admit it, brother Keith, you are just a plain 'ol gold magnet. Keep up the good work. HH Jim

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Buzzard, most all iron targets, the majority of hot rocks, and many high-iron meteorites, will read out on the Goldmaster 24 as 1. In other words, 1% chance of it being non-ferrous, and 99% chance of it being ferrous. However, with my 24k I have encountered some hot rocks that bounce back and forth as "1" and then as "99". The so-called "wrap-around" effect.

Take care not to discard a meteorite believing it to be a common hot rock. But then again, we cannot "wish" a hot rock "into" being a meteorite.

I have prepared a one page "cheat sheet" detailing each adjustable feature on the 24k, how to quickly adjust them, and the optimum settings for searching for really small gold nuggets under highly mineralized Mojave Desert soil conditions. With these settings I have recovered gold microflakes weighing less than 1/10th grain. Since I have not yet transferred this information to an internet-linked computer, it will have to be sent via regular mail. PM me your address and I will send a copy gratis. HH Jim 

The Goldmaster 24k sees iron targets as "Bad," therefore, yes, the two-tone audio will give a grunt on high-iron meteorites.

True. There are three primary requirements to be successful at nuggetshooting: 1) Using a SUITABLE high-performance prospecting detector, optimally tuned. 2) Detecting at sites which WILL produce detectable size gold and 3) operator expertise. Of those 3, as Steve states, the latter is really the most important. A capable operator, using a long-obsolete machine, has a FAR better chance of finding gold then a newbie with the newest, most expensive machine available. So while personal preference's exist, and vary widely, and dealer bias exists also, the best recommendation you can follow is to become as knowledgeable as you possibly can about proper nuggetshooting techniques, and always employ them. Regardless of the machine you swing. That, above all else, will make you a successful nuggetshooter. As a side point, since Steve's post follows that of Chris', I would assume it was in response thereto. As regards dealer bias versus honesty and integrity, I telephoned Chris, asking the name of the person who claims to be a "White's dealer for a long time" yet who attempted to sell Chris other brands. Chris revealed the dealer's company, but I already knew who it was. For the record, that firm has NEVER been a White's dealer. Never. But he DOES promote the brands he sells... HH Jim

Wow, 19 minutes, way to go Dirtman! But since only one minute separated his and Steve's responses, and since good 'ol Steve already suspected my identity, so I'll call it a tie, and both will get copies of what I am tentatively titling "Advanced Nuggetshooting with the Goldmaster 24K." I am still refining it, so it hasn't been published yet.

Disclosure is a good thing, since it helps encourage accountability. I am known as Jimmy M on other forums, and my real identity is known there, so likely many on this forum already knew it was me. Since I just joined this forum I knew I already had friends here from other forums.

GMT vs. 24K. What I have been told is that White's will continue to produce the GMT as a demand exists. But, really, the 24K IS the superior machine. For many of us it is certainly worthy of upgrading to. A number of my GMT customers have already opted to upgrade to the 24k. I have. The 24k does indeed outperform the GMT. What do I like most? The flat-bottomed 6" 24k concentric gives better performance than the original (thicker) GMT version, so there is a depth plus there. On sub-grain pieces the thinner profile means greater usable depth. The 24k, fitted with the 6", gives better depth then the 10x6, at the same gain setting, but gives better response on microflakes. The patent-pending XGB ground balance system really improves performance in black sand washes with lesser need for lowering gain settings. Using a Iron Reject setting of 2 significantly enhances the ability to further cope with hot ground, while also eliminating many smaller/weaker hot rocks, but doing so with minimal loss of depth on microflakes. A killer combination in REALLY hot ground.

As mentioned, the 24k is a wonderful "turn-on-and go" machine, with the additional benefit of all those other options and features the advanced operator can employ as desired. In time more reports on it's performance will likely find their way to this forum.

Also, the Spud Diggers (actually Tough Run Metal Detecting) YouTube video showing Gerry and I (trying) to demo the just-received GMT 24k prototypes show us using business cards as targets. These cards had 1/4 grain gold flakes laminated to them, so you can see the performance of the 24k. Actually, at that point in time Gerry was only using the factory presets. The later production models (Goldmaster 24k) offer significantly better performance than those early prototypes.

Steve, I fully agree that there is a great deal of sales hype and brand-bias in this hobby/industry. And, yes, the qualifications/credentials of those offering opinions are certainly worthy of scrutiny. Actually, you personally know "Jimmy M." You and I have known one another for many years. We have always treated one another as friends. I will, below, present my credentials regarding my 35 year association/ love affair with electronic prospecting. By the time I finish revealing the following info, you, and perhaps others reading this, will be able to name me. In fact, the first person to post my name here will receive my soon-to- be released book on the 24k (title withheld here). Yes, even if the coppy will have to be mailed to NZ or Oz. Clues: I have been prospecting for gold with a metal detector for 35 years. Very successfully. I have written over 500 articles for various treasure hunting magazines. Of these, 56 have been metal detector field tests. I have written three very well received "how to" books on nuggetshooting, which have sold many tens-of-thousands of copies. As regards my knowledge of the Goldmaster 24k,  I was one of the team White's selected to test all the GMT 24k/Goldmaster 24k prototypes, and several successive generations of searchcoils. I have used the 24k, in 2 different states under radically different detecting conditions. As you know, White's has a Goldmaster 24k Dealer Certification Program. Gerry McMullen and I wrote it. By now you have likely identified me. One final clue: I wrote the 24k Field Test Report which appears in the October issue of "Western and Eastern Treasures" magazine. And since the question will arise "Did White's compensate you for that article?" the answer is NO, they did not. Yes, I did get paid $150.00 from W & E. As regards my challenged comments re: White's side-by-side Brazilian test of the two machines, refer to Steve Howard or Tom Boykin. As for "show me the (24k) gold", see the "Spud Diggers" YouTube videos on the 24k and Diamondville. Best wishes to all, and HH!

Yes, D, metal detecting, in all it's facets, should be, first and foremost, FUN. Profit, if any, is an added bonus. My second hobby is fishing, but when I consider all the costs involved, plus lost  wages from time off from work, I could buy my fish at the market at a fraction of the cost. (Don't tell my wife....). But, I LIKE to fish. It's fun. And, like all hobbies, one's involvement in nuggetshooting, and their level of contentment therewith, is a totally personal and subjective matter, which really shouldn't be dictated or arbitrated by anyone else. My comments above merely reflect my personal opinion, which, for a variety of reasons, someone else may consider valueless. HH Jim  

Now, this thread is getting interesting! Bryan, I was once at a gold prospecting metal detecting seminar hosted by Jimmy Sierra, and one woman stated she wanted a "high performance gold prospecting metal detector that you don't want to spend any time getting to learn. All I want to do is to get out of my car, turn it on, start swinging, and then start digging up pockets full of big gold nuggets." Jimmy's response was that the time required to learn how to tune a metal detector was maybe 1/1000th the time required to learn HOW to properly operate the metal detector, and HOW properly identify potentially auriferous ground, and HOW to be a successful gold FINDER. If she wasn't willing to spend the time to learn 0.001% of what she needed to know, she wouldn't be likely to spend the time learning the other 0.999% of the things she needed to know. As we all know, success in the goldfields involves FAR more than just tuning a detector. Point being: if someone wants to excel at nuggetshooting they need to do EVERYTHING needed to ensure that success. Optimal detector, optimal detector tuning, optimal operator expertise.

Simplicity of operation: Goldmaster 24k: from the Factory default setting, press the ON button, pump the coil 3 to 5 times to establish ground balance. You're done. That's it. Start detecting. If you shut off the 24k, the last settings are saved, and automatically default to those settings once turned back, necessitating no further tuning if you've remained at the same spot. The only further (initial) tuning for a newbie would be to increase  target volume. Tap speaker button, press UP arrow until the screen reads "b2" (BOOST 2), press pinpoint/exit button to return to the operating mode, with the 24k optimally tuned for probably 90% of USA detecting conditions. Takes maybe 8 to 10 seconds. Simple enough?

Both the GM 1000 and the Goldmaster 24k use multipoint settings to establish an (average acceptable) ground balance setting. The circuitry on the 24k does so MUCH faster, 3-5 pumps versus 15-25. You may recall that some early anti-Monster YouTube videos from Oz were (rightfully) criticized form condemning the Monster due its being "unable to ground balance." They weren't putting forth the needed time and effort to establish proper ground balance.

As regards the 24k being able  to operate in ground which created severe tuning issues for the Monster, this was reported to me personally by Steve Howard and Tom Boykin when both machines were tested side by side in the gold pits in Brazil. Quote: "The Monster SERIOUSLY STRUGGLED to properly ground balance."

Yes, simplicity is good; but for my money, MORE features, greater adjustability, more options, despite their greater complexity, results in more gold. Come on, guys, ain't that's what we all seek? :) HH Jimmy M.

The 24k totally outclasses the Gold Monster as regards user-adjustable features. The 24k features fully adjustable audible threshold, variable self-adjusting audible threshold, locked ground balance, instantaneous ground balance via "grab," adjustable ground balance offset, VCO modulated non-motion pinpoint, relative target depth indication when pinpointing, soil analysis via Ground Scan, which reveals both the strength and  type of soil mineralization, fully adjustable iron reject, which ranges from extreme ground, then rot rocks, then iron of varying size, two-tone "good/bad" target ID,  and the awesome XGB multi-point ground balance averaging system allows the 24k to be operated in extreme ground that defeats the Gold Monster. With those advantages, and lower price, the 24k is far and away the better choice of the two. My recommendation: Get the 24k Export Pack, the flat-bottomed 6.5" concentric is unbelievably sensitive to microflakes, even in the worst of soils. Hope this helps. HH Jimmy M 

I have been using the Goldmaster 24k for several months now, and can offer the following insight. Is it too complicated for beginners? Absolutely not. In fact, it is an extremely easy to operate turn-on-and go machine when using the factory default settings. Turn it on, pump the coil 3-5 times to establish ground balance, and start detecting. The only (initial) adjustment I would recommend for beginners would be to increase the target volume. (Tap SPEAKER button, use the UP arrow to increase to BOOST 2, tap PINPOINT button to return to operating mode) and now the 24k will SCREAM on 1/4 grain flakes. And I mean SCREAM. Personally I have found 1/20th grain microflakes in highly mineralized Mojave Desert soil. What I really like is that the XGB ground balance system is that it permits the 24k to be used in extreme ground that defeats most other VLF's. Since beginners will soon outgrow the novice stage, and will want to significantly increase their gold recoveries, the advanced features and options found on the 24k will take a bit more operator expertise to master. But it will be well worth it. So, the 24k is BOTH a turn-on-and-go AND advanced-user gold finder. Hope this helps; HH Jimmy M.