Lunk

Let's not forget about Peru, Chile and Guyana...?

Good puzzle, Ashley; if it wasn't for the slight color variation, there would be no way to tell that nugget apart from the poo. ?

That was too easy?

Gerry McMullen will be demonstrating the new GM1000 at his 3-day intensive gold nugget detecting training class Friday, March 17 through Sunday, March 19th at Rye Patch, Nevada for his paid training class students. There are only 2 class openings left, so if you are interested please give Gerry a call. Training class details here: http://gerrysdetectors.com/training/

I'm thinking Minelab may have done just that; according to the brochure: An 18 kHz detector will normally have a depth advantage on nuggets ≥ 1.0g over a basic mid-frequency detector, and a 71 kHz detector will have a depth advantage on nuggets ≤ 0.1g. The advanced GOLD MONSTER 1000 uses an intermediate 45 kHz frequency AND a high speed 24-bit signal processor. This primary combination greatly boosts sensitivity to gold beyond that of other single frequency VLF detectors over a wide range of nugget sizes, without introducing excess noise and false signals.

Another way to say it is that instead of the conventinal narrow sensitivity range of a 45 kHz VLF machine, the GM1000's ultra-wide dynamic range VLF technology expands its sensitivity range, thereby enabling it to be just as sensitive to larger, deeper nuggets as an 18 kHz detector and at the same time just as sensitive to the tiniest flakes of gold as a 71 kHz detector. That represents a real breakthrough in VLF technology.

Iron, stony-iron and most chondrite meteorites are ferrous, so when using the Gold Monster 1000 to search for them, you'll want to use the all-metal mode.

Since the new Gold Monster 1000 is aimed at increasing the chance of finding gold for entry-level detectorists, it's not surprising that it might incorporate silent search modes; one of the biggest hurdles for newbie gold detectorists is putting in the time it takes learning to recognize the slight alterations in an audible threshold that can signal a small or deeply buried nugget. As far as incorporating new technology to give a depth advantage in mineralized ground over current single frequency VLF gold machines, Minelab had this to say in the new introduction video: "the Gold Monster 1000 has already proven itself to out-perform all other high frequency competitors in mineralized ground conditions." They are calling it ultra-wide dynamic range VLF technology, which the above diagram from the brochure clearly illustrates, and they list it as the key technology in the product specifications, so it's definitely not going to be just another VLF. I personally can't wait to take the Monster crumbing in some old nugget patches, and it should be killer on meteorites, too.

I spend my time in all of the above scenarios you listed; though I must say scenario #2 is my favorite.

In the video, there seems to be no threshold when the two search modes are being demonstrated. Also, there is no threshold feature listed in the specifications. We'll know for sure when the Monster is released.

At this point Glenn, if your specimen is a meteorite, it would be an achondrite; they have no metal or chondrules and are much more rare and valuable than ordinary chondrites. But the odds are stacked against you. Best of luck!

I have to agree with Dave on this one, Glenn; the cut face doesn't look like a meteorite.... more like some sort of fine-grained igneous rock. But it wouldn't hurt to have a professional take a look at it anyway.

WTG Steve, great job!

Half an inch square area should be sufficient; just be sure to file deep enough to completely remove the outside surface layer.

Hi DSMITH, Welcome to the forum. I would suggest stopping into your nearest prospecting supply or detector dealer and pick up a copy of Placer Gold Deposits of Arizona by Maureen G. Johnson.

Those are nice sharp photos that show clear details of the exterior. Lots of terrestrial stones can mimic meteorites on the outside, but the real confirmation is found on the inside; you'll need to file a window to reveal the interior. I like using a dremel tool, as it's much faster than a diamond file. Lets see some chondrules!

Nice finds Fred. I like the flow lines on the top stone in the second pic.

If your specimen is indeed a meteorite that has chondrules yet is not attracted to a rare earth magnet, it may be a Rumurutiite, or R-chondrite; they are essentially free of elemental nickel-iron alloy. Good luck and congrats on a possible great find.

Best B-day wishes JP, hope you had a golden day.

Nice shooting, wtg!

I've only needed to use the severe ground type setting once. It was on an old nugget patch where there is an outcrop of extremely hot volcanic rock. I knew there had to be nuggets in it, but even with the GPX 5000 the ground was way too noisy to discern targets. The severe setting on the Zed completely eradicated the ground response and the signals from the several small nuggets I proceeded to find were sharp and clear.

Right on. I was going to guess it's in the 20 to 30 gram range, judging by the visual clue you mentioned. John B. you say; no wonder the stone is so clean...he must have performed the lick test on it. ?

Wow! I must say that's better than a shotgun, but not quite as good as the eagle scene in The Hobbit. ?

That's a beauty Chris; looks relatively fresh. Do you happen to know the mass of your friend's find?

Howdy Sajuu, The GPZ 7000 settings I have already given you will handle the medium mineralized ground; for normal mineralized ground, just change the Ground Type from Difficult to Normal...that's all. The larger GPZ 19 coil will be noisy in 2 situations: electomagnetic interference from electrical power lines, or ground containing mineral salts such as alkali. If you change the Gold Mode from High Yield to Extra Deep it will help quiet salt-rich ground. If the noise is from nearby power lines, use the automatic Noise Cancel feature. Good luck to you!