Flowdog

Hi Julie. Thanks very much for your welcome. I am an empty vessel when it comes to metal detecting. It's ALL learning from where I stand. I plan to stick to FP Modes. Until the time comes that I understand the purpose (the why?) of a setting change, the effect of any changed setting, any counter-balancing setting, then I will not hunt with a random set up. You mentioned Gerry. He has prepared me for my first hunt this weekend. He knows his stuff and took the time to explain answers to my questions. You cannot have made a better choice than buying from Gerry. e practically insisted that the important link he emailed be watched. It is about Tones. The You Tube itself is about the X-terra 705, but shares with the Equinox much of the Tone info. I watched it a couple of times. Gerry is correct. All the links he sent will help with the Equinox learning curve. Looking forward to getting word of your success. Curtis

Thanks for the empathetic, encouraging and warm hello GB_A.

1949er that is. Wish I had my new Nox 800 in 1849, but then again I probably would be recycled by now. Pleased to have found this awesome forum. A wealth of information and friendly people. A great place to start a new hobby in my 70th year. I just received my detector from Gerry’s Detectors. I ended up finding Gerry based on advice to buy from an outfit that will be there when you need some help. Amazon, eBay, and many other places did not fit that description. Gerry talked at length with me regarding my and a lifelong friend’s detector needs. Two days later I had my Equinox in hand. I highly recommend any other newbies save a lot of time and energy and consider using Gerry’s - he’s THE guy. I am excited yet sober about this endeavor. Learning new skills is not quite as easy as it once was. I spent most of my life destroying my hearing on turbine decks operating various power plants until I promoted to the quiet of a control room. I ended up in Northern California 15 years ago giving up my Chief Hydro Operator position and taking a promotion as Water Services Supervisor supervising operations of Frenchman, Davis and Antelope dams, and administering water rights over roughly 2500 miles of watershed. I am now in my 49th year a fly fisherman and wonder how many nuggets I have waded over, kicked, and otherwise nearly drowned on. Perhaps a method to my madness is emerging - hydroelectricity - fly fishing - fox in charge of the henhouse. ? As I type this intro, it is still raining. I think it started in February on a big snowpack. The Middle Fork Feather is still rising (more water). I anticipate Spring 2019 to be a monumental hydraulic mining season. Looking to tap my technical power generation, water, and river reading backgrounds to help me learn to find nuggets with Nox. I KNOW - a long row to hoe, but my friend and I are as pumped as the rivers are. Looking forward to the ride with you all.

Thanks, NE and HTH for trying to part the fog for me. My takeaway is that I can simply pair the stock headphones to the detector and not use the WM 08 unless I experience perceptible lag. Does that sound about right? Lastly, other than latency, does WM 08 provide any other benefit such as increased volume or sound quality over a direct pairing to the detector? Any further wireless suggestions to this hearing impaired newbie operator would be most welcome. FD

Thanks for pointing out the WM 08 is unnecessary to get a wireless connection. Now, speaking only of wirelessly connecting the stock headphones, I am now wondering IF using the WM -08 module would result in a cleaner signal, less lag, and result in overall better audio - even if only marginally - compared to the quality achieved by not using it. There must be a reason ML included it.

I just finished assembling and charging my new 800 and components. I am in the final stage of bringing it online, but the manual is not clear to me on how to rig the WM 08 module with the included headphones. Do the wireless headphones require a wired connection to the wireless module? I understand that the WM 08 module is wireless to the 800 control, but I thought the headphones would also be wireless to the module. The kit comes with a 1/8" connection for a reason I suppose. Any guidance on this would be appreciated.

Very much obliged to you fred. I take very much to heart the rules, laws, and courtesies with regard to the various rights of owners, and the structured playing field this hobby might bring into my life. I simply could not ever enjoy having to look over my shoulder. Just appreciate the Antiquities Act nudge very much. The suggestions and descriptions are very kind also. So, it was good making acquaintance and I look forward to crossing paths again on different topics. I think I'll take up Steve's, "Where're My Newbies?" and ask questions I have. Regards.

Hi klunker, and thank you for putting me forever in your debt. does your time to gold take into consideration icy roads? I am sure I can meet the 18 minute part under any and all circumstances, but the 27 seconds concerns me greatly. Now I just need a metal detector. I have put hours in research and am leaning toward a general purpose rather than dedicated gold detector. Any guidance at this point in time would be fine by me.

fred, Thanks for the gold all gone dramatic moment - just teasing ? Seriously, thanks for the Jamison Creek mention. I have fished it a few times. I may head down there with my shining new PAN and see how frozen the creek area is. I am intimately aware of USFS (my previous job was water rights related) but since I have yet to attempt detecting on a USFS reserve what possible imposition would they deem I am imposing? It's not like I am bringing my backhoe to the scene of the crime. I suppose I could swing by and ask point blank. But I think I'll let them confiscate my pan if it is ruining Blunt-Nosed Leopard Lizard habitat. My main focus now is purchasing a detector primarily for gold prospecting and some exploring old sites for relics. I'd like to get started early and work according to this spring's runoff cycle. By the looks of the Middle Fork Feather River atm we are going to have a major spring. Reading Steve's 2019 version of the Deus it seems to me all-rounded while "very hot for small gold". ?? If ya have the time and are ever in your old neck of the woods, I'd be glad to meet you in person and take the opportunity to learn what you would be willing to teach me. If you have a suggestion for a rig, by all means, toss it my way. Thanks again for the panning tip, Curtis

Hi All. The truth of this matter is that I don't know the answer. I am a brand spanking new 69 1/2 yo who is not only new to this blog but to this hobby. I have never owned a metal detector. I have a technical water background. I am excited - not (completely) intimidated - by the vast choices available. I could use some guidance. I noticed below that fredmason lived in Portola ... my current residence. I dearly love this place when I am not moving snow. This is shaping up to be a banner runoff spring. Perhaps Fred, you could answer the survey question for me. ? How long a drive do I have to find gold? I also have a friend who wants to relic hunt with me. Or more accurately, justs wants to explore possible old camps or flash flood areas in NV with Reno being roughly our southern latitude. I am looking at a used original TDI with 2 coils as a good tool to grow younger with. Also looking at the Equinox 800, Deus, and Nokta/Makro Anfibio or Impact??? I will positively 100% appreciate any suggestions because I am itching to buy my first machine and answer this question based on personal experience. So, based on my location and that I want to focus on gold when on my own, but would love to explore desert NV also what do you all think of my options? BTW, I feel very fortunate to have discovered this site. I have been pouring over it for HOURS and the camaraderie and goodwill here seems all too rare these days and is a much-appreciated breath of fresh air. Thanks, Curtis