Bohemia Miner

Was it Rye Patch?

You mentioned Winnemucca.  I have a claim near Mill City about 25 miles west of there.

I have a Demo model that I was hoping to take to California with me earlier in the year.  I was going to hit the Redding area on the way down and the Mojave Desert after the Pomona California GPAA Gold Show.  The show got moved to July so the trip got canceled.  I don't want to be in either place in July!

I'm thinking about reaching out to Ray Mills and seeing if he wants to go on a hunt so I can test it (possibly in January).  I almost thought about letting him try it for a while and giving it a review.

Next year I will be going to Eastern Oregon and the Mill City Nevada area.  That should give it a good run!

I bought one of these for my Simplex (and a different one from him for the Legend as Nokta's weren't out yet).

Nokta Makro Simplex + Screen And Touchpad Protector/Cover USA Made | eBay

The only drawback is the buttons on both machines are a little stiff (beefy?) so when you try and make adjustments with gloves on, your efforts can be hampered a bit.

This is probably one of the dumbest questions I'll ever ask.

Is there any advantage of an old Analog detector like the original Gold Bug over a newer Digital model?

Thanks!

If I remember correctly, the first thing a Metal Detector measures is the size of the object.  That's why Copper Pennies and Dimes read about the same VDI.  The second thing it checks is the conductivity of the metal.  That's why Zinc pennies have a different VDI.  I've known machines in the past that would call two quarters a half dollar!  Most machines are set up to find single objects.

After reading Clive's book on the Legend, I realized that the ground and nearby targets can affect the VDI as well.

On 12/2/2022 at 8:24 AM, Steve Herschbach said:

Detector wars are prohibited on these forums, since it fosters conflict with fellow forum members. Calm sane rational discussion is the order of the day here, not picking teams and engaging in team sports. Nokta is no where near going out of business. That’s baseless pot stirring.

Nokta clearly lifted heavily from Minelab, especially in the look and feel aspect of the Legend user interface. Icons are near identical, for instance. Who knows about the aspects of the multi involved, more a question for engineers. We will see when details emerge, but one would assume Minelab is alleging some violation here regarding how the multi is implemented.

The irony here is Minelab immediately copied Nokta back, including the flashlight and up to now Nokta exclusive vibrating handle. Add the telescoping rod, and the new Equinox upgrades look more like the Legend than ever. A stick in Noktas eye?

People who wants to go on about this outfit copying that outfit don’t know how product development works. Companies copy what succeeds elsewhere all the time, in virtually every product made and service sold. Unless it violates a patent, it is the norm. Equinox is very similar to the earlier Quest designs. Who is copying who? Companies also cross license technology from each other as a regular part of business. Worst case here is Nokta might be forced up to pay Minelab if there was a use of some patent. I suppose they could try and force a stop in sale of product, but that’s pretty rare, unless it’s really blatant, like the Quest and Fisher thing. Or the whole thing gets dismissed as just another blocking tactic by Minelab, which they are not shy of undertaking, just to mess with the competition.

Be interesting to see how it unfolds, but pretty much a sideshow as far as most of us are concerned.

Equinox was released in 2018. This is the Deteknix Quest Pro and Deteknix Quest Gold from 2016. Anyone see any resemblance between these and the later Equinox, and then Legend? Or is it also the coincidence of great minds thinking alike, and form follows function? All smart phones look alike. Some of that is copying, but some is just because a phone needs to be a phone.

 

Well put Steve, from what I understand, White's invented VDI.  Now everyone uses it.  Minelab's "Gold Chance Indicator" and Nokta's "Ferro Check" probably came from White's "Probability of Iron" feature on the GMT (Bar Graph) and MXT Series (as a numbered percent).  I don't know which company came out with Ground Balance and Auto-Tracking first, now it's up for grabs.  Not to mention Garrett's Iron Audio which is on both Minelab and Nokta Products.  The list goes on and on.

Walt

I was actually able to figure it out and test it.  The three search modes threw me off a bit.  It seemed to only have a threshold in two of them.  It's been a while since I've had a machine with a "Retune" button.

I read through the manual.  I'm not sure who wrote it.  It seemed too "reader friendly" to be from an Engineer like Dave Johnson.  😁 I also thought the GB knobs were reversed like on the Goldmaster (Big one = course.  Small one = fine.)  Nope, Fine one = course and large one = fine.  That explains why it changed so much when I turned the small one.  It was actually balanced to my yard!  One thing that cracked me up was where it says to use your hands to isolate the target, rather than a plastic scoop or cup!

I thought about selling it but may just hold on to it for a while.  Although, I made a list of all my personal and Dealer Demo units and the total is 18!  I’m not bragging.  It may be time for some sort of intervention!!!  I really do need to thin the herd a bit.  Don’t even ask me about my Muzzle Loaders!

I was at the Portland, Oregon Gold Show a few years back and a guy was looking for a second Original Gold Bug for his wife.  I told him about the new Digital model.  He didn’t want that. His buddy had one.  He then pulled out a large piece of Magnetite with gold attached.  He said his buddy went over it and because it registered as iron on the screen, he passed on by.  This fellow came behind him and dug the target.  He told me he didn’t want “no screen”!  Too bad I didn’t keep his info.  I told him Original Bugs were scarce and wished him luck.  There’s a barely used one on eBay right now listed for $336. 

I really wish I could find a smaller coil for it.  Mine came with the standard 10” Elliptical.  A little 4” X 6” or 3.5” Round would be awesome!

When I first started selling Metal detectors in 2005, these were going for $359.  The GB2 was $639 and the introductory offer from Fisher was both the 10” and 6” Elliptical coils, plus headphones and a carry bag!  I don’t think they should have ever stopped making the 19-kHz model.  They could have saved it as an entry-level Gold machine.  I think they realized that back in 2009 when they introduced the new Digital model.

Well, enough of my ramblings for now.  I can’t wait to take it out for a trial run!

Walt

P.S.:  This is the second older Fisher analog model I've acquired.  Well, third actually.  I've gotten rid of a couple of GB2s in the past.  I also have a 1235X which was designed for Competitive Hunts.  I use it for just that purpose, planted Hunts!

I won an Original Fisher Gold Bug in a Club raffle last Saturday.  I bought $90 worth of tickets at 6 for $5.  Although the winner came from a batch from a previous meeting!  I could have saved $40.

I tested it out and it seems to work fine.  I’m more familiar with the GB2.  It came with the White’s Koss E-9000 headphones but there’s only sound on one side.  I need a set with a compatibility switch to hear in both.  Back in the day both Fisher and Garrett were mono (one black stripe on the plug), but the sound came out on both sides.  Stereo (two stripes) will only work on one side without the switch.  It came with the original box too!

Thank you, Steve, for having the Owner’s Manual available for download as well as other Information!

Walt

Thanks for the post, Steve.  I discovered the Garrett Wireless system a while ago and love it!  The only thing lacking is either an external speaker that could be plugged in or better yet, having it built into the receiver.

Walt

On 8/6/2022 at 10:36 AM, deathray said:

Seems right up my alley...simple. I don't like detectors that are complicated, and make you start second guessing on weather it's set up good or not. Rather detect, than program. Now, ...if only I did NOT have to pay for my daughter's wedding in October, haha

I'm with you.  I love things that are simple and Garrett Metal Detectors are just that!  Some of the Competition out there is like navigating through your Smart Phone.  They have way more adjustments than I can ever start to understand.

Walt

Luckily my stepson the Mechanic had a T-6 Star bit!  8 was the smallest I had.

Walt

I just received this from my Distributor: 

“Dealers, Nokta is making some major changes to their product lineup. Here are the changes... 

ANFIBIO MULTI - DISCONTINUED AND NO LONGER AVAILABLE.

GOLD KRUZER - WILL BE DISCONTINUED ONCE STOCK IS GONE. 

IMPACT - DISCONTINUED. IMPACT PRO IS NOT. 

DEEPHUNTER STANDARD – DISCONTINUED. 

JEOHUNTER BASIC - DISCONTINUED AND NO LONGER AVAILABLE.” 

Walt

4 hours ago, Steve Herschbach said:

Yup, every White's black box detector sold in the last decade came with a set. And yes, it's in the manuals. I don't really like them on the 24K and so I'm glad it's more an optional item.

I put them on and it makes the machine fall over easier so will probably remove them.

Walt

I just received an email from my distributor confirming my order.

“Should be at the Sparks (Nevada) warehouse soon”.

I asked about the accessory coils and they’re not available yet.

Thought everyone would like to hear the good news!

Walt

24 minutes ago, DSMITH said:

wait are you saying the Garrett 24 K can use wireless headphones that can be purchased or do you have to run a Bluetooth transmitter to allow you to use wireless headphones, which is what I am doing

No, I was referring to the Gold Finder 2000 when I spoke of wireless.  However, I use the Garrett Z-Lynk Transmitter and MS3 headphones with the 24K.  6X faster than Bluetooth!  Although, many prefer an external speaker in the desert environment where poisonous snakes live.

Walt

1 hour ago, bobinyelm said:

I LIKE the MXT for everything but Gold (based on the 950 9 1/2" coil, the only one I've actually used so far) and it MAY do better with the 4X6 DD I just received in the mail today (and which may cause me to love it for gold, though I'm sure it will still be somewhat inferior at 14Khz),

BUT...

As much as I like it, I can justify buying a different detector ONLY if I sell it. I don't want to own JUST an "Gold Only" detector as good as the Bold Bug 2 or possibly the Nokta Gold Finder 1000 (I know next to nothing about this one) or a Gold Monster 1000.

The reason I brought up the Nokta "The Legend" is because it appears to offer the hope of a multi-use detector by being multi-frequency with reportedly good programs for each use. I still hope to hear from some folks actually using The Legend (or other multi frequency) detector and who has or who has had an MXT, and that may still happen.

If I COULD keep the MXT and get a second detector, then I'd have a wider field of choice since there are a number of higher frequency machines out there in the price range. At this point, I am frankly not sure there's enough gold to justify a gold-only detector, though I should know after a few trips with my friend to see him work his Gold Bug 2 in the field.

Dear Glacial Gold- I see you show experience with "The Legend," but you didn't comment on how it stacked up. What did YOU think of it?  

Bob

 

 

 

Well then, if you're not afraid of the technology, I'd sell the MXT and buy a Legend.  You can purchase the detector with two coils for less than the price of the Equinox800 with one.  I'd opt for either the factory Neoprene housing cover or the canvas one from Deano on eBay.  

From my experience, the MXT didn't do well on small gold, even with the smaller coil. I've never been to run one with the sensitivity past 7.  Too bad they didn't put a Boost mode on it like they did the GMT!

With Whites being out of business, the value of their products seems to have dropped considerably.  I'm not sure you're going to get much for it, Bob.

Walt

I took a class from Ray Mills in the Redding, California area.  He pretty much uses the GM1000 with the 5" coil.  He also has a GPX6000 but probably saves that for depth or bad ground.  He's a professional Nugget Hunter.  He also writes articles for the Mining Journal.  Steve H knows him.

I had plans early in the year to go to the GPAA Gold Show in Southern California but then they changed the date.  I was going to stop in Ray's area as well as Barstow (Coolgardie Area) or Randsburg and test out the GF2000.  Since they moved the show to July, I canceled the trip.

Right now, I'm swinging the Garrett GM24K.  It's only a little higher than the Monster @ 48kHz but has more adjustments.

I know high-frequency "Silent Search" detectors like the GM1K, GF2K, and the GB2 (silent in the Disc Mode) can find the small stuff but you just can't beat the extra sensitivity that comes with having a Threshold.

I have a friend with the Minelab.  We're planning a trip to our claim near Winnemucca, Nevada next year.  We'll get a chance to do a comparison then.

Walt

To answer your question Bob, while there have been advances in Metal detectors since the MXT was first released, it is a good unit, and many are still in use today.

How tech-savvy are you?  The Legend is a great machine and has a true prospecting mode that will find the small stuff.  It is completely menu driven, like a smartphone.  You could replace your current detector with it if that’s what you wanted.  Although, with knobs and switches, the MXT is easy to use.  The only complaint I’ve ever heard was that due to its 14 kHz frequency, it does poorly on finding deep copper and silver coins.  A Multi-frequency detector would help with that.

If you like the way it works, you might want to keep it and buy a dedicated Gold machine like the Garrett (formerly White’s) Goldmaster 24K.  Although it’s also menu driven, the adjustments are easy to make.  It’s going for about $680 US.

The simplest Gold Detectors are the Minelab Gold Monster 1000 at 45 kHz and the Nokta Gold Finder 2000 @ 61kHz (only 10 less than the GB2).  In the US the Minelab detector can be had for $899 and the Nokta for just under $722.  Both come with two coils but the GF2K has an external wireless speaker you can use as a stand-alone or you can plug headphones into if you like.  It also works with their Green Wireless Headphones (not included).

I hope this is helpful.

Good Luck!

Walt

I use these on all my detectors, Garrett or otherwise.

Garrett MS-3 Z-Lynk Wireless Kit | Garrett Metal Detectors

Walt

On 10/31/2022 at 1:23 AM, phrunt said:

Yup, I believe they're a bit of an afterthought as feet, maybe Whites hadn't considered feet or that's the feet they supplied and as it's basically the Whites body that's the feet you get, they appear to stick on well, mine show no signs of wanting to fall off and work well as feet. 

 

They were included with just about every "Black Boxed" Whites detector unless it came with the metal stand instead.  Some actually had white squares painted on the bottom to show you where to put them.

Walt

On 10/29/2022 at 1:30 PM, DSMITH said:

I agree

I have been in touch with Gerry already this morning

and please do not take me wrong I am in no way complaining about the 24K, sheet happens everyday and I do not sweat the small stuff, i believe Garret will take care of it and it is not like I cannot go out and try it out the way it is once I put the two white pieces back in it the cam lock still tighten up and hold, I just have to be aware not to loosen them in the field while detecting so not to loose them LOL

Unlike the Garrett Detectors, the White's Cam Locks are not supposed to be completely disassembled unless for cleaning, repair, or replacement.  You simply twist them, press the buttons, and pull the rods out!

Walt

I have not had to use their warranty service, yet.  However, I sent an older (2004) Sea Hunter Mark II in.  They almost completely rebuilt it (including new decals) and shipped it back for less than $90!

What a great company to deal with.  I'm becoming more of a Garrett Fan, every day!

Walt

I use the Garrett Z-Lynk wireless system.  The Transmitter plugs into the headphone jack.  There's a wearable receiver available to plug headphones and earbuds in to or you can use the MS-3 Zylink Headphones and just the transmitter.  Z-Lynk is 6X faster than Bluetooth!

Walt

https://garrett.com/accessories/zlynk

I thought mine were on their way!  I put in an order with my Distributor on Friday.  Less than 30 minutes later I received a notice of a package coming my way.  Too soon for my order but they actually pulled, packed, and labeled it in 26 minutes!

Hopefully soon!  December sounds good.  Can hardly wait!

Walt