flakmagnet

I spent 4 summers in the late 70s and early 80s dredging in the Mother Lode, 20 feet down moving boulders the size of Volkswagons, and yes, those rivers were loaded with gold if you were willing to work for it.

What do rain people dress their detectors in?

A Hipstick gives me perfect coil control, provided I pay attention to what I'm doing. Whether it's a bungie, a Hipstick or a swing arm, the key is to pay attention to what you're doing, those helpers do not automatically give you good coil control.

(Another) nice find Rob. An interesting comparison test with the 6000 as well. Thanks for taking the time to tell us about it. I have been constantly amazed at the small gold I am finding with the 7000 and the NF coil. It's crazy. Two of the recent flakes I've found do not set off my scale that goes down to two decimal places. The weight of the detector is the biggest problem, I am 5' 7" 135 pounds so my lifesaver has been the Hipstick.

(oh god…)

I like the search. If it's out in the middle of nowhere, so much the better. It is the most unencumbered feeling I have ever experienced. For some reason gold is a symbol of something more that is indefinable - it's all about the subtleties.

Nice to see the kid in you is alive and well Gerry, that's another aspect of detecting that isn't talked about too much but I think it counts for a lot. Enthusiasm. Nice find.

Yup, that was probably the guy…in his 70s? And, yes, he was a nice guy.

In the Merced River up by Briceberg…why? (I got all his fines...😉)

I am spoiled. I dredged for 5 years in the late 70s and early 80s. Happily I was lucky, I found quite a bit of gold. At one time I had five troy pounds of gold in a can in my garage. My kids thought the tooth fairy brought gold nuggets and I was able to buy several detectors with it. When I was dredging, I can remember a 70 year old - who I thought was was an old timer at the time (I am older than him now), - who dredged near me, who used to literally wash the carpet of his dredge in the river after taking out all 'the pickers.' I asked him why he didn't pan out the remaining fines and he said "but that's just fine gold, who wants fine gold?" And he'd keep rinsing his carpet. Those days are gone. I switched to detecting and of course that changed things, the gold wasn't found in cracks or in pockets under a boulder any more. Now I have put in a couple of decades of detecting and as you say Gary, the plentiful gold has been pretty much picked off unless you are in a relatively virgin area and that requires the luxury of time which most hobbyists like me don't have. I love my 7000 but reading your account I seriously wonder whether I should be rethinking my original decision to keep it. I also don't live near areas that were known for bigger gold so the pickings are usually quite small. Anyway, you and others here have gotten me thinking…thanks for taking the time to post.

Full moon gold hunting fever. One of the few beneficial illnesses one can catch. Nice hunting and another inspiring write-up.

Yes, a great choice but they're too heavy for me to carry around all day.

Two brave gents…you deserve the gold you got. Thanks for recounting your trip, it's always fun to hear your adventure.

I think he found the bars and is on a long vacation...

That's just jaw-dropping. That couple hit the jackpot.

Been wanting to hunt there my whole life and have never gotten to it. Now I just hope everyone up there is safe and healthy.

…and that's where the heavier stuff hides. Good luck guys, you'll find it if it's in there.

(can't wait to hear this one…)

Nice work you two.

Wow, now THAT is some good detecting.

Boot scrape…one of the most important aspects of detecting for gold. Good reminder...

Don't know if you're answering me but here are some thoughts. The detector and coil (a 7000) is something like 7.3 pounds including the coil. Extension is a matter of personal preference and the person's height. Again, total length of coil to arm rest depends on the above mentioned factors The balance is something that again is either a persona preference or dependent on the person's height.

I honestly don't know, I've never used one or been tempted to use one, it just looks clunky. I use the harness that came with the 7000. You have to fool with it to get it just right and a lot of people never get it right - when you do, it's pretty functional. BUT I hasten to add, all this is opinion and personal experience and everyone on this forum has differing opinions. That's what makes it so valuable.

Brush...

Just able to jump in today after about a week of weirdness. Hope all is well with everyone and with the forum.