DDancer

happy days....

Think I've made my statement to MineLab. Some of those features in the 800, can be added thru Updates I'm sure, and be added to The 600~ no real cost~ and the equipment, sans the wireless module but keep the headphones~ for a modest cost for the bundle.... heck would have flown of the shelf for me... and a few hundred others. Its the tweeks, the wireless outta the box, Audio adjustments, that many persons have been wanting for YEARS! Heck ya did it with the 7000!!! even if it was with your own ML MODIFICATION, and a damn WM12. Gotta say though I was then and am now a megaFanboy for the 7000!! OH MY Gosh! Get your attention? I had to ditch the WM12 last year and go direct wire~ flaky connections. But I reckon if I'd had BT tech and good headphones I'd never have to dink with it. Go figure. I can adjust the 7000 to how I like and get the gold. So why not the 600 outta the box for outstanding audio, hrm. For coin and karats? In as far as availability its still a standoff with the dealers and the customers. consider how much of this could have been eliminated with a few bits of tech and a Little for thought.

Separate post, Sitting Elf I dont even consider what ya said. Not pertinent.

Hrm. Yep. No. The goodies in the bag for one or the other are a determining feature. And Yes, Steve, the ship has sailed **I'm an old seaman so I know the term well** and what I pitch is not a bitch but a determination. Yes to whatever is being "cranked" out now, however limited, it is what is in demand ; however some sticks should and can be rolled in the bundle and off set current demand. No?? I am well aware of differences. Boards, electronics, and Outboards~ water motivators ? In point of fact there was a discussion on the boards used in the EQ series some months ago. *no not going to reference it memory serves*. phrunt I work on electronics as well and its no surprise for me. Simple differences whether its V3i or VX# and I claim no expertise Steve. Nope what I'm pointing at is good old sales, like one says *points the bony finger*, and that given an options of the 6 with the options of the 8 and to the limited packages presented that would make one happy. Not most but maybe heck think about it.

Hey all, I know there is a thread on availability issues : However that is not what I'm addressing. We, subjective We, know that the EQ800 is under tight supply. The EQ600 is more generally available. There are differences in what is supplied by both units. The 800 has more user features and equipment than the 600 and thats disregarding frequencies that each can supply. Its those features, and whats in the total package, that I'm addressing. Audio adjustments that the 800 supplies but not the 600, equipment included with the 800 again not supplied, additional profiles provided with the 800 but not supplied with the 600. Package deals. Kind of sucks for many people not looking for the additional Freq's but looking for the performance and added adjustments, profiles and equipment that only the 800 package supplies. So What the Heck??? One has to pick up an 800 to get the wireless package? Or spend the extra money to make it so. Hrm. Audio tones, tone breaks, additional user profiles... all pretty much on the same board *electronics board* as the 800 for a 600. Hrm. Nope not real happy with that. And I doubt the dealers of these products are either. Why would I say that. Ordered one last month. Gave a callout to see where I was on the list... no definitive answer. Point of fact told, its June now, that March was the earliest. Next year. I put money down on an 800 for features and a package that did what I want... dont care about the Gold modes as I wont be using them here in the States... thats why I have a 7000! Minelab, my suggestion is get your stuff together. Its a popular unit. I'd rather own a 600 with the package: wireless equipment, profiles and audio adjustments: and skip the bling of Gold Modes in less time that it takes your factory in Malaysia to pump out 800's. Point is most of us general go getters would like to see our dealers have a good turn around and get the "Monkey Off Their Backs" ~ that's a direct quote from a dealer~ than have to sit in back order limbo. Personally I wait. I want to see the kinks worked out before I ordered. But I ordered. And will wait till whenever *not the dealers fault* for the package I decided on.... not that there was much choice in the matter!! Mate of mine got his in about 3 weeks.... shopping around from dealer to dealer and calling favors. That is BS. Waits are not hard for me... having a dealer or two give me the "Monkey" is BS. Where ever ya go. A 600 with the whistles sans Gold mode. To much to ask? Not updatable to such a requirement? Or just and ostrich with his head in the sand. Love ya ML, made a lot of money with your products. Maybe someone in marketing and one in research should get there heads together. DD

Well its got some interesting eye candy ? for a picture rock. Hehh. Honestly though its a challenge to put a lable on. Two characteristic definitions : Chalcedony, Agate. The bubble *I'll call them that to be polite* like formations are characteristic of chalcedony and the banding in the obverse views are of agate. Both are the same mineral class~ silicate or quartz. On the front below the bubbles is what I call druzzy quartz ~ very small crystalline quartz crystals~ also commonly associated with chalcedony/agate. The druzzy quartz is crystal variety of quartz and chalcedony/agates fall outside of this catagory due to the non-crystalline nature of the silicate. Though I would not do it, takes away from the mental image, if one were to carefully cut one of the bubbles you'd most likely see further agate banding.

Does that mean these items of discussion, most mentioned in other posts and some video's, are excluded from the exercise? I'm not qualified to speak on the exercise as I'm still waiting on an 800, but it seems an interesting thread to follow sans comedians.... 4 outta 5 *eye roll* hehh.

One will see. Decided to hop off the fence last week for the 800~ user profiles, wireless set up and additional audio adjustments won me over even though the 600 was in stock when I put my penny down. I'm in no rush, obviously, so back order does not bother me. Kind of hoping the later units have been corrected for issues I've been reading on over the last while.

When last I used my GP3000 I was still picking up gold walked over by 4500/5000 users. I've retired that wand in favor of the 7000 and have not looked back. Been back to some of those 3000 spots and picked up gold it left behind with the 7000. Its all in where ya swing it and how well you know your machine. I installed the button mod so I could work in manual verse's auto GB and I use DD coils on the 3000. There are plenty of areas the 3000 can go into that the 7000, even with the updates, cant. However the 7000 punches thru mineralization much better than the 3000 ever did in mild ground.

As to timing I tend to detect during business hours and during the week but I have no problem going in on the weekends bold as brass. I feel no need to hide what I'm about however I will keep a respectful distance from other people's space~ sans playgrounds which are fair game. I've gotten the eye from a number of parents and being one myself I understand, as well as some cat calls, but I shrug it off. I feel it shifts the stigma that I'm somehow in the wrong with others perspective if I just keep about my business and do the right things. A smile, a wave, a chat and collect the trash as well as the goodies. Yes I like to be left alone, and prefer it, but I'm not going to lurk when there is no need. Its a free country, I served it, so dont tread on me. ? And I wont bite you ? Hehh.

Instead of sawing off the flange on the GM rod take it to a shop and have it turned off, lathed, that way its still usable on the GM. Not sure what to think on a different coil design as I'm waiting to see what the new coil does.

Yep you made me look. :) Like you I dont go outta my way to talk to people but when talked to its often been a good conversation even when I'm ushered out. Most people are curious what I've found, always answer pennies, however my answer when they wanna see is," Once its in the pouch it does not come out, Sorry." Though I will show them the trash, adults agree I'm doing something good there, and occasionally with the kids something coming out of the ground~ usually pennies. Even had kids and adults chuck coins out for me. Hahh! For those who've ushered me out I just be polite, point out my recovery techniques and have a yarn with them and go over the rules as they see it. Though in one case the lady brought out a real "Rule Book" and pointed out I was in the wrong. With adults they generally want to know how expensive it is to get a detector and what its worth to me to be doing it. Dare say most of them shy off on price and how long/hard I work for what little I get. Occasionally I meet another detectorist, sans detector, and we have a yarn but beyond that no real drama's. I'm just the junk man after most talks ;)

Watch out for some of the Michigan nuggets they can have good gold values in them as well. Nice piece there.

Mark this may sound a little blase but "A rock is only worth what one is willing to pay for it." Its something I say often because... well its true. But don't let that put ya off. The tourmaline specimen might be worth a buck or two and the citrine can be worth up to about 10 bucks to the right person. My opinion. Thanks for the kind words all. Citrine is kind of a generic definition based on coloration of quartz. Yellow and gold coloration of true citrine is due to iron and is not very common. Most common citrine is actually smoky quartz of very light coloration and then you have the type that is an alteration by heat treatment of other minerals. The specimen Mark has shown falls in the latter type to me due to the strong darkening at the tips. But I'll not rule out native simply because its not in my hands ;) Jim, thanks, you point out the geometry of tourmaline nicely with those pictures. The specimen shown has some cross section bits that helped identify it but for me the outside luster, layering and angles *not to mention having picked up bunches of this stuff ;) hehh* were pretty clear for what is shown. Not as nice as those gemmy pieces your showing but I'd stick it in my collection. Jeff, I've not picked any citrine up in the area your describing but I'll keep an eye out for it. Clear, smokey, rose and amythest are all I've seen in the Carolina's. Still hoping to score some good blue though.

Cool :) I stand corrected.

The first is quartz with tourmaline inclusions *the black crystals*. Nice. The second is citrine quartz, also very nice. The quartz/tourmaline mix is not an uncommon find in some area's of the country however the citrine makes me wonder as that mineral is not found in North America if I recall correctly and much of it is treated amethyst quartz. Could be someones old collection left behind.

Get well and good hunting. Thanks for following up.

Its possible that they could be small topaz. Topaz is heavy and shows up in the bottom of the pan. I use pans to prospect for gems as well as gold depending on the region. Be nice to see some pictures.

Ya beat me to it Fred :) Use the swing thingy myself.

My only treasure back then was my mom and a warm bottle ;)

Gerry makes a very good point on using depth to distinguish old and new targets. Its a tactic I employ a lot once I get to know the ground I'm detecting in. Still I have to take a lot of tabs, caps and slaw off the top to grab those deeper targets. IHC's are a challenge right up there with nickles in the hash.

I rather like Equinox. Balance and power.

Looks like a good hunt Vanursepaul. That ring appears to be a hand made silver ring with a malachite cabochon, kind of costume-ish as the open ring is adjustable for little hands :) ZEQ hrm...

Actually its a pretty good plan of action for the service centers Chase. I doubt what they have in stock would make a dent in the current waiting lists and fast turn around is what is expected by customers. Rather not hear the gnashing of teeth personally.

Depending on your age and health it can take upto a month to acclimatize one's self to higher elevations. That generally means you have to live in the area for a while. People who work out with high cardio activities tend to acclimatize faster than people who do not due to the training allowing them to use oxygen more efficiently. Best advice when moving to higher altitudes is to just slow down. Even as a kid in Colorado just going to the high country would sap me and now much older its more pronounced.