1515Art

Eric, Doc’s lift system is a big help you have practically no weight on your arm, I took mine and integrated it into my backpack using an old soldering iron to poke holes to pass the rods thru and some big heavy zip ties holding everything in place. Last thing I swapped out the waist strap out for a Velcro back brace off Amazon. It is comfortable and quick and easy to take on and off. With everything in one piece.

anyway do get better soon but don’t rush things as was said.

7 hours ago, GotAU? said:

Erik , so sorry about your unfortunate accident. A broken arm is a very painful affair, however it is good it was your arm and not your back or even worse, your head. I have a friend that was hiking on granitic bedrock and slid off the top of one because it was decomposing and he described it as standing on ball bearings on an incline. He had back surgery to fuse broken vertebrae and the surgery didn’t work out so well for him and he’s on permanent disability as a result.  I hope your arm heals well enough for you to resume detecting and other physical activities without pain.  I broke my ulna when I was younger and was lucky enough that my radius flexed just enough to reset the broken ulna and hold it in place, so healing was complete. My brother also has pins in his arm after he broke both bones in his forearm in a fall to the bottom of the stairs of our parents’ home and it also completely healed. So I guess what it comes down to is how well it starts out when it breaks and how well it’s treated while healing. Take care of yourself and do give your arm time to heal before putting too much stress on it. 

Injuries and getting old suck hopefully your recovery goes well which it most likely will and you are back out swinging soon. Surgery is pretty darn good nowadays I know I just got into a car accident the end of April where I broke all my thoracic vertebra, I’ve got an incision that runs from my shoulders to below my rib cage down my back that took 22 staples to close up along with a bunch of rib fractures. They hooked everything back together with  titanium rods and screws along with opening up my lumbar spine too. It’s been about a month and a half since the accident and I’m feeling pretty good, the pain level is now manageable and every day is better. Before you know it this will all be a distant memory.

This is the car… 

An infected thumb nail, also known as Goldenrot, is an inflammation of the nail. It can be caused by digging faint target sounds in heavily mineralized soil.

Causes 

Purchasing sensitive electronic equipment

Frequenting remote desert and forested locations with persistent uncontrollable urge to defy rules of nature doing the same thing the same way expecting different results.

Wet hands or nails for prolonged periods

Prolonged or frequent exposure to soil, rock and black sands.

Symptoms 

Delirium

Yellowish and thickened mass around the nail and Detachment of the nail from the nail bed. 

Treatment 

Home care: 

Keep the nail clean with CLR

Soak the finger in warm acid several times a day. 

Heat any detached nail to 2000* F to remove impurities from the infection.

Medical treatment: 

Your doctor may prescribe counseling. 

In severe cases, surgery may be necessary to remove the infected nail. 

Prevention 

None undetermined

When to See a Doctor 

See a doctor if: 

The infection worsens or does not improve with home care.

You have a fever or chills.

The infection spreads to other parts of your hand or arm. 

Note: This information is for general knowledge and informational purposes only, and does not constitute medical advice. It is essential to consult with a qualified healthcare professional for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your health or treatment.

I know there is a thread on this but a search did not take me to it so if this needs to be moved sorry for the inconvenience. I recently contacted Garrett about the Axiom update a got this reply from Garrett.

“Thank you for contacting us.  The Axiom is updateable, but to this point we have not released an update for it.  Watch Garrett.com and Garrett Direct.  If/when we release an update, we will announce it there.”
 
We hope you have been very successful with your Axiom! 
 

I had one break too, I used an epoxy by JB Weld specifically made for plastics because i didn’t have time to send it in, it’s still holding.

9 minutes ago, jasong said:

I second the no rear hitch rack thing - I bought a Harbor Freight rack, tied it down, then ratcheted it down some more to compress the suspension just to be safe. Still, 10 miles after I left I look into my rearview and saw no handlebars behind my tailgate. Pulled over and I was dragging my Talaria by the front wheel, which was now bent. 

Frustrating thing was at least 2 people passed me while I was dragging it and no one honked or attempted to notify me.

Now I put my bike into my truckbed - 1 strap on each handle bar to the floor. I can catch air in my truck and the motorcycle doesn't budge. Never touching those hitch racks again. 

 

The last thing you don’t want to see  is nothing there… pretty surprising no drivers let you know usually everybody wants to let you know. Every once in a while I forget to latch my spare tire and it hinges open sometimes swinging around but it gets noticed right away by someone and they are flagging me down.

On 1/25/2025 at 6:14 PM, oldmancoyote1 said:

There is a very good fix to the transportation issue if the bike is foldable.  With very little effort you can modify a 40 or 50 gallon wheeled tub to carry the bike.  Just push a tub or two into a suv and go.  Mine works great!  Check YouTube for directions.

Another advantage to mid drive, you can still easily remove the front and rear wheels stash them and the frame where ever it fits. I don’t know if the hub drive wheels are more involved to remove? Be sure to insert a disk brake caliper spacer in after removing the wheel.

I realize this is an old thread and may not get very many responses to my question but tell me boys how you all outfitting your prospecting E-bikes for the inevitable trail repairs? I carry the cool tool and back then it had enough options you could fix most anything trail related, spare tube, patch kit, a tire lever, small section of chain and a shop rag wrapped around my cool tool all this jammed into a skinny under seat bag. Oh and a couple bucks for the coffee shop… not many of those open for business at the claims these days I guess? I have carried regular frame mounted pumps and those CO2 inflators and t have found the pumps most reliable, even a bad pump will get you enough air to ride slow.

guess carrying the detector I think Dutchman mentioned strapping it to a backpack that seems like it should work and I bought one of doc’s swingy things and permanently attached it to my back pack so I think I can just tie the detector to the arm attached to the back pack, the pick is another concern. I mountain biked a lot and there are two types of riders, those that have fallen and those that are gonna fall, and I guess one more being riders new to clip less pedals stopping in front of a crowd, lol. Anyway the pointy end of the pick concerns me a little even just navigating difficult terrain on foot sometimes but on a mountain bike when you go down most of the time you are at the mercy of momentum and gravity with only time to hang on and pray.

ill share a riding tip that makes down hill descents more controllable, we usually lowered the seat a little so it was easier to get behind it a little going into corners almost with the rear tire rubbing on your butt sometimes depending on how steep and get behind the seat a lot on steep descents and the bike is more controllable  eliminating going over the handle bars and if you do get out of whack you can usually step off the back of the bike but worst case if do go down you are already close to the ground.

There was mention of CYC,s torque sensing motor and I highly recommend it, the power transition is smooth and natural. I also went with a half twist throttle, meaning it is narrow but it twists like any other and controllable just like a motorcycle throttle and more comfortable on long rides. The power level is controlled by the thumb selector mine is mounted near the throttle offering different power levels and ride modes city is limited to 750 watts and off road is 1500 but runs a little more from what I read and I think if you want to you can hack them to 3000 watts? 
 

the advantages of hub drive is ease of instillation, the down side is weight distribution a little and that damage occurs usually at the wheel with broken spokes and possibly wheel failure, but with a spoke wrench some failures can be fixed mountain biking but I doubt the wheel repair would be strong enough on an Ebike. Mid drive conversion will take a few hours, you also need a few special tools… Amazon has them all. You get better gear selection with mid drive by maintaining the rear cluster and a big one is the main trail repair with mid drive systems is breaking a chain, you can fix a chain in minutes but a taco’ed wheel will take a lot longer assuming it’s fixable. You do however need to be mindful to let off the power shifting with mid drive or you will break chains.

This is the tool I always carry I bought it at the second running of the Sea Otter Classic a bunch of us went down to ride the course and the inventor was sitting in a booth, he had a few made in Titanium (we were gram shavers) so I bought one he charged $100 for the titanium version because the were hard to make and they never made it into production.

This picture is my oldest son following me down an easy ride above town we did on off day, I think he was in 7th grade… one day going up hill just around that corner is where I came face to face with a mountain lion.

Interesting thread that I have not completely read yet so I’ll keep this post short. I used to mountain bike 6 days a week but travel spending a lot of time traveling and a couple bad crashes I don’t ride much any more but figured converting my MTB to and Ebike would get my back into riding.
 

after looking at all the options I went with the CYC Stealth gen3 mid drive, this is a 1500 watt (or more) output motor that will keep up with traffic around town. The host bike is my old Merlin titanium frame with XTR and other after market components that was a 20# bike that now weighs in at a little over 40#’s with battery.
 

 I really enjoy the option of getting what ever level of workout I’m up for, the range is probably 1/3 to 1/2 of the advertised range cause I like the throttle a little too much and pacing traffic seems safer with less time exposed to traffic. I did this with the plan to one day try it out in the gold fields some day but I’m not sure just how far it will take me that the Jeep can’t? That and a good solution to keep air in the tires with all the sharp stuff in the desert trying to poke holes in tires have kept me from taking it out prospection. There are tubes available that do a somewhat decent job self sealing punctures but at a significant weight expense. 

in the old days I’ve hit speeds up to 60mph coming down rough rocky duel track off the ridges in the Santa Cruz mountains back into the town of Los Gatos, after an hour solid going 2 or 3 mph up hillI can’t do that any more.

Anyway some day I’ll pack the detector onto the bike and try it out, this thread may be just the motivation I need?

They start out looking like this, thousands of years underground surrounded by intense pressures and scorching hydrothermal fluids they slowly transform into what you found, nice finds!

A few members in our club (Western States Prospecting Assoc.) planned a road trip up to one of our claims in the high Sierra Nevada a stunningly beautiful place. This was directly after the John B memorial out at Gold Basin, a very long drive from Arizona, the claim was recently staked and for most of the group it was their first time there everyone was excited just being in this pristine Forrest. Well, shock is the word I think best describes how they felt for a few obvious reasons, as described to me what they saw getting there was one of two things either someone or someone’s  got absolutely zero regard for “detector prospecting” or my friends solved the mystery of the moon landing discovering remnants of the area it was staged and my moneys on the former.  Whom ever should have their Minelab detectors ceremoniously broken in shame in front of them as they are escorted in front of a large crowd down a dusty road out a large wooden gate in shame to take the long walk to another town forever an outcast, (trivia, who remembers what tv show started kind of like that in the 60’s) my rant but I though maybe it needs to be said again. 
 

I hope this utter disregard is an outrage for every one of us this threat to Our industry, are we to the point of hiding trail cams in hope of posting a detecting wall of shame on the internet to make these offenders question walking from the hole they just dug, I hope not.

Despite the outrage from how the ground was left for them to find, gold was found something that always sweetens a sour mood…

Doc, I am so very very sorry for your tragic loss, there are no words great enough to express the shock and sadness of this moment or to the extent my heart goes out to you as a father. God bless you and your son and family in this incredibly difficult time. 

8 hours ago, dirtman said:

Clark who has the Group pics we took at the end ?

Can we get a couple to post here ?

 

Hi Frank, you talking about back at camp, I’m not sure I was busy stressing over the Tri tips I was trying to get going in the smoker but I think Jeff got a few but I’m not really sure. Hopefully some more  wind up here.

I’ll piggy back some pictures on your thread… might as well keep’em all in one place, thanks for starting this post.

2 hours ago, Drellim said:

That’s why I wash out the plastic  mayonnaise jars you can hope right sadly it’s been a few years    But this winter I have a plan tanks to Jason’s LiDAR post    It’s out there for sure just have to work harder for it  man to have been detecting in the late 80s

 

Wish I needed a mayonnaise jar for my gold… even the small jars, you rock!

24 minutes ago, phrunt said:

I once dropped an open gold bottle on the carpet in my house, you can imagine, NZ tiny gold, carpet.  Bad mix.... I lost quite a bit.

Time to cut a section out of the carpet, wash it sluice mat style and seam tape it back in after it dries!

1 hour ago, Drellim said:

Oops lost a 1/2 oz it was black top gravel and a steep slope  was not happy at all  sorry on the spelling 

Wow, I bet the first few seconds were like what , wait sh*****t, time to go back to the spot and go beeping but it’s amazing how far them little muggies can scoot. I was lucky I was on hardwood… don’t think I lost more than a fly spec.

A little addition we will be hosting a meal in the form n smoked tri tip (5  3# tri tips how ever far it goes) with rolls for sandwiches along with a pot of beans and potato salad. Ceril will make breakfast probably on Sunday morning.

5 hours ago, UT Dave said:

 

It's not good fuel economy.  It's just a big tank 😄  A big aftermarket welded aluminum 31 gallon tank.

- Dave

Ahhh, OK. I have a 12 gallon aux fuel tank that mounts to the spare tire swing out, but took it off because the weight bouncing down dirt roads was too much for everything and was tearing  the metal the around the bolts that hold the bumper to the frame. I’ve since welded a 1/8” steel strap the width of the bumper attaching the recovery bumper directly to the frame eliminating that problem but haven’t remounted the fuel tank yet. It sure is peace or mind having the extra fuel running around out in the boonies.

2 hours ago, UT Dave said:

Not especially.  They are far more comfortable to drive at least.  My wife's '19 is like driving a Cadilac compared to my '06.  Has way more power and gets way better MPG.  But the '06 has been more reliable.  Which isn't saying a whole heckuva lot.

But the SxS thing doesn't really work for me.  I hate dragging trailers around and really hate dragging them around on dirt.  I usually don't get back on pavement at the same place I left it, often more than 100 miles from where I left it, so having to be anchored to a trailer is something I don't like.  My Jeep can go anywhere a stockish SxS can, and some places that some SxS's can't.  While carrying all my camping gear (including my fridge with ribeyes and cold beer and my charcoal grill) so I can end up wherever I end up for the night, with heat, AC, tunes, etc. along the way.  My fuel range is about 350 miles without carrying extra, that's a very nice bonus over trying to get around in a SxS.   It just fits my preferred style of moving around the sticks a lot better than a SxS.

- Dave

Wow, that’s great fuel economy best I can do is a little over 200 miles on a tank, but worth it most of the time for the very same reasons you stated.

16 hours ago, strick said:

I can see leg room being an issue for you in the small Toyota? I still think the best set up is a larger truck and have a trailer with a side by side ready to roll...that way your not beating up your primary rig all the time...trying to get into some of those areas will be hard with a bigger truck..Are the newer jeeps reliable? I know nothing about them...the only jeep we have ever owned was my wife's Grand Cherokee and we got rid of that after a few years due to problems..My 06 Ram 2500 diesel has been a good vehicle just turned over 300k the other day...lots of little stuff has broke over the years but never anything with the 5.9 cummings engine...work horse 

strick

Leg room is always a concern alright and a big truck would fill that bill. But the most I can fit in my garage is the Aliner, living in an HOA has its share of benefits and disadvantages, the cost going to the truck goes up quite a bit. I’d be looking at the truck, toy hauler and storage fees for my toys as I’ve no place to keep anything like that the HOA won’t allow it. And those diesel trucks still run 20K and up looking on Craig’s list. 
 

I think for now I’m better off sticking with my Jeep and giving the host of new similar trucks to the CAT time for all the bugs to work them selves out… “buy a taco” sage words my friend… 

15 hours ago, Jim in Idaho said:

Clark, I went the Jeep route way back in the '80's and learned my lesson on them, though I think that original 6 cylinder was pretty reliable. I've got a buddy with an older Wrangler...not sure the year, and he just put his 3rd engine in it. I really sympathize with what you're going through. Nothing worse than not being able to trust your outdoor rig. We all go to some pretty grim places, and sometimes a vehicle failure is serious. When I hunted coyotes, back in the 70;s and early 80's, and camped out in the Great Divide Basin in Wyoming, my little Chey LUV pickup starting was virtually life or death for me. -20 temps, and 50 or 60 miles from then pavement. I used to "bite" washers out of the seat cushion when I turned the key each morning...LOL

Jim

Jim

Jim, it’s been a learning experience, I now know much more about working on Jeeps than I really ever wanted, lol, but sadly my knowledge is very repair specific so I can’t find the right YouTube video on how to fix it without help I guess. 

Imagine if we had a hat like the one the monkey wore in one episode from futurama that gave us the full power of the knowledge of everything known on google at our finger tips to fix anything… that little yellow MIL light would still shine.

you are right on the money the whole needing reliability issue is what it’s all about, lol.
 

5 hours ago, dirtman said:

I haven't read all the replies since yesterday except for yours so far.

Reason I asked about the light is because these Jeepers Creepers are Notorious for Check Engine lights.

If she's running acceptably but your light comes and goes I wouldn't worry about it.

Let something surface that you can isolate when it does if it does.

I've had 5 of these Jeepers and currently on my 6th anda good buddy had one with 365,000 miles on it and check engine lights are common with no running problems sometimes "Generic" codes that need to be ignored untill some issue materializes that leads you to it and a fix.

That buddy was coming home from Gold Basin on RT 93 and some woman on the phone speeding forced him off the Hiway and he rolled it OR it would still be 4 wheeling with 365,000 miles on it if it weren't destroyed 🤢.

Very true, but I think it is something simple and clues are stacking up if I was smart enough to figure it out. there’s a lot more that I don’t know about Jeeps than what I do know. Knowledge is kinda like getting fat, it comes one hamburger at a time, Mucho thanks to those here who have given me a few new burgers to chew on that I think might taste pretty good. Then I’ll sit down comfortable with my full belly in the drivers seat while I put a strip of black tape over it, lol.

10 hours ago, strick said:

You brought this on yourself Clark... I seen the way you used to drive that Jeep 😜 I was in it once if I remember right...you should have listened to me when I told you buy a Taco lol...just kidding of course but I hope you get smarter on your next purchase..😊

strick 

Used to drive would suggest I’ve changed my ways… trust me on this, those words “buy a Taco” are an endless loop in my brain, ha ha. I think maybe we are genetically prone to create our own drama, some more than others maybe I’m high up on the spectrum… let’s see, smarter on my next purchase, hmmm that’s a lot of pressure Chuck and somewhat against the odds, I haven’t gotten smarter in a long time, but thank you for having faith in me that I might have a chance, lol. Thanks Buddy.

Clark

13 hours ago, Northeast said:

1515Art.   I have had 3 experiences with Jeeps, all bad.   Thankfully none of them owned by me.  The constant returning to the garage to get codes cleared rings very true for one of them.

I assume you’ve heard it before, but there is a saying here in Australia about Jeeps:

Just
Empty
Each
Pocket.  

I haven’t seen the CAT ute before.  Looks interesting.  But is it a first model?  Maybe let the teething issues get out of the way before buying one?

An older, diesel Toyota that has had none of the fruit put on it would do me.  Something basic that some old bloke has plodded around in and done no towing, no extreme 4WDing.  They take awhile to find but they do come up.

Best of luck with whatever you do 👍

They claim the diesel engine is one they have been using a long time and service and parts will be available world wide at everyone of their facilities. The diesel is the basic version that I think they said puts out 400hp and you can practically drive across the US one one tank… must be a pretty big fuel tank? The features were endless but you can lower the truck to passenger car height or raise it to 14” ground clearance at the push of a button, the bed of the truck can act like a job site power center with multiple 120 and 240 outlets and it is extendable somehow, body panels are designed for easy replacement if needed, locking diff anyway  if curious these a bunch of videos on YouTube.
 

But you are right the odds for problems increase with every part added on but they make some pretty big claims on realibility?