nickelNdimed

Last weekend I posted about a silver earring back I found in this park area I have been working that has yielded a couple good finds. This weekend I found this gold earring. Not too heavy, hollow, but 14k on the stud and came out nice and shinny. I’ve gridded this area in both directions with the 11”, Park 1 and Park 2. Going over it now in Park 2 again with the 6” and working the lower numbers. This gold earring was a 2-3 VDI, mostly 3. So I’ve proved to myself that with good patience and putting in the time I can find small jewelry at parks. But, is it worth it? So much foil. Maybe in sand at the beach? The challenge and process of working this area is fun and interesting in a way but it has not yielded anything significant or I don’t feel I have left much behind. Have no idea how I missed that spoon though... it wasn’t a super strong signal and it was deepish, a little iffy. Very few coins, pull tabs or anything in that range. No more rings. Anything iffy that is a high tone and grunt, rusty bits and nails, mostly one direction (F2=2 Eq 600). I’ve not dug up anything iffy that has surprised me or even a deep dime or copper penny, etc. Takes a lot of time and patience to walk behind that 6”. And I’m not even sure the 11” would not have found that gold earring had I dug lower numbers with the 11”. Maybe not the earring back? I still have a bit more of this area to work and then some other areas where I have cleaned up the higher toned stuff and some nickels where I need to do the mid numbers and down to about just below nickels. Is it worth it to do the really low single digits for a couple tiny missed things like this? Hmmmm

I’ve typically done the tot lots with my F22 as it is pretty easy to swing and decent 9x5.5 concentric elliptical coil. I’ll have to try the 6” and Equinox sometime. I don’t like the 11” on tot lots. I save the tot lots for when the ground is too dry and hard in summer and give the turf a break.

Getting a little more time on the 6” in an area I’ve already gridded in Park 1 and Park 2 with the 11”. Found a gold ring, silver quarter, and lots of pull tabs and nickels here before so wanting to see what I am leaving behind from coil masking and lower positive VDIs. This earring back today wasn’t exactly low VDI, came in 10 - 12 range. But I dug those before. Either missed it or it averaged lower with some iron or foil under the 11”. Anyway, not sure it will be worth the effort yet but interesting challenge and learning what the detector can do. That tip toe behind that 6” can get old or test my patience.

They seem to at least be reading the posts. I’ll keep making my argument and suggestion. You can counterpoint it all you want : ) From some of my other posts and that of others, there definitely could be better balance for some without having to add 16oz to the back end. Reducing a smaller amount of weight from the right end of the detector would have same effect. I’d even take a 8x5 a la Garrett or 9x5 or so if it gives it the right balance while offering some reasonable coverage and maneuverability. That’s the coil and solution I want. Fisher seems to have some sort of lighter density material to reduce weight now. Not everyone needs a weighted coil for the water. Heck, I’ll run it without the cover if it feels better.

You may be right but just here hoping. At the moment I’m not too compelled to jump on this coil. The shape would be nice in some cases for me but the weight reduction and better balance would definitely be a delighter that may tip me over to making a purchase. I think the 11” round on the Equinox seemed to be more “marketing and who has a big coil out of box and depth” than the better option for most situations, do it all coil that say a 10x5-6” coil would be. And then you take a nose heaviness penalty. I guess I am disappointed that the SP24 Fir the Simplex and this Coiltek 10x6 for the Equinox both weigh about as much as the stock 11”. Maybe the next Minelab, Nokta, Garrett, or even Fisher iteration will get this right...

360 grams for the Vanquish. And in theory it could be a little lighter than the 10x7 since 10x5 A 10th of a pound or so off the coil and longer lever arm is better than adding a pound off the back of the shaft to help balance it better. Just a personal opinion on another reason that might make me more interested in the coil instead of the stock 11” and spending another $200+ on this detector.

I would be more interested in this coil if they made a light version of it, about the same or less of the Vanquish 10x7 coil.

Got my Pelso’s in. They seem decent. Not any more fragile than my Seahunter ones from Garrett. Funny the label still says “exclusively for Kellyco” but they don’t sell anymore. Just some more detailed pics for reference. I’ll comment some more after I use them.

Yeah, it is hard to tell if the band on yours is bigger than on mine or if they have since made changes and made them wider. The SS tips are only available on the non travel versions of the Blade and Pro. I can see this being a benefit and wear item for heavy use. For my purposes it should be more than adequate. They off course can do custom stuff if you work with them directly. Honestly I kind of would have liked a Pro 6” with the smaller holes like the blade. I think it would have been adequate and packed a little better. But it would have been a custom order.

Finally got my RTG Blade today. Seller sent me the non-travel version first which was nice (and a little lighter) but I wanted the travel handle. Seems built really well. Good size. Does have a little play in the overlapping lower part of joint so I may try some teflon or electrical taper to see if I can reduce that. I don’t think it will be an issue though or I’ll notice while using. We’ll see soon.

I see you used washers as well. Good to know. Looks pretty decent. I just got my RTG Blade today but may get a second one and this might be be a good option. Just was never too sure because of complaints off pulling bolts through.

Steve, did you use the included hardware on the U bolts or did you upgrade or change anything? Most feedback I have seen on these is that the hardware eventually pulls through. But maybe that’s from rougher use.

Hi Steve, when will you reveal the outcome or purpose of these polls? Just curious. Thanks.

Lowes sells these. Also heard guitar hangers work well but feel those might be a little pricier option.

Noted but too late. They are on their way. Can you share what/where they broke? I’ll only use them 2-3 times a year while on vacation so hopefully okay.

Well finally decided just to buy a whole new Minelab shaft so I could use both middle and lower on my 6”. Short of having two Equinoxes with each coil mounted, this should be about as easy as it gets and make my choice to swap to 6” more often easier at home or in the field. Or when I need to rest my arm and shoulder from the nose heavy 11”. One on the 11” may eventually get modded into an s-shaft for better ergo hopefully. Fresh washers on original lower, fresh screen protector, and washed mud off the cover. Ready for warmer weather.

Not sure this is as much wear as compression. A little scuffing on the coil. Cleaned everything and replaced washers anyway. Went with factory Minelab washers. They were a buck a piece from place I ordered some other detecting items.

Just FYI, Detect Ed reply said they may fit depending on tolerance of Minelab middle shaft. I passed on this idea.

Yeah, not my preference. Trash seems to always be a problem places I hunt or feel bad digging massive holes beyond 8-10” Just odd recycling and marketing of product. Hate to see them go the way of Tesoro and Whites....

But he said “never before seen depths” If what you guys say is true, I don’t understand how people can make such statements with a straight face... I guess I do and it happens in all industries. It would be interesting to know more about what is going on at First Texas. Not too long ago there was a post about two marketing types losing jobs. This guy worked there, left, is now back. Not sure if I’m paying more attention or they are making an effort lately to stir up interest in First Texas products? I only watched the video thinking there was something new to show.

Looks like they just released a lighter version forF75/F75. Pretty big claims on depth... Keeping this thing alive I guess From their FB page: https://fb.watch/3SqAxysJyq/

Never get that time back.... Good thing I skipped through.

Same housing has been known as stated above. She did reply to one of my comments on here asking about compatibility with Simplex accessories. Coils being different I was expecting. She said not compatible with the green headphones. Didn’t say anything about the Pulsedive so maybe...? I was wondering about the lower being carbon out of the box and this video did address that That seems almost expected and good that they are learning from flex on Simplex. So that was news to me at least.

I just want to hear more about their new single frequency and multi frequency. I heard wireless. Weatherproof, waterproof? Good balance? Coil selection or compatibility with existing coils? I may need to sell off some detectors!

I imagine that would be my focus as well if I lived near gold bearing ground. However, that is not the case for me. Your argument is interesting however. I spent a lot of time working some lots and gridding an area of a park to find silver coins and found a few. And in the process, about $40-45 worth of clad. If I had put the time in to finding clad, it would certainly have added up to way more than the value of those silver coins I found. Heck, the $40-45 worth of clad were worth more. I also spent hours digging pull tabs and aluminum hoping to find more gold rings. I found one 10k woman’s ring, probably worth more than the clad. I guess if it was all about the money, I would have kept myself from spending a couple thousand dollars in detectors and spent the time working any job and been ahead. Finding each coin and gold ring was a rush every time however. I don’t get that kind if rush at work. I imagine finding gold is a rush too.