Norvic

Yeah the Cruisers are tough and the Hiluxs were until that put those bloody ifs on front. You folks don`t have them over there?

Upgraded from a Toyota Troop carrier(28yrs old) back in 2012 to a Hilux 4WD. Heading off this morn to new prospective area hit a bump not a jarring jolt going slowly in low range. Front strut busted limped home and removed photo below. Independent suspension, nice ride but not impressed but I do know I`m going back there, the Goddess of Gold is trying to keep me away.

Had a deep target with the 5000, dug down about 18"(very hard going) and struck a live tree root about 4" in diameter. Covered it back in and went straight back with the GPZ once I got it and the 5000. They both gave the signal so with pick, crowbar, axe etc dug and cut the root out signal gone, much sweating and cussing. But laying root on surface a positive signal on both detectors, but still a very broad signal. Checked out on that trees other roots that were visible in hole, no signal so cut up the part of root dug out, signal was gone. Certainly not a common occurrence with the PI`s and haven`t struck another with the GPZ as yet. Obviously on cutting up root, signal had dissipated, was very moist.

I think the key is avoid excessive brushing of the coil on the ground. The PI coils become noisy after many hours of use, and I believe the insides become "loose" with time, the more they hit the ground or rocks the quicker this happened. Got a feeling we will find this also applies to the GPZ, the tolerances of windings in relation to each other is probably more critical in the GPZ. The bulkiness of the coils construction suggests this also. I didn`t notice this with the VLF`s but that may have been because they were noisy to start with. Sort of "back to the future" scenario.

Your on the money there Steve, there is no one way for everyone. As I stated in other post on this issue, I don`t wear many coil covers out because I don`t scrub the coil. I like as rock steady threshold as I can get, thus I`ll cut sensitivity somewhat. We develop individual techniques over time, good and bad habits, thus I rebel a wee too that a certain setting is for all, at the same time consider others methods. An open and questioning mind is always the key.

Paul, Received the hipstick this arvo, will be heading out tomorrow for a few days and use the hipstick. Report back next week on hipstick. Many Thanks Vic

I found that with the PI`s it wasn`t necessary to have coil right on ground in fact better to try for a constant 1 inch approx off ground, that is why I`ve yet to go through a coil cover on a PI, but found the coils would become noisy with use so changed them often, went through a few coil covers in the VLF days but never like other users did. Thus it is not surprising that this also applies to the GPZ. I have always considered the scuffing of coils on the ground was a sort of myth, any depth you gained was lost by the additional noises generated by the coil in doing so. That is a remarkable that these two posts pertaining to the same issue were posted together, ESP?? who knows, but it definitely does happen and not that infrequently.

Fire Extinguisher, preferably CO2 rather than dry powder. Solar panel on vehicle roof to keep those batteries charged and maybe to save a bit of space cut out the extra spare tyre, take a tube instead assuming you have the tools to fit tube.

Steve, Not having used a GB2, used the original GB briefly, how does it compare with the GM2 which I just loved and wish I`d never sold when PI`s came in. Found it tops on the small surface and specis even in hot ground. I do miss the "fun" of that VLF over the "business" of the PI and now GPZ. Actually I`ll take the opportunity to tell a wee story which explains my brief use of the original GB, out in NQ way back run across a fellow using the GB, we swapped machines for hour or so, he gave the GM2 a run. He was very impressed and left day after to purchase. But we had a few drinks and chat that night, the fellow was David DeHaviland of Gold & Ghost fame. Never seen an operator before or since cover so much ground in a short period but still did it well. Certainly was a privledge meeting him, he was very open and gave me a lot of hints.

Have the baby gofind 20 ordered for grandaugther, they are being released this week in OZ, seems with plenty of fanfare, giant sandpits littered with coins, kids lining up to have a go. Sort of carnival atmosphere, in the selected cities. Hope it goes well for Minelab, get them young, fresh air and an outside interest, be good for their growing up. Our hobby may be getting a big boost with this new marketing strategy.

Dowsing rods, bloody hell there`s even more variations of them than detectors. Ones for right hand, left hand for finding water, gold, silver, sheilas etc etc. Made of wire, wood, plastic etc etc and now even space age carbon fibre.

Gotta agree with Klunker, your divulging all our close kept secrets. But now I`m getting lazy and just get a new Walco every now and then.

That lovely yellow stuff financed my GPZ, found by the mighty GPX 5000 and lots of boot slogging. Had no choice but part with the gold, dealer wouldn`t take the Missus as trade-in.

'after the next one" bet your wife shakes her head at that, mine would for sure. Thanks for that one I`ll certainly use it. Bit like the old Irish saying re. mining "You never leave a shaft till you`ve dug it another foot".

Have you tried heat shrink tubing, but ensure to leave some slack it holds tight once shrunk.

Tis a crazy world we live in, peak oil production was reached 10 years ago, in 10 years time and we`ve got another 100 years before we reach it according to what consensus you read. Strange thing about our apparent glut of oil, not much different in the price at the bowser to when we were running out of it what a year or so back. Gold is the only money you can trust, an interesting tit bit picked up on the web. http://www.dailyreckoning.com.au/gold-is-the-only-money-you-can-trust/2013/08/16/

Been sitting here with a slice of bread under the GPZ`s coil for an hour, still white as a babys bum, tried all settings I could think of, even on top of coil. What settings are you using?

I tell you for sure, when they take you to that room with padded walls and ceilings, could you please bring us some drinks, we`re bloody thirsty.

I recently choose a Xterra 705 to compliment the GPZ, but as my son who also has a 705 has recently purchased a CTX and is killing the coins in trashy areas at depths beyond the 705( his verdict), I think I`ll soon be adding the CTX also to my armoury. But I`ll have to work the 705 next to the CTX when I get a chance. The 705 is no slouch, so I`ll check the son out first, he`s not unlike his Dad when it comes to new toys.

I thought those bloody inconsiderates were only in OZ, appears they are worldwide. More and more property owners are refusing entry or giving the third degree(who can blame them) and it is simply because of these xters. Very little we can do about them, but educate the up and coming young whom we often help.

Have been reading up a wee bit on current gold prices and the direction it`ll take. Seems the majority of the financial wisdom is pointing to gold going down more. I`ll go with the contrarians and go for the gold price rising. Contrarians seem to get it right more often than not.

Your not wrong JP, for 30 years our Minelab have given us leading edge tech, that`s bloody good "crow" that equates to that lovely yellow stuff for us. Any OZ that`s not proud of that achievement just can`t be pleased.

Wow, you have a jewellery shop.

Lot of truths in what you say Rob, but and a big but, the stocks you mention are those that have done well and because you mention them down the track it is somewhat easy to do, you don`t mention the ones that have gone out the back door, gold unlike those has and will always hold value, it may seem I`m splitting hairs here but a important part of any investment portfolio should be physical gold in my view, even though it costs you to hold. To give an example of where I`m coming from could you absolutely guarantee a stock that will outperform gold in the say next 10 years, or could Warren Buffett? Plus of course I am governed a wee bit by the attraction finding gold has. Just another wee bit about gold, it is believed the lack of gold help lead to the downfall of the Roman empire, apparently as this empire expanded it relied on a large mercenary army which it paid for with gold. As its gold resources dwindled away (higher demand than supply) it started mixing other metals with the gold, chiefly brass, the mercenaries twigged to this the rest is history. The question has to be asked, when considering where gold is going, have we learnt from the Romans rapid growth?

From the same website, note the massive swings(max to min) in short selling from 2013 to now, wonder why that is going on? Must be telling us something.