Hard Prospector

I use a USMC issue Marpat ILBE pack. Plenty big, lots of external pouch options and weight not too bad.

They sure make some great stuff "Down Under" but often difficult to buy and ship too the states

The Gold Bug Pro;  super lite weight and probably breaks down better than any other VLF,  used it backpacking/prospecting for years. Plus it runs off a singel 9v battery so bringing along a couple spares means no battery/weight hastles or need for recharging equipment.  Kinda sorry I sold it as it worked so well in this capacity.....actually thinking of buying another one just for the pack.

Switched over to the Monster for the same purpose,  breaks down OK for inside the pack but the GB Pro still took up less space. Also I  carry more batteries as well. 

Both work well for this situation,  just my experience.

14 hours ago, SDMiner said:

Hey Sourdough. I would reach out to Royal Mfg. here in Southern California and see if Robert the owner can make you a custom size fabric screen or order one of his existing products if it fits. The Royal Drywasher and the Gold Buddy are very similar in construction as I have owned both models. Good luck! -Mike

www.royalmfgind.com

https://www.royalmfgind.com/product/royal-gold-9-7-8x-21-5-8/

Sounds like a good option 

Unfortunately, Gold Buddy and parent company Jobe Mfg have gone defunct........a real shame.  

I would call Keene (ask for Abraham), they should have the material to re-do that riffle tray and it should be the right stuff.  Most vibra static forced air drywashers operate similar enough and all use the same blowers. Oh and I would say its for a 151 or 140 .....if you know what I mean.  Pat has always been kinda weird about helping the "competition".  Although there is little of it left these days.

I find myself doing mostly drywashing these days and still find an occasional nugget in the drywasher piles. At  $2000 an ounce those fines really add up now!

Good luck

30 minutes ago, Gold Catcher said:

PS: Get Nenad's SP01 audio filter/booster. This little device works magic with the SDC (and GPZ...) and I would never go without it

Nenad's SPO1 filter / booster........... where can you get one?

Was actually thinking about getting the B&Z Booster/Signal enhancer for my SDC, any input would be appreciated

Thanks!

I can average around 2 grams + drywashing most days,  sure good to see my wages going up.

Just makes me want to dig harder,  drywasher dust never tasted so good.......

Loosing their chief engineer Dan Gayer  (to sudden illness) not too many years ago also seemed unrecoverable. He was pushing innovation the most at White's and very dedicated. I just don't think they wanted to spend the money on what was needed to keep up.  Sometimes its just too late.

The future I see is;  because of  world economic dynamics and a limited  detector market,  its likely only one US  company will be left standing.  Garret and First Texas  should incorporate  then  "mop up"  whats left of value from White's fire sale.

Was a dedicated White's user for years and at one time had 6 of their detectors. But for all the reasons already stated (plus some lousy customer service experiences) I sold them all off some time ago. I just had a hunch they were going down..........a real shame.

These days its actually easier to find a gold ring at the beach than a (missed)  nugget in the gold fields. I say this because you already live in San Diego county with over 50 miles of beach. If your going to look for gold  in the back country or local desert, bring a drywasher along. Most of the gold in these areas was fine and the word "nugget" implying heft was considered rare for SD county according to  historical records.

However,  I do know of a guy who found a 1.5 gram piece digging under a boulder near Julian so you never know.

My guess would be a lot of people have more time on their hands these days that and the price of gold going up. Great time to sell used gold detectors.........and guns for that matter.

My first detector was a Tesoro........a real bummer how this company folded. They still seem to have a "cult following" though. 

Been drywashing for years and this is my  understanding;

Of course you can't drywash with out permission from a claim owner, if area un claimed and/or open to prospecting generally  no problem as drywashing is considered prospecting.

Drywashing falls under "casual use" , both puffers and forced air vibrastatic units, so long as the mining taking place and the drywasher is being fed by had tools. No jack hammers, back hoes etc., this for sure would require a plan of operation.

BLM and National Forests lands OK so long as area is not designated a; "Wilderness Area". Generally BLM  more understanding than forest service

Don't create what is considered a significant disturbance ; no cutting down trees, bushes cactus etc. (dig around them) or you'll need a POO.  Keeping my excavation no bigger than 10'x10' seems to keep me out of trouble. When I run that material I reclaim by back filling then open up another 10'x10"

Oh and had a LEO tell me once if I left my hole over night,  I would need to cut the steep sides at a 45 degree angle or put a fence around the hole........ desert tortoises

Hope this helps

Great example that appears  to be true,  big pieces left in the diggs are guarded by old timer trash. 

Beer virus lock-down?  Can't think of a better time for access to the booze!    Medicinal of course!

11 hours ago, Jin said:

 

Is there a way to sample ground drypanning without water?

Yes,  I've had good luck dry panning with the Garret Super Sluice Pan,  I think the best pan for such a method.  When you get down to just a bit in the pan  bottom;

Run a Gold Bug 2 (max gain preferred) or Falcon MD20 over the pan contents, these detectors will sound off on the smallest specs    -OR-

Add just a little water from your canteen and swirl down looking for color. 

Done lots of sample dry panning and this works for me

Cool watching that dig play out, especially when they dumped that cup of coffee on on it!  Nice pay day and good for them.

Watching the video that Steve posted was very informative. Couldn't help but think that any new buyer may be on the hook for past environmental/reclamation issues .........this would surly  scare off many.

On 3/4/2020 at 8:08 PM, kac said:

Start a reality tv series and get some network to foot the bill 😉

Not a bad idea,  Discovery Channel could probably do something with it in some new spin-off.

13 minutes ago, matt said:

Looks fake to me.

Agreed,  something sketchy could be going on here

4 hours ago, Mike C... said:

Ya I talked to whites over a month ago asking them about the coil and they more or less told me they didnt know when it would be out that they were working on other products instead-sound familiar ???  Mike C...

No such thing as  a straight answer from White's as always.

That Gold Spot scoop reminds me of a old timer prospectors horn spoon used in testing for good pay....... This modern day drywasher surely wants a couple!

When asked by anyone this is my standard answer;

Looking for lost coins

Anything with markings I try to return to rightful owner (be it the person or Church). Even car keys and cell phones.

Fill in all holes

Dispose of all garbage collected during process.

***I then show them the divers bag with the rusty metal trash inside.

Prospecting/detecting in Mexico is and will always be a "high risk-high reward" kind of venue. 

For sure not for everyone