Hard Prospector

Would like to see the new White's 24k up against the Minelab GM1000.........call it a "grudge match"

Fantastic story Steve, seeing and experiencing Alaska this summer made it even richer for me.

Not knowing any better I made a crack about this company on a previous topic......feel like a turd now. For what its worth, my Sand Shark has found me more gold rings at the beach than any other detector I've owned. Hate to see what's left end up in China (they pilfer enough of out tech as it is). Sorry Tesoro, loved the Sand Shark and Lobo Supertrac

Did Tesoro finally come out with a new detector? Sorry.......I couldn't help myself.

Hey Steve, Was the horse drawn scrapper used much like the much larger mechanical drag line bucket? Sure am enjoying the story and pics.....Thanks! Rob

Seen many Canadian snow birds down here where I dig (CA/AZ desert) running drywashers . Great people and they appreciate being able to mine in the winter, especially without all of the burdensome regs like back home.

I could go on and on about the "treadmill" I've been on with this company over the past 8 years. Lots of promises and plenty of let downs. I can't tell you how many times I was told; "The upgrades you want are coming just hang in there a little longer".......year after year. I put off getting a SDC2300 because of it, and then these so called up grades (to the SL) turned out to be brown paint and a straight rod. I couldn't believe it! I love the SL , its so lite I can swing it all day without my rotator cuff screaming come evening. I could ramble on but I won't as negativity is infectious, enough is enough. I do believe White's is a better place now with an enthusiastic marketing guy like Tom. I hope they listen to him more. I'll just sign off here with the hope that White's has a multi frequency VLF in the works and coming out soon, innovate or evaporate someone once said.

I've been a dedicated White's guy for over 20 years of detectors; GM VSAT, GMT, MXT, TDI, TDI SL (X2) , TDI PRO, SGT and the GMZ....(remember that detector?) so I suppose I feel just a bit "entitled" to talk a little bit $h*T here. I know the company's gone through engineering and management upheavals in recent years anyway, staying loyal to this company as been a tough journey. I'm glad they finally did something to up date the Goldmaster series with the 24k. Five to ten years too late......maybe and time will tell. The industry has changed in a big way in just the last year. Too bad they couldn't have also made the appropriate power and tuning up grades to the TDI SL as well (which has already been done by talented do - it- yourself tinkerers out there and sold on ebay). I know the SL now comes with new paint and a straight rod ......so what! I just could not wait any longer and anyone who watches the classifieds has seen my TDI fire sale recently. Sorry for the "sour grapes attitude" but I just had to vent. On a more positive note and for this single frequency detector, I can see the 24K showing good promise in tailing pile work. Sorry for the rant, its been building for a LONG time!

While in the bar one night I meet some local placer miners who invited me out to their claim to have a look around and see their operation on Gold Bottom Creek. Of course it was all big machinery and so fourth and they said I was welcome to pan or sluice if I wanted too while there. I have no doubt if I had brought my detector they would have said go for it. It was interesting to note that many miners up there still use steel gold pans and many were French Canadian.

I spent 4 days in Dawson past August just wandering about the "scene" and soaking it all in. Man what a place and so different. Beautiful country, nice friendly people and the mining history was just amazing! The tailing piles from over 100 years of mining just seem to go on forever far as the eye can see. This place is just begging for a detector to be swing through. I was told most of these claims have been in the family passed down for generations. The mining season is short up there so maximizing profits means moving lots of material, not so much time to mess with detectors (I was told). If I lived in Canada I would consider checking it out for a couple weeks. I was also told claim jumping is taken seriously around the Klondike so permission is a must. Oh and met Tony Beets in town one night, he frequents Diamond Tooth Gertie's Place. Just as much a character in person .....for sure!

Decrease sensitivity and increase recovery speed in hot mineralized ground sure reminds me of my GMT days......Remember; " increase the V-SAT, decrease gain and when all else fails switch to tracking" I suppose some things haven't changed so much

Beautiful area, sure isn't drywashing country......Ha! "Booming", man never seen placer workings like that before, very cool stuff Steve . Bet your glad you (or your Dad ) took those pics back then. A shame much has been carried off or burned.... too bad about that. Thanks for the history lesson in Alaska mining. You need to write a book, perhaps already in the works? Anyway, thanks for sharing..........Rob

Thanks, at least now I can move forward.

White's for the past couple years, I was told, has been working on an up graded battery pack for the TDI SL which will allow it to operate at to 14 volts or more. There is plenty of "home made" stuff out there that seems to work very well but I keep waiting for a factory product that should have been out by now. I'm just a breath away from buying a reputable model from a guy making /selling them on eBay. Has anyone heard anything concerning this matter from White's? They sure can make it tough to be a loyal customer.

Sure glad I have all his books, pull them out from time to time.

Thank you for sharing, I think that I'll get a snake and sharp shooter coils now. BTW, how does the 5" sharpshooter compare to the stock 5" round GB Pro coil?

I plan on getting the "snake" coil for my F19, mainly for tailing piles and hot bedrock work. This coil reminds me a lot of the Goldmaster 4x6 DD shooter elliptical which I've really come to prefer over the little round 5" puck coils for working the tightest spots. My hope is to also increase the sensitivity some with this little DD peanut loop.........we shall see.

Got what I need, thanks for the help............Rob

Been procrastinating picking up a couple things from Keene............Ordering today and thanks for the heads up!

Looking for a good retailer for NEL coils , any input would be appreciated..........Thanks!

Jim sure has leaned down since I saw him several years back in Randsburg. Looks lean and tough enough to hike most anywhere! This man has been a true inspiration to me in my desert prospecting efforts.........glad to see him getting along well.

Nice to see some are still getting the big stuff these days! Looks like killer specimen's in that jar too!

Bad grammar and run together sentences is always a red flag that your being "worked".

Concrats on the buck and new patch, sounds like a "rake and scrape" kinda spot.

Most of the prospecting shops in SoCal have closed the past few years. San Diego Metal Detector and Prospecting Supply in south central San Diego county is open and has a well stocked store. Mainly geared for detecting and drywashing (after all, this is the desert down here or nearly so). Nice guy and very experienced.