fredmason

Norm, I bet your wife can hear way better than you...slowly,go through the tones with her and you listening. It is likely you have a "shooters notch" caused by loud noises. You will be able to hear some tones much better than the others that you do hear... It really does not matter what you don't hear, just find the tone that you do hear... fred

While not not the ideal detector to meet your requirements I believe an xterra70 by Minelab would get you a good start. Go to Find's Treasure Forum and look...or post a wanted ad...as well as all the main prospecting forums... fred

Policy is not law!!! fred

I respect your right to your opinion and all others right as well. LUCK can have a multitude of values...raw, blind luck is when a complete newbie walks out with his new detector and finds a big thumper... Anyone that finds a huge nugget is lucky even if they are a skilled operator.. Luck, chance, serendipity; who cares as long as we find the gold! fred

Goldquest, Pisano...you spell better than I do so nothing for you to apologise for...Do you know Orlando formerly Doug Stones "assistant"? I just turned 65 myself...do it while you can, my friend!!! Hope you find a real thumper with the 7000... fred

I completely agree that to find gold consistently the guy that knows the geology, signs and area and is an expert operator will get many more of the goodies. However, I will give Minelab credit for building Pi detectors that will find gold when in the arms of the most inept operator. I have read many accounts of people that barely knew how to power up their detector that found gold. Yes, there is luck involved but there is atl east an even chance that the detector should be given its due. In fact, I give Minelab credit for helping me find my biggest nugget to date (1.4 oz) with a minelab 2000 my first time out. I also give my intuition credit for getting me to that spot...It is better to be lucky than good... fred

a "simple" detector, one 14 inch coil and 90% of the gold; I will take that! fred

Did you find that first meteorite while hunting at GB? fred

That is impressive and pretty... thanks fred

as I am sure you know, Australia has lots of burned areas that sometimes gave signals...do you have any GPZ experience with false signals from those "hotspots"? nice gold! fred

good luck...I expect you will have a fine time with the new toy! fred

Doc's light-weight battery system is good...a bit expensive but a lot less weight... His enhancers are also good... however, I now use Jonathan Porter's enhancer with dual speakers and would not give it up... Regardless of which enhancer you use you have to work with it a bit to get comfortable sound... good luck fred

creosote bushes...Mohave desert, perhaps. Nice little nugget! fred

Thanks, JP. I think when testing/comparing a new machine to another, going over familar ground is key. When only one or two pieces show that can mean the detectorist was a little more diligent. However when multiple targets are found that is certainly an indication, if not outright proof of a quantum advance in the technology. Still, wanting is really the best reason to buy for most of us amatuers. But, don't spend the rent money!!! fred

Flak if you ask ChrisP it is...it is certainly a very similar idea... I find the material Minelab and Doc use for there harness equipment is too hot for me. I might as well slip into a plastic coat...no good. Even when/if I get the gpz I expect to use my old harness that I modified and the HIPstick...one of prospecting's best inventions! PS; how is your daughter doing? fred

Happy Bithday a little late, Jonathan! Your hat-cam was making me sea-sick...but it is always a thrill to vicariously dig a nugget down in Oz with you. fred

Wanting is all the "justify" you need Lucky, on the other hand you already have a 5000 and 2300 that is more than a 7000 by 300...and you are, after all LUCKY! I guess the units are now being shipped to USA buyers and dealers so the praise and unpraise should start here very soon. fred

I printed out the manual yesterday...I noticed a warning that the lower rod/coil assembly should not be taken apart...of course that won't stop most from doing it. 65 pages in color took all my ink! fred

Amen, Brother, Amen! fred

Australia will not stop you unless the nugget is very large-I think over 300 oz-I wish I had that problem. Of course you have to lawfully find the gold. Most States in Oz require a Miner's Right. Buying and selling gold is another dog... I never took any out of the USA... You would need to do research for your country and the country in question...never operate on heresay and other people's opinions. Get the reg's in writing! fred

Thank Steve and Chris! Strick the gpextreme had a hard case. In my opinion it was worthless! A total pain to put the detector into, heavy and not even rainproof...I know because I left mine in the rain one starry night...stupid , yes...

Hi Steve, will the 7000 fit in a large airline approved suitcase...the specs mention a size in the packed position, I am not sure what that means... What I really want to know is how to get this on the plane to Oz when I go again? fred

I used to hunt and justify the cost of hunting trips by saying it was meat for the table. I had lots of expensive fishing equipment to get fish for the table-I don't even like eating most fish. I was going to get rich with my first 5 or 6 detectors...ha! Now, hunting gold is my biggest thrill and the cost of a new toy is just part of the game...that is all the justifying I need... good thing I don't have to eat on what I find! fred

Just an FYI regarding "fireproof safes"...that term does not mean that the stuff in the safe is secure from damage. After the first big fire here in San Diego County @2000 I did damage assessments for the County. I cannot number the people that had an intact safe with charred papers, guns and jewels inside. My point is they are fireproof not heatproof!!! fred

it is good to be King...nice score, Steve! fred