fredmason

Yes, Steve...I think you are getting old and grumpy like me... My mistake in asking the question was forgetting to name the person I was writing to...I was asking Chris because he had mentioned being there before. Also, he said he took you to that place...so, with my poor reading and writing skills my question took us down a deadend road. i am not prone to asking stupid questions and I would never ask you to answer an unswerable question. You are a great Hunter Of Gold but I know you cannot read minds. RESPECT fred

good job, Chris. fred

Very Nice, Jonathan! A new detector that "sees" the ground differently can find what others missed. Also, when ever someone tries a new toy they tend to hunt a little different than the one they are accustomed to... The 5000/2300 combo is certainly a winner for those that have the need and the money...way to go Minelab! fred

The way in is easy; the walk out is hard when they break-down...get the most reliable, dependable toy you can afford. A suzuki samuri is another option and street legal too. fred

That is a great set-up! The remote gold will never be safe again! Fred

two months is a long time away from Home. I know I was pretty homesick at the end of my 4 and 6 week Oz tours. Still time on the ground is what is needed for the best chance of success. If i go back to Oz it will be for 4 to6 weeks... I eagerly await the Rest of the Story!!!! thanks fred

As usual, the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth according to Steve. I like it! fred

Very pretty gold! Were you on a commercial operation, private claim or running wild? fred

I had a wonderful trip. It was free and I didnot have to swat a single mosquito!!! thanks a bunch, Steve. fred

Hey, Mike...I meant no offense by my comments. Most of the people I know that hunt gold are not in the game for the money. I know I would starve if I had to eat what I kill (so to speak). I also know that many people that think they are making money are likely not really accounting for all the cost and what their time is worth-at least minimum wage. This is not to say that you and others are not making money hunting gold, etc...I say wonderful and congratulations; I know it is well earned! So, while I do get much of my money back I certainly don't make any, hence, these are just toys...with a slim chance of hitting the big one some day. fred

Hi Jim; I sent you an email at your address... good luck fred

If money really was not a concern you could have all three...the only reason to justify is when you have to account for the cost-vrs-return. Toys are not subject to economic considerations...otherwise most people would not have expensive boats, gold clubs, guns or Metal Detectors... fred

Hi, Jim; I think you could safely purchase a used 5000 from some on this forum or the other major forums; Bill Southern's, Rob Allison's or Chris Gohlson's. You can get references and verify the purchase-if it was made from one one these stores... Also Chris Porter has some experience with those Blanket detectors (don't know the name)...Chris is the inventor of the HipStick... The blanket detectors go deep and I think might serve your purpose. good luck fred

A quality pair of surgical tweezers are very helpful when snipping the bedrock... fred

Nice gold, beautiful spot, good detecting! fred

very pretty nugget, Chris... fred

Way to go, Chris!!! fred

The trouble with the "small glass bottle" is the the caps have foil in them to seal the lid when tightened...I would bet that is what the detector was signaling on... fred

You had me going for a moment, all I seen was penny...and then I clicked on the image... No nugget is safe from you when you can find birdshot with a larger coil...very nice! fred

go to minelab's website...I doubt you can buy the military version unless you are a military supplier...good luck. fred

When I went to Moore creek in 2005 when I got out of the plane I thought I was floating-it was the mosquitos lifting me up and carrying me away... fred

Your best bet would be to go to a good detector shop and try them on...confort is very important. Dual volume controls are better for many people. I have koss for my 5000, gold pros for my 3030ctx and sony mdr-j10 for hot weather...I use these more than the others when I use headphones. fred

Hey Steve, be careful the wolves and coyotes and probably bears love the scent and taste of skunk...the smell will certainly conceal the need for a shower...HAHA. I doubt you can buy it around there but Skunk-off used to work for me when I was a real mountain man and trapper... find a big one! fred

Cal, if you are new to Pi machines I suggest you start with the stock coil and reading the manual several times. I don't think any actual targets will give a singal tone unless you have retarded the signal control a bunch...there is a ton to learn with the 5000. Jonathan Porters dvd would be an excellent investment... good luck fred

I found many nuggets that would not weigh on a powder scale...with a gb2. Sometimes a signal is more of a feeling than an audible noise or even a temporary silence in the threshold... A Grain of gold is worth about three dollars...I would pick up a "three dollar" bill any time fred