ks1652

Well I'm listening! The depth consideration is big. Granted my GB2 can handle Rye Patch that's not the only place I hunt. And the other areas have more to hunt for than the area my claim is in. Thanks to responses like yours and the other great knowledgeable detectorists on this site I'm sure the Equinox will be next on my agenda and the Monster should follow. I really appreciate your experience and comments. This site is incredible and everyone posting here knows their stuff.... Alaska's loss is Nevada's gain...thank you Steve!

I've watched a few videos where the gold probability meter bounced back and forth and one that pegged it to the right and the posters found tin cans and other metal objects. I agree using all metal and digging each find will work best on my claim as there's very little trash on the claim. I might be headed towards buying both. I will check out the 24k first. Thank you for your knowledgeable advice I appreciate you!

Thank you. After listening to all of the advantages of the Equinox I think it's safe to say I will get one. Combined with my GB2 I should have my claim covered. I appreciate the review.

You bring up a good point. So far I haven't detected there after a rain but I can imagine it would throw everything off and cause a lot of noise.

Looks like a great high carb diet! You guys are making me a Nox believer.

I agree rv. I am settled on these 2 units. I do like auto features. My DFX 300 offered auto and manual capabilities. So I agree since I'm not in a hurry the decision will come.

Great insights. Now my head is spinning I need again. The versatility of the Nox makes it a good choice. Was think Monster just a few minutes ago. Now I'm back on the fence. Good thing I'm not under the gun to buy. Thank you for your post.

Honestly at this time my focus is gold. Not to say finding other things doesn't get me pumped up. Finding a meteorite on my claim was awesome. That's said most claims at Rye Patch are placer gold finds. I'm leaning towards the Gold Monster then see if I still need another detector.

What to do??? I think the best option is to acquire both over time. The features offered by both detectors give a lot of flexibilty when terrain or ground conditions change. Theres no doubt both are fantastic machines. Getting my hands on one of these will fill in the gap when conditions require me to lay down the Gold Bug 2 which is a perfect machine for the Rye Patch area where rumor has it that most of the gold is small flakes and in the top 4 to 6 inches of soil. I hope to validate that statement soon. I appreciate your input!

I've never seen a cowshoe before. I can only imagine the sound the piece let go with. The nails probably sounded off insanely as well. One of the areas I have hit a few times is covered in boot tacks and those turned my DMX into sound machine.

We have the same interest in gold and meteorites. Not saying coins and relics don't interest me. It's the Buzzards fault I have gold fever. Living in Reno NV has me a couple of hours away from some really good gold locations. My house is just below Virginia City and there are a number of sites to hike to that look interesting. When I'm out detecting or drywashing I have my eyes open for anything. I like the target ID feature of the Equinox and I'm impressed with the nugget finding capabilities of the Monster. The auto features of the Monster are appealing. What I may consider eventually is picking up both detectors if I can gain approval from the finance czar before I slip the noose around my neck! Thank you for your experience and insights

Great review Sergio and the information you provided matches a lot of remarks I'm finding on the web. Thank you for responding.

Thank you GotAU. This is exactly the experienced user information I am looking for. I appreciate you for taking time to educate me and any other readers thinking about picking up one of these detectors

I had so many incredible responses to my first post that it made perfect sense togo back to the well and run this by you all. With my DMX in it's later years another detector is will be in my future. I've been researching a number of sources including YouTube hoping to narrow down my choices. Considering finances.... to date I have settled on 2 detectors. The Gold Monster 1000 and the Equinox 800. Both are in the same price range....both get good reviews and I see them producing nice finds. The operation of both seem relatively learnable and so far I am finding no negative reviews. I do question some of the YouTube posters for one reason......it seems the reputable posters have allegiance and financial deals with manufacturers. Again it's my goal to keep the cost down for now while I learn as much as possible about the art of proficient detecting using my Gold Bug 2. Once I'm comfortable with where I am I will consider a higher end detector. I can manufacture a few more AR's and sell those to fund my next purchase. That's where users of these units come in to play. Will someone detail your real world reviews of these detectors? I trust this forum won't steer me wrong. Thanks in advance!

I agree. Being one of those " older folk " a lot goes zipping by me. It's always nice to be able to confirm via the manual what you discover during the trial and error phase. I carry all that stuff with me in the field in the event a senior " moment occurs. Thank you for commenting.

This website is a God send. There's an incredible amount of experience here. Hanging out with folks who know a lot is on the job training. I found most manufacturers website offer manuals in pdf format. Like you I carry them into the field. However nothing beats a well seasoned mentor willing to share the knowledge. When I go to detect or rockhound or arrowhead hunt I'm like a 10 year old and I just want to get busy findin'.....momma was right " you got no control boy"

It's amazing what's in the ground aroundour homes. I believe you can collect a garbage can full over time. You did a good thing cleaning that much junk up.. This is great training for my claim which is amazingly clean.

Good idea. Definitely adding flattened out split shot to the grid. I certainly don't need to add nails or screws to the mix a my home reno makes sure I have plenty of those targets! I have a few pickers of gold in vials and they sound off however the tone might be altered through the glass and water. Everything I'm running into is another step in the learning curve so roadblocks with resolution are welcomed. Some tones are very discernible while others kinda just meld....or blend into the impossible to differentiate. Step by step. Once I feel comfortable I'm going to look into either the Gold Monster 1000 or Equinox 800. I'm not going to get mommas OK for that for a dtector like the GPX 6000. I already have my brains full with the GB2 so a new one is down the line. I appreciate everything you guys are suggesting.

Great idea. I'm going to add those to the samples in my yard. So far the tones are close but there is a difference. I was watching a Bill Southerns video the other night and he's amazing....he can hear the slightest of tone variations. Un real. I'll get there!

Thank you all for the input and advice. The level of knowledge and willingness to share on this site is unrivaled. A virtual brotherhood! While working the practice grid yesterday I played with all of my machines settings and different controls and I found at least in my yard what worked and what doesn't work. The big eye opener for me was the simplest and most important fuction of getting my ground balance adjusted for the terrain. It changed everything. Being able to eliminate hot rocks and nails is a game changer. At Rye Patch where I park on the claim it looks like someone designed a dancefloor hardpack with every rock imaginable. When I get out of the truck and set up I start detecting right at the truck hoping the find of the day is right there. It's hotrock city. No longer will that issue prevent me from enjoying the day. I might still run into them but at a much lesser rate. So my rant is all about the obvious.Start with the most important function and that is mastering ground balancing. Get more in tune and learn the machines language and different dialects, and try different settings to match the specific site and soil conditions. The folks on this site and incredible....thank you all for respectfully sharing. I hope to post some findings soon....as long as Reno and the outlying areas remain hospitable in the near future. SNOW GO AWAY

Thats hilarious. Looks like the younger skinny me. Yes....so much to absorb but I have time now.

I'm a detecting newbie and that excuse is worth maybe a bowl of soup and a hat going forward. I've been binge watching videos the last few days and I'm beginning to think my ancient DFX 300 has a few miles left on it after all. There's a boatload of information available on my detectors and reading it leaves me starry eyed after a bit but.....DUH...they wrote those manuals for a reason! I am publicly stating that I am ashamed and embarrased that I have wasted so much time in the field just turning on the detector running and swining it. If I found anything it was dumb luck ( such as my Majuba meteorite. After watching a number of "how to ground balance your detector" video it's been a real eye opener. Jeez....there are a lot of smart guys out there who have a lot of knowledge to share. So today I headed out back and laid out a practice grid of coins and gold finds and really tuned my Gold Bug 2 correctly. I feel like the kid in school that finally understands Algebra. My practice area gave me te opportunity to listen and be able to hear the small differences in tone. Like a dork....I found myself closing my eyes and wondering through the maze. NOT recommended. It made a difference to be able to distinguish the tones my detector produces. . Maybe just maybe my upcoming run to the claim at Rye Patch will justify the expense of my new detector. This isn't news to most of you Im sure but dang....I feel good and the blue skies are clear now and I can hear the nugget birds singing.

Hi Tom All true and noted. The site has seen it's better days due to the harse soil and weather. Most glass and ceramics have been exposed to extreme heat and cold so long not much is left on the surface. As far as hotels....I agree. I felt at times I was running a youth hostel at home when my twin sons and their wives all lived here while attending college! Thats why I was shocked to find the small bottle and saucer. I think you're not alone is chosung to pass on the site and just maybe that can be a plus. Considering the sites proximity to my claim its a hop skip and a jump so not too much time wasted trying one more time. One thing to consider is the Majuba meteorite strewn field appears to move in that direction...maybe a space rock to be found there! I found a small 27 gram meteorite on my claim where 2 others were found and documented on the Meteoritical Society website. Thinking the heavier stones travel further....you never know! I appreciate the responses everyone.

I know this isn't necessarily detecting material but its definently relic hunting land and of course boot tack heaven!

Thank you for responding. I guess I need to pull that book off my bookshelf and take a look. I was camping at my claim on Rye Patch and spoke with a park ranger who directed me there. Apparently he and his boss are big metal detectorist. He put me right on the spot. Theres an incredible amount of shattered plates and material of that sort.....and rattlers! I have an image of that foundation somewhere....I'll post it if I can find it. Thanks for the info...have a great New Year!