roustabout

WOW, just WOW! Great inspiration for us wantabees. Spring is on the way here at least on this side of the country so maybe we can make some finds also. I noticed the pick you use. Can you do a review of prospecting picks for us? I see sizes ranging from about two inches to maybe five inches at the hoe end. Your thoughts please. Thanks, Paul in Spokane

Thank you Steve for this excellent forum. The loose coil on the ATX is what I thought I had read before. Has anyone come up with a workaround for the floppy coil if they have one? After reading lots on your post early last year I bought an ATGold. I've been very happy with it. It does everything I need in this area. I really appreciate your unbiased and honest evaluations and advice. I know you have helped many to make the right choice. I'm totally hooked on the hobby now. I'm planning on moving on to salt beach hunting and a few trips to Nevada this year and it sounds like the ATX is what I need for these trips. Can't get my hands on one around here so will have to take a trip somewhere to check one out before making a purchase. Another question for you is how is the sling that comes with the ATX? Have you used it or do you always use your Minelab harness system? Thanks, Paul in Spokane

Is there any difference between a used ATX and the currently manufactured ones? Seems like I saw something was changed but can't remember if that was the ATX or another detector. Thanks, Paul in Spokane

I'm thinking about a trip to northern Nevada this spring. When does the weather usually allow safe prospecting there? Also any information about where to detect would be appreciated. I need to get my AT Gold over some gold! Thanks, Paul in Spokane

Check http://www.grainger.com, they have lots of items. I've bought perforated sheet in very small pieces. Haven't looked for screen but they seem to have about anything I've looked for.

I'm needing thawed ground now. Pulled the trigger on an ATGold from Bowens Hideout here in Spokane. Met some really nice folks at the Northwest Treasure Hunters club too. Myself and a couple of buddies will be joining up with them at the next meeting. Now to study the book that came with the ATGold as well as keeping up with this forum. I'm really glad I found this forum. Thanks again, Steve.

Great forum, Steve, and this thread is a great Christmas present for me! I have been prospecting for three years or so and am only now getting interested in metal detecting. I have been trying to read all I can find about detectors so I can make the best decision as spring nears. I've seen a few posts of yours about the Garrett atx and it's of interest to me. I want to buy only once and have the best all around detector for my area, north Idaho, ne and nc Washington. So far only very small gold in my vial. I'm planning on joining a tresure hunting club in Spokane in addition to the prospecting clubs. Much of the hype I've read about the atx makes me think it may be in the running for an all around detector but it's much more expensive than the ones mentioned in this thread. Could it be worth the difference? The compactness of it in the case makes me think I'd have it with me more often. I know you like them, but how do you think they fit in this thread discussion. Do you put in the pi class or maybe a class of their own? Thanks for a wonderful forum and have a happy golden new year!