glacialgold

1 hour ago, farshsadg said:

I have a Legend metal detector that turned off during charging and does not work anymore. Really, the metal detector is pointless and useless. I wasted 700 dollars of my money.

Have you contacted your dealer or Nokta about issue, assuming the machine is still under warranty?

On 5/18/2023 at 12:37 AM, John-Edmonton said:

Health advisory out to stay indoors due to heavy smoke from many fires around the area. I went out and purchased a couple of N95 masks so I could breath safely. I shifted gears a bit today. I pre-screened my gold containing gravel down to 10 mesh, which took me about 1 1/2 hours for 3 x 5 gallon buckets. I then set up my California Mini highbanker, ran it with less angle and less flow due to the 10 mesh feed. It was really relaxing for the next 1 1/2 hours to feed the highbanker. I just sat on a bucket and fed the highbanker. It also took about 30 minutes to feed each bucket. I did 3 clean-ups and was really surprised at how much gold I got. Life is good!

 

That's some lovely flour gold! Question: What method did you use to get it so clean and remove all the black sand?

Re-upping this thread per having a Bounty Hunter Tracker IV I'm putting up in our garage sale tomorrow. I'll be curious to see what the level of interest is...

I purchased this one late fall 2017 for just over $60 in an Amazon special deal. It was right after I purchased the Garrett Ace 400 for myself (1st detector), w/the idea the Bounty Hunter would be something our boys could play with. They did play with it a bit, but didn't gravitate to the hobby much...besides the digging holes part. 🙂 

Anyways, I still feel it's a nice machine, easy to work with, and finds targets.

39 minutes ago, Jeff McClendon said:

Hope that is what you were asking.

Yes, and thank you! This very much helps in both gereral AND detailed understanding.

16 hours ago, StarVatrex said:

Yes ,It's a little bit heavy...and you need to be in shape for the holes you are going to dig.

This is the best combination I have found:

- Detect-ed carbon upper shaft, and

- Shorten the lower shaft a bit, your shoulder will appreciate it.

An excellent coil.

Agreed -- heavy, but does the trick.

A couple more quick hunts under my belt with the Nox 800 + CT15, and now I'm starting to really feel its utility. Since my hunting time is short, something covering maximal area quickly is a good thing. Trade off is increased time isolated the target. When daling a target in, the main challenge I'm seeing so far is the readings run deep (4+ bars) when the actual target is shallow (2-3") on coin-sized targets. Known issue across detectors, understood.

Granted, this is a depth relic/larger target coil, but it is serving its purpose for me coinshooting in terms of coverage. I just finished a 40 minute session on previosuly worked ground (last summer/fall as a novice, 800 and Legend) which had given up plenty of clad, mainly nickels. Swinging the 800 + CT15, I dug 6 targets and all 6 were coins -- 2 dimes, 3 nickels, and 1 memorial penny. These weren't deep targets, and I KNOW I've hit this same area before-- what I think I pulled out this time around was due to 1) additional experience, and 2) the big coil hitting gaps from prior swings.

On 5/10/2023 at 4:03 PM, Jeff McClendon said:

I like the way Pitch tones (same concept) sounds on Deus 2 and the Legend a lot better.

Jeff, could you go into some more detail re: pitch tones, especially for the Legend? I watched a few videos and have the general concept down (I think), but I appreciate your ability to make these kinds of features clear in writing, which is how I better digest information. 

On 5/3/2023 at 2:26 PM, scotty said:

hi there I'm just wondering if anyone is using the coiltek 15" with the equinox 900 .I've been using it every now and then but I'm still not convinced with the coil .the main trouble is it can be a bit noisey even with the sensitivity turned down to 17 .i have tried some settings that ive found on line but always end up going back to my stock 11 " coil which is alot more settled .any advice guys .thanks .

Same here, albeit with the CT15 on the 800. 

What I've found from about 2 hrs on it is:

1. It's a heavy swing and wears down the arm. But yeah, exercise makes you stronger!
2. EMI hasn't been a huge issue for me, but YMMV.
3. On air tests, it behaves strangely sensitive on small junk rings...like a 10" no prob. That may just be me, however, and I don't possess any "real" jewelry to test against.

Anyways, I'm taking the hog out again tonight for a couple quick swings at the sports complex where one of the kids has soccer practice. Plan is to drop the sensitivity to 17-19 and cover an fairly low traffic area, cherry-picking for coins.

Testing and learning, testing and learning.

6 hours ago, Gold Catcher said:

So long, guys!

 

 

Wait a hot hot second here, b/c I have questions...

Based upon your final pic, GC, you are able to wear headphones over a hoodie, top it off with a hat, and STILL have the headphones latch it all down???

This is a shocking development to witness. Per the assorted sets of factory-issued headphones (Garrett, Minelab, and Nokta) being marginally able to fit my big a$$ noggin...let alone extra head protection.

That said, my melon might just be too big, and YMMV accordingly. 

Cheers! 

Beautiful scenery shots...also, nicely done on the small pickers!

2 hours ago, GB_Amateur said:

This seems to be a common theme with 15" round DD's on today's under 4 lb IB/VLF detectors.  I have two of that size (one is a Nel Attack for Fisher Gold Bug Pro; the other is a 3 kHz Coiltek for the Minelab X-Terra 705) and I've hardly used them, at least partly because of their dead weight.

The weight difference was especially pronounced because I'd previously had the Nox rigged out with the 6" coil. Jumping up to the CT 15" was just...wow.

I'm going to keep practicing with it, mainly to build my stength up and get better at pinpointing (if possible). I view it as a useful tool to have in the inventory, especially for areas that are low trash and few and far between on targets. My family also has a farm up north dating back to the late 1850s, so this coil would be a good fit for covering acreage there.

And finally, new toys are fun! 

Bumping up this thread per having acquired the Coiltek 15" for the Nox 800 today. (Cheers to a certain DP forum member!)

All I have to offer is the results of a wildly unscientific and unsexy 40 minute test at one of my kid's schoolyard. Based upon prior advice from this forum and other sources, I dialed the sensivity down on the Nox to 17-19 and recovery speed down to 3 and used Field 2. So, here we go re: first impressions:

1) This thing is A BEAST to swing. Even after shortening the shaft a couple inches, I'd've had to change swing arms if I went much longer.

2) Pinpointing is a challenge. Needs practice on my end, that's all I can say so far.

3) EMI was less of an issue than expected. I was within 100 ft of power lines and houses (w/all the attendant wifi and EMI producing equipment) at all times. Yeah, the Nox 800 w/this coil was behaving poorly at the higher sensitivity settings, but pulling it down to the 17-19 range made it run fairly quiet. 

4) Hits new targets in pounded ground. I've been over the same ~150x75 ft area multiple times w/the Nox and Legend stock coils...and I suspect the ground has been worked over by prior detectorists. I've pulled a buffalo and wheat previously, and 30+ memorials w/o much in-between on the coin spectrum. With this coil this time I dug 4 targets, and two were coins -- a '69 nickel and a 2019 shield penny. Weird thing is both were in the 6-8" depth range. The other two targets were AL trash reading in the 13-15 VDI range, which I thought could indicate a deep nickel target.

Takeaways: Need to spend more time w/this hog to figure out its strengths and weaknesses. I can definitely see its utility when one needs to cover a big area, cut through (or swing above) surface rubbish and still hit targets at depth. Also, I'd consider swinging this coil a mild version of strength training. 

That's my two (or six) cents, at least. Cheers!

1. I have nothing to add here. Still learning, and this is some advanced degree discussion in this thread.
2. Very, very informative to read all the different perspectives.
3. Super-entertaining witnessing what I'd call the "big dogs" duke it out! Yeah, it can get testy at times, but it's fun seeing people energized and pushing the limits.

Hi there, Andy, and welcome!

I love the Equinox 800 -- it's a fantastic machine. I also use a Nokta Makro Legend, but consider the 800 my "sweet swing." And let me say I'm a little jealous of your location for detecting and prospecing...minus all the poisonous stuff! 😄

On 4/28/2023 at 3:28 AM, Valens Legacy said:

Grandfather always said that some days you will find more in that stuff than the rocks. Good luck on your next hunt.

Yeah, root gravel is nice here in IN at the glacial boundary.

If I'm getting skunked/bored at the usual locations, I can almost always find a root-bound area on the interior bend of a gravel bar and pan a big count of micro gold. And occasionally flakes or actual pickers.

19 hours ago, JCR said:

It is still fun to play around with the capabilities of older detectors.

Agreed!

Story time:

Over Easter weekend I was visiting family out-of-town and ran across a YouTuber dectectorist (bhiggles) in the field. I was so excited to meet him, but hadn't brought my detector(s) along since it was going to be just a short overnight trip. What I was able to do, however, was borrow my partner's dad's barely functional White's Coinmaster (series 2, I believe) and join in on the hunt. Didn't find anything, but it was fun turning on the old machine and learning to get it to squeal just right. Also, good company.

8 hours ago, GB_Amateur said:

Most gold found in the Great Lakes states and Midwest is tiny, but detectable gold isn't out of the question.  "Getting down to bedrock" is the mantra to find the largest pieces, but often that isn't possible without the right equipment (e.g. dredges and diving gear)

I'd echo GB here, 100%. And it's a real positive point in your favor that you are starting with a Minelab Equinox 800, which is a fantastic and versatile machine. Gold prospecting mode on the 800 is a serious top contender for hunting even tiny nuggets, but it's also a great option for micro gold jewelry in parks and playgrounds.

I've panned out some small nuggets/fat flakes here in Indiana at the glacial boundary (right on bedrock), and they ring out just fine on the 800 in Gold mode. Tiny things, maybe 0.05g maximum. Granted, those only hit on the 800 at like 3" on the 6" coil, but they do ring out. Coarser stuff like these flakes and nuggets are likely going to be close or on bedrock, and my understanding is you have depth of glacial till covering most/all of Michigan. 

That said, with the Equinox 800 you also have an incredible machine for coin and relic hunting -- and it has tailored functionality for saltwater beaches -- so you aren't confined to just gold. Hit some parks, playgrounds, fields, etc. -- wherever human activity existed, the older the better, and you can find all kinds of fun things in dirt.

For example, the only silver I've found thus far was in my own backyard (1963 Roosevelt dime, almost 10" down) and it came from trying out the Equinox 800 for roughtly 5 minutes right out of the box, even though I'd pounded the yard with an Ace 400 for years.

Nice! Just wait until you hit your first ring or real piece of jewelry!

Isn't Nokta also offering a deal on the LG30 for current Legend owners where, if they purchase the LG30 coil (now standard on the new production models instead of the LG28), they get the upgraded upper shaft and arm cuff free? Or am I off on that one?

BEAUTIFUL vintage paraphrenalia! Very quirky and fun info on how that apparatus was meant to work.

I'd be thrilled to find something like that on my turf, but the best I've pulled so far is a brass one-hitter I dug in my kid's elementary school soccer field. 

Great advice, thanks!

I definitely ike the coil per 1) increased coverage, and 2) new finds on ground I've already hit. I just need to adjust a bit and get the pinpointing method down better for the spots I'm in. Looking forward to trying it out on "real" ground, vs. the moden elemetary school ground I currently use as a testing location.

1 hour ago, Digalicious said:

The depth meter is actually a signal strength meter. As such, edged coins will have a weaker signal than a coin lying flat, and will show deeper than they actually are. 

What pinpointing method are you using?

Excellent point, thanks! I understand now the need to pay more attention to the orientation of the exposed target relative to the surface of the plug/signal, which isn't something I've considered before. Good clue, there.

Pinpointing method...heh. Let me call it a "wiggle+" 😄? Pretty sure mine isn't the prescribed version, but it's what I've graviated to...and perhaps has room for improvement?

So once I get a repeat signal, I try to center it as best as possible via repeat signal strength on the center DD coil line and where the shaft connects to the coil itself, backing off and coming back at the original signal from various angles slightly outside the coil dimension. Once I think it's pretty well dialed in there, I move off the signal, press and hold the pinpoint button, and hit it again from a couple different angles.

That method suits me well on the stock 11" LG28 (targets are generally in the plug)  but I feel like I'm missing something on the pinpointing piece with the 13.5" x 12.5" LG35 version.

What do you think about the LG35 coil for those who have experience using it? 

I have a few hours now running mine, primarily on an elementary school field of about 12 acres (i.e., plenty of open ground to cover). I've found plenty of targets using the LG35 so far, even on ground I've swung over before with the stock LG28. Weird thing is, the targets I'm finding aren't really any deeper, as I'd have expected with bigger coil -- that outcome, however, could be more do to the relatively modern age of the field (late 1980s/early 1990s).

What I have notificed is difficulty pinpointing, and also the target depth on the Legend reading deeper for coins than they actually are. For example, I'm routinely finding my targets in the side wall rather than the plug, and digging a 4 bar target reading yields a coin at only 3-4" down.

Anyways, anything anyone wants to share about experiences/tips 'n tricks for using this coil is totally appreciated!

Garrett Carrot (Pro Pointer AT) for me, and I'd echo similar comments upthread about the Minelab pinpointers being "sub par."

I have a ML Pro Find 20, and only keep it around in case a friend joins in on a hunt and needs a pinpointer. It doesn't register a small target unless it's an 1" or so away, and doesn't have any bells and whistles like the carrot. I also have a ML Pro Find 15 still in the box -- it's going up in the spring garage sale since I can't see it having use except the most novice, budget detectorist. Maybe the Pro Find 35 is better, dunno? 

I'm primarily a speaker-only hunter, so this would be a big problem if it hit my Legend. Glad to hear about the confidence in Nokta re: the warranty, however.