matt

That's awesome! What the deal with drinking corona bottles? I thought Aussie's only drank Fosters oil cans?

You are correct! I guess Tom doesn't remember I told him my family settled his area in the mid 1800's and we own several ranches in the location of an early Spanish/ Mexican settlement that was later land granted to my great, great, great grandfather. It's been a couple years since Tom and I discussed the location I'm referring to. One of the others ranches could be the site of an old stage stop and saloon. Either way, great finds for both of you. Congrats!

Nice finds! Hope to get down that way to hunt with you one of these days Tom. When I have time we can meet up and walk around my family ranches to look for the signs of that old spanish settlement from the 1700's. I know one of them is right in the close proximity if not directly on it.

Anybody that detects for nuggets most likely have at one time or another left a target in the ground for trash. I remember digging on a target in a location where very large gold had been found. I was over a foot deep in hard dry dirt. It was a hot day and toward the end of my hunt. It just sounded like trash so I left it. Once back at home, that's all I could think about! The next day, I left work early and went beck. Glad I did because another 3 or 4 inches was a nice specimen that had over an ounce of gold in it! I never left another target unchecked and recovered many multi ounce pieces. That was an eye opening learning experience to say the least.

I thought it was pretty funny actually!

I always just have the attitude that I am better and more thorough at detecting than others. Most beaches are public and when people go in with the assumption that the other guy already found all the good stuff then it's a waste of time for them to be there. A positive attitude makes a big difference.

Sweet recovery! Thanks for sharing your story. And what a house!

Can the middle section be removed to use the upper and lower section for a shorter shaft for underwater detecting or what will the overall length be with the lower shaft completely inside the middle section?

I would be very careful sending via USPS. Earlier this year, I sent El Dorado 3/4 of an ounce of small pickers and my Platinum wedding band. I hired him make me an exact replica of my plat band with gold I found. He made it sent it back with the remaining gold. Insured it for $2k, but it was actually value of $4k. We had a bunch of pictures of everything. Package disappeared in the USPS distribution center in North Carolina. It's a long story and I finally received the package empty of all contents with the USPS admitting it was in their possession when the contents were removed. Filed a claim. Denied. Filed 2 appeals to the highest level. Denied. Only option left is to hire a lawyer, but that will cost more than $4k. Found out it's very common for packages with insurance to disappear. It has been a nightmare to deal with. From now on I will only ship via fedex. Going through this ordeal I learned that UPS does not have good claims either and I was told by a local jeweler that they only use fedex due to theft and insurance.

You contacted the Australia Service Center and not the US Service Center?

I keep on getting the tungsten carbide wedding bands too! It's exciting to see a ring in the scoop only to find out not gold...

Jeff-I'm glad you posted the link and that Gig made the video. I had no idea about the reason for the leaks so now when I get to my beach location, I am going to check both Eq's before using them in the water. We haven't used them for diving due to being worried about leaking and have only used them waste deep. To say that the video is uncalled for is silly.

AZO forum has been gone for quite some time. I took it off my bookmarks a couple years ago if I remember correctly.

I would think the museum in Downieville would be the best place for that token. Not sure how much they would give you for it, but I would be willing to pitch in seeing that it belongs there.

It's probably a crown from a person who's family spread their loved one's ashes at the lake.

I have found a lot of gold nuggets thanks to Minelab...I will find a lot of $$$ on the beaches thanks to Minelab. Thanks Minelab. Enough said.

The video says meet the beast on 8/27/22? Released tomorrow?

I just hope that it's completely waterproof and performs better than the eq800. Then I don't have to learn the Deus2 and could sell it.

The nugget looks like a brain!

I have used bear boards for years in the sierra's. They work great, but have to make sure and paint them bright orange so if somebody accidentally comes through they are visible.

According to the video the new detector will be announced tomorrow 7/26

That's what I did, but not planning to retire for for at least 4 more years (I am 51) until both kids are in college. Bought a house in Maui a couple years ago. We can walk to town, the grocery store, the hardware store, several dozen restaurants, and a fantastic beach is 900 feet from my front door. Just got back from a 3 night trip last weekend. Got up early and detected 2 different beaches at sunrise. Nothing better than to be in paradise on a beautiful beach alone watching the sun come up. Lots of targets, but it seems like most of the jewelry kids buy these days are not precious metals. I hit 2 engagement rings. One of them I thought was platinum, but once I had my glasses on it read KT316. Stainless steel with fake diamonds. The other was similar, but the plating was wearing off. Most of the locals are nice people as long as you respect them and their island. I haven't had any problems with them.

Yes, shorter in length. XP is supposedly coming out with one that was reviewed several months ago, but it has been silent about it ever since. I have not been diving with a metal detector yet, but now that this new xp is out and waterproof I plan on diving it. Probably just a 1 piece shorter shaft.

Yep. I have seen it first hand too. More than once unfortunately.

I took the tour and it was awesome to see. Too bad you didn't get inside while there...