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On 6/15/2023 at 11:01 PM, phrunt said:

I will say the Equinox 800 and presumably the Equinox 900 is fantastic on tiny gold, I've found bits down to 0.009 of a gram, that's 0.13 of a grain.

 

That is truly amazing!

If the Gold Kruzer is out of the game, I guess the main comparison is between the Legend and the Nox 900.  I was told by a dealer that the Legend is not stable at higher sensitivity and had to be ran at lower sensitivity and thereby lose the small gold.  I haven't found much online about that though.  Wonder if it is an issue or not(?)

I've been researching the Gold Kruzer a little.  Anyone know if it is still in production?  I've seen conflicting reports.  Dealers don't seem to have them in stock.  Wondering if it is a supply issue or if its discontinued. 

How's this for a tiny sluice?  12" long and 3" wide.  $18 on Amazon.

I love the old AT Pro.  For whatever reason, I end up grabbing it over the CTX and other more capable, but more complicated, detectors.  It's just a comfort thing I guess.  After a lot of years with it, I can really understand the tones and what they're telling me.  I've found silver dimes in the iron with it and the 5x8 coil.  The durability is great and being waterproof is a must for me.  

With all of that being said, if I was just starting out fresh with no equipment and looking for my first detector in today's market, I would certainly go for a multifrequency unit over the AT Pro without a doubt.  Technology has moved past it and there are more capable detectors for the same price today. 

The one thing I would check before buying anything is the availability of aftermarket coils.  I have the Nel Attack for the AT Pro and the depth is very impressive.  I would make sure that whatever machine you get there are options for a very large coil and a very small coil.

Good luck!

I know that for me, it's always an expensive lesson to learn what I like and what works - for me!  You can read forums and specs, watch videos and other research endlessly, but in the end, it comes down to trying something out for yourself.  This is the way it is for all of my hobbies.  Buying and selling until I find what fits.  To that end, I wouldn't sweat the deal you made.  You may find that you love the current detector, or you may find that it isn't the one that works for you.  In that case, sell and buy again.  In the end, you'll probably lose some money but at least in my opinion, it's worth it to find the machine that is right for you.

Thanks for all the great input guys.  It's kinda hard to resist the Nox 900....

But I did order the 5" coil for my F19.  I'll try that out first and see if I can find any yellow stuff with it.  I just need to be careful not to drown it.  I think as far as a new machine goes, it's the Nox 900.

18 minutes ago, Steve Herschbach said:

Low mineral I'd go MicroNox and for high mineral/hot rocks SDC 2300. if you have really nasty bedrock or hot rocks you pretty much need a PI. But for milder ground the discrimination capability of a good VLF is great. If we are talking purely between AT Gold and Gold Kruzer. Gold Kruzer is the clear winner.

https://www.detectorprospector.com/forums/topic/12951-golden-mask-telescoping-shaft-rebuild/

https://www.detectorprospector.com/forums/topic/7468-my-tips-on-nugget-detecting-with-the-minelab-equinox/

The ground around here is generally pretty hot; ground balancing around 91 on the AT Pro.  But the last couple times I've detected the rivers/exposed bedrock, I don't remember any instability issues.  I assume the minerals have washed out of the river beds leaving lesser hot cobbles.  

I think I might get the 5" coil for the F19 and give that a shot, being extra careful not to dunk it.  That will give me an idea of how hot the ground is up there and help me decide if a new VLF or PI is justified.

A question for Steve and others with experience on both the ATX and SDC2300, which would you prefer and why?  I like the compact fold-up size of both and the interchangeable coils of the ATX.  But, I would be concerned about the durability of the ATX's coil cable.  My Infinium has had multiple coil cable damage issues and I can't help to think the expanding/contracting of the ATX shaft would exacerbate the same issues.

18 minutes ago, phrunt said:

The Equinox has no trouble on small gold.

This using multi frequency, gold 1, 24 sensitivity out of 25, all other settings defaults.

The CTX is not a prospecting detector, far from it so I'd avoid it for the task at hand, great for silver, bad for gold nuggets 🙂

At the moment as it stands I'd use my Equinox 800 over my Manticore for prospecting.  Maybe that will change with a smaller coil when it comes, although the coil is going to be 5x8" so I don't know how that will compare to the Nox 6" coil and as the old saying goes the smaller the coil the more sensitive it is.

The Equinox and other detectors like the Legend are significantly more sensitive to smaller gold than the AT Pro and Gold Bug Pro/F19 variants.

 

That is very impressive.  I'll have to take a deep dive into the Nox differences.  Is the 800 preferred over the 900 for small gold?

Screen name is my ham radio callsign.  

I just tested the CTX with both 11" and 6" coils on small pieces of lead.  Results were dismal to say the least.  I also tested the AT Pro with 5x8 and SS coils along with the F19 with stock coil - all of which beat the CTX with either coil.

The Deus II with wired coil doesn't sound appealing to me.  I don't know why, but it seems like a bandaid fix to the underwater signal degradation issue it seems to have.  Just my opinion.

I really hadn't considered the multifrequency machines as I've always thought the single high frequency detectors had an advantage over multifrequency detectors on small gold.  Maybe that isn't correct?  Maybe I should consider the Deus II and Manticore also then?  And for that matter, maybe just use the small coil on the CTX3030 that I now have.  I might have to go test the CTX on some small chunks of lead to simulate small gold.

I don't think a PI is the right choice for me on bedrock or in rivers.  I may find out otherwise once I get out there though, we'll see.

Thanks guys.

I've asked for detector recommendations on this forum in the past and appreciate all the previous input and advice.  This forum is a true benefit to the detecting and prospecting community.

So, here I am again.  I'd like to focus on rivers and creeks.  In addition to panning and sluice boxing, I want to scan the exposed bedrock cracks and crevices for small nuggets.  I think a VLF is the way to go instead of a PI machine for this purpose.  My only criteria is that it must be waterproof - not just "splash" or "rain" proof.  From what I see, the only choices are the AT Gold and the Gold Kruzer.  Are there others?  What would you recommend?

Thank you.

Thanks guys.

Steve - that is a great suggestion.  I am going to experiment a little notching out the hot rocks.  Discrimination ain't so bad, right?  Will see how it goes.  I may use the Infinium next time I'm out that way again.  For whatever reason, I do love using that machine.

I took my new F19 out for a spin at the creek and it failed me 😢  Didn't even find one nugget.  I guess I'll have to send it back as defective!

All kidding aside, it was a good time detecting and panning the creek bed.  Hot rocks were terrible though.  I consider myself a competent coin shooter, but hunting for little specs of gold in all metal mode with a highly sensitive machine is somewhat new to me.  The hot rocks were horrible.  I kinda started noticing the difference between them and "good" targets.  Still, how do you guys deal with this?  I tried ground balancing over them and that helped a little, but certainly not a solution.  I turned down the sensitivity to about half and that helped, but I really don't like giving up that kind of depth.  I'm thinking a smaller coil may be better?

Any tips are appreciated.  Thanks.

8 hours ago, Tony said:

Definitely appreciate first hand experience 👍

Is this on the TDI detecor?

Unfortunately not.  I was using the Infinium.

They don't need no stinkin' kids detector!  Slap a GPZ in their hands and tell them to get to work! 

I can't really contribute much to this conversation but I will say that I absolutely love the 8" mono coil.  I used it on the beach in the heavy black sand last weekend and it was great.  Very stable, easy to swing underwater and deep.  So deep, I need a better sand scoop.  I had to leave multiple deep targets because I simply could not reach them. 

13 minutes ago, The Seeker said:

At one of the beaches I go to I come across some cougars from time to time.  Maybe with a nice loud speaker I can attract one 🤔

Careful, they may be out to steal your gold!

I'll vote for an internal speaker also.  The area I poke around in is infested with bears, probably cougar too, although I haven't seen a cat yet.  Big bears almost every time!

5 hours ago, GB_Amateur said:

Generally an IB/VLF and a PI complement each other.  In Gerry McMullen's class he shows how different detectors are better/worse for different types of naturally occurring gold.  (That demo includes the aircraft carrier Minelab GPZ7000.)

And there's Steve H.'s mantra (paraphrased):  "use a VLF when you can and a PI when you have to."  Don't undervalue discrimination!

$400 for a new F19 with 5"x10" is a very good deal.  Cabellas seems to have these sales occasionally with prices that are better than the MAP (agreed upon "Min Advertised Price").  Supposedly that's OK as long as they don't advertise them.  Not your problem, for sure.  Enjoy that new detector!

Thank you.  I think I'll enjoy the F19 and hopefully find some gold with it.  Going to give it a chance tomorrow at the National Forest.

I did some air tests with very small pieces of lead and the F19 easily beat the Infinium with the 8" mono coil and 5x10 coil.  It also beat the AT Pro with the 5x8 and the 5" sniper coil on all but the very smallest pieces.

Air tests are just that and I know PI machines do not air test well so I plan to do more comparisons in my heavily mineralized soil (AT Pro typically ground balances at 93 here).  I really enjoy testing and comparing different detectors and scenarios for my own education.  Next time I think I'll dust off the old Tejon and add it to the mix.  Good times.

I contacted the seller and told him about the difference between his unit and the GB2.  After turning down that machine I decided to drive up to Cabelas and get the new GB for $250.  Turns out they had an F19 in the store for $400 that wasnt listed on the website.  Being unfamiliar with that unit too, I took some time to research, mostly on this site (thanks Steve!).  Since Steve preferred the 5x10 coil. I was planning on getting it for the GB too.  That would have made the cost the same.  So between the GB and F19, I chose the F19.

Even though it was a deal, I'm wondering if I shouldn't have gotten it.  I was thinking my Infinium with the 5x10 coil may be similar in depth and sensitivity albeit no discrimination.  I dont know yet, just speculation.  I'm going to do some testing in the next couple days and see what happens.

Well I knew this would be the place to ask.  Thank you guys,  I certainly appreciate the responses.

I get the impression that the seller may not be familiar with the differences in the GB model line (as was I), an honest mistake.

Based on what you guys have told me and Steve's excellent background info, I'm going to pass on this one.  The seller was asking $250 and I just found a brand new GB standard model on clearance for the same price.  As much as I'd like the added ground balance of the GB pro, I don't think it justifies an additional $400.   I do kinda have my heart set on the GB2 still so will probably add one of those too eventually.

Thanks again guys!

So I found this Gold Bug detector for sale.  The owner says it is the GB2 which it appears to be by the housing, but I think it may be an earlier version (?).  Id appreciate if anyone could give me some info on this unit.  In particular, my questions are:

What frequency does it run on?

Is it as sensitive as the GB2?

Is this maybe something similar to the CZ3D where the older models are more desirable/better?

Thanks guys.

Jon

Thanks for the reply.  Here are the results of my air tests.  AT Pro, pro zero mode, max sensitivity, no disc. 5x8 coil

Lead fishing weight

Grains      Inches

16             5

10             4.5

8               4

6               3.5

4               2.75

2               1

1                0.5

Good enough for me to try a little prospecting with it.  If I end up getting hooked, I'll get a dedicated gold machine.  Curious how this compares to the Infinium.  I might test it next time.

Hello Detector Prospector forum!  I've been inactive in detecting for quite some time and am now getting back at it.  I've used this forum in the past and received great advice so I'm back for more. 

I'd like to detect the national forest for gold particularly in the rivers and areas of exposed bedrock.  I currently have an AT Pro with multiple coils (among other machines but none are dedicated gold detectors).  I'm thinking of using the 5x8 and sniper coil.  I don't foresee spending a great deal of my time gold detecting, particularly due to the distance I would have to travel and lower chance of success as compared to coin detecting.  So, given this situation, my question is this - do you think I would be much better served by buying a dedicated gold machine?  I was thinking the AT Gold due to river detecting (waterproof).  But would the AT Pro do "almost" as well on gold?  Loaded question, I know.  How much difference does 3 kHz make in detecting small gold?  I'm going to do a little testing on small lead fragments to get an idea as to how small of a nugget the Pro will pick up.

Thanks in advance!