GB_Amateur

kac, would you please post a link, or at least a brand and product ID? Ditto on a charger if they don't come with one?

Great report and glad you found some juicy gold rings! I'm confused by the above quote and hope you will explain (and troubleshoot) my problem. I'll now say what I think you said: 1) In Park 2 (otherwise similar settings) the round coil is deeper than the eliptical. 2) However, with the eliptical coil mounted, switching to Park 1 will give you similar depth to the round coil in Park 2. 3) But you finish with: "Park 1 is a better option in areas with more trash, if you don’t need the depth." My confusion is with #3 phrase: "...if you don't need the depth." That sounds contradictory to #1 and #2. It implies to me that if you need the depth, Park 1 isn't the choice (thus Park 2 is better?).

But you can't have it both ways here in the USA. Others have answered, but consider these numbers: USA 1 cent coins (we call them 'pennies' but they aren't like the British Commonwealth coin denominations) -- basically the same size, weight, and composition from 1864 to 1982. Almost everyone (except the gold snobs 🤑) values finding an Indian Head: 1864 to 1909. Many of the mintmarked Lincolns from 1909 to 1932 carry value. USA 5 cent coins (we call them 'nickels' but they are actually cupro-nickel being 75% copper and 25% nickel). With the exception of World War II when nickel was anticipated to be needed for military use and they used 35% silver, 56% copper, 9% manganese) these are the same size, shape, weight, and compositions from 1866 until the present. Again, prior to the Jefferson image coins which began in 1938, most detectorists value finding the earlier issues. Some of the Jeffersons also carry a nice premium. USA 10 cent and 25 cent and 50 cent coins -- these were 90% silver, 10% copper going well back to the 18th Century and kept the same size, weight, shape, and composition right up thru 1964. After that the half dollars went through 5-6 years of 40% silver, 60% copper and then joined the 10 cent and 25 cent compositions which were 'clad' starting in 1965 with a pure copper core and outer layers of the same composition as the 'nickel'. However, and I guess unfortunately for us detectorists, the copper core drives the TID's to be very close to the desirable 90% silver prior issues. USA dollar coins -- these have the more checkered history. From almost the beginning of the country (1794 was first year of issue) thru 1935 they had pretty much the same 90% silver composition of the lower denom. silver coins, and they kept their size, shape, and weight throughout their mintage history. In 1971, clad versions were created but again, with high TID's due to their copper cores. The size was reduced in 1979 while keeping the clad composition, but those only lasted 3 year due to their unpopularity, particularly because the size was close to the 25 cent piece and therefore easily mis-identified by the public. When the similarly sized brass Canadian Lunie proved popular there starting in 1987, the USA government decided to copy that with our own $1 brass coin -- still minted today but never popular. We still are addicted to the $1 note so why should we have to duplicate the denomination with a coin? (That's the public talking, not I!) That's a lot of detail, but it drives home the point that kac and others made -- you can't find the desirable old coins without digging the modern ones worth only face value. And because of their unpopularity, modern dollar coins and even half dollars (since at least the 1980's) don't appear often because the public dislikes them. Even the despised Stinkin' Zincoln (copper coated zinc pennies minted since 1982) have digital TID's very close or coincident with the Indian Head pennies. You who stuck with Great Britain's standards for way longer than we mutinous (former) Colonists have the advantage of the changing monetary system and its resulting coins with different digital TID's for the new (face value) coins than the old desirables. Even Canada has $1 and $2 coins in circulation if their detectorists choose to cherry pick those over their now very low TID coins that Jeff detailed above (except their 1 cent pieces which stayed pretty close to historical standards, as he also notes).

Welcome, Explorer001! (Hope that's the serial number on your detector -- a collector's item for sure. 😁) If you mean a Minelab Equinox 800, you'll learn a lot from this collection of threads and posts that Steve put together and continues to update:

That's terrible in so many ways. I hope the idea hasn't/doesn't spread. Plastics have become such a worldwide problem I wouldn't put it past some people to try such a technique with that waste. Won't trigger our detectors, but that's just a small and (for the most part) insignificant malady compared to other damage.... (Sorry for veering off-topic again.)

I'm really glad you posted that article since I hadn't seen it. I've multiple times read the one he linked to (where he searched and dug all metal targets of a baseball infield using a Minelab PI) and found something like 5 times as many coins as previously recovered using an IB/VLF. Also, those who want to read more about his good finds at this historic site (shown at the end of the linked article and including his conclusions on when and who dropped the gold coin), see page 23-27 of this Fisher publication. I have a perfect spot to perform a similar experiment but unfotunately it's in a city park where that much excavation would be frowned upon. I need to find a private (permission) with similar conditions and 19th Century habitation history. In my years reading magazines, webpages, books and (fewer) the years I've detected myself, these are the most eye-opening revelations I've ever come across, and it's not close. Dankowski is my kind of detecting investigator. Thanks for linking, Steve.

Are you ever able to get any use/value out of sunglasses? What is the green stone jewelry piece next to the key fob? Good report, even though the good finds were mostly absent.

I'm not a violent person but I wish there were a way to virtually slap some sense into someone who would threaten a detector company if they didn't meet their selfish, petty, non-sensical demand. I know -- invite that person over to detectorprospector.com and see what kind of response his/her 'demand' will receive here. I don't make it a point of searching for modern coins, but they come along for the ride when I look for old coins. My recordkeeping (begun at the beginning of 2017) shows I have found a modest (by many detectorists' standards) 3351 modern (post silver, post Wheat penny, post Buffalo nickel) coins. Although I don't keep track of this kind of detail, my recollection is that I could count on two hands the number of times I've dug coins in intimate contact (and that's not because I had iron bias set too high and was missing them). And if I have missed a few, imagine the number of good (deep, old!) targets I would otherwise have missed with a super high bias setting. This reminds me of that person who joined here (apparently) just to point out (repeatedly and with great fanfare) that the Equinox would give an iron signal for a stack of silver coins. He was trying to get us to praise and honor him as a hero for 'saving us'. It seems some people think a detector should be perfect at everything, without realizing the tradeoffs they are requesting. Next they'll be wanting the detector to dig the target for them.

Welcome, bigtim1973! Nice detailed writeup. We share in common the fact that close relatives (sadly no longer with us) inspired us to get into this hobby. I hope other new arrivals will see your introductory post and be a little more revealing of their situations, past and present. Good to have another experienced detectorist here, although non-experienced ones are just as welcome. I look forward to your future posts.

I find subtle information from the Equinox's pinoint function. TennesseeSharpShooter has posted quite a bit about some techniques he uses. It's another tool in the toolbox. I don't have to use it every time or in every location or situation, but it's there when I need it. Another example of a trick I've noticed (although this one I don't use currently) -- if I get a nickel signal (12-13 digital TID on the Eqx), I look at the strength meter ("depth meter"). For two targets that appear the same so far, switching to pinpoint seems to give a louder response for the (shallower) beavertail-only pulltab than for a (deeper) nickel. I haven't really done sufficient study to be sure this works, and I don't mind digging pulltabs as much as some people do so I haven't used this for dig/no dig decisions. But (if real) I see it as another example of what a (non-motion minimally filtered) pinpoint functions can add. Next time out (hot, humid, and dry ground here ) I'll do some more testing. I have a site loaded with pulltabs (and a few nickels, too). Although my parks don't have the restrictions such as Jeff's, I still prefer to dig as small of a hole as possible. That's not a slam dunk with any method I've found unless the target is moderatly shallow, nicely (horizontally) oriented, and with no other trash within the detector+coil zone. I prefer more information over less, but I do understand those who don't want to waste too much time with extra investigation when you're pretty sure you've got the target located.

That's good news for me. I've done pretty well with separation not knowing any special adjustments. Jeff, can you either link to a thread here that discusses how to adjust the Eqx for maximum separation, or create one? Separation is the biggest thing I need in a detector and it's the one thing that would push me to buy an Apex if it turns out to be noticeably better than the Equinox. I even thought about buying an Orx for just that reason -- its separation ability -- but Chase talked me out of it. (😁 Actually he and I discussed through PM and I decided that this improvement alone over the Eqx likely wasn't sufficient to spend that kind of money.)

For those of us in the Eastern half to 2/3 of the USA, except maybe those within a hundred or so miles of Canada, this is the absolute worst season of the year to view anything astronomical because of the water vapor in the atmosphere (humidity and especially clouds). I got lucky on Thursday when we had a cool, not so humid day with clear skies still into the evening and after sunset. Just another advantage of living in the Rockies and all the way west to the Pacific (well, except maybe in those coastal cities with mega light pollution). It will be viewable (with help from good optics) for weeks but as it gets farther from the earth and sun it gets dimmer and the tail (sublimation/evaporation due to the sun) will shrink and eventually disappear. Tonight and tomorrow night (19th and 20th, before the moon starts brightening the evening sky) might be the best of all if you can get clear skies and out of light pollution. You can always wait for the next one but as that article I linked to notes, it's been 23 years since we've had one this bright in the Northern Hemisphere. I've viewed at least six in my lifetime but I'm not banking on another.

Gasoline here is sold on such a low margin (for the retailer) because of competition that the surcharge from the credit card companies makes a difference. Some gasoline stations will give what appears to be a discount if you pay cash. (Or you can think of it as an extra charge if you use a CC.) That isn't done everywhere; I think it is more common in the Western states. I can't recall seeing it much (if at all) here in the Midwest recently. I haven't seen a gasoline station that pumps the gas for you in several years, and that was one local (mom-and-pop Indiana) brand which went out of business. In general they stopped doing that around 1980 by my recollection. The other thing that is common here are 'reward' cards where you get discounts or rebates for purchases. Sometimes the big gasoline companies (like Shell, Exxon, etc.) are part of that and you get discount off your gasoline by using their card. But there are lots of other bonuses, like airline miles and even just percentage purchase 'cash' rebates (1-2%).

After reading his webpage, I don't even think he has swung one, but rather just read over and regurgitated the advertising info Garrett has been distributing since Mid-May. That makes calling this a 'review' misleading (or worse), IMO. His comparison at the end with Vanquish and Simplex is even more lame, in multiple ways. We so much need Garrett to get these on the market so we can get some reasonable and reliable testimonials.

Nice, finds, especially silver. Check here for more & better photos but if you're really lucky you will discover you've found a rare 1942/1-D overdate (4 is doubled and there are some remnants of the 1 under the 2):

I hope you're right. If so, that will get my attention, for sure.

🤣 Thanks for having a good sense of humor. (I mean putting up with my razzing.) BTW, the multifrequency selections apparently do use higher than 20 kHz, but Garrett hasn't said (and probably won't) exactly how high. But I get it -- you're not expecting anything from the Apex that other detectors in your arsenal don't already have. Neither am I but I can hope to be surprised. I bet the aftermarket coil manufacturers will jump at the chance, but of course that likely depends on how well the Apex is received. From what I see on Ebay there are a lot 3rd party coils for the AT series and even some for the low-end Ace.

I have mixed (guilty) feelings posting this since it is technically not related to the purpose of this site, although I'll argue (not vehemently) that it is related to meteorites. 😅 Further (and weaker) -- we detectorists are outdoor types (and appreciate nature) so I suspect many of you are interested in this. There is a comet viewable from the Northern Hemisphere right now. There has been hype that you can see it from cities -- well, not with the naked eye. But with a pair of binoculars and with a dark western sky (here I mean no or minimal artificial lighting -- if you live in a city or town at least go to its Western edge) it is quite noticeable, with both head and tail being easily distinguished. Below I post two images I copied from this webpage to help you locate it. Here are some things to keep in mind: 1) It's low in the horizon after sunset. About 1 1/2 hours after sunset is a good time to see it, as the sky is dark enough then. To emphasize something many of you are aware of, just as the sun sets in the West, so do most astronomical objects. Don't wait too late into the night or it will have set. 2) Being low in the horizon, you are looking through quite a bit of atmosphere which both absorbs its light and distorts the image. Thus there is a compromise between earlier (lighter sky but less atmosphere) and later (just the opposite on those two). 3) It can be seen with the naked eye under the right conditions. When we went out this past Thursday, 17th, I found it in binoculars and my wife -- seeing where I was pointed -- could see it with her naked eyes. I will point out she had cataract surgery this Sping (so Steve, you should be fine 😁). I, on the other hand, was never convinced I could after trying several times. (I'm probably due for those surgeries soon...). Still, when my wife subsequently looked through binoculars she was much more impressed, so if you have a pair definitely take them with you. 4) The lunar cycle is in its waning crescent phase, meaning in particular it doesn't rise until after midnight so not a problem, yet. New moon is Monday and after that it will be up starting at sunset (and unfortunately in the Western sky). And of course it will increase in brightness as more of it gets flooded with light so although the comet will be around for quite a bit longer, getting out sooner rather than later is recommended. (This can also be included with #2 -- the longer you wait in terms of days, the higher it will get meaning darker background sky and longer time spent above the horizon. But the moon will wipe out those advantages.) My recommendation is to go as soon as you have clear skies (like tonight!). Then if you really like what you saw and want to try later, you'll have more chances but at least you won't have missed it. 5) Sorry if you're in the Southern Hemisphere, but according to this article you've had two excellent comets in the last 15 years which we northerners missed. Our last was 1997 (Hale-Bopp). One last recommedation/warning. It can be a great idea to take children, or a really bad one. You might be there a while until it becomes visible (and you spot it) which means they need to be the patient kind. If they are, it just might make a lasting impression.

Sounds so simple. But I know it's just the opposite. Keep teasing us with photos of your finds, though. Continue to make it look easy in your videos. Then we can all dream....

When I see stashes like this the first thing that comes to my mind: "I wish I had been serious back in the 70's when I first got interested in detecting." But then I realize there is a lot more to it than that. Suppose in 1979 when you started, 100 random people (about your age) were given the same detector you had and were told "come back in 40 years and we'll compare hauls". How many would have had as good of results as you? My answer: "damn few."

Pal, maybe you missed what Phrunt said. He's not waiting to make his decision. 😁 Simon, my advice (cliche') to you: Never say 'never'". BTW, related but OT -- the owner of the Washington Redskins (American) football team has agreed to change the team's nickname. This comes after 5 years ago saying "...NEVER, and I'm putting that in capital letters..." The fact that team corporate sponsors were going to cancel contracts worth (likely) hundreds of millions of $ might have had something to do with his change-of-heart. So, Simon, who's going to threaten you with loss of endorsement money??

Coincidentally I watched an episode of River Monsters (with Jeremy Wade) last evening on Discovery Channel. He was catching them (9 footers) in a river in South Africa. He wasn't so far up the river (I think it was less than 100 km). One of the things he said was that even though they are now proving that there are quite a few in that river, there has never been a recorded attack there. (That didn't stop the locals from complaining about catch-and-release.) However another thing he said was that the sharks are feasting on recreational anglers' catch -- gobbling them off the line before they can be landed. Another thing he said was that the world's longest ever recorded bull shark was caught there about a decade ago -- 13 footer. Finally that bull sharks are responsible for more documented human deaths than any other species, including Great Whites. (Maybe all this is old news to you experienced water detectorists.)

Yeh, right. I'm sure if I showed up with corroded Zincolns they would change the rules. I also wonder if they'll pay 10% premium on (unpopular) halves and dollars. More realistic question -- how regognizable do coins need to be? I wash off the dirt but all my nickel alloy coins (specifically all nickels, dimes, and quarters) require a second look to be verified as legit. I don't have a tumbler, although a premium 10% on my 'junk' coin finds would make a nice dent into a new (small sized) quality model. AFAIC, Zincolns are zinc scrap, awaiting the day that zinc goes back to where it was a couple decades(?) ago. I recall uncorroded Zincolns having about double face value at one time. Throw in the fact that it's 'technically' illegal to melt them.... Guess there are better things to wish for (Genie only grants you three, right?).

Pretty amazing. Savings accounts (and even Certificates of Deposit) are paying less than 1% annualized. Still has to be worth the drive, and even Milwaukee is ~7 hours from me. Maybe this will catch on and banks near me will play copycat. 🤞

Take your pick of article/video. Taking advantage of the Forrest Fenn Treasure publicity -- which he admits. He has the GPS coordinates -- he doesn't give them out to hunters. Also says "online sharing of clues not allowed". Yeh, I'm sure that's enforceable. Caveat Emptor.