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Lanny

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Posts posted by Lanny

    X-Terra 70 & X-terra 705 As Nugget Detectors?

    in Minelab X-Terra Forum

    Posted

    I have found tiny gold with it, and I've found meaty nuggets with it. I've found lots and lots of coins with it, but what I've found is that there's far more to learn about how to truly use all of the features on the 705; there's a lot packed in there. It's not a whack it together from the box and "instantly go" machine when it comes to gold detecting. There's a learning curve for sure, so that's why it's probably not as easy to get started chasing nuggets as it is with the Gold Bug Pro for instance. So, the 705 isn't as user friendly, but it sure can find nuggets. Now, I've not used it in extreme ground, but I don't think that's any VLF's forte, and on another note, the detector could benefit from a signal enhancer to boost the headphone volume as the stock circuit (at least on my machine) doesn't really ramp up the audio to help with those tiny whispers. 

    I love how light it is and the discrimination really works, but you lose considerable depth if you're using the disc circuit to hunt nuggets. I've used it in abandoned placer excavations that were full of bits of bucket, track, and blade shavings where my PI was driving me insane with countless, endless hits, so I used the 705 in discrimination mode and pulled out nuggets that were hiding amid the iron and steel clutter; that was fun as otherwise I'd have just walked away with the PI and been skunked. 

    To review, steeper learning curve than some of the newer VLF's, lower volume output to the headphones, love the light weight, love the discrimination, love how it finds tiny gold, it gets pretty easy to ID annoying hotrocks with it, I can scrub the coil on the ground without falsing, battery life is good, solid coin circuit, Minelab reliability. 

    I read once on another cryptic post that the people at Minelab research had packed far more into the little 705 than was needed to do the job it was marketed for, and I've found that to be true; there's lots of things it will do that are not evident at first look, and I'll confess, I still have no idea of all that it will indeed do, and I'd love to hear and learn more. I haven't really drilled down on the various coils and frequencies (like JP) as I've got the goldpak and have simply used that configuration. I've put rookies on it, and they've found gold with it, but I knew in advance I was in a hot area with good gold, so the chances were good for them to snag a nugget, but at least they understood the basics of the 705 well enough to find the gold and be comfortable using it.

    All the best,

    Lanny

    How Well Do You Know Your Gold Detector?

    in Detector Prospector Forum

    Posted

    Steve,

    Well said, and as most other contributors have similar ideas, I liked however how you added discrimination to the mix, for when you're detecting dredge tailings or detecting around old mill sites, lots and lots of trash can be present that will drive anyone nuts.

    As for me, weight and fatigue are factors, so the heavy PI's rule when the heat won't kill you, especially if there's extreme mineralization or if going deep is a prime need, but I'll run along as often as I can with a great VLF, with discrimination and target ID, as my mind is more alert due to less fatigue from not having to lug around a beast all day. I too look forward to the day when there's a great PI that'll do what the best heavy brutes do but all packaged in lighter materials. And wouldn't it be wonderful if it had great discrimination too?

    All the best,

    Lanny

    Gold Is Not Where You Find It!

    in Detector Prospector Forum

    Posted

    Lots of nuggets in your post Doc, and lots of years of hard-won understanding to boot.

    Thanks for taking the time to post what has been sifted, sorted, and garnered from being in the field and being successful.

    I too have heard from many people that they can't find a nugget, and I think you've provided the best answer I've heard yet to explain that failure. Sometimes, it just needs to be put into words . . .

    I'll add one thing that I get tired of all kinds of nugget hunters saying: "The Old Timers/the Chinese got it all." Such a misleading stereotype. I have found so many great nuggets in areas where the Old Timers and the Chinese worked places supposedly to death,  that I deliberately spend a lot of time carefully looking where they worked! Those old boys knew how to find gold, and they didn't come close to getting it all. Add to that the fact they had no electronic technology to see into concreted material, to see deep into bedrock cracks, etc. and looking exactly where those argonauts of old found the gold is the perfect place to look especially for beginners, and I'll add something Ray says, "Check the margins of any area they worked" as that has led me to a lot of nuggets as well.

    All the best,

    Lanny

    2 Good Days In Gold Basin

    in Detector Prospector Forum

    Posted

    Chris,

    We've never been introduced, but that's some sweet gold you've found! That Gold Basin area can be some tough detecting, and I've only tried finding gold there a couple of times as I live far, far away, but congratulations on your finds.

    Is there still an active military area nearby?

    All the best,

    Lanny

    Doc's Detecting Has Moved ! New 4500 Sq Ft Warehouse

    in Detector Prospector Forum

    Posted

    Hi Doc,

    Why, I might just have to drop by the next time I'm in Vegas, which will be soon. I'd love to see your new location as the old one was definitely in a sketchy part of Vegas.

    You've always treated me like gold, so I think it would be fun to see your new digs to see exactly what the expansion looks like.

    I see you've received some sincere compliments on what a great guy you are, and they are well deserved.

    All the best,

    Lanny

    Best Vlf Detector For Nugget Detecting?

    in Metal Detector Advice & Comparisons

    Posted

    The Gold Bug Pro has been very, very good to me, paying for itself many, many times over, and it's got a nice, easy learning curve. I have not tried the Monster, but if the gold you're chasing is small, I've got two friends that have found all kinds of gold with the Gold Bug II, but the learning curve is far steeper on it than the Bug Pro.

    As there are so many good VLF's now, it's going to have to be a research and then choose option for you, slight differences today on VLF's  as many are really good at finding the gold now.

    Good luck, and all the best,

    Lanny

    Gold Racer Updates?

    in Nokta / Makro Metal Detectors

    Posted

    My thanks to all of you that have taken the time to respond! Thanks for the input and the feedback. It's good to know what the machine is capable of, and I didn't get any negative feedback, which is a bit of a surprise, not what I was expecting considering the early teething problems.

    All the best,

    Lanny

    14" Surprise Depth

    in Detector Prospector Forum

    Posted

    On 2/23/2017 at 6:55 PM, whitebutler said:

    Welcome to the wonderfully world of the zed. I love the depth and hate to dig. I'm always surprised at the tiny ones I find with mine. The smallest one in this pic is 2 grain. I dug it in wet soil at a depth of 12.5 inches about 317 mm. I couldn't find it for a time but when I did I just wanted to rest. 

     

    Pretty finds Whitebutler, nicely done.

    All the best,

    Lanny

    Minelab 705 Prospect Vs All Metal Mode

    in Minelab X-Terra Forum

    Posted

    Dave, I agree with Steve on this one. Plus, remember that if you want to hunt in the X-Terra's true all metal mode, push the button with the pick on it to get into the 705's real all metal mode (the pick icon should appear on your screen when in all metal). As well, always ground balance, even if you're only looking for coins. In the prospector mode (705's true all metal), you'll have to dig everything to be sure, plus you'll get much better depth and often a louder target response when the X-Terra sniffs out any type of metal (at least, that's the way it is for me).

    All the best,

    Lanny

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