Nevada Brian

I really appreciate the feedback fellas. I saw a you tube video from Keith Southern, he was able to reduce the iron audio on the Racer 2 which I thought was really cool. It really made the coin stand out, I added a link to that video. So many great detectors out there which makes the decision so difficult. http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=makro+racer+2&adlt=strict&view=detail&mid=33C51C6C1F0A9780639D33C51C6C1F0A9780639D&FORM=VRDGAR

1515Art, are you happy with the Deus?

I hadn't considered the GB Pro until now, thank you. I see that it is 19khz which is great but then I read this: As a coin-shooter, you will notice that the Gold Bug DP exhibits slightly lower sensitivity to high conductivity coins, like a U.S. quarter; this is a result of its specialized design to emphasize sensitivity to small low conductivity metals like gold nuggets. While the Gold Bug Pro makes for a highly competent Coin-shooting detector, its user interface and features are not specifically designed for this purpose. As a coin-shooter, you will notice that the Gold Bug Pro exhibits slightly lower sensitivity to high conductivity coins, like a U.S. quarter; this is a result of its specialized design to emphasize sensitivity to small low conductivity metals like gold nuggets. The recovery speed I read is fantastic, almost as fast as the Deus, but the above statements are a bit unsettling.

I want to start detecting some of the iron trash dumps that I come across out nugget hunting. I currently don't have a detector that can successfully hunt these areas. I have done some research and have narrowed it down to two. The MXT, proven winner and the Racer 2, because I have read good reviews. What I need is the opinion of the users on this forum and if you think there is something else that I should consider, please let me know. I know the Deus excels in this area, but not sure about having to charge so many batteries. Also, I thought I read the coils for the MXT were being discontinued??? Brian.

Sure, digging square nails, boot tacks and wire can be annoying, especially on a hot day when the mosquitos wont leave you alone. But, I have on many occasions found a nugget in the same hole as iron trash. Some detectorist in my group dig every target even though they know the target is probably iron, but by doing this many ounces of gold and a few specimen pieces have been found that was otherwise hidden by iron. What we need is a gold magnet on the end of our picks :)

Congratulations, beautiful nugget.

I'm looking forward to the release of the Impact. I really like their business model, which is listening to the customer and developing a machine based on those needs. I can only imagine how great of a PI machine they may/will develop in the coming years.

I have seen how small of gold the GPZ will get with the 14" coil at a decent depth and I'm very impressed. Your right, a small coil for the GPZ, and it would be like having a VLF and PI in one machine. I currently have a 5000, GMT and a DI 6000 pro and this line up works for me, dated, but works. I have only used the 6000 at Rye Patch for the nugget/coin hunt since my parents purchased it in the 90's, but would like to start using it more for coins and relics. There is so many great machines out there, and they all have their own unique specialties, which like you said Steve, one needs to determine what their actual detecting needs are. Otherwise, the closet/safe will be full :)

Steve, I'm curious, using the 12"x15" Detech on the MXT, how does that compare to a PI for depth? Is it impressive or mildly better than a stock MXT? I was detecting an area where I had removed all the dead branches and went over the ground with a stock MXT Pro with the factory coil. I had my buddy detect the same ground with his 5K in Sharp timing using a 9"x14" Coiltek Coil, and faintly heard a target and 8 inches later out popped a .7dwt nugget. I wasn't able to hear the target in the ground with the MXT but with the larger coil I wonder how much of a advantage that would be? I don't remember what mode I was using with the MXT, as it was a few years ago. Thank you, Brian.

Chuck, Myself, and i'm sure many others will be curious about how the new software will improve the detector. I appreciate you taking the time performing and posting these results.

Fortunato, if your looking for large gold nuggets then purchase a detector that will see the most ground at one time. Im not referring to coil size, but how deep your detector will penetrate in the ground. A PI in my opinion will see the most ground and will handle the mineralization out west. I too hunt in CA and have seen all three of these machines in action. What I like about the MXT is versatility. Tailings contain gold and relics, so why not detect both while your there. You can hunt can dumps and camps one minute and the next, back to gold hunting. The TDI whether it be the Pro or SL does a good job but can be a little noisy in highly mineralized ground from my experience but will see the most ground. The GB is a VLF with a frequency of 71, mineralization will make this machine a bit noisy until you learn how to adjust, but you should go home with gold almost every time. It can find the smallest flakes of gold at depth and the quartz and gold rocks hiding in those rock piles. If your only looking at these three machines, I vote for the TDI as I want to detect the most ground, with the MXT as my second choice for versatility. I know you said your done with coins and relics but its nice to change things up. My setup is a Minelab 5000 and a GMT. Hope this helps, Brian.

Yes Greg, you are very lucky :)

Really fantastic finds Ray! I have yet to find a coin, but I will keep searching. I was exploring for gold around the Grass Valley area with a goldhound and we misjudged the time it would take us to return to our car as it was approaching dusk. So we took a short cut. Bad idea, the short cut put us, on our hands and knees and sometimes bellies because the manaznita was so thick. Well before we knew it, it was now dark and I was unable to see the field of PO that I was crawling through. Two days later, I was getting a shot in the butt! Night hunting/exploring/hiking adds a whole new element, especially when your not prepared. I'm prepared now :)

Indianbullet, what is Oral Ivy? My skin is very sensitive to PO so I do my best to stay clear of it. Unfortunate for me there has been some big nuggets found in the thick of that stuff. A few of the guys I hunt with can literally chew on a PO branch and have no reaction, so frustrating. I have tried Ivy Block but I sweat so much it wears off, plus the next day when I clean my equipment that is soaked in the oils, well you know what happens :(

The gallery is a great idea Steve. I enjoy looking at other members experiences and finds.

Great finds Ray. Just curious as to Which detector you are using for coin/relic hunting?

I didn't even think about trying Sensitive Extra as I'm hunting the wet red clays, but I will give it a try the next time I get out. In some areas I'm able to use Sharp, but that's only after the ground dries out or with the gain turned down. The 18" was the other coil I was going back and forth on. Having used the 18" with the Extreme, I knew maneuvering around the manzanita was very difficult and exhausting but that was during my early detecting days. Since then I feel more confident when it comes to know where to look for good ground and how to move through the maze. I will be very curious to hear your results with the 18. Good luck

Californiagold, Looks like Hands and Knees detecting through the manzanita. I hope the vine that tripped you up wasn't poison oak. Last weekend in Auburn, I noticed the shinny leaves of my least favorite plant were coming out. Heres to quick healing and rains that only come on non detecting days :)

It was an obvious signal.

I'm posting this for anyone who may be on the fence like I was regarding a larger coil. Overall I’m very happy with the 17x13 NF Evo coil. First trip out with the new coil was last Saturday. Went to an area where a lot of gold was recovered thinking I would find something deep. Well that wasn’t the case. I did find this little dink about two inches deep. What am I getting at? I was amazed this large coil would still pick up little pieces and a decent depth. This coil ran quiet, did not false when bumped and was still small enough to maneuver around the brush which is why I didn't go any larger. I was using 5000, Fine Gold, Gain 15, Normal Audio, Stabilizer 9

Wrapping aluminum foil around the coil part of the Garrett Pinpointer will allow you to carry the pinpointer in a front pocket or on your belt. I had the same problem and the foil solved it, I'm using a GPX 5000. You can also line the holster with a pie tin as a friend of mine has done, the al foil will eventually tear.

I used the Avantree Saturn Pro Low Latency last Saturday with great success. I have the transmitter attached with Velcro to the detector and the receiver I placed in my pocket. The sound quality is fantastic with no noticeable delay and I was able to walk through the brush without getting my headphone cord hung up. This is a great setup. Another benefit, is your able to use any headphone you want. I purchased mine individually through Ebay and found that a two pack which was already paired was more expensive. The pairing takes about 30 seconds total and once paired, your good to go. I highly recommend.

Rick, thanks for the reply. I checked out that setup and it looks slick but I want to be able to use my current headphones. AussieMatt, thanks for the reply. I like this set up as I can still use my current headphones or any headphone I choose. Thanks for the heads up with the jack. Thanks, Brian.

I'm new to this technology but would you have to purchase two of these Avantree Saturn Pro Low Latency? One to attach on the detector as a transmit and the other would be placed in a shirt pocket as a receiver and the receiver is what my Sun Ray Pro headphones would plug into? I'm using a GPX detector.