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Hey all, just want to say hi, recently discovered this forum by Steve, Guess it's a small world, bought the two detectors i have from Alaska mining and diving back in the day, a compass gold scanner and ML 4000.

Been away from metal detecting for a few years and while cleaning out some stuff a couple months back I came across some of my old finds and long story short I can't believe how much fun I'm having digging in the dirt again. The other day I literally chiseled a merc out of the frozen ground about 8 inches down and seeing it in the hole made it almost worth the 25 minutes it took to get it! :) I use a Minelab E-Trac with a Sunray probe attached and we are best buds. The problem is the older I get, the heavier it gets. So, I'm looking for a new lighter detector for the springtime. Hoping to get some information on the latest and greatest. Also, I heard there may be some gold here in Colorado so I'm keen to try and get me some of that stuff too! Since I know almost nothing about how to do that, I'm also hoping to get some information here on it as well. Thanks for letting me in! :)

Hi from over the pond guys

Since it is the start of the new year, I was just wondering what everyone's top few detecting goals are for the year. My goals seem modest at the start of the year, but there is usually an item or two on the list that I have to hustle to achieve. ;) For 2019 - my top goals are: Best my gold jewelry count (which would be 7 pieces of gold this year... I forecast that my foil/pull tab count will also be a record this year too). Hunt in 6 different states Finally find the elusive (to me) 1800's coin (closest so far was a 1902 Indian in 2017) Nugget hunt for the first time (and hopefully not the last) Of course I have some other goals around silver coin counts, wheatie counts, hours hunted, and a few new locations that I will be embarking on my updated "Quest for a Silver Coin" challenge, but these are the ones that will be a challenge. So guys and gals, let's see 'em! Happy 2019 Hunting everyone. Tim.

Hello everyone, I am sort of new here as far as posting but have been reading all the great info this forum has to offer since I joined. I also browse all the finds forums for motivation since there’s always some great treasure being posted. Once I figure out how to post pictures I will share some of my finds. I live in Southern California and I hope to meet some other Detectorist, until then I wish everyone a great holiday season. HH Oscar

hello, I just got myself a equinox 800 last week and haven't had a chance to use it yet but I'm going on a dig tomorrow in Yorkshire so fingers crossed

I'd like to find a hunting partner for this area. I have permission for a couple of places.

Hello from Yuma, Az. Looking for others in my area to discuss detecting and prospecting.

Which is not much different then any other day, they are used to digging coal. Happy holidays to all you Minelab goofs.

Hello, everybody! My name is Bill Burke. I have been participating in a placer operation in the Melozitna district. With 5 members, sometimes it feels like the tail is wagging the dog. I'm still wet behind the ears, but seem to learn a thing or two each season. I want to learn about using a detector to evaluate overburden and tailings piles. It also seems to be a good idea to vacuum each cut with a suction dredge before turning it into the next settling pond. It's a good time of year to spend time on the internet. Bill

To all of the Happy Equinox users I wish you all A Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year from the UK. I hope you all get the Christmas Presents which you all are hoping for. Good Hunting Randy Dee

Hi all, I have read many a great article on this forum so thought it time to join up and say g'day. I exclusively target gold and consider myself as a somewhat seasoned detectorist but by no means an expert. One of the great things about this hobby and lifestyle is that there is always something more to learn about. The learning curve never ends and I wouldn't have it any other way. Another great part of the hobby is all the down to earth people you meet from all around the world, weather it be out bush or online. Cheers

New member from North Idaho, I've been checking out the information on this forum and it is great. All the information, reviews and the way it is presented couldn't be better. I started out in the late 60's with Whites Coinmaster IV and 66T - kind of on again and off again with being drafted, married, kids ,etc. now it is my time to spend as I wish, (long as I have permission). I have met several folks on this forum, and looking forward to meeting many more, thanks for the opportunity.

Hello all, I am Michael and I am a new member. I have really been enjoying the forum. I mainly relic and coin hunt old farm fields. I currently have an At Pro and a Fisher F70, but I have a Minelab Equinox 800 on order.

Warning! Annual Prospecting Poetry!!Old Santy Crashed His Sleigh One NightOn Christmas eve of ‘62,Well, things was lookin’ mighty blue.There’d been a crash, a wreck all rightA prairie mishap one dark night.But let me backtrack just a bitSo you can ponder all of it.One special night so long agoFound Santy Claus all set to go.Away up North one winter’s night,The sky was filled with stars all bright.And on that Eve, old Santy flewHis magic reindeer sleigh, it’s true!But later on a storm arose,The worst one ever I suppose,The wind commenced an awful blowThat filled the air with ice and snow.Old Santy couldn’t see at all,And then his sleigh began to fall.His reindeer froze, then couldn’t flyNo matter how they fought to try.So down it went, the sleigh and deer . . .This filled old Nick with dread and fear‘Cause in his sleigh were all the toysFor countless wishful girls and boys.A dreadful drop, a jarring crash,All Christmas hopes it seemed to dash.Old Nick was groggy, light of headAnd mighty lucky he wern’t dead.The racket woke a skinner oldA muleteer if truth be told.Snug in the fort he’d heard the soundOf something crashing to the ground.Jake left his bed all safe and warm,In Benton’s fort assailed by storm,Then grabbed a lantern off the hook,Threw on his boots to take a look.No other souls awoke that nightThe soldiers, freighters, slept right tight.So Jake took off to look aroundFor what had crashed into the ground.The snow had drifted rather deepSince he’d retired for his sleep.So through the gate he left to seeThe site of such calamity.Outside the fort, an awful sightRevealed itself by lantern light,A busted sleigh and reindeer too!Old Santy Claus was turnin’ blue.Montanny winters sure are cold,They favor steely men and bold.So Jake the skinner acted quickTo save those reindeer and Saint Nick.The deer he quickly tucked awayInside a stable filled with hay.And by his fire he propped Saint Nick.But things were lookin’ mighty sick‘Cause Santy Claus was out of it.His reindeer too, the whole durn kit!Who now to take the gifts and toysTo all those wishful girls and boys.Yes, Jake was in an awful fix!He needed stuff like magic tricksTo find a way to save the nightAnd get old Santy’s sleigh in flight.A thinkin’ some, he shook Saint NickTo see if Santy had a trickTo help him on his new-found quest.Yet, Santy didn’t look his best.But all at once, in Santy’s hand,Appeared a bag of northern brand.And on it words, “Pure magic dust”,Jake knew right then this was a must.For in the back, a stable stout,Held eight old mules. They’d help him out!Those mules could fly, with magic dust,And Jake had earned their life-long trust.So in a flash, out back he flewTo coax his mules that job to do.No purdy names his mules they had‘Cause Jakey’s mules was mostly bad.As Patch, and Bob the oldest two,Why any livin’ thing they’d chew.They’d tear a chunk from hide or hairAnd once they whupped a grizzly bear!While Mike and ornery, nasty BingWould kick their hooves at anything.A dance girl once had flitted pastAnd caught herself a hammered blast.And Patch who had a taste for beerHad once romanced a long-horned steer.Old Sam possessed a nasty moodHe’d use to pitch off any dude.But Jack was just an ornery sortA little wide, and awful short.Now Jenny, she was sort of cuteTo skinner Jack, that old galoot.So Jack approached his fractious crewAnd let them know just what he’d doBy cussin’ loud, with swears and such,If troubled times they brung him much. Then findin’ harness, tack and kitJake started singin’ songs a bit.‘Cause every skinner oughter knowSome songs to sing to start the show.His mules perked up, their ears they cockedAnd on their heels they gently rockedFor singin’ soothes the savage beastOr calms it down, a bit, at least.So Jake commenced to sing a song,It wasn’t loud nor awful long,But just a shorter sort of thingThat Jake dreamt up that night to sing.“Yippy ki-yi-yippee, ki-yippee ki-yewMy home’s in Montanny, the gold is here too,Yippy ki-yi-yippy, ki-yippy ki-yayMy home’s in Montanny but Santy I’ll play.Yippy ki-yi-yippee, ki-yippee ki-yeeMy home’s in Montanny, but Santy I’ll be.Yippy ki yi yippee, ki yippee ki yewMy home’s in Montanny, but this job I’ll do.”Then Jake began to sprinkle dustA needful thing, a surest must!Them mules, their eyes grew mighty wideAs wings they sprouted on each side.Like Pegasus they rose right quick.That magic dust worked mighty slick.Alarmed, Jake staked them to the treesTo stop them flyin’ off like bees.Yet on the ground lay Santy’s sled,All bent and lookin’ awful dead.But magic dust is sure strong stuff.A pinch or two was just enoughTo perk that sleigh and make it shine.Now Santys ride was lookin’ fine!The toys were scattered in the woods,But Jake corralled them children’s goods.He set them back in Santys pack,That Christmas Eve all dark and black.Off to his shack Jake softly trodWhere Santy gave his head a nodTo give permission to old JakeOn Christmas Eve those toys to take.A buff’ler robe Jake swiftly foundAnd wrapped it tightly all around.Then up he climbed into that sleighWith mules hitched up to fly away.Those brutes of his looked mighty calmThat magic dust, a healin’ balm.The storm abated at that time,And to the sky that sleigh did climb.Without a hitch of any sort,Jake cleared the walls of Benton’s fort.Well Jakey made old Santy’s runOn Christmas Eve, and it was funA slidin’ down those chimleys blackWith Santy’s loaded goody pack.He stuffed the socks and left the toysFor all the little girls and boys.He snarfed the milk and cookies too.And sometimes sampled stiffer brewLeft out for him by kinder soulsWith Cheery Christmas warm-up goals.A snort or two, but nothin’ long,With Jake his fear was mighty strongIf Forty Rod too much he sipped,Old Santys sleigh might just get flipped!And that would prove an awful thingOn Christmas Eve with gifts to bring.At last—no more—his job was done.Jake finished off his Christmas runBy touching down old Santy’s sleigh.Of course, he put his mules away.Back to his cabin Jakey creptWhere by the fire old Santy slept.So off to bed went skinner Jake‘Til Christmas morn he came awake.But Nick was gone, his reindeer too!So Jake got feelin’ mighty blue.Yet, on his wall he found a note,And if I may, I’ll share a quote:“To skinner Jake, my truest friend,Old Santy Claus some help will lend.When Winter snows melt fast awayHead out to Alder Gulch to play.The rush won’t start ‘till ‘63The first to stake you’ll surely be.The map I’ve drawn will get you there.I figure that should make us square.”Jake found the spot without a hitch.The strike he made was filthy rich,And his good fortune was becauseHe’d helped out dear old Santy Claus.All the best of the season to everyone,Lanny

Lunk has inspired me to start a thread about the Twelve Days of Detecting (it is the season as he says)! So, to start off the 'contest' we need suggestions for the lyrics that go with: On the first day of nugget shooting my detector gave to me ... ???? (On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me a partridge in a pear tree ... got it?) Let's pick out the best one and then a couple of days later we'll move on to day 2. I think we should leave day 5 lyrics just as they are ... 5 Golden Rings!

I hope all has had a great year and today we give thanks for that. Let’s give thanks for family and friends be far are near. We only here for a short time so let them remember the love you had for all and you too will be remembered. Chuck

Hello All - I’m an aspiring detectorist, i.e. I don’t yet own a detector. I have been investigating detectors, how to use them, where I can use them and how to use them responsibly. My search led me to DetectorProspector.com and I feel like I have (please forgive me) hit the mother lode of information. I have poked around the forum for a couple of days and love the friendly and positive tone of the forum and it’s members. I have lots of questions but will continue exploring the wealth of information you good folks have already provided with your posts, reviews, and articles. I’ll try not to ask questions that have already been answered. I’m really looking forward to diving deeper into detecting and thank all members for contributing to such a great source of information and enjoyment! Happy Hunting!

Hi folks been lurking around a couple of these forums for a few years decided to start getting off my rear. and try it instead of reading about it. Bought a new Polaris ranger and been going out rockhounding abit. Now think wanna buy a detector and see what is out here. Been looking at the Nokta gold Kruzer and either the gold monster or the equinox 800.. seems the gold Kruzer you get the best bang for your buck ?? but comparing to others is it close to the same or would I be losing ? when the ml5000 just came out I wanted to get it but never did. And can't justify the expense yet for 1 .. Would love for someone who does know area and what they are doing to go out with anytime . I'm retired so time is free lol well mostly

Hello To all, My Name is Rudy I go by Crustycoinfinder I'm in the Valencia / Santa Clarita area in California, looking for anyone that would like to Metal Detect just send me a reply. Thank You.

I got an old 4x4, and one of the follows with a similar 4wdr was prattling on (in a good way) about prospecting. it sounds intriguing, and I figured I should probably go slow and get the recommended book, which I ordered from Amazon and get my head around the various detectors, So the concept would be: 1) to do some local prospecting on the occasional free weekend, 2) do some on extended trips for a couple of hours/day. 3) maybe go on some trips with the others like the gentleman mentioned above. There are a few mining sites in the area, and I suspect that they have been picked over, so that might make choice of a detector and sensitivity more of an issue. And then there is the legendary "Lasseter's reef"... Until I have questions I'll just do a 'Chancy the Gardner' and watch.

I am new to this forum have been around detecting for 20 years at 78 and still detector hunting.With 5 major operations lucky i am still moving.I am from south Texas and enjoying this cooler weather.Thank you.---william

Hello all! I'm a long time forumer, but new to this forum. I just returned from a 7 day metal detecting trip to the UK and met the greatest guy on this earth. Very knowledgeable in detecting and the most down to earth man you will ever meet. I was blessed to meet and hunt hunt with Steve Hershbach!! He invited me to come join in. So here I am! Looking forward to seeing some of the great stuff everyone is finding! Tim AKA. Ill Digger or WisTim

Hi everyone! I’ve been reading and benefitting from the advice in this forum for the last 3 months. I finally got around to joining. I spent 5 years finding lots of great relics using a V3i, then I took a 5 years break. I started reading this forum and it inspired me to sell my beloved V3i and buy an Equinox 800. I’ve been using the Nox for 2 months now and I love it! I’m finding lots of relics and coins at my old hunted out spots. Thanks to Steve and everyone else for the great info you post here. Joe ”Ringtail” (Formerly “Three Ringer”)