1st Algo Gold Nugget!

[mn90403]

Last night (about 12 hours ago) conditions were right to drive 3 hours to an area that still holds a few nuggets.  You have to do that sometimes around here when the heat is on or you might find yourself in a hospital.  The moon was out until I got there and then it conveniently hid behind a mountain.  It was still quite a good night with the stars and the Milky Way cloud above.  I looked briefly for a meteor but didn't see any, so I went out with the Sadie and the 1500 and started detecting.

The location was a bit 'random' but also chosen because of a dip I could see with the 4Runner headlights.  I know I had been near this area in the winter but everything looks different at night.  Night hunting is not a bother to me because I do so much of it on the beaches but there is a bit more light than this location.  No one lives within 5 miles and you could count all the people on two hands that live within 10 miles.

There wasn't any wind in this canyon like there was on the outside.  That made it easy to set up the 800 headphones, 1Mii transmitter and 1500.  I have the latest software update.  I used Normal as the setting and was at 21-22 with the Sadie to start.  About 50 feet from where I parked and 15 minutes into hunting I got a nice signal.  I scraped and it was still there.  That is a good sign.  It was on the side of the depression I had spotted with my headlights.

I pinpointed with the Sadie and the ID came back as 13.  I was hopeful.  I dug down with the pick and moved the target around some larger rocks about 4 inches deep.  Out popped the nugget but I didn't have my phone.  I didn't have far to get it so I took a couple of pics.  I haven't heard about the others who have them in the states but I have to assume this is not the first Algo gold in the states.

I finished the wash with the Sadie and wanted to use the 12" Round Evolution.  I didn't come up with one there or the other 3 places I stopped.  It will have to be another trip.  There was trash around and now that I can pinpoint then I can ID as well.  I've shown some of the trash and the numbers when using the Evolution.  The Sadie has some different numbers, but this will be a useful tool for a prospector.

The nugget is .75 g.  It is a bit of a composite so maybe that is why it was not found by other detectors.

The heat started to come so it was time to leave at 9:30 AM.  I've been up all night but it is nice to get a wild nugget with the Algo!

[Drillerdave]

Good job Mitchel. 

[Steve Herschbach]

Way bigger than my first E1500 nugget Mitchel, congratulations!

[mn90403]

Maybe I can't hear the small ones!  Next time I'll have more of the fine gold settings.  I've got to make that Evo work.

[RONS DETECTORS MINELAB]

Thanks for sharing your story, looked like a great trip and the Algo sure is nice with the number system.

[mn90403]

There are some parts of the story I didn't mention.  One part is that I did just about as much driving time as detecting time.  It was 3 hours there and 3 hours back.  It is not as far as Northern Nevada or New Zealand but it was an all nighter for a little piece of gold.

The moon is good this week and I have another spot where we've found most of the nuggets but it is a good place to watch the full moon rise and walk around for the night.

[phrunt]

How are you finding the Algo now for usage Mitchel, got the hang of it all? Finding it nice to use? Stable? Easy to swing? 

You found a nice meaty bit of gold.  I can't remember the size of the bit I found the day with you, I have somehow lost that bit, I think it was a .7 too, or something similar.  I'm not sure where I put that little gold bottle. My Algo doesn't have a case yet, on the GPZ I always put my gold bottle in the little zipper on the side of the detector box, with the Algo I was carrying it in my pocket, and somehow, I misplaced it.  At least I know it made it home as I took a weight photo when I got home, so it will turn up someday.

The feature I like best about the Algo is the target ID's, mostly their accuracy on known target's.

 

[mn90403]

Simon,

This is the first time I've used the Algo since I went to Rye Patch.  That trip really wiped me out.  Sometimes the expectations and having a new Xcoil, new Algo, Evo and new Manticore.  Then I stayed late with Chris and Wilma and left almost at dark.

When I made it back at dawn, I didn't want to look at a gold detector for over a week.

This trip was the first time I've been gold detecting and not use a harness in MANY years!  The Sadie actually feels a little bit nose heavy compared to the 12" Evo.  With the Evo on the Algo reminds me of the Axiom which I have only held once.  I still need my glasses to see the menu but it is simpler than the Manticore.  I just have to learn and trust it which I did finding that early nugget.  This area I went to has been hit hard just like your New Zealand areas.  There really wasn't much trash.

I used Normal this entire trip.  It has not been my experience to find tiny gold, but I know others who do with the 6000.  This was a new gold location find form me in the big canyon.  It is only good for night hunting until the end of fall now.

It would be nice if there was a diaper for the Algo.  Please suggest it to Alex.  It could be snug and you wouldn't think of how you are going to lay it down when you are scooping targets.  Another thing I'd like to do is secure the cable with more hook&loop strips or better yet get a wrap to put around the lower shaft.  This would prevent the bushes from grabbing the coil wire.  That is the only time it 'falses' on contact.  I did have a couple of occasions when targets disappeared.

The Manticore has been so much fun I didn't use the Algo on the beach yet with the Evo.  That will be next with the IDs which are pretty good actually.  It is easy to forget you don't have to swing in pinpoint to get the best number.  There is a low tide about dawn in the morning.

Your lost nugget.  Did you show JW?  I don't remember seeing the picture of it.  I don't have it! haha

[phrunt]

The lost nugget is a mystery, it may never be solved 🙂 It's not my first time, probably won't be my last.