Need some advice on buying a highbanker/dredge combo.

[silverstateprospector]

So I've been looking on buying a highbanker / dredge combo but I wanted to see what some of you might recommend with the experience that you have using them yourself. I'm hoping that hearing from some of you it will make it easier to make a decision.

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

Diving for Pleasure and Treasure - Grab it through Amazon!

[SHoward]

Highbanker/Dredge combo's all work about the same but the prices and durability vary a lot depending on the brand. Proline is probably the most durable but also the most expensive with Keene being a close second. Jobe and Martin are good systems just a little lighter material, I use Jobe and have nothing but good to say about it. The Jobe and Martin are the least expensive.
The biggest advise I can offer is to get the 2.5" or bigger ( I think Proline has a 3" combo, if so get the 3" if you go with Proline ) .
Size really does matter so pay the little extra and go big!

 

[2cmorau]

SSP, ya l;ookin <-- fat fingers, to buy new or used?

 

[Hoser John]

Buy a used ,but not abused, Proline and you'll be happy for the next 25 years as built industrial tough with a REAL dredge assembly and no insipid grizzly bars to lose your gold-John

 

[fowledup]

Seen a very nice Proline 3" combo on Medford Craigslist recently, price was real good too, so might be gone by now. If you don't mind the drive, better prices and bigger selection up that way.

 

[silverstateprospector]

SSP, ya l;ookin <-- fat fingers, to buy new or used?

I'm looking on buying a new one.

 

[2cmorau]

i agree with HJ proline does have best built products be handin down to your youngins

 

[Sticks]

Fine Recovery makes a pretty good one, I like it better than the pro line as it has carpet in the upper section under 3/16" punch plate to catch your fines, riffles in lower sluice. With that system most of your gold is in the upper section. Running that as a 3" dredge is going to take a pretty good pump. That is a lot of lift to get up in the top box. I'm not sure if Loui is still making them but if you look hard you can find them near Salem, Or on craigs list. There is another guy here that stocks them used Capitol Prospecting in Salem. If you got lots of coin I would say buy both a good highbanker and a separate 3" dredge in the long run you will be happier. If you get the right ones you can use the same pump for both. There is nothing wrong with saving money by going with used. If you play your cards right you could probably get both for the price of one new. This is the time of year to buy.