Garret Infinium Silver Rock Hunting - Revised Edition February 2011

[Jim Hemmingway]

The Garret Infinium LS in the Silverfields of Ontario
Revised Edition - February 2011

Introduction

The native silver ores and nuggets found here in Ontario share a similar conductive range to gold. The similarity results from factors such as purity, the type of mineral inclusions, size, shape, and structure. Native silver here is 85% to 95% pure, but is associated with varying amounts of antimony, bismuth and as much as 0.5% mercury. Silver ores often contain other minerals including cobalt-related substances, nickel and iron arsenides.

Native silver is found primarily in the form of specimens. Our most frequently encountered silver is embedded within calcite. The light hued pink or white calcite specimens are highly valued, as much or more than silver nuggets. Silver nuggets are much less prevalent than specimen samples but are still occasionally found by electronic prospectors. The photo below depicts a large native silver nugget of high purity. It responds to the Infinium with a high conductive ‘lo-hi’ signal in zero discrimination and with a low conductive ‘hi-lo’ signal in reverse discrimination. Reverse discrimination is also referred to as the ‘iron check’ mode in this report.

The Infinium is a pulse induction unit designed to search anywhere in or out of the water. Searching for native silver is a unique application of this detector. It is well suited for searching highly mineralized ground found in mining country where VLF performance struggles with increased non-conductive, magnetic susceptible iron minerals. The search conditions are quite a challenge for any detector with regard to iron mineralized hotrocks, conductive pyrrhotite rocks, proliferate iron junk and other non-ferrous trash residing in variably magnetic susceptible soils. Such difficult conditions effectively conceal valuable silver ores, but these should be viewed as a good thing since otherwise there would soon be very little silver for hobbyists to find. For general searching the 14” elliptical mono coil is normally used to achieve maximum depth and coverage.

Frankly I was delighted with the performance of this economically priced unit. Its well-considered design and simple but highly effective operating parameters indicate a familiarity with prospecting conditions by its designers. Two very convenient physical features include waterproofing and a power supply that employs either regular or rechargeable ‘AA’ battery packs that are easy and convenient to install. Infinium currently has five different coils available and a number of configurations to mount the detector body on the stem. It comes supplied with a belt and pouch for hip mounting, and includes both an AC charger and an auto charger.

This report looks closely at Infinium’s tone ID system and reverse discrimination feature. It describes how these can be used to advantage to separate silver ores from iron targets when searching abandoned mine sites where iron junk abounds. The Infinium is an excellent prospecting unit for this application and found a previously unmatched quantity of beautiful silver for me that autumn. It excels at separating high conductive iron from the vast majority of silver ores.

The photo below depicts a typical abandoned mining camp in silver country during the early part of the autumn prospecting season. Many pounds of beautiful silver have been found in this particular area including rare ruby silver in creamy white calcite. In fact the first year I used Infinium, in excess of 18 lbs of such silver was located in a pocket within the view offered by this photo.

Control Adjustments and Observations

Ground balancing was quick and easy to achieve over any ground encountered in the area. The discrimination control is set to zero prior to ground balancing, with the threshold set to a barely discernable volume level. A few pumps of the coil are normally sufficient to achieve ground balance in either the fast or slow track settings. Searching with the ground balance set to fast or slow tracking modes is an option over variable harsh ground mineral conditions. Otherwise Garrett recommends the ground balance control be set to the ‘lock’ position to “maximize detection depth”. There was no need to adjust the ground balance over any sites searched but the ground balance procedure was repeated whenever changing locations as a matter of habit.

The Infinium is a highly stable instrument that hums right along with smooth quiet performance. At home it will satisfactorily reduce or eliminate high residential EMI induced instability such that test signals can be evaluated even in the house. No discrimination was required to achieve operating stability at any time. The frequency shift control was not adjusted either, there was simply no need to do so in prospecting locations away from EMI sources.

The threshold control, aside from its frequency adjustment function in the maximum clockwise position, also serves as an adjustable audio boost. Increasing the threshold beyond a barely discernible volume enables hearing signals at improved depths. A bare threshold volume is a setting of “4” or a bit less, but I usually set it to about 6ish or even slightly higher to enhance deeper target signals. To compensate for the higher threshold volume, the headphone volume can be reduced to personal preference.

This set-up will permit hearing deeper signals that would otherwise go unnoticed. For example, Infinium with the 14” elliptical mono coil and using a barely discernible threshold hum was tested over some pre-1981 Canada nickels. For your information, pre-1981 Canada nickels do not respond nearly so well to PI units as do Jefferson nickels that air test to almost double the distance. These Canada nickels are buried in fairly tough mineral ground at various depths ranging up to ten (10) inches. Only a 6” nickel responds with a solid repeatable signal. An 8” nickel usually gives a light repeatable signal but sometimes responds with a one-way signal. By increasing the threshold setting to about “6” or more, a nickel at 10 inches depth responds easily with a solid, repeatable signal with some coil to ground distance to spare.

The photo below depicts my first silver find using the Infinium, retrieved a foot deep into a hillside. It responded with a solid hi-lo signal in zero discrimination and again in reverse discrimination with a reduced signal volume. That depth is accurate, as this trip all holes were dug using only my small rock bricklayer hammer. I’m getting a sore shoulder from 25 years of carrying around a much larger Estwing pick.

I was very pleased with Infinium’s quiet stability over any ground, and overall depth performance on a range of target conductivities and target sizes from a half-gram on up to multiple lbs. In fact, the second decent target signal of the trip was a one-gram nugget found at several inches depth using the 14” mono coil …it was getting dark so I couldn’t be sure just how deep it was located. This nickel conductivity range nugget was reburied back at camp at about four (4) inches depth resulting in a strong hi-lo signal. I felt certain it could be had significantly deeper. How much deeper we’ll never know because at the time I was more interested in food and a shower.

Subsequent air tests reveal that Infinium will respond to it with a full signal at 7.5 inches with the 14” mono coil, 5 inches with the 14” DD coil, 6 inches with the 8” mono coil, and 4+ inches with the elliptical 10” DD coil. Some additional air test depth results are presented in the chart below. A few comparisons are made to my TDI Pro. These samples were tested under high residential EMI that will limit depth results if anything. The 3 and 5.6 grainers are gold, the 4.5 grainer is solid lead, the half-gram and one-gram nuggets are native silver. Infinium has four sets of results whereby the first number indicates a “sound-off” while the second number indicates a repeatable signal.

I dislike quoting hard numbers regarding depth. There are a number of factors that affect depth results at any given time or place. These factors include magnetic susceptible iron minerals, disturbed or undisturbed soil conditions, soil moisture, electromagnetic (EMI) interference, physical / chemical characteristics of a target, detector settings, and operator skill or awareness. Its not unusual to encounter situations where a deep target can easily be had one week, while the following week it is difficult to acquire a decent signal from the same target. Size and shape notwithstanding, nugget structure or ‘character’ is a decisive factor as to whether Infinium will or not respond to smaller nuggets. The one-gram piece noted above is compact and solid. I have many similar size nuggets with more “character” that respond poorly to Infinium by comparison. Some will barely signal even when rubbed on the coil. I suspect many such nuggets likely go unnoticed by PI users.

Some nugget-hunting PI operators claim that air tests do not represent the full depth or sensitivity capability of PI units over targets residing in the ground. I ran a few simple tests to learn whether my PI units see targets deeper in the ground than in the air. That is the only useful purpose of the chart results below.

Lead “nuggets” buried out in the patio were tested. The half-gram to one-pennyweight nuggets were made by hammering some small fishing sinkers together. They respond very poorly to PI units in air tests compared to similar size gold or silver nuggets, so the depth measurements in the chart below do not reflect Infinium’s deepseeking capability at all. These were dug afterwards and air tested. The pre-1981 nickel buried at 10” was duplicated in the air test with another exact duplicate pre-1981 nickel.

Air tests at home under high EMI are a bit more difficult to determine accurate signal depths on small targets, but I stuck with it and did my best. The chart below summarizes these results. It compares the Infinium results using the 14” mono coil with increased threshold to the TDI Pro with stock dual field coil at several ground balance settings. The data is limited but the measurements do indicate that both PI units see these small low conductive targets deeper in the ground than in the air at this location. Aside from other possible explanations, high residential EMI likely plays a role in limiting air depths.

The photo below depicts a large dendritic 2½ lb native silver specimen. It responds with a solid hi-lo signal in zero discrimination, and a much quieter hi-lo signal in reverse discrimination. It was recovered at arm’s length with my shoulder reaching into the hole. This was tough digging in a concrete-like rock matrix that might have gone on much longer were it not for using my new Garrett Propointer. The Propointer is a fairly tough, water-resistant tool ideally sensitive for effectively pinpointing multiple targets in the same hole and no worries about rough treatment.

Infinium in the Field

Prospecting means operating with the Infinium configured to achieve best possible depth. It should be run at zero discrimination with the tracking feature set to the ‘lock’ position subsequent to ground balancing. By occasionally bobbing the coil you can check the ground balance and reset it when necessary. The threshold can be set at a barely heard ‘hum’ or can be increased enabling deeper targets to signal than would otherwise be possible at lower threshold settings. Headphone volume can be set to preference to accommodate higher threshold volume levels.

Best depth and sensitivity is achieved by using a slow coil sweep speed. How slow is slow? Experiment by burying an appropriate target at a reasonable depth and determine the sweep speed that gives the best depth results. Slow, no more than one or two feet per second is recommended by Garrett.

In zero discrimination the vast majority of silver ores will signal with a low conductive hi-lo signal. All targets, ferrous or non-ferrous, that dwell within a conductivity range up to and including fringe zinc penny level respond with a hi-lo signal. Beyond that conductive level, all targets respond with a lo-hi signal in zero discrimination.

In reverse discrimination, all ferrous and non-ferrous targets that dwell within an expanded conductivity range up to and including copper penny level will respond with a hi-lo signal. All targets that dwell in a conductivity range above copper penny level will respond with a lo-hi signal. Obviously any zero discrimination lo-hi targets existing in a slim high conductive window between fringe zinc penny level and copper penny level will reverse their tones in reverse discrimination to respond as hi-lo signals. Reverse discrimination lo-hi signals in a prospecting context represent iron targets. High conductive silver that will respond with a lo-hi signal in reverse discrimination is almost non-existent in this area.

The attractive silver nugget illustrated in the photo below fits into the ‘conductive window’ just described. It responds with a lo-hi signal in zero discrimination and a weak hi-lo signal in reverse discrimination. It also combines good “character” with very high conductivity, a unique and rare find.

Zero discrimination hi-lo signals, hi-lo signals that disappear in reverse discrimination, and reverse discrimination hi-lo signals must all be dug to avoid losing good targets. If you have good reason to think there are desirable targets beyond the penny/dime range, then you must dig reverse discrimination lo-hi signals. I don’t see that digging reverse discrimination lo-hi signals is a worthwhile pursuit. You will spend considerable time and effort digging high conductive iron junk when you could have been covering more ground digging more likely signals.

To ensure effective target ID, always sweep the coil over a target from different directions. Any target that gives both hi-lo and lo-hi signals is definitely iron. Elongated iron will give a lo-hi or double lo-hi signal along its length and normally a hi-lo signal across its width.

Low conductive iron refers to all iron junk that dwells within the low conductive range as described above and signals with a hi-lo tone regardless of target profile to the coil. Low conductive iron is very difficult to distinguish from low conductive silver because target size and target depths are highly variable factors. Infinium’s reverse discrimination concept of reduced signal volume over non-ferrous targets is a useful indicator to distinguish larger iron from silver ores. However, smaller low conductive iron can lose signal volume in reverse discrimination similar to low conductive silver. By comparison, solidly structured larger high conductive silver tends to retain its volume in reverse discrimination. The reverse discrimination concept of reduced signal volume over non-ferrous targets is not a definitive technique and should be used as an indicator only.

The photo below depicts a large dendritic silver specimen that responded strongly as a hi-lo signal in zero discrimination, but in reverse discrimination the hi-lo signal volume was quite reduced as were most conductive ores. This target was only down a foot in fairly tough mineral ground.

More About Iron

We have described target classification above as an overview. Lets look at some iron photos and relate these types of iron junk to the signals they produce. Keep in mind that silver ores do not change signals in the field. They are in a fixed position and respond uniformly regardless of how the coil is manipulated. Low conductive iron fits into the same category. It gives a hi-lo signal in both zero or reverse discrimination regardless of profile to the coil. Low conductive iron is difficult to separate from low conductive silver for reasons described above, so I won’t repeat them again here.

Examples of low conductive iron junk as depicted in the photo below include rusty small iron tidbits, flat, thin sheet iron and tin, our plentiful twisted or braided iron wire, small nuts and small nut and bolt combos, small ¼ inch plate, rusted jar lids and so forth. Very short twisted iron cables of any diameter are a real nuisance because the length is insufficient to identify them as can be done on longer pieces. All these give hi-lo signals in zero and reverse discrimination.

Some large high conductive iron encountered in the field exists exclusively above the copper penny conductivity level and is definitively identified by Infinium’s tones. It yields lo-hi signals in zero and reverse discrimination regardless of profile to the coil. There is a tendency for very large, thick nails or spikes in the 8’ to 12” range, flat / thick and / or elongated plate iron, and larger drill bits to fit into this category.

The vast majority of high conductive iron is solid, elongated iron of nearly any size from nails to drill bit rods and even larger bars and broken implements. Most of these give a lo-hi signal along the length but produce a hi-lo signal when the coil is swept across their width in both zero and reverse discrimination. Many such iron pieces will also yield a lo-hi signal when the coil-tip is swept across their width. Infinium easily identifies these elongated iron pieces. The photo below gives you a bit of an idea about the variety of typical, larger iron that is commonly encountered in mining country. The three pieces along the bottom are low conductive, thin pieces of sheet iron. The remaining examples in the photo are high conductive iron.

A further aid to properly identifying iron is to use the 14” mono coil wherever possible rather than the 14” DD coil. Tests indicate the mono coil will clearly identify more iron definitively as iron than will the DD coil. Some lo-hi reverse discrimination iron signals on the 14” mono coil will respond as hi-lo signals on the DD coil. Some elongated iron will signal entirely as hi-lo signals with the DD in reverse discrimination. How much is the difference? The 14” DD coil misidentifies about 15% of my tested iron samples. But these tests do not represent proportions encountered in the field, so the 15% figure is an estimate only. The 14” mono coil has handled all soils I’ve searched quite well, it is lighter than the 14” DD, it goes deeper and is more sensitive to small targets than the 14” DD, and it is a more effective iron discriminator than the 14” DD coil. Unless ground minerals require using the 14” DD, I would suggest sticking with the 14” mono coil for these reasons.

Have a look at the photo below. This scene was not set-up in any way. It was mere happenstance that I was there and snapped a photo on the chance it might come in handy later. Look at the visible large iron. What we don’t see are the countless rusty nails, bolts and nuts, washers, wire and so forth that abound mostly on the surface. Unfortunately a good deal of larger iron lurks beneath the surface. An operator has to scout around to find a spot clear of iron to ground balance a larger size coil.

This area was searched with the 14” mono elliptical coil but it was pretty much a wasted effort. While the smaller 5”X 10” DD coil does not get similar depth to the big mono coil, it does well at navigating in-and-around this iron junk. As an alternative try using a suitable VLF unit over such trashy ground. An MXT or F75 using a DD coil and / or a smaller coil will git-er-done over these conditions. It is better to find some silver than to walk away from a site frustrated with no silver.

Part 2 follows immediately below...

[Jim Hemmingway]

How Does Infinium Discrimination Work?

The following is my view of the Infinium discrimination system. Yes, it’s guesswork, but it’s in complete accord with what I’ve experienced firsthand. Garrett has not been contacted for a technical explanation because they would not likely give one for proprietary reasons. I’d appreciate hearing from other Infinium users on this subject, but let’s take a run at it….

At zero discrimination, soils ground balance near to the fringe of zinc penny range. Therefore, all target conductivities up to the fringe of zinc penny range fall into the low conductive hi-lo tone range. Targets that lie above that ground balance point will be high conductive lo-hi tones.

The Infinium’s adjustable discrimination up to and including the reverse discrimination / iron check position is an adjustable pulse delay control. The iron check position represents the longest pulse delay available. At this pulse delay setting the effect is to adjust the GB point such that penny/dime conductivity is now included into the low conductive hi-lo tone range. This enlarged low conductive hi-lo tone range will also include any iron that falls into it. Since the GB is not manually adjustable, the unit’s software or circuitry must adjust it automatically to compensate for any change in the discrimination / pulse delay control setting.

There is no other satisfactory explanation that comes to mind for the lo-hi signals between zinc penny and copper penny range that switch over to become hi-lo signals when using the reverse discrimination iron check setting. So, I’ll stick with this reasoning for now. Another interesting point is that we should expect to see diminished depths on targets that ground balance close to the soil GB / at fringe zinc penny range. I’ve tested quite a number of samples in that range and have not discovered any depth loss pattern. This is a most unusual circumstance.

In addition to potential tone ID changeovers in reverse discrimination / iron check mode, the other significant aspect of the iron check concept is related to a reduction in signal volumes on some targets.

As described above under Infinium in the Field, signal volume reduction should be used more as an indicator than as a definitive technique to determine whether to dig or not to dig. Most silver nuggets / ores supply a reduced signal volume in reverse discrimination compared to much of the iron in the photos. Sub-pound weight silver signals generally are quite subdued or disappear entirely in reverse discrimination. This depends partially on target depth as well. It’s not foolproof, but provides a pretty good idea when you can dig with enthusiasm. Below is a handsome little specimen that, while not sub-pound in weight, does go very quiet in reverse discrimination.

So, let’s summarize what this boils down to in the field…

 Zero discrimination hi-lo tones on silver ores will always be hi-lo tones in reverse discrimination / iron check mode unless the signal tone disappears altogether. Dig both these types of signal responses without fail.

 Some high conductive lo-hi tones in zero discrimination will change over to become low conductive hi-lo tones in reverse discrimination. These include both iron and desirable non-ferrous targets. Dig all hi-lo tones in reverse discrimination to avoid losing good silver.

There are always conditions in the field that may dictate utilizing the Infinium’s discrimination or tone feature in a different manner. We know that in reverse discrimination all zero discrimination lo-hi tone targets, ferrous and non-ferrous, within a range bordered by fringe zinc penny up to and including copper penny will change tone to become hi-lo tone signals. High conductive iron is far more plentiful than high conductive silver in this limited range. To avoid digging this iron in trashy sites, you may prefer to stick with zero discrimination tones only. The trade-off is the rather remote odds of ignoring a very high conductive piece of silver. This strategy frees up a lot of time to cover a lot more ground. Reverse discrimination hi-lo signals should otherwise be dug, especially in gold country where high conductive gold is possible.

The photo below depicts a solidly structured native silver nugget found many years ago. It’s an excellent example of silver at the penny/dime conductive level that gives a lo-hi tone in zero discrimination and a fairly strong hi-lo signal in reverse discrimination due to its high conductivity, large size, and solid structure.

Summary

The Infinium identifies high and low conductives conveniently without involved manipulation of the controls to identify high conductive iron. At zero discrimination high conductives give a lo-hi signal and low conductives give a hi-lo signal. Infinium automatically performs this task and does so to its detection depth limit. As mentioned previously, invoking reverse discrimination in a prospecting context definitively identifies a good portion of high conductive iron. If you are willing to forego the occasional rare silver piece above fringe zinc penny conductive level, all high conductive iron can be identified easily by the zero discrimination lo-hi tones.

There are many areas in mining country where there is an abundance of what might be described as “VLF background noise”. This noise is the result of spurious ground signals from whatever mineralizations and targets that are present at various depths. Hotrocks, small bits of low conductive pyrrhotite, iron junk of every size and type imaginable, and remnants of other conductive ores such as cobaltite, skutterudites, iron arsenides, niccolite, and copper sulfides are possible contributors here.

Into the mix there are occasional silver ores scattered randomly at varying depths. VLF operators tend to ignore much of the spurious noise that survives even small iron discrimination settings while intent on locating “discrete” signals. In quieter ground such spurious VLF signals may or may not be investigated, but in extremely busy ground they are mostly ignored. It just isn’t worth the time and effort to investigate broken or ticky signals.

Infinium using the 14” mono coil penetrates deeply and occasionally locks on to some of those indistinguishable VLF noises, generating an unmistakable “discrete” hi-lo or lo-hi signal. That was its best performance feature since it directly resulted in finding big deep silver.

Below is a fine example of such big, deep silver in the form of a crystalline native silver specimen found this past autumn with Infinium. I am almost certain it was swept with my VLF unit the previous year notwithstanding countless others over several decades. But Infinium responded to it with a quiet but unmistakable hi-lo signal. This is an especially valuable prize found at shoulder-in-the-hole depth, an experience I’ll never forget.

The second best feature was Infinium’s ability to screen-out considerable iron that has plagued my VLF units as “diggable” signals for many years. Four inch rail spikes and five inch long drill-bit rods are a particular nuisance to VLF units when located at depth, but Infinium easily identified these by their hi-lo / lo-hi signals. I did not mind digging the hi-lo iron not screened-out by Infinium because a good portion would have been dug using my VLF units anyway.

Adjusting the discrimination control is convenient when using a hipmount configuration, but after a week or so the coil cable connection to the unit body had become stressed to the point of producing constant false signals. This necessitated mounting the unit body under the armcuff to eliminate the cable stress. It became instantly inconvenient to adjust this control. I suggest Garrett consider mounting an ‘iron check’ button right on the handle for operator convenience.

To improve the overall balance when mounted under the cuff, there should be room to move the detector body further back on the stem so it is at least mounted under the elbow as opposed to the present configuration where it is mounted next to the handle. This would eliminate the poorly balanced “weight-forward” configuration that currently exists.

Finally, I suggest an improvement to the overall stem such that any ‘wiggle’ is eliminated. Too many hobbyists including me have felt the need to purchase aftermarket stems to replace the original stem. These are likely more expensive [$165 delivered to the door] than the cost Garrett would pass on to customers for improving the stem.

That said, the Garrett Infinium is without doubt the most effective instrument I’ve used in 25 years for this application. Its depth performance on typical size native silver ores is often deeperseeking than some hobbyists might wish to dig into rocky substrates. As described earlier in the report Infinium excels at separating silver and other conductive ores from high conductive iron junk. Thankyou everyone for taking the time to get through this revised report.

Jim Hemmingway
February 2011

[Eric Willoughby]

Jim, you have posted this at the most perfect time, at least to me. I just bought a Garrett Infinium myself, although I have not gotten to use it for prosecting much, it is the most stable machine on hot ground that I have ever had in my hands. I do have a hard time with it in high-iron, trashy grounds though, I have been in areas where there is so much iron, the Infinium starts sounding like a overly-hyperactive 5 year old boy with a harmonica in his mouth, at this point I have a vry hard time trying to tell the difference between the hi/lo and lo/hi tones. I have found that during air tests it doesnt want to respond very well to regular clad coins much, unless they are near-surface finds. However, this machine really loves non-ferrous metal as much as it loves iron. Everytime I hit something of non-ferrous nature, this machine really belts out the tones loud and clear. I would highly recommend this machine for prospecting, just be prepared to dig up alot of iron. This is not a bad thing when using this machine in the river for placer gold or silver, as the iron junk will fall and settle right where the silver and gold will be found. There is no way around it, when prospecting, dig all signals. It sucks, but its necessary.

[strickman]

Good post Jim, very informative . Glad to see you are still "The Silver Warrior " !!!!! very nice specimens -Looks Like you have been busy . Keep it up .

[russau]

that is a over the top excelent post on the Infinium .ive been wanting one of these to go along with my Mark 2 seahunter.

[Jim Hemmingway]

Thanks you guys, I know this one is a long read too, so if you want an original copy for your files, I suppose we could give that a try and see how it goes for awhile...if so PM your email address.

Jim.

[scott565]

Thanks very much for your excellent and detailed analysis.
Surely, it will be of help to everyone with an Infinium, regardless of the application.
I must confess, I envy someone who measures their finds by the pound - seems like most of us are giddy with sub-gram returns.
HH
-Scott

[Jim Hemmingway]

Thanks Scott...when you consider the attributes of the Infinium, for example the automatic tone ID system, waterproofing, very handy "AA" batteries, overall performance and simplicity of use, plus a price tag delivered to the door here in Canada at less than two-thirds of its nearest ground balancing PI competitor, this unit is an exceptional value.

Jim.

[trainermick]

The location in your photos looks very familiar to me. In fact, I also have taken several pounds of silver including leaf, nuggets, float, etc. I also got lost and spent a night in the woods near Her.... pond back in the late 80's. I use a VLF detector but the pulse would certainly do a great job. Thanks for the post. Brings back a lot of memories.

[Jim Hemmingway]

Thanks trainermick...yes I was roaming the area back in the 80's too. Hermann's Pond was quite the hike. You may remember having to walk across the beaver dam to conveniently get across to the other side. Last time in there, maybe 7 years ago I was a bit unsure about crossing over but did it anyway. It was still solid footing.

My research material (Ontario Geological Circulars) indicates a good amount of large float found back in there, but I only found a few small fist size chunks that had a fair bit of cobalt minerals. Some fellas from Tennessee and Texas found a dazzling 100+ lb float somewhere between Coleman Road and the Pond years ago. They found me at the end the day, drive right over and brought it out their car trunk. The most dazzling chunk of massive, character silver I've ever seen. There have been other major finds since then, several that I know about for certain.

I find that hole digging in the thick roots of the bush is really tough going. In past years VLF units would have me digging large iron implements, rusted tin cans, pots and lanterns...you name it....at depth. It wore me out. Nowadays, I put aside a small portion of my total time for float hunting, but the remainder is spent searching the abandoned camps. The Infinium will improve things a good deal, so I've been thinking of spending more time looking for float. Thats it for now, would be good to see you up there anytime after mid-September to early November is the best time for me. Its cooler for carrying gear and digging holes, bugs are minimal, and as the leaves fall you can see where the heck you're going. Come to Loon Lake and ask for Snowman...a nickname they gave to me many years ago.

Jim.

[Matt (CA)]

JIM, been reading this report over again. Its almost like being right there with the great pics and explanations. You have found some really impressive silver. Those are museum quality specimens. Your obvious success speaks volumes about the methods you describe in the report. Thankyou for sharing this information.

[Jim Hemmingway]

Thanks Matt. Your comment about museum quality rocks is timely because I’ve been thinking of donating some of these rocks to a mining museum located in a small northern Ontario community.

As noted in the introduction, I was delighted with Infinium’s performance for this application. Just beware you may not be too happy with the stem assembly…but that can be modified or otherwise replaced. I’ve done both and am happy with the results either way. Below are three photos. The first two photos illustrate modifications to the original Infinium stem.

I drilled a few additional holes and added some quarter-inch bolts to firm-up the original Infinium stem as illustrated in the first Infinium photo above. The second Infinium photo shows an additional section added to the back of the original stem...a piece of aluminum tent pole cut to appropriate size... to facilitate installing the unit body further back behind the elbow. It made a big difference in balance, making the overall unit feel considerably lighter on the arm. I realize it’s a PITA to contemplate doing it to a new unit, but now I’m satisfied with it. For this prospecting application at least…this unit is well worth the hassle to get it right.

The photo above shows the straight Andersen stem. It cost me $165 Canadian delivered to the front door from a supplier in Nova Scotia. I did drill some additional holes in it to accommodate my personal preferences but that took only a few moments to do. This stem feels fine on the arm…it is lightweight but quite firm.

Jim.

[Gold_Striker]

I enjoyed reading this and will come back to read it again to refresh my memory. It's nice to have people with such experience available to learn from.


thanks guys

[Jim Hemmingway]

Hi Gold_Striker...thankyou for commenting. Reading between the lines, you can see that I really enjoyed using this unit for this application. Those automatic tones are just so darn convenient if you can apply them to your situation.

Keep in mind that if you or anyone would like an original copy of this or any report of mine for your files...you need only to holler. All the very best

Jim.