Looking for first gold detector

[calgeologist]

I have been a lurker around this site for a while now and have gained a lot of valuable tips.

I am currently looking at buying my first detector (for gold only) and have read all these threads about which ones to buy. I know there is a thread about the Gold Bug and the Whites GMT and I have read it a couple of times, but I have a few questions regarding my locations (Northern California) that I would like some advice on.

Right now I am leaning towards the GMT. The grounds that I will be detecting are very hot and mineralized. I will be mostly poking around small streams that have shallow bedrock composed primarily of slate, limestone, chert, and metavolcanics. I also know there there is an abundance of iron pyrite as well as arsenopyrite and magnetite.

I just wanted to know if these were the right types of machines that I should be looking at or not.

Thanks
CalGeo

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[63bkpkr]

Well calgeologist welcome to Tnet! I own the GMT with all three coils and a new set of wireless TDK 700 earphones, see the thread in this area Wireless Headphones - Again. I've had the GMT for several years but had not used it enough at first to really Begin to know it. In 2010 I used it to find about a quarter oz of nice gold nugget flakes, 1/8" - 1/4" diameter ~ 0.015" thick, look back in the 2010 September posts in this area for pictures. Last year I went out bedrock hunting per Lanny's instructions and found gold in solid rock, well almost solid rock with cracks as its the cracks that allow the gold to get under the rock. I find the Auto Ground Balance to be the thing for me. Whatever of these two machines you purchase read the manuals over and over and get out there and learn how to use them over and over....Best of success......63bkpkr

[Oakview2]

I would love to see the posts of your finds, but am unable to find the posts as of yet. Could you post the name of the thread or a link to them. Would love to see your finds. Happy Hunting....

[calgeologist]

Well calgeologist welcome to Tnet! I own the GMT with all three coils and a new set of wireless TDK 700 earphones, see the thread in this area Wireless Headphones - Again. I've had the GMT for several years but had not used it enough at first to really Begin to know it. In 2010 I used it to find about a quarter oz of nice gold nugget flakes, 1/8" - 1/4" diameter ~ 0.015" thick, look back in the 2010 September posts in this area for pictures. Last year I went out bedrock hunting per Lanny's instructions and found gold in solid rock, well almost solid rock with cracks as its the cracks that allow the gold to get under the rock. I find the Auto Ground Balance to be the thing for me. Whatever of these two machines you purchase read the manuals over and over and get out there and learn how to use them over and over....Best of success......63bkpkr

Thanks for the response. I have read about many of your trips and they sound like a blast. Anyways I am going to get the GMT after doing a bit more research last night. May I ask where you bought yours?

[Diggit]

The GMT is a fine choice and a good machine,you will be happy with your purchase.

[TerryC]

Calgeo, The GMT is a DYNAMITE machine. I bought both the GMT and GB2 at the same time. Got to test BOTH side by side. I chose the GB2 and my brother TimC now has the GMT. I posted on both. If you cannot find my videos on the machines, youtube has the original videos. Use terry cieszki to see them. If you can plant the coil above some nuggets, the GMT will find them for you. VERY sensitive machine. TTC

[Terry Soloman]

Just to throw a curveball... You may also want to check out the Tesoro Lobo Super Traq (which was designed by the same engineer that designed the GMT), as it has Automatic ground balance and tracking. We use this machine at our gold prospecting school near Rich Hill, Arizona for several reasons. Easy to learn and use, just as sensitive as the GMT and GBII, made in Arizona, and a lifetime warranty. It is also a kick-butt coin and relic shooter..

[TerryC]

Just to throw a curveball... You may also want to check out the Tesoro Lobo Super Traq (which was designed by the same engineer that designed the GMT), as it has Automatic ground balance and tracking. We use this machine at our gold prospecting school near Rich Hill, Arizona for several reasons. Easy to learn and use, just as sensitive as the GMT and GBII, made in Arizona, and a lifetime warranty. It is also a kick-butt coin and relic shooter..

Terry, If you are in the Rich Hill area in all of May.... It's time we met! TimC and I will look for you. May I send a PM? Tnx. TTC

[Terry Soloman]

Terry, If you are in the Rich Hill area in all of May.... It's time we met! TimC and I will look for you. May I send a PM? Tnx. TTC

PM me anytime Terry! or email me TerrySoloman@aol.com I don't think I am going to get out there again this Season. I was just there last month to film a segment for an upcoming special on the History Channel with Robert Martensen, Calvin Bunker, Mike Furness, Chris and Steve Gholson, Bret Chilcott and a few others. I would enjoy meeting you as well!

[Goodyguy]

Enjoyed the slide show Terry !
Those nuggets on the slide show are huge .....that what you guarantee your adventure clients will find ? If so, sign me up

I did recommend your company to a Buckeye headed to Arizona to prospect for the first time. GO WEST YOUNG MAN

Think he and his son left for AZ from Ohio on a greyhound bus a couple of days ago for an adventure they wont soon forget.
Cant wait to hear the details when they return. The real gold will be in the time they are spending together.

GG~

[TerryC]

Whoa, Terry! Looks like I'll need to get an AUTOGRAPH when we meet! (ha ha!). I will certainly watch the special you helped to put together. Also need to look up Calvin Bunker to get 2 or 3 FOOT PRINTS. Outstanding required tools for AZ miners! Thanks for the info. Soon! TTC

[TerryC]

Enjoyed the slide show Terry !
Those nuggets on the slide show are huge .....that what you guarantee your adventure clients will find ? If so, sign me up

I did recommend your company to a Buckeye headed to Arizona to prospect for the first time. GO WEST YOUNG MAN

Think he and his son left for AZ from Ohio on a greyhound bus a couple of days ago for an adventure they wont soon forget.
Cant wait to hear the details when they return. The real gold will be in the time they are spending together.

GG~

Slow down just a LITTLE bit, GoodGuy. That pic of Gohlson is probably recent, but he may be showing some nugs he picked up in a recent trip to Australia. The trip is featured in the most recent copy of Gold Prospecters. They look familiar but ..... yes, page 10 of the MAR/APR Gold Prospecters shows Gohlson holding a few LARGE nugs and I can see that at least one appears (to me) to be one shown in the slides. We'll have to wait for the History channel special to be sure. Stay thirsty, my friend. TTC

[TerryC]

Just to throw a curveball... You may also want to check out the Tesoro Lobo Super Traq (which was designed by the same engineer that designed the GMT), as it has Automatic ground balance and tracking. We use this machine at our gold prospecting school near Rich Hill, Arizona for several reasons. Easy to learn and use, just as sensitive as the GMT and GBII, made in Arizona, and a lifetime warranty. It is also a kick-butt coin and relic shooter..

Ok, Terry. Tell me why my next machine will be a Tesoro and not a Whites TDI (PI) machine? I've been looking at the Whites yet will honor your opinion. I, and others I know, respect your opinion. Tnx. TTC

[Terry Soloman]

Slow down just a LITTLE bit, GoodGuy. That pic of Gohlson is probably recent, but he may be showing some nugs he picked up in a recent trip to Australia. The trip is featured in the most recent copy of Gold Prospecters. They look familiar but ..... yes, page 10 of the MAR/APR Gold Prospecters shows Gohlson holding a few LARGE nugs and I can see that at least one appears (to me) to be one shown in the slides. We'll have to wait for the History channel special to be sure. Stay thirsty, my friend. TTC

Yes Terry is correct. The nuggets Chris is holding are nuggies I asked him to bring, as EXAMPLES of large natural gold nuggets - they were NOT found that day. The special is titled, "What is the Earth Worth?," and our segment "illustrates" gold. Then there's diamonds, copper, timber, yadda-yadda-yadda.. It is not about prospecting. That is one of the reasons I agreed to do the shoot. It isn't reality TV, it is a documentary. All of us brought some big gold to show, but of course, Chris and Steve ALWAYS steal the show!

[Terry Soloman]

Ok, Terry. Tell me why my next machine will be a Tesoro and not a Whites TDI (PI) machine? I've been looking at the Whites yet will honor your opinion. I, and others I know, respect your opinion. Tnx. TTC

That is actually a tough call T. I have swung the TDI in California, and Arizona, and I didn't like it. My buddy however - who does find gold with it, would give you his dog before parting with his! I will stay with the Lobo for a couple of reasons 1) Weight 2) Durability 3) Battery life 4) Auto ground balance and tracking 5) Price 6) I find gold with it 7) It is made by my friends in Prescott, AZ, and guaranteed for life..

[TerryC]

Hmmm. BIG decision to make! Tnx. The slide show shows some "vistas" off the "climb" up to Yarnell. I think TimC and I saw you fellows filming that day. We were going downbound just then. Take care, my friend. TTC

[63bkpkr]

Hmm, interesting thread about the TDI versus Lobo. I will ask about what you refer to when you indicate the Lobo is more durable than the TDI, what problems have you had or that you know of with the TDI and if possible which of the TDI's are we speaking about(TDI, TDI Pro, TDI SL).

"The Season" approaches (prospecting in norcal) and I am filling out my wish list of things that would be good to bring with me.......63bkpkr

[Michaeldoc]

When purchasing a dedicated gold detector, keep in mind where you are most likely to use this machine. Prospecting for gold in AK is different than prospecting in AZ. Find the machine suited to your area, especially the ability to handle hot rocks, cold rocks, junk, etc. Of course, ANY machine will find gold and I mean ANY machine whether it is gold dedicated or not. However, do you want to beat yourself to death deciphering signals and continually ground balancing every step of the way? Also, small gold and large gold at greater depths calls for a host of different choices in machines.

The above being said, a beginner will do well with a White's GMT, Fisher Gold Bug I or II, a White's MXT or even the White's Spectra V3i. These machines are relatively easy to use, are devoid or complicated adjustments and get the job done. For the serious prospector, White's TDI and the Minelab GPX series among others. Nevertheless, one does not have to spend thousands on a machine to find gold. It is the person and not the machine that finds the gold. Dig most signals, get to know your machine, plant a test garden and last but not least, look for gold where gold has been found before. And research, research, research. A good overview of gold detectors from a very respected prospector and businessman, Steve Herschbach, is found at Alaska Mining and Diving Supply, Inc. www.akmining.com

[Terry Soloman]

You can bounce a Lobo off the back of your quad, go back, pick it up, turn it on and prospect. Do NOT try that with ANY TDI or Minelab.

Hmm, interesting thread about the TDI versus Lobo. I will ask about what you refer to when you indicate the Lobo is more durable than the TDI, what problems have you had or that you know of with the TDI and if possible which of the TDI's are we speaking about(TDI, TDI Pro, TDI SL).

"The Season" approaches (prospecting in norcal) and I am filling out my wish list of things that would be good to bring with me.......63bkpkr

[Reg]

CalGeo,

I have the Tesoro LST, a GM 4 but not the GMT, and I have a TDI and a TDI SL. With that said, I can say the TDI and SL are tough detectors that will take abuse. I know, I bounce mine around quite a bit and they still work fine.

The LST is also good detector but outdated in some ways. In fact, I did the field test of the LST For Lost treasure back in the late 90's so I am quite familiar with just how that detector works also.

Picking a detector is a personal choice and is something you probably should make on your own after trying the finalists you have in mind. I recommend you try to find someone who has one of those you are thinking about and see if you can tag along to see how it works. Each of us has likes and dislikes and there is no one detector that does it all or one that is perfect in all aspects. Unfortunately, it does take a while to get used to any detector and many people don't have the patience to learn some of the complexities that are involved with some of them. That is why it is not that uncommon to see a basically new detector for sale.

The TDI and TDI SL are PI's, which act differently than a VLF and won't find gold as small as the VLF's but are also not plagued by the black sand that can cause issues with the VLF's mentioned.

If the area you will be hunting mainly has very small gold, then the VLF's will probably be the best choice. One grain or sub grain gold is found easier with a VLF and most likely will be ignored when using a PI like one of the TDI's. Here in Colorado, the VLF is more common and is the more likely choice. I have, however, been successful with a PI here so, I carry both.

I have hunted about every type ground both here in CO and in AZ, including Rich Hill in AZ. In fact, I used to be friends with the previous owners, the late Jack Culp and his wife Laura. So, I was lucky enough to hunt the private ground (the famous Potato Patch) with the owners many years ago.

Now, just where I have hunted has nothing to do with your choice except that I have hunted some of the really bad ground many people talk about, so I know what to expect.

All the detectors mentioned should serve you well. The auto ground balance on the LST works fine, but I don't like the idea you can't turn it off. I prefer the Alkali mode for reasons not normally mentioned, but noted in my field test. However, in the Alkali mode, finding certain meteorites can be a problem.

The ground grab or whatever you want to call it on the GMT works well also. Again, I have used one but don't own one. I hope to get one in the near future though.

The PI's, the TDI and the SL are better at handling some of the really bad ground, but do suffer when it comes to detecting the very small gold. People have found 1 grainers with them but at the same time, similar size nuggets will simply not be detected because of the nugget characteristics. When the gold gets above several grains, then the PI has a tendency to excel. Increase the size to a few grams, and again, the PI will quite often find them deeper. There will be exceptions but as a general rule, the PI does have some advantages when hunting the larger gold.

Regardless of which detector you select, practice and testing are the key to success. Issues such as how easily a piece of magnetite or a granite rock with magnetite in it can mask a gold nugget are things one should know about. This isn't much of a problem with a PI since magnetite is generally ignored by the TDI family.

Reg