Best Budget Backpack Sluice?

[OhioKid]

I would like to get a backpack sluice that would be used for sampling or spending an afternoon out in a stream. I would be classifying to 1/4 and am not expecting anything big.
What would be my best option? I would like to get a used one to save on cost, but it’s been surprisingly hard for me to find them.

Any ideas, suggestions or leads would be awesome!

Thanks in advance!

 

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[DesertNuggets]

California Sluice Box Company has some really good priced drop riffle sluices.

 

[NJnuggetpirate]

RDH backpack prospecting kit comes with sluice pan backpack snuffer vials scoop $99 i always like to buy kits bc you get more stuff for a managable price

 

[419GottaMinute]

The fold up sluices work well and you get a full size sluice that fits in a back pack. Since you said your not expecting anything big, I would recommend a plastic drop riffle sluice since they are exceedingly light, and if you go with a quality brand they are very durable. I myself donot own a drop riffle, but others on this forum do and swear by them.

 

[charlotte49er]

Mackirk has several small lightweight sluices. The Scout and Recon come to mind;

"Scout" Designed as a small "Back Pack" sized Sluice for Remote Prospecting and/or Clean-ups.
L = 20.5 inches W = 7.5 inches and D = 2.75 inches
Weight = 1 lb. 2 oz..


"Recon" Designed to offer the same features as the Scout - but with twice the production ability.
L = 27.5 inches W = 9.0 inches and D = 3.25 inches
Weight = 2 lb. 4 oz..


"Grub Steak" - This model is great for small creeks. The down angle flair sets the best fall angle and directs more water into the mouth.L = 28.5 inches W = 8.0 inches and D = 2.5 inches
Weight = 2 lb.



Gold Rush Guys have all 3 in stock, plus other Angus Mackirk stream/river sluices, high bankers/recirculators and clean up sluices

 

[Joel1316]

If your on a budget, I would go for the Angus Mackirk Backpacker, few bucks more than a CA Sluice but much stronger. If your willing to bump up your budget, I would go for the Bazooka Mini. The Mini can easily fit in your pack, handle as little or as much material as you can throw at it.

 

[Rdg Sluicer]

I would go with a Bazooka mini or supper mini. They are small enough to fit in a day pack, you don't have to unfold them and put them together and most importantly you don't have to classify.

 

[KevinInColorado]

Either the Mackirk or the bazooka are good options. The Mackirk works best with classified material , you can skip classifying with the bazooka (mostly) and move more material to get more gold. On the other hand, with the bazooka you have to do a quick clean out to see if you are finding gold while the skid plate on the Mackirk will SHOW u the gold as you work.

...so it depends what is important to you given your skills and the prospecting situation you find yourself in. Its why I have both even though I am REALLY cheap!

 

[NJnuggetpirate]

The fold up sluices work well and you get a full size sluice that fits in a back pack. Since you said your not expecting anything big, I would recommend a plastic drop riffle sluice since they are exceedingly light, and if you go with a quality brand they are very durable. I myself donot own a drop riffle, but others on this forum do and swear by them.

i would agree but you cant find for less then 115 if it was in the 80 or 90 dollar range ide get it

 

[KevinInColorado]

I paid 90 for my Angus Mackirk and the backpack size are even cheaper so no more excuses...get one and get out there!

 

[NJnuggetpirate]

i have my rdh thats a nice one

 

[ejimbo4]

KevinInColorado.... which AM are you using? I am looking to get my first sluice and I want to get a AM,just not sure which one.

 

[KevinInColorado]

I have the expedition and love it - now listed at 99 plus shipping online or probably 99 with no shipping at your local prospecting shop such as Gold-n-Detectors here in Golden CO. I bought mine a couple years ago (2011pricing was 89$)...if I was buying today I would also look at the foreman since the double flair seems interesting too but I love my Expedition as do several friends that have bought em after seeing mine in action :-)

PS:the backpacker model is only 30bucks for those looking for something that only weighs 1 pound!

 

[ejimbo4]

Cool! I was on the fence whether to go with the smaller "Reacon" or the "Foreman" and I do believe I will go with the "Foreman" and see how I like it.

 

[NeoTokyo]

There are two that I would suggest for lightweight backpack sluices.

1.) TeeDee E-Z Sluice with flare: $44.95 + shipping direct from teedeecacti on ebay.com
* Great little sluice that is all plastic, has drop riffles, miners moss and inspection mats and is super light and works well in low flowing water.

2.) Bazooka Super Mini: $125
* The best thing that you can bring with you as long as the area's that you are sluicing have decent flow.

Super Prospector Left, Super Mini Middle, Mini Right.

Info and photo from Blynch35

super prospector is 9.25'' bottom 16'' flare and 48.5'' long.
super mini is 4.75'' bottom 8.75'' flare and 24.75'' long.
mini is 4.75'' bottom 7'' flare and 16'' long.

 

[NJnuggetpirate]

nice

 

[bigjoek]

Yes grt the angus. Shoot they have the backpacker for 49 bucks

 

[bigjoek]

I putthe angus between my back and my pack cant even tell Its there. And then then the ez sluice

 

[mattfink]

depending on waterflow but I have a california mini sluice cost 25bucks and is really light weight and fits in your pack and works well and I have a royal manufacturing backpack folding sluice that runs about 130bucks but for the money and weight the cali is a great buy.

 

[NJnuggetpirate]

im getting the head box for my sluice