? Best of the Best ?

[oldrocker]

Hi all,
I have been searching and researching for a detector for gold prospecting. I see Whites are what most of you use overall but with all the choices, Which one is the most user friendly in all of the below catagories:
1. Longevity in battery power when in the field. (I plan on being out in the field and here in Alaska the current bushes are not a good source for power)
2. I would like it to have versatility ie: loops ect
3. Rugged and dependability is a must...
I had a Whites 6000 GEB and I am looking for a more user friendly one. Pre-Thanks, "oldrocker"

 

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[bakergeol]

Well if you are going to detect nuggets in Alaska. Check out "Latest Nugget Detector Recommendations for Alaska" by Steve Herschbach in the Alaska Gold Forum. May 16, 2003- page 12. Steve is an authority up there on nugget shooting and you should view his opinions highly.
By the way your questions are not usually what nugget shooters in Alaska usually ask- usually how does the detector handle "hot" rocks or sensitivity for small gold or depth.

Hope this helps
George

 

[Hoser John]

Steve sure has given some great advice for many years now.But remember-detectors are like women-one mans pleasure is anothers pain!!You gotta put in MANY hours of learning the ins and outs,quirks,and ugly realities.Steves log on the Gaines creek adventures of dozens of PROFESSIONALS and newbies using all machines in the same place puts no machine on top,experience doesn't essentially pay off,and when your hot ,your SMOKEING!! Have fun first and foremost and the rest will come naturally.Over half of the folks who buy detectors end up closeting them for lack of patience,perseverence,and tenacity.Tons a au 2 u 2-John

 

[Teprock]

Gold

Yeah, but how much gold have you found with your metal detectors?

 

[Lowbatts]

Hey Teprock, Hoser John is right no matter what his finds total. And I wouldn't put my finds against his. If you're not having fun whether or not your finding you won't be looking long. That goes for all disciplines not just prospecting. But to the original post, only gold I find is already worked into rings so can't help you there. Those bushes, hard walks and harder digging aren't a negative when put into context.

 

[oldrocker]

Wow Thanks for the fast response! I know my questions were unusual and the reason was because I am a little aquainted with detection cause of the GEB6000. It was a learning experience and now I kind of wish I would have kept it. But I didn't.... I will read the above articles and thank you again for the info.
Oh one more ?

Is there any advantage to the digital displayed detectors really?
I was looking at the MXT and DFX models.

 

[Hoser John]

Teprock, I've been detecting since 1961 and mining since 56.The beaches used to be lined with silver and gold when I was a kid.Even using my home built tandy craft bfo heathkit!! TR was a god send and VLF a true blessing.I've raised 4 kids,sent to universities too,and mined many millions in gold with detectors,dredges,trommels,D-9's,jigs,crushers,hydro mining,and hardrock.I've walked the walk and done well.I work 4-5 months a year and play in hawaii and mexico most of the rest.I always take a detector everywhere I go,gold jewelry is as good as nuggets anyday.I fly like a eagle and haven't spent my life walddling like a bloody duck!!John :lol: 8)

 

[oldrocker]

OK guys :shock: I didn't want to start a battle here I just wanted to learn something about detectors. From most of the forums I have been researching on this is the best by far and I feel I can learn from the experience of others. So that being said. Hoser John, from your experience in metal detectors which one would you suggest (and to keep this from getting personal you can PM me with the answer) I work as a mechanic/welder at Fort Knox here in Fairbanks and the lure of gold has been on my mind since the day I started. Pre-Thanks, oldrocker

 

[Hoser John]

I've owned,run,or used just about every detector ever made.The new boy on the block really seems to have some promise,the Troy(made for others by tesoro) I run a GoldBug 2 and have all the coils.I run a Tesoro Lobo Supertraq again with all the coils and for coins a goldensabre,old but never outdone with all coils including deepsearch widescan. Minelab has a new vlf model coming out now too.Didn't like the new garreet units and whites just not tough enough and too bloody work intense for me.Fisher new goldstrike struck out.Detectors are a very personal thing.I don't get adament and say use only this because thats ego BS-use what works for you and try out as many as possible before you buy and then keep trying out newer units as you can!!Join a club.Tons a au 2 u 2-John

 

[coinshooter]

Lets get to the point of Hoser Johns question - you all can Blah,blah,blah later.
I would say that you may as well shoot for the best (in my opnion), the minelab GP series for gold (GP Extreme?).

 

[oldrocker]

$3495.00 :shock: WOW!!!!!!!!!!!! It still comes down to experence though right? Why spend this much if it is only as smart as the operator....I mean if it is that much better what makes it better than any other

 

[bakergeol]

Yep- A lot of bucks for a detector. Minelab doesn't have much competition in the high end nugget machine market.(Could very well change in the next future).
The GP 3000 is a P I- pulse induction detector which means it has incredible depth over a VLF. As Steve Herschbach has pointed out in his review it is an elephant gun compared to other nugget detectors. This puppy is for the serious guys or professionals. It is a favorite because of the incredible depth with various coils you can obtain. A P I is not affected by ground mineralization as a VLF is and commonly ignores most "hot" rocks. There are some areas you can not work a VLF because of the incredible number of "hot" rocks or mineralization. The negative point of P Is is there is no reliable discrimination and if you are working in areas which has seen intense human activity you have to dig incredible amounts of tiny iron buried deep.

I tried using a Minelab P I in my neck of the woods but there was too much iron(150 yrs of accumulation). I am waiting for a P I to be introduced with reliable discrimination.

So if you don't have deep pockets and simply not on that serious of a level and don't have a serious"hot" rock problem- buy a VLF e.g. Gold Bug 2.

George