Metal Detecting discussions and finds

Still neat finding out what it is. I dug out that book you were wanting to look at. Its eighth edition.

 

That is strange. I am curious as to what the detectors do.

 

Hey there! Looking to get into detecting in CA, American River area.

It's very rocky, and lots of black sand.

Is there a specific type of detector that would work better in those type of area? Don't mind picking up used, just need to know what I should be looking for, and what to avoid (gear-wise).

 

Well, I recommend that you do a bit of reading to get up to speed regarding detecting terminology and familiarization.
KellyCo has some pretty good info and is a good place to start.

https://www.kellycodetectors.com/pa...best-metal-detectors/#terminology-definitions
https://www.kellycodetectors.com/pages/how-to-choose-the-right-metal-detector/

 

Have done a bit of reading and podcast surfing, biggest difference that I have been able to find is that some of the "nicer" detectors can be nooby unfriendly as they require a bit of work to get "zeroed" in.

I think Garret would be a good start for me, tho I have heard tons of good about the Gold Bug (and anything minelabs related).

Let me know if you see any good used or new deals around!

 

Im new to the game also but i like my minelab equinox 800

 

@Hobbs gives good advice here and has a lot more experience than I and a lot of others here. I’m just a beginner too, but had some good advice along the way, like learning that Goldbug II’s are not good beginner detectors. If you want a similar very sensitive to gold VLF like that, get a Gold Monster VLF detector, they are very easy to use and are great for finding the smallest nuggets. But as @wilcam47 mentioned, give the Equinox 800 a serious consideration. The Equinox 800 is waterproof - so you can detect in the American River too, and it is a multi frequency detector that can use higher frequencies to detect for smaller gold nuggets like a Goldbug and GoldMonster, and be able to use lower frequencies for detecting for deeper buried items like coins and other relicts, better than the VLF’s can as well.

There’s always some good deals on used detectors in the classified sections, along with good info in these two forums:

https://nuggetshooter.ipbhost.com/

https://www.detectorprospector.com/forums/

 

I've been eyeballing the Nokta Makro AU (499$), and Garret AT Pro (550$).

Also, the Nokta Makro Simplex (250$) looks like a good starter maybe. It has a very attractive entry price.

The equinox 800 looks sweet, but it's nearly double the price. Looks like a good one to get after getting my feet wet.

Thoughts? They all are waterproof as well so I can wade around and have some fun too.

Edit: it looks like the Simplex has been compared to the AT Pro. If so, that's quite a great entry level deal at 250

 

You are close to equinox 800 price with the garret. May as well pony up a little more and go with the equinox 800

 

Me wandering in the desert...looking for gold and meteors

 

I may find a new hobby.....

 

After further research the best deal for my needs seems to be the Fisher F19 with the 5-10 coil (425), Makro racer 2 (424), or the Nokta Makro AU (499$).

Just need to dig into features and see which is the better of the 3 since they all are essentially the same price. I *think* the racer has more bells than the f19, but the AU might be more aligned with what I'm doing, in rocks and hillsides/water.

Not sure to be honest!

 

Wew.....

Talk about being tugged in every direction.

Correct me if im wrong, but are people in this hobby very loyal to certain brands? I feel like you talk to one person, and they are firm on one or two products, the others are terrible. Next guy says the opposite. So confusing!



Think ill just pony up for the Equinox 800. That has a universal stamp of approval.

Worst case reselling will be the easy.

 

There are a lot of good machines made by different manufacturers- you may be right that there is some brand loyalty out there. Fischer was a standard back in the 80’s and 90’s, especially with their Gold Bug II, but now others like Minelab came out with VLF gold detectors that are much easier to use like the Gold Monster, and multi frequency detectors like the Equinox that can use low frequencies to sense deeper for coins, and higher frequency to pick up small gold. They also make higher end Pulse Induction detectors that go deeper and cost 5x that of the Nox 800. I don’t own a Equinox, but from what I’ve seen and from what you said your detecting style is (and from my previous experience living in Lotus next to the American River), I’d say a Equinox 800 will do you very well, especially when the river is running low and you can hit some of the exposed pools and gravel bars out there!

And if you buy one of Hobbs’ cheat cards for sale on FleaBay, you’ll pay off the Nox in no time!

 

Thanks!

I went with the Equinox 800. Getting it setup and charged now!

Lots of reading to do...

 

Where’d you get it?

 

Big Valley detectors in Sac.

Owner was very nice and took the time to explain/showcase various models.

I had my mind set on the 800 before walking in, and after seeing how it performed compared to others I can see why it is so popular. Even cut me a nice deal on it!

 

Well, I just tested this again and the 4500 could just barely pick it up vs it making the GM scream. I also tested a nickel and flake of aluminum foil and both machines picked them up well also. There’s something about PbS (galena’s molecular composition) that a PI can’t handle. I did some reading about galena’s electrical properties and its weird- they even use it as a diode. You can actually McGeyver a single diode radio using a hunk of galena, copper wire, and a small speaker.

 

Its good you bought it feom a local dealer- they’ll take care of you if things don’t work. Also consider joining up with some locals (check those sites I posted earlier), they will help point you to good producing areas near you, and how to research them.