DETECTOR CHATTER

[Eureka Moments]

Hello,

I am currently using a Garret At Pro.

I got it last year in june and it was my first detector of my adult life.

I must say for the price it's a great machine. I detect once a week usually and have found over 80.00 in modern clad, silver rings and charms and a gold high school class ring which I was able to return to the owner.

I sent it back to the manufacturer to upgrade the shaft and their service was top notch.

I will say though, garret has released a similar model called an AT Gold which like the name states, is probably more suited for the yellow.

The At Pro has no threshold sound (like the AT Gold) just tones that variate in loudness depending on how deep / size of the object. I've had no problem in digging a dime at 10 inches but any deeper and I might confuse the sound for detector chatter.

The only thing I wish is that I had some gold fields around me...

Great posts people. These sound like a good entry level machine to consider.

Another brand that I have heard some ok things about is White's. Never used one but supposed to be a top allrounder with good discrimination. No idea of price?

Finding gold in australia's highly mineralised ground is what sets minelab PI detectors apart from most. Running a threshold is different than listening for tones with no background noise and can be tricky due to false signals, EMI and ground noise.

The Garret sounds very user friendly and this should be considered if you want your partner or kids to use it as well as yourself. Adjustable shafts means you can set up for big and little kids alike and machines and coils are a lot lighter than older versions so less tiring.

 

[REDBACK]

So focussing on detectors is fine but technique is finer.
Detector tips?
Mine is the old one- gold is where you find it.

 

[Eureka Moments]

Tip. Always take drinks and munchies when you go detecting. You can end up spending longer than you plan on a day out so a spare bottle of drink/water is a good thing to have.

 

[Silver Soul]

Tip. Always take drinks and munchies when you go detecting. You can end up spending longer than you plan on a day out so a spare bottle of drink/water is a good thing to have.

Tip Once I have read the lay of the land, and found the gully that I wish to detect, I will go out of a night time to hit my patch....It is much cooler, no fly's, and quieter. I will peg solid hits with home made surveyor pegs, then dig them during the day.

 

[Guest]

Personally I would go for a Aquapulse 1B (Pulse Induction) Detector. I use one for underwater detecting, and surface. A few years back I put it to test against the GPX4000 and was finding gold just as deep with it on land. The only downside to the aquapulse is its price! But you get what you pay for.

You can also get some niffty heads for it too! Like this wand, for hard to get at places.

http://forums.silverstackers.com/uploads/374_crevis_wond.jpg

That would be good for the gold scene, I think what I responded to was a beach detecting option.

 

[Eureka Moments]

"There comes a time in every rightly-constructed boy's life when he has a raging desire to go somewhere and dig for hidden treasure."
- Mark Twain - The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

 

[Guest]

So focussing on detectors is fine but technique is finer.
Detector tips?
Mine is the old one- gold is where you find it.

Mine is that if you're going to be detecting in a suburban area, bring the right tools for the job and learn to dig an inconspicuous plug!

If you leave a mess, park rangers will get the shits big time and you run the risk of getting yourself (and other detectorists) banned.

This is NOT how to dig a plug...

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPyQy9SmGac[/youtube]

(he's using a full sized SHOVEL ffs!!!)


This is the RIGHT way...

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EemmbOHr39Y[/youtube]

Please follow these rules for your own sake and for everyone else in the hobby.

 

[Dynoman]

Spent some time in the Eighties on the Goldfields around Leonora in WA. Had a Garrett A2B Groundhog. That was the best machine at the time. Find ratio was about 400 lead bullets to the gram. We did ok though despite that.

 

[ShinyStuff]

Great thread... any links to reasonable online stores would be appreciated! Plus, step by step guide for the dummies...
1 - How to adjust your machine.
2 - What rubbish sounds like.
3 - What coins sound like
4 - What gold sounds like...

Thanks in advance!

Shiny.

 

[Silver Soul]

Spent some time in the Eighties on the Goldfields around Leonora in WA. Had a Garrett A2B Groundhog. That was the best machine at the time. Find ratio was about 400 lead bullets to the gram. We did ok though despite that.

I was driving a A3B in Halls Creek Mid Eighties. These were great machines for that time. Those bloody lead pellets from 12 gauge would sound just like gold! Always dig ya target."

 

[Eureka Moments]

Great thread... any links to reasonable online stores would be appreciated! Plus, step by step guide for the dummies...
1 - How to adjust your machine.
2 - What rubbish sounds like.
3 - What coins sound like
4 - What gold sounds like...

Thanks in advance!

Shiny.

Answers

1 - knobs and buttons
2 - All sorts of things, depending on size, shape, orientation(the way it is "sitting" in the ground) and what type of metal it is made of.
3 - Possibly refer to question and answer 2. But more clarification may be provided by more experienced coin diggers.
4 - In my experience all sorts of things, depending on size, shape, orientation(the way it is "sitting" in the ground).
The answer to questions 2,3 & 4 can also be affected by what you do in question 1.

All machines, makes and models are different.

 

[Eureka Moments]

Great thread... any links to reasonable online stores would be appreciated! Plus, step by step guide for the dummies...
1 - How to adjust your machine.
2 - What rubbish sounds like.
3 - What coins sound like
4 - What gold sounds like...

Thanks in advance!

Shiny.

Hoping this thread can cover a much broader range of issues than "who has/what's the best price I can pay for a machine".
All free to post or debate on how much bang for buck or whatever, but we should all do our own shopping/buying.

I have no vested interest in any brands I use. Happy to recommend and name my preferred brands I consider good value, but dont ask me who/where is the best place to buy from. Way too many variables involved.

Much prefer your other 4 questions. These will all be given more clarification as this thread continues and I thank you for asking.

 

[Eureka Moments]

Spent some time in the Eighties on the Goldfields around Leonora in WA. Had a Garrett A2B Groundhog. That was the best machine at the time. Find ratio was about 400 lead bullets to the gram. We did ok though despite that.

You gotta be prepared for some work, frustration and disappointment. But it has its rewards.

Collecting other people's leftovers is part of the game, but even if you dont get gold you are at least helping the environment.

The lead should be just about out of your system by now.

 

[Spilver]

Great thread... any links to reasonable online stores would be appreciated! Plus, step by step guide for the dummies...
1 - How to adjust your machine.
2 - What rubbish sounds like.
3 - What coins sound like
4 - What gold sounds like...

Thanks in advance!

Shiny.

1. Is different for different weapons, bit is easier than it sounds
2. Gold
3. Beer lids
4. Rubbish

 

[Dynoman]

Spent some time in the Eighties on the Goldfields around Leonora in WA. Had a Garrett A2B Groundhog. That was the best machine at the time. Find ratio was about 400 lead bullets to the gram. We did ok though despite that.

You gotta be prepared for some work, frustration and disappointment. But it has its rewards.

Collecting other people's leftovers is part of the game, but even if you dont get gold you are at least helping the environment.

The lead should be just about out of your system by now.

Yup in the the same area a disgruntled lease holder tried to fill me with same

 

[ShinyStuff]

Ok, let me ask a different question as I take your point about direct advertising...

Best detector for the following people please (and I know that opinion will differ)
1) Never detected before. Wants it to last, but also a bit cheaper than "mercedes" version. Think, "holden" version, not "kia."
2) Good version for kids and families to use (and deaf father).
3) What to look for when scoping out second hand detectors. In other words, how to not get screwed as I am wet behind the ears!

Thanks fellas!

Shiny.

 

[Eureka Moments]

Ok, let me ask a different question as I take your point about direct advertising...

Best detector for the following people please (and I know that opinion will differ)
1) Never detected before. Wants it to last, but also a bit cheaper than "mercedes" version. Think, "holden" version, not "kia."
2) Good version for kids and families to use (and deaf father).
3) What to look for when scoping out second hand detectors. In other words, how to not get screwed as I am wet behind the ears!

Thanks fellas!

Shiny.

Top questions.

1) Do not be afraid of detectors, They can be very user friendly. You can drive a "merc" or "holden" without having to be a qualified mechanic.
The user manual for the GPX 4500 has about 105 pages of technical stuff to get your head around. On page 106 (the back cover) it has a "Qick Start" page. Six simple steps to get you going.
Many other machines will be at least as easy to use. Fine tuning and stuff you work out as you go along, or you talk to (even better watch) an experienced operator with a similar toy.

2) In my opinion there are two (three if you count underwater) types of detectors. Ones that are great for gold, and those that are great for parks and beaches. One type specialises in finding coins and relics and has superior discrimination features Its main purpose is to find things the size of a coin. The other type of detector is much more sensetive to tiny pieces of metal...think shotgun pellets rather than 22 bullets.
You can buy something that will find you coins and gold, but will struggle to find anything at depth (if a better machine has been where you are you will find bugger all). You will also struggle to find any nuggets smaller than a gram that a recent model gold machine will find.
Decide what you can/will use it for and shop accordingly.
3) Where do you live? (Roughly will do) PM me if you dont want to publish it. Various options exist.

Anyway, thats what I reckon.

 

[ToDaMoon]

Anyone like to comment on the Minelabs X-Terra 705. States on the website that can do gold and treaure all at the flick of a button BUT how good would it be at looking for gold without buying the Gold Pack version or vice versa?

How good is it generally? I have seen some of these coming up second hand but almost new on ebay for at the moment (4 days left 500 odd) and am interested in giving this a whirl

 

[Eureka Moments]

Anyone like to comment on the Minelabs X-Terra 705. States on the website that can do gold and treaure all at the flick of a button BUT how good would it be at looking for gold without buying the Gold Pack version or vice versa?

How good is it generally? I have seen some of these coming up second hand but almost new on ebay for at the moment (4 days left 500 odd) and am interested in giving this a whirl

Far from the worst. The latest models of any brand are usually "better" than older ones, as in easier to use and more features. Dont know what the "Gold pack" is but generally you get more bang for your buck if you spend more bucks.

If buying any detector secondhand ask seller where it has been used and what it has found. (gold or only coins and what size and depth.)

Secondhand detectors are well worth considering, ask the buyer questions and check feedback if using ebay.

 

[Eureka Moments]

BATTERIES

Metal detectors need batteries to operate. The exception to this is divining rods which, although difficult to use, have very low running costs.
The cost and performance of batteries is very important. Later model detectors will have the best batteries and performance.
Once the voltage drops away so will a machines performance. You may only get one hour of peak performance from some machines before voltage drops below its ideal level. You might be able to keep detecting for several hours, but you will not get the best results. Li-ion batteries generally work best.

This is a Li-ion battery for a Minelab GPX detector. It has 10 hours of battery life and takes around 3 hours to charge from flat. It comes with both a 12v and 240v charger. It has been re-charged well over 100 times over 3.5 years with no loss of performance or battery life. One of the LED readouts on the GPX models is "battery test".This shows the voltage the machine is operating at. This feature would not be on there if voltage was not important.