| Author | Post |
|---|
nero_design
Staff
Minelab X-Terra 70 VFLEX
| Joined: | Tue Jul 8th, 2008 |
| Location: | Sydney, Australia |
| Posts: | 64 |
| Notable Finds: | | | Brand of detector you use : | MINELAB X-Terra 70 |
| Status: |
Offline
|
| MyPOTD: |   |
|
#1 Posted: Mon Jul 14th, 2008 08:55 am |
|
Prospecting is one of the most interesting (and occasionally excruciating) things I have ever endured and I'm often approached by both experienced and novice nugget hunters looking for advice or an opinion on which detector for them to buy. Usually the price is an influence over their ultimate decision but it's good to be able to offer them a few alternatives.
There's two different types of machine: VLF (Very Low Frequency) and PI (Pulse Induction). Most brands of detector sell either or both in their range of detectors.
Sure, any metal detector can detect a Nugget on the surface of the ground. It's metal! But Gold is most commonly deposited by volcanic activity and it's therefore usually found where the soil is highly mineralized. As a result, these minerals cause a great deal of problems for the novice and experienced detectorist and only certain machines are recommended for the job of reading through the "hot" soil to find the concealed Gold. There's quite a few different machines from a range of manufacturers on the market today.
What I'd like to ask contributors is what machines do they feel are the best for the pursuit of Nuggets? Prices aside, I think it might be worth compiling a chart or list showing the machines best suited to the task.
If finances were NOT an influential factor, and if a stranger was to approach you for advice on a Detector for hunting nuggets, which detectors would YOU recommend?
|
nero_design
Staff
Minelab X-Terra 70 VFLEX
| Joined: | Tue Jul 8th, 2008 |
| Location: | Sydney, Australia |
| Posts: | 64 |
| Notable Finds: | | | Brand of detector you use : | MINELAB X-Terra 70 |
| Status: |
Offline
|
| MyPOTD: | |
|
#2 Posted: Mon Jul 14th, 2008 09:22 am |
|
So many choices!
What other current models would others expect to see added to the list?
* Minelab GPX-4000/4500 ... pricey, but arguably the cream of the crop for Nuggets.
Probably the most expensive traditional-type PI detector on the market, the GPX series is designed for Professional Nugget Hunters. The newer GPX-4500 has Minelab's new SETA (Smart Electronic Timing Alignment) for clean and quiet operational thresholds and improved discrimination. Runs on a custom 9.2ah/ 8.0v (Lithium Ion?) Battery.
* Minelab Sovereign GT .. BBS (broad band spectrum) - 17 frequencies
The GT stands for 'Gold & Treasure'. It's a respected machine but considered by some to be hard to learn to use. Once mastered, it serves the Prospector well according to owners. Utilises "Accu-trak" to automatically ground balance for different soil types. Uses 1.5 khz to 25 khz (17 frequencies) for maximum capability. Uses 12v NiMH battery. Popular as a Nugget hunter but useful for coins and relics with its Iron Mask capabilities.
* Garrett Infinium LS ... a good PI allrounder (for both Coins, Relics & Nuggets).
Plenty of people are using this Pulse Induction detector to find quality Gold nuggets.
I like this detector for another reason: It's completely waterproof! Being a PI machine, it apparently handles the 'hot' soils that trouble VLF detectors quite nicely and runs on 8 x AA batteries.
* Whites MXT ... a good VLF allrounder (for both Coins, Relics & Nuggets).
People over the world are using this VLF detector to find Gold nuggets.
This detector is designed USA and is extremely popular on the milder soils of the United States and Europe. The MXT E-Series is possibly in line with the X-Terra 70. It runs at 14khz and operated on 8 x AA batteries.
* Minelab X-Terra 70 ... a good VLF allrounder (for both Coins, Relics & Nuggets).
Plenty of people are using this VLF detector to find Gold nuggets... including myself. It's pretty effective finding small gold or specimens which other machines overlook. It has a dedicated Prospecting Mode and is one of the first VLF machines to handle the hot Mineralizes soils with a good deal of stability due to the VLFEX processor. Runs at 18.75khz when utilizing specific nugget-hunting coils and operates on 4 x AA batteries.
Added:
* Garrett Scorpion "Gold Stinger" ... VLF single purpose nugget finder
Probably one of the more popular and affordable entry level Prospecting detectors out there at the moment. The Scorpion Gold Stinger is apparently great for small gold and specimen nuggets which are often overlooked by other detectors. Runs at 15 khz frequency on 3 x 9V batteries.
* Fisher "Gold Bug" 2 ... VLF(?) single purpose nugget finder
Probably one of the more popular and affordable entry level Prospecting detectors out there at the moment. It runs at 71 khz which is touted as the optimum for small gold at greater depth. They say it's the highest operating frequency on the market.
* Fisher F75/F70 ... a good VLF allrounders (for both Coins, Relics & Nuggets).
Apparently the F75 has been reworked recently and is considered to be a highly featured VLF detector with Coin/Relic & Nugget capabilities. Both the F75 and the F70 run at 13 khz for nugget hunting & uses 4 x AA batteries. Apparently handles ground mineralization well.
* Fisher F5 ... a VLF allrounder (for both Coins, Relics & Nuggets).
Runs at 7.8 khz for 'casual nugget hunting' . 2 x 9v Batteries. I'm not certain that this detector has been released everywhere just yet.
* Minelab Eureka Gold .. TRIPLE frequency VLF single purpose detector.
Runs at 60 khz, 20 khz & 6.4 khz for shallow, midrange and deep targets. Utilises "Accu-trak" to automatically ground balance for different soil types. Uses 8 x AA batteries.
* Minelab SD 2200v2 / 2100v2 ... MPS (multi period sensing) Nugget detector.
The SD (Super Detector) Eliminates ground noise and reacts only the metal targets. Suitable to new or experienced users. Deeper sensing than many other detectors. Uses 6V A/Hr Gel Cell battery.
Added:
* Tesoro Lobo SuperTRAQ ... VLF allrounder (for both Coins, Relics & Nuggets).
At the frequency range that it runs on, the Tesoro Lobo SuperTRAQ is capable of picking up medium to large sized nuggets along with some smaller nuggets if close to the surface. Designed to work in mineralized soils. Works smoothest in dry environments. Runs at 17.5 khz frequency on 1 x PP3 Nimh battery.
* Troy Shadow X5/X3 ... VLF allrounders (for both Coins, Relics & Nuggets).
A deep penetrating & weatherproof VLF detector with a very solid build. Not really ideal for salt water environments. Requires headphones with volume-control. Runs at 19 khz frequency on 1 x 9v Alkaline/Lithium battery.
Last edited on Mon Jul 28th, 2008 04:33 pm by nero_design
|
Big Red
Guest
$user_ctitle
| Joined: | |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | |
| Notable Finds: | | | Brand of detector you use : | |
| Status: |
Offline
|
| MyPOTD: | |
|
#3 Posted: Wed Jul 16th, 2008 03:08 am |
voters: 0
|
The tesoro Lobo super traq is another very good nugget hunter, I would also add the Troy Shadow x5 and X3!
Last edited on Wed Jul 16th, 2008 03:10 am by
|
nero_design
Staff
Minelab X-Terra 70 VFLEX
| Joined: | Tue Jul 8th, 2008 |
| Location: | Sydney, Australia |
| Posts: | 64 |
| Notable Finds: | | | Brand of detector you use : | MINELAB X-Terra 70 |
| Status: |
Offline
|
| MyPOTD: | |
|
#4 Posted: Wed Jul 16th, 2008 02:33 pm |
|
Done, Big Red.
Moderators: Feel free to adjust if any details are incorrect.
|
Uncle Willy
Guest
$user_ctitle
| Joined: | |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | |
| Notable Finds: | | | Brand of detector you use : | |
| Status: |
Offline
|
| MyPOTD: | |
|
#5 Posted: Thu Jul 17th, 2008 05:21 am |
voters: 0
|
The Tesoro Diablo if you can find one. They aren't made anymore and people that have one won't part with it. The Garrett Infinium and Scorpion Stinger are also good ones that are within the price range of most poor folks.
Bill
|
Big Red
Guest
$user_ctitle
| Joined: | |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | |
| Notable Finds: | | | Brand of detector you use : | |
| Status: |
Offline
|
| MyPOTD: | |
|
#6 Posted: Thu Jul 17th, 2008 01:14 pm |
voters: 0
|
Uncle willy......I am one of them poor folk, I sure cant afford no Infinium, they be pretty expensive. Unless you are selling them cheap"a Poorboy special" Did I tell you im so poor I cant afford to pay attention!
|
Uncle Willy
Guest
$user_ctitle
| Joined: | |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | |
| Notable Finds: | | | Brand of detector you use : | |
| Status: |
Offline
|
| MyPOTD: | |
|
#7 Posted: Fri Jul 18th, 2008 04:42 am |
voters: 0
|
Yeah I hear you. If a burglar broke into my house we would rob him. HA. I've got an Infinium I might part with. I had an X5 that I field tested for Troy but sold it not long ago.
Bill
|
chappy
Member
DFX ,MXT,GMT, Prizm II ,SEA Hunter II & DX-1
| Joined: | Thu Aug 7th, 2008 |
| Location: | Mooresville, Indiana USA |
| Posts: | 1 |
| Notable Finds: | $400 Gold Necklace | | Brand of detector you use : | White's |
| Status: |
Offline
|
| MyPOTD: | |
|
#8 Posted: Fri Aug 8th, 2008 02:23 am |
|
I think White's GMT is a very hot machine. chappy
|
TreasureFiend
Member
Minelab Explorer SE Pro + Garrett Ace 250
| Joined: | Wed Jul 23rd, 2008 |
| Location: | Chicago IL (Schiller Park - Near O'Hare |
| Posts: | 411 |
| Notable Finds: | 18k ring 9.9g,
14k ring 1.8g,
14k earring 0.2g,
22" 925 necklace 33.9g,
1928 ... | | Brand of detector you use : | Minelab + Garrett |
| Status: |
Offline
|
| MyPOTD: | |
|
#9 Posted: Mon Aug 18th, 2008 03:12 pm |
|
Interesting
|
Robert Roy
Guest
$user_ctitle
| Joined: | |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | |
| Notable Finds: | | | Brand of detector you use : | |
| Status: |
Offline
|
| MyPOTD: | |
|
#10 Posted: Tue Aug 19th, 2008 04:29 pm |
voters: 0
|
Great info you put together. Now to make a choice! The smoke is coming out my ears already! Overheating I guess! RR
|
Current time is 12:16 am | |
|
