Who gets more nuggets ?

[rustyfind]

Been Detecting for a long time but, new to nugget hunting. I have been reading a lot about nugget hunting and practicing with my vaquero and gold Scorpion with no luck yet but I am just getting into the research more than detecting. I am in Yuma AZ. and was wondering what most people use which actually get the most nuggets. PI or VLF some swear by either.

 

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[Terry Soloman]

It's not the machine, it is the location. I have scored lots of nuggets with Minelab GPX machines, and lots with the Fisher Goldbug II and Tesoro Lobo Super Traq. You just have to be in a place where there are nuggets.

 

[rustyfind]

Thanks Terry.

 

[Lanny in AB]

The thing that makes the difference, as Terry stated, is the location. What he's talking about is the minerals that are present in the ground. The minerals in the ground determine the "temperature" of the ground.

The ground will run from mild, to moderate, to severe (cool, warm, hot to red hot). In extreme ground (hot to red hot), Pulse Induction detectors excel, and VLF's just can't handle the minerals (or, the temperature of the ground). What makes it confusing sometimes are the synonyms used to describe the minerals in the ground, as you can see from what I've already posted.

So, if the ground is mild to moderate, or sometimes semi-hot, a VLF that has a dedicated gold (prospecting) detecting circuit will allow you to hunt to find nuggets.

If the ground is severe (hot to red hot), you'll need a PI.

Minelab makes great PI's, and if you're just starting, I'd buy used or buy one of their older models new, like an SD 2200.

Garrett has a new pulse prospecting unit, but it's pricey.

The new GPX Minelabs are fantastic pulse machines, but the price is fantastic as well.

There's a lot of great buzz about the Gold Bug Pro, and it's a VLF that's inexpensive and light to pack.

I hope this helps a bit more.

All the best,

Lanny

 

[AZADAM]

Dude,
Lots of gold locations all around Yuma....Get out there and detect!! You may think about buying a gold specific detector though, IMO

 

[kazcoro]

I started out with the Scorpion, and I could not ground balance it to save my life. Literally. So, I got the GB pro. Simple as putting your shoes on to bround balance. Quicker even. But, if you can ground balance that Scorpion unit, I am sure that is all you will ever need in a VLF. The frequencies are pretty much exactly the same across the board.

 

[kazcoro]

I second that the GB Pro is light. My ten year old daughter can carry it for almost an hour. I think it is 2.8 pounds. And, it is EXTREMELY sensitive.

 

[Lanny in AB]

I started out with the Scorpion, and I could not ground balance it to save my life. Literally. So, I got the GB pro. Simple as putting your shoes on to bround balance. Quicker even. But, if you can ground balance that Scorpion unit, I am sure that is all you will ever need in a VLF. The frequencies are pretty much exactly the same across the board.

Rusty, I hope you don't mind me jumping in here.

I had a Stinger years ago and I couldn't get the thing to ground balance either. It was driving me crazy as I'd read, and reread the manual many, many times, and no matter what I did, I could not get it to ground balance.

So, I went back to the manual. I can't remember today which way it said to turn the knob to ground balance the machine, but I was desperate, so I turned it in the opposite direction. And, it actually ground balanced! The manual had a typo in it!! I could not believe it. Weird, as in Science Fiction weird I know, but so, so true.

After that, my hunting with the Scorpion improved drastically, as ground balance in any gold bearing ground is critical.

Maybe you and I had the same edition of the Scorpion manual.

All the best,

Lanny

 

[kazcoro]

That could be Lanny. I mean literally couldn't ground balance it to get a chance to meet George Washington himself.

 

[delnorter]

Rusty, I hope you don't mind me jumping in here.

I had a Stinger years ago and I couldn't get the thing to ground balance either. It was driving me crazy as I'd read, and reread the manual many, many times, and no matter what I did, I could not get it to ground balance.

So, I went back to the manual. I can't remember today which way it said to turn the knob to ground balance the machine, but I was desperate, so I turned it in the opposite direction. And, it actually ground balanced! The manual had a typo in it!! I could not believe it. Weird, as in Science Fiction weird I know, but so, so true.

After that, my hunting with the Scorpion improved drastically, as ground balance in any gold bearing ground is critical.

Maybe you and I had the same edition of the Scorpion manual.

All the best,

Lanny

That's funny to me now Lanny. At the time of learning my first metal detector, a Gold Stinger with the same instruction typo you encountered, it wasn't funny at all. I too stumbled upon turning the ground balance knob the opposite direction to obtain balance. Shortly after the manufacturer put out a memo to owners informing of the error.
I still have the same machine. I use it rarely, but lend it out sometimes.

Mike

 

[IDdesertman]

I have to agree with previous comments... any good gold detector will find nuggets if you are in the right area, but a detector specifically designed for nuggethunting is definitely the way to go. Most multi-purpose vlf detectors (with a few exceptions) will drive you nuts in highly mineralized gold country.

 

[Hoser John]

No matter how much ya spend, that unit your a swingn' , is only as good as the man swingn' it-John