metal detectors

Have several friends who regularly get out & about here in the Pilbara doing this very thing. No good in the summer months of course but a good hobby with obvious benefits.
On another note I've been waiting to see a post from you as I'd like to know who tinted your windows for you. Can you pass on details please ?so many places, so little time !!!

I spend most of my childhood camping aorund Sofala, Hillend etc in NSW.. LOVED it. Dad hired one once and did good with it!!!!

Got the urge for a metal detector the other yr, with all the gold places we go in Victoria, so I called MINELAB that advertises in all the 4wd mags.

Basic model that can pick up gold AND or valueables(they are different) are ......
TWO GRAND!!!! I Laughed (Im from another planet where things are cheap, and was expecting $500-1000 for top model.) and she sent me the paperwork and specs on their units.

Local Kennards Hire has one for hire, also some prospecting shops.

I didn't want to waste money either and found that Tandy Electronics make their own and I purchased one three years ago. It takes 3 nine volt batteries ( i buy cheapo clints specials at $2 each) is still going great guns and if you read the manual once you get used to it it is a breeze to use and great fun. Check them out I paid about $120 when i got mine. If you like them you can upgrade later.

ask those that use them all the time
http://groups.msn.com/GoldDetecting/general.msnw

They can be worth there weight in gold to carry. I live in the goldfeilds WA and I know a lot of people who do it including myself. It can be time comsuming but worth while. Look around for one as they can cost any wear up to $5000 now days.

I sometimes carry one and YES there is gold still out there. Go to www.finders.com.au forum and read about the 3000 ounces recently found at WA (but this is unusual) becuase it takes alot of effort combined with a little luck to find gold.

On a recent trip we stopped at Mt Brown Milparinka and I found a nice litte half ounce nugget right at the top of the hill.

Sean

Also check out www.coiltek.com.auSmile, you're on ExplorOz
Rohan (Sydney - on the QLD side of the Harbour Bridge)

Thanks everyone for your comments. I have made an executive decision. I will hire a GP extreme for a weekend and If I like it I will buy a new GP3000 even if it is over $5k. My theory is that even if I loose interest I can always sell it later and should only cost me less than $1000. If I spent the money on a real cheapie I will have to work harder to be successful and I might not be able to sell it later. The gold detecting website (mentioned above) is a great site full of information. I see people are still asking a reasonable amount of money for late model detectors (and they don’t seem to be lasting long on the market) so I don’t feel I’m risking too much money. I might just buy a new 4x4 if I strike it lucky – if not I might have to go back to a Datsun 180B.
Thanks allCheers
Allan