Gold detecting
Submitted: Tuesday, Aug 09, 2011 at 21:36
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Pkwandy
Hi, we are doing a tour for a few months starting soon and we are thinking about buying a gold detector - does anybody have some thoughts on what to buy. We are novices so any help would be appreciated.
Reply By: p_marns - Tuesday, Aug 09, 2011 at 21:51
Tuesday, Aug 09, 2011 at 21:51
hi there, if its gold your after make sure its a Minelab.
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462206
Reply By: PeterInSa - Tuesday, Aug 09, 2011 at 22:08
Tuesday, Aug 09, 2011 at 22:08
It all depends on how serious you are, how deep are your pockets, and how long you are going to spend detecting, on your trip and for the next few years.
You have the best chance of finding gold with a second hand Minelab 4500 costing around $4,000. If you want to have a good time walking in the bush buy a Minelab 3500, 3000, 2200, 2100 or a 2000. (Have no experience with the Minelab 4000 so cannot comment)
Some operators who know their older detectors (2000 to 3500 at around $900 to $3000) still do very
well in the gold fields but this experience takes time. The 4500 with a mono coil, for a novice, if set up correctly takes out the learning curve.
Peter
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Follow Up By: PeterInSa - Tuesday, Aug 09, 2011 at 23:16
Tuesday, Aug 09, 2011 at 23:16
Edit the above........
Some operators who know their older detectors (2000 to 3500 at around $500 to $3000) still do very
well in the gold fields but this experience takes time. The 4500 with a mono coil, for a novice, if set up correctly takes out the learning curve.
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Reply By: petronus - Wednesday, Aug 10, 2011 at 11:13
Wednesday, Aug 10, 2011 at 11:13
You really need to have some expert coaching as
well as a good detector, because using the correct technique is vital, as it's not easy, although great fun if you like being out in the bush.
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Reply By: Neil & Pauline - Wednesday, Aug 10, 2011 at 11:26
Wednesday, Aug 10, 2011 at 11:26
I found it was good value to go and learn how to drive the machine. We did this a Mt Magnet, WA. We picked up a second hand Minelab 3500 machine that can find gold deeper than I am prepared to dig.
Neil
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Follow Up By: DoubleJ - Saturday, Aug 13, 2011 at 23:03
Saturday, Aug 13, 2011 at 23:03
We go detecting every year. It's only at hobby level, not deadly serious gold fever level. Before we started many years ago, we hired one first from a reputable outlet. It can be a lot harder than it looks so maybe try before you outlay a lot of money. And don't forget to take your Bushman or a good fly veil. The bush flies are something else this year.
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Reply By: Puma1 - Friday, Aug 12, 2011 at 23:39
Friday, Aug 12, 2011 at 23:39
Where ever you go you're more than likely to be treading flogged ground, so if you use old detectors your flogging a dead horse.
You will be able to cover flogged ground and find gold the others missed with a minelab gpx 5000 it's Australian owned and is the best the world has to offer BUT it's going to cost you around $6,300+.
Don't trust cheap copies on eBay as many minelabs are fakes that sell for about $600 less than the real deal. The problem is they just don't work, so go to an authorised dealer (see the minelab site) pay what you have to pay and go get the gold.
Tons of gpx 4500 are fakes so don't risk it because they will look like the real deal and be as effective as a Dick Smiths $99 kiddies special that can't cover mineralised ground. You will find nothing but frustration as you enter the depths of despair digging 1,000's of holes for fun! - You could always put seedlings in them to get greenhouse credits:-)
Cheers!
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