Nuggets of News Blog 

If you're looking for a proven fine gold recovery tool that has been on the market for decades, consider the Desert Fox Spiral Gold Panning Machine. It's easy to use, and recently Kevin Hoagland, Executive Director of Development for the Gold Prospectors Association of America (GPAA) conducted a field test review which was published on pages 14-17 of the January/February 2015 issue of Gold Prospectors Magazine. Here's an excerpt of Kevin's findings and you can also click on the image at the end of this post to download a complete copy of the field test review (4-page .pdf).

"... The Desert Fox ships in an Action Packer case that is the storage, transport, and water container unit. It provides excellent protection for the Fox while giving you a true compact recirculating unit that can be transported easily. Unpacking the container was simple and for those of us that spend little time looking at the way something comes out of a container, the manufacturer has included a photo in the manual to show you how to repack the unit so it's back to being travel-ready in just a few seconds. In the container you will find:

• A-frame with variable speed drive motor connected as one unit
• 7 lead 12.5 inch double wall spiral recovery wheel
• Adjustable water spray bar
• Tailings catch tray
• 12-volt 750 GPH pump and flow hose from pump to spray bar
• Instructions
• Recovery cup
• Nylon stocking for the pump
• Small bag of practice sand with flecks of real gold.

Setup takes just a few moments. The wheel frame is a single point A-frame that sits perfectly in place in the container and allows you a stable, easy-to-set-up base for the spiral unit. The A-frame construction also allows the unit to be set up directly in a stream. Stand the A-frame in the container, lift the drive unit to a beginning angle, slide the double-wall wheel into the slot on the drive motor, attach the spray bar, fill with water, hook up to a 12-volt power supply (not included), and after a couple of fine tuning adjustments, the Desert Fox is ready to start running your concentrates. Total time from cased to running is about two minutes!

The A-frame mounted drive motor allows you to easily make small adjustments to the angle of the wheel. This ease-of-use factor can become critical when running materials that require more precision. Water flow is controlled by a single-point knob on the spray bar assembly, and the speed control is located on the back of the unit. These 3 adjustments are all you need to ensure efficient gold recovery. Before first use, be sure to clean with a good quality dish washing soap to remove all the manufacturing oils (mold-release agents from the plastic parts). Do NOT use a citrus-scented soap because the scent is derived from oils, which is exactly what you are trying to remove. Use hot soapy water and a non-abrasive pad.

Spiral panners work in reverse of traditional hand panning. Instead of gravity separating gold from concentrates with the heavies sinking to the bottom of a pan, a spiral machine uses speed, water, and the angle of the spiral wheel to keep lighter material in the bottom of the wheel, while the heavier black sand and gold is brought up the leads. When set correctly, the sands drop off at the last moment and only gold is moved through the center of the unit and recovered in the cup.

I recommend classifying your dirt to a minimum of .25 inch to 1/8 inch mesh. Once classified and prepared to run, feed the material slowly into the bottom of the wheel. I've found it best to use a tablespoon. Increase the feed rate after all necessary adjustments are made.

Starting with the water first, find the lowest water pressure that will clean the light material from the leads as it climbs up the pan, adjust the angle and speed as needed so the heavy sands drop off at the right spot and you're ready to start processing your concentrates. After completing the basic setup, I adjusted the speed to keep the unit tuned in to variations in the types of material I ran. There are two models of the Desert Fox— a constant speed ($339) and a variable speed ($359). Since the difference in price is just $20, I highly recommend the variable speed model.

The Desert Fox is a straight-forward and simple spiral wheel system that recovers gold efficiently, and has been manufactured by Camel Mining since 1969. It is compact, weighs about 10 pounds, and is ideal for carrying into the field. Gold recovery is exceptional and the learning curve is short..."

Click here to learn more about the Desert Fox Spiral Panner on this website.  Click image to download .pdf of field test review.

Gold Trails is a new TV show produced by the Gold Prospectors Association of America (GPAA) that promotes the lifestyle of the prospector. Host Kevin Hoagland travels the country working with local prospectors and equipment manufacturers in search of the next big gold strike. Gold Trails is really an introduction for the general public to basic prospecting — to a lot of people who haven’t experienced it yet.

The premiere episode of Gold Trails will air Saturday, January 3, 2015 on the following local TV stations:

• KDOC TV — Los Angeles, 8 a.m (LA 56 — Verizon Fios HD is 506)
• AZTV — Phoenix, Ariz. — 11 a.m. 
• KWVT — Salem, Ore., 10:30 a.m.  (available to viewers in Portland) 

The following excerpt and information is found on the GPAA's website.

Gold Trails has been three years in the making, but is worth every minute of the wait, said GPAA President and Executive Producer Brandon Johnson. He’s confident viewers will feel the same by the time they’ve watched all seven weekly half-hour episodes of this first season. Though Johnson, who is Tom Massie’s stepson, is carrying on the family business, he has stepped outside of the Massie family for the first time with the choice of Hoagland as the on-camera personality and the public persona of the GPAA. But, Hoagland is first and foremost a gold prospector with solid roots in the small-scale mining industry as well as the GPAA and Lost Dutchman's Mining Association, so he’s a natural fit.

Although Johnson is a gold prospector and miner, he admits he never grew up immersed neck-deep in mining the same way as Tom and Perry Massie did. Still, he has spent countless hours at mining camps with Tom, his mother, Cindy and his siblings and he’s grown to love the mining community and GPAA family. “My grandfather was a miner. What drives me is not necessarily the mining as much as that mining community my grandfather created,” he said.“It was always important to me. To me it’s a great pleasure.”

It takes a certain kind of person to be on-camera and, Johnson by his very nature ducks and dodges the limelight, preferring instead a behind-the-scenes management approach. “I wouldn’t be opposed to it, if it makes sense for the episode,” he said, quipping, “I can give a tour of the office.” Humbly, he said, that the miners who are out in the field, rolling up their sleeves and getting down to the nitty-gritty can better reflect what gold prospecting is all about to viewers than he can as a company president, which carries with it the burden of financial and managerial responsibilities. “They have so much more to say than I do ... but I have no problem jumping in there,” he said.

Johnson is convinced Hoagland is the right person for the job of Gold Trails host. “This is a show that we’ve been passionate about producing for a few years, but the chemistry really needed to be right. My grandfather was a baseball player, and so he built a baseball field. We’ve had the opportunity with the baseball field for a long time, but we’ve been looking for the right players and the right coach. Now, I think we’ve got that,” Johnson said. “To me, it’s important. I can probably play baseball, but I’m not a baseball player; Kevin is. So, with his ability and how similar our passion is — as far as his passion to get the information out there and to help people and the joy he gets from it — I’ve got a baseball player. I can continue to be the athletic director, while Kevin is taking on the responsibility from a television, media standpoint ... and I’m a big supporter of it.”

While Gold Trails started out much like Gold Fever episodes (another GPAA TV series), the formula was changed to make it more educational with a little less of the antics that are Tom Massie’s trademark.

Although Hoagland had been visible in the mining industry, Johnson was especially impressed with him at a GPAA Gold & Treasure Show, where Hoagland had led a popular seminar on metal detecting. It was apparent then — and still is — that Hoagland’s passion for prospecting floweth over the proverbial cup. And, he has the knowledge and experience to back it up.

Listening to the story of how Hoagland got his first metal detector and then set out to create a better one, and then explore metals and geology, Johnson was impressed with Hoagland’s inquisitive nature, gumption and gusto. “I think that says a lot about how Kevin’s mind works ... He wanted to understand how the Earth works. He is very knowledgeable,” Johnson said. “We had a similar focus. I’ve met hundreds of people over the years at gold shows, but Kevin really stood out — his voice and his presence and his knowledge of prospecting.”

Rather than having six minutes of commercial time for big national advertiser on Outdoor Channel, Johnson hopes Gold Trails will expand from three to 20 different local markets, which means plenty of advertising spots for local mining equipment and prospecting shops. “Gold Trails to me is about starting that gold rush everyone expected to happen. I think a lot of people have a fascination with gold when the price fluctuates. People get excited about prospecting for gold, but I don’t think many of them know how to get started, ” Johnson said. “We’re giving people the next step. The prospecting and mining industry, really doesn’t have a show like this.”

And, no other gold prospecting TV series can offer viewers a chance to join a national membership-based organization and go out prospect on mining claims across the United States. The GPAA also has publications, such as Gold Prospectors magazine, the Pick & Shovel Gazette, and a network of local chapters that Gold Trails viewers can join for free to become part of the small-scale mining community and learn more about the industry.

Mining rights

When it comes to mining rights, Johnson said the GPAA has consistently been a strong voice for keeping public lands open to prospecting, mining and other outdoor uses, such as hunting, fishing, hiking and biking, for example. “For the last few generations, mining in this country has become something you read about in history, but that doesn’t mean in today’s word that it has gone away,” Johnson said. “It’s still done in other countries very efficiently and it’s a huge part of their economies. And, the way I see it, there will come a time when it will be part of our economy again. It has to. Grandpa said, ‘If you can’t grow it and you can’t mine it, it doesn’t exist.’ ”

And, Massie couldn’t have been more right — computers, smart phones, vehicles and the fuel that goes in them, plastics, electrical wires — virtually everything including the kitchen sink comes from some type of mining.

Historically, during periods of high unemployment or a depressed economies, many Americans looked to prospecting and mining on public lands to earn to living. “We don’t want to lose that access to public lands. I think people need to experience it. It’s great to be able to go out there casually without the need to support your family ... When you go out there and experience it, I think a lot of people get a sense of how important it actually is. You can’t care about public lands unless you’ve had a mining claim and you have that right that right is being taken away from you,” he said. “You are much more passionate about it when you’ve got a vested interest. So, this show is really about getting back to basics and encouraging people to understand prospecting and to feel more connected to public lands and to their rights and what they may be losing if they lose access.”

Modern image of miners

Many of today’s reality TV shows set the stage for human conflict and drama wrapped around a gold mining theme. The upside is that these shows put mining back on the map in the minds of the mainstream public, but the downside is a negative image of miners and mining. “I don’t want people to think of mining stereotyped with a lot of drama or that it’s old guys with beards that fight each other all the time,” Johnson said. “We need mining much like carpentry, masonry, mechanics or anything else.”

In stark contrast to stereotypes, GPAA members are often mild-mannered stewards of the land with a great respect for nature as well as natural resources. “They are ‘salt-of-the-Earth’ people, the most accepting people in the world, which really speaks to the purity of what some of us are doing” Johnson said.

His hope for Gold Trails is that it gives viewers a much more realistic view of what prospecting and small-scale mining are all about. “When you get out and actually prospect, it’s fun. It’s a family activity,” he said. “Gold fever is something that is so natural, you connect with it. Most people will, and they need to be properly introduced to it — and that’s what our show is about.” While Johnson admits he’s got high expectations and a unique vision for what Gold Trails is all about, he applauds Hoagland and the GPAA TV production crew. “I think they’ve done a phenomenal job,” he said. “Right now we have three local markets, but I see us getting to 20,” he said.

“Our members are our best resources,” said Johnson, adding that they’re often the mining experts in any given area. They know the terrain and the right equipment to use — not to mention the manufacturers who make it. Hoagland and the production crew will feature not only the equipment, but the inventors of many different mining innovations on the show.

The premiere episode of Gold Trails will air Saturday, Jan. 3 on the following local TV stations:

• KDOC TV — Los Angeles, 8 a.m (LA 56 — Verizon Fios HD is 506)
• AZTV — Phoenix, Ariz. — 11 a.m. 
• KWVT — Salem, Ore., 10:30 a.m.  (available to viewers in Portland) 

Visit the GPAA website to watch sample episodes and get more information about Gold Trails.

Fisher metal detectors are world class machines worth every penny all on their own, but the value gets even better when the manufacturer puts together special holiday bundles that include extra coils and other useful items and FREE SHIPPING in the continental USA! Check out these deals available through December 31, 2014:

The F4 Bundle for $429 comes standard with an 11-inch elliptical search coil for maximum detection depth in mineralized soils. This special bundle also includes a DD coil cover, a 4 inch round searchcoil and coil cover, a rain cover, and a Fisher pinpointer.

Although the Fisher F75LTD was improved in September 2014 with great NEW features to make it more versatile with greater depth, better target separation, and audio features that open up your iron-infested sites, it's now EVEN BETTER in a factory bundle for $1,129! In addition to the detector, you get an 11" DD Searchcoil with cover, a 5" DD Searchcoil with cover, a camo backpack, a camo recovery pouch, a camo cap, and battery recharge kit.

Fisher has recently introduced two professional grade metal detectors designed specifically for the Archaeological professional or any serious relic hunter: the Pro-Tech for $799 and the Pro-Arc for $1,399.

The Pro-Tech metal detector comes equipped with a carry case and everything you will need on the dig site— headphones, Fisher logo cap, rain covers, and field repair kit.

The Pro-Arc detector bundle includes headphones, rechargeable battery kit, pin flags with PVC stems (50 blue, 50 yellow, and 50 orange), Rite in the Rain paper, raincover, field repair kit, and hard carrying case.

Since 1931, Fisher has been the most trusted name in metal detection. The company's history began in the late 1920’s, when German immigrant Dr. Gerhard Fisher obtained the first patent ever issued on aircraft radio direction finders. He was working as a Research Engineer in Los Angeles, California at the time and his work attracted the interest of Dr. Albert Einstein. After a demonstration of Dr. Fisher’s equipment, Einstein enthusiastically and correctly predicted the world-wide use of radio direction finders in the air, on land and at sea.

Dr. Gerhard Fisher founded Fisher Research Laboratory in 1931 in a garage behind his home in Palo Alto, California. He and four employees began producing the "Metallascope," a rugged, easy-to-use metal detector. By today’s standards, it was perhaps an ungainly device: two large, flat wooden boxes containing simple copper coils, five vacuum tubes, and a few assorted components. It soon captivated the imagination of the country, and within a short time, the world. Today, it's a known fact that Fisher Finds More. All Fisher Metal Detectors are proudly made in the USA with a 5 year warranty. FREE SHIPPING to the Lower 48 states on all orders of $350 or more!

Move more material... get more gold is the best reason to upgrade your gold recovery efforts to a trommel, but now there's an even better incentive -- the 14 inch Pro Gold Trommel is 40% OFF through December 31, 2014 or until stock is depleted -- whichever comes first! That's right, this gold getting machine is now only $2,520 instead of $4,299!

How the Pro Gold Trommel works: Material is placed into the hopper, where the first spray zone washes the material before entering the rotating drum. The second spray zone, inside the rotating drum, washes the material as it tumbles. The third spray zone, outside the rotating drum, keeps the drum clean and helps wash the material. This unique design ensures the material is washed from multiple angles as the drum rotates, allowing a 5-gallon bucket of material to be processed in 2-3 minutes.

As the material is washed and tumbled, the smaller pieces and dirt fall through the drum’s heavy steel screen into the funnel assembly. From there they are directed into the top end of the sluice where the gold is separated. The larger material still in the rotating drum is tumbled and washed for the entire length of the drum and dropped out the end onto the rock chute.

The 14 inch trommel comes with a 4" Pro Inline Screen that captures the particles and vegetation in the water you are pumping to your machine and prevents them from plugging the holes in the spray bars of your equipment. You just connect a discharge hose from the pump to the inlet end of the Inline Screen. The arrows on the body indicate the water flow direction. Then connect the second discharge hose to the outlet end of the Inline Screen, using additional hose as required to connect to the equipment you are running.

The minimum amount of water needed for this 14 inch trommel is 145 gallons per minute, but the manufacturer recommends 190 so that you can adjust the flow down to your liking using the shut off valve on the trommel (water pump and hoses not included). A benefit of using a helix trommel is that the heavy material is brought up and out the top as opposed to possibly being washed away. This patented (D31, 900) Gold Trommel is heavy duty, easy to maneuver, user-friendly (detailed owner's manual included) and can process 25-30 five gallon buckets in 1.5 hours!  Details include:

• Weight: 265 lbs.
• Dimensions: 72”- Ht. 44”- W. 32” at the wheels
• 2.5 hp gas HOR OHV, (electric available on request)
• Transmission: 1 speed belt to chain drive
• Rotating drum: 14”dia., L. 38”
• Sluice box: L. 48”- Ht. 4 ½”- W. 14”

Ready to take your gold recovery to the next level? If you want to run more material and ultimately find more gold, step it up a notch with this 14 inch gold trommel!

Tesoro is the Spanish word for treasure, so it's no wonder this brand has been one of the industry's leading metal detector manufacturers for nearly 35 years. All 11 models are made in the USA and include a lifetime warranty. If you're looking for a brief comparison of the various models, below is a short description (in no particular order) of the strengths and price points of each Tesoro metal detector. Want to learn more about a particular model? Just click that link for greater detail and photos.

• If you're just getting started as a detectorist, the Compadre is the perfect introduction to the world of metal detecting and doesn't break the bank at only $165.50. This modest and effective detector has one knob to adjust the discrimination level, helping users to filt out unwanted targets. The Compadre represents the essence of metal detecting, where exploration and discovery combine to create a rich and rewarding hobby!

• Tesoro's Silver uMax is known for its capable, uncomplicated 2-knob operation. With both a sensitivity and a discrimination adjustment, the Silver uMax provides more information about your targets and the conditions of your hunt. This machine also offers the option to change search coils, enhancing the versatility of this ultra-lightweight machine. Not bad for just $254.15!

• The Tesoro Outlaw Metal Detector ($437.75) represents the return of true no motion, all-metal treasure hunting. This machine has discrimination, sensitivity, threshold, and ground balance adjustments. The all-terrain Outlaw Coil Pack ($551.65) includes the detector and 3 coils: 5.75" concentric, 8" round concentric, and 12x10" widescan. The standard 8 inch coil provides great balance between depth and sensitivity and is an efficient pinpointer. The 5.75" coil utilizes tremendous sensitivity, making it an optimal tool for pinpointing targets. The 12x10 inch coil is less susceptible to ground effects, which means it is perfect for heavily mineralized sites or hunting larger targets.

• Intelligence meets simplicity in Tesoro's DeLeon -- an easy to use, turn-on-and-go metal detector for $509.15. This smart machine features digital processing, which allows you to get the most out of the its coil's signal. The visual identification system works in two ways: the detector samples the signal and provides a 5-bar graph that indicates the signal's average, and a 2-digit ID number shows the max signal strength.

• The Cortes features visual and auto identification, notch filter and pre-set ground balance in discrimination mode and manual ground adjustment in all-metal mode. The VID (visual identification) system works in two ways: the detector samples the signal and provides a 9-segment bar graph of the entire signal  and a 2-digit ID numbers shows the ID at the max signal strength. In addition to the expansive information provided by the VID, the Cortes boasts 9 different tones for superior audio identification and is priced at $721.65. Never guess a target again!

• And you'll never miss a target with the Tesoro Cibola either since it is a powerful turn-on-and-go metal detector. It provides pre-set mineral rejection, which leaves you more time to hunt and less time manually readjusting to different types of soil. The Cibola is perfect for detecting with friends because of its frequency shift, which allows you to choose between 3 different frequencies and eliminate interference between metal detectors. This ultra light-weight treasure finder offers the ability to super-tune, causing it to overdrive small signals for better clarity. This multi-faceted machine does everything a more expensive detector can do, at a fraction of the weight and cost (only $361.25).

• Tesoro's Vaquero is an extremely effective machine, especially for an ultra- lightweight detector. It can do it all-- prospecting, coin shooting, and treasure hunting. The Vaquero has enough controls and features to be an excellent all-around machine that can be taken anywhere, yet the price is just $446.25. Manual ground balance allows users to control the Vaquero's response to the soil, even in highly mineralized locations. Similar to the Cibola, the Vaquero allows you to super-tune as well as shift frequencies when hunting with friends.

• The $594.15 Tejon metal detector features a dual discriminator that is activated by an effortless trigger switch, allowing for an instant target check. This detector also includes a tone adjustment option that is designed for treasure hunters who have lost the ability to hear certain audio frequncies. The Tejon pushes the coil's signal deeper while increasing sensitivity for smaller targets. This unit is full of features that amount to more informed choices, less time digging trash, and most importantly -- more time hunting.

• Do you have gold fever? The Lobo Super TRAQ is an incredibly versatile, feature-rich machine that triumphs in small gold nugget prospecting. Spoil yourself with a detector that self-adjusts to any type of soil, even in highly mineralized locations. While the Lobo is designed to find gold, it also thrives in detecting coins, relics, and other treasures, too. A great value for only $679.15!

• The Tiger Shark is hands down one of the best fresh water metal detectors on the market. This simple machine is made for the detectorist who wants to spend time finding treasure, not memorizing special controls and techniques. This machine's Salt Mode changes the ground balance range to handle salt instead of minerals. The Tiger Shark's coild and headphones are hardwired to the machine to protect it from leaks. Can be submerged up to 200 feet. Available with an 8 inch coil for $636.65 or a 10.5 inch coil for an extra $25.50.

• The Tesoro Sand Shark is the perfect beach companion! The combination of moving salt water and mineralized soil can wreak havoc with your average detector. But since the Sand Shark utilizes Pulse Induction technology, it eliminates this issue and allows you the ability to hunt in areas that frustrate other detectorists. This unit provides control over the pulse width to balance batterly life and depth. The Sand Shark also includes a tone adjustment, allowing the user to choose either a variable pitch or a single tone. This machine's headphones and coils are hardwired to the detector to protect it against leaks. Dive up to 200 feet. Available with an 8 inch searchcoil for $577.15 or $602.65 with a larger 10.5 inch search coil.

No matter which Tesoro metal detector you choose, the words of founder Jack Gifford hold true: "As the Spaniards were yesterday's undisputed masters of treasure hunting, we at Tesoro will always endeavor to meet our goal of making Tesoro Metal Detectors today's undisputed masters of treasure hunting."  FREE SHIPPING on any detector priced $350 or more!

Bounty Hunter detectors have always attracted new people to the hobby of treasure hunting. If you haven't had a lot of experience with detectors, perhaps giving it as a gift and aren't sure how much the recipient will use it, and don't have a large budget, choosing the Bounty Hunter brand makes sense and cents. Beginners get a great detector that is easy to use, yet you don't break the bank buying fancy features that you don't understand, don't need, and take longer to master.

The Tracker IV is definitely the most popular selling Bounty Hunter detector because of its great discrimination and ease of use.  This is a basic analog detector with an All Metal, full Discrimination and a Tone Discriminant mode that automatically rejects iron targets.  The Tracker IV automatic Ground Track feature allows operation in virtually all soil conditions, regardless of mineral content— and it's priced at less than $120!

If you're looking for more of a "pro" model with a few more features, yet still want a detector that is considered to be turn-on-and-go, check Bounty Hunter's newest Pro models: Lone Star Pro ($179.10), Quick Draw Pro ($269.10), and Land Ranger Pro ($404.10). None of these have a large learning curve.

The Lone Star Pro provides high-end features in a midrange detector.  it comes with an 8” waterproof concentric coil with LCD display and touch-pad operation. Features include adjustable sensitivity and discrimination, 9 target ID categories, a graphic target depth indicator and a multiple Notch system. The stem is fully adjustable and includes a locking collar. It operates on a single 9 volt battery.

The Quick Draw Pro has depth, speed and accuracy and is a true multipurpose detector.  This machine comes with a 10” waterproof elliptical concentric coil for added depth and sharp target response and an LCD display with touch-pad operation. It has adjustable Sensitivity, Volume, Discrimination and a Notch mode. It has 9 target ID categories, 0-99 Target ID numbers, a 3 segment active depth indicator, a pinpoint mode with depth in inches, 3-segment graphic target depth indicator and 3 tone audio ID.  The stem is fully adjustable and includes locking collars. It operates on a single 9 volt battery.

The Land Ranger Pro is Bounty Hunter's premier detector and comes with a legendary 11” DD search coil.  The LCD display has 43 Target ID icons (3 for Iron) with 0-99 numerical Target ID numbers, 5 Audio ID tones and an adjustable Back-light.  It has a 5 segment active depth indicator and a Pin Point Mode that displays depth inches. It has adjustable Sensitivity, Volume, Discrimination, Notch and V-Break variable tone breakpoint.  It has a one-button Ground Grab ground balance with manual override and 7 search modes.  These modes vary from pre-set operation for beginners to maximum control for the more experienced detectorist.  This is a metal detector that won’t outgrow your skill level!

All of these Bounty Hunter detectors are lightweight (ranging between 2.5 to 3 pounds) and are covered by the manufacturer's 5 year warranty. Bounty Hunter metal detectors are made in the USA by First Texas Products, a company that has over 30 years of experience and a list of features and patents that keep the competition playing catch-up. First Texas also manufacturers the higher-end Fisher and Teknetics brand of detectors. Whether you want to find old coins, jewelry, or relics, these multi-purpose machines will help you uncover what lies beneath the dirt!  These machines break down for easy storage. They can even fit into a suitcase so when you travel you can use it at parks or in the dry sandy areas on a beach. For beginners, Bounty Hunter offers the best quality and features for the price. So get set to dig deep... not into your pocket, but into the ground with a genuine Bounty Hunter metal detector that can eke out virtually any buried metal object!

Detectorists often argue the merits of manual versus automatic ground balancing a VLF (very low frequency) metal detector. Both have their pros and cons. Automatic is easier for beginners or anyone who wants a "turn on and go" experience. Automatic can be especially beneficial where the ground mineralization varies a lot because the detector tracks the ground mineralization for you as you move along, instead of requiring constant fiddling with controls on a manual unit. The downside of automatic ground tracking is that it can track out very faint gold signals in an attempt to eliminate ground signals. Small gold or larger gold that is buried deep, might be tracked out.

If you prefer a finer degree of control, manual ground balancing is achieved by raising and lowering the detector coil a few inches over the ground. The detector will sound off either as the coil approaches the ground or as it is raised away form the ground. The ground balance control is manipulated until there is no sound either raising or lowering the coil. The detector is now said to be ground balanced. (Always read your detector's Owners Manual, too, for instructions.)

In theory, a perfectly ground balanced detector that has zero response to the ground is desirable. However, most experts would suggest setting the control to where there is a slight increase in sound as the coil is lowered to the ground. This is called setting the ground balance "hot" or "positive." Doing so will enhance the signal from very small or very deep nuggets. If the detector becomes slightly ground balanced to the negative side, it acts to suppress faint signals. Ground balancing a bit positive insures this condition is less likely to occur.

Browse a wide selection of metal detectors, coils, and accessories from Garrett, Tesoro, Fisher and more.

ANNOUNCEMENT:  Fisher Research Labs is now offering upgrade options for the F75 and F75LTD metal detectors.

With any upgrade, Fisher will trouble-shoot for common problems, give your detector a thorough tune-up and cleaning then return it in a new box with new manual. Typical turnaround time for an upgrade is 2-4 days not including shipping time. Existing warranty will cover any needed repairs and Fisher will contact you if out-of-warranty repairs are needed. With any upgrade you can also purchase an extended warranty. This is a great opportunity for you to renew or extend warranty coverage. If you currently have warranty coverage and want to purchase extended coverage, you will need to provide proof of purchase (original detector purchase receipt) from an authorized Fisher dealer. 3 year option is transferrable. Information on upgrade options provided below, but for full details and to order, visit the Fisher website here.

Upgrade #1 –F75LTD to New Enhanced F75LTD OR F75 to New Enhanced F75 - $159.00

• DST (Digital Shield Technology)
• FA (Fast Process)
• 4 levels of FE Tone
• Adjustable Audio Pitch
• LCD Serialization

Upgrade #2 – F75 Original to New Enhanced F75LTD - $309.00

• Boost Mode
• Cache Mode
• DST (Digital Shield Technology)
• FA (Fast Process)
• 4 levels of FE Tone
• Adjustable Audio Pitch
• LCD Serialization

Upgrade #3 – FREE Upgrade.  Any non-enhanced F75/F75LTD purchased between July 1 and December 31, 2014 with proof of purchase from an authorized dealer.

• DST (Digital Shield Technology)
• FA (Fast Process)
• 4 levels of FE Tone
• Adjustable Audio Pitch
• LCD Serialization

Optional Extended Warranty:
Available with any upgrade
1 Year - $49.00
2 Year - $69.00
3 Year - $99.00

Payment and Ordering:
Payment method is credit/debit card only. Upgrades must be ordered online directly from the Fisher website.

All metal detectors, regardless of brand or model, are susceptible to electrical interference. The high sensitivity of today's metal detectors combined with numerous sources of electromagnetic interference in our environment means you are likely to encounter electromagnetic interference  at some point while out detecting. In general, the most sensitive models and brands tend to be affected more than lower-end models. Since you're likely to experience this, it's important to learn a little about electrical interference and its "symptoms" so that you don't unnecesarily send in your machine for repairs, and so you don't give up and leave a good hunt site too soon.

Examples of interference include overhead and/or underground electric power lines, thunderstorms, electrical fences, electric motors, and VLF-UHF wireless communication systems such as cell phones, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, etc. These common sources can cause a machine to "chatter" spontaneously, lose sensitivity for no apparent reason, or to cause "wobble" in the audio. What you might experience will depend on what model of detector you are using, the operating mode it's in at the time, and the source of the interference. It's interesting to note that small searchcoils usually pick up less electrical interference than larger coils, and concentrics usually pick up less electrical interference than a DD.

All detectors are equipped with a sensitivity control (sometimes called gain or threshold). The primary reason detectors provide sensitivity control is so that users can reduce sensitivity in order to eliminate response to electrical interference. You might be hesitant to reduce sensitivity out of fear of losing depth, but don't be. The sensitivity control really is your first line of defense against electrical interference, so use it. Many mid-range and high-end detectors also have a "frequency shifting" control. This can be used to reduce or eliminate certain kinds of interference such as power lines, but it won't be effective against other types such an thunderstorms. Consult the user manual for your particular model for more information.

Many detectors have both a Discrimination Mode and an All Metal Mode (often called Autotune Mode) which has a slower, smoother response than Discrimination. Electrical interference is often more controllable in the All Metal Mode than in Discrimination Mode. In the latter, you'll often find that although the machine may seem chattery if the searchcoil is not in motion, once you start to sweep, the signal from the ground will suppress the electrical interference chatter except for a random pop or click noise. When doing "air testing" indoors, you may find that changing the orientation of the coil makes a big difference in electrical interference pickup.

If you carry a cell phone or other high-tech gadget with you out in the field, try turning it off (all the way off -- not just airport mode) and see if that solves the problem. When hunting near overhead power lines, you may get the best results right under the lines; the worst results occur about a 30 to 45 degree angle away. Many sources of interference are intermittent, so through trial and error you might find that a particular time of day or day of the week is makes it more or less difficult to detect. Power lines are usually quietest late at night and on early weekend mornings.

If you're experiencing a "noisy detector" but electrical interference is NOT the problem, then the culprit could be a defective searchcoil or its cable or connector. In many cases, a defective coil is intermittent, which can be determined by giving it a solid whack with your hand. If whacking it fixes the problem briefly, then you know for sure electrical interference is not a factor. Dirt or water in the coil cover or scuff could also cause problems. If you use a cover to protect your coil from abrasion, remove it periodically and clean it. Dirt and water can move around while you're sweeping, causing false signals. And although rare, a noisy detector could be caused by an internal calibration which has drifted over time. It is very uncommon in today's detectors, but if you have a very old machine, it's worth getting it checked out.

Keep in mind that on most metal detectors, especially high performance models, the sensitivity can be adjusted high enough to "work into the noise." This is not a defect, rather an intentional design feature. Experienced detectorists striving for maximum depth often adjust the machine to "work into the noise" and then they listen "through the noise" for the sound of real targets.  In general, if you experience a noisy detector, first determine if electrical interference could be the cause and use the advice listed above to overcome it. If you verify that the problem is not from electrical interference or improper use of your machine, by all means send it back to the factory for repairs.

In the spring of 1859, flakes of gold were found in Clear Creek, a tributary of the South Platte River in north central Colorado. Some prospectors were happy finding rich gold dust, but John Gregory was determined to find the source. For months, the Georgia native followed North Clear Creek upstream from the present-day city of Golden, and on May 6, 1859, made the first lode discovery in the Rockies! Gregory sold his two claims for $21,000 a few months later and left the area, but his name carries on. “Gregory Gulch” is located between the towns of Central City and Black Hawk. The Gregory Mining District encompasses these towns plus several other mining camps, and as a whole, this area is referred to as "The Richest Square Mile On Earth.” Central City takes it name from being “central” to all the mining activity.

Within two months of Gregory’s initial gold discovery, 900 fortune-seekers were living in log shanties and tents. By the following summer, the population had swollen to 10,000. In no time, businesses and mills were thriving and the area became the leading mining center in the Kansas Territory. At this time, Colorado wasn’t yet a state, but its prominent place in mining history was already secured. Between 1859 and 1918 (considered by the National Register of Historical Places to be the area’s “period of significance”), the total gold output was $83,364,157!  Most of this was in the form of placer gold, which was extracted with pans and sluices. This “easy” gold played out within the first five years of discovery, and by the end of 1863, most work had shifted to hard rock mining.

The promise of riches continues to lure people to Central City today, but it’s not so much to find gold— but to gamble. Limited stakes gaming was legalized in 1991, and has made this area an important destination once again. Gambling was big business here in the 1880s, drawing the likes of Doc Holliday, and even Soapy Smith all the way from Alaska. The downtown core is now a National Historic District, and casinos reside in many of the restored historic buildings. Much of the beautiful and original woodwork, ceilings, and ornate furnishings date back to the 1870s. A scenic loop drive in the hills above the town is the place to find gold rush cemeteries, abandoned mines, headframes, and many other mining relics.

Take a Walk

The best way to learn more about Central City’s gold rush and admire its architecture at the same time is to stop at the Visitor Center on Eureka Street for a walking tour map. Choose from several self-guided walking tours, depending on your interests. Many of the town’s most magnificent buildings are in downtown, whereas Victorian residences are located outside of the business district. No matter how much ground you want to cover on foot, keep in mind you’re above 8,000 feet in elevation here, so pace yourself. Some buildings are open for guided tours (admission charged) but even if you don’t peek inside, you’ll get a good sense of the town’s history right from the street. If you want to shake hands with one-armed bandits or play poker at any time during your walk, you’ll find a chance to meet Lady Luck every step of the way.

One of the most notable buildings in downtown is the 150-room Teller House Hotel. Located on the corner of Eureka and Pine Streets, it was built in 1872 at a cost of $87,000, plus another $20,000 to furnish. From its non-descript exterior, you’d never believe that the Teller House was once considered to be the most elegant hotel between Chicago and San Francisco. Financed largely by Henry Teller, who became the first senator from Colorado and later, Secretary of the Interior, it’s no longer used as a hotel but is the center for opera-related activities (Central City Opera House is next door).

In April of 1873, President Ulysses S. Grant came to see his friend Henry Teller. To impress the president, mine owners decided to lay 26 ingots of solid silver to make a path to the entrance to the Teller House so President Grant wouldn’t have to dirty his boots when he stepped from his carriage. Those wealthy citizens also had an ulterior political motive. At the time, Congress was debating whether gold or silver should back the dollar. Legend has it that Grant became angry when he saw the silver bars and walked up the boardwalk instead of on the silver path so as not to show favoritism. As we know, gold eventually won.

The grand opening of the Opera House in 1878 (next door to the Teller House Hotel) started a tradition of community theatre, ranging from opera to vaudeville. Buffalo Bill Cody performed here as well as P. T. Barnum’s circus. The Opera House is known for its elaborately frescoed ceiling and perfect acoustics. In addition to Central City’s very popular Opera Festival held each summer, performances are held year round in this beautifully restored 550-seat theatre. The Opera Association also owns the Williams Stables building on Eureka Street. Initially constructed in 1876 for the use of Teller House guests, the building was purchased a few years later by Sheriff Dick Williams and his son. It was from here that a Stanley Steamer automobile could be had for hire— quite an achievement back in the day!

Many of the Main Street establishments are identified by “blocks” and named for their original builders. In addition to the Teller House Hotel, Henry Teller also built the Teller Block for $6,000 in 1874. The upper floor was purchased a few years later by the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, which retained ownership until the 1990s. The Mullen Block was completed in 1874 by Thomas Mullen. Originally a drug store and clothing store, the Elks Lodge bought the building in 1902. The Harris Block was built in 1875 by Robert Harris and was home to the New York Store Mercantile that sold dry goods, clothing, and furnishings.

Gold in Them Thar Hills

The scenic forested hills above town offer evidence of the thousands of mining claims that placed Central City and the surrounding area in the history books. When you’re ready to take a short loop drive, the helpful staff at the Visitor Center will point you in the right direction. The route is mostly a well-maintained dirt road that takes you past headframes, abandoned mines, and sites of once thriving communities. Nevadaville is one such mining camp that 1,200 gold seekers used to call home. Along the route you’ll see the Coeur d’Alene Mine. Originally opened by Robert Cameron in 1894, the shaft reaches some 700 feet into the depths of Gunnell Hill. Records indicated that in 1915 this mine employed nine men who earned from $3-$4 per day. You’ll also see the shaft house of the Boodle Mill. Because of the serious safety hazard posed by abandoned mines, trespassing laws are strictly enforced. Although tempting to explore, keep away from old mines and tailings to avoid accidents.

Known for their excellent stonework, the rock retaining walls visible in various places along the route were built by a very large population of Cornish miners. The walls were part of the former Gilpin Tramway, a 26-mile narrow gauge railroad that once looped around the gulches and through the surrounding communities. Sidings went to many of the major mines. Most of the retaining walls don’t use mortar, and were instead constructed using a dry-stack method. After more than a century, most of the rockwork is still holding up— no maintenance required.

The loop drive also takes you through the “cemetery district.” Many stories are told through the memorials and headstones. Harsh weather, less-than-clean water, mining accidents, and few physicians were the norm during the gold rush. So were epidemics of scarlet fever, diphtheria, and the Spanish flu. Sadly, you’ll notice that a large number of children are interred within the cemetery fences. When you visit, please remember these sites are historical grounds, but are also still in use today. The Gilpin County Historical Society also holds an annual “Cemetery Crawl.”

"Oh My Gawd Road"

After getting your fill of gold rush history and gambling, a popular route leading out of Central City to Idaho Springs takes about 30 minutes. It isn’t quite as bad as its moniker, but it’s not for the faint of heart either. The “Oh My Gawd” Road (CR 279) is more dirt than pavement and wouldn’t be wise for drivers who don’t like narrow, twisty roads, but the mountain views make it worth it. Along the bumpy route you’ll pass the famous “Glory Hole” mine workings, drive through Russell Gulch, and see many more mining relics that attest to “The Richest Square Mile on Earth” in days gone by.

IF YOU GO:

Central City is located in the Rocky Mountains, only 35 miles west of Denver.  With the newly opened, Central City Parkway, visitors can reach Central City 12 minutes after exiting off of I-70 at exit 243.

The Central City Visitors Center is located at 103 Eureka Street, at the northern end of Main Street in the old Wells Fargo Building.

Articles and photos by Denise Seith. This article first appeared in the May 2014 issue of Gold Prospectors Magazine, published by the Gold Prospectors Association of America (GPAA).