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There are a variety of searchcoil sizes and shapes and configurations. The correct one to use depends on the environment it will be used in as well as the targets being sought. A change in any one of these variables may require a different searchcoil. Sometimes changing the search coil on your metal detector is the next best thing to buying a whole new machine! It is possible that merely changing the coil on your detector will lead you to a host of new targets.

CONFIGURATIONS
In  addition  to  searchcoil  sizes  and  shapes,  there  are also a variety of searchcoil configurations available, with each proving to be  the best choice depending on hunting applications and ground conditions. The configuration of a searchcoil refers to the arrangement of the Transmit Coil (TX) and Receive Coil (RX) within the searchcoil shell. The most common configurations are: Concentric, Mono, Imaging, and Double-D.

Concentric
The concentric configuration consists of a TX coil and RX coil which are usually circular. The advantage of this configuration is that both the TX and RX coils are wound as large as possible within a given searchcoil diameter. This provides the largest possible detection fi eld and greatest detection depth, making the concentric coil potentially the most sensitive confi guration available. In addition, concentric coils also provide the most symmetrical detection field, allowing ease in pinpointing and consistency in target identification. For these reasons, they are the most commonly used searchcoil and will provide the best overall performance in most environments. Unfortunately, this configuration is the most susceptible to interference from ground minerals, which results in substantial loss of performance when used over heavily mineralized ground.

Mono
A mono-coil is available only on Pulse Induction detectors, such as Garrett's new Axiom Metal Detector, and is a variation of the concentric configuration. The mono-coil can be manufactured with the TX and RX coils located together or as a single coil acting as both TX and RX. The detection and performance characteristics of the mono are essentially the same as the concentric in that it provides the maximum possible sensitivity, but suffers some performance in mineralized ground.

Imaging
An Imaging searchcoil is an enhanced version of the concentric configuration that features an additional RX coil. This extra coil provides the detector with additional target information necessary for true target-depth perception and true target-sizing capabilities. With this additional sizing information, the detector can more fully characterize a target and for the first time distinguish between trash and good targets of the same conductivity (e.g. a quarter vs. a soda can). Only the Garrett GTI metal detector offers this technology.

DD Search coils have two smaller “D” shaped coils housed inside to penetrate heavily mineralized ground that is commonly encountered while gold prospecting and relic hunting. The  Double-D  configuration  is  designed  to significantly  reduce  ground  interference  and, thereby,  recover  the  performance  lost  by  a concentric  coil  over  mineralized  soil.  With  the Double-D, it is the arrangement of the TX and RX coils that produce a canceling effect of ground signals. This  configuration  is called  DD  because  both TX and RX coils are in the shape of a “D”. The positive detection fi eld of the DD runs beneath the overlapping center section from front-to-back. The remaining portion of the coil actually produces negative (i.e. canceling) detection fields. It is this canceling field that allows the DD coil to maintain performance over mineralized ground. Because of its small positive detection field, the DD is inherently less sensitive than a concentric searchcoil of the same size, over non-mineralized ground. The Double-D will, however, significantly outperform  the  concentric  coil  over  mineralized ground. For this reason, it is highly recommended when hunting over mineralized ground commonly found when prospecting and relic hunting.

It’s important to know the benefits of using various size, shape and configurations of coils because simply changing the search coil on your metal detector is the next best thing to buying a whole new machine! Garrett is the global leader of ground search metal detectors, pinpoints, coils, and other accessories. Browse Garrett detectors and more.

Part 1 covered search coil size, shape and depth.

The searchcoil is a vital part of your metal detector.  It generates a magnetic field and senses metallic targets in the surrounding environment. The size and depth of the magnetic field is determined by the shape and size of the searchcoil. Understanding the  purposes  behind  the  various  sizes and shapes of searchcoils will empower you  with  the  ability  to  choose  the  best coil for each application.

HOW SEARCHCOILS WORK
Searchcoils generally consist of two internal sets of coiled wires, a Transmit Coil (TX) and a Receive Coil (RX). Mono coils can be different in that one coil acts as both the TX and the RX. When the detector is turned on, the TX coil generates a magnetic field in the surrounding space. When a metallic object is within this generated magnetic field, it will create a distortion in the magnetic field. The RX coil will sense this distortion and send a signal to the control housing. A searchcoil’s detection pattern is determined by the combination of the TX’s generated field pattern and the RX’s sensing field pattern.

SEARCHCOIL DEPTH
The detection depth of a searchcoil, as a rule-of-thumb, will be approximately equal to its diameter, for a coin-sized object. However, as a searchcoil’s size increases and its field pattern becomes larger, the field pattern becomes less concentrated and begins to miss small objects. For a coin-sized object, this effect becomes noticeable when using searchcoils larger than about 15" in diameter. Since the field generated by a large searchcoil is larger, deeper and less concentrated than a small searchcoil, it is the best choice when hunting for targets that are usually large and deeply buried, such as caches or relics. there is a direct relationship between the size of a magnetic fi eld and the size of a coil. The bigger the coil, the larger the magnetic fi eld. Therefore, larger searchcoils generally detect deeper than smaller searchcoils.

SEARCHCOIL SIZES

• Smaller Search Coils (less than 6" in diameter): Great for “trashy” areas, really allowing you to sift through metal debris. These coils are best for tighter places and the smallest, shallow targets. Because the magnetic field of a small search coil is concentrated within a small volume, it is the best choice for hunting in areas with a lot of metal debris. This allows you to maneuver through and around trash to locate good targets, especially when searching in tight places where large searchcoils cannot go. In addition, because of their concentrated detection field, small searchcoils are the best for detecting very small objects. However, a small searchcoil provides less coverage per sweep; more scans will be required to cover a search area.
• Medium Search Coils (6-11" in diameter): Usually come standard with your metal detector, medium search coils are designed for general use in finding the broadest range of targets in the broadest range of environments. For general-purpose hunting, which typically includes coins and coin-sized targets, a medium sized searchcoil (8 - 9") is the best choice. Because a medium sized searchcoil provides the best combination of magnetic field concentration, detection depth and capability to detect the greatest range of target sizes within the detection area, it is standard with most detectors. In addition, it’s lightweight and easy to maneuver.
• Large Search Coils (over 11" in diameter): The larger the search coil, the deeper it will penetrate the ground. Great for finding caches or relic hunting, finding deeply buried, large targets. Large  searchcoils  generate  wider  and  deeper  magnetic  fields  than small coils and consequently provide greater depth and coverage. This means that scanning a search area requires fewer sweeps with a large searchcoil than with a smaller coil. This larger scan area, however, can become a problem in trashy areas where the search coil is detecting several targets at once.

SEARCHCOIL SHAPES
Generally, search coils are circular or elliptical in shape. An elliptical searchcoil  is  more  maneuverable  than  a  circular  searchcoil  and  its narrow width actually provides greater coverage than a circular coil due to its elongated length. However, a circular searchcoil has slightly more detection depth and sensitivity in non-mineralized soil, so it is still the most commonly used shape.

It’s important to understand the pros and cons of using various size, shape and configurations of coils because simply changing the search coil on your metal detector is the next best thing to buying a whole new machine! Most metal detectors come with a standard search coil that is good for general use – finding the broadest range of targets in the broadest range of environments. But search coils come in all shapes and sizes, and it's possible that merely changing the coil on your detector will lead you to a host of new targets in that “hunted out” area.

Garrett is the global leader of ground search metal detectors, pinpointers, coils, and other accessories. Browse Garrett detectors and more.

Part 2 — search coil configurations

Grab your Garrett metal detector and accessories and head to Canton, Texas, April 14-16 for their Memorial Hunt! Ticket registration for the Garrett Memorial Hunt closes in less than a month, and with over $100,000 worth of prizes, you don't want to miss out. The more hunters who sign up, the more this value will increase! Tickets are limited, so be sure to secure your spot before they sell out. Sign-ups end March 1, 2023! 

Details:

Friday, April 14, through Sunday, April 16 in conjunction with Texas Association of Metal Detecting Clubs (TAMDC). The event will be held at:

First Monday (flea market grounds)

800 First Monday Lane

Canton, TX 75103

Basic Hunt Package:

• One hunt package fee covers all Garrett events!
• Participation in several prize hunts
• One Garrett Memorial Hunt T-shirt (if the hunt fee is paid before the deadline).
• Free First Monday park admission and tent camping (RV camping requires an additional fee).
• Hunters are free to search throughout the designated park grounds for native coins and relics.
• Additional details, hotel information, etc. found here.

Plenty of Fun for All Ages!

• Meet other treasure hunters and find some treasure! Or explore Canton's historic district and local museums.
• Free Kids Hunt for ages 12 and under.
• All prizes will be awarded! A random drawing will be conducted for unclaimed prizes.
• Treasure talk on Saturday by Jase Robertson, star of Duck Family Treasure TV show!
• Picnic and coolers allowed. Concessions available in Civic Center building on Saturday and Sunday.

Whether it's time to buy your first Garrett metal detector, an upgraded model, or additional coils, headphones, carry bag or other accessories, check out the selection of Garrett treasure hunting items here.

Over the years, metal detecting has continued to become one of the most popular forms of gold prospecting, especially with folks new to prospecting. Panning, sluicing, and highbanking can be lucrative ways to recover the shiny stuff, but when you’re first bitten by the gold bug, you might opt for the simplest, quickest approach — swinging a detector. Not only is it physically easier than processing heavy dirt and rock, it offers the added bonus of finding more than just gold, such as coins, jewelry, relics, and other buried metallic treasures, too.  Aside from record gold prices, another reason that people are eager to try metal detecting is because it gets you out of the house and away from crowds. It’s a fun hobby you can do with your family surrounded by fresh air!

The basic premise of metal detecting is allowing the detector to introduce an energy field into the ground, and allowing that field the opportunity to return any target information that it finds via the detector’s control box. The two most common types of metal detectors to consider:

VLF (very low frequency) metal detectors are the most common type of detector. They work by sending out energy that is either reflected off or conducts through an object containing metal. The device then measures how long it takes for the signal to return. Frequency refers to how fast a metal detector sends signals into the ground.  As the name indicates, these detectors use very low frequency coils (generally below 30 kHz.) The outer coil serves as the transmitter and the inner coil serves as a receiver.

PI (pulse induction) metal detectors send energy into the ground and measure the decay of that signal. Anything that slows or speeds the decaying signal is a target. This technology sends powerful, short bursts (pulses) of current through a coil of wire. Each pulse generates a brief magnetic field. When the pulse ends, the magnetic field reverses polarity and collapses very suddenly, resulting in a sharp electrical spike. This spike lasts a few microseconds (millionths of a second) and causes another current to run through the coil. This current is called the reflected pulse and is extremely short, lasting only about 30 microseconds. Another pulse is then sent and the process repeats.

Generally speaking, the higher the price of a metal detector, the more features it will have. More features translate into more knobs. The more features and/or knobs that a detector has, the more you are able to tune the metal detector to the type of hunting conditions that you are likely to encounter. With that being said, the downside to a large number of features is that even though you are able to fine tune the detector to match the local conditions, there are also more ways of setting up the detector incorrectly. Setting up a machine "wrong" may result in a decrease in depth and sensitivity and your $900 metal detector may be outdone by a $200 model!  It is critical to read the owner’s manual that comes with your detector and learn to use it properly for maximum results. Keep in mind when shopping for a detector that gold detectors are not necessarily higher in cost, but they are built with a higher sensitivity to detecting gold nuggets, have better ground balancing and discrimination abilities, and could be the best option for you.

The #1 question that everyone asks is “What is the best metal detector?”  Unfortunately, there is no one single answer. Each metal detectorist  has specific needs that cannot be met by one single detector. The easiest way to find the "best" detector is to evaluate YOUR detecting style, your experience level, what items you hope to find, and the time that you will spend metal detecting. After taking all of these things into consideration, then you will be able to find a metal detector that fits your needs and your budget.

If you’re wondering how deep a detector can detect, realize that there are too many variables to be able to unequivocally quote a depth for any particular brand or model. The size of the target, how it is positioned, ground mineralization, ground moisture, and more are just some of the factors that affect the depth of a detector.

When treasure hunting with your detector for  coins, relics, or jewelry, use your imagination as  to where to hunt — anywhere people are likely to have lost something or left something behind is a likely place to dig up good finds—playgrounds at schools and parks, picnic areas, campgrounds, new construction sites, ghost towns, old homesteads, woodlands, plowed fields and pastures, sports fields, showgrounds, and racetracks, swimming holes, beaches, jetties, and piers. Right under your feet might be a good place to start; you never know what you'll find in your own backyard! Remember to always know local laws  before using your metal detector. Many state and national parks and historic sites do not permit detecting. Be sure to first ask permission to treasure hunt on private property.

If you want to get out there this year and get your share of the gold but the idea of panning, sluicing, highbanking, or using another piece of gold mining equipment just isn't your idea of fun, that's OK. Consider a metal detector instead. Since the lure of uncovering a gold nugget of any size is addictive, you'll see people in known gold bearing areas swinging a detector, listening intently through their headphones for that magic tone that says DIG. Go ahead and join the fun! Today it is easier and more productive than ever to go treasure hunting. The metal detecting hobby has gone to a whole new level using state of the art technology that makes metal detecting equipment more high tech than ever.

Spring is in the air, and Garrett is making it a little easier on your wallet to get out there and start swinging a new metal detector! For a limited time, Garrett is offering two specially-priced packages. Each package includes a metal detector, headphones, an AT Pinpointer, and Garrett Edge Digger. You save $134.90 on a package as compared to buying each component separately. Both packages have FREE SHIPPING, too!

Garrett AT Pro Metal Detector and Headphones. The AT Pro is Garrett's all-terrain, all-treasure, deep-seeking, professional treasure hunter's detector! This all-terrain detector offers new and exclusive Garrett technology that makes highly recommended for Coin Hunting, Jewelry Hunting, Relic Hunting, Cache Hunting, Prospecting, Ghost Town Hunting, Competition Events, Beach/Fresh Water Hunting. Select from either Standard or Professional search modes with enhanced audio features. The AT Pro was designed to work in challenging environments such as mineralized ground, high trash areas, wet and humid areas and dust. In fact, the entire metal detector can be submerged under water to a dept of 10 feet, so it's an excellent choice for detectorists who might also be gold prospectors working in streams, ponds, or shallow water off the shoreline. Includes upgraded MS-2 headphones, Pro-Pointer AT Pinpointer and Garrett Edge Digger. Details on AT Pro Spring 2021 package here.

Garrett ACE 400 Metal Detector and Headphones.  The top of the ACE family, the 400 has a new Iron Audio feature, a powerful DD coil, a higher frequency, and volume control headphones. Its advanced features make the ACE 400 powerful on coins, jewelry, and artifacts. Features a 8.5” x 11” PROformance DD submersible searchcoil. Comes with Pro-Pointer AT Pinpointer, Garrett Edge Digger, and ClearSound Easy Stow Headphones that feature padded ear pieces, 41 inch coiled cord extends to 82 inches, and 1/4 inch phone plug. Details on ACE 400 Spring 2021 package here.

 

There is truly no single “best” type of detector when it comes to gold hunting. But understanding the differences between a VLF (very low frequency) and a PI (pulse induction) detector and their coils can help you decide which detector might be the “best” to use in a particular situation.  VLF metal detectors are the most common. It is a single or multi-frequency machine that consists of a continuous sine wave. Sine waves travel down into the ground to find a metallic target, and once it does, the machine charges the target, releases an eddy current, and sends back a signal. The PI metal detector is not a continuous sine wave. Instead, it pulses on and off and on and off.  It “talks” and then “listens.” 

A VLF machine can have an advantage on shallow and very small targets, on and off of bedrock— as long as you can keep it stabilized, ground balanced, and the sensitivity set properly.  PI detectors generally do better at greater depths than VLF machines, especially in highly mineralized soils.

Mono coils are designed for PI detectors. There is a single winding inside the coil that puts a concentric pattern into the ground. You will always get more depth with a mono coil, but it is more susceptible to ground mineralization noise and it will be affected by the ground mineralization itself.

Double D coils work for both PI and VLF detectors. Double D coils have two back-to-back D shaped windings inside the coil. At all times the coils are transmitting and receiving across the plane of the coil. The Double D design is like a knife blade that goes into the ground down the center of the coil. These coils are great at handling mineralization where it essentially takes the ground mineralization and distributes it all the way across the blade, lessening its effects.

Concentric coils work with VLF detectors by using two separate windings inside the coil— one sends and one receives.

When it comes to a round versus elliptical coil, there is really no difference in the size, only shape. Coils are measured off of a round coil configuration.  For example, a 14 x 10 inch coil will have the same attributes as a 12-inch coil. The key difference is that elliptical shapes work extremely well in difficult areas.

Although each metal detector has its pros and cons, you can’t go wrong by wearing the best headphones possible, no matter which brand or model you choose. Many gold nuggets you will find are only slight whispers in the detector’s threshold, so you want to always wear high quality headphones. Plastic scoops and a digging tool with a wide blade should also be in your accessory bag. When hunting, limit the amount of metal on your body, which includes wearing non-magnetic boots and belts. Put your car keys in your back pocket. Keep your cell phone in your back pocket, too, and make sure it’s off to avoid any interference.

Shop for VLF metal detectors here.

Ocean beaches can be compared to the Mother Lode. Why? Because you can find GOLD on many by mining with a highbanker, and by searching with a metal detector. How lucky is that?!  TWO ways to find gold at the same location! Think about it, who hasn’t lost a ring or coins at the beach? Whether you prefer recovering gold by swinging a detector or shoveling into a high banker, your chances of both are higher by visiting a beach this summer that is located in a gold-bearing area. A side benefit is that you’re enjoying the nice weather while it lasts while mining the beaches in different ways.

Beach Mining with a Highbanker

When you consider the advantages of beach mining with a highbanker— easy access in all seasons, no classifying material down to size, no digging in heavy cobbles and moving boulders, no worries about rattlesnakes or poison oak— the idea is very appealing. Of course any new environment means there will be a learning curve. Recovering 100 mesh gold from the beach requires a little extra attention to detail to prevent loss, so you’ll need to readjust your equipment and process. Don’t expect chunky nuggets; you’re going for the flour gold here. High tide, not your watch, will dictate your schedule. The general principles you already know are the same, but also keep these tips in mind.

• Slow down. Expect to process about 10 gallons of material an hour. If you try to feed a highbanker faster or use bigger scoops you will likely lose gold. The most efficient way to locate the paying black sand layers is to use a post hole digger or earth auger. The pay layer is usually right on top of a golden brown sand layer that pushes up into the black or blue sand. Frequent storms can remove the light sands and reconcentrate the black sands.

• Use about 25% of the water you would normally use. You may need to modify your spray bar to compensate for less water volume so you aren’t fighting foam and bubbles.

• The beach is a level playing field—literally, so tip your box to a 9-degree angle and go from there. Most beach miners use battery-powered bilge pumps to run their beach sluices. A small gas-powered pump also will work. A Gold Cube is also an excellent piece of recovery equipment to concentrate beach material, then run it through a Blue Bowl.

• Do frequent clean-ups.

Beach Mining with a Metal Detector

Water and sunscreen have a sneaky way of slipping rings from fingers of swimmers and sunbathers, making beaches a lucrative location for metal detecting. There are actually several similarities between beach hunting for jewelry and hunting for gold in the rivers. At the beach, stuff that is lost in the upper sand areas make their way down into the surf during large storm events just like gold is washed downstream in the same storms. You can find an occasional nugget above a river in gold country, but you’re going to make your best finds when you locate the pay streak where nature has concentrated the gold. The same is true of the beaches.

You will find that the surf sorts out materials, and when you are really lucky, you can identify a pay streak. In a river, the gold pay streaks follow the downstream flow of the river, but on the beach the pay streak will typically run horizontal across the beach. After items have been in the sand/surf for some time, the wave and current action tend to sort thing by weight and density. The pull tabs will be in a certain line, the lighter coins further down towards the deeper water, and when you start detecting fishing weights, you are  likely nearing a pay streak. That is where you are most likely to strike gold— as in gold rings, bracelets, pendants, etc.

Wet sandy areas are particularly lucrative for detectorists. The reason for this is that beach-goers first congregate at the "towel line" and then migrate to wet sand. The "towel line" is an invisible area where the majority of people plop down their towels and coolers and umbrellas. At the towel line, sunbathers slather on slippery sunblock and tanning oil that acts like a lubricant and lessens friction. After baking in the sun for a while, they will need to go into the water to cool off a bit, which is where the body's natural reaction to cold is to shrivel up. Less friction + shrinkage = rings in the wet sand you can find with your metal detector!

In all types of beach hunting, the discrimination must be kept very low, eliminating only small iron (bobby pins and nails). Aluminum pull tabs and tin foil should not be discriminated or you will lose some gold and/or platinum rings as well. Some beach hunters operate with zero discrimination and dig everything. Use of a sand scoop makes target recovery fast and easy. It’s important to realize that most gold rings will read in the “middle” tones (above iron but below coins). If you’ve ever hunted the beach you have no doubt found your share of unwanted nails and other litter. To solve this, lace a rare earth magnet in the scoop to quickly capture those small, annoying iron targets. If you’re going to hunt the salt beach areas, you’ll want to get a heavy duty plastic scoop. A steel scoop will rust fairly quickly in those harsh conditions.

If you intend to hunt IN the water, of course you will need a waterproof metal detector and waterproof headphones — one that can handle salt water mineralization. There are some good pulse induction machines that work extremely well in salt conditions. Very shallow water is no problem but when you hunt waist deep water and deeper you should consider a mask and snorkel. If possible, hunt at low tide. That way you can get further out and hunt where other detectorists might not have gone. Plus, the surf tends to pull things down the beach and out into deeper water.

It goes without saying you should check your local laws first to see if you need a beach mining permit. Some state park beaches don’t allow metal detectors either, so double check the rules. Good luck and have fun mining the surf and sand… and remember to wear sunscreen and stay hydrated!

Researching new areas in which to prospect for gold, gems, or whatever you are seeking can be a lot of work, but since we’re now about six weeks into the Coronavirus quarantine, most of us have extra time that could be put to good use. Even though you may not be out in the field every day, you can still be prospecting! And even if you’re not making plans for out-of-state road trips just yet, you can still dig down into the history of local areas for new ideas. In other words, use your downtime wisely, so you can hit the ground running with your gold pan, highbanker, pick and shovel, metal detector, or other equipment as soon as shelter-in-place restrictions are lifted.

As you begin researching, don’t rely on just one source of information. Confirm it through several sources. The best kind of research brings together different forms of info from a multitude of sources. It is the info gleaned from COMBINED sources that can help you to determine the best possible place to locate precious metal or gems. The more info you can lay your hands on, the better. Consider these resources:
 

• Old mining district reports and mining history books. Most western states have some form of mining and geology agency, although they all have different names depending on the state. Find out what information is publicly available at the agencies located in the area you will want to prospect. Old history books can be more help than any state agency because they were written by folks with ties to the area they wrote about. That means they often include valuable information on old mining discoveries or operations that didn’t make it into a government report.

• LR2000. Utilize the Bureau of Land Management’s Legacy Rehost System, LR2000, for information on mineral development, mining claims, classifications, and more on federal lands. After all, you don’t want to accidentally claim jump or waste time if an area is closed.

• Topographic maps. Many old mining areas are shown on topo maps, but usually not on the newer versions, so try and find older topo maps. Many of the newer versions may have old mines removed as a way for the government to “keep the general public safe” by not advertising the whereabouts of the old and “dangerous” mine shafts.

• Aerial photos. Google Earth is amazing in its quality and detail of photos. Many times you can see individual trees, hiking trails, rock outcrops and even hand-stacked piles of rocks left behind by old-timers.  Sometimes larger features and patterns (areas where miners removed a lot of brush, for example) cannot be seen from ground level, but are obvious from far up in the sky. This is also a good way to get an idea of the condition of the roads in the area so you’ll know in advance which look to be commonly traveled. Google Earth ties in with GPS, too. You can review the photos, check them against maps, and get the GPS coordinates of the precise location you want to visit. You will then know for sure that you are in the right spot once you travel there.

• Reference libraries. The librarians at state mining divisions and university libraries are generally very friendly and helpful. These libraries are open to the public, so don’t feel shy about requesting help. Any university with a good-sized geology or mining program should have quite a few geologic reference resources including old reports, magazines on the mining industry, thesis reports by graduate students, and even reports by engineers and geologists who were on site at the big operating gold mines in the late 1800s. Many of the old books and reports found in the university libraries will be out of print and cannot be purchased anywhere, so be sure to make photocopies of any documents you need while you are onsite.

If you are a member of Gold Prospectors of America (GPAA), know that claims are still open as of May 2020. GPAA Claims are located on federal BLM and USFS land. At this time, only developed property and campgrounds have been closed in certain states. Access to GPAA claims has not been impacted, and if your local guidelines permit, you are free to continue prospecting as long as you are following the CDC guidelines to slow the spread of the virus. This includes practicing social distancing, and not being in groups of more than 10 people.

Although COVID-19 has changed the world as we know it, chances are good that as a prospector you PREFER social distancing. And what better way to enjoy solitude than out in nature armed with some new knowledge gleaned through research that can make your mining efforts more profitable. It’s no surprise that when the economy takes a turn for the worse, the price of gold (and many other precious metals and minerals) usually reach new highs. And every time the price of gold starts to climb, recreational prospectors get a bit more motivated to seek out hidden fortunes. Many people might get discouraged by the amount of work and time that can be involved in researching new areas, but when you find a new spot with good gold, it will be well worth your time and effort.  Good luck and stay safe!

The big gold rushes of the 19th century have long since ended, but in most cases you can still prospect for the precious metal in these same historic areas. If you’re interested in giving recreational gold mining a try but not sure where to go, below are some key locations where you can still find the yellow metal by gold panning or metal detecting.  Since gold was found in these areas, likely the old-timers didn’t get it all— so you may get lucky and strike it rich (or at least catch gold fever)! Rules and regulations differ from state to state, so always be aware of the local laws. And if you want to metal detect on private land, you’ll need permission from the landowner.

Below is a very short list that offers a few ideas only. Beginners should search the internet or join a local gold prospecting organization for more information.

Crow Creek, Alaska. If you are heading to the 49th state and want to look for more than just incredible scenery and wildlife, you might want to try your hand at panning for gold in Crow Creek. The first claims of gold are said to have been made in 1897 near the mouth of the stream. The discovery of gold near the Chena River in Fairbanks set off the Fairbanks Gold Rush of the early 1900s and gold is still found in relatively impressive quantities in Alaska's ice-cold waterways. Recreational panning is also allowed at the narrower Pedro Creek to the north of Fairbanks. If a trip is not in your immediate plans, you can still have gold-rich paydirt sent directly to your home where you can pan in a tub in your kitchen sink!

American River, California. The California Gold Rush began in 1848 when gold was discovered at Sutter's Mill on the banks of the American River in Coloma. The surrounding area is still rich in gold deposits, and recreational panning is permitted these days at the south fork of the river in Coloma and at two forks in the Auburn State Recreational Area.  The Cosumnes River that flows through California's Eldorado National Forest is also known for its golden deposits, and several campgrounds are nearby. There are many places to hunt for gold in California. Just read up on its rich gold mining history for more ideas on where to go.

Clear Creek, Colorado. A gold-hunter's paradise, this river in Colorado is hands-down the best place in the state for recreational prospecting. Panning and sluicing for gold is permitted on the river bed at Arapahoe Bar in west Denver, and digging is allowed on the north side of the river there. There's also a large stretch of river about 10 miles upstream from Arapahoe Bar at Clear Creek Canyon where gold panning and sluicing are permitted. You may even have better luck here since the location is up-river.

Snake River, Idaho. Gold has been found throughout most of the 800-mile length of the Snake River from the headwaters near Yellowstone National Park to Lewiston, Idaho. In 1860 the Idaho Gold Rush began. It started with a gold discovery in Pierce, particularly at the juncture where Orofino Creek meets Canal Creek. The most popular gold- producing district in Idaho is Boise Basin County, which was discovered only two years after the Pierce event took place. It has also been reported that gold was discovered in Pend d'Oreille River in 1852.

Rye Patch, Nevada. Northern Nevada is home to the state's best known placer field for nugget shooting with a metal detector— the Majuba or Rye Patch placer district. The area is located west of the Rye Patch Reservoir, about 45 miles north of Lovelock.  Despite intensive prospecting in this region beginning in the 1860's, this placer field was not discovered until 1938 by a local man who worked the area by drywashing for several years through the early 1940's, producing over 600 ounces of placer gold. Sporadic prospecting work has continued ever since.

Little Meadow Creek, North Carolina. Little Meadow Creek at Reed Gold Mine, is the site of the  first discovery of gold in the United States. In 1799, Conrad Reed was walking along Little Meadow Creek when he noticed a shiny, gold substance in the water. It turned out to be a 17 pound gold nugget!  Since then, deposits were mined in both the Piedmont and Mountain regions, most of the early production was in the central Piedmont, particularly in the Carolina slate belt and in Mecklenburg County.

Black Hills Forest, South Dakota. In 1876 the gold rush swept across the Black Hills of South Dakota after gold deposits were found in Deadwood Creek, and folks have been panning for gold ever since. Strawberry and Elk creeks all have placer gold, as well as Yellow, Squaw and Annie creeks. Generally, most of the National Forests are open to recreational mineral and rock collecting, gold panning and prospecting using a metal detector. But always check local regulations because some wilderness areas are closed to treasure hunting of any kind.

Keep in mind that even if there has been no major “rush,” major amounts of gold have been found in many other states, too, including Georgia, Michigan, Montana, New Mexico,  Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Good luck!

More articles on gold mining history found here.
 


 

• Phoenix, AZ: March 2-3, Arizona Expo & State Fair
• Fresno, CA: March 9-10, Fresno State Fairgrounds
• Puyallup, WA: March 23-24, Washington State Fair Events Center
• Portland, OR: March 30-31, Portland Expo Center
• Denver, CO: April 13-14, National Western Complex
• Ft Worth, TX: May 4-5, Will Rogers Memorial Center

Back to School promo!  Limited time only— combo price ends August 18, 2018!  Each Teknetics T2 metal detector is now shipping with stereo headphones and a digger recovery tool. ALL FOR $499 with FREE SHIPPING!  Buy now using coupon code A1486.

The T2 is a high-performance multi-purpose professional grade metal detector. This detector set the benchmark in advanced electronic technology and functional design in the metal detector market. Its legendary performance coupled with its light weight and perfect balance make the T² the best metal detector in its price range.

The T² excels at coins-shooting, relic hunting and gold prospecting.

• Large LCD Screen with 0-99 Numeric Target ID
• Straightforward Menu-Driven User Interface
• Trigger Actuated Target Pinpointing with variable audio pitch
• Double Filter Discrimination Modes For Searching In Trashy Areas
• Trigger Actuated FASTGRAB™ Instant Ground Canceling with manual override
• Manual Ground Cancellation Option
• Continuous Ground Monitor - Ground Mineralization Bar Graph Readout
• Waterproof 11-inch Open Frame Bi-Axial™ Searchcoil Great for Highly Mineralized Soils.
• Renowned Target Separation Capability Detects targets at extreme depths
• Low Operating Cost - More than 40 hrs. with 4-AA Batteries (not included)

Teknetics Headphones: 

• True Stereo
• Swivel Earcups
• Padded Earphones
• Robust Construction
• Utilizes 1/4 inch & 1/8 inch plugs

Digger Recovery Tool:

The NEW Ameritek metal detectors have arrived!  The Minuteman, Liberator, and Patriot, are three new treasure finding machines from Teknetics with true blue American graphics on their faceplates. Proudly made in the USA by Fisher Labs, these units are making award-winning metal detectors affordable again! Whether you're looking for the ease of a turn-on-and-go coin shooter or want more features for gold prospecting, you will find it in the affordable Ameritek line. All three detectors feature waterproof searchcoils, large two-digit numeric displays, and are perfectly balanced and light-weight so you can swing all day. Click the links below to check out the features of each new machine and use coupon code A1486 for $50 OFF + FREE SHIPPING + FREE Accessory Kit! Free Accessory Kit available only through 7/11/17.

Minuteman

• Turn-on-and-go, well balanced and lightweight
• Pinpoint mode with depth indicator (CM or IN)
• Motion discrimination mode
• Variable tone breakpoint
• Large 2-digit numeric Target-ID numbers, from 1-99
• Adjustable sensitivity and discrimination
• Fe-Tone - Adjustable Iron Audio
• 8-inch concentric waterproof searchcoil

Click here to get it for $199 AND FREE SHIPPING AND FREE ACCESSORY KIT with coupon code A1486

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Liberator

• V-Break, variable tone breakpoint
• Pinpoint mode with depth indicator
• Discrimination, motion, no motion
• Variable notching
• Large 2-digit numeric Target-ID numbers, from 1-99
• Adjustable sensitivity and discrimination
• Ground Grab, computerized ground balancing
• 2 search modes
• 4-Tone Audio-ID
• 11-inch waterproof DD searchcoil

Click here to get it for $299 AND FREE SHIPPING AND FREE ACCESSORY KIT with coupon code A1486

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Patriot

• Detects coins to 12 inches
• 13 kHz frequency – good for coin shooting, relic hunting and gold prospecting
• Frequency shift for eliminating electrical interference
• Visual Target-ID by category and 0-99 numerical indication
• Target-ID confidence bar
• Continuous ground mineral concentration readout
• Push-button static pinpoint
• Speed selection – normal for most conditions, slow for deep coins in non-trashy areas
• 11-inch waterproof DD searchcoil
• 40 hours of battery life (4 AA batteries)

Click here to get it for $399 AND FREE SHIPPING AND FREE ACCESSORY KIT with coupon code A1486

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Guidelines for All Metal Detectorists

Realize that each time you go detecting you will be representing EVERYONE in this sport; all will be judged by your actions. Detectorists are a very visible group and the public knows what you are doing. That is why you must conduct yourself accordingly, learn proper recovery techniques and abide by a code of ethics. Scars from improper or sloppy recovery methods can remain for years and further damage the image of this activity. This can only lead to tougher laws and regulations. Even in remote areas it is very important to always leave no sign you were there.

Learn about your local laws regarding metal detecting, especially on Federal, State or County lands, because they can vary significantly from state to state. Make the effort to search the local public records to verify the laws regarding metal detecting in your area BEFORE you go detecting. Do the same with State and Federal agencies that govern lands AND waters in your area.

If you will be hunting on private property you MUST obtain permission ahead of time and be absolutely certain you know the exact boundaries of the property or yard. Check with your County land records office (usually County Seat) to obtain information on how to research or obtain land ownership plats. In some places this information is available online or you may be able to purchase a plat book for your County (some libraries also have copies you can view). These plat books are useful tools, showing owner’s name and boundaries, as well as Federal-, State-, and County-owned lands. However, it is your responsibility to still check with the land owner to verify the plat map is correct. Penalties and fines can be very costly. Ignorance of the law is not an excuse. Once you have a name, try to locate the owner’s address and pay him a visit. Introduce yourself, express your interest and ask if he would allow you to metal detect on his property.

Explain your practices and how you will proceed. Always be polite, even if he turns down your request. If given permission, find out if there are any limitations he might have; certain times of the day, where to park your vehicle, certain areas that might be off limits, etc. Above all else, you must carefully cultivate the relationship between yourself and the land owner to ensure that you always have his/her best interest in mind. Often there may be others, such as hunters, using their property as well. Crop lands might be leased to a farmer; buildings may be rented or leased to other families. If your activities offend any other users, they will also offend the owner and that will reflect negatively on the sport. You may even get kicked off the property. When you are on private property, your actions and activities must always be beyond reproach. You must always put the owner’s concerns above all else. And this is just as true if you are in a City park or on school grounds. There are numerous cities across the country that have banned metal detecting on city property, and in nearly every case it is because of a careless detectorist that left holes and trash. Always respect the land owner!

Your detector comes with the responsibility to detect and recover targets ethically. Your actions WILL affect the sport so be sure you portray yourself in the best possible way. Look for a local dealer or club in your area. They can offer up-to-date information on local conditions and laws, and teach you proper recovery techniques. Joining a club is a great way to give a stronger voice to the activity. You will find that club members have a strong stake in keeping the sport healthy by watching for violators or those not using proper recovery techniques. The goal of most clubs is to educate and teach those in this activity. With your ethical participation, you will help ensure we can all enjoy this activity for years and years. Please be responsible!

Make plans this spring to attend a GPAA Gold & Treasure Show! Whether young, old, or in the middle, the expos offer something for everyone and provide the best opportunities to learn new skills, see product demos, and rub elbows with some of the most respected miners and metal detectorists in the business!

Browse the show floor to find the latest and greatest gold mining and metal detecting equipment, attend free seminars, ask questions of the pros, and enter to win thousands of dollars in door prizes—metal detectors, pans, sluice boxes and MORE!

Also on the show floor are panning troughs for both kids and adults where you can learn new techniques— and keep all the gold you find!

Saturday show hours 10 am - 5 pm and Sundays 10 am - 4 pm in these cities:

• Pleasanton, CA  Feb 11-12, 2017
• Phoenix, AZ  Mar 11-12
• Puyallup, WA  Mar 18-19
• Portland, OR  Mar 25-26
• Las Vegas, NV  Apr 22-23

Visit the GPAA website for details and to buy your $5 adult tickets online ($10 adult admission at the door; kids 12 and under plus military and veterans with ID are free).

Did you know... there is actually more gold to find today than the old-timers found way back in the 1800s gold rush era? Gold prospecting and treasure hunting has become a very popular and family oriented hobby, and these Gold and Treasure Shows are a great place to start in your search for that elusive shiny metal. See you there!

Metal detectors are electromagnetic devices and can detect items that are conductive or magnetic, or both. Gold is an example of a non-magnetic conductive item. Iron is both conductive and magnetic. Almost all major advances in prospecting metal detectors over the last 40 years revolve around improving ways to ignore and see through ground mineralization while still finding gold nuggets. If you’re using any brand of VLF (very low frequency) metal detector to prospect for gold, choosing the correct operating mode (also called search mode) can make or break your success.

Experts recommend that any metal detector you are considering for gold prospecting should have a true all metal mode. This mode is important because of its lack of filtering applied to the signal. It will normally offer the best depth and the best sensitivity to small gold. Unfortunately, two common problems occur when using All Metal Mode: interference from ferrous iron and steel junk, and from hot rocks. A hot rock is nothing more than a rock that has a different magnetic content than the ground. Some rocks are that way because they contain conductive minerals besides gold. The Discrimination knob on your detector will help with these two problems.

Discrimination is a type of electronic filtering. The signal is analyzed, and depending on the discrimination setting, identified as either a target to be dug or a target to be ignored. Applying more discrimination eliminates more trash, but be careful—you don’t want to completely eliminate all ferrous trash because an aggressive level of discrimination easily tunes out gold. So be prepared to still dig ferrous junk which usually turns out to be larger chunks of steel and iron. Also know that discrimination circuits can be fooled, especially in ground with lots of iron mineralization. This ground condition can override the small gold signal and cause a faint gold signal to be identified as ferrous. Even with this limitation, the discrimination mode can be invaluable for finding gold in extremely trashy areas. Trashy areas are where a VLF detector can really outshine a PI (pulse induction) machine, especially when dealing with nails, bits of rusted cans, and other small trash. If you’re in the market for a metal detector, some manufacturers offer special holiday packages such as the 3 listed below. You can also shop for Fisher, Garrett, Bounty Hunter, Minelab, Tesoro and Teknetics metal detectors here.

Through Christmas only... FREE Recharge Kit and FREE 15” Coil and FREE Shipping with purchase of either Fisher F75 ($599) or Teknetics T2 ($499) detectors! Both machines are recommended for Coin Shooting, Relic Hunting, and Gold Prospecting.

    

Garrett AT Pro holiday package ($594.96) includes detector, headphones, instructional DVD,
backpack, digger pouch, cap, and coil cover and also SHIPS FREE!

In case you hadn't heard the exciting news... Garrett recently introduced three new detectors in the ACE series— the 200, 300 and 400! Each of the new ACE detectors include Digital Target ID—a large, 100-digit target information display for better target identification—as well as a more robust audio package, and stem locks for additional strength and stability. With the great pricing and features, it's no wonder that all three detectors have proven to be fast movers as soon as they hit the market!

The new flagship of the ACE lineup is the ACE 400 ($339.95) which features the Iron Audio feature made popular on the much more expensive AT Pro and AT Gold detectors. Iron Audio allows users to hear discriminated iron and to alter the detector’s mid-tone signal range. This helps you to hear the iron content in flat steel objects like bottle caps and washers that sometimes trick a detector into reporting them as good targets. The ACE 400 opeartes at a 10 kHz frequency to provide better sensitivity to low and medium conductivity targets, such as gold and lead. The detector’s Frequency Adjust feature allows users to easily toggle between slight frequency shifts to help eliminate interference from other detectors or power sources. The ACE 400 ships with an 8.5”x11” DD-configuration PROformance search coil that has proven to be very popular on other Garrett models. The ACE 400 includes five discrimination modes, electronic pinpointing, sensitivity adjustment, and High-Resolution Iron Discrimination, and is ideal for oins, jewelry, relics,dry beach, fresh water wading, competition events, cache
hunting, and it has features for basic gold prospecting. The ACE 400 ships with three FREE accessories: a searchcoil cover; volume-control ClearSound Easy Stow headphones; and an ACE Environmental Cover-up to protect the control box from rain, dust, and mud. More details on the ACE 400 and accessories here.

Next in the new ACE lineup is the ACE 300 ($254.95). It features a new 7”x10” concentric PROformance searchcoil for additional coverage and detection depth. The ACE 300 sports a higher frequency of 8 kHz for better sensitivity to low and medium-conductivity targets. Other features of the ACE 300 include Digital Target ID; Frequency Adjust; more Iron Discrimination segments, stem locks for added stability; and the same three FREE accessories (searchcoil cover, headphones, and cover-up) that also ships with the 400 model. The ACE 300 is ideal for coins, jewelry, relics, dry beach, fresh water wading and competition events. Can also be used
for entry-level prospecting or cache hunting. More details on the ACE 300 and accessories here.

The Garrett ACE 200 is the new entry-point detector ($169.95) with a 6.5”x9” concentric PROformance searchcoil that operates on a 6.5 kHz frequency. With the quality and performance of the ACE 200, you can begin finding treasure right away—in your own backyard or wherever you travel. This detector is highly recommended for Coin Hunting, Dry Beach/Fresh Water Hunting; and recommended for Jewelry Hunting, Relic Hunting, Competition Events. More details on the ACE 200 here.

It's healthy to take a break once in a while from the office, the grind, and the daily pressure— especially with great weather and long hours of daylight. Grab your metal detector and get out there— wherever your “there” might be. Take your detector along on a camping trip or on your next hike. And don't forget coin shooting in the park (kids love it!). You never know when you might encounter some long-forgotten site that’s just waiting to be hunted by YOU! Summer is the perfect season for metal detecting and the ideal time to unwind and search for your next great find! Good luck hunting!

With the weather turning colder, you might think you're done prospecting 'til next summer, but you don't have to be! Even if you're not a regular snowbird heading to a warmer climate for the next few months, you can take a short desert vacation some time this coming winter, and turn it into a lucrative gold prospecting trip, too.

Gold mining in the desert is especially enjoyable if you're not into crowds— the desert can be delightfully smog  free and people free in the winter. Experts say there is just as much gold waiting to be taken out of the desert as there is commonly found in streams and rivers. Why? Well, throughout history the desert mines just never got the publicity that wet places like California's Mother Lode did, so fewer prospectors went there. Plus, back in the day, mining used to be harder in dry conditions. Luckily that's no longer true if you have the right equipment.

• If you're used to highbanking in the summer, give drywashing a try this winter. Old-timers used the wind to separate their gold from the sand by tossing the gravel up in the air and catching it in a blanket. The gold, being heavier, fell in the blanket, while the wind blew away the sand. Using a modern portable drywasher is a lot easier!

• Metal detecting is another great way to hunt for gold in the desert. Gold detectors are not necessarily higher in cost, but they are built with a higher sensitivity to detecting gold nuggets, and have better ground balancing and
discrimination abilities.

• A bonus of prospecting in the desert is the abundance of interesting rocks. You can find many unusual rocks and semi-precious gems such as tourmaline, turquoise, agate, jasper, and more. Lapidary shops can cut and polish the rocks for you, or buy your own rock tumbler and lapidary tools and learn a new hobby.

This winter, consider extending your gold-getting season with a prospecting trip to a sunnier, warmer state. Good luck and have fun!

Teknetics T2 is a multi-purpose high-performance computerized metal detector. When this detector was first released the price tag was $849 -- now it's only $499! It has the high sensitivity and ground cancellation features needed for professional gold prospecting, the discrimination responsiveness needed for serious relic hunting under difficult conditions, and visual Target-ID considered essential in searching for coins. The ground cancellation system can be adjusted to allow searching saltwater beaches.

This detector comes with an 11-inch elliptical Bi-Axial searchcoil for maximum detection depth in mineralized soils. An accessory bundle for the T2 includes a smaller coil, backpack, hat, and more is also available (additional charge). This machine is light weight and the best balanced of any high-performance metal detector, so you can hold and swing it almost effortlessly. The armrest position is adjustable to fit your arm. The grip is durable high-friction foam elastomer, comfortable in any kind of weather. The controls are conveniently located and easy to learn how to use. Locking collars on the tubes eliminate rattling. The entire menu is always visible on the LCD display. The LCD display indicates the electrical signature (Target-ID) of the detected metal object. The display provides continuous information on battery condition and on ground mineralization, which affects detection depth. Help messages are automatically displayed on the lower right corner of the display when necessary.

A great benefit of the Teknetics T2 is that it is easier to learn to use properly than other comparable metal detectors. A few of its best features inclue:

• Simple, easy-to-use controls
• Large LCD screen with target identification and operating control displays
• Straightforward menu-driven user interface
• Bar graph readout of ground mineral concentration
• Trigger-actuated FASTGRAB™ ground canceling with manual override
• Waterproof 11-inch open-frame BiAxial™ searchcoil
• Single-Filter All Metal Mode for maximum detection depth
• Double-Filter Discrimination Modes for searching in trashy areas
• Trigger-actuated target pinpointing with variable audio pitch

The T2 is powered by four AA alkaline batteries, which will typically last for more than 40 hours of use before needing replacement. The lead engineers on the design team were John Gardiner, firmware engineer, and David Johnson, whose expertise is behind many of the best-known high-performance metal detectors offered by major U.S. manufacturers for the last 26 years. 5 year manufacturer warranty from First Texas Products, LLC.

Most metal detectors, like the Teknetics T2, use VLF Induction Balance technology. Here’s how it works: The searchcoil (also called search head or loop) contains two electrical induction coils which are like antennas. One coil transmits a rapidly alternating magnetic field, illuminating the region surrounding the searchcoil. If metal is present, its electrical conductivity distorts the magnetic field. If iron metal is present, its magnetism also distorts the magnetic field, but in a different way, allowing the metal detector to distinguish between ferrous and nonferrous metals. The other coil is a receiving antenna which detects changes in the magnetic field caused by the presence of metal. Electronic circuits amplify this weak signal, analyze it to determine the changes which occur as the searchcoil sweeps over the target, and then convey the information to the user in the form of a visual display or audio tones. Most modern metal detectors perform many of these tasks in software running on an internal microcomputer. The iron minerals which are present in most soils also distort the magnetic field, obscuring the weak signals of small or deep objects. This can cause the object to go undetected, or to be misidentified when it is detected. Much of the technology that goes into modern metal detectors is devoted to the task of eliminating the unwanted signals from iron minerals in the soil, while not losing the signals from metal objects.

If you're considering a multi-use detector that's ideal for relic hunting, coin shooting, and gold prospecting, learn more here about Teknetics T2 Metal Detector and/or download the operating manual.

Fisher Labs has recently introduced three NEW metal detectors in the F Series. No matter which you choose, they are all budget-friendly, easy to use, and powerful. The manufacturer warrants each detector for 5 years, so you know it's built to last!

The Fisher F11 is a great all-purpose metal detector with a seven inch waterproof searchcoil. Priced at just $159, this model is extremely low priced and sure to fit any budget. If you're into digging up history, this detector is for you! The F11 offers three modes of operation: Jewelry, Coin and Artifact modes. Get more details and download the F11 owner's manual here.

Two new weatherproof detectors, the F22 and F44 are resistant to weather, rain, storms, hail, snow, sleet, and high wind. These machines are impervious to splashing waves in beach use, or any kind of water. However, weatherproof does not mean that these machines can be submerged, but you definitely don't have to cancel your hunt or cut short your time in the field due to a little challenge thrown your way by Mother Nature!

The Fisher F22 weatherproof all-purpose metal detector is priced at just $229 and is the result of many years of software engineering and features the latest advancements in lightweight design and target accuracy. Treasure hunting enthusiasts from around the world were involved in the development of this revolutionary new dectector. The F22 can be used with its default turn-on-and-go settings, or you can adjust the detector's settings to match your hunting conditions. Comes with a 9-Inch Concentric Elliptical Waterproof Searchcoil. Get more specifics and download the F22 owner's manual here.

The Fisher F44 weatherproof metal detector is backlit and environmentally sealed for use in the toughest environments. This unit comes with an 11 inch Concentric Elliptical Waterproof Searchcoil and is ideal for inclement weather hunting, beach hunting, coin shooting, jewelry hunting, and relic hunting. For only $349 you get many, many features that are usually only found on higher priced models— 9-Segment Visual Target-ID, 5 Modes of Operation, 20 Levels of Adjustable Sensitivity, 20 Levels of Adjustable Volume, 4-Tone Audio-ID and MORE! Click here for all the details and to download the F44 owner's manual.

Why buy only a metal detector when now you also get FREE accessories?! For a limited time, Garrett is offering the ACE 250 Discovery Pack and the ACE 350 Discovery Pack. Here's what you get FREE when you purchase either metal detector:

The Garrett ACE 250 metal detector (#1139070) will be shipped with 3 FREE ACCESSORIES: Garrett TreasureSound headphones with volume control (#1612500), and a 6" x 9" searchcoil cover (#1605700) and the ACE Environmental Cover-Up (#1619900). All of this for just $212.45! You SAVE $49.85 MSRP compared to purchasing the detector and three accessories individually. The ACE 250 is Highly Recommended for Coin Hunting, Competition Events, Dry Beach/Fresh Water Hunting. Recommended for Jewelry Hunting, Relic Hunting, Ghost Town Hunting.

Key Features:

• Electronic Pinpointing: to precisely locate target and speed recovery
   
• Accept/Reject Discrimination: to modify discrimination patterns
   
• Five Search Modes: select pre-set discrimination pattern or create your own
   
• Continuous Coin Depth Indicator: to determine target depth
   
• Battery Condition Indicator: shows battery life continually
   
• Interchangeable ACE series searchcoils: are available
   
• Expanded Target ID Legend: easy-to-read above large LCD screen
   
• Pushbutton Controls: with One-Touch operation
   
• Other features: 3-piece travel/storage, disassembles to 24"; adjustable arm cuff; quarter-inch (1/4") size headphone jack.
   

Search Modes (Discrimination Patterns): 5 plus electronic pinpointing

• All Metal (Zero)
• Jewelry
• Custom
• Relics
• Coins
• Pinpoint

Download the owner's manual, purchase, or learn more about the Garrett ACE 250 here.

The Garrett ACE 350 metal detector (#1140260) will be shipped with 3 FREE ACCESSORIES: a Garrett Camo Digger's Pouch (#1612900), an 8.5" x 11" searchcoil cover (#1606600) and the ACE Environmental Cover-Up (#1619900). All of this for just $297.45! You SAVE $41.85 MSRP compared to purchasing the detector and three accessories individually. The versatile ACE 350 includes the best features of the world-famous ACE 250 but adds a powerful new 8.5" x 11" DD searchcoil, enhanced iron discrimination, and a higher frequency. This machine is highly recommended for Coin Hunting, Jewelry Hunting, Relic Hunting, Competition Events, Dry Beach/Fresh Water Hunting. If you want to search homesites, parks, campgrounds, playgrounds, and beaches, the ACE 350 is ideal!

Key Features

Search Modes (Discrimination Patterns): 5 plus electronic pinpointing

Download the owner's manual, purchase, or learn more about the Garrett ACE 350 here.

No matter which you choose— the 250 or the 350 Discovery Pack— both detectors includes Garrett’s patented discrimination feature. This technology, found only on Garrett detectors, features two indicator scales that allow the user to see the detector’s discrimination setting (Lower Scale) as well as the analysis of each detected target (Upper Scale). Offer for FREE accessory discovery packs ends December 31, 2015. Happy Hunting!

First Texas Products, manufacturer of the Fisher, Bounty Hunter, and Teknetics brand metal detectors, is holding a video contest! Prizes for 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th places include new metal dectectors and more. Deadline is June 1, 2015, so take this opportunity to enter right away. To enter make a new and original video that falls into one of the following categories:

• Demonstration/Instructional
• Hunt/Life Style

For the Demo/Instructional category, make a new video using any First Texas Products machines and show how to set up your machine, adjust the settings and provide any great hints or tricks you've learned since you began using your detector.

For the hunting category, make a new video showing your hunt, finds, and the good times you have while out in the field with First Texas Products metal detectors.

Enter the contest by making your videos and posting them on the corresponding YouTube channel (see below for channels). For example, if you are making a Fisher Video, post your video on the Fisher YouTube channel. If you are making a Bounty Hunter video, post your video on the Bounty Hunter YouTube channel.
 

RULES:

• Entry or submission of video constitutes consent for First Texas Products to use your video in part or its entirety for any purpose without any further compensation.
• You can enter as many videos as you like.
• All content must be new and original.
• No videos posted after June 1, 2015 will be accepted.
• Profanity or anything deemed offensive by First Texas Employee panel will be disqualified.
• Winner decided by FTP Employee Panel
• Winners announced June 15th, 2015.

Please share this with everyone you know that owns any First Texas Products metal detectors. Good Luck and Happy Hunting!

What is the best metal detector? This is probably the Number One question that everyone asks when buying their first detector. No one wants to waste their time and money so they want to know what's "best" right from the start. That's understandable, but unfortunately there is no one single answer. The easiest way to find the "best" detector for YOU is to evaluate YOUR detecting style, YOUR experience level, what items YOU hope to find, and the time that YOU will spend metal detecting. After taking all of these things into consideration, then you will be able to find a metal detector that fits your needs and your budget. To make the purchasing process easier, answer these questions:

How much do you know about metal detectors? Be honest because the answer also affects your budget. If you're just getting started and plan to go out just a few weekends a year, you may not want to shell out a lot of cash up front so a general all-purpose detector in the $200 range will suit your needs. If you have used a friend's detector a few times and are fairly serious about wanting to find gold and other buried treasures of your own, then buy a detector in the $700 range that is user-friendly. You will get a very good quality machine with plenty of bells and whistles, yet it won't require an advanced degree to actually use it. And you won't have to spend hours reading the owners' manual to understand it either. Before investing in a model that costs thousands of dollars, first be sure you love detecting and will use it often enough to justify the big price tag no matter what brand you decide on. Garrett and Fisher are two of the oldest manufacturers in the business.

Where do you plan to detect? Deserts, rivers, parks, and saltwater beaches all have very different ground conditions. If you prefer to be in deep water, you'll want a submersible detector. If you plan to hunt around the shoreline, then you don't have to worry about the entire detector being waterproof, just the coil. If you will be in city parks and other areas where overhead power lines are the norm, then a very low frequency (VLF) detector will be your best bet. If you plan to hunt mostly in heavily mineralized areas, consider a pulse induction (PI) machine for best results. Keep in mind that just changing the search coil on your metal detector can be the next best thing to buying a whole new machine without spending a lot of money! Most metal detectors come with a standard search coil that is good for general use – finding the broadest range of targets in the broadest range of environments. But search coils come in all shapes and sizes, and it's possible that merely changing the coil on your detector will lead you to a host of new targets.

What do you primarily hope to find? If you want to find gold, you'll need a detector especially made for that purpose. Gold detectors are not necessarily more expensive, but they are built with a higher sensitivity to detecting gold nuggets, and have better ground balancing and discrimination abilities. PI machines aren't so good for coin shooting in urban areas where you are likely to encounter iron trash, however, they are ideal for beaches or detecting in other highly mineralized soils, especially if you are looking for objects that are deeply buried. VLF detectors are more sensitive to finding the smallest bits of gold, but do not as easily cancel out ground mineralization.

Metal detecting is one of the easiest, most profitable, and fun ways to find gold and other metallic treasures such as coins, jewelry, and relics. It's so easy to have your metal detector ready to go in its carry bag with extra coils, a digger or scoop, headphones, and spare batteries. Just grab and go! There are many thousands of passionate detectorists around the world already enjoying the rewarding outdoor activity of metal detecting. If you want to join their ranks, please keep the following in mind:

Garrett's new pulse induction ATX metal detector is the ultimate multi-frequency detector for all terrains and extreme conditions (highly mineralized ground, saltwater, etc.). It features advanced pulse induction technology, a durable design that meets military specifications, and an advanced 20 inch Deepseeker searchcoil is ideal for use in searching for caches and other deeply buried large objects. The ATX is waterproof to 10 feet.

PI (pulse induction) detectors work a bit differently than the more common VLF (very low frequency) detectors by putting magnetic field energy into the ground and then switching off and waiting a short period before they start to look for a response. This makes them better at handling ground mineralization than a VLF detector because during that short delay the magnetic response of iron trash minerals that you don't want to find dies out. VLF detectors do not as easily cancel out ground mineralization the way a PI metal detector can do.

Kevin Hoagland, Executive Director of Development for the Gold Prospectors Association of America recently field tested the Garrett ATX Deepseeker. Below is an excerpt of Kevin's review:

"My first impression of the ATX was that it's compact, heavy and built like a tank, and all connections are waterproof. Battery installation is simple. The ATX uses 8 AA batteries in two 4-battery drop-in packs and comes with an 8-slot AA battery charger. Not only does this detector come with a rugged case and carry bag, but also everything else you need to get out detecting. The units ships with the 20 inch mono coil already installed. It is also shipped with headphones that are screwed into the back of the unit.

I slipped my arm into the adjustable cuff, and grabbed the control pod. There was no unnecessary torque on my wrist, which gave it a perfect fit and feel, and allowed me to work all of the control buttons easily with my thumb. I pushed the unit out in front of me a bit and turned on the power switch, which is located on the back of the unit. The Garrett ATX Deepseeker Metal Detector goes through its startup and self-diagnostic test. Every light on the control pad comes on and unit emits several different sounds before settling into a comfortable, but high, threshold. This is not a turn-on-and-go detector. Either read the entire owners manual before you go out hunting, or at least read the first two pages of the manual— page 1 is the Quick Start Guide and an explanation of how to access the functions of the ATX quickly, and page 2 shows you where to find more information concerning those functions.

There are 5 major functions that are completely user-adjustable: Mode, Sensitivity, Threshold, Volume, and Ground Balance. Are functions are easy to adjust with a basic understanding of the ATX and more tunable as you become more proficient. Secondary functions include iron check, tracking, discrimmination and frequency shifting, to name only a few.

As with most large PI detectors, the Garrett ATX Deepseeker Metal Detector is not light, and the waterproofing adds extra weight. Were it not for the ergonomic design, detectorists not accustomed to the weight of these machines might tire quickly. The supplied sling is easy to use, adjust, and offers a fair way to alleviate some of the weight, but I found it uncomfortable for long periods of use. Many avid detectorists use after-market harness systems, so you may want to check out those options if you plan to spend long days detecting.

In the field, the Deepseeker performed exceptionally well. The unit demonstrated almost complete immunity to all but the worst hot rocks I encountered. The ground balance and multi-speed ground tracking worked great, but I found that I rarely used the ground tracking as the ATX handled most of the soil mineralization in the OFF position. The threshold was quick to respond to ground changes and a simple ground balance was all that was needed to bring the ATX back into maximum depth and sensitivity. The Iron Check works well, maybe even too well! I dig everything no matter what and I have had a very successful nugget-hunting career doing just that. I have found good targets under junk on many occasions. Be careful and mindful that gold, like junk, is where you find it and there is no law of detecting that states there will be no gold under junk!

Regardless of your level of detecting expertise, it will take some time to get comfortable with all the functions and navigating the menus of the ATX. With multi-button presses to access some functions, it's important to take time to learn the machine well beyond the quick-start level. Overall, Garrett has created a PI detector that is extremely well made with solid functionality. The ATX offers great value for your dollar. Garrett has again carved a niche in the metal detector market, and the ATX perfectly has met the needs expressed by detectorists worldwide..."

You can find Kevin's complete field test review on pages 16-19 of the November/December 2014 issue of Gold Prospectors Magazine, or download the .pdf here.  You can also get more information and watch a video of the Garrett ATX Deepseeker Metal Detector on this website.

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.

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.

The abbreviation kHz stands for ”kilohertz” which is the measurement of radio frequency radiation. A Hertz is the unit of measurement for counts per unit of time. Frequency is the number of occurrences of a repeating event per unit time. The higher the frequency, the more waves travel through space during a given time
frame.

There are two general types of metal detectors: Pulse Induction (PI) and Very Low Frequency (VLF). The major difference between PI and VLF is the ability for the machine to discriminate targets. Keep in mind that a detector does not actually detect metal directly. It detects magnetic fields. A detector “hears” the waves of electromagnetic radiation or radio frequency radiation through a coil. When switched on, a VLF detector first creates a magnetic field and energizes anything in the ground that responds to a magnetic field. Next, your detector seeks to find a magnetic field that has a response to its initial magnetic field. Because metals conduct electricity, they respond to a magnetic field and generate a small magnetic field of their own. Detectors detect the secondary magnetic field that conductive targets create whey they are energized by the first magnetic field sent into the ground by your detector. In general, the larger the metallic target, the larger and longer and stronger its magnetic response will be.

PI (pulse induction) detectors work a bit differently by putting magnetic field energy into the ground and then switching off and waiting a short period before they start to look for a response. This makes them better at handling ground mineralization than a VLF machine because during that short delay the magnetic response of iron trash minerals that you don't want to find dies out, but the signal from tiny bits of buried gold does, too. VLF detectors are more sensitive to finding the smallest bits of gold, but do not as easily cancel out ground mineralization.

If you've been shopping for a metal detector, you might have noticed that the manufacturers list the kHz of each machine. But how do you know if a higher or lower frequency is better? In most situations, a few kHz one way or the other will have a negligible impact on performance out in the field. The importance of frequency is most noticed when you are hunting for one particular type of treasure over another. For example, if you are coin shooting at the park, you can opt for a lower frequency metal detector which will cost less. However, if your main objective is to find gold nuggets with your detector, consider a higher frequency machine such as the Fisher Gold Bug 2 or Garrett AT Gold.

Some say that "gold is where you find it" and while that may be true, once you arrive at a known gold-bearing location, how do you decide where to dig first? Successful prospectors follow different methods, so there is no single "right" way, but no matter if you are sluicing, dry washing, or metal detecting, if you first consider the "lay of the land" you can better pinpoint a place to start.

Natural Factors to Consider Before Digging for Gold:

• Types of Placer Deposits. Alluvial, residual, beach, and other types of placer gold are all worked differently. Alluvial gold forms in streams. The gold tends to concentrate on bedrock as it moves downstream and makes its way down through the gravel to bedrock. Residual placers form on the surface as rock materials weather and are washed or blown away and do not concentrate on bedrock. Knowing the type of placer makes a big difference as to where you should begin to look for it.
• Quartz Veins. Gold often forms with quartz, so quartz veining can be a very positive sign. Quartz is very resistant to weathering, so it may hang around on the surface long after any nuggets have sunk below the soil. If you find a visible quartz vein outcrop, that can be a good sign. The outcrop, as well as any areas downhill from it, should be sampled. Also remember that not all vein quartz is white. Some can be stained red-brown from iron.
• Iron Staining. Not all gold-bearing mineral deposits contain quartz. Gold-bearing veins can consist of calcite or mostly sulfides which often weather into iron-stained spots as the pyrites convert to iron oxides. While quartz is often a good indicator, it is not necessary for the formation of gold nuggets— but sulfur is necessary. In places where gold occurs with quartz, there is often a lot of iron, which was once (before it was oxidized) a sulfide such as pyrite. Any gold that was formed in these deposits is left in the red soils that remain, or perhaps nearby. The red soils can be deep orange or red-brown or brick red.
• Favorable Rocks. The type of rock considered "favorable" will vary greatly based on the area. The same "favorable" rock in California may not be the same "favorable" rock for finding gold in Alaska. In some places the best rock to look for might be schist or slate, in other places it might be volcanic. In general, sedimentary rock is usually not a favorable host rock for gold.

Man-Made Factors to Consider Before Digging for Gold:

The sites of small, old-time mining operations can be some of the best places to look for gold. After all, the old-timers didn't have the modern-day equipment that you have, so they left a lot behind. Depending on their age, these sites from yesteryear can be overgrown, but if you look for these indicators they will help you consider where to dig first:

• Ground Cuts. These are narrow trenches in the ground that carried the gravels to the sluice box.
• Rock Piles. Sometimes old-timers encountered rocks that were too large to pass through their sluices under the water pressure they had to work with, so bigger rocks were picked out by hand and tossed aside. Piles of rocks make an easy marker. Any quartz you find in rock piles should be checked with a metal detector— you might find a gold-quartz specimen that's worth a pretty penny. Rock piles can be visible in the desert as well. Although the old-timers were not sluicing in the desert, they used dry washers that had to be screened for coarse rocks. If you see a series of short rock piles a few feet in diameter that cover an area that seems to have been dug out, you can reasonably assume you have found an old dry wash site.
• Hydraulic Mine Workings. A sign that an area has been worked by hydraulic mining are the steep banks left behind when the gold ran out (or so they thought). These sites are also commonly marked by piles of big stacked rocks.
• Shafts. Miners sometimes dug deep shafts or adits to access gold veins. These working are usually easy to spot even today. If the dumps consist of rounded gravels, it is most likely from underground placer diggings. If the dumps contain angular broken rock, that would indicate blasting from lode mining.

Deciding where to dig first comes from knowledge. You get that knowledge from reading books and magazines dedicated to prospecting and metal detecting, talking with experienced old-timers, and GETTING OUT IN THE FIELD. Evaluate the area, think about the geology, and then make a plan before you dig. You may not always hit upon a promising location by considering the factors listed above, but your chances for success greatly increase. Be flexible, keep sampling, and try again if you don't have any luck at first. Spending a little time evaluating an area can lead to a much more productive hunt, because after all, "gold is where you find it."

Dry washers are like highbankers except they do not use water to recover gold. While wet processing is nearly always faster and more efficient, especially for fine gold, dry washers are the best tool for recovering gold nuggets, pickers, and flakes from dry materials in the desert or other areas where water is not plentiful.

Drywashers are operated by shoveling gold-bearing gravels into an upper box which is covered with a screen. The larger rocks that are too big to pass through the screen slide off. Gravel small enough to go through is fed down into the lower gold recovery box, which is an inclined trough with cross riffles much like a sluice. The bottom of the recovery box consists of a thin, light-weight porous cloth. Beneath the riffle box is a blower that pulses air up through the cloth. The vibrations and air flow, combined with the shaking and classifying action of the dry washer allows the gold to settle to the bottom where it is captured in the riffles.

Keep these tips and tricks in mind when using a dry washer:

• Moist soils and clay cause problems, so be sure to crush lumps of clay and dry your dirt in the sun (plastic tarps are ideal) before running through your dry washer. Surface soils might seem dry, but if you dig down a few inches, you may find moisture in the soil that will cause your sand, gravel, and gold to stick together.

• Double-check all the "throw away" rocks. Scanning them with a metal detector is a great way to ensure you're not tossing aside gold-laden rocks. Also, don't assume old tailings piles have been totally worked out. This is  another time to use a metal detector because ordinary rocks could be  laced with gold and completely over-looked by earlier prospectors.

• Consider using a dry gold vacuum to clean out crevices in bedrock. Feed the material that you sucked up into your vacuum bucket into your dry washer.

• Drywashing can be a very dusty process, so try to stay upwind as much as possible and wear a dust mask.
• Do a clean up every couple of hours, or after processing roughly one to two yards of material.

Looking for a drywasher? The Gold Buddy brand is available in 4 sizes and also check out the new heavy duty
Gold Storm dry washer. Whichever you choose, SAVE $10 with coupon code TAKETEN at check out. Offer expires Dec. 31, 2103.

If you've been prospecting for gold using a pan, sluice, highbanker or other traditional piece of equipment, there's another tool you may want to consider— a metal detector. Gold detectors are not necessarily higher in cost than an all-purpose detector, but they are built with a higher sensitivity to pinpointing pieces of gold, and have better ground balancing and discrimination abilities.   

If you're not familiar with metal detecting, the first thing you should know is that your detector does not actually detect metal directly. It detects magnetic fields. When switched on, your VLF (very low frequency) detector first creates a magnetic field and energizes anything in the ground that responds to a magnetic field. Next, your detector seeks to find a magnetic field that has a response to its initial magnetic field. Because metals conduct electricity, they respond to a magnetic field and generate a small magnetic field of their own. Detectors detect the secondary magnetic field that conductive targets create whey they are energized by the first magnetic field sent into the ground by your detector. In general, the larger the metallic target, the larger and longer and stronger its magnetic response will be.

PI (pulse induction) detectors work a bit differently by putting magnetic field energy into the ground and then switching off and waiting a very short period before they start to look for a response. This makes them better at handling ground mineralization than a VLF detector because during that short delay the magnetic response of iron trash minerals that you don't want to find dies out, but the signal from tiny bits of buried gold does, too. VLF detectors are more sensitive to finding the smallest bits of gold, but do not as easily cancel out ground mineralization.

Read more how-to info and articles here.

At first glance, metal detecting seems like the least demanding form of prospecting for gold. But it has its share of challenges, too, just like sluicing, drywashing, or panning by hand. Whether you've been swinging a metal detector for years, or just purchased your first machine, there might be a few things you could do to increase your chances of uncovering a piece of buried gold.   

• Properly tune your detector. Whether it's a $200 or a $5,000 model, the settings are important to get right -- especially Ground Balancing and Gain/Sensitivity. Goldfields are usually heavily mineralized, which can make it really frustrating to know a false target from a real one, so follow the manufacturer's directions for ground balancing and do it often. Ideally, the Gain/Sensitivity is run as high as possible while maintaining a stable threshold as you swing. Try pumping your coil up and down during ground balancing.

• Control the Coil. The coil should be kept level and close to the ground from one end of your swing to the other. If your swing arcs and the coil is coming off the ground several inches on the ends, you may get false signals and lose a lot of depth. Also, don't swing too slowly. A Pulse Induction (PI)  detector performs better with a slower swing, but a Very Low Frequency (VLF) machine needs to be swung faster to detect targets.

• Target Recovery. If you have ever "lost" a target after you first heard it, try this: after pinpointing, start digging until you have moved a small pile of dirt. Pass the material from your pile, one scoop or handful at a time, over the TOP of the coil. You will have better target recovery if you move the target first.

Gold detectors are not necessarily higher in cost, but they are built with a higher sensitivity to detecting gold nuggets, have better ground balancing and discrimination abilities. Reading your owners' manual cannot be stressed enough. Once you know how to use your detector, then practice makes perfect. Sometimes success comes after just making a few small adjustments and getting out in the field as often as you can. If you're shopping for a gold detector, click here for ideas.  Good luck and have fun!

Nugget of News Blog

News Bulletin From Fisher Labs:  This Wednesday evening, June 12, at 9:00 PM Central Time, the Travel Channel will be showing premier episodes of their new metal detecting reality show: Dig Wars.  There will be two back-to-back 30 minute episodes about three pairs of detectorists that travel the country searching for artifacts, relics and coins. Three of the six hunters will use Teknetics and Fisher metal detectors and featured throughout the season will be the T2LTD, G2, F70, F75LTD and Gold Bug models. Mark your calendar and be sure to tune in to see Fisher and Teknetics metal detectors in action -- 9:00 PM Central and 8:00 PM Mountain (and re-aired 3 hours later).

Garrett has announced that the AT Gold introductory detector package that includes the detector, headphones, gold pan, book, vials and other FREEBIES, will no longer ship with the FREE stuff. Instead, buyers will get the detector and headphones only for the same price. You can still get the package with FREEBIES for a limited time, so order your AT Gold detector package now while still available!

Garrett is also phasing out the GTI 1500  and the GTP 1350 detectors at the end of 2012. If you are considering one of these machines, buy now while still available.

Reminder — GoldRushTradinPost.com offers FREE SHIPPING on all detectors $350 or more!

If you're looking for metal detector that will find the smallest gold nuggets in highly mineralized soils, then Fisher's Gold Bug Pro is your machine! Fisher's legendary Gold Bug now incorporates new state-of-the-art advanced algorithms to provide you with extreme ground/target information. It's a multi-purpose detector, and a new coil combo package makes the popular Gold Bug Pro detector even better! This special package at a special price pairs the Gold Bug Pro with the 5” DD coil AND the 10" DD elliptical coils.



This is the perfect detector and coil combination for prospectors and relic hunters at a special low price. The recently new 5x10 solid DD coil has excellent depth and unbelievable target separation capabilities and has become the go-to coil for many. This coil was designed for the Gold Bug series and it has incredible sensitivity to small targets. It's a real must-have for gold prospectors, and the solid construction makes it great for field stubble. Excellent for coins, relics and jewelry hunting and the standard 6.5 foot cord has shallow water hunters cleaning up.

Here's what you can expect from the Gold Bug Pro Metal Detector Coil Combo:

• Finds the smallest gold nuggets in highly mineralized soils
• Unmatched target separation in iron trash
• V-Break is the Industry's First Variable Breakpoint tone discrimination system
• Big Easy-To-Read LCD Display
• Computerized Ground Grab 
• Real-Time computerized ground balancing
• V.C.O. Audio in All Metal & Discrimination Mode
• Independent control over Threshold & Gain
• Continuous Ground Condition Readouts
• Ground Phase value indicates type of mineralization
• Fe3O4 graphic indicates amount of mineralization
• Static Pinpoint with depth indicator
• 3-pole system
• Comfort Hand-Grip
• Arc-detector Stand
• Dual Headphone Jacks
• 19kHz Operating Frequency
• Ultra Simple User Interface
• Ultra-Lightweight (2.5 lbs)
• 5 inch DD waterproof searchcoil comes standard
• 10 inch solid DD coil with excellent depth and unbelievable target separation capabilities
• Made in America
• 5 year warranty from Fisher Labs

Buy Gold Bug Pro Detector Coil Combo package now!

It's summer, and that probably means you'll be vacationing or playing near water this month. Whether you're heading to a local lake or to an ocean across the country, take your metal detector. Beach hunting is fun and easy, and usually the finds are, well, pretty fine! Recovering an object from sand is pretty easy, too, especially compared to digging in hard ground. A sand scoop makes target recovery fast and easy.

Water and sunscreen have a sneaky way of slipping rings from fingers of swimmers and sunbathers, making beaches a lucrative location for metal detecting. Necklaces, watches, and bracelets are also great finds on beaches, along with coins— lots of coins. Although some beaches can yield historic artifacts, most finds will likely be of the modern variety.

Some detectorists will argue that the best time to find goodies on a beach is after winter storms. While that’s certainly true, summer crowds can mean a fresh crop of coinage and jewelry just waiting to be found by you.

Beach hunting can be done in dry sand or out in the water where many more rings are lost. Salt water beaches present special problems (mineralization) and you must determine if you will hunt only in dry sand, dip the coil under water in the shallows, or desire a totally submersible metal detector suitable for deep water wading or diving. All quality metal detectors have submersible search coils but not all control boxes are waterproof or suitable for the pressures of deep water diving, so match your detector to the type of detecting you’ll do.

In all types of beach hunting, the discrimination must be kept very low, eliminating only small iron (bobby pins and nails). Aluminum pull tabs and tin foil should not be discriminated or gold and/or platinum rings may not be detected.  Some beach hunters operate with zero discrimination and dig everything. Article continued here...

The words "concentric" and "DD" (or "double-D") refer to the type of your metal detector's internal coil construction. Most searchcoils (whether round or elliptical) are of concentric construction. A concentric searchcoil has a large transmitter coil, and a smaller receiver coil in the center, usually in the same plane. This coil arrangement is relatively easy to manufacture and its symmetry helps to minimize electrical drift due to time and temperature. It also provides good discrimination on shallow targets.

Some searchcoils (whether round or elliptical) are of DD construction. Double-D's comprise two overlapping D-shaped coils of approximately the same size, one being the transmitter and the other the receiver. The advantages of the DD are greater depth in mineralized soil, a broad sweep pattern, and narrower target response. Its primary disadvantages from a user's point of view are multiple responses on shallow targets and poor discrimination of flat iron objects. Designing and manufacturing them is more difficult because their lack of radial symmetry makes them prone to drift which the design and the manufacturing process must minimize. Manufacturing cost is higher because the coils cannot be wound on high-speed winding equipment.

Double-D's are usually preferred for relic hunting and gold prospecting. Concentrics are usually preferred when searching for modern coins in an area where there is also iron and aluminum trash.

Read more about searchcoils here...

Placer gold is any gold that has been freed from solid rock by weathering. There are several types of placer gold, including Eluvial (gold that has been pulled down hill through the force of gravity), Alluvial (running water has deposited the gold in streams and rivers), and Beach (gold is concentrated by wave action). Eolian placers form by wind action in arid regions. Material broken from the bedrock disintegrates and the winds carry away the surface sand and dust, leaving behind a layer of cement-like mixtures of quartz, schist, and other material. Gold, being heavy, settles in this sun-baked "pavement." For the most part, eolian placer gold can be found just about anywhere in a desert landscape. Look for obvious signs of wind erosion and soil depletion, or a flat area on a wind-blown hillside where vegetation grows. If seeds were trapped in a depression, perhaps gold was, too. Desert miners have learned from experience that since wind has carried away most of the lighter sand and topsoil, eolian gold is usually very close to the surface or even on the surface. You can sometimes spot shiny flakes and tiny pickers practically laying on top of the ground, or a metal detector will find anything that is hidden just below the surface.

Whether you've been detecting for years or are considering the purchase of your first detector, you want to be as comfortable as possible, for as long as possible, when you're out in the field swinging. No matter the brand or model you are using, detector ergonomics comes down to three things: how your hand grips the detector, the weight and balance of the detector, and the ability to adjust the handle length. A machine with excellent ergonomic design means less strain on your wrist, arm, shoulder, and back.

• There are two types of handle designs used by detector manufactures:  the “L” shaped handle and “S” shape. Most detectorists find that the “L” shaped handle helps to reduce the load on the wrist when you swing the search coil. In contrast, gripping the “S” shaped handle tips your hand slightly downward. This slight downward tilt of the hand could put an  unnatural strain on your wrist and forearm, and over time could extend to your shoulder. It's really a matter of personal preference and comfort, so just be aware of the two handle designs and which might work the best for you.

• The second ergonomic issue is the weight of the detector and how the weight is distributed on the detector’s handle when batteries are in place. A well balanced  detector will have equal weight before and after the  grip, which is the best possible situation for swinging the search coil for a long period of time. For the “L” shaped handle, the electronics are placed directly above the hand grip, and usually the batteries are placed under the forearm for added balance to the overall assembly. This brings the balance point very close to the hand grip, but still slightly forward of the grip point, which is ideal.

• The ability to adjust the lower handle to the correct length for good upright posture while swinging the  search coil cannot be over-emphasized. This adjustment will reduce strain on your  shoulder and back. Improper adjustment can cause you to bend over  while swinging the coil and may result in lower back pain. Ouch!

Other ergonomic issues to consider for maximum comfort and enjoyment while detecting is the audio controls. The  audio output should be stereo and the volume control should cover a wide range so when you hear a signal, you can discern what the target is made of. Also, if your detector has an LCD display, the display information should be large and readable, even in bright sunlight.

Several top metal detector manufacturers such as Garrett, Fisher and Tesoro have perfected the modern art of metal detecting. With each new machine that comes to market, the features and success rate just keeps getting better. Learn more about metal detecting here.

In response to customer requests, AT Pro metal detectors being manufactured by Garrett now feature an upgraded stem configuration. This new upper stem configuration moves the AT Pro’s armrest farther back on the user’s forearm and also includes a new middle stem with camlock fasteners, adding extra stability to the detector during use.

If you purchased your AT Pro detector BEFORE JULY 1, 2011, you may ship your detector back to the Garrett factory in Garland, Texas to get the AT Pro Optional Upgrade / New Warranty Package for only $39.95.

This AT Pro Optional Upgrade / New Warranty Program is available for any AT Pro received at Garrett’s Garland factory before December 31, 2011.   Here's how it works:

• Send your AT Pro detector to the Garrett factory with a check or money order for $39.95, or you can pay via a credit card upon receipt of the detector at Garrett.
• New upper stem with extended armrest will be added.
• New middle stem with camlock fasteners will be added.
• All AT Pro components (searchcoil, electronics, fasteners, etc.) will be inspected and, if necessary, repaired or replaced.
• Revised AT Pro detector is shipped from Garrett back to you at
Garrett’s expense (you pay for original shipment to Garrett).
• Once this preventative maintenance / upgrade work is completed, your AT Pro metal detector will include a new 2-year warranty, effective from
the date the unit is shipped back to you (new 2-year warranty replaces any existing Garrett warranty.)

The value of the upgrade, preventative maintenance work, replacement parts, and extended warranty is $79.95, however you pay a fixed price of only $39.95!

This offer is available directly from Garrett, and not from Garrett metal detector dealers. For more information, call Garrett toll free 800-527-4011 or visit their website www.Garrett.com

Water and sunscreen have a sneaky way of slipping rings from fingers of swimmers and sunbathers, making beaches a lucrative location for metal detecting. Recovering an object from sand is pretty easy, too, especially compared to digging in hard ground. Necklaces, watches, and bracelets are also great finds on beaches, along with coins— lots of coins. Although some beaches can yield historic artifacts, most finds will likley be of the modern variety.

WHEN TO GO. Purist beach detectorists will argue that the best time to find goodies on a beach is after winter storms. While that’s certainly true, summer crowds can mean a fresh crop of coinage and jewelry just waiting to be found by the average beachcomber everyday.

WHAT TO TAKE. Beach hunting can be done on the dry sand or out in the water where many more rings are lost. Salt water beaches present special problems (mineralization) and you must determine if you will hunt only in dry sand, dip the coil under water in the shallows,  or desire a totally submersible machine suitable for deep water wading or diving. All quality metal detectors have submersible search coils but not all control boxes are waterproof or suitable for the pressures of deep water diving, so match your detector to the type of detecting you’ll do.

In all types of beach hunting, the discrimination must be kept very low, eliminating only small iron (bobby pins and nails). Aluminum pull tabs and tin foil should not be discriminated or you will lose some gold and/or platinum rings as well. Some beach hunters operate with zero discrimination and dig everything. Use of a sand scoop makes target recovery fast and easy.

If you plan to hunt only in dry sand and in very shallow water, a good coin shooting detector will work well if you...  article continued here

If you've got a treasure hunter, gold prospector, or outdoorsman on your gift list this season, or are your own not-so-secret Santa, you'll be glad to know about these holiday savings:

• Spend $250 and get a FREE $10 Amazon gift card when you enter the word AMAZON in the Extra Information field at check out (gift card sent separate from your order). *Hurry—offer ends November 30.

• Spend $350 and automatically get FREE shipping!  No coupon code required.

• While supplies last, Fisher is giving away FREE headphones and pick with the purchase of a Gold Bug Pro with 5 inch coil or Gold Bug DP with 11 inch DD coil, or Teknetics G2 metal detector. No coupon code required.

• And remember, we have the best prices on Woodman's Pal machete— made in the USA since 1941!

We appreciate your business!  Hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving!

Last year, more than 285 million people visited national parks and other units of the National Park System, marking 2009 the fifth busiest year ever. For those who like statistics, that means 10 million more Americans and foreign tourists visited national parks than the year before— a 3.9% increase. The all-time visitation record of 287.2 million was set in 1987.

In 2010, the National Park Service is once again offering fee-free days, allowing visitors to check out the nation’s 392 national parks without paying an admission fee that usually ranges from $3 to $25, depending on the park. The fee waiver includes entrance fees, commercial tour fees, and transportation entrance fees. Other costs such as reservations, camping, concessions, and fees collected by third parties are not waived. The first fee-free period this year is actually an entire week—National Parks Week, April 17-25.

Although you cannot use your metal detector in a national park, take your detector along on your trip because there are plenty of public lands, parks, etc. to explore while you're traveling.

The Top 10 most visited national parks are:

1. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee/North Carolina

2. Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

3. Yosemite National Park, California

4. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming/Montana/Idaho

5. Olympic National Park, Washington

6. Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

7. Zion National Park, Utah

8. Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio

9. Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

10. Acadia National Park, Maine

 

Your chances of finding gold in the desert are about as good as finding gold in wet areas. Study the geology and history of the area where you're prospecting or detecting, and you'll have a distinct advantage. Many large-scale mining operations of yesteryear didn't set up in the desert simply because their equipment needed lots of water, and the desert was much more inaccessible a hundred or more years ago. They didn't have portable Gold Buddy drywashers or variety of spiral gold panning machines that operate on just 3 gallons of water like we do now. So that means less competition! Just like in the mountains during spring snowmelt, one big rainstorm in the desert can change the landscape forever and uncover gold that had been hidden for centuries. Perhaps one of the best locations to look for gold is where the hills meet the desert and fan out. This is where the water slows down during storms and drops gold in the gullies. There also are likely to be more gold traps further up the hillside. Concentrate much of your effort in drywashes, dry streambeds, and canyons. When water flows during a flash flood, areas where the greatest amount of erosion has taken place are natural areas for gold collection. In some areas, like Quartzsite, Arizona, nuggets can be found with a metal detector just under the ground's surface, or even on top of the ground. If you find one piece of gold on the surface of a dry placer area, it is likely that there are more pieces of gold in the immediate area because gold generally does not travel alone. So don't call it quits after the first find— keep looking!

Ancient documents indicate that over 2,000 years ago, a Chinese emperor developed a metal detecting device using magnets. The purpose of his invention was to find weapons before they were used to assassinate him! In the early 20th century in America, metal detectors were developed to monitor metal tools and products in manufacturing plants, primarily to prevent theft. During WWII, more advanced equipment was developed to aid in locating land mines. In 1945, these mine detectors, along with countless other war surplus items, showed up in the marketplace at a fraction of their cost. Veterans familiar with the mine detectors were quick to realize that this equipment could also locate buried treasure... and a new hobby was born!  Just one more reason to thank a Vet for his/her service!  Today, several companies such as Garrett and Fisher  and Bounty Hunter and others have perfected the modern art of metal detecting and the machines just keep getting better.

Purist beach detectorists will argue that the best time to find goodies on a beach is after winter storms. While that’s certainly true, any time after a crowd has been through (Mondays following busy weekends or the day after a holiday), can mean a fresh crop of coins and jewelry just waiting to be found by your metal detector. Although some beaches can yield historic artifacts, most finds will likley be of the modern variety.

In all types of beach hunting, the discrimination must be kept very low, eliminating only small iron (bobby pins and nails). Aluminum pull tabs and tin foil should not be discriminated or you will lose some gold and/or platinum rings as well. Some beach hunters operate with zero discrimination and dig everything. Using a sand scoop makes target recovery faster and easier.

If you plan to hunt only in dry sand and in very shallow water, a good coin shooting detector will work well if you keep the discrimination set low. If you wish to go out into deeper water you will need a totally submersible machine. Some machines have a single tone for all targets and some have variable tones for different targets. It’s important to realize that most gold rings will read in the “middle” tones (above iron but below coins).

All metal detectors work well in the dry ocean sand but most single frequency detectors become erratic in the wet salt sand or in the surf. Wet salt makes the ground conductive and the detector sees the sand as a large sheet of metal. In order to operate in those areas with most single frequency instruments, you must decrease the sensitivity of the detector and it may still operate erratically. If you only occasionally visit the ocean and own an instrument that becomes erratic in wet salt sand, you can still operate perfectly in the dry sand area. If you live near the ocean, or get to the ocean frequently, consider investing in a detector that will operate well in all conditions including wet salt sand. Those detectors are generally higher priced than multi-purpose detectors, but they are definitely worth the investment if you frequent the ocean. Good luck and have fun!

Although the kids are heading back to school soon, summer is not over yet! Plenty of nice weather for enjoying the great outdoors. If you didn't get to camp as much as you would have liked, plan a short trip this month. Campgrounds and wilderness areas will be less crowded, making for a quieter and probably more pleasant experience. As you pack the gear, don't forget your metal detector! Although searching around campfire rings will most likely reveal trash, searching near picnic tables, restrooms, and play areas could produce a real find. Someone must have spilled their purse near a BBQ grill at a local campground because my detector uncovered not one, not two, but at least a dozen quarters and other assorted change in the sand at the base of the grill! What a pleasant surprise while waiting for the burgers to cook! Happy Labor Day!