[meteorite-list] Need help picking a metal detector.

From: minador <minador_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Sun Jun 6 20:10:56 2004
Message-ID: <00e501c44c23$70674940$d178480c_at_s0024741812>

Hi John,

Thanks for the feedback (and to the others who replied on & off list). Yes,
I agree about the autoground balance being "useless". I think the problem
my Minelab is having is that, even in manual track, there is
anti-mineralization circuitry that affects meteorite detection negatively.
I still need to test other stones as I've read that they all don't "sound
off" the same.

I think that our GMT (E series) is fabulous and there is one currently on
eBay for a great price (~ 3.5 hours left!). But I need a different
frequency. I think I'll get a GM3 as one is available locally. I'll report
back whatever I find sometime down the road (or write an article and post of
a website). It's great to hear that I can chest mount it because our GMT is
not removable. My Minelab is great in that respect.

I just need to get to the DU meetings and talk with you guys. I want to
learn about using different coils and discuss the Gold Bug(s) some more.
For sure, my big handicap is ground coverage. I'm not very efficient
digging targets. At least most of my finds have been on the surface...

One last thing. I heard a rumor that one of the major companies is bringing
out a detector designed strictly for meteorites that only detects nickel.
Considering how little metallic nickel is present in meteorites, I doesn't
sound feasible to me. But I really don't know the theory behind metal
detectors, whether it's the metal or iron mineralization that sets off the
detector. Has anyone heard about this? It just sounds too easy.

Thanks again all for your ideas!

Take care,

Mark


----- Original Message -----
From: "goldmaster" <goldmaster_at_gci-net.com>
To: "minador" <minador_at_yahoo.com>; <meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com>
Sent: Sunday, June 06, 2004 12:54 PM
Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Need help picking a metal detector.


> Hi Mark and All
>
> The use of an autoground balance metal detector for stones is generally
> fruitless . The GMT has manual ground balance capabilities and is best to
> hunt in that mode . I think the detectors of choice for hunting low iron
> stones would be the manual ground balance gold machines . I think the best
> bang for the buck is the goldmaster series . My preference is the GM3 .
The
> GM3 and GM4 are the same detector . The only real difference is the GM4
has
> a touch pad display and the box on most is not removable from the wand .
> Making a lot of extra work on your arm on a full day of beepin . The
> goldmaster 2, Vsat and GM3 have similar sensetivity and features . The GM3
> and has a variable frequency which will allow you to litterally hunt
between
> the legs of the person using other goldmaster products with litterally no
> interferance . They all are capable of having the boxes removed and harnes
> or belt mounted . They all except the very early goldmaster 2 models are
> capable of useing the larger seirra goldmax coil . The old style
goldmaster
> 2 has a 1/4 inch coil bolt and will require an upgraded wand to accomidate
> the seirra goldmax coil that takes a 3/8 inch coil bolt . Allowing a
larger
> sweep and deeper detection depth . I have used the gold bug 2 and found
it's
> higher frequency more unstable in more mineralized ground . Especially in
> and around the basalts you are hunting . But it's still a good detector
for
> hunting stones just a bit noisier . I think all of these detectors can be
> found for under $300 dollars used . The goldbug 2 also has a large coil
> available . On a final note the area you are hunting the vast majority of
> finds are on the surface or very shallow . So depth isn't that much of a
> factor more ground coverage will lead to better results !! Happy Hunting
> John Blennert
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "minador" <minador_at_yahoo.com>
> To: <meteorite-list_at_meteoritecentral.com>
> Sent: Friday, June 04, 2004 10:12 PM
> Subject: [meteorite-list] Need help picking a metal detector.
>
>
> > Hi List,
> >
> > I'm in need for a second detector. Recently I have been using my dad's
> > White's GMT. It seems to do pretty well. I've found 4 little ones with
> it
> > (although they were on the surface). I've seen the Fisher Gold Bug do
> well
> > at finding some buried ones and it always sounds off nicely (better than
> > GMT). The Minelab that I have used over the years for gold prospecting
> > doesn't cut it with respect to chondrites. It gives a poor yelp (IF
it's
> > about 1" away from a stony). If it's any further away there's no
> indication
> > whatsoever, so I need something else.
> >
> > I have been thinking of getting a Fisher Gold Bug-2. Does anybody have
> any
> > comments about this machine? I'm wondering if any of the "improvements"
> are
> > detrimental to meteorite hunting (although good for nugget hunting). Is
> an
> > original Gold Bug better? I like the GMT, but I want something with a
> > different frequency so I can hunt along side with my dad. The GMT is
> really
> > a pleasure to use.
> >
> > Any suggestions will be appreciated. Feel free to contact me off list
if
> > you don't want to tie up the list, or don't want to publicly share your
> > ideas which may be "controversial". Lot's of ducks on this list (if I
got
> > that phrase right).
> >
> > Happy hunting/collecting!
> >
> > Mark
> >
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
> --
> >
> > Mark A. Bowling
> > 13630 E GARIGANS GULCH
> > VAIL, AZ 85641-6068
> > (520) 647-3618
> >
> > o(:-) What we do not grow or hunt for,
> > we must MINE from the earth! <><
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
> --
> >
> >
> >
> > ______________________________________________
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>
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Received on Sun 06 Jun 2004 08:07:21 PM PDT