fishbone123
New member
wanting to find out the input of everyone out there on this looking for a gold machine to use for hunting nuggets those small pickers and also do the reilc and coin etc.
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has any one had the x terra 705 out gold nugget hunting
- Thread starter fishbone123
- Start date
Mick in Dubbo
New member
Fishbone.
I have used the 70 for nugget hunting a few times and must confess, that if you really want to get into nugget hunting, then unless you are hunting in lightly minerlised ground, then a PI machine is the only real way to go about it. A VLF machine, simply doesn't cut the mustard as the ground if very noisy and it can be very frustrating with the enormous about of false signals that you get out of hot ground. while I have recovered some lead pellets in this sort of ground, you need the patience of Job to do any good. Of the folks that I've seen, start out with a VLF (the X-terra and MXT) they switched to a PI machine, simply because of the significant performance improvement and reduced level of ground noise.
On Sunday, I actually took my Explorer out to the gold fields in preference over my X-terra, because although it is not very sensitive (won't hit anything under a gram) even though it's not a PI machine, will still punch deeper and handle the ground much better than a VLF. I don't know where you intend to hunt, but in most cases, you will do much better with 2 detectors that are specialised for each type of hunting, than to get a single machine that is promoted as a multi function machine. (In my opinion.)
Mick Evans.
P.S. I took the Explorer simply because I do not own a PI machine. It's about as close as I'm likely to get to one.
I have used the 70 for nugget hunting a few times and must confess, that if you really want to get into nugget hunting, then unless you are hunting in lightly minerlised ground, then a PI machine is the only real way to go about it. A VLF machine, simply doesn't cut the mustard as the ground if very noisy and it can be very frustrating with the enormous about of false signals that you get out of hot ground. while I have recovered some lead pellets in this sort of ground, you need the patience of Job to do any good. Of the folks that I've seen, start out with a VLF (the X-terra and MXT) they switched to a PI machine, simply because of the significant performance improvement and reduced level of ground noise.
On Sunday, I actually took my Explorer out to the gold fields in preference over my X-terra, because although it is not very sensitive (won't hit anything under a gram) even though it's not a PI machine, will still punch deeper and handle the ground much better than a VLF. I don't know where you intend to hunt, but in most cases, you will do much better with 2 detectors that are specialised for each type of hunting, than to get a single machine that is promoted as a multi function machine. (In my opinion.)
Mick Evans.
P.S. I took the Explorer simply because I do not own a PI machine. It's about as close as I'm likely to get to one.
fishbone123
New member
ok since you say that what pi system should i buy
Mick in Dubbo
New member
It comes down to budget, and your level of commitment. You might be best to ask this question of the prospecting forum. I personally am a novis when it comes to nugget hunting. That said, Minelabs PI machines are considered to be the best around, which is can be confirmed on the prospecting forum. I have spoken to the folks in the local club, of which 90% of there time is spent nugget hunting. By and large, the overall comment, is that the GPX 4500 really makes nugget hunting the most user friendly (ie, being able to tell gold LIKE targets apart from iron and other targets the easiest). The earlier models do a terrific job, but there is more ear training involved, to be able to tell good/bad targets apart. They also commented that while the GPX5000 is an improvement on the 4500, but the performance, isn't that much greater. They often recommend the SD2100 and SD2200's as great beginner units for someone just getting into nugget hunting and are on a budget.
I know Whites have a new PI machine out (the TDI) which can take the same coils as the MInelab machines, but I have no idea how effective they are. They are a lot cheaper. I have seen reports on the Garrett Infinium, which seem to be on a par with the SD's, but operate totally different to the Minelab machines, which can cause problems, if you are asking for help and only have Minelab users to help you out.
Just be aware, all of the above info IS NOT based on my personal experience, but others that hunt gold. You will really need to ask experienced nugget hunters what is best, so that you get sound advise. I can't offer you much first handle knowledge,
Good luck.
Mick Evans.
I know Whites have a new PI machine out (the TDI) which can take the same coils as the MInelab machines, but I have no idea how effective they are. They are a lot cheaper. I have seen reports on the Garrett Infinium, which seem to be on a par with the SD's, but operate totally different to the Minelab machines, which can cause problems, if you are asking for help and only have Minelab users to help you out.
Just be aware, all of the above info IS NOT based on my personal experience, but others that hunt gold. You will really need to ask experienced nugget hunters what is best, so that you get sound advise. I can't offer you much first handle knowledge,
Good luck.
Mick Evans.
TURNMASTER
Active member
I found a bullet loged in a bedrock crack. Look in the FAQ FAQ and find the posts by B.T. there is some good info there. Some of teh true nugget hunters have said the Xterra will do the job but must be worked slow (slow) to be effective in the highly mineralised ground. I hope to get some nugget time this spring and will report back.
Jeff
Jeff
Hello,
I use the 705 with DD coil (have both the 6" and 10.5") to nugget hunt in the mountains north of Los Angeles, CA. Mineralization in the San Gabriel Mountains where I work varies from low to very high, but in general, I find much of the area to be moderate. You will encounter high, tertiary riverbeds (not all of them, but the richest) will be so iron-rich, that the machine will blank on the entire cliff (with iron mask on), or not shut-up with it off (or in All Metal). Many, many detectorists have found nuggets in the area, but you need extreme luck (or tons of time to dig thousands of targets-most of which are trash). There's over 150 yrs of human trash EVERYWHERE, and I am constantly digging pull tabs, clad, casings, tiny bits of wire, aluminum, square nails, lead shot from places you would think humans have never been. Forget areas near the modern campgrounds or roads. However, all is not lost, you need to be patient, and continue the hunt. Working bedrock is the best method, but I literally pulled a dozen trash targets in about 5-10 minutes. I was told that 13 detectorists had already worked the same area earlier in the day. Yet, none of them found the 1.7g nugget on the surface-a sluicer told me about his find, chuckling about the detectorists who went right over the spot.
Other methods: climb way up high to the benches, and work them. There's one bench I work (it towers over 100 ft vertical once you reach it), has NO trash, but also no signals. You can spend hours and get nothing other than changes in ground mineralization. Very, very boring-but a signal is likely to be gold. Guess that's why in the 1870s, that bench was hyraulic mined by a 5 man crew, whom took 3-5 oz/day. If you highbank 5 gallon buckets, you'll get nada. But not all of the benches are the same...some have gold, and others do not...crazy, but true.
Plenty of old cabins, forgotten mines, and campsites from the 1800s....2 tribes lived in one canyon for at least 8000 yrs, and in the late 1700s, the Spanish, then Mexicans came. It's very easy to find all the 19th century mining trash you like at tons of sites.
I use the 705 with DD coil (have both the 6" and 10.5") to nugget hunt in the mountains north of Los Angeles, CA. Mineralization in the San Gabriel Mountains where I work varies from low to very high, but in general, I find much of the area to be moderate. You will encounter high, tertiary riverbeds (not all of them, but the richest) will be so iron-rich, that the machine will blank on the entire cliff (with iron mask on), or not shut-up with it off (or in All Metal). Many, many detectorists have found nuggets in the area, but you need extreme luck (or tons of time to dig thousands of targets-most of which are trash). There's over 150 yrs of human trash EVERYWHERE, and I am constantly digging pull tabs, clad, casings, tiny bits of wire, aluminum, square nails, lead shot from places you would think humans have never been. Forget areas near the modern campgrounds or roads. However, all is not lost, you need to be patient, and continue the hunt. Working bedrock is the best method, but I literally pulled a dozen trash targets in about 5-10 minutes. I was told that 13 detectorists had already worked the same area earlier in the day. Yet, none of them found the 1.7g nugget on the surface-a sluicer told me about his find, chuckling about the detectorists who went right over the spot.
Other methods: climb way up high to the benches, and work them. There's one bench I work (it towers over 100 ft vertical once you reach it), has NO trash, but also no signals. You can spend hours and get nothing other than changes in ground mineralization. Very, very boring-but a signal is likely to be gold. Guess that's why in the 1870s, that bench was hyraulic mined by a 5 man crew, whom took 3-5 oz/day. If you highbank 5 gallon buckets, you'll get nada. But not all of the benches are the same...some have gold, and others do not...crazy, but true.
Plenty of old cabins, forgotten mines, and campsites from the 1800s....2 tribes lived in one canyon for at least 8000 yrs, and in the late 1700s, the Spanish, then Mexicans came. It's very easy to find all the 19th century mining trash you like at tons of sites.
A friend recently gave me two nuggets - 1g and .6g
I air tested it on the X-terra 705 with the 5x10 HF DD coil. The 1g had to be less than an inch from the coil for it to register (in Coin and Treasure mode) at 23 sens. It was better in prospecting mode, I could get maybe 6inches between the nugget and the coil and it would still pick it up. If you want to see the nuggets I am referring to, view the video below
Cheers
Snoopy
[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnY_ctBKLdE[/video]
I air tested it on the X-terra 705 with the 5x10 HF DD coil. The 1g had to be less than an inch from the coil for it to register (in Coin and Treasure mode) at 23 sens. It was better in prospecting mode, I could get maybe 6inches between the nugget and the coil and it would still pick it up. If you want to see the nuggets I am referring to, view the video below
Cheers
Snoopy
[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnY_ctBKLdE[/video]
Surely the X-Terra 705 with the correct coil/s must be a half decent gold machine?
Is Kevin Hoagland telling fibs ? He claims to be working some very hot ground in his promo DVDs and even holds up the end of his magnetised pick handle covered in iron filings to demonstrate the fact.
After all, Minelab markets the 705 as a Dual Purpose (Prospecting) detector.
It even has a Prospecting Mode Button as far as I can see, well mine does anyway.......
So have we all been misled ?
What then is the point? I might as well stick with my Tracker IV or any other cheap detector if this is the case.
I'm starting to dislike the X-Terra for several reasons now and might look at other models/brands.
Is Kevin Hoagland telling fibs ? He claims to be working some very hot ground in his promo DVDs and even holds up the end of his magnetised pick handle covered in iron filings to demonstrate the fact.
After all, Minelab markets the 705 as a Dual Purpose (Prospecting) detector.
It even has a Prospecting Mode Button as far as I can see, well mine does anyway.......
So have we all been misled ?
What then is the point? I might as well stick with my Tracker IV or any other cheap detector if this is the case.
I'm starting to dislike the X-Terra for several reasons now and might look at other models/brands.
That is awesome. Congratulations. Neat Idea of the gift swapping. I could only wish there was a place here in Michigan that I could ever find something like that, I'm guessing that I would have to drive at least 1500 miles for an area that might by the luck of chance to even find something so cool.
Doug
Doug
Mick in Dubbo
New member
Danno.
I have no knowledge of Kevin Hoagland. I also own the 70, not the 705. From what I've read here, the 705 runs smoother the the 70. I can only give you what I've experienced on the gold fields. Where it's not my personal experience, I've declared it as such, so that you are aware where the info is coming from.
I started detecting with the Tracker 4, and man, was I impressed with the X-Terra after using the Tracker for a couple of years. The Tracker has it's fans; and all I can say to folks that hunt with it, enjoy. I personally found the X-Terra's to be a much better detector. No I'm not going to blow pure sunshine about the X-terra's, just for the sake of it. there are things that I like and dislike about them. I've said things before about the X-terras and other detectors, that some folk either don't like, don't agree with, or simply don't believe me. That's fine too. That's one of the beauties about the forum.
Give yourself some time and space with your X-Terra. I've been ticked off with mine at various points for various reasons, but 5 years on, I'm still swinging one.
Enjoy the hobby with which ever detector you prefer to use.
Mick Evans.
I have no knowledge of Kevin Hoagland. I also own the 70, not the 705. From what I've read here, the 705 runs smoother the the 70. I can only give you what I've experienced on the gold fields. Where it's not my personal experience, I've declared it as such, so that you are aware where the info is coming from.
I started detecting with the Tracker 4, and man, was I impressed with the X-Terra after using the Tracker for a couple of years. The Tracker has it's fans; and all I can say to folks that hunt with it, enjoy. I personally found the X-Terra's to be a much better detector. No I'm not going to blow pure sunshine about the X-terra's, just for the sake of it. there are things that I like and dislike about them. I've said things before about the X-terras and other detectors, that some folk either don't like, don't agree with, or simply don't believe me. That's fine too. That's one of the beauties about the forum.
Give yourself some time and space with your X-Terra. I've been ticked off with mine at various points for various reasons, but 5 years on, I'm still swinging one.
Enjoy the hobby with which ever detector you prefer to use.
Mick Evans.
Hi Mick,
I get a little annoyed when I see all these negative reports on the 705 as a prospecting machine.
From the Minelab DVD's, it certainly is promoted as a very good, (capable) gold detector. Then I read all these people giving the real story.
Makes me think I have bought a lemon and maybe Minelab should retract its capability as a gold detector and promote it as an 'all rounder'.
Also, the total lack of shaft adjustment and having to swap coils every time you want different frequencies and I'm starting to wish I'd bought a E-Trac or Spectra 3i. As someone said, by the time you
purchase all the extra coils, you may as well have bought a better machine anyway.
Its in the cupboard now detecting dust (which is about all its good for).
Danno
I get a little annoyed when I see all these negative reports on the 705 as a prospecting machine.
From the Minelab DVD's, it certainly is promoted as a very good, (capable) gold detector. Then I read all these people giving the real story.
Makes me think I have bought a lemon and maybe Minelab should retract its capability as a gold detector and promote it as an 'all rounder'.
Also, the total lack of shaft adjustment and having to swap coils every time you want different frequencies and I'm starting to wish I'd bought a E-Trac or Spectra 3i. As someone said, by the time you
purchase all the extra coils, you may as well have bought a better machine anyway.
Its in the cupboard now detecting dust (which is about all its good for).
Danno
Mick in Dubbo
New member
I hear you on what you are saying. I find the main point wasn't so much about talking the X-terra down, but rather, comparing the capacity of a VLF detector (which is why I mentioned the MXT) to a pulse induction machine. In the early days, VLF's were the only detectors on the market. Their main set back, is that they put out a continuous signal, which is where they struggle in hot ground. The PI machines put out their signals in pulses, which is why they handle the ground sooo much better.
Mick Evans.
BTW. I love my SE Explorer and would I'd happily own an E-trac or Sov just about any day. They seem to hit coins better than anything else that I've come across. Must have something to do with the multi frequency. I have owned an XLT and still enjoy my GTI1500 so I'm not a Minelab loyalist.(I even done a couple of write ups for the Garrett Ace.)
Mick Evans.
BTW. I love my SE Explorer and would I'd happily own an E-trac or Sov just about any day. They seem to hit coins better than anything else that I've come across. Must have something to do with the multi frequency. I have owned an XLT and still enjoy my GTI1500 so I'm not a Minelab loyalist.(I even done a couple of write ups for the Garrett Ace.)
Hi Mick,
Yes, I totally agree with all your observations. To be honest I have probably had more success with my Tracker IV than the 705 (and without the rather steep learning curve).
But to be seriously let down regards the so called 'prospecting' mode, that's when I see red. I never expected a GPX4500 or 5000, but I did expect something after reading
all the Minelab hype and viewing the DVD with Mr Hoagland.
Ah well,
Danno
Yes, I totally agree with all your observations. To be honest I have probably had more success with my Tracker IV than the 705 (and without the rather steep learning curve).
But to be seriously let down regards the so called 'prospecting' mode, that's when I see red. I never expected a GPX4500 or 5000, but I did expect something after reading
all the Minelab hype and viewing the DVD with Mr Hoagland.
Ah well,
Danno
TURNMASTER
Active member
Danno, I Love my Ford. My best bud Loves his Mopig... Um, Sorry I mean Dodge. I think the Mori Seikis are the BEST lathe on the market, period, others say it is a Hardinge. To each his own man We still all hunt and will have sucess with different machines.
My daughter says I should get the Blue Oval tatooed on my right arm.
GL
Jeff
My daughter says I should get the Blue Oval tatooed on my right arm.
GL
Jeff