Native Gold

[C. Nyal de Kaye]

We are going prospecting for gold in April. I have a Minelab GP3500, but also a new Explorer. Can you hunt native gold with an Explorer? All views welcomed.

 

[Mike Bearden]

It can be done but don't expect the Explorer to hit on the small stuff anywhere close to what the GP3500 will and nowhere close in depth either.
I'd suggest running the Explorer in wide open iron mask with a small coil no bigger than 8" and listen for the threshold to drop if you're in a fairly clean environment.
Depending on the size of the gold ... it can show up almost anywhere on the screen and have a medium tone for the most part, so it's a dig everything scenario until YOU get a feel for the hunt site.
I've found gold about the size of aquarium gravel with the Explorer using this set-up at 2 - 3" deep... so it is possible but not nearly as good as a dedicated gold machine. Matter of fact, a X-Terra 70 would be my choice over a Explorer for nugget hunting anyday, hits very well on small gold and it won't hurt your arm like the Explorer & GP 3500 will.

Mike