NUGGET HUNTING.....SUGGESTIONS WELCOME!

[Goldstrike]

[size=medium][size=medium][size=medium][size=medium]Hi all, I need your advice please.....I am a Safari owner and a regular contributor to the Safari Forum so I feel like I'm a little out of my league in the Whites Forum today (although I have owned and used Whites M.D's) so bear with me please!! I'm attaching a pic of a nugget I own (from a gold mine in Death Valley that a relative owned in the 1800's) My Safari is a fabulous coin, relic, jewellery detector but no good when it comes to nugget hunting!! I realise that it's just not made for that so I'm in the market for a gold nugget hunting machine. Actually, it has a hard time detecting this fairly big nugget so I know I'll miss a lot if I attempt to use this!
I live in So Cal and I want to go detecting for gold nuggets in the mountains and the streams flowing out of the mountains, deserts, old gold mines entrances and workings here. I'm not expecting to get huge nuggets and would be happy with any size gold....grain, flake, gram and up etc;. What is the best all rounder metal detector for what I want to do in this part of the country? I read rave reviews for the Fisher Gold Bug but I'm not sure which model is best, the Gold Bug DP, PRO...PRO 2 Then there is the GMT which looks to be an awesome M.D.er...etc; Some gold detectors operate on .48 KHz (GMT) some .19 KHz (Gold Bug) some 71 KHz (Gold Bug 2).....what is the best frequency for hunting very small gold nuggets. Does anyone know why they make M.D.'s with such a wide spread of fixed KHz frequencies?? or would you recommend a P.I. M.D's. e.i. (Infinium) I don't have a minelab gpx budget at the moment ($4500-$5,500)!! Any advice would be very welcome guy's!! and I'll let you know what I decide to buy based on your advice.....[size=medium][/size]Thanks again.[/size]

P.s. I fly to England next month for 3 weeks of metal detecting, if you suggest a P.I. machine for detecting nuggets, it could also work well in the open fields (not much trash and deep seeking) across there alongside my Safari![/size][/size][/size]

 

[Barney II]

Hi Goldstrike---Out of those that you listed the Gold bug 2 will find the smallest due to its highest frequency. The GMT would be next. The question is a hard one because fo the varying ground conditions that will be encounterd. The PI units have a tendency to miss the small gold. Just a thought----go to anchorage Mining and Diving Supply's Forum( AMDS) and you will see under the metal detecting category a listing of detectors by forum owner Steve Herschbach. He is the no.1 fellow (my opinion haha ) when it comes to gold detectors. He covers both the VLFs and the PIs---I think that is the best suggestion I can give.
His suggetions are more centered around Alaska's area but it will carry over to CA.

 

[Goldstrike]

[size=medium][size=medium]Barney,
Thanks so much for that information and advice. I will check out the AMDS forum you suggested and see what Steve is suggesting for what I need. If you can think of anything else I should know, please post!!
Thanks again![/size]

 

[Barney II]

Oops---should be Alaska Mining and Diving Supply in Anchorage---sorry

 

[Big Boys Hobbies]

I can help you with any specific questions about them if need. Feel free to call or email me. Thanks!

 

[Goldstrike]

Thanks again Barney and BBH's!!....I'm still doing some checking on various detectors and it seems like the Gold Bug 2 is maybe what would be the best for what I need. Each of them has different attributes just like different car models but it's important to get the right/best one for you for what you want to do otherwise your missing valuable targets. That's one of the great things about this hobby, it's a continual learning curve...I guess if I get a Gold Bug, I'll have to join the Fisher Forum Don't you just love this hobby!![size=medium][/size]

 

[Big Boys Hobbies]

If they took me they will take anyone!!!

 

[Barney II]

Hi Goldstrike, I'm glad that you got to the AMDS forum. I think that Steve may have pointed it out --but if not then I would say that the Gold Bug 2 will get the really small stuffb but may have a tendency to miss the big nuggete(1oz plus or more) only because they may be masked out a greater depth. You shouild take a real good look at the F75LTD. Good on small gold--not tiny--but really good on the larger deeper gold. The MXT is also in this class but doesnot have the boost process. ha ha ha I can bet that before it is over, you will have two of the detectors, lol lol Good luck in what you pick and good luck in your pickens.

 

[Goldstrike]

Thanks again Barney for the great advice your sharing! and it's very much appreciated.......[size=medium][/size]I have read good reviews for the both the F75LTD and the MXT and I'll check some more on those models.
HH to all!!