nuggethunting

Hello Airboy, Yes, Brenda found the small nugget with the stock 11-inch DD (Dual Configuration) Searchcoil on the GP3500. The nugget was approx. 3-4 inches deep in a crevice. My partner Glenn found a nice 2 Dwt piece about 50 feet above this one the day prior. Take care, Rob Allison

Hey Flak, Oh boy was it hot out there today. I have to give Brenda a lot of credit. I hate to conduct field instructions during the summer months due to the extreme heat. However, Brenda didn't give up and dug her first gold nugget from Arizona. It's great to see people find gold, especially their first. Finding the first gold nugget is a huge stepping stone. I'm back out in the morning with Dwight and his wife for their field instructions on their new Minelab SD2100v2. I'm not sure I can take another day of this heat! Take care, Rob Allison

Hello All, Today several friends and I met with Brenda from Shasta County, California. She purchased a Minelab GP3500 from me and decided to come down for the field instructions. Even though it was very hot, Brenda stuck it out through the field instructions and even found her first Arizona gold nugget! Brenda seemed very happy with the GP's performance and his hoping she can score some gold up in Northern California. Leaverite and I stuck around for a few more hours and I ended up hitting (2) gold nuggets before it got too freaking hot. Brenda thanks for all the business and you know you can contact me anytime if you have questions. Good luck in the future with the new toy. P.S. Check out the pictures below. Take care, Rob Allison

Hello Lamar, Yes, I have the complete Minelab Handle with foam, or just the foam. I also have the knuckles you're talking about. I have just about all the Minelab misc. parts in stock at all times. I just ordered a bunch of stuff again to re-stock my inventory. I also always have the Otto Complete Fiberglass (upper/lower) Fiberglass Shaft in stock. The Fiberglass shaft comes with the "Long" lower shaft, not the "Standard" size. If anyone ever needs misc Minelab parts, they can email me at - auplacers@yahoo.com Talk with you later, Rob Allison

Hello All, Over the years I have probably tossed and kicked thousands of ironstones/hotrocks. It's very possible for a piece of iron to contain gold. Many years ago I found the piece pictured below with a GP Extreme. The piece sounded just a bit louder than the other ones in the area so I decide to check it out. Low and behold it was covered with GOLD! If you happen to get an ironstone or hotrock that sounds like a metal target it might be worth taking a few extra seconds and picking it up. I know I just got "Lucky" with this one. If I remember correctly the piece was just over an ounce in weight. One of my stranger pieces though ... Take care, Rob Allison

Hello All, I forgot to mention I also have the "Coiltek Short (Straight) Power Cords" for mounting the new Coiltek Li-Ion Systems to the side of your detector. These power cords are roughly 15-16 inches long. With this cord you don't have to wrap your Minelab stock or Coiltek Curly all around the box and shaft to take away some of the length. The small Coiltek cords are - $15.95 Sales Tax and Shipping not added Take care, Rob Allison

Hello Ron (Airboy), I don't care much for the Minelab 11-inch stock DD or the Black Minelab 18-inch DD. The Black 18-inch is from the GP Extreme. It's a dual configured coil just like the 11-inch GP stock coil. The Black 18-inch is very heavy, but I have found gold with it. If I had my choice, I would take the Coiltek UFO over both. The UFO has great coverage per swing, very lightweight, waterproof and gets good depth. It will also find fairly small gold near the surface. Now keep in mind, I'm not sure if I would want to swing the UFO all day though. It's light enough, but a coil that big will not get around obstructions well like a small or mid-sized searchcoil. P.S. I just noticed you had the UFO down as a 17x10. Actually the 17x10 is the "Mini-UFO," the "UFO" is 24x12. Hope this helps a bit, Rob Allison

Hello Gaine, If there is any chance you can meet one, tell him you only need to know one answer. "Where is the biggest placer deposit that is very shallow in Arizona?" Hehe ... Rob Allison

Hello Big Ed, The Coiltek UFO is a 24x12 elliptical mono that is completely waterproof. It's very light and will find some pretty small gold due to the size. When it comes to these web-type designs, it a matter of preference. There is no doubt this coil will get more depth over the "Mini UFO" and "Platypus." Both the Mini UFO (17x10) & UFO (24x12) Mono's come with a FREE Lower Shaft also. If you think the ground might be too hot for a mono, I wouldn't purchase the UFO. Talk with you soon, Rob Allison

Hello Airboy, The stock Minelab 11-inch DD is a decent coil. The old Minelab "Trash Lid" coils were notorious for being very noisy. If it's the trash lid one, slightly concave, they are made out of fiberglass. The one I had for my SD2000 fell apart in no time. It was also so unstable that just a blade of grass would set it off! The newer Minelab plastic molded 18-inch round wasn't too bad. I never used it much, but it was much quieter and build stronger. Since you have the Minelab 8-inch round mono, I would now decide on a mid-sized or larger specialty coil. For most areas a mid-sized coil will give you good depth and sensitivity. They are also a bit cheaper than the huge coils. Just my opinions, Rob Allison

Hello All, I'm still getting several email per day asking about certain accessories, books and the DVD video's. Yes, I have them all in stock at all times! Here are some of the things people have been asking about: * Chris Gholson's new "Nugget Hunting" DVD Video's Vol. 1 & 2 - $59.90 (In Stock) * Jim Straight's New "Follow the Drywasher" 7th Edition - $27.95 (In Stock) * Jim Straight's "Advanced Prospecting & Detecting for Hardrock Gold" booklet - $8.95 (In Stock) * Jim Straight's "Successful Drywashing" booklet - $9.95 (In Stock) * Coiltek Completely Waterproof 11-inch Ellipitcal DD Pro Platypus Searchcoil - $219.00 (In Stock) * Coiltek Li-Ion "Pocket Rocket" Regulated Battery System - $259.00 or $275.00 (In Stock) * Otto Complete Upper/Lower Fiberglass Shaft for SD/GP's - $139.00 (In Stock) Prices above don't include Sales Tax or Shipping Keep in mind I keep a full line of Minelab Metal Detectors, Coiltek Searchcoils and Accessories, Prospecting Picks, Magnets and hundreds of other accessories. Questions you can email me at - auplacers@yahoo.com or call me anytime before 8pm PST. Most of the listing above are not on the website, so many might not even know about them.

Hello Reno Chris, Sounds like a plan! I consider myself pretty knowledgeable when it comes to the Central and Western Arizona Goldfields. I haven't seen a database yet that has real detailed or accurate information. Some of the smaller placer areas are way off the mark. I would hate to be the one relying on some of these databases. However, you just might stumble into something during the hunt. Some of the smaller, lesser known placers are prime targets for today's electronic prospector's. I have one book I found many years ago that has an old Arizona placer map in it. I've never seen anything like it and it lists several dozens small placers zones I had no clue about. All the major listings I found nuggets at, so it makes me believe all these smaller zones will also produce nuggets. I'm expecting some big hits this Winter season. Once I play around with the program I will post some information and we can break it all down. Regardless, programs like this make it very easy for people to do general research. Take care, Rob Allison

Hello Ron, This Winter season I have a lot of plans for this forum. I'm going to hold a special event if everything goes well. It will be the biggest and baddest nugget shoot-out in the WEST! You think you seen good outings, people haven't seen nothing yet. If it wasn't so freaking hot right now I would invite you down. Most of the hunts right now are short early morning ones. Talk with you soon, Rob Allison

Hello Airboy, To ask what is the best coil is like asking what is the best truck (Chevy or Ford). Everyone has their own opinions on their favorite coil(s). I think to cover all bases you need about 3-4 coils. There is no reason to get too carried away. I think you need one small coil for shallow areas and bedrock type hunting. The top two choices for this in my opinion would be the Coiltek Joey 10x5 elliptical or the Minelab 8-inch mono round. I then would decide on a mid-sized prospecting coil. For years the Coiltek 14-inch round mono was the hottest selling coil on the market (over 3,000 sold). Once the Coiltek Wallaby 14-inch elliptical hit the market, it took some of the lime-light from the 14-inch round. For a mid-ranged coil my favorites would be (depending on mineralization) the Coiltek 14-inch Mono Round, Coiltek Wallaby DD Pro or Coiltek Wallaby Mono. When it comes to a large coil (18-inch and bigger) I would suggest the Coiltek BigRed 24x12 Elliptical DD Pro or Mono. I hit some nice pieces with this beast over the years. My friend (Leaverite) just hit a nice 1.6 ouncer with the BigRed DD Pro. Searchcoils this size are considered speciality coils, and you will only use them in certain places. With larger coils you will need a good bungee system. Recommended a heavy duty bungee or the "Swingy Thingy" or the new "HipStick." Keep in mind, Coiltek makes Mono, DD Pro (more power than DD's), Anti-Interference and Waterproof coils.

Hello Airboy, I think if you even got near the so-called crash site you would be snatched up by the Military, let alone with a metal detector. I guess you could always tell them, "Hey I'm just looking for space pieces, you know, METEORITES!" Makes you really wonder if there was a crash there or not. A friend claimed he has seen several different species of Aliens that the Military snatched from the wreck site. Hard to believe we are the only people in the Universe, but then again, "Seeing is Believing." Take care, Rob Allison

Hello Big Ed, It's great to know I have a good friend over in the Mother Lode! The Coiltek Completely Waterproof Platypus Searchcoil is a "Hot Seller!" It's really the only reasonable sized searchcoil that you can use underwater for the Minelab SD/GP series detectors. I'm just glad I never jumped ships on Coiltek. I gladly appreciate any business you send this way. Well, for the time being the new Coiltek coils probably won't be seen. I was hoping to see a prototype before I went to Moore Creek. I talked with Trev @ Coiltek and it sounds like everything is on hold for the time being. The minute I hear something different I will let you know. I tried to convince Coiltek to make a 15-inch WOT for the Minelab SD/GP series. The WOT is so freaking light. The Coiltek 14-inch Round was the hottest selling coil when Coiltek first started manufacturing aftermarket searchcoils for the Minelab detectors. I think the 15-WOT design would be a good all-around coil, plus it would be waterproof! Talk with you soon, Rob Allison

Hello Keith, Man, that is a nice looking piece. What general area did you find it? In the tailing piles or virgin ground? Are you getting the emails about next years possible ventures? Congrats, Rob Allison

Hello Gary, That sounds like a plan. Would be nice to meet you in person. I will show you a few of those old spots so you can get an idea what to keep an eye open for. You might even be able to sneak a nugget or two out of them! Have a couple of field instructions this weekend. Going to be hot and hope the customers don't go running away! I'm worried about the couple from back east. Talk with you soon, Rob Allison

Hello Gary, Thanks for sending out the software. I will use it like a normal end-user and give you my honest opinion. The one nice think about programs like yours is the fact it makes research a lot more easlier. I heard your program is very user friendly, so I'm excited to play around with it. I'm also interested to see how accurate the Arizona information is. If it's real accurate I will have to lie and say it's way off to protect the gold bearing areas! Hehe .... Will keep my eye out for it. Thanks for sending it. Talk with you soon, Rob Allison

Hello Leaverite, Sure fun prospecting with all you guys. Over the years I have met some wonderful friends. "Heart of Gold!" Well, I guess with the cards I was dealt in the past, you either clam up or open up and realized you survived everything for a reason. I'm still here for a reason and I know the LORD has always kept one widow open even if he closed a few doors. The LORD has allowed me to find a great future wife, land a good job, run a small prospecting business and even get out and chase a bit of gold. Heck, I what else could I ask for besides another good nugget patch! Take care, Rob Allison

Hello Guys, Two-way radios are a must for small groups. They make it very easy to communicate with one another. You never know when something might happen or even when you want to tell others you found something. We use them a lot in the field, but toggle our "channel & sub-channel" to keep outsiders from picking us up! Keep in mind, some of the better ones say 5+ miles. However, when you're hunting uneven terrain you might be lucky to get 1/2 - 1 mile range. The 5+ mile is line of sight range, meaning there really can't be anything blocking your path. Take care, Rob Allison

Hello Guys, Thanks for all the recent orders. I blew through 20 copies within just a a few days! I still have a handful left and will be ordering more from the printer within the next day or so. I have a wide assortment of books if anyone is interested in ordering. Some of best books are Jim Straight's & some of the Placer books by Wilson (which are like bibles for gold locations). I wish I had more time to sit down and write a book. I believe I have all the information that would make one of the best books out there, but I'm not the best writer. By biggest thrill is showing and teaching "hands-on!" Back to Jim's Straight's, "Advanced Prospecting & Detecting for Hardrock Gold." It's one, if not the best booklets out there that explains more detailed information on deposits, placers and what to look for. For under $12 bucks you're getting some very valuable information if you want to take electronic prospecting to the next level. Take with you all later, Rob Allison

Hello Guys, Thanks for all the recently book orders. Luckily I ordered enough from the printer! Rexb - Jim's book are top notch. You will really enjoy it. A lot of good information pertaining to geology and detecting for gold. Reno Chris - You're exactly right, that was a magnificent quest! I really enjoyed your company and hope we can do it again in the future. Talk with you all soon, Rob Allison

Hello Bob, Sure sounds like it's a good program from the recent reviews. Was hoping Gary would send over a copy so I could break it down. I have just about every piece of research material available, so I wanted to compare the database to what I have. I think Gary's scared! These type of programs make research much easier. Thanks for th review, Rob Allison

Hello jaclinto, I have never personally used the protective gear, but an avid hunter friends has. He has a brand new truck, but puts the covers on when he goes hunting to elliminate scratching the hell out of the new rig. I'm not sure what brand he purchased, but maybe I can get a hold of him and find out. Hopefully in the meantime someone will have some comments. Take care, Rob Allison