Compass AU 52 Detector

[timo]

Hello all, I am a long time reader of this Forum and this is my first post. I am new to detecting , would like to hear what you all think about a Compass AU 52 detector . Tim

[grubstake]

Thats a newer model of the old Compass gold scanner, it was a great detector, and its good for coins and gold. I'm glad someone bought the old company after they had a fire that destroyed the origanal factory, they were top notch detectors, I guess from what I here from my old bud Jim Striaght, they still are for a VLF machine. Grubstake

[dutch john]

Howdy Grubstake.. Just happened to see your post. I hope all is going well with

you and Dorthy. You have been a long time great friend. When we--- you, I, Alan

and Hye were out beeping in the Osdick area Hye was using his AU 2000,

the upgraded version of the AU-52. The 2000 has 2 frequencies, the 52kHz and

the 13.77 as did most of the earlier Compass Gold Scanners and Coin Scanners.

Also it had VCO.

Both use a 9-inch eliptical DD. This was the only coil made available at this

time... about 1994... Compass was having financial problems... Mr Ron Mack was

no longer at the helm and Compass had changed hands several times. The fire was

the straw that broke the Camels back.

Mr. John Earle... a really highly qualified design enegineer was behind the Compass

"gold machines." Mr. George Paine also very highly qualified was behind the

"coin machines." This explains why Compass machines have been so highly

respected over the years.

Steve Goss one of the technicians single handly took over the bankrupt Compass

company... He had no money, no banking, and no distributerships. At first he

honored the existing warranties. Also hand-made some of the line for foreign areas

that are also well known for placer gold.

Slowly Steve built back the Compass line. Without any help other than Sue his wife.

Truly a single-blanket "mom and pop." However, occasionally there was a "sour note."

As we all know there are a few that can be negative in their attitude. Poor Steve took

occasional "flak." Remember, he was a one-man business. If he got a rush of

business he could be swamped... Worse, it was hard for Steve to get certain parts.

The suppliers did not give a price break unless he bought in quantities. He was at

the mercy of what electronic parts he could get. And occasionally an angry customer

wanted his machine repaired within a day ot two. Or ordered a certain machine which

needed to be built from scratch and then later would change his mind and then

want his money back.

Steve once had one of my machines for many months... could not get the particular part

needed unless he bought a thousand (1000). So he returned it to me. It was a modification,

a special switch.

Notice Compass machines... the meters... are analogue... not digital. This technology

requires close tolerences... Not easy to assemble. (Sidebar: White's also have examples

of long-time manufactured analogue machines. Their 6000 line: Specifically. the White's

5900 SL Pro was the best selling example of their analogue technology; however

White's recently quit making the 5900. Too expensive and some problem (?) about

the solder used. The digital technology has now mostly replaced the digital.)

Hye still has his AU-2000. He has found many ounces of gold with it. I had a AU 52,

but traded it for some bodywork and a paint job on our 1954 Chevy Belaire. I later

tried to get it back... but couldn't. There wasn't very many AU's manufactured.

As far as I know most that have one seems to like it.

As Grubstake knows, I have many detectors scattered around my shed and garage (Gary:

I still have the Goldstrike. (GRIN) )

Getting back to Steve and Sue... no longer kids they have persevered the years. Now

something seems to have happened to one or both of them... I know not what. But

I hope they are able to prevail.

[grubstake]

Good post Jim, mt first Compass Gold Scanner was bought from Woody Woodworth Back in the early 90's. It was a very good gold machine. Grubstake

[dutch john]

Grubstake... Woody was using a Compass 77B. He thought the nugget the is now famous for was

a tin can. Woody was 91 in April. However, I undersand he has slowed down. He and Herb used

Compass's. They both came several times to my adult class as honored guests. Gary, You are

most knowledgeable. Several of the adults in my class knew you and it through them that I got

aquainted with you. Gosh, this is many years ago.

Without mentioning any brands, the machine I bought when I sold you the 2200d has worked

out well with me. Loud and clear. I can hear a faint whisper... not the double HIGH/low or low/HIGH

but just the single tone. This is at a beach, in the wet sand or shallow surf. And surprisingly with

the detectors volume on "O" but with the head set on max. I have been going out nearly every

week end. The beaches are neat. Not far and I can take the beach train. Inexpensive.

Leave in the morning and return in the evening. This is just during the summer and on weekends.

Oh by the way, the fellow I traded the AU 52 for bodywork/paint in our Chevy has informed me

that my old AU-52 is now at a coinshop for sale... He had no details. If it is the one, it had been

modified and had two very quiet coils. My friend will check and get back to me... It has been over

10-years since I traded it...

[grubstake]

The Discrimination on that Compass gold Scanner, was like on I had never seen before, or since for that matter. It was the only detector, you could turn the Disc. all the way up and wave it within a ft. of a CAR, throw a quarter on the ground without moving any controls, and it would pick the quarter up loud and clear. Ammazing. Without making a sound on the Car. Grubstake

[dutch john]

Grubstake... IMO I believe analogue type meters have advantages over

the digital. In some ways, if the Compass Gold Scanner Pro was updated

it could be similar to the MXT. The 1980-90's were the heyday for the

analogues. However, they are traditionally heavy and bulky. If one takes

time to fully understand whatever machine he is using this often gives him

an edge over another who is using a so called "better" detector.

I have seen nice finds in northern Nevada made with either the 2000 or the

2100. I believe the "fantail" about 43 oz was found at a depth of about 3-ft

with a 2100. The user (I understand) was then about 77 years of age. With

this said, I'm not suggesting to buy an older "beeper." I mention this to only

say that the early VLF/TR's were good machines dating back now nearly 30

years. And beginning in about 1995, the PI-types started to bcome known.

(The first 2000 I saw was being swung by Frugal Floyd in northern

Nevada at what is known as "Tungsten.")

To say it another way; the detectors used since the early 1980's have

had a notable ability to recover gold. In the hands of a skilled "instrument-

man" remarkable finds have been found.

The future in the southern/western deserts are in the vast pediments. For those

who have a copy of "Vol. 3 7th edition" take a moment to read "footnote" #5 on

pages 268-269. Also go back and read the earlier pages referenced.

If anyone has a copy og "Magnificent Quest," It is within the "Regional gold runs"

where large multi-ounce nuggets can be found. Notice, both Rob Allison and

"LUNK"... who posts on Chris's forum have had success within the pediments.

In (If my memory is correct) the two ICMJ issues cited in chapter 7, MQ) regarding

Lunk are great reading for any one getting started out in detecting.

Also, for anyone starting out, "Chapter 7, "recreational and small scale mining"

pages 37-48; and the selected references on pgs 49-51 regarding both

Heydelaar/Johnson, Merrell, and Wilson could be of particular interest to those

of you who are detecting and drywashing in the southwest.

If Rob and Lunk would start a thread, and others such as Grubstake would

"chime in," this could be most encouraging to those that are out prospecting.

Now I have my say: If so, nothing to lose and a lot to gain in becoming more

aquainted with the vast pediments. Best to All. Sorry about ant typos... leaving

in a monment to pick up a great-granddaugter, Bella, now in pre-sshool

("Gold" truly comes in many forms!)

[timo]

Grubsteak and Dutch John thanks for the information Tim .