New Zealand Gold Fossicking Forums

Hi all,

It seems I have been infected by the fossicking bug after a relative brought my son a detector for a present. :). "We" found about 20 old coins ranging in date from 1918 to the present day plus an interesting array of old buried "treasure" in the campground we were staying in over Xmas but he has convinced me it's not really on pinching his detector all the time so I guess I'm in the market for one for myself.

We live in Central Otago so will be looking for one capable of both general detecting and gold. The one I like most so far after trawling the net for info is the F75, but I'm very open to persuasion, so if you have a favorite feel free to post here with your recommendations.

Also, if some crusty old timer is willing to share some tips in exchange for maybe a lift and an extra pair of hands, it would be gratefully received.

Cheers for now
Skiwi

I have a Minelab Xtreme and the best day my son has had with it on the gold is 21 grammes and about 23 grammes and many somewhat lesser hauls. He has even discovered a hitherto undiscovered quartz reef with gold in it big enough to make all our detectors go off.

After seeing the performance of the Goldbugs we bought one each and both of us have found gold with them including nuggets of over 6 grammes.

Minelab are the best. Goldbugs are the bees knees. Guardian (Gregg) brought his Garrett around to compare it with the Goldbug and all I will say is 'Ouch' - I think that his Garrett may have cost less and its performance appears to be upward of 25 percent better including small nuggets and pieces of gold - its tone was crisp and precise and its range was greater. I am impressed with it and thinking of looking into Garrett. As it is I do have a Garrett Deepseeker but its old now.

Crusty old timers? Aint none on here - lots of young folks on here - some young chronologically and some young at heart.

Dont let the fact that the wee fella was given the detector for christmas - just confiscate it under the pretext that the radiation from it is deadly and it is unlawful for anyone under 21 years of age to own and operate them and he can have it back when hes 21. In the meantime come to an arrangement - you find, he digs, you share! He gets most of the finds and you keep the silver and gold - what could be fairer? He gets the majority of finds.

Thanks for the replies, I went out this evening to a boat launching ramp at Alexandra and picked up about 50 items of rubbish, 10 of interest and none of value :)

It highlighted to me the value of a detector that can identify what the likely target is as I spent a fair bit of times on my knees digging up rubbish.

The cheapie detector I was using was problematic on the sand as it seemed to swing all over the place and "bounce" off the ferrous items and indicate as non non ferrous. I'm not sure if it was because of all the iron trash underneath or the minerals in the sand.

I didn't mean to offend anyone with my "crusty old timer" remark, it was more to indicate the value I placed in experience that can only be accumulated over the years (it has been some time since anyone called me a "young fella" ;)

Lammerlaw, would you recommend the Goldbug over the F75 for my region? I would expect to spend the majority of my time on fossicking, but would still like to seek gold 6-12 times per year.

....and we need a lol button for remarks like yours re "acquiring" the detector off my son :)

Hi Skiwi
I bought a Garrett AT PRO on advice from my brother who has been into detecting for a while now and think that it is a good all round machine although nowhere here to try it on gold prospecting.I imported it direct from the factory in America and landed at my door it cost $600 all up.I also got the American model rather than the international or European model which I was advised is far better for the conditions both here and in Australia.A lot of people in forums advised me against the international model and the only way to get an American model is to import it.