A few questions from a newby!

[Morganfreya]

Hey!
So myself and my partner are currently getting itchy feet to start Gold prospecting. We are both from England and currently out here travelling in our van!

Question 1!
Which gold detector would you recommend to find nuggets for a beginner with a budget of around 2.5k (at the moment)?

Question 2!
Does anyone know places around Bathurst/hill end to gold pan/detect?

We have recently been on our first gold hunt using a pan and we both found specs in a creek in hill end but didn't find anything big infact here's our two little vials !

Many thanks!

 

[old hand]

Welcome as far as detectors Minlab is the only way to go $2500 you will get a good second hand detector ,but a SDC or new 4500 would be a better way to go NSW I cannot help you regards john :Y:

 

[Maldon Gold Centre]

You have a massive choice of detectors and while Minelab is one brand you could look at, there's many other brands to choose from.

You'll find gold with any of the following easy to use detectors.

In alphabetical order.

• Garrett AT Gold[/*]
• Fisher Gold Bug Pro[/*]
• Makro Gold Racer[/*]
• Nokta FORS GOLD+[/*]
• White's GMT[/*]
• White's TDI SL[/*]

Each of these detectors is under $2000, so well within your budget.

There are many more to choose from, but these detectors are easy to use and proven gold hunting machines in Australian conditions.

 

[Smoky bandit]

You also have the xterra 705 with the 6inch DD coil.Its only about $750 new and has a slightly higher frequency than the Garret AT Gold.not to mention about $500 cheeper :Y:

 

[user 4485]

Hi Morganfreya,
It might be worth driving to Mudgee one day & having a chat to Central West Prospecting Supplies. They will have new & used detectors to suit your budget as well as local advice + maps etc.
There are plenty of opportunities around the Bathurst/Hill End area for panning & detecting. Popular places are the Hill End Common, Sofala + Turon River, Wattle Flat, Ophir out near Orange, Sunny Corner State Forest (require permit) etc.

 

[hAyyoUinAU]

Easy way is to find out what others are using and what works well here..

Now whilst many might get snappy and argue the point, in my experience if it is for gold in Australia, stick with a Minelab Gold machine. (And not VLF) I know I know. Gasp, sigh, swear...but......its true. VLF's are more a relic coin hunting machine these days.

And the SDC is probably the most recommended of the lot. For a few reasons.

When I bought my first real detector, I soon realised I had made a mistake. Yes the Makro Gold Racer is a great machine, and I found many a target with it.
But I have seen it first hand grunt at 10+gram nuggets from only a couple inches away...mineralised ground can make a lot of awesome machines seem blind.
And yes they can be tamed somewhat and you can find gold with them, but it can lead to a lot of frustrations and missed targets.

If you want a CHALLENGE, run a MAKRO gold racer on some gold fields here in Australia. If you want some GOLD, just get a minelab as said above, maybe a trusty second hand one. They are about, I have sold one.

THIS IS ALL JUST MY OPINION.

MAPS and Internet are your best friends. Good luck.

Regards Rick

 

[RM Outback]

Easy way is to find out what others are using and what works well here..

Now whilst many might get snappy and argue the point, in my experience if it is for gold in Australia, stick with a Minelab Gold machine. (And not VLF) I know I know. Gasp, sigh, swear...but......its true. VLF's are more a relic coin hunting machine these days.

And the SDC is probably the most recommended of the lot. For a few reasons.

When I bought my first real detector, I soon realised I had made a mistake. Yes the Makro Gold Racer is a great machine, and I found many a target with it.
But I have seen it first hand grunt at 10+gram nuggets from only a couple inches away...mineralised ground can make a lot of awesome machines seem blind.
And yes they can be tamed somewhat and you can find gold with them, but it can lead to a lot of frustrations and missed targets.

If you want a CHALLENGE, run a MAKRO gold racer on some gold fields here in Australia. If you want some GOLD, just get a minelab as said above, maybe a trusty second hand one. They are about, I have sold one.

THIS IS ALL JUST MY OPINION.

MAPS and Internet are your best friends. Good luck.

Regards Rick

Oooh you'll be in a few sights making those suggestions about VLF's but you nailed imo with "You Want Gold in Australia" buy Minelab.
The SDC 2300 is your best chance of gold given the ease of use and consistency :Y: as they say go with the Strength.

 

[hAyyoUinAU]

I know RM..I am boarding up the house as we speak... hehehehe

 

[RM Outback]

And to be honest were offering support to people from afar who don't want to be bothered with technicalities they just want to find a few bits and go home with life long memories. They like us want to find the Welcome Stranger but that isn't going to happen. So do the right thing and buy a Minelab SDC 2300 :Y:. When you get to Victoria make sure you get in touch and I'll take you to where I've found gold. No promises here so don't start click'n ya heels yet :lol:. It a genuine offer that's the best I can do.

 

[campfishgold4x4]

Welcome to aus just my opinion go home happy and not frustrated buy a minelab 2300 or 4000 built for aussie ground and proven gold finder

 

[RM Outback]

Morganfraya do yourselves the favour of achieving 10 post's and the members section will reveal. So if there's any meet up's happening wherever you are you'll be able to keep tab's so to speak (referencing your from abroad) and maybe included it in your itinerary. What ever you guys do have fun keep safe and always ask questions :Y:.

 

[7.62marksman]

I know RM..I am boarding up the house as we speak... hehehehe

I have popcorn ready lol

 

[RM Outback]

I know RM..I am boarding up the house as we speak... hehehehe

I have popcorn ready lol

Always reliable :Y: ripper I'm hungry :lol:

 

[7.62marksman]

I just remembered i will be away and miss all the fun

 

[hAyyoUinAU]

All good. Not much can really be said anyway. Considering what we said is pretty much the truth.

 

[madtuna]

If you're seriously after gold and are new to the hobby I'd hands down suggest a 2300. You'll easily find a good second hand one in your budget. Almost a switch on and go machine with no huge learning curve.

Should have no problems selling it when your holiday is over (if you want to) and probably wont lose much, if at all.

 

[Northeast]

Or you could hire an SDC for a few days...

 

[old hand]

Minelab is the only way to go just sit back and have a good look a many you tube gold videos and you will see most of the gold is found with mineb. Yes vlf detector can and will find gold but have a look at the strike ratio there is no comparison regards john :Y:

 

[guipago]

I'm surprised the Gold Monster hasn't been mentioned, is there any reason it wouldn't work for them?

 

[hAyyoUinAU]

I'm surprised the Gold Monster hasn't been mentioned, is there any reason it wouldn't work for them?

It is a VLF, that is why it has not been mentioned. And only good for surface gold, in mild ground.