Good Base in WA?

[madtuna]

I know a couple who live in Perth and each year hit the gold fields in their caravan for about 5 months at a time. They have a ball.
Usually they base themselves in a van park which limits them to day trips unfortunately but it suits them fine.

If you are self sufficient and forgo the van parks and camp further afield you can turn a hobby into a profitable lifestyle.

 

[JJB100]

Thanks.

So......

The next item would be what is the best Starter metal detector?

I have read over the years how technology has given a lift to the detectors but also read detectors from 5 years ago are still the best.

If you are Fossicking in predominately Iron Ore country what would be the best equipment?

Yes I know I am going over a subject that has been chewed over and over before but something may fallout from the discussion.

Any of these worth a look?

Garret Ace 250

Fisher F2

Bounty Hunter Tracker IV

Garrett 400

Garrett AT Pro

Mineleab X-Terra 705

 

[reynard]

I may get shot down for this but I would not consider any of them for what you intend to do. You are trying to save money on the one part of your equipment that will make your trip profitable,buy the best detector you can afford, a sdc2300 would be my starting point. IMHO lol. ( just for you tuna )
Jim

 

[madtuna]

Doubt anyone would shoot you down for that bit of sound advice.

Agree, from what I understand you are looking at doing some serious detecting so need a serious machine.
SDC 2300, GPX 4500, GPX 5000, GPZ 7000

Preferably an SDC 2300 + one of the other three :Y:

 

[nucopia]

This is just my personal opinion, you should get the best machine you can afford.
I have a GPX 4500 which I bought for just under $3,300 and if I could afford it, I would get my wife the sdc2300 at around $3,400.
That combination would allow us to cover a lot of ground and situations.
If I was detecting alone and could only afford one or the other, then I would start with a GPX 4500..

 

[Goldchaser1]

Thanks.

So......

The next item would be what is the best Starter metal detector?

I have read over the years how technology has given a lift to the detectors but also read detectors from 5 years ago are still the best.

If you are Fossicking in predominately Iron Ore country what would be the best equipment?

Yes I know I am going over a subject that has been chewed over and over before but something may fallout from the discussion.

Any of these worth a look?

Garret Ace 250

Fisher F2

Bounty Hunter Tracker IV

Garrett 400

Garrett AT Pro

Mineleab X-Terra 705

those detectors in one word- no
The detector is the easier side of it,if your serious organize a miners right for wa,register for tengraph and start researching areas and getting familiar with the system,40es,pending and vacant ground etc long before you turn up,see alot roll in over here with no prior homework that really struggle to find much at all.....

 

[grubstake]

I may get shot down for this but I would not consider any of them for what you intend to do. You are trying to save money on the one part of your equipment that will make your trip profitable,buy the best detector you can afford, a sdc2300 would be my starting point. IMHO lol. ( just for you tuna )
Jim

"Shot down", Jim? Heck, I thought he was trolling us!

JJB: For you to be contemplating even for a moment that a beginner's park coin detector like the Fisher F2 or Garrett Ace 250 could be suitable, is quite mind-boggling. Perhaps you don't understand the real magnitude of the task in front of you? You will need to travel hundreds and hundreds of kilometres over extremely rough roads into remote and rugged areas. Buying the very best Minelab detector/s that you can afford, with a proven history of success in WA, is by far the simplest part of the job, as others above have noted!

 

[JJB100]

Thanks for the education.

Yep, done trips into the bush and aware of the hardships and I am taking onboard all of this valuable insight.

Seems the Minelab SDC 2300 has a good vote.

Best I can get it for in the UK is A$5K but seems to be sold out everywhere. But I will keep looking.

There are stories around the internet that in the WA bush prospectors are increasing being robbed.

Is there any truth in this or is it a rumour being put around to put potential fossickers off?

 

[madtuna]

Unfortunately it's true. :N:

In Laverton a carton of beer is $60, a pack of tabacco is about $70. Now if that aint robbery I don't know what is

 

[shakergt]

G'day JJB
Kalgoorlie Leonora area is a good start..
The Mrs an I are thinking about heading out that way our selves one day soon.
We have a Toyota Prado and a camper trailer.
The Prado is getting a new engine put in it this week finally ( woot woot) and the camper is slowly being kitted out ,started a year ago and its still not finished.
Its at the stage we can camp in it but still not 100% to what we plan or need ..but we will get there eventually.

In your case, If you have a secure residence in Perth you could use that as your secure base for storing your 4x4 and camper/van, when you are in the UK,and it also gives you the option to drive to different destinations each time you return from the UK.

What year is your parado and what happened to the old engine to cause it to let go also how many km before it went bang. I only ask as I have a prado and mine has done 310000km now

 

[JJB100]

Well I don't drink or smoke so I may be safe!!!!

Interesting stone found on a river bed.
University Archaeology department are looking at it, seems it may be Saxon.

But the inscription has them puzzled.

 

[Rockhunter62]

JJB, it looks like one of those mazes that you try to get to the finish mark but in this example I think that you will find that it is a map to get you to the mother lode.

Cheers

Doug

 

[LORD]

Tell the university minds that there is a saxon kids doodle drawing one sunny day while he was board :lol: hahaha