New here

[goldustman]

I'm new here to this site and I am planning on travelling to Australia to prospect for gold with a metal detector in 2014.
I plan on staying a minimum of 3 months (Melbourne area) and I guess what I'm asking is this,
who could "guide me through the field" once I'm set up and ready to detect?
I am a novice but I'm determined.
Any assistance would be most appreciated.
Thank you
goldustman

 

[Nugget]

Welcome goldustman, where abouts are you from?

We have lots of members from in and around Melbourne. I'm sure once you touch down in Oz, someone would be more than happy to show you around the local gold fields.

Cheers,
Nugget

 

[goldustman]

Nugget,
I'm from Canada and your post is good news to me.
Since my trip there is still a year away, I still have lots of research to do and preparation.
Apart from the detecting, I've always wanted to visit Australia, as the continent is diverse topographically. I will contact you again soon and many thanks for your welcome.
goldustman

 

[AU Fever]

Hi goldustman,

I live about 30 miles west of Melbourne which is about half way to the Golden Triangle from the city of Melbourne. I'm only you a newb at metal detecting but by the time you get here next year I should be a bit better.

I'd be more than happy to go out prospecting with you, so drop me a line before you get here and we'll see if we can set something up.

John

 

[the duck]

im sure i can get you up there for a day or two i hunt the castlemaine area

 

[Mystyk59]

Great to welcome another international member to the forum !You wont find a more friendlier bunch than this lot. What detector do you swing ?
Regards Bill

 

[goldustman]

Nugget, John, Bill and 'the duck',

Thank you for the warm welcome and the offers to take me into the field.
Bill -I have been looking at the Minelab Series of detectors but the GPX 5000 is way out of my price range.
$5795 here in Canada then tax at 13%...too pricy for me.
Was thinking about second-hand, but that always left me feeling a bit wary - plus even used, they're as scarce as hen's teeth around here.
The Eureka Gold and the X-Terra 705 sound all right but I haven't swung a detector for a lot of years now so any suggestions from any or all of you would be greatly appreciated. I'm still "educating" myself about detecting and there is a lot to learn and remember again.
Again, thank you for your warm welcome.
goldustman - Michael

 

[WalnLiz]

Welcome to the forum Michael. You've picked a great place for your holiday and I'm sure you'll find it rewarding in many ways. If you decide to travel a bit further north into NSW (7hs drive) feel free to contact me and I'm sure a trip to our gold and gem fields can be arranged. Best of luck in your prospecting adventures in Canada and look forward to some feedback from abroad ...Cheers Wal.

 

[Dozer]

Welcome aboard Micheal, I'm sure you will get all the advice you need from all the guys on the forum, they are very always willing to give advice
Dozer

 

[goldustman]

Thank you for the warm welcome Dozer and WainLz.
I will need good advice on a LOT of topics and look forward to it all.
Australia for me has always been a need-to-see destination point; learning about the people, seeing the land.
I will keep you all posted as to my progress.
Thank you again,
goldustman
P.S.
Are you fellas watching the price of gold?

 

[axeman]

G'day mate, welcome to the forum. Mick

 

[Gold miner]

Are you fellas watching the price of gold?

Nah?!!

Phfft, lucky I aint finding any at the moment eh?? !!

Oh, and welcome to PA goldustman!

 

[Blinkie]

Welcome Goldustman,
I feel sure the locals here can put you onto some of your namesake when you get over here. I'm new at it too & Have foundthe people on this site very helpful & encouraging.
Bill

 

[goldustman]

Thank you Bill...I am really looking forward to being in Australia.
Everyone I've met in this forum has been very helpful, so you are right.
If we're newbies that just means we're enthusiastic and will have determination and patience in the field, besides, learning is fun and I can't think of a better place to do that than Oz.
Take care Bill and thank you.
goldustman - Michael

 

[goldustman]

To Mystyk & all

Hey Bill,

I've been looking around and I think the GPX 4500 is the detector for me.
I can practice locally with it all this Summer and Fall so I won't be a 100%, "gold-plated" newbie when I arrive in 2014.
I hope you and the others will do very well this year and as for me, well... I have a lot of reading to do.
Education and preparation are the keys. Hopefully you fellas can give me the experience I need.
Amazing continent you have - so diverse.
Wishing you well and good fortune to you all.
goldustman-Michael

 

[goldustman]

This may sound like an odd question but aren't Minelab detectors built in Australia?
I thought the technology originated there for the very thing that you fellas do.
Has manufacturing/assembly moved to China?
The reason I ask is that I am looking at a GPX 4500 and the selling price is $1350.00 CAD (free shipping) - that seems low to me.
Is this the right one? Will it perform as it should?
Please reply when you can and thank you.
-goldustman

 

[Gold miner]

Buy only from a Minelab dealer!
The manufacturing has gone off shore and the Chinese have copied the machine asthetically very well, electronically they dont work apparently..

 

[WalnLiz]

Hi Goldustman, I can tell you with almost 100% certainty that your looking at either a fake or a detector with major electronic faults. That detector would fall into a similar category as someone trying to sell you "real gold" at $300 an ounce ....beware...Cheers Wal.

 

[Blinkie]

Gold miner & walnliz are on the money, stick to there advise. Check out the net on Alibabba & the problems people are having with stuff shipped from china. They will tell you they forgot to mention "the 40 thieves"
Bill

 

[goldustman]

Thanks for the advice and counsel - I know the market is flooded with imitations and inferior electronics
where detectors are concerned. I shall tread carefully and follow your suggestions.
-goldustman