I have just spent (on and off) two weeks in the triangle. Result was 21.9 grams (see hopeless pic). Most are nuggets with some being species with very small amounts of quartz matrix. I also did some testing of coils, using a new 12" round NF and ran it against the 14/9 NF. The 12" gave me an extra 6" on the left to right swing and marginally better depth. It was better for pinpointing and gave me overall greater ground coverage working on the 6" greater coverage per swing over the course of a 10 hour day. (and what bloke could do with another 6" - hellooo ladies). I found both NFs are suseptible to ground noise but this was overcome by conducting GB about every 6 steps (on very noisy ground) and became automatic in the end, plus I noticed by slowing the swing down the broad ground noise signals are just that - very broad and could be ignored. For those running monos in the GPX series and just starting out - try 'quiet' and use 'tracking' until you get used to the ground noise. The GPX is also the greatest early warning system for approaching jet aircraft. Where I detect it is under the Melb - Syd - Bris and international routes (Dunolly/Maryborough etc) and the electronic emmissions the jets make are noticeable. (Also ran the 11" DD that comes with the 4500. In iron reject mode, about 3, it was a lot of fun over very trashy ground that the monos cannot cope with. I found a patch of trash right in some excellent ground. It looked like old bits of tin had come down a hill with the wash - the DD in iron reject sorted it out no problems and some nice bits and pieces were to be found. Carrying the extra coil can be a drama over the course of a day but every now and then it pays off.
Due to the high winds which made the speaker difficult to hear at times, I also tested several under-chin head phones (not cheapies either). My advice? I am 6' 3" - take head phones, give to grandkids for their Ipods. The leads are way too short (given they plug into the 4500 battery which sits low down your back) if you are tall and I ended up having them behind my head, the leads are also very thin and delicate and the adaptors are another add-on I can do without. they kept getting caught up and in the way. Ok on clear ground but for those who go to the triangle, the bush has come back big-time. I ended up using with my old Koss headphones - never failed me.
Summary
New ground - did Ok and managed a couple of pieces from an old haunt that just keeps on giving.
Mullock heaps - only ran the coils as a test but was amazed at what the 14 and 12 both picked up. Not in the pic but about 20 little pieces, and I mean little. A lot of effort for not much weight but a lot of people enjoy the heaps and some good gold is still to be found in throw outs.
Reef workings (always on a hot day when I need a break) - ran the Xterra - some nice species that are being dollied up - probably about 2 to 3 grams I suppose in pannable gold.
Coins/tokens - nil.
Relics - the bowl end of an old diggers pipe that was poking its head out from some white pipeclay. usual collection of horseshoes/nails etc.
Research - found the remains of a small village, one small street by the looks of it, collapsed chimmneys, broken bottles, broken crockery etc. Left alone as Heritage Vic will be interested for their records.
Backburning - a lot is going on over good ground - watch out this weekend, the joint will be packed.
Flies Prediction - the flies are already a big issue. this summer will be a cracker - I may resort to a fly net.
back this weekend - have to keep on getting the old cabin ready for the fire season.
Good luck to you all and happy hunting.
Due to the high winds which made the speaker difficult to hear at times, I also tested several under-chin head phones (not cheapies either). My advice? I am 6' 3" - take head phones, give to grandkids for their Ipods. The leads are way too short (given they plug into the 4500 battery which sits low down your back) if you are tall and I ended up having them behind my head, the leads are also very thin and delicate and the adaptors are another add-on I can do without. they kept getting caught up and in the way. Ok on clear ground but for those who go to the triangle, the bush has come back big-time. I ended up using with my old Koss headphones - never failed me.
Summary
New ground - did Ok and managed a couple of pieces from an old haunt that just keeps on giving.
Mullock heaps - only ran the coils as a test but was amazed at what the 14 and 12 both picked up. Not in the pic but about 20 little pieces, and I mean little. A lot of effort for not much weight but a lot of people enjoy the heaps and some good gold is still to be found in throw outs.
Reef workings (always on a hot day when I need a break) - ran the Xterra - some nice species that are being dollied up - probably about 2 to 3 grams I suppose in pannable gold.
Coins/tokens - nil.
Relics - the bowl end of an old diggers pipe that was poking its head out from some white pipeclay. usual collection of horseshoes/nails etc.
Research - found the remains of a small village, one small street by the looks of it, collapsed chimmneys, broken bottles, broken crockery etc. Left alone as Heritage Vic will be interested for their records.
Backburning - a lot is going on over good ground - watch out this weekend, the joint will be packed.
Flies Prediction - the flies are already a big issue. this summer will be a cracker - I may resort to a fly net.
back this weekend - have to keep on getting the old cabin ready for the fire season.
Good luck to you all and happy hunting.
