New Zealand Gold Prospecting & Metal Detecting Forums Archive

120 meters?????

What are you planning? finding that lost gold bullion off the Niagara ship wreck?

I sincerely hope you are a commercial diver, or otherwise suitably trained and understand fully the risks involved in diving at that depth. 66m is a sensible depth, that's the limit of normoxic breathing pushed right to the safe limit.

I think you should start with the Excalibur, and if you find you are likely to exceed the capability of the machine, then get an upgrade.,

120 metres? yeah right. Here is a link to an Australian dive training site, just to give an idea of what is required.
http://www.plungediving....au/technical-diving.html

A 30 metre dive is the maximum depth for PADI recognised divers. Take a few years of training, experience and big costs.

How about shrinkwrap. You can get that plastic wrap that shrinks if you apply heat to it, that should do the job. Or you could just get a waterproof detector. Or you could stay out of the water.

My opinion for what its worth -

Why buy new when you clearly are going to void any warranty that you may have had by carrying out the modification you require?

It would make sense to purchased a good condition used unit and do the mods to the detector as needed -

If I was in the same boat (which I am not) I would at least consider Gavin's Minelab GPX 4500

As for waterproofing a Garrett Pin Pointer there are a few good vids on this on youtube

Hope this helps and look forward in reading your future endeavours

Hi there,

Sorry if i missed post where you could of introsudes yourself. but, may i ask :


1. How old are you?
2. General free time you think can spare on metal detecting a week ?


The reason i am asking is that a lot of people look at my posts with al those cool gold rings and stuff, but never get the side info, that there are usually ratio of 5 outigns 4+ hours each when i me or other treasure hunters get nothing, before hitting tha tone gold ring.

So if you thinking of detecting for profit, then sorry tht is not the case, a day job pays way higher.
THE ONLY profitable scenario if you fidn a virgin beach that was populated ever since.. and unfortunately ther eis no such places in AUckland.

So the point is, if you buy a 2k+ machine from the begging with an expectation that you will get rich, then i have bad news for you

However if you start with expectation of just finding anythign and getting your fitness level up - digging, lots of digging and walking, ttotal walk diging times are over 3-4 hours a day .

Feel free to ask any questions :-)

Max

I didn't make an introductory post, but years ago I found this site and that is when I became facinated with gold fossicking, I even built a very crappy (read: WRONG) home made sluice and used it on our farm (no gold expected or found) mostly clay soils.
I've been lurking for sometime, it is just now I have some spare change to get a detector, I might even take it to OZ, thinking of checking out Tazmania, as it is similar to NZ - beautiful.

1. 30's
2. Maybe a hour a week.

But would be good to get out and do far off places; fossicking areas. I've not travelled the South Island much, and this would be a good chance to get out and about. (even if it was just for the travel & scenic photo's, but meeting people would be great.)
What I would be happy with is just a small bit of gold, but half the fun is finding a bit.
I'd be happy to get down into rivers/creeks just to let fossickers know if there was something there. I'm just as happy seeing others excited about finds, in fact if I found more it is likely I'd share most of it around.
And treasures on the beaches, especially if I could return something someone lost.

It's likely that I would donate any significant historical finds to a museum (if low value then to local small time museums). I've too many possessions and with a collective personality streak to boot.

When I first found this site, one poster said Fossils are worth more (a good/rare find can fetch $200,000+).
But I like little shiny hidden treasures. Or historical (human) items, I've a strong touch of nostalgia.

Perhaps at Garrett ATGold unit may be a consideration with its designed 10ft/3m complete unit waterproofing?
-But if your considering raiding Nuptunes deep treasures a high pressure capsule would be needed......

Good luck!

No more than 5 metres now? Yeah I agree with others. Start off with a mid range machine until you are sure it's for you.
The new Garrett pro pointer is waterproof which could be an option rather than trying to waterproof a standard pointer.

What happens if the grapple hook doesn't hook or it hooks where you don't want it to hook or the rope catches the current or you end up in a whirlpool with grapple rope around your legs or the grapple rope ends up around a willow or a rock maybe you anchor the grapple hook and start pulling on it and it gives way with all current & ur weight on it...hmm make sure you put a float on the gpx il be waiting down stream for it :)