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Top 3 Gold Metal Detectors
Hunting or mining for gold has been around since around 4700BC, but this is based on gold artefacts that have been found not a recorded date when the mining began. The graves of the Necropolis were built between 4700 and 4200 BC, indicating that gold mining could be at least 7000 years old. A group of German and Georgian archaeologists claims the Sakdrisisite in southern Georgia, dating back to the 3rd or 4th millennium BC, may be the world’s oldest known gold mine in the world.
Bronze age gold objects are plentiful, especially in Ireland and Spain and there are several well-known possible sources. Romans used hydraulic mining methods, such as hushing and ground sluicing on a large scale to extract gold from extensive alluvial (loose sediment) deposits, such as those at Las Medulas. Mining was under the control of the state but the mines may have been leased to civilian contractors sometime later. The gold served as the primary medium of exchange within the empire, and was an important motive in the Roman invasion of Britain by Claudius in the first century AD, although there is only one known Roman gold mine at Dolaucothi in west Wales. Gold was a prime motivation for the campaign in Dacia when the Romans invaded Transylvania in what is now modern Romania in the second century AD. The legions were led by the emperor Trajan, and their exploits are shown on Trajan’s Column in Rome and the several reproductions of the column elsewhere (such as the Victoria and Albert Museum in London). Under the Eastern Roman Empire Emperor Justinian’s rule, gold was mined in the Balkans, Anatolia, Armenia, Egypt, and Nubia.
In the area of the Kolar Gold Fields in Bangarpet Taluk, Kolar District of Karnataka state, India, gold was first mined prior to the 2nd and 3rd century AD by digging small pits. (Golden objects found in Harappa and Mohenjo-daro have been traced to Kolar through the analysis of impurities — the impurities include 11% silver concentration, found only in KGF ore. The Champion reef at the Kolar gold fields was mined to a depth of 50 metres (160 ft) during the Gupta period in the fifth century AD. During the Chola period in the 9th and 10th century AD, the scale of the operation grew. [citation needed] The metal continued to be mined by the eleventh century kings of South India, the Vijayanagara Empire from 1336 to 1560, and later by Tipu Sultan, the king of Mysore state and the British. It is estimated that the total gold production in Karnataka to date is 1000 tons.
During the 19th century, numerous gold rushes in remote regions around the globe caused large migrations of miners, such as the California Gold Rush of 1849, the Victorian Gold Rush, and the Klondike Gold Rush. The discovery of gold in the Witwatersrand led to the Second Boer War and ultimately the founding of South Africa.The Carlin Trend of Nevada, U.S., was discovered in 1961. Official estimates indicate that total world gold production since the beginning of civilization has been 4,970,000,000 troy ounces (155,000 t) and total Nevada production is three percent of that, which ranks Nevada as one of the Earth’s primary gold producing regions. As of 2015, the world’s largest gold producer by far was China with 455 tonnes/year. The second-largest producer, Australia, mined 270 tonnes in the same year, followed by Russia with 250 tonnes.
If all this talk of gold mining has got you raring to go then we should start o the three models we have here today to give you an indication of which types of metal detector you need to hunt out gold treasure. Please note that gold is one of the non-ferrous metals and as such you would need to ensure that the metal detector you were purchasing is capable of detecting this type of metal.
X-Terra 705 Universal Gold Review – Our Number 1
The X-TERRA 705 (VIEW PRICE HERE!) offers the ultimate detecting experience. It can be used for gold prospecting as well as for coin & treasure hunting, simply by switching between available pre-programmed modes. Thanks to Coin & Treasure and Gold Prospecting Modes you get a gold detector plus coin, treasure & relic detector all in one. Across diverse detecting conditions and in the toughest environments, the X-TERRA 705 delivers optimal performance with ease. An all-purpose detector capable of all types of detecting, from coin & treasure to relic, beach and gold prospecting. Performance and features driven, the versatility of this detector makes it without question, the leading detector in this category. The specialised Prospecting Mode has improved sensitivity making the detector more sensitive to small target signals. The Prospecting Mode can be used in highly mineralised, ‘difficult’ areas. The high frequency Double-D coils offer advantages, as they are adept at handling these conditions. The Prospecting Mode is ideal not only when searching for gold nuggets but also for small relics and some types of jewellery.
The key features of this metal detector include the following:
- Minelab’s proprietary VFLEX technology. This allows you to change the frequency simply by changing coils. You don’t need another detector
- Standard 7.5 kHz Concentric coil is waterproof, suitable for detecting on beach and riverside.
- Compatible with low, mid and high frequency coils – all 7 X-TERRA accessory coils can be used with the X-TERRA 705.
- Automatic/Manual Ground Balancing, Tracking and now with Tracking Ground Balance Offset adjustment. This creates a performance advantage in certain areas such as wet/dry sand transition and hot rock locations, by setting the balance slightly positive or negative.
- True automatic Ground Balance eliminates false ground noises so you can hear elusive small gold signals.
- Four pre-set detecting patterns that can also be customised plus All-Metal mode.
- Adjustable Iron Mask – designed for Prospecting Mode. This feature allows you to find desirable targets lying close to ferrous metals.
- Effective noise cancel reduces interference.
- Threshold tone for more accurate target ID interpretation.
- Two Pinpoint Modes: Auto and Sizing.
- Target ID stability – precise, solid responsiveness in high-trash areas enabling you to efficiently and effectively search sites with a high concentration of junk.
- A great coin detector with highly accurate discrimination and numeric target identification.
- Positive transflective LCD display providing a back light only in dim light conditions enabling better screen visibility in poor lighting whilst saving battery charge in well-lit conditions.
- Depth indicators, update continuously, even in Pinpoint mode.
- Runs on just 4 x AA batteries.
- Lightweight, balanced design (only 1.3kgs) so you can enjoy detecting for longer periods.
The X-Terra 705 Universal Gold Pack Metal Detector is the ultimate in gold detecting equipment thanks to its specialised mode to detect gold nuggets and jewellery.
Summary
Features – Compatible with all X-Terra search coils – Lightweight – 2 Pinpoint Modes – Auto and manual ground balancing – Depth indicators – LCD screen – Target ID stability – Adjustable iron mask – 4 pre-set modes.
Pricing – High End
Garrett AT Pro Metal Detecto Review – Number 2
The AT Pro is a fabulous all-terrain detector that offers new and exclusive Garrett technology that makes it ideal for hunting coins, relics, caches, jewellery, and even gold nuggets. Select from either Standard or Professional search modes with enhanced audio features. It is waterproof up to 10 feet and is ideal for use in both fresh and salt waters. This model is highly recommended when searching for Coins, Jewellery, Relic Hunting, Cache Hunting, Prospecting, Competition Events, Beach/Fresh Water Hunting.
The key features include:
- Pro Mode Audio™: Proportional Audio and Tone Roll Audio™ features allow the user to hear characteristics of a target as they would in a True All-Metal Mode.
- High-Res Iron Discrimination™: Use touchpads to set iron discrimination in one of 40 levels for precise ability to separate good targets from trash.
- Digital Target ID: 0 to 99 Target ID scale offers increased ability to distinguish one target’s conductivity from another.
- Iron Audio™: Allows the user to hear discriminated iron and to alter the detector’s mid-tone signal’s range
- Fast Recovery Speed: Allows greater ability to pick out good targets amongst trash
- All Terrain Versatility: Weatherproof housing designed for dusty, humid or wet environments; unit can be submerged to a maximum 10-foot depth.
- 15 kHz frequency: improved detection of small targets, gold nuggets, jewellery
- Ground Balance: automatic and manually adjustable for improved performance
- Graphic Target Analyzer™ (GTA): identifies target’s conductivity
- Continuous Coin Depth Indicator: to determine target depth
- Battery Condition Indicator: shows battery life continually
- Search Modes (Discrimination Patterns): 6 plus electronic pinpointing.
- There are a number if interchangeable search coils for this model, more details below.
The technical specification of this model are as follows:
Target ID Cursor Segments 20 (notchable)
Iron Discrimination Segments 40
Accept/Reject Discrimination Yes
Search Modes 6 (3 Standard, 3 Pro modes)
Sensitivity/Depth Adjustments 8
Electronic Pinpointing Yes
Frequency 15 kHz
Audio Tone ID Levels 3
Standard Search coil 8.5″ x 11″ DD PROformance™
Length (Adjustable) 1.06m – 1.29m (42″ to 51″)
Total Weight 1.4 kgs. (3.03 lbs.)
Batteries 4 AA (included)
Warranty 2 Year, Limited Parts/Labour
The interchangeable search coils for this model are:
- 9″ x 12″ PROformance™ concentric search coil
- 5″ x 11″ PROformance™ DD submersible search coil – which is the AT Pro™ – Standard Search coil.
- 5″ x 9″ PROformance™ concentric search coil
- 5″ x 8″ PROformance™ DD submersible search coil – which is the standard search coil on the AT Gold™
- 5″ Super Sniper search coil
The AT Pro is a fantastic piece of kit with an impressive range of features which will cover all the bases and the ability to purchase additional coils means that one base unit can cover pretty much all your detecting needs.
Summary
Features – 8.5 x 11” search coil – Iron Audio – Pro Mode Audio – High-Res iron discrimination – waterproof – Auto and manual ground balancing – GTA – Depth indicator – 6 discrimination modes plus pinpointing.
Pricing – Mid Range
Garrett Ace 250 Metal Detector Review – Number 3
Garrett has placed big features into the ACE 250—excellent detection depth, rugged design and ease of operation—for a price that can’t be beaten. This model is highly recommended for coin hunting, competition events, dry beaches and fresh water hunting. It is also good for hunting out jewellery, relics and general items such as buttons.The key features of this model include:
- Electronic Pinpointing: to precisely locate target and speed recovery
- Accept/Reject Discrimination: to modify discrimination patterns
- Five Search Modes: select pre-set discrimination pattern or create your own
- Continuous Coin Depth Indicator: to determine target depth
- Battery Condition Indicator: shows battery life continually
- Interchangeable ACE series search coils are available
- Expanded Target ID Legend: easy-to-read above large LCD screen
- Pushbutton Controls: with One-Touch operation
- Other features include 3-piece travel/storage, disassembles to 24″
- Adjustable arm cuff and quarter-inch (1/4″) size headphone jack.
- Search Modes (Discrimination Patterns): 5 plus electronic pinpointing
The technical specification of this unit are as follows:
Target ID Cursor Segments 12
Iron Discrimination Segments 2
Accept/Reject Discrimination YES
Search Modes 5 (plus Pinpoint)
Sensitivity/Depth Adjustments 8
Electronic Pinpointing YES
Frequency 6.5 kHz
Audio Tone ID Levels 3
Standard Searchcoil 6.5″ x 9″ PROformance™
Length (Adjustable) 42″ to 51″ (1.06m – 1.29m)
Total Weight 2.7 lbs. (1.2 kgs.)
Batteries 4 AA (included)
Warranty 2 Year, Limited Parts/Labour
And the interchangeable search coils that are available for this model are:
- 9″ x 12″ ACE PROformance™ Searchcoil
- 5″ x 11″ ACE PROformance™ DD Searchcoil – this is the standard searchcoil for ACE 350, EuroACE, ACE 400 and ACE 400i Metal Detectors
- 7″ x 10″ ACE PROformance™ Searchcoil – this is the standard searchcoil for ACE 300 and ACE 300i Metal Detectors
- 5″ x 9″ ACE PROformance™ Searchcoil – this is the standard searchcoil for ACE 150, ACE 200, ACE 200i and ACE 250 Metal Detectors
- 5″ x 8″ ACE PROformance™ DD Searchcoil
- 5″ Super Sniper™ ACE Searchcoil
Even though this is the cheapest of the metal detector on review here today it still has a wealth of features that means it would be the perfect option if you budget it limited but you still want reliability and functionality.
Summary
Features – Electronic Pinpointing – Accept/Reject Discrimination – Five Search Modes – Depth Indicator – Interchangeable Search Coils – Pushbutton Controls.
Pricing – Affordable
Verdict
Now this is a tough choice, how to pick the ultimate detector to hunt out gold? Each option detailed here today will be able to do that for you however, if you want the best technology at your fingertips then you need to opt for the X-Terra 705 Universal Gold Pack Metal Detector, come on it even has GOLD in its name. All jokes aside this machine has the specialised technology that allows it to hunt out gold to a far better degree than the latter two options by adjusting the sensitivity so it can even pick up on quite small targets.