Metal Detectors

[tinker]

Hi guys, just wondering whether anybody can recommend an entry level metal detector, I have a son in law, that wants to get into serious gold detecting and was seeking my advise.   I told him it was too hard and he would be better off looking for gem stones,  any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

[Mouse]

Hi guys, just wondering whether anybody can recommend an entry level metal detector, I have a son in law, that wants to get into serious gold detecting and was seeking my advise.   I told him it was too hard and he would be better off looking for gem stones,  any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
Hi Tinker, I have some experience with detectors but I'm not a hardened prospector by any means. 2 main brands, Garret and Minelab. I believe Garret is USA made and I have not had anything to do with them. Minelab are made in Sth Aust.
I you are after something to play with try an X-Terra or Equinox for under $1000. Apparently quite simple to use but limited in the capabilities.
I did note the word serious in your comments so the above might not fit the bill. If you want to get serious you need at least a GPX4500 for about $3k to $3.5k. I have the next up which is a GPX5000 you can get for around $4k. This was state of the art about 5 years ago until they brought out the GPZ7000. If you're lucky you might get one of those for $7.5k to $8k on gumtree. These are gumtree prices. A new 7000 is about $9.5k from Miners Den. The SDC2300 is quite good for picking up real small Nuggets(?).
Have a look at Miners Den. They are the main outlets for Minelab and I believe they include training with new detectors.
Hope this helps and good luck with your detecting.
Regards
Mouse
PS. It's not that easy (as fossicking). My name on Prospecting Australia is Nugget Virgin. I'll leave you with that thought.

[tinker]

Thanks Mouse, yes it is not as easy as prospecting, but these young fella's want to start at the top.  Any how once I tell him the prices of the good ones he might not be soon keen and come out with his father in law and look for gems.  I suggested the Minelab Gold Monster 1000, which is under $1k and thought it might be a start for him, his mother lives in Bendigo, so he'd be able to go the Miners Den.
Once again thanks
and happy fossicking

[Rusted]

I have some contacts in Bendigo area for gold prospectors.
PM me and I will see what I can organise.

[FlashGP]

I had a go with a Minelab GM1 on the weekend near Warwick.  Found heaps of bits of Iron.  Was looking in the wrong place.

Any how, it will also detect Aussie sapphires if right on top of them.  I placed sbout 5 cts in a bag on the ground and the detector picked the ferous irones on them.

Interesting, but may not be of practical application unless screening for large sapphires in the rubble dump.