Do you have a case of “Yellow Fever”?  With gold prices consistently high, more and more people are out searching for that wondrous yellow metal.  Gold has always captured the imagination of mankind.  Read more about gold and its history HERE (link to wikipedia).  Fisher (of metal detecting fame) recently released several gold prospecting/panning kits.  Now, I’m first to admit it, I’m a TOTAL NOVICE when it comes to gold panning!  However, like most who first venture into prospecting, I’ve done a ton of research about how to “get started”.  Youtube can be a wonderful thing for learning panning techniques!  Below, you will find my review of Fisher’s new Gold Prospecting Kits and my experiences as a new guy trying to learn a new art… (Click “read more” to…well, read more!)

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Teknetics G2 review

Mark Ellington
www.detectorstuff.com

“In the Spring a young man’s fancy lightly turns to thoughts of love”. For the not-so-young man (me), in the Fall my fancy turns to thoughts of metal detecting.  The Teknetics G2 arrived just in time to tickle my fancy!  (read more…)

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Yep…this G2 is a monster!  Review coming very soon!  Follow our forum thread about the Teknetics G2 here: http://detectorstuff.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=832&pid=5465#pid5465

The White’s Spectra V3i upgrade…Get it!

White's Spectra V3i

I was privileged to receive one of the early White’s Electronics “Vision” uber-detectors last year. Without a doubt, the most user configurable metal detector on the planet! Initially, all the settings and options can seem a little overwhelming. However…if you take the time to really learn this machine, you will be rewarded. The Vision/Spectra V3i CANNOT be mastered in a week or even a month. This is a detector that GROWS with you as a hobbyist. If you purchase one, be prepared to dedicate some serious time studying various forum posts and experimenting…but, boy, is it worth it!

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White's Spectra V3

Word has it that White’s will offer a full upgrade of the firmware on the Spectra V3/Vision to a new version that adds additional features (quite a few from the report!). It seems it will cost $100 plus shipping to get procedure done in Sweet Home. This is a pretty cool thing (in my opinion). It’s an optional upgrade at a modest price… they could have “sold” a whole new detector, but instead offer it as a service to their customers.

*update*  I spoke with Carl at White’s and I’m going to get my Spectra Vision (V3 before the name change) upgraded to the newest firmware/software!  I’ll post up a breakdown of the new features and the upgrade experience!

Fisher and Teknetics Chief Designer Dave Johnson has written an AWESOME book on gold prospecting with a VLF metal detector!  Tons of great information for prospectors and potential prospectors…as well as folks who just want to “learn more” about metal detectors!   Special thanks to Dave Johnson and Mike Scott for allowing me to reprint the book in it’s entirety here on www.detectorstuff.com !

VISIT the brand new Teknetics website HERE!  http://www.tekneticst2.com/

*reprinted with permission of First Texas Products*
www.fisherlab.com

Gold Prospecting
with a
VLF Metal Detector

Dave Johnson, Chief Designer
First Texas Products & Fisher Research Labs

This book explains how to use a VLF induction balance metal detector for gold prospecting. The author has nearly 30 years’ metal detector design engineering experience and has designed machines in every major metal detection technology category.

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With Fisher releasing the F75, CZ21, F70, F5, F4 and F2 in the period of around 2 years, it is evident they are NOT afraid of change!  The “F series” of detectors has quickly developed a loyal following due to their combination of performance and price.

The “old” Fisher website looked nice, but lacked the things folks look for these days.  I, personally, like to be able to dig around a site and find all sorts of content…the new Fisher site offers TONS of content!  You’ll even see contributions from several Detectorstuff regulars.

Check it out !  www.fisherlab.com

New Fisher Website

In part 2 of my ongoing review of the technologically advanced White’s Spectra V3, I was originally  going to cover the cool wireless headphones…however, after a trip to the beach for vacation I switched gears and decided to talk a bit about the Spectra V3 as a beach hunter. So here we go…White’s Spectra V3 review #2… Beach Hunting!

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Mark Ellington

Detectorstuff.com

As most of you know, I am a big fan of the Fisher F5! The F5 blew me away with the “control” I had over how I wanted to hunt…and its amazing flexibility to handle various soil and radio noise pollution situations. However, as much as I love the F5 and despite its growing “cult” following, the Engineers at First Texas knew there was even more potential in the basic electronic platform from F5. The always amazing Dave Johnson wanted to create a machine that exceeded the performance of the F5 and simplified the controls. (One thing for which I’m very thankful…. Dave Johnson is NEVER satisfied with status quo!).

When I was given the chance to field test the Teknetics Omega 8000, I jumped all over it! I knew it grew from lessons learned on the F5, so expectations were high. The Omega did not disappoint .

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I know this isn’t a metal detector…BUT it is COOL!

It is also the creation of Night Owl Optics, a sister company of Fisher and Teknetics, who are metal detector manufacturers…the metal detector manufacturer connection, and the sheer coolness of night vision is more than enough reason for me to write up a review on the iGen 20/20!

Who hasn’t dreamed of being able to see in the dark?  It ranks right up there with breathing underwater and flying with a jetpack!  The incredibly cool iGen 20/20 does indeed let you peer clearly into the darkness…not only that, but you can take photos of your nocturnal adventures as well!

Most of my readers may not realize I spent nearly 20 years in law enforcement prior to my current career. Being the resident PC nerd and gadget junkie, I was always involved in new technology grants and purchases. Years ago, I spent time learning how to operate a “Generation 1″ night vision scope. The thing felt like it weighed 30 pounds and had a big, bright green, CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) that you had to peer into. Battery life was abysmal and I spent hours doing “double takes” trying to figure out if you could really see anything with it that you couldn’t see without it!  Man, oh man…has technology improved!  Let’s check out the iGen 20/20!

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