MXT and black sand !

[srf2112]

I'm new at detecting and would like to know what you experienced MXT users do/use to deal with black sand. (hereafter referred to as BS ) I have read some about it and understand, somewhat, the principle of what's going on but the first time I encountered BS, a monster came out of my headphones and tried to eat my eardrums. (Thank god for my Jimmy Sierra's noise limitation !) Any advice will be greatly appreciated and put to use today as soon as I get out of here. That's one of the (only ?) perks to living in Ca, all-season hunting. Thanks and HH.

 

[floridason]

Hi srf2112, I agree with you, only on the all season hunting. Living here in FL there's not too many days I can't go MDing. Love it, love it, love it. We have very little black sand, and the only gold you might find is Spanish and/or man made, ring's, watches, etc. I'm heading for GA in a few months with the GPAA for a weeks outing
near Daloniga, Ga. Lots of fun and a lot of nice folks. In '07 I won a mexican serape, and a 18" long digging tool (SS) from a seeded hunt. Worked 3, 4 hour shifts for 3
days + the hunt. It was really enjoyable. Thanks for looking and HH KC


floridason retired
2 MXT's, DX-1, lotsa coils

 

[srf2112]

Hi back floridason. I do envy you about no black sand but I'm sure I'll figure out a way to conquer, or at least come to a truce with, BS especially with the advice of all the experts on this forum that have put in the time. I don't need all the answers handed to me, just point me in the right direction and I'm good. That's exactly why I'm loving this craft so much, you get to figure things out yourself and pit yourself against the conditions. Finding treasure is great but you gotta love the hunt ! IMHO If I hit anything good today I'll be posting it, hopefully in the right forum. Good luck and HH.

 

[Aussie MXT]

Hi SRF,

I have used the MXT to locate the black sand streaks in a sand bar but I did not overload on it. Sometimes when I'm detecting at +3 and i hit a patch of really hot ground I get the screaming but if you back off the sensitivity/gain or lift the coil and it should be ok. There's a guy on you tube calls himself flagold. Check out his video "Finding gold V". He explains the process.

Dicko..

 

[srf2112]

Hey Aussie,

Thanks for the tip. I'll definitely check that out later today. The problem I have been running into though is that some of the beaches I've tried to hunt here are almost completely covered an/or permeated with black sand. Huge patches, streaks, etc. When I try and hunt the wet sand for coins and jewelry I haven't even been able to get my coil anywhere near the sand without turning the sens way, way down. Being so new to this I've just been staying away from the wet stuff until I can learn how to set up my MXT to hunt with without sacrificing all of it's potential. Maybe I'll end up having to use a different machine in these areas, ? I just don't have enough experience to know yet. Just hoping I can find the right info I need as far as coils, settings etc to go out there and let that thoroughbred loose. We'll see.
Thanks again and HH down under.

PS I'm a bit jealous as I also have been surfing since "74 and have always wanted to make a trek to Oz to check out your legendary surf and scenery. Good on ya, mate !

 

[Aussie MXT]

Thanks mate. All that black sand is not something I've ever seen. But yeah you should get out here some day. I backpacked through the USA in 99'. You never end up going unless you just do it. Probably a lot of mustard gold in that black sand.??

Cheers..
Dicko..

 

[arizonaames]

From San Francisco to Coos Bay, OR, it is wise to remember that there is gold in them there black sand hills. It is the reason why the west coast is called the gold coast. Many a lad paid for their beans panning that gold and in some areas (Bandon, OR and Gold Beach, OR) it was not uncommon to have a 1/2 oz of gold in one pan at a time in some patches. I experienced this in cut creek prior to it becoming a golf course. The same happens in the Nome, AK beaches. A beach box is used for optimum recovery, as the gold is really fine flour gold.

 

[srf2112]

Hi Arizona.

? ! ? Gold ? Now THAT"S something they don't teach you in school. I have always heard that black sand is something that gold panners look for but I was skeptical that that was the case with most or all of it. There are beaches here that have very heavy streaks and large areas of black sand. Secluded spots that I have packed into to either get some solitary surfing or fishing in. I have only been detecting for 2 mo's and obviously still just learning my machines. Gold prospecting is something I want to work my way into doing that is why I quickly upgraded from a Fisher 1280x to an MXT, I also picked up a nice QXT so as you can see I've got my hands full for awhile but I will keep your advice filed away until I have a chance to go searching the black sand for gold, One question, as far as prospecting in the black sand, since you say it is mostly very fine or "flour" gold, I assume once you locate it the only way to pull the gold out is by panning for it ? I have NO experience prospecting yet and I'm trying to stay patient and focused so I can realize the full potential of these machines before I take on another area of hunting that requires completely different tools, techniques and methods.Sorry, I know this question should probably be asked in the prospecting forum. Thanks again.
HH
Scott

 

[srf2112]

Hey Dicko !,

I'd love to come trek across YOUR awesome continent too. I've been busy raising my two children solo for about the last 10 yrs so I haven't had the chance. My daughter recently moved out and my son is a .Junior in high school so maybe you'll see me over there before too long. Thanks again mate. Good luck and HH
Scott