Tesoro Inca

[jillk111]

Hi,

I am really new to this detecting stuff, so please forgive me if my questions seem "dumb", so to speak. I live in California near SF, so it is only a couple hours drive to the gold regions of the Sierras. I've done some panning and also some research on gold prospecting, but have never used a detector yet. We are thinking of doing so for fun and hopefully to find something!

Anyway, Ive done alot of research lately on the internet and various detecting forums to find about the best detectors to use for prospecting, however, I am on a tight budget and cannot afford a Minelab or any other of the expensive prospecting models. I purchased an old Garret A3B GoldHunter off EBay for $50 just to have something to practice with. I realize I could have spent maybe $190 and gotten a brand new Tesoro Compadre, which is supposed to be a good all-purpose detector for a fairly low price. I may still do that. However, I now have an option to buy an older Tesoro Inca for fairly cheap and was hoping someone could answer a few questions

I know the Inca is at least a 20 year old machine, but I've read it is a good detector. However, I also read it doesnt do so well in mineralized soil, so if that is the case, it would not be a good choice for the gold region which is highly mineralized.

My question is mainly about coils. Is it the coil that determines how well a detector does in mineralized soil, and if so, could the Inca be a decent prospecting detector if it had a certain type of coil on it? That is something I have not been able to figure out about metal detectors, even after all the research. Can a detector that is meant for coin and relic detecting be turned into a prospecting detector by replacing the coil with one intended for prospecting?

Any input would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks Jill

 

[ToddB64]

Jill...........Go to the Tesoro website : http://www.tesoro.com and click-on the "Manuals" button at the left on the Home page. When the manuals page comes up on your screen, scroll down and you will see a list of "Earlier Models". Next, click-on Inca and this will bring up a PDF of the Inca manual. Scroll down to the "Specifications" and note that the Inca's operating frequency is 12 HZ which should be high enough to find gold. Also note that it operates on 12 volts ( 8 AA batteries x 1.5 DCV each = 12 DCV) which should provide good depth.

Next, scroll down to sub-title " Selecting The Proper Mode Of Operation" and drop down to the 3rd paragraph where it says that the Normal Only mode is best for someone hunting nuggets (generally "nuggets" refers to Gold.)

Print off the PDF and get a free operating manual ! Read it over several times to become familiar with the Inca's capabilities.

While the Inca isn't a dedicated gold machine, it should be quite capable of finding gold nuggets, as the manual indicates.

Post a photo of the Inca sometime; I would like to see what it looks like !

Hope this helps.

Todd

 

[nad]

When it comes to gold, There is a group like Goldminers on Yahoo Groups that is centered on gold.They mention detectorists in their membership..Why not sign up there as well, and start asking for help with respect to detectors...Gold hunting with a detector may be very specialized, and there are years of experience you can tap. Detectorists seem to be a go lucky, happy group. We go out feeling lucky and are happy with any trinket(s) the Gods of Luck and Chance let us keep. cordially NAD.

 

[tabdog]

Here's some pics.

Happy Hunting,

Tabdog

 

[Bill in Texas]

Hey Tabdog Have you got a Inca also? I have one, but I dont think that it would be a very good nugget machine. I like mine for relic and coin shooting OK. The ground balance on my Inca don't work well enough for real mineralized soil conditions. The newer Tesoro machines with a ground balance should work OK, but the Lodo Super track would be the best I guess. Bill in Texas

 

[tabdog]

Hay Bill,

No I don't have an Inca.

I got those photos off eBay.

It was my guess that the newer Tesoro'es

would be better for nugget hunting.

Glad for the info.

Happy Hunting,

tabdog

 

[jillk111]

Thanks very much for the info. I decided not to buy the Inca after all. I am going to try to find a newer machine with ground balance to work better in mineralized soil. I know there is alot to learn and that is why I am joining forums such as this one where people are willing to share their experience and knowledge. I appreciate it!

Jill

 

[jillk111]

I'll check out the forum you suggest. Thanks for the info!