G'day Kazza,...now that I have your undivided attention with these photos,.... I will give my thoughts on obtaining the correct metal detector for the purpose you intend to use it for, and even more importantly your budget to buy one.

I advise anyone who has thoughts of buying a metal detector to hire one first ...most dealers will set up a detector for you, show you the basics and even point out where you can try. Some dealers also provide personal tuition in the field...

I'm in Eaglehawk, Bendigo, and for example if you were here I would recommend going to Miners Den Bendigo and hiring say a top of the line PI <Pulse Induction> Minelab GPX 5000 @ $120 full day or $70 half day <they are located on the edge of the Whipstick Goldfields ,where I am, so you don't have far to try it out>.........Aussie Detecting and Prospecting Golden Square Bendigo are the Garrett dealers and hire out machines like the Garrett ATX on similar basis....I don't have any affiliation with any dealers. They also provide Miners Right for Victoria..<S.A. you don't need a Miners Right however very little land is available/open for detecting in S.A...all pseudo greenies!>..lol..

I recommend hire first, because many find out it does not really meet their expectations...heat, flies, lugging a detector around, etc etc..on a recent trip to Laverton W.A. a bloke came from Sweden to join our small prospecting camp...he was in his 60's...he came all the way from Sweden because he had always wanted to detect for gold in an Australian goldfield..he purchased a detector in Europe, hired a mobile home in Perth and headed up to us..the detector he had bought was not suitable for gold detecting in Australian conditions so we gave him a lend of one that was suitable....and when he met us all with our fly nets over our faces and thousands of flies and the 'heat' he lasted half hour in the goldfield, and went and lay down on the Oke all terrain wagon....for the next 6 days.......lmao......to say he was disillusioned is an understatement...he just kept swinging his Eildelvies bush at the flys..!<I sang Eidelveis to him every day>..lol.. He offered to buy some of our nuggets to take back for bragging rights I guess.....he could have stayed home and bought a decent Aussie nugget for his expenses...gold is currently Au$50 gram Troy<spot buy price>...31 grams to Troy Oz....<Gold is always weighed/sold/bought in Troy weight...

Detectors: Is it your intention to get an all rounder to use on goldfields or beaches etc or a dedicated gold detector? Minelab are the best Australian detectors...designed here however like everything else are now made' off shore', in Penang Malaysia..

For example if your budget extends to $3500 Minelab dealers are currently offering a re-release of their popular GPX4500 for $3,299 and includes the offer of a new Coiltek Elite Mono 14" coil in addition for $250....includes 3 hours tuition etc...the Coiltek Elite is the latest Mono with special windings and is very effective..I show it in one of the photos with the camo colouring...<the package is an exceptional short time deal for both for a new gold machine complete with new warranty etc..

Garrett ATX is $3599. Minelab GPX5000 is currently $6,100 <this is what I have teamed up with the new Coiltek Elite Coil..deadly combination>..the GPX4500 is very nearly as good as the GPX 5000 so currently much better value.

Minelab SDC2300 @$3,995 is probably the ideal detector for us Grey Nomads as it is compact, user friendly, and light......deadly on small gold <2 gram or less> which is the reality of likely gold finds in Australian goldfields today...although occasionally a retirement nugget turns up..like the one in the first photo which I DID NOT FIND!.......unfortunately...lol..

Second Hand Detectors:..An absolute minefield as China are now making 'fake' Minelab GPX's and Coiltek Coils....they look like the real thing but don't work...dealers are asked to fixed them and they won't/can't touch them..<I think they have a rubber band inside>...

Unless you know the seller personally I wouldn't touch Ebay etc...on our gold forums we play spot the fake every time one turns up on Ebay...Ebay do not care less that they are counterfeit fakes....many get burned....so please be warned...if you buy from a Dealer you get a guarantee of authenticity and of course a guarantee period..

Just to confuse you further I also have a Garrett Infinium LS <Land and Sea>...absolutely deadly for any metal on beaches and it can be taken into the water as well where the shrunken fingers lose their rings etc!..lol....if you see a second hand one of these for about $800 they are also a great deal <new $1,849>..I have found small gold with mine however they excel on beach work....you can also follow the Country Show Circuit and ""do"" side show alley at the Country showgrounds the day after its packed up...many gold coins in the grass....!

All the best Kassy, feel free to PM if you wish.... I receive quite a few enquiries on gold on here..I'm no expert by any means however has been an interest of mine for many years....and I try to give honest advice based on my personal experience and not heresay...

Hoo Roo

-- Edited by Goldfinger on Saturday 22nd of August 2015 06:09:48 PM

Gold finger, you are lucky not to have found it!! That nugget caused nothing but grief for the woman that found it, ending up in a court case etc....

Thank you every one for your advice..Very Appreciated...Yes done some research and have purchased one yesterday for $500..Was advertised for $800...I am Travelling around Australia for a couple of years and am looking forward to happy hunting with the Detector...Once again I was really taken in with answers and it helped me greatly..  with my choice...