Minelab Lifestyle Collection

Finally, it's about time they made it easy to purchase Minelab apparel.

Minelab Lifestyle Collection

These should be available through your local Minelab stockist. PDF can be found here.

New Minelab SDC 2300 Coming Soon

This exciting new product is a portable, compact, waterproof gold detector featuring Minelab’s improved MPF technology.  This will be the best mid-range gold detector. Second only to the Minelab GPX Series in performance, the SDC 2300 will be the best mid-range gold detector available.

New Minelab SDC 2300 Detector

New Minelab Detector - News on 9th Dec

We should be hearing news of a new Minelab gold detector on Dec 9.

New Minelab detector coming soon

Could it be called the SDC 2300? I only say that because that was what the filename of the pic.

• Mid range - above xTerra 705 Gold Pack and Eureka Gold
• below GPX series
• Folds to 16 inches
• Waterproof
• Pulse induction (PI)
• Rumours of a Feb 2014 release

Does this look similar?

Finally Got Around to More Detecting

Finally got out this morning with my daughter Alicia and did some metal detecting with a handful of members from the Brisbane Metal Detecting Club.

We headed out to a public park located on Brighton Road, Sandgate in Brisbane.

A lot of trash came out of the ground but we did manage $3.12 and a Boy Scout button. Initially thought the button was military until it was washed.

Items: (found in this order)
20 cents x 3
$2 x 1
2 cents x 1
Boy Scout button
50 cents x 1 (mangled by lawn mower)

Sorry about poor quality pic (missing the $2 coin)

Good to finally get out and do some coin hunting.

Garrett ATX in Australia

Courtesy of NQExplorers

Setup & Controls

Recent Garrett ATX Videos

A couple of YouTube videos for the new Garrett ATX.

Hits Gold in Nevada

Ignore Hot Rock & Iron Stones

Nov 2013 Issues Out Now

The latest editions of The Searcher Magazine and Treasure Hunting are out now.

The Searcher Magazine Nov 2013

Treasure Hunting Nov 2013

Relic Hunter Magazine - Sep / Oct 2013 Edition Out Now

The next edition of Relic Hunter Magazine is out now.

Sep / Oct 2013 Edition

ATX v Recon Pro

Further to my last post, there are some differences:

Recon = Non-motion search mode only.     ATX = Motion and non-motion search modes. 

Recon = Tone ID Low for most ferrous.      ATX = 25 setting discrimination & Quick iron ID button (Tone) 

Recon = Mono 8" coil                               ATX = New design DD 10x12 coil.  

Recon = 6.25lbs  weight                           ATX = 5.5lbs weight 

Recon = 7 Sensitivity settings                  ATX = 13 Sensitivity settings

Interesting?

The New Garrett ATX

New for 2013 (Hobbyist Division)

The Not So New Garrett Recon-Pro AML-1000

I think 2012 (Countermine / ERW Division)

XP Deus - V3.2 Update Now Available

Version 3.2 is now available, this revision fixes some points of the 3.1 update.

V3.2 will correct slow mineralization strength reading and also battery charge lever issues that were seen on some V3.1 units, also the Notch Ground function is now off by default.

Information: From V3 onwards the program DEUS FAST (or when REACTIVITY is adjusted to 3, 4 or 5)  has the SILENCER set at -1,  so the target separation is greatly improved. V3 software offers a huge advantage of for those searching in iron infested areas to get more targets. But If you prefer the cleaner iron rejection of V2 software you can simply increase your silencer setting to around 2.

Click on image to go to XP Deus update page

New Garrett ATX - Pulse Induction Metal Detector

Garrett announces the new ATX Pulse Induction ALL Terrain Extreme metal detector.

Garrett's Website info - Link
ATX Deepseeker Package - Link

Garrett ATX - $2495.00 USD
Garrett ATX Deepeseeker Package - $2995.00 USD

October 2013 Issues Out Now

The latest editions of The Searcher Magazine and Treasure Hunting are out now.

The Searcher Oct 2013

Treasure Hunting Oct 2013

Was hoping the next edition of the Relic Hunter Magazine was out but so far nothing.

Brisbane Metal Detecting Search Service

John Brack

John Brack who is a member of the Brisbane Metal Detecting Club runs the Brisbane Metal Detecting Search Service.

John is an experienced metal detecting enthuesist who offers a search service on land and in shallow water for the following:

Lost Rings and other Jewellery, 
Lost Car Keys, 
Lost Buried Treasure eg gold bars,
Caches, 
Time Capsules, 
Insurance Loss Searches, 
Forensic Searches, and 
Other Metal Objects.

Check out the website for more information.

Garrett's New Pulse Induction Metal Detector Coming Soon

September / October we should be seeing more on the new pulse induction metal detector from Garrett.

The Searcher Magazine - Sept 2013 Edition Out Now

The next edition of The Searcher Magazine is out now.

Sept 2013 Edition Out Now

New Minelab Pro-Swing 45 Harness

Will be on my shopping list shortly.

Click on above picture for link

Gordon Heritage review

Priced at around $149AUD

BMDC Boot Camp Basics

Where: Captain Burke Park, Kangaroo Point, Brisbane (under the Story Bridge)
When: Wednesday 14 August 2013 (Ekka Holiday)
Time: 08:00 to 12:00
Low Tide: 08:24 @ 0.39m

Contact: Derek Williams to confirm attendance.

Drive past the Story Bridge Hotel then turn right at the end of Main Street onto Holman Street. Parking might be hard to find so it might be a good idea to get there early. (Parking meters on most of the roads)

The hunt will be on the low tide on the beach plus in and around the park, depending on the day.

Prizes are mixed so everyone can be a winner. All should go home with a prize.

Unfortunately, I am working that day and I would rather not miss out on my public holiday allowances.

XP Deus Update 3.1

Ok, I'm getting a little slow following the updates for the XP Deus. An updated v3.1 is now available.

The fixes are: -

The ground balance adjustment in non-motion mode is faster (the increment or decrement of the setting was a little slow).

 - The display of the mineralization strength from the main menu has been adjusted. The scale is now more representative of the mineralization level.

 - The display of the frequencies (4/8/12/18 kHz) on the headphone has been fixed (Previously, in some cases the headphone could display a different frequency while the real frequency was 4 kHz).

 - The audio volume of the headphone is now saved when you turn the unit off.

 - The beach mode (GB > BEACH YES) had a malfunction when changing the GB value, it is now fixed.

 - The SILENCER (REACTIVITY > EXPERT) is adjusted so as to follow the value of the version 2.0 in the factory programs using REACTIVITY 0, 1 or 2.

Remember that: For the program DEUS FAST as well as with REACTIVITY 3, 4 and 5, the target separation after an iron is greatly improved. The SILENCER is adjusted at -1, because at similar SILENCER LEVEL (-1 and 0), the discrimination is better with the version 3 than with version 2. At the same time the target separation effect is greatly improved. This is a big advantage of the version 3 for those searching in nail or trash infested areas. In either case you can always increase the SILENCER setting to about 2 like before to reach an even better iron rejection.

Treasure Hunting Magazine - Digital Edition

Finally, the Treasure Hunting Magazine (UK) is being offered in digital version. I have been a Searcher Magazine subscriber mainly because it was offered in digital version whereas, the Treasure Hunting Magazine wasn't.

You can find the link to Treasure Hunting Magazine here through Magzter.

Treasure Hunting - Digital Edition Now Available

Relic Hunter Magazine - July / Aug 2013 Edition Out Now

The next edition of Relic Hunter Magazine is out now.

Link

July / Aug 2013 Edition

Time Team's Mick Aston has Passed Away at 66

I first heard about it from the Minelab Owner's Forum

Very sad news as I am a big fan of the show. A great loss for archaeology and for television.

RIP Mick

BMDC Minelabbling Day Collage - 18 May 2013

A collage created by the BMDC photographer Gary Comerford; Roger Edney & Sharon Fauntleroy on Minelabbling Day (Brisbane) 18 May 2013.

Alicia (blue top & pink hat) using our CTX 3030

The XP Deus V3.0 Update is Now Available

Find the link to the V3.0 update here.

Link to V3.0 Download

Link to V3.0 User Manual

XP Deus V3.0 Firmware Update Coming Soon

Seems the next firmware update for the XP Deus is just around the corner.

1. Better target separation and depth
2. New program No.10 - Gold Field
3. Finest adjustment of ground effect
4. 10 factory programs + 8 user programs you can save
5. Silencer more efficient
6. Stronger audio response
7. Two new audio modes - 5 tones and full tones
8. Pitch mode adjustable
9. ID norm
10. No motion improved and easier

How to update the firmware to V3.0.....thanks to Metaldetectingforum

Link to the update can be found in my sidebar to the right.

Garrett in Australia - YouTube Video

Good to see the Garrett team visiting our shores. Enjoy the video.

2 New TV Series about Metal Detecting

Gordon Heritage

Gary Brun

Looks like we have 2 new TV series coming soon about metal detecting.

Firstly, the Hoard Hunters on the History Channel starring Gordon Heritage and Gary Brun. This is a UK series starting 28 May.

Secondly, the Dig Wars on the Travel Channel starring Ron "Chicago Ron" Guinazzo, Mark Slinkman, Mike Scott, Larry Cissna, Abby & Josh Silva. This is a US series starting 12 June.

Mike, Larry, Abby, Josh, Ron & Mark

Great Fun on Minelabbing Day

Today, my youngest daughter (Alicia) and I attended the Minelabbing Day at Woolowin in Brisbane.

The day started off with Greg giving a talk to an enthusiastic crowd about the Minelab GPX 5000 and also about gold. David from The Open Range had a table set up with a CTX 3030, E-TRAC, X-Terra 705 and a Eureka Gold for everyone to look at and try.

Once the talk was over, it was time for morning tea and Nenad from Minelab gave advice for anyone who needed it with their detector.

Then it was what my daughter was waiting for, the treasure hunt. Rather a large amount of coins were spread through bark chip which covered an area of approx. 30M x 10M. The aim was to find an American quarter which would win you a Minelab cap. If you found anything else, it was Chupa Chups, Milko Chews or Mentos.

When we took our first lot of coins in (approx. 20) to see what we had won, we realised we still didn't have a quarter. So it was back to the bark chip for another 10 minutes until we found our first quarter. That made my day with a brand new Minelab cap.

We also found another coin which was not part of the treasure hunt, it was deeper than the rest but I will now remember that my very first coin found with a metal detector was an Australian 2c coin
minted in 1980.

Once the treasure hunt was over it was time for the lucky draws. Prizes included a CTX 3030, an X-Terra 705, Minelab Pro-Find 25 Pin-Pointer, shirts and caps. Unfortunately, our numbers didn't come up but we had a great day anyway.

We are both looking forward to the next one. Many thanks go to Minelab, The Open Range and the Brisbane Metal Detecting Club.

C'mon dad, when's the treasure hunt going to start?

Chicago Ron - Celtic Gold Galore - YouTube Video

I must admit I enjoy watching Chicago Ron's YouTube videos and reading about his exploits on his blog. Especially the competition he has with Mark.

Here's the latest one from his March 2013 tour to England.

Relic Hunter Magazine - May/June 2013 Edition Out Now

The latest edition of the Relic Hunter Magazine is out now.

Go Minelabbing Day - Brisbane - 18 May 2013

Woolowin

 Kalinga Scott Hall, Bertha Street

 Saturday 18 May 2013 - 9am -1pm

Event highlights

FREE entry

Games & Prizes including:

Opportunities to WIN great Minelab prizes

Free raffle for a Minelab CTX 3030 (A $2500.00 value)

Free raffle for a Minelab X-TERRA 705 (A $850.00 value)

Raffles to be held at 1:00pm. You must be present to win.

Treasure hunts for both adults and kids (Bring your own metal detector or borrow one of our Minelab detectors, available on the day)

30 minor prizes available to win

Minelab metal detector demonstrations by people who have used their gear in Australia for years.

Display of some of the finds members from the Brisbane Metal Detecting Club have recovered over the years.

Free Minelab showbags

Balloons for the kids

Refreshments & Food
  - Free morning tea at 10:00 am
  - BBQ lunch provided by the Brisbane Metal Detecting Club

Bring your own chair as seating will be limited

Proudly Brought to you by:  The Open Range

An RDO for me so I will be there.

Non Related Topic - Codename: Digby

Ok, sorry, just making a plug for my brother's book.

For anyone who lives in Brisbane, especially the bayside suburbs, this may be the book for you. My brother Steve N. Porter (@steve_n_porter) finished his first novel back in December 2012. Codename: Digby is the first book in a trilogy.

Codename: Digby: Pursuit of the Dragon Lady - On his days off, Jason "Megsy" McGraw likes nothing better than a quiet paddle. Harry Carter likes nothing better than to not get killed while he works. When Jason finds Harry hidden away in the mangroves his life becomes one of bad guys, dodgy packages and a mystery from the cold war.

The second book is also close to release. Codename: Greenland is due for release in June 2013.

You can purchase the book through Amazon in either electronic or paperback format.

Electronic: $2.95 US
Paperback: $14.95 US

Back from Kilkivan

Kilkivan

Back from Kilkivan Sunday evening and have finished packing everything away and washed the car.

It was great to get some experience and confidence with the CTX 3030. I ran it most of the time in RELIC mode as I was essentially out in the bush and wanted to find everything that I swung the coil over.

I was hoping there would be other CTX 3030 users there but unfortunately not. The vast majority of users had GPX 5000's or earlier models. There was very little gold found but strangely enough, the person who found the most was using a Whites MXT.

I probably spent about 15 hours in total over 3 days actually metal detecting. The arm did get a little tired and I found myself changing arms for a short while just to give my favoured arm a rest. Maybe if I was digging a bit more I wouldn't have that problem.

Battery life was great. I took up some alkaline batteries just in case but never used them. I like the idea of the WM10 as I just placed it in my left trouser pocket and it did not get in the way of detecting or digging.

Barb wire, nails, bullets, bolts, tin, lead.........all rubbish (sorry about poor quality pic)

I wasn't expecting much from this trip (finds wise). I knew it was a site for gold hunting and not treasure hunting. However, the trip did what I was hoping it would, give me confidence and familiarity with the CTX so that now I can head out to more public places and not look like a total newbie.

Preparations for Kilkivan

The trip to Kilkivan, Queensland is coming up fast. Next Thursday 28 March I will be heading up and the drive should take me about 3 hours from my home.

I will be staying at the Kilkivan Bush Camping & Caravan Park. I was originally going to stay in one of their huts but as they had quite a few tentative bookings I decided I would get myself some camping gear and rough it for a few days. I'll be staying from Thursday 28 March to Monday 1 April. This should give me plenty of time to get familiar with the Minelab CTX 3030.

The majority of the camping gear I bought was from Ray's Outdoors.

• Wild Country Lightning Dome Tent (3 person - orange)
• Wild Country Weekender Sleeping Bag
• Wild Country X Leg Camp Stretcher

I also bought the following tools from Bunnings.

• Fiskars Garden Light Spade
• Hart 1.5lb Mini Mattock

My metal detecting gear will consist of the following.

• Minelab CTX 3030
• Garrett Pro-Pointer
• Garrett Edge Digger
• Garrett Camo Digger's Pouch

It's Here

I'm hoping that 13 is a lucky number. My Minelab CTX 3030 has arrived on the 13th of March 2013.

Went together very easy. Thought I would have a problem with the cord inside the shaft but all went well. I currently have the battery on charge and will give it a test run tomorrow on my property.

Ordered the full cover set from Pro-Tectors (standard black) and the arm rest cover and WM-10 wireless module cover off asis2160 (Ebay).

First Planned Trip - Kilkivan QLD

I have decided that I will attend this months' BMDC planned trip to Kilkivan, Queensland. This will be held during the Easter weekend.

Kilkivan is located 54km west of Gympie or 268km from my location (approx. 3hrs drive).

Kilkivan was first settled by Europeans in the 1840s. Queensland’s first gold discovery was at Kilkivan in 1852 and subsequent findings escalated into a gold rush in the 1860s.

This will be a great opportunity to get familiar with my new Minelab CTX 3030. I will be picking up the new detector on Wednesday 14 March.

The Start of a Rewarding Hobby

The day has finally come.........I have just placed an order for the Minelab CTX 3030 through The Open Range (Minelab Authorised Dealer).

The excitement builds...............

Free Bag with Minelab CTX 3030 Purchase - Australia

I was reading the Minelab Times today and noticed that Minelab are throwing in a Minelab detector bag with the purchase of the CTX 3030 between 01 March and 31 April 2013.

Notice the mistake? I always thought there was only 30 days in April. Anyway, I'll be getting mine before this offer finishes.

Value $66.00 AUD

CTX 3030 Target ID Guide for Australians

Please do not take this as gospel as there are many factors which can alter the numbers shown on the CTX 3030 display (i.e. corrosion, shape, horizontal or vertical, metal alloy content, etc).

Decimal:

1c    11:41
2c    11:44
5c    12:07
10c  12:14
20c  12:24
50c  12:26
$1    12:38
$2    12:39

Pre-Decimal:

Half Penny --- 11:39
Penny --- 12:46
Silver Three Pence --- 11:32 - 12:32
Three Pence (92.5% Pure) --- 12:40
Three Pence (50% Pure) --- 12:28
Six Pence (92.5% Pure) --- 11:41
Six Pence (50% Pure) --- 12:36
Silver Shilling --- 11:42
Shilling (92.5% Pure) --- 11:46 - 12:47
Shilling (50% Pure) --- 12:40 - 12:42
Silver Florin --- 12:42
Florin (92.5% Pure) --- 04:46 - 09:47
Florin (50% Pure) --- 12:45
Crown (92.5% Pure) --- 01:40

Gold:

Ring (Fine 9K) --- 12:09
Ring (Fine 18K) --- 12:17
Ring (Med 9K) --- 12:17
Ring (Med 18K) --- 12:12
Ring (Heavy 9K) --- 12:20
Ring (Heavy 18K) --- 12:20
Necklace (9K) --- 12:14

Silver:

Ring (Fine) --- 12:24 - 13:45
Ring (Med) --- 13:46
Ring (Heavy) --- 07:48
Fob Chain --- 11:37

Special thanks go to both JewelleryRescue and 3DDevil (+ anyone else who submitted ID's) on the KimBuckTwo forum.

Relic Hunter Magazine - Mar/Apr 2013 Edition Out Now

The latest edition of the Relic Hunter Magazine is out now. Always look forward to reading each issue.

Found a New Blog - CoinRelicDownUnder

I am always looking for more information with regards to the Minelab CTX 3030 and today I found this blog - CoinRelicDownUnder. Mark keeps the Blog well up to date and makes for great reading.

He is Australian based which is exactly what I am looking for. Keep up the great work Mark.