New Member Gosford NSW

Hi all

New Member from Gosford NSW.
Looking to buy my first detector.
Have read so much about fakes etc.
I figure if I go to a reputable dealer all will be ok.
Looking to buy in the range of 3-5k
Any advise appreciated.

Also when I finally get the detector will be going around Sofala - Hill End
Any advise on these locations appreciated

Thanks
Neil M

Hi Neilm
I'm thinking as its your first a 4500 would be suitable,you can get a new one or second hand and plenty of coils to suit.It can find small shallow and deep gold very versatile.Buy from a dealer or someone well known on this forum.
This would be very affordable and you could get an NF advantage coil say the 14x9 which will cover most situations or even use the 11" mono as standard.
Good luck.

Hi deutran

Thank you for your reply.
I will check out the 4500.
Any thoughts on the sdc 2300. I looked at this and it is slightly cheaper and it seems I could use it on the edge of creeks ok.
Not sure if the 4500 can get wet.

Thanks again

Well

Just ordered a sdc2300 from MD in Sydney.
Plan to go Sofala / Hill End to try it out.

I am probably in over my head as I have only panned a few times.
I have read nearly every post in the forum trying to suck up info.

I would like to know a bit more about batteries and charging.
The sdc2300 uses C Cell batteries.
As a backup can I simply go and buy a stack of good quality batteries from the Hardware store?

I am not too sure how to recharge the batteries that will ship with the detector.
Hopefully I can recharge in the car.

When I get to Hill End, can I drive down the bridle track and have a go around the river.
How do I find out where no-go places are?

Any info appreciated
NeilM

Neil, the SDC usually comes with a charger suitable for the NiMH "C" cells, but some people have had some issues with theirs.  

Also watch out for battery connection issues in the SDC, I think due to either sideways slop (a bit of paper around the batts fixes that), and in some case not closing the battery compartment lock properly.

My SDC came with a charger and I have had no issues with the charger or battery connections.  Operates from battery or mains charge.

You can use other batteries, as a backup, but you won't get the same life as you would from the NiMH.  But do not mix the different types of batteries.

Have fun with the SDC as it will find tiny gold that can't be found with many other detectors.  GPZ seems to find them, but that is a different $$$ ball game.

G'day NeilM

Good luck with your new SDC2300, good detector and should find you some gold, like has been said it comes with the proper charger for the supplied batteries, keep the battery ends clean to help with connection and be careful to place the lid on battery compartment level as you close the lock.

Here are a few maps of the Hill End area, you can get a bit more info at the Parks Office/info center just out on the Bathurst road from Hill End.











cheers dave

pablop and davsgold

Thanks for the great info.
I read about the loose batteries and will check that connections are clean if I have any power type issues.

Thanks for the maps and I will check in with the Parks office as well.

From the maps it looks like a large area is Crown land, and that is where I can detect I think.

Thanks for all the info and will let you know how I go.

Neil

Welcome to the forum Neil.

Good luck with 2300.
Definite gold finder mostly very small pieces but they all add up.

Take care and stay safe.

GoldEN

 To the forum

You will have fun with the SDC2300, great little vacuum cleaner 
Just be prepared for all the shot pellets..
You will be able to dip into the creeks up there..
Good luck..

Golden and Jen58

Thank you for your comments.
MD emailed they have shipped and now I want it NOW.
I can't wait until I get it and then in week and half will be at Hill End for 5 days.
I am so excited.

I have never been on a forum before and I am feeling pretty chuffed that you nice ppl are replying to my posts.

thank you very much and I know I will have fun whether I find some gold or shot pellets.
I just want to hear this baby sing.

Did I mention that I am a little excited.

G'day NeilM

At Hill End there are 2 caravan parks, power, water and amenities blocks, and plenty of unpowered sites, you can also free camp on some of the crown land areas.

We free camp out at the Tambarooa there are some good camping areas there and plenty of gold diggings and a big creek to pan in etc.

The UTM cords for the camping area at Tambaroora are as follows if your interested.

UTM (easting and northing)  55H  726213E  6346210S these are for google earth.

Good luck out there, and there are plenty of places to look with your new SDC2300

cheers dave

Hi Neilm
Congrats on your purchase its a great little machine.Good luck out there.

deutran

Thanks for the message. I reckon I will need lots of luck too.

Dave (davsgold)
Wow
Thank you so much for this information. It may not seem much to you.
For me I have been a little worried that when I get to the area I wouldn't know where to start camping or detecting.
now I have info on camping and also the maps.


thank you both
Neil

Guys

Maybe stupid question....

What do you think about taking a kayak to Hill End.
I was thinking I could load up with the detector and maybe find somewhere away from everyone and try my hand.

I guess I can sus that out on my first trip anyway.
Just wondering what others think.

Neil

G'day NeilM

I think you would be better off in the early stages of getting acquainted with your new detector is to stay where it is easy to get to ground and get in some practice on the gold diggings, hills and creek banks in the Tambaroora area.

These areas are where gold has been found in the past and still yields the occasional bit, it's good when starting out to check these type of areas and then you can go exploring later on once you have got the basis down pat.

Unless there is a big thunder storm not much water in the creeks, and if you can get to the Turon River there may be enough water for float a kayak.

I have never ventured down to the Turon River yet.

cheers dave

Hi Dave

Yep that makes sense.
I think I will need a few months practicing and learning.

One day I will try it though.
Thanks again for good advice

Neil

davsgold wrote:G'day NeilM

We free camp out at the Tambarooa there are some good camping areas there and plenty of gold diggings and a big creek to pan in etc.

The UTM cords for the camping area at Tambaroora are as follows if your interested.

UTM (easting and northing)  55H  726213E  6346210S these are for google earth.

Good luck out there, and there are plenty of places to look with your new SDC2300

cheers dave

Hi dave
I have decided to first camp at the camping ground as it has been a while since I camped out.(luxury of power and shower)
I found the co-ords and will definitely try camping there when I get the lay of the land.

I looked at your maps as well and I am guessing I can detect all around this area - is that right?
I can simply drive in to this area, park the car and start detecting (not near anyone else though)
As you can tell I am a total novice and will check in with the parks people as well.

Thank you
Neil

G'day Neil

The coordinates in my post, yes you can drive to them and get out and start detecting. It is called the Tambaroora Common, I think it is even designated as a fossicking area.

There are some mining leases in the area, they are reasonably well marked (fence and tape etc) so stay out of them. Also some small private paddocks easy enough to work out if it's owned by someone usually a fence around it etc. The parks office will tell you which are heritage areas to stay out of.

It's a good idea to camp at the camp ground to start off with until you get to know the area a bit. Good luck when you get there, and have fun

cheers dave

Thanks Dave

You are making things seem less intimidating.
I really appreciate your help.

I will post up how I go next week.
Thanks
Neil

Hi NeilM, the Bridle Track you queried about is partially closed about 17 km from Hill End and may be for some time.  https://www.facebook.com/bridletrack/

You may find this site interesting http://heatgg.org.au/he/

AnnieL wrote:Hi NeilM, the Bridle Track you queried about is partially closed about 17 km from Hill End and may be for some time.  https://www.facebook.com/bridletrack/

You may find this site interesting http://heatgg.org.au/he/

Hi AnnieL
Thanks for the info.
I won't be going on the bridal track.
I found good information on the heatgg site.
Thank you for those links.

Neil