1) Fisher F2 ($215)

2) Tesoro Silver uMax ($240)

3) Garrett Ace 250 ($215)

4) Tesoro Compadre ($150)

5) Garrett Ace 150 ($155)

6) Teknetics Alpha 2000 ($200)

7) Whites Classic 4 ($290)

8) Bounty Hunter Tracker IV ($100)

9) Titan 1000 ($200)

10) Bounty Hunter Quicksilver ($90)

This list is in an order created by me and reflects only my personal opinion which could vary from those of others. The top 3 on this list are the most recommended beginner metal detectors in every forum and review I read. Good luck with your first detector!

The metal detector came with a soft carrying case, a book, and a Bullseye Pinpointer all for approximately $400. I figure that’s not too bad of a deal.

Good Luck and Happy Hunting :)

In 1864, a teamster named Adams (no sources disclose his first name) and some prospectors in Gila Bend, Arizona were approached by a Mexican Indian named Gotch Ear, who offered to show them a canyon filled with gold only 10 days ride away. The miners accepted and together they rode to find the gold. They crossed a road on the way which Gotch Ear said would lead back to Fort Wingate, and that they should remember it so they could go back that way for supplies when needed. They soon arrived at a canyon with a blind entrance. At the bottom of a Z-shaped narrow canyon trail they found a creek rich with gold.

The men paid Gotch Ear and began panning for gold. However, a force of Apaches, led by a chief named Nana, confronted the miners. Nana allowed them to mine the creek, provided they did not venture up past the waterfall. The miners obeyed at first, but eventually several miners began mining near the waterfall and discovered two rich veins of gold. The diggings were very rich, with some gold nuggets described as being the size of hens’ eggs.

The miners stored their gold under a stone in the hearth of the cabin they built near the creek. One miner, a German, kept his gold separate. He soon collected all the gold he wanted and left the camp.

Some of the miners were sent to Fort Wingate for more supplies. When this group did not return after eight days, Adams and a man named Davidson rode out to investigate. From the top of the Z-shaped trail, they found five dead men and three dead horses, all that was left of the party that had set out for the fort. Adams and Davidson then returned to their cabin by the creek and found that the Apaches had returned, set fire to their cabin and killed the remaining miners. Adams and Davidson narrowly escaped and walked twelve days through the desert until they stumbled on an army patrol, which took them to the nearest fort. Davidson died there. It was 10 years until Adams overcame his fear and returned to New Mexico to look for the diggings. Adams spent the rest of his life trying to relocate the hidden canyon.

I stumbled across an interesting website by man named Ron Jensen who claimed to have found the exact location of the Lost Adams Diggings in 2001. His last entry on his site says he plans to go back out there in Spring 2002 to begin recovering gold but there was no further update listed.  It’s  a very interesting read to say the least with pictures and research that makes it sound pretty legit. Read his full story at: http://www.lostadams.com/

“These are the sandals that can detect metal while you walk, allowing you to find buried artifacts while strolling the beach. A copper coil built into the right sandal is powered via a battery pack that straps to your calf. Using beat frequency oscillation technology, the ring creates a magnetic field; when a metal object is underfoot–up to 2′–it distorts the field and the battery pack alerts you to the presence of metal using a flashing red light and either a gentle vibration or a clearly audible buzz. Requires one 9-volt battery (not included)–provides up to six hours of use. The sandals have non-skid soles and polyurethane foam footbeds. Black. Sizes M (Men’s 7 1/2-9, Women’s 8 1/2-10) and L (Men’s 9 1/2-12, Women’s 10 1/2-13). (1 lb.)”

Check them out for yourself: http://www.hammacher.com/publish/76779.asp