G'day from Australia.... I have owned my GM1000 for around a year. It has taken me this long to work out the Monster. Lately I have found a patch that has confirmed the way I was operating the machine was correct. The GM has found gold down to .02 of a gram. It is a truly amazing machine. Some advice for buyers of this machine...you dint learn how to use it sitting watching You Tube...get out there and use it. I appreciate your videos Chris.
Love this detector and can’t recommend it enough. This is my first detector and it is one of easiest to use BUT you still have to get out there and learn the sounds and the ground your working before you’ll ever find gold. It took me a while to get the hang of it and you do have to dig trash, because lead (bullets) sounds just like gold & even some really deteriorated iron/metal will report back like a gold target. I got discouraged for a while because I dug a LOT of trash. It takes time, use, experience with the machine to get confident with it. Listen to Mr Ralph, he’s absolutely correct. I also recommend Nugget Shooter Journals (Mr Southern) when it comes to the gold monster 1000. These guys know what their talking about.
Learning the sounds are definitely the most important part. It will always make noises in highly mineralized ground. Specially here in Northern California. And many targets will change from iron to gold once you dig them out of a hole…
Thanks Chris. I needed a good tutorial on the GM1000. Got one a couple months ago. I'm an amateur prospector just starting out. So far I've detected in non gold bearing areas just to see what it would do. Found lots of bullets and casings lol. Will be doing a trip in a monthish to a proper club mine. Really looking forward to seeing what this baby can do. Building a dry washer since it is in the deep desert. Wish me luck.
Lovely video Ralph. You are so soft spoken and simple when you explain stuff. Not over complicated. I just purchased a gold monster 1000 last week. I generally prospect Nevada county and placer county once a week. Generally every Monday or Tuesday. I sure hope I can learn this machine and learn some new spots. History, geology, and some know how. Wish me luck! I’m going to try some hydrologic mines Monday maybe North Columbia and Dutch flat. Thanks again Ralph. Your the man!
@@ChrisRalph I’ll check them out! I just got back. Really had a hard time finding a hydraulic mine that was public for me to prospect and not private.. so I went down to the river to check bedrock and wow it just would beep at everything lol. Something I’ll need to learn. A hydraulic mine sounds fun to walk around in just couldn’t find somewhere to go
@@ChrisRalph hey Chris! Me again lol. Watched more of the gold monster videos you have and went out again today. Found some interesting stuff I wanted to ask you. I detected a hydro mine for roughly 4 hours no brakes. I found 3 small pieces of gold. Lots of trash that I stuck into a bottle. Once I got home I went threw the trash and saw a spec of gold come from a dark black rock. I ended up grinding off the black rock around the piece and found it to be gold underneath the hard black rock. I did it to 2 other specs of “trash” and found gold. It’s very odd. First off this is a recent burn scar I’ve found these at. They are completely black and hard as heck it takes some effort to remove the black stuff. Also, the gold under the black rock has an odd shape compared to normal placer gold. It honestly looks melted instead of tossed in a river. Again, I was in a burn scar in thick manzanita. Would this stuff get so hot it melted and got a black crust on the outside? I’ve been wandering how many I have tossed in the trash now… sheesh. It looks like a small iron stone to me but that one had a shine of gold underneath so it made me look deeper to find out it was actually gold…. What’s your thoughts on the gold melting in a wildfire and having a hard black crust?
Just a quick note just say thank you for your book. I read it recently while on vacation camping and I thoroughly enjoyed it and learned an enormous amount. It’s a fantastic resource and I would recommend it to anyone interested in learning more about gold and how to find and recover it.
Finding locations in bedrock where heavy metal can concentrate carefully removing the lighter weight material using the mine lab Gold Master metal detector would save time and effort recovering fine gold collected and saved in a glass vial as the placer deposits are free milling avoiding the mercury or sodium cyanide toxins used to isolate gold from the matrix that binds. Whenever I detect the smell of rotten eggs when inspecting tailing piles leftover at mines, I leave with the knowledge someone before dumped cyanide that can be absorbed if you breath in the gas that’s absorbed by breathing the dust in the air blown by the wind as you work there.
It’s your fault I purchased a Minelab Gold Monster 1000, and because of this, I stumbled onto a 1.476 gram nugget! On my first try! Thanks! But not gonna share my loot! 😂
Hi Chris. I'm really enjoying your book. To bad that you and Bill couldn't get together. My wife and I just left Nevada and now in Prescott. Planning on prospecting Lynx Creek with pans and GM 1000s. Thank you for all your educational support. Maybe someday we can cross coils... take care. Daniel.
Your videos are always so informative. I really appreciate the information. I just bought a GM1000 and you answered all the questions I had! Thanks again!
Thanks Chris, retail for the Monster I saw was $849.00 but regardless had mine over 3 years and had success. Would recommend it also..Knowing a little geology helps...
Awesome vid Chris, I live in Central Otago, New Zealand with a range of historic gold field environments. This is my first detector and an looking forward to setting her loose.!
Thank you Chris for sharing an excellent video and information about the Gold Monster 1000. The Gold Monster will be my next metal detector hopefully soon. Respectfully dd
Hi Chris! Do you have a video that shows how to target good places to test for drywashing by using a metal detector? Would these be hot or highly mineralize areas found by turning gain/sens down? Thanks!!
Hi Chris, hope your well, thanks for the videos as l been watching your videos now for 6 months, also I will be buying a Gold monster this monday for use in wales, around the gold rivers and old mine tips soon as have to say your well respected and joy to watch as always Kind regards, from england
Got mine for a great deal of $680 includes the pro pin pointer, and free shipping.. Dumb me forgot to order the covers for the coil. I used mine on a pile of rocks, including quartz, all from the gold country. I got a hit that showed ferrous and non-ferrous metal.. I dug into that pile and after 2 minutes, i found a rusty 5d nail. Not discouraged i played with it some more due to it ahowing signs of gold.. It was a small picker, .54 grams. I figured it was on top and as i kept removing rock it went down. Afterwards i let my neighbor play with it, he found gold in quartz. I let him keep it as he was excited about finding it. He is ordering his Monday. He is 33 and acting like its Christmas eve. All excited about getting a Gold Monster.
Amazing content for someone like myself who just bought one of these and is looking to understand the in's and outs...The real question is, why am i so tempted to take a sound byte of your 'beep beep, boop boop, bop bop' commentary and turn it into a dubstep soundtrack hahaha.
Great video! Just bought a GM 1000 at the Quartzsite big mineral show. As I understand it, a lot of areas in Arizona and Nevada are claimed. I suppose that means no metal detecting so I’m wondering were I can locate a claim map. Any suggestions? Thanks!
the next time you're out making one of these videos I want to see how that machine works I've seen enough of these videos where they talk about how they work I want to see practical application
Thanks Chris. Awesome explanations. I'm definitely one of the new guys. Apart from mineralized material, mine seems to beep often when i get it really close to anything. Such as my bare hand, elevated pieces of wood, etc. Is this to be expected? I'll watch the other videos you put in the description. Appreciate it buddy. Cheers from Oregon
You hand has salts dissolved in your blood. Your hand is slightly conductive and the detector sees that. That's why you need to use a spoon, cup or some other device to test soil and retrieve your target. Anything that touches the coil wire can also cause a false signal - like tall grass or shrubs. Only beeps that are repeatable count as a target. Generally, non repeatable targets are not targets but byproducts of radio waves, electronic noise, ground balance artifacts, contact of tall grass against the coil wires, distant lightning, etc. Real targets are repeatable.
@Chris Ralph, Professional Prospector That's a solid answer; that makes sense. I wouldn't have thought of that. Thanks for that explanation, I feel better now! Can't wait to find gold with it. I've detected with it for about 10 hours so far. Only lead till now. But I'm glad I watched your videos and learned about the discrimination/sensitivity. Wish I would have known that when I gave it my debut runs. Your book seems great by the way. Plan to buy a couple copies in the near future. Thanks again
Hi Chris, Thank you for sharing your knowledge of gold detecting. I have enjoyed watching your videos. I'm just starting out and have my eye on the Gold Monster 1000 for my first metal detector. How deep into the ground can the Gold Monster detect?
The depth of detection for ANY metal detector depends on how large the target is and a whole bunch of other factors. Take a look at my video on How deep your detector will see. Take a look here: th-cam.com/video/SD3cSkeikto/w-d-xo.html
@@ChrisRalph Thank you Chris for pointing me in the right direction to the information that I was looking for. Your video has explained it very well. Thank you
Chris Ralph, Professional Prospector I’ve got about two weeks of work scheduled in the shop but don’t know if I can get away with the fire threat the way it is. Wife is very nervous about me not being here and having a fire kick off. Our trailer is packed and truck under the hitch but she can’t drive it, manual trans. As soon as the threat lessons I’ll get with you.
Chris, great video. I have detected a bit before but find for the average day detector this is an amazing machine especially with how light it is! I just got one because VLF is what I prefer but I'll most likely have a sdc eventually as it is something on my radar for pulse! Thank you for the awesome lesson as always
Chris, If you had to pick between the Gold Monster 1000 or the Equinox 800 for a new prospector, which would you recommend? What are the pluses and minuses of each in your opinion ? I live in the southern Mother Lode area in California so mainly looking for GOLD. BTW, I have your book. Great reference book on prospecting! Thanks.
Chris, you mentioned everything about the 1000 except the depth of targets. How deep does it detect a small target, say 1/10g? And how about 1 gram or 10 grams? Isn't that worth mentioning? Size of coil means depth vs sensitivity but what are the actual depths for each? thanks again for your help for beginners! Still trying to decide which detector to start with!
I didn't do depth, because its way, way more complex than you seem to think it is. The actual shape of the nugget makes a big difference - is it flat or round or long or pointy or smooth or?? How is the shape oriented in the ground? Is it parallel to the surface or perpendicular or something in between? How mineralized is the soil? mild or medium or very hot or??? Is there trash close enough to effect the signal? What sized coil are you using? What level of sensitivity (gain) do you have the detector set to? What other setting are you using on the detector? Are the batteries fully charged or mostly discharged? Are there power lines anywhere close by? There are other factors too. Yours is a question only asked by guys who have little or no experience metal detecting. That's why I did a video on that - take a look and you will understand. See: th-cam.com/video/SD3cSkeikto/w-d-xo.html
Chris, you are number one, very informative. Excellent vid here. I got a GM 1000 last year, haven't been able to use it too much, but seemed to work ok. I am new to metal D's., so this one seemed pretty easy. But the last time I used it didn't seem to work to good, was going off all the time so I switched to the smaller coil, and still had the problem of always going off, I tried adjusting but to no avail, so I ran my hand across the coil with dirt and it went off, then I cleaned my hands with nothing in my hands and no metal near me and it still went off, I do not have metal in me. Do you think something might be wrong with it? any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I do have the book "Fist full of Gold" good book and thank you for your vids, Serg
Are you indoors in a house in a city? Testing needs to be done away from power lines all over the place. Try turning the gain down to the lower settings and see if it still has a problem. If you are part of a prospecting club or know someone who can look at it for you (maybe whoever you bought it from) - that might be good.
@@ChrisRalph Hi Chris, thank you for your reply, this was out on the field, no power lines and no metals nearby, yes I bought it from GPPA last year. I will give them a call. I will try what you said, it looks like the small coil is very sensitive, I noticed on your vid that if you had metal near by it went off until you move it farther away. Maybe my metal tools were too close. Have you ever heard of it doing something like this? again thank you for your info, Serg
I’m in Rye Patch Gold Monster 1000 I’ve gone up and down the washes. Dug holes. Indicated gold. After digging down 12”. The signal was stronger then gone. No more signal in the hole or in the tailings. Now I have no faith in my machine or in my abilities. Don’t know if I’m setting the machine up wrong or even if I’m looking in the right places. Do you have a video that can help me.
Without knowing what the issue actually is, its super hard for me to guess. There are ground noises out there but the GM1000 should have been saying iron, iron iron all the way down.
I watched one of your other videos about going slow and reading the land and I feel like I’m ready to go out and give it a serious try again thank you Do I follow the washes in Rye patch or do I stay on the top ground? What would you recommend?
Very helpful chris thanks,got a question,u know the saying if theres small fish in the water the big ones are not far behind.is this the same with gold?.i wonder who would dislike your video's?
Chris, Can you tell me if the Garrett A/T pro is a Good "gold" detector? Also the Winbest Pro metal Detector,is it any good? I found one of each for sale at an incredibly low price, but could use your Professional opinion.
The AT pro is a good coin and relic detector. Its not a very good gold nugget detector. Winbest appears to be a super cheap Chinese knock off detector that is rebranded with another name. These Chinese detectors range from not very good to total junk.
Hey Chris, Deathray from Steve's forum here. My son and I found a patch on a hilltop here in Calaveras. Worked it hard with Deus and Nox. My buddy Mark Dayton kept telling me how good it was. So finally, I borrowed his, got out, and in 3 hours got 9 pieces. Was pretty impressed. Fun, super simple little gold getter. Ordered one the next day. 3 pieces on its maiden voyage. Cheers.
Chris. Very thorough video. Will be testing the settings out on some club claims this weekend. QUESTION: do you have a link to the website that sells that detector stand? I searched for one, but could not find anything. Thanks, ED M.
Why do you say there is no fast track mode? The box says to turn on fast track mode hold down the discrimination but for several seconds until it flashes.
hello Chris i live where there is alots of big rock of quartz and red dirt. i watch your video and those places to find gold was similar .. now my question is i dont have much to invest in a nice detector which would be the cheapest novice gold finder to start up finding . thanks.
Hi Chris, just watched your 2019 video on the Fisher Gold Bug, as somebody interested in starting to gold hunt, would you recommend the Fisher Gold Bug or the Gold Monster 1000? Many thanks
This was the most informative video on the GM1K I've seen. One thing I've noticed on my detector is when I hold down the center descriminator button the detector coil icon flashes for 3 seconds. Is that ground balance?
not sure - maybe its just a message to tell you to let go of the discriminator button. The ground balance is always on for the GM1000 - there is no way to turn it off.
I found it its a feature on some newer GM1000 detectors that makes the detector go into a fast ground balance mode for a short bit of time. Its not on older GM1000 units.
Hi Chris, maybe I can ask a question to a pro? I'm in an area in Indonesia that produces gold, there is an active volcano nearby, so a geologically interesting zone. Gold has already been found. But I have a hard time with the rivers here. 99% of the rivers are full of huge stones, gravel and sand, tons of black sand. But I hardly ever get to bed rock, there is far too much gravel and I haven't found any gold yet. I primarily use a gold detector to determine whether there is any gold at all. What is the best way to do it to sample gold in such rivers? High bankers and pumps that suck up the gravel are not possible for cost reasons. Thanks for your help
@@ChrisRalph Hahaha, that´s a good answer, sure! I´m an absolute beginner and not even found a single speck of gold, but that´s fine, I still learning and I enjoy the trip into the nature. The gravel bars in those rivers are so packed, means nobody ever touched them. And my AT Gold makes me more then confuse. I put the iron discrimination on Disc 1 with 30 iron disc. The detector seems to find targets, even repeatable once and of course that rasping sound of iron is always present.The courser for the upper display jumps around between 40 and 91. But nothing appears in the box that should actually indicate the value. The depth is shown as 20 to 25+. Do I correctly interpret that there is possibly a target and the machine cannot identify it correctly because too deep? As I said, I'm a total newbie and I'm grateful for any help I can get.
Chris, I sooo appreciate your videos. In fact, I’m inspired to purchase my first and likely only metal detector. I live in western NC, so not in the slate belt that spawned our gold rush many years ago, but there is still gold to be found around here if you know where to look. I’m currently torn between the Gold Bug Pro and the Gold Monster 1000. I can save a few hundred dollars with the bug, but I see so many TH-cam prospectors swinging the monster that it has me leaning in that direction. I’ve been unable to find any videos doing an in depth and direct comparison of the two machines. I would greatly appreciate your advice or even better, a video! I think many others would benefit from this as well. Maybe a comparison, test, pros/cons and why we might consider one vs the other. I have the money for either, so I just want to know is the monster really worth the extra dollars?
@@ChrisRalph I appreciate your reply. I'll follow your recommendation since $ is not my challenge. One follow up question please: I can purchase the Monster with different accessories. One option has the Minelab PinPointer. Are those actually useful/worth having in the arsenal for really small gold, or is that more of a relic hunter's accessory?
I also have msgd you in FB. My question is; can you use the detector in shallow waters, like the lower parts with the coil ?? I read where they say it's good to 1mtr, is that correct.
I mentioned on the video about that - you were not listening. It has only automatic ground balance. There is no adjustment, as it is always on automatic adjustment by the detector itself.
Watch nugget shooter, he demonstrates ground balancing these. The later ones have quick balance where you hold the discriminator button til it beeps, then you pump it over the ground maybe 5 times instead of 15 to 20 like my early model needs. Strangely when I bought mine, there was absolutely no mention in the meagre literature that came with it of manual ground balancing. Learnt all that from nugget shooter's videos.
i was sweeping my gold monster and it went nuts. GOLD !!!!! jumping from ferris to non ferris. (modello betrr caps with aluminum foil). tit was correct. it was both. i will try auto gain. had my gold monster 2 months. should have told them to contact (pat keene) he had like a dozen i was.looking around for one thanks for the tips. have a good day.
Yes that is quite true and as you pointed out the small coil is the way to go for best sensitivity near the surface. Who wants to dig 10" deep holes to find junk. The small coil makes it easier to get in between rocks and bushes. My gb2 is still tricky to work and takes a developed skill to get best use. Still found the small nuggets with it.
Hi Sir. Thank you for everything. Please accept my heartiest gratitude and respect for you as a student. I recently got my minelab Gold monster in Pakistan's high mountain ranges. I'm new to prospecting, and I have learned a lot from your channel. I want to read your book but I think Amazon is not delivering to Pakistan and it costs more. Can you teach me how to read more and be professional like you. Your's sincerely😊🌹
Chris Ralph, Professional Prospector Hi Chris, I believe by holding the button down for a couple of seconds it does a quick auto ground balance, in the selected depth setting.
It all depends on conditions - if hunting very small gold on shallow bedrock, then the small coil. If there is deeper bedrock and larger gold, then the larger coil.
@@ChrisRalph Thanks for the answer. I meant 'flake', of course, but Google Translate turned it into 'tinsel'. I estimated the depth for 0.05 g to be about 5 cm (2 inches). Greetings from Austria.
For beginners wouldn't it make sense to dig it all going low and slow and paying close attention to the sound of each target so you can learn what signals register for trash, nuggets etc... I figure that the more I focus on what I'm hearing and what comes from each signal, the quicker I will be able to distinguish the good from the bad. I have been watching many videos on the detecting learning curve. Without the knowledge the machine is a useless tool if not properly used. Am I wrong???
So you've never actually done this, and the trash is not overwhelming, yes, dig every target. But what will you do when you hit a place with 100 trash targets to every nugget (- the majority if which are rusty iron junk). You will dig some trash, get discouraged, and give up. I will use my machine discrimination (not just my ear) and sort through the rusty iron trash and just dig the non-ferrous stuff - the lead and the gold. Watch my video on discrimination.
@@ChrisRalph Thanks, I am hoping to learn as much as I can before I buy the detector. I have almost saved up the cash. I have found gold many times sluicing, crevassing, and using my hand dredge. I have some good Ideas of where to look, but I am hoping to get good with a detector. From what I'm learning from videos like yours, detecting is a whole different world. I realize it will take many hours on the detector in the learning phase, but I am hoping to reduce some of the growing pains. lol I am a research kinda guy and I don't give up easy!
G'day from Australia....
I have owned my GM1000 for around a year. It has taken me this long to work out the Monster. Lately I have found a patch that has confirmed the way I was operating the machine was correct. The GM has found gold down to .02 of a gram. It is a truly amazing machine. Some advice for buyers of this machine...you dint learn how to use it sitting watching You Tube...get out there and use it.
I appreciate your videos Chris.
It takes time to learn any detector and be proficient.
Love this detector and can’t recommend it enough. This is my first detector and it is one of easiest to use BUT you still have to get out there and learn the sounds and the ground your working before you’ll ever find gold. It took me a while to get the hang of it and you do have to dig trash, because lead (bullets) sounds just like gold & even some really deteriorated iron/metal will report back like a gold target. I got discouraged for a while because I dug a LOT of trash. It takes time, use, experience with the machine to get confident with it. Listen to Mr Ralph, he’s absolutely correct. I also recommend Nugget Shooter Journals (Mr Southern) when it comes to the gold monster 1000. These guys know what their talking about.
It takes time to learn any detector and be proficient.
Learning the sounds are definitely the most important part. It will always make noises in highly mineralized ground. Specially here in Northern California. And many targets will change from iron to gold once you dig them out of a hole…
Thanks Chris.
I needed a good tutorial on the GM1000. Got one a couple months ago. I'm an amateur prospector just starting out. So far I've detected in non gold bearing areas just to see what it would do. Found lots of bullets and casings lol.
Will be doing a trip in a monthish to a proper club mine. Really looking forward to seeing what this baby can do.
Building a dry washer since it is in the deep desert. Wish me luck.
Sounds like a good trip. I'm glad you enjoyed the video.
Lovely video Ralph. You are so soft spoken and simple when you explain stuff. Not over complicated. I just purchased a gold monster 1000 last week. I generally prospect Nevada county and placer county once a week. Generally every Monday or Tuesday. I sure hope I can learn this machine and learn some new spots. History, geology, and some know how. Wish me luck! I’m going to try some hydrologic mines Monday maybe North Columbia and Dutch flat. Thanks again Ralph. Your the man!
Glad it was helpful! Best of luck to you. I have other videos on the Gold Monster too.
@@ChrisRalph I’ll check them out! I just got back. Really had a hard time finding a hydraulic mine that was public for me to prospect and not private.. so I went down to the river to check bedrock and wow it just would beep at everything lol. Something I’ll need to learn. A hydraulic mine sounds fun to walk around in just couldn’t find somewhere to go
@@ChrisRalph hey Chris! Me again lol. Watched more of the gold monster videos you have and went out again today. Found some interesting stuff I wanted to ask you. I detected a hydro mine for roughly 4 hours no brakes. I found 3 small pieces of gold. Lots of trash that I stuck into a bottle. Once I got home I went threw the trash and saw a spec of gold come from a dark black rock. I ended up grinding off the black rock around the piece and found it to be gold underneath the hard black rock. I did it to 2 other specs of “trash” and found gold. It’s very odd. First off this is a recent burn scar I’ve found these at. They are completely black and hard as heck it takes some effort to remove the black stuff. Also, the gold under the black rock has an odd shape compared to normal placer gold. It honestly looks melted instead of tossed in a river. Again, I was in a burn scar in thick manzanita. Would this stuff get so hot it melted and got a black crust on the outside? I’ve been wandering how many I have tossed in the trash now… sheesh. It looks like a small iron stone to me but that one had a shine of gold underneath so it made me look deeper to find out it was actually gold…. What’s your thoughts on the gold melting in a wildfire and having a hard black crust?
I instinctively rubbed the dry dirt and small roots off larger rocks when possible. Thank you Mr. Chris.
Glad to know my videos are helpful.
Just a quick note just say thank you for your book. I read it recently while on vacation camping and I thoroughly enjoyed it and learned an enormous amount. It’s a fantastic resource and I would recommend it to anyone interested in learning more about gold and how to find and recover it.
Glad you enjoyed the book. Thanks for the kind words. Hope you soon find some good gold.
Finding locations in bedrock where heavy metal can concentrate carefully removing the lighter weight material using the mine lab Gold Master metal detector would save time and effort recovering fine gold collected and saved in a glass vial as the placer deposits are free milling avoiding the mercury or sodium cyanide toxins used to isolate gold from the matrix that binds. Whenever I detect the smell of rotten eggs when inspecting tailing piles leftover at mines, I leave with the knowledge someone before dumped cyanide that can be absorbed if you breath in the gas that’s absorbed by breathing the dust in the air blown by the wind as you work there.
It’s your fault I purchased a Minelab Gold Monster 1000, and because of this, I stumbled onto a 1.476 gram nugget! On my first try! Thanks! But not gonna share my loot! 😂
Congratulations on your success. I hope you go out and find more!
Yes Sir! Thanks for such a quick reply!
Hi Chris. I'm really enjoying your book. To bad that you and Bill couldn't get together. My wife and I just left Nevada and now in Prescott. Planning on prospecting Lynx Creek with pans and GM 1000s. Thank you for all your educational support. Maybe someday we can cross coils... take care. Daniel.
Its our intent that Bill and Tammi will be here - they are just delayed. Best of luck in your prospecting.
Hey Cris, great video on the basic features. To my knowledge it still needs to be ground balanced to help get it to run stable. At least I thought so.
It is automatic ground balance. You can pump it and adjust the current setting but as you use it it will adjust itself.
Good explanation Chris thanks for taking the time to show how the Gold Monster works,I have plans for one in my future.
Any time! Glad you enjoyed the video. Hope you soon find some good gold.
Thanks for the info. Read your book 2.5 times so far just got a gold monster. keepm coming, Gold on.
I'm glad you enjoyed the video.
Thank you I'll have my gold monster 1000 with a five inch coil in two days. Great video thank you.
I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed it. 😉
Best instruction so far, I love this.
Glad you enjoyed it.
Your videos are always so informative. I really appreciate the information. I just bought a GM1000 and you answered all the questions I had! Thanks again!
Glad to help. I'm glad you enjoyed the video.
Great video.followed your website link and realised your the old mxt pro guru + a few years.keep up the great work
Still running my mxt pro but considering a GM1000 or Gold Kruzer
Awesome, thank you!
Thanks for doing this video Chris! I'll most definitely be coming back go watch this again when I get my gold monster.
Hi Chris can i consult you what is the best metal detector for exploration an iron ore mine that may be 20-30 meter underground..?
No detector can find 20 meter deep gold.
You bet!
Thanks Chris, retail for the Monster I saw was $849.00 but regardless had mine over 3 years and had success. Would recommend it also..Knowing a little geology helps...
The GM 1000 really is a good detector.
Awesome vid Chris, I live in Central Otago, New Zealand with a range of historic gold field environments. This is my first detector and an looking forward to setting her loose.!
Sounds great! Good luck to you.
Thank You Very Much for sharing your knowledge and experience with us.
You inspire motivation and dreams of that special find!
Wow, thank you
Well done Chris..
Thanks! I might try some more dry washing here myself.
Thank you Chris for sharing an excellent video and information about the Gold Monster 1000.
The Gold Monster will be my next metal detector hopefully soon. Respectfully dd
Glad you enjoyed the video. Hope you soon find some good gold.
@@ChrisRalph Thank you Chris
Hi Chris! Do you have a video that shows how to target good places to test for drywashing by using a metal detector? Would these be hot or highly mineralize areas found by turning gain/sens down? Thanks!!
I've done that in dry washing videos, not metal detecting videos.
Just bought the monster I get it next week thanks for the info
Best of luck to you in your efforts.
Very interesting and in-depth analysis 👏👏👏
Thanks!
great video. How does the goldbug Pro compare for sensitivity for tiny gold?
The gold bug pro is less sensitive, but is also several hundred dollars cheaper.
@@ChrisRalph thank's for the reply. Is it still worth using? or are the GB2 and the ML1000 way more likely to find the small stuff?
I was wondering this exact question.
if I ever upgrade my VLF machine This is what I'd get !!! way easier than what I'm running right now
It is a very easy machine to use. They are now thinking of evacuating the area where my trailer is located.
Hi Chris, hope your well, thanks for the videos as l been watching your videos now for 6 months, also I will be buying a Gold monster this monday for use in wales, around the gold rivers and old mine tips soon as
have to say your well respected and joy to watch as always
Kind regards, from england
Thanks mate! I'm glad you enjoyed the videos.
Got mine for a great deal of $680 includes the pro pin pointer, and free shipping..
Dumb me forgot to order the covers for the coil.
I used mine on a pile of rocks, including quartz, all from the gold country.
I got a hit that showed ferrous and non-ferrous metal..
I dug into that pile and after 2 minutes, i found a rusty 5d nail.
Not discouraged i played with it some more due to it ahowing signs of gold..
It was a small picker, .54 grams.
I figured it was on top and as i kept removing rock it went down.
Afterwards i let my neighbor play with it, he found gold in quartz.
I let him keep it as he was excited about finding it.
He is ordering his Monday.
He is 33 and acting like its Christmas eve.
All excited about getting a Gold Monster.
Sounds exciting, but be sure to get those coil covers.
Amazing content for someone like myself who just bought one of these and is looking to understand the in's and outs...The real question is, why am i so tempted to take a sound byte of your 'beep beep, boop boop, bop bop' commentary and turn it into a dubstep soundtrack hahaha.
I'm glad you enjoyed the video.
Great video! Just bought a GM 1000 at the Quartzsite big mineral show. As I understand it, a lot of areas in Arizona and Nevada are claimed. I suppose that means no metal detecting so I’m wondering were I can locate a claim map. Any suggestions? Thanks!
There are plenty of unclaimed areas in AZ and NV. Join a club to have specific access to claims the club owns.
the next time you're out making one of these videos I want to see how that machine works I've seen enough of these videos where they talk about how they work I want to see practical application
Take a look at this video I did - th-cam.com/video/cjY_27qRxqM/w-d-xo.html
very good explanations.
great information.
Glad to help. I'm glad you enjoyed the video.
Thanks Chris. Awesome explanations. I'm definitely one of the new guys. Apart from mineralized material, mine seems to beep often when i get it really close to anything. Such as my bare hand, elevated pieces of wood, etc. Is this to be expected?
I'll watch the other videos you put in the description. Appreciate it buddy.
Cheers from Oregon
You hand has salts dissolved in your blood. Your hand is slightly conductive and the detector sees that. That's why you need to use a spoon, cup or some other device to test soil and retrieve your target. Anything that touches the coil wire can also cause a false signal - like tall grass or shrubs. Only beeps that are repeatable count as a target. Generally, non repeatable targets are not targets but byproducts of radio waves, electronic noise, ground balance artifacts, contact of tall grass against the coil wires, distant lightning, etc. Real targets are repeatable.
@Chris Ralph, Professional Prospector That's a solid answer; that makes sense. I wouldn't have thought of that. Thanks for that explanation, I feel better now! Can't wait to find gold with it. I've detected with it for about 10 hours so far. Only lead till now. But I'm glad I watched your videos and learned about the discrimination/sensitivity. Wish I would have known that when I gave it my debut runs.
Your book seems great by the way. Plan to buy a couple copies in the near future. Thanks again
Hi Chris, Thank you for sharing your knowledge of gold detecting. I have enjoyed watching your videos. I'm just starting out and have my eye on the Gold Monster 1000 for my first metal detector. How deep into the ground can the Gold Monster detect?
The depth of detection for ANY metal detector depends on how large the target is and a whole bunch of other factors. Take a look at my video on How deep your detector will see. Take a look here: th-cam.com/video/SD3cSkeikto/w-d-xo.html
@@ChrisRalph Thank you Chris for pointing me in the right direction to the information that I was looking for. Your video has explained it very well. Thank you
Hi Chris you should check out Minelab new gpx6000 coming out very soon
Hmmm......
Ok Chris, I bought one so when are we going detecting?
When do you have any free time? You are the hardest working retired person I know. Still, I am ready when you are. When are you ready?
Chris Ralph, Professional Prospector
I’ve got about two weeks of work scheduled in the shop but don’t know if I can get away with the fire threat the way it is. Wife is very nervous about me not being here and having a fire kick off. Our trailer is packed and truck under the hitch but she can’t drive it, manual trans. As soon as the threat lessons I’ll get with you.
Chris Ralph, Professional Prospector
Just watched you on Tim’s 2020 North Yuba river hunt.
Chris, great video. I have detected a bit before but find for the average day detector this is an amazing machine especially with how light it is! I just got one because VLF is what I prefer but I'll most likely have a sdc eventually as it is something on my radar for pulse! Thank you for the awesome lesson as always
Check out my video on the SDC just for reference.
@@ChrisRalphis the machine detecting fake gold I mean pirates.
Chris, If you had to pick between the Gold Monster 1000 or the Equinox 800 for a new prospector, which would you recommend? What are the pluses and minuses of each in your opinion ? I live in the southern Mother Lode area in California so mainly looking for GOLD. BTW, I have your book. Great reference book on prospecting! Thanks.
The equinox is a multipurpose machine, theGM1000 is designed for gold and not for coins and park hunting.
Chris, you mentioned everything about the 1000 except the depth of targets. How deep does it detect a small target, say 1/10g? And how about 1 gram or 10 grams? Isn't that worth mentioning? Size of coil means depth vs sensitivity but what are the actual depths for each?
thanks again for your help for beginners! Still trying to decide which detector to start with!
I didn't do depth, because its way, way more complex than you seem to think it is. The actual shape of the nugget makes a big difference - is it flat or round or long or pointy or smooth or?? How is the shape oriented in the ground? Is it parallel to the surface or perpendicular or something in between? How mineralized is the soil? mild or medium or very hot or??? Is there trash close enough to effect the signal? What sized coil are you using? What level of sensitivity (gain) do you have the detector set to? What other setting are you using on the detector? Are the batteries fully charged or mostly discharged? Are there power lines anywhere close by? There are other factors too. Yours is a question only asked by guys who have little or no experience metal detecting. That's why I did a video on that - take a look and you will understand. See: th-cam.com/video/SD3cSkeikto/w-d-xo.html
@@ChrisRalph thank you Chris. A copy of your book couldn't hurt either. I'm as green as a fir tree. Happy hunting!🙏
I think the book would be a big help in increasing your skills.
Very clear, as always... :-)Thank you for this contribution!
My pleasure! Glad you enjoyed the video.
So for a newbie like me
It’s gain down and sensitivity up?
Gain and sensitivity are the same thing. Gain down if you are having too much chirping from hot rocks and mineralized ground.
Thanks Chris, just bought my first detector today and looking forward to getting out there. Thanks against for the tips and insight into the GM1000.
Best of luck to you.
Chris, you are number one, very informative. Excellent vid here. I got a GM 1000 last year, haven't been able to use it too much, but seemed to work ok. I am new to metal D's., so this one seemed pretty easy. But the last time I used it didn't seem to work to good, was going off all the time so I switched to the smaller coil, and still had the problem of always going off, I tried adjusting but to no avail, so I ran my hand across the coil with dirt and it went off, then I cleaned my hands with nothing in my hands and no metal near me and it still went off, I do not have metal in me. Do you think something might be wrong with it? any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I do have the book "Fist full of Gold" good book and thank you for your vids,
Serg
Are you indoors in a house in a city? Testing needs to be done away from power lines all over the place. Try turning the gain down to the lower settings and see if it still has a problem. If you are part of a prospecting club or know someone who can look at it for you (maybe whoever you bought it from) - that might be good.
@@ChrisRalph Hi Chris, thank you for your reply, this was out on the field, no power lines and no metals nearby, yes I bought it from GPPA last year. I will give them a call. I will try what you said, it looks like the small coil is very sensitive, I noticed on your vid that if you had metal near by it went off until you move it farther away. Maybe my metal tools were too close. Have you ever heard of it doing something like this?
again thank you for your info,
Serg
Be sure to try turning the gain down to the lower settings and see if it still has a problem.
I’m in Rye Patch
Gold Monster 1000
I’ve gone up and down the washes. Dug holes. Indicated gold. After digging down 12”. The signal was stronger then gone. No more signal in the hole or in the tailings.
Now I have no faith in my machine or in my abilities.
Don’t know if I’m setting the machine up wrong or even if I’m looking in the right places.
Do you have a video that can help me.
Without knowing what the issue actually is, its super hard for me to guess. There are ground noises out there but the GM1000 should have been saying iron, iron iron all the way down.
I watched one of your other videos about going slow and reading the land and I feel like I’m ready to go out and give it a serious try again thank you
Do I follow the washes in Rye patch or do I stay on the top ground? What would you recommend?
I have a gold monster 1000 can I use an augmented reality glass F4 to see objects under the ground.
No, there is only one reality. You can't change it.
Very helpful chris thanks,got a question,u know the saying if theres small fish in the water the big ones are not far behind.is this the same with gold?.i wonder who would dislike your video's?
Not all districts produce big gold. Some have small gold only. Some have both small and larger gold.
Hello chris.. Like very much your videos.. One question, gold bug pro or this gold monster 1000 for gold nuggets?
If you can afford it, the GM 1000
@@ChrisRalph thank you very much I apreciatte that you take a time to answear
How do you compare it to Nokta Gold Racer?
Don't own a racer, so hard to say.
Are they as good as a SD 2000
Like comparing apples and oranges - they are different. In some ways the GM1000 is better, in some ways the SD is better.
what is your opinion on the nokta kruzer gold
Its a good detector.
What is the best settings in highly menerelized ground
You may need to turn down the signal gain.
Do you recommend someone starting out in metal detecting buy one of these if they can afford it
Its a good choice for a beginner.
Thanks for the info great video
You bet. Glad you enjoyed the video.
Does it detect copper nuggets?
Yes, copper is a metal, and a metal detector and it detects metals - like copper.
Chris, Can you tell me if the Garrett A/T pro is a Good "gold" detector? Also the Winbest Pro metal Detector,is it any good? I found one of each for sale at an incredibly low price, but could use your Professional opinion.
The AT pro is a good coin and relic detector. Its not a very good gold nugget detector. Winbest appears to be a super cheap Chinese knock off detector that is rebranded with another name. These Chinese detectors range from not very good to total junk.
Am new in gold ✨️ business, I would love to learn more about it and have just bought a Monster 1000 Detector.
How much are you selling your books 📚
The books are for sale on Amazon.
Hey Chris, Deathray from Steve's forum here. My son and I found a patch on a hilltop here in Calaveras. Worked it hard with Deus and Nox. My buddy Mark Dayton kept telling me how good it was. So finally, I borrowed his, got out, and in 3 hours got 9 pieces. Was pretty impressed. Fun, super simple little gold getter. Ordered one the next day. 3 pieces on its maiden voyage. Cheers.
Congrats on the gold finds. I'm glad you enjoyed the video.
watching again !!!!
When we get together, you can try it out.
@@ChrisRalph deal !!!!!
Is this device suitable for looking for raw gold?
Yes it is made for searching for raw gold.
Can you use different size coils on different detectors or do they have to be the same brand as the detector that I have.
Thanks
Detector coils are not interchangeable. You can break a detector doing this. Use only coils made to go with your detector.
Chris Ralph, Professional Prospector thanks
Chris. Very thorough video. Will be testing the settings out on some club claims this weekend. QUESTION: do you have a link to the website that sells that detector stand? I searched for one, but could not find anything. Thanks, ED M.
Its Miner John - check him out on google.
I have heard this will detect small gold but what about large nuggets. Kind of a dumb question but it will also detect large pieces correct?
Yes, it can detect large nuggets.
Why do you say there is no fast track mode? The box says to turn on fast track mode hold down the discrimination but for several seconds until it flashes.
The earliest models didn't have that feature. It was a later addition.
If you hold down the disc button the LCD display flashes. I've heard that it's quick grab but can't find much info
It is a quick ground balance, but is only a feature on the newer versions of the GM 1000
@@ChrisRalph thank you for the reply. Do you hold it down then gb?
hello Chris i live where there is alots of big rock of quartz and red dirt. i watch your video and those places to find gold was similar .. now my question is i dont have much to invest in a nice detector which would be the cheapest novice gold finder to start up finding . thanks.
Try testing with a gold pan.
@@ChrisRalph a gold detector decent not expensive to start .. thanks.
Depends on what is "expensive" to you.
Hi Chris, just watched your 2019 video on the Fisher Gold Bug, as somebody interested in starting to gold hunt, would you recommend the Fisher Gold Bug or the Gold Monster 1000?
Many thanks
Both are good, but if you can afford the GM 1000, I recommend it over the Gold Bug Pro.
Good question.
This was the most informative video on the GM1K I've seen. One thing I've noticed on my detector is when I hold down the center descriminator button the detector coil icon flashes for 3 seconds. Is that ground balance?
not sure - maybe its just a message to tell you to let go of the discriminator button. The ground balance is always on for the GM1000 - there is no way to turn it off.
I found it its a feature on some newer GM1000 detectors that makes the detector go into a fast ground balance mode for a short bit of time. Its not on older GM1000 units.
Chris Ralph, Professional Prospector
That's so cool! OK thank you!!!
Hi Chris, maybe I can ask a question to a pro? I'm in an area in Indonesia that produces gold, there is an active volcano nearby, so a geologically interesting zone. Gold has already been found. But I have a hard time with the rivers here. 99% of the rivers are full of huge stones, gravel and sand, tons of black sand. But I hardly ever get to bed rock, there is far too much gravel and I haven't found any gold yet. I primarily use a gold detector to determine whether there is any gold at all. What is the best way to do it to sample gold in such rivers? High bankers and pumps that suck up the gravel are not possible for cost reasons. Thanks for your help
I'd use a gold pan....
@@ChrisRalph Hahaha, that´s a good answer, sure! I´m an absolute beginner and not even found a single speck of gold, but that´s fine, I still learning and I enjoy the trip into the nature. The gravel bars in those rivers are so packed, means nobody ever touched them. And my AT Gold makes me more then confuse. I put the iron discrimination on Disc 1 with 30 iron disc. The detector seems to find targets, even repeatable once and of course that rasping sound of iron is always present.The courser for the upper display jumps around between 40 and 91. But nothing appears in the box that should actually indicate the value. The depth is shown as 20 to 25+. Do I correctly interpret that there is possibly a target and the machine cannot identify it correctly because too deep?
As I said, I'm a total newbie and I'm grateful for any help I can get.
Chris, I sooo appreciate your videos. In fact, I’m inspired to purchase my first and likely only metal detector. I live in western NC, so not in the slate belt that spawned our gold rush many years ago, but there is still gold to be found around here if you know where to look. I’m currently torn between the Gold Bug Pro and the Gold Monster 1000. I can save a few hundred dollars with the bug, but I see so many TH-cam prospectors swinging the monster that it has me leaning in that direction. I’ve been unable to find any videos doing an in depth and direct comparison of the two machines. I would greatly appreciate your advice or even better, a video! I think many others would benefit from this as well. Maybe a comparison, test, pros/cons and why we might consider one vs the other. I have the money for either, so I just want to know is the monster really worth the extra dollars?
The pro is cheap but less sensitive. If you are serious and can afford it, I recommend the Monster.
@@ChrisRalph I appreciate your reply. I'll follow your recommendation since $ is not my challenge. One follow up question please: I can purchase the Monster with different accessories. One option has the Minelab PinPointer. Are those actually useful/worth having in the arsenal for really small gold, or is that more of a relic hunter's accessory?
Hi Chris, can you recommend me a product that better than Proton Elic ?
The Proton Elic does not work. Anything would be better. The Gold Monster 1000, subject of this video would be a good choice.
Have you tested xp orx? Thinking of that as my first!
A medium frequency "multi-purpose detector" that is really designed more for coins and relics than for gold.
is this monster better than gpz700 and 4500 in pick small gold .does it pick what those two machine can't pic?
The monster will see smaller gold, but will not see larger gold as deeply.
Thanks Chris for your reply.bt is there any need to buy monster when already have 5000gpx ?
Depends on your budget. The monster will see smaller gold.
Will this detector work along the creeks and rivers in Virginia?
Yes.
I just got mine today and it's making lots of beeps and what not just out in the yard? Is that normal?
Many yards are filled with bits of trash iron - nails, bits of old can, etc.
@@ChrisRalph that's what I figured
Question: Are there any detectors that will pick up a concentration of flour gold?
Not really.
Yeah it's called a shovel and gold pan😁😆
Best information sir. Thank you very much.
Glad you enjoyed the video.
do you get other metals with the gold monster 1000 different coil and what coil is better for gold. Please let me know, thanks (:
It is a metal detector and detects ALL metals.
@@ChrisRalph thanks.
Very good information once again! How do you do it!! 👏
Glad you enjoyed the video.
I also have msgd you in FB.
My question is; can you use the detector in shallow waters, like the lower parts with the coil ?? I read where they say it's good to 1mtr, is that correct.
I bought a Goldmonster 1000 and will be giving it a thorough workout this coming weekend.
The coil and lower parts can go in water, not the electronics box.
Loved your video. Maybe I missed it, but you didn't say anything about still having to ground balance it
I mentioned on the video about that - you were not listening. It has only automatic ground balance. There is no adjustment, as it is always on automatic adjustment by the detector itself.
Watch nugget shooter, he demonstrates ground balancing these. The later ones have quick balance where you hold the discriminator button til it beeps, then you pump it over the ground maybe 5 times instead of 15 to 20 like my early model needs. Strangely when I bought mine, there was absolutely no mention in the meagre literature that came with it of manual ground balancing. Learnt all that from nugget shooter's videos.
i was sweeping my gold monster and it went nuts. GOLD !!!!! jumping from ferris to non ferris. (modello betrr caps with aluminum foil). tit was correct. it was both. i will try auto gain. had my gold monster 2 months. should have told them to contact (pat keene) he had like a dozen i was.looking around for one thanks for the tips. have a good day.
Thanks. Hope you soon find some good gold.
Great advice 👍
Glad it was helpful!
I know the GB2 is a 72khz vlf detector, I wonder what khz the Gold Monster works with.
Its about 50 khz. But there is more than just frequency that makes a detector sensitive.
Yes that is quite true and as you pointed out the small coil is the way to go for best sensitivity near the surface. Who wants to dig 10" deep holes to find junk. The small coil makes it easier to get in between rocks and bushes. My gb2 is still tricky to work and takes a developed skill to get best use. Still found the small nuggets with it.
45 khz.
@@ChrisRalph sir advise me which minlab is best for the places with small gold regardless of prize
Hi Sir.
Thank you for everything. Please accept my heartiest gratitude and respect for you as a student.
I recently got my minelab Gold monster in Pakistan's high mountain ranges. I'm new to prospecting, and I have learned a lot from your channel. I want to read your book but I think Amazon is not delivering to Pakistan and it costs more. Can you teach me how to read more and be professional like you.
Your's sincerely😊🌹
Use google and the computer to learn.
WERE YOU AT BLUE CUT AT CAJON LAST WEEK?
Nope....
Hi Chris,
Try holding down the discrimination button down for a couple seconds.
Why?
Not sure what that would be for....
Chris Ralph, Professional Prospector Hi Chris, I believe by holding the button down for a couple of seconds it does a quick auto ground balance, in the selected depth setting.
Chris Ralph, Professional Prospector I am not sure how it exactly works. I might text minelab and ask the question.
What about using it underwater in a river? What about using a mobile XRD machine from Thermo Fisher on your samples to see if it's even worth mining?
The GM 1000 is not waterproof. The coil can go underwater, but not the electronics box.
Minelab sdc 2300 for underwater
Thanks great info.
Glad it was helpful!
Nice video sir keep on sharing...
I'm glad you enjoyed the video.
good Video, Thank You
Glad you enjoyed it! I have many other videos and several on the GM 1000
@@ChrisRalph well i found another video and am watching that one now. Thanks
Thanks
No problem, glad it was helpful.
@@ChrisRalph when do you switch to the bigger coil?
It all depends on conditions - if hunting very small gold on shallow bedrock, then the small coil. If there is deeper bedrock and larger gold, then the larger coil.
Top!
Thanks!
order a book haven't got it yet you check your mail ?
I've got it and will ship your book right away.
How deep can a gold tinsel of 50 mg lie so that the GM 1000 can still discover it?
I have no idea what a gold tinsel is, but a gold flake of 0.05 gram can be detected about at 1.5 to 2 cm.
@@ChrisRalph Thanks for the answer. I meant 'flake', of course, but Google Translate turned it into 'tinsel'.
I estimated the depth for 0.05 g to be about 5 cm (2 inches). Greetings from Austria.
IT SAYS THIS VIDEO IS DEMONITIZED, BUT IT IS STILL SHOWING COMMERCIALS.
No, it says its monetized - I can see that from my screens.
We are curious about how many precious metals you've scrounged up over the years.you have a gold toilet bowl by know.😆
I've scrounged up gold, silver and platinum. I've found copper, Brass, aluminum and others.
@@ChrisRalph I admire your passion.youre doing what many would love to do.
First
Congratulations 🎉
First one - thanks.
Everyone see what the professional teams are doing. If trump wins, I going to upgrade my equipment. Or, if not have a fire sale LOL maybe a minelab
Glad you enjoyed the video, best of luck to you.
Hahahaaaaa
4
For beginners wouldn't it make sense to dig it all going low and slow and paying close attention to the sound of each target so you can learn what signals register for trash, nuggets etc... I figure that the more I focus on what I'm hearing and what comes from each signal, the quicker I will be able to distinguish the good from the bad. I have been watching many videos on the detecting learning curve. Without the knowledge the machine is a useless tool if not properly used. Am I wrong???
So you've never actually done this, and the trash is not overwhelming, yes, dig every target. But what will you do when you hit a place with 100 trash targets to every nugget (- the majority if which are rusty iron junk). You will dig some trash, get discouraged, and give up. I will use my machine discrimination (not just my ear) and sort through the rusty iron trash and just dig the non-ferrous stuff - the lead and the gold. Watch my video on discrimination.
@@ChrisRalph Thanks, I am hoping to learn as much as I can before I buy the detector. I have almost saved up the cash. I have found gold many times sluicing, crevassing, and using my hand dredge. I have some good Ideas of where to look, but I am hoping to get good with a detector. From what I'm learning from videos like yours, detecting is a whole different world. I realize it will take many hours on the detector in the learning phase, but I am hoping to reduce some of the growing pains. lol I am a research kinda guy and I don't give up easy!