AKS Gold detector - find gold up to a distance of 5km..... wtf, scam

[james_s]

The usefulness of these devices for alloy identification really depends on the base material, the biggest problem for them is steel. where this systems can give you only a rough idea of which type of steel you are looking at, this is because the most important alloying element in steel is carbon and it is almost impossible to get a correct reading for it due to surface contamination which is difficult to eliminate in a vacuum (in SEM systems with XRF capability）and basically impossible in the field

Makes sense. In this case it was aluminum, prices on steel scrap were so low at the time they'd usually just give it to one of the roving scrappers who would stop by occasionally rather than pay somebody to haul a load to cash it in.

[mikeselectricstuff]

It's arrived... just in time for the Lunar Eclipse 

[GeorgeOfTheJungle]

Huh, that's top notch, it only detects the very best of things, even "diam"onds!?!?! (what's the "diam" setting for?) None of that rusty ferrous rubbish.

[mikeselectricstuff]

Well this solves the mystery of the second box.
It's just a 315MHz remote keyfob, with a huge nicad or NiMH pac, the sole purpose of which is to keep the green "on" light lit.
Pressing the buttons lights the corresponding LED on the back of the main unit. Meanwhile a "scanner" LED on the main unit cycles an RGB fade sequence that looks a lot like those LEDs with built-in effects...
Surprisingly it does work from inside the aluminium extruded case. 
Main unit feels like it might be potted.

[GeorgeOfTheJungle]

A generous antenna.

[digsys]

This is a tricky one. They have a device which can detect gold worth millions and millions of dollars, and they have a need to sell the device to other people. What do you think, true or scam?  

They sound like the folks I did a job for many years ago ... (usual rich arabs) ... they asked if I could make them a metal detector that could work to a depth
of 10Mtrs or so ... and and .. detect other precious metals ... and and ... display the approximate worth (so they wouldn't bother digging it up if it wasn't worth it) ..
Just for fun I suggested that it could be operated from a low flying helicopter - you can cover MUCH more ground faster !!
That got them excited !! "You make us one and we'll pay you $10,000 CASH ... no wait $20,000 CASH .... ok after we make enough to cover costs of course"
Yup, they're out there and STILL breeding !!

[Bud]

Damn, i am late with my prediction you will find a LED and a capacitor/resistor inside.

[mikeselectricstuff]

X-ray shows what looks like a small ferrite rod antenna at the end of the plastic nose. Scope shows 60Khz signal.
It beeps if you take the end within an inch or so of a large metal object. Metal type setting makes no difference.
By bet is it's the same as a cheap DIY buried pipe detector, so their description as being a metal detector is actually true...

[Bud]

and and ... display the approximate worth (so they wouldn't bother digging it up if it wasn't worth it) ..

  

[mikeselectricstuff]

May be a while before I get to look further - need to shot a video intro before it meets mister bandsaw for further investigation..
 

[CJay]

May be a while before I get to look further - need to shot a video intro before it meets mister bandsaw for further investigation..

Oh I can't wait

*grabs popcorn and cola*

[Cyberdragon]

and and ... display the approximate worth (so they wouldn't bother digging it up if it wasn't worth it) ..

  

LOL, lazy idiots probably couldn't figure out a value from a percent/concentration number anyway. Doing that automatically would require an internet connection to a server and everything else (to track market prices).

[CJay]

and and ... display the approximate worth (so they wouldn't bother digging it up if it wasn't worth it) ..

  

LOL, lazy idiots probably couldn't figure out a value from a percent/concentration number anyway. Doing that automatically would require an internet connection to a server and everything else (to track market prices).

Or better yet, a GSM module that sent me a text to alert me of their findings

[OE2WHP]

May be a while before I get to look further - need to shot a video intro before it meets mister bandsaw for further investigation..

has it met Mr. bandsaw yet?

Regards

[mikeselectricstuff]

May be a while before I get to look further - need to shot a video intro before it meets mister bandsaw for further investigation..

has it met Mr. bandsaw yet?

Regards

Not yet - too busy!

[janekm]

From the aliexpress link:

Due to the presence of magnetic storms and solar aurora, the instrument must be commissioned for a period of time before it can be used normally. The receiver will continue to receive signals during this time, but the instrument will not respond. This situation is beyond the control of the Ravens. It takes time to adapt.

Expect some tapping and rapping on your workshop door Mike, that'll be the support tech fluttering in to set the device up for its operational mode No wonder your initial results during the solar eclipse were underwhelming.

[janekm]

Looks like this device is basically intended to be sold by hustlers to gullible marks, it's all set up to give an impressive demonstration by having an assistant pressing the remote buttons at the right times.

[LapTop006]

From the aliexpress link:

Due to the presence of magnetic storms and solar aurora, the instrument must be commissioned for a period of time before it can be used normally. The receiver will continue to receive signals during this time, but the instrument will not respond. This situation is beyond the control of the Ravens. It takes time to adapt.

Expect some tapping and rapping on your workshop door Mike, that'll be the support tech fluttering in to set the device up for its operational mode No wonder your initial results during the solar eclipse were underwhelming.

No gold found, nevermore.

[amyk]

X-ray shows what looks like a small ferrite rod antenna at the end of the plastic nose. Scope shows 60Khz signal.
It beeps if you take the end within an inch or so of a large metal object. Metal type setting makes no difference.
By bet is it's the same as a cheap DIY buried pipe detector, so their description as being a metal detector is actually true...

It's surprising there's active electronics in there... I was expecting something more like the fake bomb detectors: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quadro_Tracker

[Cyberdragon]

There are plenty of metal detectors that can distinguish metal types, they couldn't even be bothered to make it actually do that.

[kaz911]

There are some gold miners who are using “wireless detection” and fly over to spot possible gold deposits. But it got something to do with what else is present around gold usually - that emits some ?Ions? which are detectable from the air.

So it does not detect the gold - and would not find a dropped gold coin. But apparently they can find the ore with it.

Last I heard about it was on Frank Curzio interview with one of the miners - 2-3 weeks ago. I think this is the podcast: https://www.curzioresearch.com/the-incredible-story-of-a-not-so-typical-gold-miner/

If it works or not I do not know but Frank Curzio is (apart from sounding like a US boiler room trader) - quite often right on his market predictions.

[janoc]

There are some gold miners who are using “wireless detection” and fly over to spot possible gold deposits. But it got something to do with what else is present around gold usually - that emits some ?Ions? which are detectable from the air.

Sounds very much like dowsing. Substitute "ions" for whatever BS excuse of the day, it works equally well.

Now there are some remote sensing techniques using even satellite imaging - but those work by detecting geological changes/discontinuities using hyperspectral images to map out promising areas for further exploration.

e.g.: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/222300125_Detecting_areas_of_high-potential_gold_mineralization_using_ASTER_data
or
http://www.fcnym.unlp.edu.ar/catedras/geofoto/geo_html/informacion/pdf/the_use_of_remote_sensing.pdf

[Cyberdragon]

Would it be possible to have a long range spectrometer? Sort of like Star Trek sensors. I mean, the power output might be quite dangerous, so you'd have to clear the area before scanning.

[IanMacdonald]

Did some experiments with metal detecting many years ago, and found that the two coil T/R induction type is best for general use. It's relatively easy to discriminate between iron and nonferrous metals, but discriminating between nonferrous metals is hard as there is essentially no difference in the magnetic effects of aluminium or precious metals. Gold or silver gives a stronger signal per mass because of its better conductivity, but then a drinks can is larger than a ring or coin so that cancels out. Interestingly I did find that cupronickel allow such as some UK coins are made of could be identified by its magnetic reluctance, albeit only at close range. 

I can't imagine a ferrite rod would be any use except for very short range, the larger the diameter of air-cored coil you can manage, the better the depth penetration. 

[Blocco]

The main PCB appears to be from a cheap MD300 handheld metal detector.

http://www.longrangelocators.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19073