I just joined my local prospecting group and went dredging last weekend, got a new job and have a little extra cash coming my way, am looking for the best mini- highbanker.
I'm looking for something to get very fine gold from lightly classified material (1/4"). I'm in Portland, Oregon, so all the gold around me is super fines that I have access to.
I have seen three popular types of gold capturing systems:
1) riffles with moss or matting or some combination there-of
2) fluidized-bed
3) ABS molded plastic drop-riffle design
People seem to be conflicted on the drop-riffle style ABS plastic sluices, they seem super easy to clean up, but I'm among the very skeptical as to the validity of their claims, but I hope they are right!
I'm looking at the:
Royal Mini-highbanker
http://www.royalmfgind.com/shop/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=29791
Prospectors_Choice Scout 2000GPH
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2000-GPH-Highbanker-12-Volt-System-Portable-Find-Gold-Easy-Use-SCOUT2000-/271876130466?hash=item3f4d1486a2
RDH #58
http://www.ebay.com/itm/58-highbanker-recirculating-sluice-dredge-panning-gold-With-12VDC-800pgh-Pump-/181869951944?hash=item2a584b3bc8
mini-cascade highbanker
looked interesting but i'm not sure about the "gold drawers"
http://www.ebay.com/itm/The-Mini-Cascade-Highbanker-Gold-Recovery-System-12V-800GPH-Pump-Stand-Sluice-/151832535398?hash=item2359eca166
My main limitations are:
mainly money, and second space. I have a small apartment and need to be able to store it and transport it with ease.
I have a 400 dollar budget. total.
I'm open to suggestions and really need real world advice, I can't afford to buy lemon!
Comments
I have looked at the Angus MacKirk, and the California Sluice Box versions, funny enough the CASluice owner claimed to be the son of the owner of Angus MacKirk in a forum I came across looking for highbanker reviews.
So the drop-riffle system isn't just a gimmick? I could find very few reviews/forum posts of people that had purchased them and were happy