This is a loaded question, as some folks swear by certain brands, or reputations. Many will tell you that "only PI machines are good enough for gold prospecting", but this is not necessarily true. PI machines go much deeper, less interference from mineralized soil, but don't have as much sensitivity for tiny gold. The following models have good reviews and user's comments. Check them out . Kevin Hoagland reviews many of these on the detector prospector forum.

Right now, the hottest detector for gold seems to be the Minelab Gold Monster 1000. It is a PI It usually sells for less than $900 USD. Several higher-priced Minelab detectors ($2,500-$9,000) are popular in Australia, if you are thinking of going all-out.

The Fisher Gold Bug II is an "old standby", an older VLF machine (71KHz) that has found A LOT of gold,, sub-gram pickers at 3"-4" Usually priced around $650-$700

Nokta/Makro are sister companies, with separate model lines. Nokta's AU Gold Finder is much like the GBII (analog, no display), and the price is about the same. Operates at 56 KHz, so will find fine gold. It has a waterproof coil, but the box is "water resistant", but can be belt- or chest-mounted.

Makro's Gold Kruzer operates at 61 KHz, is completely waterproof, and has wireless headphones. Digital controls, and LCD display. Price is comparable to the Nokta model.

White's GMT 24K is White's legendary "Goldmaster" model, upgraded and tweaked for 21st Century. Many swear by White's quality and reputation. Operates at 48Khz, and has waterproof coil, but entire detector is NOT submersible. Priced about $750.

Garrett's AT Gold is a favorite of many, and many swear by it as being "the Best", but it is pretty old technology and operates at a lower 18kH.

Best gold nugget "water resistant" detector? Depends on how deep the water is. Many will operate in water over the coil up to the control box. Just don't fall in. Salt water? that's another story

Contrary to a previous reply by David, the Gold Monster 1000 is a VLF detector. I have one.

There is no "best" detector, because different "mode" detectors(VLF, PI, ZVT) operate better under the conditions for which they were designed. You will probably want to decide where you are going to detect mostly, then base your decision on that.

VLF detectors are usually better in more shallow ground conditions, but have more trouble with highly mineralized ground, hot and cold rocks. They are better at iron discrimination/ID, finding smaller gold targets, crystallized gold, wire gold, gold specimens(gold in rock) and pinpointing the target. And cost less than other types(PI, ZVT). VLF's weigh less than PI machines. Starting prices for gold machines are usually around $700+ depending on coils/configuration.

VLF (Very Low Frequency) detectors operate at different frequencies, depending on model and brand. Some operate in more than one frequency, for example the Minelab Equinox 600 and 800 models. Lower frequencies are better on larger gold.

PI (Pulse Induction) detectors are better in highly mineralized soil, ignoring hot and cold rocks, salt and alkaline conditions, , finding larger gold and finding deeper targets. They usually have lots of coils to choose from. The starting prices are usually well over $1000.

DO NOT let someone tell you that a PI detector is the only way to go. Professional detectorists have both PI and VLF machines and use both depending on site and conditions.

For a good site to visit, try Detector Prospector which has reviews on various detectors by different manufacturers. Nugget Shooter has videos on Youtube. He is dealing mostly with Minelab GM 1000, Minelab Equinox 800 and Minelab SDC 2300.

Best advice: go to a dealer who has the various manufacturer's detectors, will demonstrate their detectors and give training.

Wayne