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Date Posted: 22:40:08 07/06/02 Sat
Author: jim straight
Subject: Re: Opinions On Compass Gold Machines ?--- Mike, stick with us,
In reply to: Mike C...AZ 's message, "Re: Opinions On Compass Gold Machines ?" on 12:10:20 07/06/02 Sat

Hello Mike, I guess Compass is currently not too well known. Ralph was just trying to start a discussion going, but it was slow in getting started. I was hoping Bill Revis would jump in with his usual great sense of humor and vast knowledge of Compass, but didn't. (BILL: are you out there!)

Unfortunately the warehouse fire, not only burned badly needed inventory, but it was also at a critical time as Compass was not only undergoing a change in management, but also expensive research and development.

Actually I first realized the potential of Compass machines when by accident I became involved with a detectorist at Quartzsite. Gosh, this was back about 1986. He had an X-70 and was having trouble with it. [As you know the Compass X-70 (as did the later X-80) sported a full range "Auto Tune Speed" and also a "Tone" control; two features that to me were very desirable in nugget hunting.]

To make a long story short, I tossed a small one or two grain nugget on the ground that I had found earlier at Dome Rock using a then 4.5 kHz "gold machine." Bong-Bong," the X-70 with the 8-inch search coil sounded off loud and clear. I now believe that the about 7.0 kHz frequency may have helped?? (Later I found the 10(?) kHz Magnums also good at Quartzsite)

Getting back to my story: Frankly, I did not/still don't understand the X-70, not only did it have the normal basic ground balance-tuner-sensitivity-controls; but in addition not only the previously mentioned "tone" and "auto tune speed," but also a "Target Level" which seemed to make the GB-Disc mode more sensitive. All of this was housed in a big heavy-- to me-- pole mount.

To make a long story short, I boldly contacted Mr. Mack (The late Michael Paul Henson once remarked to me "I like your nerve Straight.") and learned that Compass was in the process of developing a "gold machine."

It was the Gold Scanner Series. Through this association I became involved. I will not go into details, but my association with Mr. Mack was/is one of my fond memories. When his contract with the new management was "up," Mr. Mack gave me an X-100; which I graciously accepted as a gift. It now sits in one of my storage boxes. Again, Thank You Mr. Mack!

I was testing the Gold Scanner in the Lovelock area and I will never forget calling Mr. Mack on the phone and exclaiming--- "Ya gotta get me more depth in autotune!" (He did!)

Compass was first with the auto-tune, the DD coils, tone, tilt switch, the filters, and two-frequency such as the 6.88 and 13.77 kHz such as the X-200 sported.

John Earle designed the American/European "hot-rock/low-mineral" slide switch for the Gold Scanners and George Payne the surface mount technology used on the Coin Scanners.

Compass by about 1988-90 was really rolling. Then the fire, all went on hold. George Payne, John Earle were then/and still are great project-design engineers. Mr. Mack a real savvy business man. Steve Goss--- now with his wife, Sue, slogged on with Compass during its "down-cycle" and honored all warranty repairs, and continued to develop and bring back the Original Compass Line. Steve is a real accomplished technician and also into designing better Compass products.

It was at Compass that Keith Wills (Did you read his recent article in W&E Treasure?), Allan Cannon, Monte von Berry, and others, too numerous to mention, became what they were to be. Kay Modgling found enough coins with Compass machines to buy a new Pinto at the Ford dealership on Chino. Betty Weeks, Lucy Bowen, and Kay Modgling were the "three musketeers," going around all over finding lots of goodies as documented in the "Travel of the Gals" column.

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