[meteorite-list] OK, how 'bout "Magnet canes are flawed?"

From: Matson, Robert D. <ROBERT.D.MATSON_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Tue, 24 Aug 2010 15:36:30 -0700
Message-ID: <9180F6B27399C541B10663E21C8BDE921CE264_at_0461-its-exmb09.us.saic.com>

Hi Count/List,

No need for anyone to get defensive -- many people use a meteorite cane
because their backs are shot. I have compressed lumbar discs, so I have
lived with chronic back pain for years. Bending over a thousand times
per meteorite hunting day does take its toll. (I consequently bend at
the knees, not at the waist.)

The point I was trying to make is that if you depend SOLELY on the
feedback provided by a meteorite cane, you will unavoidably miss some
meteorites -- and unfortunately, these will be the most interesting
ones. I've seen my share of newcomers to the hobby that completely
depend on their magnet canes as their primary detector, because they
are still learning to recognize meteorites (of all types) by their
visual appearance. That's all fine. But if someone is young and/or
in reasonably good physical shape, I suggest they ditch the cane in
favor of a handheld magnet. It forces you to place more dependence
on your eyes; if you're uncertain of a particular rock, you simply
pick it up for a closer look (which also has the advantage of giving
you an idea of the density). You then have the option of holding
the rock in one hand and the magnet in the other to test for
attraction. Believe me, the sensitivity of this test is an order
of magnitude greater than using the exact same magnet on the end
of a cane. My intention here is not "embarrassment", as you put it,
but enlightenment. If I didn't want others to be successful, I'd
let them merrily go about their business tapping rocks all day. --Rob

-----Original Message-----
From: countdeiro at earthlink.net [mailto:countdeiro at earthlink.net]
Sent: Tuesday, August 24, 2010 1:29 PM
To: Matson, Robert D.; Meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com
Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Magnet canes are evil

Robert wrote:

I sometimes carry an LL6 with me....That usually "cures" them.

Ah, come on you guys. You talk like we relative "newbies" are a sandwich
short of your picnic. I carry a very powerful (+50) neomydium on a staff
I use, cause I'm a cripple and I don't like to fall down, or bend over.
But, my first location device is my own pair of MK2 eyeballs backed by
recognition patterns learned in studies on line, in papers, texts and
handling in person thousands of meteorite wrongs and rights. Yeah, I
know, I'll never catch up to you in numbers, but you'd be surprised at
the difference in each individual's learning abilities, memory and
powers of observation. Per esempio. I was dropped in a known strewnfield
that had been worked, admittedly for six years, by one of the best
hunters in the Americas and several of his equally experienced
dealer/hunter friends. Within an hour I spotted a 13.7 kilo LL6 sticking
three inches out of the ground. I had used my eyes first, then the cane
second. If it hadn't been attracted I would have picked it up anyway to
loupe it. If it was obviously not a wrong, but still ringing bells
(possible planetary, or other rariety) I would have put it down. Then
cubed, GPS'ed and taken a photo, put it in a baggy (if it would fit) and
taken it home to the scope. But guess what?...this LL6 clicked, albeit
lightly. So, you had better use a lunaite to embarass "newbies" with
their magnets. And keep in mind that hunting for meteorites isn't a very
complicated business. Hell, you can teach dogs to do it.
And about that first lunar to be found in the Americas...don't be
surprised if some reportably dumb ass newbie trips over it.

Regards,

Count Deiro
IMCA 3536

   

-----Original Message-----
>From: "Matson, Robert D." <ROBERT.D.MATSON at saic.com>
>Sent: Aug 24, 2010 1:10 PM
>To: Meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com
>Subject: [meteorite-list] Magnet canes are evil
>
>Mark wrote:
>
>> As soon as everyone stops using metal detectors and magnet canes to
>> look for meteorites then the first Lunars in Europe or USA will
>> eventually be found, .... until then!
>
>I have never used a magnet cane, nor will I ever, and I always advise
>new hunters against their use. A magnet cane is basically an H-, L-,
>iron, and stony-iron filter. I sometimes carry an LL6 with me to the
>desert on the off-chance I'll run into someone using a magnet cane.
>That usually "cures" them. ;-)
>
>--Rob
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Received on Tue 24 Aug 2010 06:36:30 PM PDT