So what's everyone's go to for Field Gear?
As a independent prospector, I spend a lot of time in the field, and having the right tools for the job makes a huge difference.
I just wanted to compile a list of gear I am using and see what others are bringing out, and maybe help others with their setup.
- Garmin GPSMAP 67i - Amazing GPS with InReach capabilities, allowing me to log my samples, track my movements and contact people for check in's/emergencies, and even one time I emailed Sebo and in the email I said "Stake It", and he gets the coordinates of where the message was sent and he staked the claim for me!
- Bronton compass - I use this to obtain Strike/Dip and navigate.
- Starlink Mini (ROAM service) - I recently upgraded from the Gen 2 Starlink, and I am excited for this addition. It fits in my laptop bag with my laptop, and only uses 41w while operating. Starlink allows me to do a data entry into my laptop from my field notes, research claims while in the field, keep in contact and you can't miss Dan Hurd Prospecting's sunday morning video. I plan to get a adapter to run off a Milwaukee battery so I can bring Starlink with me on backpacking trips.
- Jackery 500 Power Bank - I use the Jackery to power most of my equipment when the generator isn't in use. Its size and convenience, I use it to power my diesel heater in the colder months, base camp Starlink and my electronics. I have the Jackery
- SolarSaga 100w solar panel which allows me to charge the Jackery while I am in the field.
- Honda EU2200ei Generator - Perfect sized generator for a small camp and is insanely quiet. Nice and light to carry into the field to operate small equipment. Easy to maintain.
- Vevor 5kw Diesel Heater - Perfect for the chilly months, drying wet gear and soil samples.
- 30" Geotul - One of my favorite tools, my Geotul allows me to break outcrop, use has a walking stick and I can do small trenching with it.
- Estwing 22oz long handle rock pick - I like the longer handle and the heavier weight of 22oz due to me using the same version of the framing hammer when I was in construction.
- Pelican Muck Scoop w/ 32" handle - This tool is great for use clearing high banking tailings, trenching and going thru tailings dumps.
- Bushpro tree planting shoval short handle - Perfect for soil sampling and digging in spots that a regular shoval can't.
- Rite in the Rain - I use Rite in the Rain field binder that I use to manually input sample GPS and descriptions, no matter the conditions.
- Silky Bigboy folding saw - Perfect size, light weight saw that fits in any vest/pack, and works great for many uses.
- Minelab Gold Monster 1000 - Reliable, easy to use metal detector.
- Gold Trek high banker - Super light and efficient unit, local company (Crux Prospecting), I got the Ocean Picture Blue model and can't wait to see the areas I can access with this.
- MSR MiniWorks Water Filter - Amazing light water filter, can but water bags to fill from anywhere. I got the maintenance kit and a extra filter in my bin.
- MSR WhisperLite stove - Light weight backpacking stove, perfect for any pack. I also carry the maintenance kit.
- MEC TGV 2 person 4 season backpacking tent - weighing 2.75kg, if I am doing a remote job, this in my choice of mountaineering/backpacking tent. Buy the footprint too.
sebo liked this thread
Cheers CuPDaddy
In addition to a field kit and many similar things to what you listed, I've started using a tablet in the field for data entry (Prospecting and Geological mapping). Things one can do with this:
- have a full GIS in the field via QField, a portable version of QGIS
- this is a fricking game-changer
- I've worked on properties that had >1000 rock samples, full soil grids, and drill data available, all with multi-element assays. Having access to that data in real time in the field is amazing
- helps to avoid wasting time/money on previously sampled dead material
- a quick scan of the QField at outcrops that "carried" allows a person to very quickly establish familiarity with the local style(s) of lith/alteration/mineralization/etc
- directly map, sample, measure, note, etc at any scale into a geopackage layer that is limited only by our imaginations
- lithologies
- alterations
- samples
- structures
- contacts (faults, unconformities, etc)
- mineralization
- veining
- drawbacks:
- you need to be pretty good at QGIS to build out a functional QField in the first place (or have a friend whose template you can poach), and to troubleshoot when things go wrong
- data transfer needs to be done regularly (like, every night), and can be a bit finicky; I've lost data before though QField app is getting better all the time (and those data losses were my fault)
- I wish it was possible (for note-taking) to do voice-to-text when not connected to the internet or cell service; if anyone has some help for me on that I'd really appreciate it
- measure structural data directly using the tablet; I use a program called FieldClino
- allows you to use your tablet/phone's gyro to take a lot of structural data very quickly
- drawback: you have to export it from FC and import it into the QGIS model later
- take geo-located photos and annotate them in the field
- have all prior ARIS work, MinFiles, old maps, etc ready to go in the field for comparison and contrast with your own thinking
I still bring a notebook with me in the field to record basic stuff like planning travs, my first and last sample and field station from each day, sketches & ideas, etc., but I love QField.
Also, as someone who does first aid professionally most years in the winter months, and who has witnessed and dealt with serious first aid emergencies in the bush, I'd like to add bear-spray, pen-flares, and a well-thought-out first aid kit to your list. Fuck band-aids and those silly little kits outdoor stores sell, people like us need to bring the things that will stop heavy bleeding quickly or otherwise save a life.
I like that you had an inReach on that list: it's essential nowadays, IMO, and any contract field work one does that doesn't have one for each party is a run-screaming-the-other-way job.
also this would make a great article once we get a bit more detail in here :)
I agree, with some more contributions here, we could make an article.
I used Qfield briefly this summer working with JGP Mineral Exploration Ltd, and Iook forward to adding it to the arsenal.
I have PDF files saved on my personal and field laptop, so I can have access to every ARIS, MINFILE and EMPR AR from the property to cross reference in field or during data entry at EOD.
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