The Desert Fox spiral wheel has seven separate spirals which pick up gold seven times with each rotation of the wheel. All seven spirals end at the center tube-shaft. The seven spirals dump gold into this tube-shaft and into a hanging gold catch-cup at the other end. This method is far superior to other types of spiral wheels which do not pass the gold through the wheel into a hanging cup. The Desert Fox wheel with it's pitch adjustment and water spray system, allows the operator to "tune out" the black sand which is nearly always present with placer gold. Machines with a cup in the center of the wheel depend on the gold displacing any black sand and the operator must splash water by hand to complete the clean up process. This type of machine is much slower than the Desert Fox because it has only one spiral lead and the need to splash water by hand. Another important feature exclusive with the Desert Fox is it's sealed ball bearing. Gold panning machines are subject to a muddy water environment. All competetive machines have sleeve bearings and at least one has the bearing running under water. The limited warranty on this type of machine is one year or less. The Desert Fox has a FIVE YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY FACTS: Dry Weight = 10 pounds Stowed Size = 12" X 12" X 20" Powered by any 12-Volt Battery