Two dredges compared using only what their Gold Output catalog pages state: intended use, setup, cost inputs, strengths, and limits.
| Fact | Keene 2 Inch Suction Dredge | Keene 3 Inch Suction Dredge |
|---|---|---|
| Average price | $825.00$924.00 less | $1,749.00$924.00 more |
| MSRP | $899.99 | $1,899.99 |
| Tracked price range | $750.00 – $950.00 | $1,600.00 – $2,000.00 |
| Weight | 35 lbs | 65 lbs |
| Key spec | 2 inch suction nozzle | 3 inch suction nozzle |
| Expertise | intermediate | advanced |
| Popularity | ★★★☆☆ 7/10 | ★★★★☆ 8/10 |
Prices are the catalog's tracked reference prices, not live offers.
Smaller streams and creeks. The catalog describes a compact dredge that is lightweight and portable for backpacking into remote areas.
Serious prospectors. The catalog calls this popular 3-inch dredge a good balance of power and portability.
A 2-inch suction nozzle, a 48-by-24-by-18-inch frame in aluminum and PVC, at 35 pounds.
A 3-inch suction nozzle with Honda engine and pump, a 72-by-36-by-24-inch frame in aluminum and steel, at 65 pounds.
Whichever you pick, the purchase price is a fixed cost in the Gold Output profitability calculator: enter the price you actually pay under fixed costs, and any per-hour costs separately. The table above gives each product's tracked reference price as a starting point.
Use $825.00 — the tracked average — or your real purchase price as the fixed cost.
Use $1,749.00 — the tracked average — or your real purchase price as the fixed cost.