Two sluice boxes compared using only what their Gold Output catalog pages state: intended use, setup, cost inputs, strengths, and limits.
| Fact | Keene A52 Hand Sluice | Keene A51 Mini Sluice |
|---|---|---|
| Average price | $155.00$66.00 more | $89.00$66.00 less |
| MSRP | $169.99 | $99.99 |
| Tracked price range | $140.00 – $180.00 | $75.00 – $110.00 |
| Weight | 12 lbs | 6 lbs |
| Key spec | Ideal for 1-2 people | Ideal for solo prospecting |
| Expertise | beginner | beginner |
| Popularity | ★★★★☆ 9/10 | ★★★★☆ 8/10 |
Prices are the catalog's tracked reference prices, not live offers.
Recreational prospecting for one or two people. The catalog describes the A52 as the legendary full-size hand sluice, with proven performance in the field.
Backpacking and smaller operations. The catalog calls the A51 the compact version of the famous A52, ideal for solo prospecting.
A 50-inch by 10-inch aluminum box with riffles, an adjustable leg, and a flare, weighing 12 pounds.
A 33-inch by 6-inch aluminum box with riffles, weighing 6 pounds — sized to carry into the field.
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 $155.00 — the tracked average — or your real purchase price as the fixed cost.
Use $89.00 — the tracked average — or your real purchase price as the fixed cost.