Which prospecting metal detector to begin with?

Hi everyone,
I am going to buy a metal detector specially to find gold. What factors should I consider for all the system to do effective prospecting. the Brand, the range of signal, weight, signal power, easy to use, and so on. Apart from the cost, which one you recommend and what is the reason behind.

much Appreciated

What's your budget, mate?

$6000-7000

SDC2300 and you will get a fair chunk of change out of $6000. Robust, extremely easy to use, swing it very slow and it will sniff some gold out. Handles highly mineralised soils very well. Internal coil cable so it's protected from sharp rocks, a falling pick etc.

GPX6000 is bit more at $8999 new but it's lighter, a bit deeper, and you can swing it a bit faster, so works better as a patch hunter. Not as forgiving in high mineralisation as the SDC, but you receive a 14" DD in the kit which does a great job in bad ground.

Minelab has a current redemption offer on certain models, valid to the end of the month. On the SDC2300 the free items are a detector bag, extra battery pack, and Minelab panning kit.

I suggest a 1 or 2 year old GPX6000 (still with warranty) that would be in your price range, the thing is you may have to waite a while for 1 to turn up.

Here is one that does not meet the above criteria.
https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/kal...r-been-opened-6-months-old-minelab/1325738427

I would probably ask myself a question first before out laying 6-7K. That question would be- how often am i going to use it and where?
If the answer is weekly in a gold nugget producing area, spend as much as you want!
If the answer is occasionally, 6 times a year, then maybe the same amount but with extra knowledge on where you are specifically going to prospect to recoup your expenditure.
However, if neither money nor finding gold is the possibility, spend whatever you can comfortably afford without regret and best of luck. Cheers

Unless you are a relatively experienced prospector, a 2300. Saw one advertised in Perth with an additional coil for just $2200 just before posting this.
If you can’t find gold with a 2300, not worth you buying anything more expensive. If you do find gold and want something more expensive the 2300’s still have good resale value to enable you to do that.

To find gold effectively you need to do research more research and more research time and time again, once found the next location requires the same as the previous successful location. There's no such thing as an effective gold detector, it's about knowledge of machine and location, no such thing as a free lunch so to speak. Your located in WA are you familiar with your state law's regarding prospecting, your obligations and responsibilities, that's your first bit of research. If you can give number 1 a tick you're on a roll and just need a bit of equipment. If you're interested location for prospecting is WA be mindful of the environment, seasonal weather and location etc, there's plenty of threads to keep you informed relative to your personal safety. Pay attention to all information of personal safety dangers offered by people with experience relative to WA, I can't help you with this detail.

With regard to your query on machines (detectors) do yourself a favour and contact Phase Technical directly (post 4#) Nenad is a site sponsor but so much more than the title. Nenad has the expertise, experience and understanding of detectors and there abilities far beyond anyone else including me who has offered opinion/advice.

Have you enquired about hiring a machine Other than that your budget also allows you to purchase a 2nd hand GPZ 7000 which is the best of the lot if you want to get serious, be prepared to dig big holes even when you're knackered and experience disappointment it happens to everyone

See so many prospectors out there with a wide range of coils. Get to know your machine with the original supplied coil and you'll have more time on the ground rathing than swapping coils.
Have mentioned the story here, ways back,
A know all told me back in the SD2100 days that I couldn't possibly detect the ground we were on using my 18" Mono. I was finding gold he wasn't. Removed my detector and offered it to him to try, he was amazed. It is a matter of getting to know your machine and spend time tuning it.

Nightjar said:

See so many prospectors out there with a wide range of coils. Get to know your machine with the original supplied coil and you'll have more time on the ground rathing than swapping coils.
Have mentioned the story here, ways back,
A know all told me back in the SD2100 days that I couldn't possibly detect the ground we were on using my 18" Mono. I was finding gold he wasn't. Removed my detector and offered it to him to try, he was amazed. It is a matter of getting to know your machine and spend time tuning it.

Click to expand...

Thank you mate. I will study more both options.

PhaseTech said:

SDC2300 and you will get a fair chunk of change out of $6000. Robust, extremely easy to use, swing it very slow and it will sniff some gold out. Handles highly mineralised soils very well. Internal coil cable so it's protected from sharp rocks, a falling pick etc.

GPX6000 is bit more at $8999 new but it's lighter, a bit deeper, and you can swing it a bit faster, so works better as a patch hunter. Not as forgiving in high mineralisation as the SDC, but you receive a 14" DD in the kit which does a great job in bad ground.

Minelab has a current redemption offer on certain models, valid to the end of the month. On the SDC2300 the free items are a detector bag, extra battery pack, and Minelab panning kit.

Click to expand...

Thank you for your comprehensive information. I will study both options in mre details.