Anyone experienced gold detecting with a titaniun knee re-construction

[BigWave]

I've been putting off a titanium knee re-construction for some time due to many unknowns including it's impact on gold detecting with my 4500. Thankfully it's my left knee and I'm right handed, so that will increase the distance. Unfortunately ceramics/plastics are out. Maybe I'll have to get an SDC which doesn't have the depth? Anyone have any experience with this?

 

[grubstake]

Check out the answers to the same query here: https://www.prospectingaustralia.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=13927

 

[BigWave]

Thanks mate! That's a great relief! This is why I love this forum! No Z tho - who cares if I can still swing my 4500!

 

[Dignit]

Hey BigWave
I was wondering how you went. When are you going to get it done?
I'm up the GT this weekend if you'd like to catch up. Though rain and storms predicted all days.
Doesn't sound the best but I can't over look a long weekend.
Cheers Andy

 

[dam it]

Yer BW
Are you coming ???????????
I have some thing for you

 

[BigWave]

Guys, would be great to get back into the Great Triangle with you again. Might be my last chance for a while. I'll know more after seeing the doc this afternoon. If not, then I look forward to some great pics (couple of oz from Wedderburn?), but will be yellow with envy 8)

 

[BigWave]

Spent today in the GT with my 4500 and new knee. Detector sounds off when swinging to my left with that knee forward, but I'm learning a new swing and can live with that. Dug 9 lead shot today, so a bit down that my lucky knee isn't so lucky - was hoping Asked at Coiltek (Maryborough) today about using a Zed, and was given the bad news - that's out Enough long faces, I'm out and about again and a beaut day here at Dunolly - yeah :lol:

 

[user 7222]

You were here and didn't ring me? I'm hurt!
Lol. Sorry no yella luck.

 

[mardymoose]

Will ring both of you tomorrow, training for the day though. If you think its tough detecting with a titanium knee, imagine how hard it would be with a crystal ball

 

[BigWave]

Hi Patrick,
Didn't plan on detecting - just experimenting with my excessive range of coils and trying out my new knee with each. I hope you and Mardy have a good detect tomorrow and that the rain eases. Would love having a swing with you at the Laanecoorie Gold Bash.
For the GPX series, I have determined (IMO) that the 14*9" Evo coil beats the 11" Commander hands down and will now (after 4 years) replace it and become my "go to coil" in the GT.
It even "sounded on a small specie that both Dig'n-it's 11" mono and mine both couldn't "see" with his new, and my old version GPX's (the specie was originally found by "dam it" with his SDC). BTW - there's no discernible difference between new and older GPX-4500s that we could see in all our tests (except warranty, and mine's been flawless over 4.5 years).
The 14*9"was better by nearly 50% better depth on a small lead bird shot (IMO) than the Commander 11" mono and at least equal to both our 11" Commander monos up to around 8g gold with no reduction in Gain or Stability required..
Even tried my 17*13 which I thought also only matched the 11"Commander on the small lead shot, but was far superior on 2g to 7g to the 11' Commander.
On the negative, I think that the Nugget Finder cable connections to the detector body are more noisy (a Chinese equivalent?), but that can be corrected by a cable holder placed just near the connector (thanks Dig'in-it for the advice - bought two today from Coiltek - Maryborough, but have yet to try).
Unfortunately, we didn't have larger gold to try - one day maybe

 

[user 7222]

You're definitely doing your research. And we all know that that's what it takes to find the yella.

 

[Nightjar]

On the negative, I think that the Nugget Finder cable connections to the detector body are more noisy (a Chinese equivalent?), but that can be corrected by a cable holder placed just near the connector (thanks Dig'in-it for the advice - bought two today from Coiltek - Maryborough, but have yet to try).

BW, Are you banging the machine against your hip with every swing? With the lead wound correctly you shouldn't make contact with lead and consequently no interference?

 

[BigWave]

BW, Are you banging the machine against your hip with every swing? With the lead wound correctly you shouldn't make contact with lead and consequently no interference?

No mate, just getting in amongst dense scrub and rocks jars the machine quite a bit, and traced it back to the lead's connection to the electronics box (even with leads tightly wrapped. Dig'n-it had the same problem and put me onto the solution.

 

[Nightjar]

BW, Will be interesting to read whether the cable protectors solve the problem? Do not think the connectors being Chinese has anything to do with the problem.
Used to have same problem with previous Minelabs, found that after finger tightening the connectors if you gave the plug a wiggle you usually got another quarter turn tightening. The last loop of cable to the box be on outside of handle. Never had a problem since.

 

[BigWave]

Thanks Nightjar, but I seated and re-seated the connectors many times. Didn't seem to be a problem with the 11"Commander mono, but was with both Nugget Finder Evos.
Won't be able to try again till next outing at the Laanecoorie Gold Bash in two weeks. Happy hunting mate.

 

[BigWave]

Am now used to detecting with a titanium knee using a NF 14*9 Evo coil on my 4500, it's all working fine, with minimal titecting. :Y:
The NF 17*13 is more difficult though, and regularly sounds off. Much more care required swinging that one.
Also had a brief swing using tryhard's Zed, and it might be useable - more experimenting to do there.

 

[Tathradj]

Some of those connectors have pins that have
not quite making contact in the female plug.
GENTLE slight expansion of the male pin resolves this issue.
Square post in a round hole syndrome.