Confused

[dg101g]

Hello all.
I'm trying to get into this exiting hobby of prospecting. I have visit 4 shops 3 of them where minelab dealerships trying to get information on detectors that would be suitable for a newbie like myself. I did decided on a minelab detector and after talking to the first two dealers it seemed like that the SDC 2300 was the detector for me. This all changed at the last dealer I visit, who recommended the GPX 4500 too me given the same price tag I was told it would be more versatile and more capable of finding bigger gold at depth. I would be spending most of the time detecting in the golden triangle of Victoria.
Any help and information regarding "my first" detector would be appreciated. Regards Frank

 

[Wishfull]

If your new to detecting my personal advice after using the sdc myself would be go for the sdc and then go for the 4500 Sdc, easy to set up fold up and use. I'm about to get one myself. After only 2 days out I found my first ever gold and a bit every day after for the rest of the week. Yep the 4500 will find gold deeper but for the unexperienced could be off putting. I know of a bloke that has had a 4500 for 2 years and hasn't yet found j/s.
Just my opinion for what it's worth. But When I do eventually find the big one I will.be going for a 5000 or 7k depending on funds.

 

[LC76]

Do you eventually want to find the bigger deeper nuggets and work through a what i understand is a big learning curve?
If so go for the 4500.

Do you want an extremely simple machine that will find really small gold almost every time you go detecting and the rare good sized nuggets at very shallow depths?
Then the SDC is for you.

The SDC is a great first time machine with great resale value if you discover detecting is not for you.

If thats didnt make much sense its because I'v had a few drinks tonight :8

 

[dg101g]

Ok I ordered the GPX 4500 today after talking to a friend today who owns a 5000 and his missus is using an SDC.
So the learning will begin, I will have a day's training with the dealer which hopefully will give me the basic understanding of the GPX.
Thank you for your valued input.

 

[Nugget]

It must be the day for it dg101g, I ordered myself a shiny new 4500 today also

 

[Heatho]

It must be the day for it dg101g, I ordered myself a shiny new 4500 today also

Good onya Nugget, should serve you well, good to see you getting back into it.

 

[KEZZ]

I am interested in this thread as for first detector i was thinking of TDI oz series.. but so many conflicting arguments about detectors.. So now i am back to square one with no idea which detector is good for a newbie..

 

[TTKooAu]

It must be the day for it dg101g, I ordered myself a shiny new 4500 today also

Hiya nugget, long time

Dg101g: Good luck with the 4500, be sure to give some feedback on the learning curve.
And remember
NO PHOTO....IT DIDN'T HAPPEN...lol

 

[Nugget]

It must be the day for it dg101g, I ordered myself a shiny new 4500 today also

Good onya Nugget, should serve you well, good to see you getting back into it.

Cheers mate, I'm looking forward to getting back out there with the wand

I am interested in this thread as for first detector i was thinking of TDI oz series.. but so many conflicting arguments about detectors.. So now i am back to square one with no idea which detector is good for a newbie..

I owned a TDI Pro for a little while and had great success finding nails and other rusty bits and pieces :lol:, not saying that the TDI isn't capable of finding gold (check out WalnLiz's videos), just that I wasn't fortunate enough to pick any up with it. I'm hoping to have better luck with the 4500, if not then I've just purchased one very expensive walking stick :lol:

 

[Jaros]

Great profile mate!!!!

 

[KEZZ]

Thanks nugget, i have watched ALL of there videos lol.. Its like a movie night for us and the kids. Wal himself told me about the TDI and i think it was to do with prices compared to other detectors.. Also as a newbie maybe easier to use.. My main point is i am looking for an all rounder for a beginner.. A bit of everything, Knowing i can have a chance of finding the elusive big nugget and small ones also treasure seeking.. With the talk about what type of detector finds what at a deeper depth is beyond my expertise. I just need to know can the TDI perform on these 3 tasks without worrying about the extra deep peformance from other detectors with experienced prospectors. I hope this makes some sort of sense.

Regards
Kezz

 

[KEZZ]

I forgot to mention my family are in this for fun not to make a million dollars but its not as much fun spending cash on something that doesn't cover your needs.. That is why i ask you guys with the experience for guidance

 

[Nugget]

Definitely KEZZ, I ran the Nugget Finder 8x6 Sadie coil on mine and it was able to pick up tiny targets at depth, again no gold unfortunately but I'm certain it was only a matter of swinging over some in the right conditions.

As far as the learning curve goes, a good read through the manual plus watching a few YouTube videos and you're pretty well on your way. In terms of cost, they're around $800+ more expensive than when I purchased mine (from memory), maybe that's a good thing though, who knows?

Given the current price difference of only $200 between the TDI Pro and GPX 4500, I would be leaning towards the GPX if I were you simply because the GPX is proven to be more versatile and a superior machine overall, just keeping in mind the GPX has a greater learning curve than the TDI.

 

[Tathradj]

Will have my 4500 and arsenal of coils at the end of the month.

 

[KEZZ]

Thanks Nugget, looks like it might be the 4500 then It always easier when someone else makes up your mind for you haha

 

[dg101g]

It must be the day for it dg101g, I ordered myself a shiny new 4500 today also

Hiya nugget, long time

Dg101g: Good luck with the 4500, be sure to give some feedback on the learning curve.
And remember
NO PHOTO....IT DIDN'T HAPPEN...lol

Thanks TTKooAu and yes I will provide feedback from a complete novice point regards learning to use the GPX 4500.
PS: Photoshop is pretty good lol

 

[Nugget]

Thanks Nugget, looks like it might be the 4500 then It always easier when someone else makes up your mind for you haha

No problem KEZZ, glad I could help