G’day Niko,
Great to see you jumping into prospecting! There’s been some excellent advice in this thread already, so I’ll build on what’s been said and clarify a few things.
1. Is there a best detector?
No!
Not any single detector is perfect for everything.
As others have pointed out, it depends on:
•
What you’re looking for (gold vs. coins vs. relics).
•
Where you’re detecting (highly mineralised goldfields vs. beaches vs. parks).
For
gold prospecting in Australian mineralised soils, the
GPX 6000 is the best all-rounder right now. The
GPZ 7000 will detect
deeper gold, but it’s heavier and more expensive. If budget is a concern,
some have mentioned the SDC 2300—great for small gold, easy to use, and works well in tough ground.
For
general treasure hunting (coins, relics, beaches, etc.), something like the
Manticore or CTX 3030 is a better fit.
2. Which detector is best for detecting the deepest?
Depth depends on multiple factors:
• The
size of the target (bigger targets = better depth).
•
Ground mineralisation (mineralised soil reduces depth).
•
Technology used (VLF vs. PI vs. ZVT).
•
Coil size (larger coils go deeper but sacrifice sensitivity to small targets).
Coil Size & Depth – Trade-offs to Consider
Some have suggested that
a larger coil (e.g., 25” coil on the GPX 5000) can improve depth, which is true
for larger targets. However, there are
downsides to using a bigger coil:
•
Increased EMI (electromagnetic interference) – The bigger the coil, the more EMI it picks up, which can reduce stability and sensitivity.
•
Less sensitivity to small gold – While a big coil is great for deep, large nuggets, it may
miss the “bread-and-butter” gold, which is usually smaller and more commonly found.
•
Handling & weight – Swinging a large coil all day can be tiring, especially in rough terrain.
So, if you’re targeting
deep, large gold, a
big coil is a solid option—but if you want a balance between
depth and sensitivity to smaller gold (which is what most prospectors find), then sticking to a
standard or mid-sized coil is often the best approach.
For the
deepest-seeking detector in mineralised ground, the
GPZ 7000 (with ZVT technology) will outperform all other detectors—but at the cost of
weight and price.
3. Is it important to be able to go deep?
Yes and no. It depends on
where you’re detecting and
what type of gold is in the area.
• If you’re searching in
highly mineralised ground, a
GPZ 7000 or GPX 6000 will handle it best.
• If you’re targeting
small, shallow gold, depth isn’t as critical, and an
SDC 2300 or GPX 6000 would be more efficient.
4. Are there other considerations that make other detectors better and why?
Absolutely! Others have already pointed out some key differences, and I’ll add to that:
•
Ease of use:
The
GPX 6000 is much lighter and simpler than the
GPX 5000 or GPZ 7000.
•
Ground conditions:
Some
VLF detectors (Equinox, Gold Monster 1000) work in mild soil but
struggle in high mineralisation.
•
Price & Value:
If budget is tight, consider
second-hand models, as mentioned earlier in the thread.
•
Coil options: Some detectors allow
coil swaps for different ground conditions, which can increase versatility.
5. Which is the best detector for each environment?
•
Goldfields (highly mineralised soil):
•
GPX 5000 – Some have said this is still a powerful detector, but it
requires manual tuning and a very steep ( almost endless) learning curve.
•
GPX 6000 – The
best all-rounder for gold right now—light, easy to use, and great sensitivity to small gold and will pick up larger deeper gold if it's within range. They do come with an option to get a bigger coil and that is what I personally would recommend you do if you are looking at getting a 6000.
•
GPZ 7000 – The
deepest-seeking detector for gold in mineralised ground, but it’s heavy and expensive.
•
Shallow, small gold:
•
SDC 2300 – A few users highlighted this as
an excellent beginner option. It’s
easy to use, waterproof, and ideal for small gold in mineralised ground.
•
Gold Monster 1000 – A
budget VLF detector,
good for small nuggets in mild ground but struggles in mineralised soil.
•
Beach detecting:
•
Manticore – A
top choice for beach detecting—handles wet and dry sand, saltwater, and relic hunting well.
•
CTX 3030 – Another
solid option for beach hunting, with
great discrimination features.
•
General treasure hunting (coins, relics, etc.):
•
Manticore – Versatile and powerful for
coins, relics, and treasure.
•
CTX 3030 – One of the best for deep coin/relic hunting.
6. Do detectors come with instructional videos, courses, etc.?
Some great points were made on this:
•
OEM instructional videos are available online, and some shops provide
basic training if you buy from them but frankly thats in most cases just to show you the most basic way how to operate a detector.
• There are
third-party courses and training modules available (including structured training for the
GPX 6000 & GPZ 7000 which I am working on as we I write this).
• The best way to learn is
by doing—but having a
solid foundation of knowledge saves a lot of wasted money and time.
7. Too many questions for one thread? 
Nah mate, ask away!
Prospecting is all about
learning and improving, and the more you research before buying, the better off you’ll be.
Final Advice:
• Figure out where you want to detect, how long for and
what type of detecting you’ll do most (gold vs. coins vs. relics)- then "ask us again" and we can nail it down for you, of what would most likely be the best choice for you ok
Bottom line:
•
Choose a detector based on your target and environment—don’t just chase the deepest model.
•
Consider coil size carefully—while big coils can reach deeper, they also increase EMI and reduce sensitivity to the smaller gold that most people find.
• Invest in
good training or guidance—it saves
time, frustration, and money in the long run.
