First shot at detecting

[isolation]

Horses for courses I guess, but for my way of thinking I'd hate to be walking over a nugget of several ounces at depth without the best possible chance of retrieving it.

Bingo! Hit the nail on the head

I'm not exactly sure what sort of ground I'll be going over the most, but I'd like to have the option to change it up if I need to. Im guessing the GPX can't find smaller nuggets too?

With all the big nuggets I'll be finding with the 5000, I can buy 2300 later on

 

[WalnLiz]

The GPX will comfortably find 0.05gm nuggets close to the surface and even smaller ones with a 8x6 Sadie coil. Put on a large coil and you've got 2oz nuggets within reach at a metre deep in the right soil. It's a case of versatility verses specific function.

Hard choice if you can chose only one machine. Now if one was to win lotto there would be no hesitation....buy both and a spare quad bike with two detector holders factory fitted.

 

[Oldfella]

Hi isolation, I recently picked up a 0.13g nugget with my 5000 using a Sadie, It was a clear signal. I personally wouldn't want to spend time trying to find smaller nuggets, its just not worth my time. But each to there own.

I love the 5000, the trick is choosing the right coil and settings for the type of gold and ground conditions present, this comes with practice.

Cheers

 

[Guest]

Whatever choice that you do make it should be noted that, regardless of machine, the majority of people don't find multi ounce pieces of gold or enough "ounces" to even pay off their machines let alone use the proceeds to buy another.
No machine will line your pockets with gold especially if you are only doing it as a hobby not a serious part or full time pursuit.
People that go into the hobby expecting big nuggets or large quantities usually get spat out at the other end very disappointed. A few get lucky - not many. Ask some on this forum how much they've found with their GPX (or other machines). Unfortunately the reality is most don't find that much, certainly not ounces worth.
Like stated above if you want the best & versatility then the GPX is the way to go. Just be prepared for the goldless trips & don't expect gold to jump out of the ground just because you have the magic "GPX" wand in your hand.

Both will find the big ones if your lucky enough to walk over them. The SDC doesn't have a cut off on nugget size & has already reportedly found ounce plus pieces. Sure the GPX has the depth advantage but then how many people fully utilise it? Most I know usually have a small/medium coil on them 90% of the time or more & run in fine gold or enhance without ever trying other timings that will punch deeper again.

One recent story I read a bloke & his wife took the GPX5000 & SDC to WA & the SDC so far has accounted for 2/3 of the gold found. Again down to the locations they're detecting no doubt but shows both are capable even over there.
In my own experience I would be getting close to having found more gold in a few weeks with the SDC than what I had over several months with the GPX5000. The SDC will do me for the time being & maybe a GP3500 down the track for deeper ground (if I get time to get to it - got enough SDC ground close by here to keep me busy for a bit ).

Both machines have merit. Big decision & a few bob at stake + a new one on the horizon. Good luck.

 

[WalnLiz]

Lot of merit in what you say mbasko and for the regions you venture to, the SDC will serve you extremely well. People do however find "Ounces" or should I say "Tens of ounces", during trips in areas nowhere near WA or the VIC triangle. It's not a mater of what you are capable of finding.....It's a matter of what each machine has the "Best Capabilities" to find in the hands of a dedicated and experienced operator in his designated region.

Nobody is saying which detector is the best unit out there....both are in my opinion the best on the market. It's a matter of asking oneself "Which detector will best suit the area I work" or would eventually like to work. Everybody who has experience with the units has, and is entitled to their opinion.

These opinions should not be there to sway anybody in a direction one way or the other. Members viewpoints are just that..."Viewpoints", and as such should be taken for the reasons put forward in that members viewpoint, and not translated into a Holden vs Ford debate.

I agree that the majority "don't find ounces let alone multiple ounces", to pay for another detector, But let me assure you that many I know personally, who do their research and learn their craft, can very easily buy multiple GPX's and SDC's from the nuggets they have found. It again comes down to the "Areas you wish to prospect", and the amount of time / research one is prepared to dedicate to the hobby.

I personally know many people who own GPX's and not one is disappointed with their purchase. I now also know quite a few with SDC's, and again none of them regret purchasing them. Like I said before,... it's horses for courses, and a case of choosing wisely as to the "long term" objective of the detectorist. Both cost a lot of money and both suit their individual purposes extremely well.

The new one on the horizon you speak of will not be affordable to the hobby detectorist, and if one is already concerned about the current cost of the 5000 you will be in for a rude shock.

 

[isolation]

Im guessing the GPX can't find smaller nuggets too?

That should have said "can" ... Doh!

The GPX will comfortably find 0.05gm nuggets close to the surface and even smaller ones with a 8x6 Sadie coil. Put on a large coil and you've got 2oz nuggets within reach at a metre deep in the right soil. It's a case of versatility verses specific function.

Hard choice if you can chose only one machine. Now if one was to win lotto there would be no hesitation....buy both and a spare quad bike with two detector holders factory fitted.

Hi isolation, I recently picked up a 0.13g nugget with my 5000 using a Sadie, It was a clear signal. I personally wouldn't want to spend time trying to find smaller nuggets, its just not worth my time. But each to there own.

I love the 5000, the trick is choosing the right coil and settings for the type of gold and ground conditions present, this comes with practice.

Cheers

Thanks guys, hopefully all the great advice from you master nugget finders will keeps me going when the going gets tough

Whatever choice that you do make it should be noted that, regardless of machine, the majority of people don't find multi ounce pieces of gold or enough "ounces" to even pay off their machines let alone use the proceeds to buy another.

It was a wishful light hearted joke when I said I was going to find numerous large nuggets with my GPX magic wand, and buy a 2300 with the proceeds. I believe with anything in life, you get out what you put in. I have heard stories of people being choppered into areas to prospect, and pulling out large amounts of gold. I have also read stories of people finding sub gram nuggets after 2 years of detecting. I'm not sure where I will fit into those two extremes, but prospecting/detecting would fit quite easily into other hobbies I already have, so hopefully I do it regularly. I recently hired the 5000 and the 2300 because from everything I've heard and read, they are two of the best. You are obviously a fan of the SDC mbasko, and for good reason. After using it on the weekend, I am too. I just feel that from what I've heard, read, and tested so far, the GPX seems to be a bit more versatile. Maybe I am wrong, as I am new to all this. Sorry if you feel I was bashing the 2300, but it's not the case. I would love to own both, but it's just not realistic at the moment. I'm not sure of your exact location, but I am keen to head out to Hill End at some stage to check out the terrain, and get a feel for the type of gold harbouring geology. It would be great to pick up the finer points of detecting with the 2300, from someone with your level of understanding and experience. Happy to shout you lunch if you if you feel you could tolerate my 101 newbie questions

 

[Guest]

I'm a fan of both & a few other machines :lol:
Have found in situ nuggets with both down to sizes most need a pan to find.
I didn't mean to come over pro SDC but thought I would add something to both sides of the story, although I have said several times that the GPX is the best & most versatile. To be honest I hope nobody buys a SDC. They're an ergonomic nightmare & will only find tiny gold sitting on the surface
Like Wal I too know of people that have paid for their machines with gold finds, including SDC finds, but they are a minority. Once read somewhere that 10% of the people who prospect find 90% of the gold & I reckon that's about right. The reason I brought that up was because, unlike Wal, I also know of people that have been disappointed with both machines too - due to "magic wand" syndrome I.e. I buy a detector up to $6500 it should find me heaps of gold in any goldfield right - wrong!
Wal is correct there are multi ounces out there to be found in a lot of locations out of the GT & WA. He is also correct in saying that dedicated & experienced prospectors can find them & pay for multiple GPX's or SDC's or whatever but most people in the "hobby" don't have that sort of time or the experience & would spend 40 or less days per year detecting. I am definitely only a hobbyist & don't find enough to cover costs let alone multiple machine purchases but then I don't do it to make money from it & don't need to either. I reckon I could give it a crack though but I'm not leaving my current job to give it a go.
If you get out to Hill End give us a yell - I'll be around out there for a few days next week hopefully - depending on time available.

 

[Oldfella]

I too am impressed with the apparent small gold capabilities of the SDC, and though I don't currently have a use for one, I may very well buy the wife one as she loves any sized gold and doesn't mind if it takes her a while to extract a small target (and hopefully bigger nuggets for her collection).

 

[isolation]

I'm a fan of both & a few other machines :lol:
Have found in situ nuggets with both down to sizes most need a pan to find.
I didn't mean to come over pro SDC but thought I would add something to both sides of the story, although I have said several times that the GPX is the best & most versatile. To be honest I hope nobody buys a SDC. They're an ergonomic nightmare & will only find tiny gold sitting on the surface
Like Wal I too know of people that have paid for their machines with gold finds, including SDC finds, but they are a minority. Once read somewhere that 10% of the people who prospect find 90% of the gold & I reckon that's about right. The reason I brought that up was because, unlike Wal, I also know of people that have been disappointed with both machines too - due to "magic wand" syndrome I.e. I buy a detector up to $6500 it should find me heaps of gold in any goldfield right - wrong!
Wal is correct there are multi ounces out there to be found in a lot of locations out of the GT & WA. He is also correct in saying that dedicated & experienced prospectors can find them & pay for multiple GPX's or SDC's or whatever but most people in the "hobby" don't have that sort of time or the experience & would spend 40 or less days per year detecting. I am definitely only a hobbyist & don't find enough to cover costs let alone multiple machine purchases but then I don't do it to make money from it & don't need to either. I reckon I could give it a crack though but I'm not leaving my current job to give it a go.
If you get out to Hill End give us a yell - I'll be around out there for a few days next week hopefully - depending on time available.

I am confident I'll have many fruitless sessions, as I am interested in trying a few areas that may be considered to be gold-less. I'm sure that will get old pretty quickly
I'm flying out of the country on the 12th so not sure I can make next week... see how I'm travelling. Definitely keen to meet up though, either now or in the not to distant future.

I too am impressed with the apparent small gold capabilities of the SDC, and though I don't currently have a use for one, I may very well buy the wife one as she loves any sized gold and doesn't mind if it takes her a while to extract a small target (and hopefully bigger nuggets for her collection).

My girl loved using the 2300, as I did. We did get a bit too close a couple of times, and the GPX let me know it