Hi all, advice on buying fist detector gpx5000

[Golddiga]

Hi All, Totally new to forums and to gold prospecting. Very keen to start the later though. I'm doing a lot of reading and research and I'm about to purchase my first detector. I have my eye on a Minelab gpx5000 (the topic on spotting a fake was awesome BTW). The one I'm looking at comes with LOTS of extras and has the original receipt and 6mths warranty left. Would this be a setup that would be considered "all you need" and what would be considered a good price. Any advice,tips,hints or comments very welcomed, Thanks in advance for taking the time to check out my post.

:Minelab gpx 5000 control box, shafts, 11' Mono coil, 11' DD coil
:Battery and harness, Power lead, 12 volt and 240 volt chargers, Headphones
:Manual and field guides
Extras:
:35' Carbon coil
:17' x 11' Mono Nugget finder coil
:14' Round almost new mono Nugget finder coil + spare skid plate
:14' x 9' Blitz mono Coiltek coil with original tag
: 8' mono Commander coil
:4 Extra lower shafts fibreglass
:Extra battery
:Extra mains charger
:Extra 12 volt charger
:Extra power lead
:2 Control box covers which covers both the ends
:Minelab carry bag
:Loud speaker
:Extra bungy cord
:Hip stick

 

[grubstake]

It's an awesome package, that's for sure, but even so, $5,900 is quite a bit in today's marketplace. I assumed the seller must be moving up to a GPZ, but I see he's got that up for sale as well!

From the visible traces of dust, the gear appears to have had reasonable use, which isn't necessarily bad if it's been taken care of, but higher-priced used detectors are generally ones with very little use, not the daily drive of a keen prospector. His stuff isn't selling (GPX listed 19-July; GPZ listed 9-July), so unless he's too wealthy to care, you should be able to get the price down somewhat if you have the cash in hand. No more than $5,500 would be much better, IMHO.

I'm assuming you're within travelling distance of Highfields, so you can personally inspect the gear and if you're happy close the deal on the spot? Sight unseen deals on Gumtree are always high risk and be aware that Paypal do not offer any buyer protection for Gumtree purchases.

 

[Golddiga]

Thanks for that sound advice, appreciate it. Yeah I'm in S/E Qld so not too far to travel. I would NEVER buy sight unseen from gumtree, pick up only. Thanks again.

 

[SteelPat]

You can also check the serial number with Minelab to make sure its genuine if you are ever concerned.

 

[Golddiga]

Yeah will do that for sure, Thanks Pat.

 

[Nightjar]

Buy the new 4500, about to be released. Fit the 11" Commander Mono and you'll be on your way.
You mention you are new to the hobby, can see you swapping coils more often than your undies because you're not finding anything.
Buy an extra coil later when you have mastered the machine.

 

[user 4485]

From the reports a 15" coil will be part of the GPX4500 deal anyway? $3200 & release date supposed to be the 17th of this month.

 

[user 4485]

Looks like the 15x12" mono Commander coil is the one going into the deal.

 

[Golddiga]

Thanks, I'll check it out.