Husband and Wife Combinations

[xcvator]

Now lets get this clear from the start, I'm NOT trying/wanting a brand war

I'm so new at metal detecting I don't know what a "sadie" is 8.(

Now this is my question, if you had $4000 to spend, what combination of detectors would you buy, yep, that's what I said, COMBINATION, I've said that because I'm a great believer in using the right tools for the job, stuff this "brand loyalty" caper, when did they go out and find gold for you?

I think this may raise a few hackles but at my age I don't have time to fluff around with niceties.

Bit of back ground, I can go out onto a gold field for a week at a time, time is not important, results are. I have never done gold detecting nor has my wife. Our initial area of detecting would be the GT, then maybe other areas of Vic followed by Southern NSW then in Victorian winters Qld

cheers

 

[condor22]

If you are talking new - my advice is, buy 1 good detector, take it in turns swinging the detector. When not swinging the other can either dig or rest.

If you split $4k in half, you won't get anywhere as good a detector.

The 2 I would recommend are the Minelab GPX4500 and the SDC2300, both are around $3,500.

The 4500 is almost as good as the GPX5000 and with the right coils will cover more than the 2300 i.e. deeper bigger. The 2300 only has it's 8" coil not changeable and is good for very small gold and high EM areas like near power lines. In my opinion and knowing what I do.

I would choose the 4500 before the 2300.

BTW I've found 0.01gr nuggets with my 5000 and am not overly worried about anything smaller.

You also mention age, lol, I'm OAP+ myself, I can't go out there all day everyday either, so the swap with the wife is worth considering for this reason alone.

 

[Syndyne]

Hi xcvator,

I would say Condor22 has laid it out best as far as buying new goes.

There is also another new thread with similar info, though with some further advice as to picking up a second hand machine as an afterthought: https://www.prospectingaustralia.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=19161

All the best with it and welcome to the forums!
Look forward to hearing how you go and what you decide on.

Regards,
Shauno.

 

[old hand]

Take condor22 advice miners den have specials on a new gpx 4500 is $3500 they are a very good detector regards john

 

[Guest]

The Whites GMT E-series is a 48kHz vlf/lf detector with a black sand indicator, capable of detecting sub-gram gold, but not super-deep. They're about $1200 new. I got mine for $550 with barely a scratch on it. They are light enough for the missus to swing too. They come with a 10x5DD coil, which detect in a "blade" pattern to somewhat avoid surrounding mineralisation. I searched high and low and got an older "longscan" concentric coil for mine as well, as they are renowned to be deeper on sub-grammers, but slightly more susceptible to mineralisation. These lf detectors will pick up the small stuff the PI's miss, and the black sand meter will indicate the areas worth closer scrutiny.
If you're willing to have a scratch around when you find the black sand, invest in a Falcon MD20 for $350 new. This will detect specks barely visible to the eye.
If you keep and eye on Ebay and Gumtree you can find the ML4500s, with extra coils, batteries etc. at good prices, or SD series',and older GP/GPX's "modded" even cheaper . A bloody big learning curve on these beasts though.
With all detectors, coil size affects its capability. The bigger the coil, the bigger the gold it will miss, but the deeper it will detect the big stuff.
As an amatuer electronics enthusiast with a limited income, I could never justify the price of Minelab PI's. I have achieved good results with several builds, and enjoy learning what makes them tick. Horses for courses.
You can buy a $8500 machine, but if you don't walk over the gold, you won't find it, so research, research, research.

 

[mxt sniper]

Whites has just released a very useful coil for the GMT, its a 6" concentric round coil, was first designed for the African market but recently they decided to release it elsewhere. Should be a great coil for the machine.

https://www.whiteselectronics.com/product/6-concentric-gmt-coil-micro-tireur/

 

[Ridge Runner]

I would be looking at a fair priced GP3500/GPX4500 and either a GMT or The Whites MXT All Pro,

But really you might want to contact Phase Tech and talk to him about the Nokta / Makro range of machines and he can give you all the good oil on the minelab machines too,

good luck.

John.

 

[xcvator]

Thanks for the replies guys, yeah I was thinking of buying 2nd hand after hiring a couple to try them out

 

[Heatho]

Condors info is spot on, it's not a question of which brand to buy, the question is which Minelab to buy.

 

[KIM-MARGARET]

Xcvator

We are husband and wife Im the WIFE we started off with a 5000 with the intentions of swapping one dig one detect, all sounded pretty good to start with being new at detecting we knew no better.

After getting hooked it wasn't so great,, trying to get the detector off him, not only that I couldn't dig a hole the way he wanted, and he wouldn't swing the way I wanted to fast to high.

Long story short it took about 18 months on our last outing in the bush I was walking behind him thinking to myself if he so much as tells me Im digging another hole wrong Im going to put the pick well you can guess where.

I have had a 4800 now for 15 months I dont see him in the bush he doesn't see me we have walkie talkies and thats the most contact we have until cuppa time

I think a second hand 5000 for that sort money would give you a couple of good coils as well.

Save your gold and buy your wife a SDC sooo much fun.
K-M

 

[Guest]

mxt sniper- good to hear about the concentrics being available here. My experience with ellipticals is they are only as sensitive as relative to the largest dimension, and only as deep as relative to the smallest. 6 months ago a dealer told me they had no intention to release them here...
Ridgerunner-do any of the Makro/Noktas have a visual indication for black sands?
I finally own a Minelab-an XT17000. $125 including freight from the US, box only. Made a shaft etc and got a new Coiltek 6" for it($165). No batteries, so made a 3x18650 set-up, with charge circuit,fits in battery box, and mounted a 1.5w solar panel on the stem. Handgrip folds down, armrest flips around- folds up to bugger-all, and very light.

 

[Ridge Runner]

I have 2 Concentrics for my GMT, I bought them about 18 months / 2 years ago when I made a post about them, and I have 3 for my MXT All Pro 6" 9.5 and 15" the 15" coil can see bits down to about 0.02 to 0.01 grams and the 6" Coil is Hyper sensitive to extremely small Items that can't even be weighed as is the GMT.

John.

 

[user 4485]

I can go out onto a gold field for a week at a time, time is not important, results are. I have never done gold detecting nor has my wife.

Thanks for the replies guys, yeah I was thinking of buying 2nd hand after hiring a couple to try them out

To be very honest I think hiring first is by far your best option.
Having never done gold detecting before & being motivated by results is a concern. I've seen many similar people who end up bitterly disappointed after expecting good results in a short time frame. Also assuming results from any detector we might advise to buy also tends to lead to disappointment as the machines don't find the gold the operator does. Buying XYZ brand/type machine won't guarantee good results although a Minelab will enhance your chances
My advice - hire a couple of machines as part of a training day/weekend package. Get a feel for it & pick up some knowledge at the same time. You may find it's not for you at all or you may purchase your first detector that day!

 

[rustygold]

Hey m8 i will throw my 2cents worth in too my wife an i both detect for thelast two years .i have a minelab 4800 an my bettr half has a sdc2300 ..i rekon its a perfect combo esp as i can can pinch the little one off her every now an then to re sweep over a patch for any missed smaller pieces ..also when she finds some i can rework the area when shes done an get any deeper ones that hers dosnt find ..good luck as they say no finds it all

 

[condor22]

Xcvator

We are husband and wife Im the WIFE we started off with a 5000 with the intentions of swapping one dig one detect, all sounded pretty good to start with being new at detecting we knew no better.

After getting hooked it wasn't so great,, trying to get the detector off him, not only that I couldn't dig a hole the way he wanted, and he wouldn't swing the way I wanted to fast to high.

Long story short it took about 18 months on our last outing in the bush I was walking behind him thinking to myself if he so much as tells me Im digging another hole wrong Im going to put the pick well you can guess where.

I have had a 4800 now for 15 months I dont see him in the bush he doesn't see me we have walkie talkies and thats the most contact we have until cuppa time

I think a second hand 5000 for that sort money would give you a couple of good coils as well.

Save your gold and buy your wife a SDC sooo much fun.
K-M

LOL - Sounds more like a Domestic issue than a Detector issue

 

[user 7268]

Now lets get this clear from the start, I'm NOT trying/wanting a brand war

I'm so new at metal detecting I don't know what a "sadie" is 8.(

Now this is my question, if you had $4000 to spend, what combination of detectors would you buy, yep, that's what I said, COMBINATION, I've said that because I'm a great believer in using the right tools for the job, stuff this "brand loyalty" caper, when did they go out and find gold for you?

I think this may raise a few hackles but at my age I don't have time to fluff around with niceties.

Bit of back ground, I can go out onto a gold field for a week at a time, time is not important, results are. I have never done gold detecting nor has my wife. Our initial area of detecting would be the GT, then maybe other areas of Vic followed by Southern NSW then in Victorian winters Qld

cheers

Probably important to understand many have taken months to find that first piece of shiny yellow ..................... some from what I'm told much longer
Reasons for taking up this hobbie / interest I'm sure vary Mine was simply I needed a reason to dump work and get away ................. it worked and any gold found for me is just a bonus along the way. Fuel costs on many of my trips I would need an ounce just to cover :/

 

[KIM-MARGARET]

Domestic issue no way, maybe I dug them holes the way he didn't want for a reason . Got what I wanted my own detector,

Xcvator

We are husband and wife Im the WIFE we started off with a 5000 with the intentions of swapping one dig one detect, all sounded pretty good to start with being new at detecting we knew no better.

After getting hooked it wasn't so great,, trying to get the detector off him, not only that I couldn't dig a hole the way he wanted, and he wouldn't swing the way I wanted to fast to high.

Long story short it took about 18 months on our last outing in the bush I was walking behind him thinking to myself if he so much as tells me Im digging another hole wrong Im going to put the pick well you can guess where.

I have had a 4800 now for 15 months I dont see him in the bush he doesn't see me we have walkie talkies and thats the most contact we have until cuppa time

I think a second hand 5000 for that sort money would give you a couple of good coils as well.

Save your gold and buy your wife a SDC sooo much fun.
K-M

LOL - Sounds more like a Domestic issue than a Detector issue

 

[Mickybees]

Hi the gpx 4500 is the best for your buck I got rid of my garrett atx and bought the 4500 last year when it was rereleased. Best thing I ever done .. I found nothing with the atx ..I found gold with the 4500 the same day I got it I was amazed.im my opinion u won't get better for the money..cheers

 

[rustygold]

Haha boggr im with you gold vs fuel ratio not so good ..but i love being outdoors an not workn gold is just a bonus ....

 

[user 7268]

Haha boggr im with you gold vs fuel ratio not so good ..but i love being outdoors an not workn gold is just a bonus ....

RG to be honest I think it would only be those that hunt it to "get rich" that would not end up liking it. :| Like yourself the outdoors, improves fitness meet some great people, takes you away from work and the hustle and bustle of life in general and the adrenalin rush when that piece of gold that has laid peaceably for many years beneath the earth you now hold in ya hot but dirty grubby hands