Minelab GPX4000 tips, settings, questions

[10fp]

GypsyGoldAu might chime in and confirm that the 4000 is a pretty good unit

 

[Danny13]

Appreciate the input

 

[Danny13]

And that was a direct quote walshie. That was the reason to purchase the GPX , was to upgrade , but being naive in the sport of detectorism, seems like I got mislead . Otherwise I would of just gone the 5000 or z anyways

Danny

 

[walshie1000]

Yeah I figured that was the case. A lot of good gold has been found over the years with 4000's mate. If ya swing over it you'll get get it. Obviously there is better technology out there now but the 4000 is still a great machine from what I understand. Haven't personally used one myself however I did bump into a bloke not long ago in the field using one. He loved it and had no dramas finding enough gold to keep him interested.

 

[Danny13]

Thanks Walshie , have a good night

 

[old hand]

Danny just wack a new coil on it ,its a lot cheaper than getting a detector moded and it will be a big improvement regards john

 

[Danny13]

Hi John,

Wot coil do you recommend , the sales people from miners den say that it won't pick up dub gram gold at reasonable depth but it's killer on the deep and larger nuggets

daniel

 

[old hand]

HI Daniel I use a 4500 with either a 15 super light evo or a 12 evo last weekend I only used the 12 inch evo I managed to pick up a 3.5 ,1.3gram deep and 3 other small pieces that were 0.2,0.4 and anther small one ,I have many years experience .
What state are you in Gold search at Donnelly will let you use a NF coil for a days and coiltek at Maryborough do the same elite coils, if you are new to detecting I would suggest either a 11 elite or a 12 evo coil
I do some testing for NF and both coils are good but the 12 get just a little deeper and 3 years warranty just ask anything regards john
does the 4000 have a booster

 

[GypsyGoldAu]

GypsyGoldAu might chime in and confirm that the 4000 is a pretty good unit

:8 ...wow, didn't think my humble experiences would elicit that attention, but ok, i will chime in.

The 4k in & of it's own right is a capable machine....it was the Stage III of the GP series (1st denoting the GPX label) with enhancements/improvements centered around threshold stability with mono coils (built specifically around the 11" DD due to the 'Discrimination' ability/setting for all-round prospecting),....each version thereafter was essentially the same components with added filter process's as i understand it....even if incorrect, the below should give you an idea of it's capability...

I used to share house with another prospector who also worked with a Tour company (yeah, Gold, what else?) when they went away on group tours to other goldfields...he did this for a number of years, and as each new model came along, he continued with his 4k as he couldn't justify/afford the upgrade cost beyond the 4500.

Safe to say, in between attending to his work responsibilities while away, he also managed to get in 'some' detecting time on the ground (usually short interrupted sessions but and average of 2.5 - 4.0 hrs a day over 12 days away) and most in the group were using later version (at that time up to the GPX5000) yet he would bring in as much or more than the next best 3 out of 5 times away....

Targets for him would range as small as the medium size 'small' stuff the 5K finds, as well as in most cases he would find the biggest piece for either the day, or the week....

As to 'modding'....i prefer not to myself, as i prefer 'repairs' when needed to be done by the designer/manufacturer and any "unauthorized" alterations will not be covered. The only 'mods' my unit run with (initially) were earbuds &/or an Audio booster which the new design batteries do away for the need of hearing the threshold.

The models after the 4K in my mind, are the Genuine factory mods (different/better/more filters) that get the best out of the platform, yet each of those additional filters/mods/upgrades don't take away the capability of the 4K. It does allow some operators to work in ground previously unable to but doesn't detract from the base platforms ability and capability.

Moral is....even my mate with older equipment could find gold (in 'small gold' country NSW) where others with newer & more controllable units say they couldn't....so my query is; was it their updated and superior equipment? or the ability of the operators which let them down??

The one who knows and understands their units abilities & restrictions will get color if it's there to be got in 'most' instances.....

I can't speak to the efficacy of the SDC or the GPZ as they are platforms i have not personally operated or analyzed (and beyond my range) and my only response would be to search the forum for what our members using them have to say.

I have my opinion on my readings to date as to if i would buy one myself, but we all have one of those so mine is best left unsaid. 18 months on, the dust is finally settling so keep to later posts for recent reports. I am still welded on to the concept of different size coils for different results, even on the same ground....it 'feels' to me like i'm taking out a different machine each time i change them around...

Learn the machine, and learn the ground your walking, then through trial and error, you will derive the best balance set-up for your machine on that particular ground. Make this part of your mindset each time you try new ground...ask yourself, "what's changed about the ground & what needs to changed with your unit to run the most balanced"....learn this and you will have no need to spend $600-2500 for 'unauthorized' mods of which there is much disagreement by the users as to the 'upgrade' they get against expectations...

I rarely see such colorful posts in any of the Minelab settings/adjustments/capabilities as what i read about the 'other' business models doing 'mods'. Yes, some are competent, others not so much so....i'd prefer to keep mine...."stock" (now with the newer battery, no booster required).

If you got to the end in one piece.. Give yourself a chest bump for being so cool, and please accept my apologies for it's length....i too am glad i cut it down from what it was...

Gypsy

Gypsy

 

[GypsyGoldAu]

Hi John,

Wot coil do you recommend , the sales people from miners den say that it won't pick up dub gram gold at reasonable depth but it's killer on the deep and larger nuggets

daniel

Boy...i didn't see this before i posted the loooong post above (good thing haha).

Using the standard 11" Commander mono coil, i have found sub-gram pieces down to 0.03gm pieces as deep as 2-4" on average when i do find them. I have found a 0.04 at a measured 5.5" among ironstone outcrop...and many more different scenarios. I have also missed targets to a mate in the same area with a different set-up and methodology...life would be boring if i got it alllll......i like going out each time, bringing home gold or not....if there were no gold 'cos i got it all, no need to go out...except to shoot maybe..(pics & guns)

Both the 11" (mono/DD) are red-hot on their prospective ground/circumstance. Many situations will reveal hardly any if at all difference perceived by using one in preference of the other, yet some ground demands the specialty of which each offer.

Smaller coils are great for tight rocky hillsides/creeks (dry if not a w/proof coil) and under shrubbery and the bigger coils are for the much deeper ground hoping to cross over a large nugget to dig.

Don't worry, walk over it with what you already have and you will find...no special coils needed, but i concede they are getting better and i would buy one or two of the later ones, but only to 'compliment' that of which i already have. (no "mods" required... )

GGA

 

[Westaus]

I see these as some of the key Factors in finding Gold.

1. Gold must be there firstly
2. See point no #1
3. Read books research area
4. Operator Skill
5. Operator Knowledge
6. Detector
7. Many trips finding fuggets
8. Upgrades detector (mod)
9. Starts to find more gold.

Do you think it was the mod that made the difference?

Or in some cases

1. Gold must be there firstly
2. Walk directly over huge nugget (FTW)
3. What ever detector they are using is now the best! Now a fanboi.

To some people they just seem lucky I suppose. Others look for all other ways to increase their odds, such as mods and new equipment. The good thing about all of this, is it is hard. If it was too easy then everyone would be doing it.

IMO Mod away if you feel it will have a benefit, but from what I have seen I reckon 40% is operator experience, 40% is knowledge and research and the balance is down to luck (20%). For some though the luck can be more 90% ... 8.(

 

[Danny13]

Thanks old hand, gypsy ( could write a book ) and westaus, that clears up a lot .

Danny

 

[GypsyGoldAu]

Thanks old hand, gypsy ( could write a book ) and westaus, that clears up a lot .

Danny

...awww, please don't tie me down to THAT much work. Geezzz

This hobby is meant to be fun, not work.

Pssstt....i also notice you didn't have any more questions lol, so my 'book' appears to have provided you with answers at least...

GGA

 

[GypsyGoldAu]

I see these as some of the key Factors in finding Gold.

1. Gold must be there firstly
2. See point no #1
3. Read books research area
4. Operator Skill
5. Operator Knowledge
6. Detector
7. Many trips finding fuggets
8. Upgrades detector (mod)
9. Starts to find more gold.

Do you think it was the mod that made the difference?

I'd need more info. to qualify or commit to an answer for that question. It could just have been the law of averages at play...

However,...i'd be interested to hear if you think it was the mod and why?

GGA

 

[PhaseTech]

The GPX4000 is all about Sens Smooth! This was the major difference between it and the GP series. So what was so great about Sens Smooth? Well basically it allowed the use of Mono coils in very hot soils, where one would tremble at the thought of using a mono on the GP series.

But what did you lose? Well, it didn't quite match the zippyness of Sensitive Extra, and you lost a bit of depth on larger targets. When discussing this with a certain Vic guru at the time, his opinion was simple "Just use a bigger mono coil". In my experience, I also found that the 4000 could handle running the 14" DD Pro coil in Normal very well, and due to the extra tuning abilities, in milder ground using Mono mode and Sens Extra it was a real weapon - I often preferred this combo over running a straight mono in Smooth. BUT at the time, the 4000 was new, and I just couldn't get away from the sweet gp3500 audio, and as I was running a DD in Mono mode with Medium or Slow tracking, I could do that with my 3500, so sort of went back to the 3500 with a 15x12" DD as my primary machine, and kept for the GPX4000 for the Coiltek 11" mono - man that was a sweet combo.

These days, the 4000 can't match the sensitivity or depth of Enhance found in the 4500, but in hot ground it will get very close - the 4000 just runs so smooth, so you dig the faintest murmurs. If I had to run the 4000 these days, my coil arsenal would be very simple. 14x9" Evo for the smalls, 15" Evo for bigger stuff, and a 15" DD Detech for using Normal mode, Cancel etc. And maybe an 8" mono for thick vegetation.

 

[Ridge Runner]

Danny, In simple terms these mods are not needed, from what I am seeing here you would be better off writing a list of the coils mentioned by folks like Nenad and Gypsy etc Instead coughing more dough on something that they won't do, you can buy the cream of Coils and have more success, I have noticed a trend here over the past year or so and that it is since the SDC and the GPZ came out the suddenly all the coil companies have been making some very hot coils that have morphed the GPX series machines in to VLF territory and a few steps closer to the GPZ in depth etc,,

One thing you need to think about is like when you mod a car,, you create a weakness elsewhere but that never surfaces until it's too late, As pointed out you could say the factory modded versions of the 4k are the 45, 48 and the 5k, I these other mods were a viable thing ML would have do them, but remember what you gain in one area you will loose in another, The safest mod you can do which is 100% reversible by YOU is to buy the coils Nanad suggested and if you don't like them or they bring out something new toy can always sell them on, Or if you upgrade to a 45, 48, 5k you will have the Coils for the job,

If it was me I would look at their posts and say well if they don't do it then I don't need to, Of coarse the choice is yours but there is a good chance they know something that we don't.

Good luck,,, John

 

[Danny13]

Hey Gypsy, I have a few more questions to ask you , just that i was out of time

 

[Danny13]

Hi John not to sure if the 4000 has a booster it's on it's way over from Idaho with an 11 inch mono , just need an evo coil. I'm in Queensland John to answer your question . Get the best of both worlds, not far from the beach and also not far from gold prospecting areas , can do both in the same day lol.

 

[Danny13]

Hey there gypsy, the efficacy of the sdc2300 is very good , have it on the quietest setting so you don't go tone deaf and swing away right on the ground making sure u are scraping the coil protector. When you hit a target just under the coil it will squeal , anything deep down will give a slight noise change from the base , the led light display will help confirm a target and scrap a layer and keep on going , it will pick up small gold but also bigger pieces . I have used it in the swash in salt mode to pick up coins etc. I sold it to finance the GPX , ctx and mxt . Now I have 4 detectors and an old a2b gold hunter have hanging I the man cave lol. The sovereign and sdc I have/had a real affinity with . Just need to put the hours in with the ctx and GPX abd perhaps mxt ( came with the GPX) .

Danny

 

[Danny13]

Wow that's some great advice on coils for GPX phase tech and john GGA , will chase a few of those coils down. In the meantime while I wait for the GPX to arrive in going to put find serious hours on the ctx .