Minelab GPX5000 tips, settings and questions

[loamer]

I think the 3500 has got some very good write ups on this forum - never see a bad word about them. The problem with them is, they are that good, you actually see very few going for sale. I rate the 2200, 3500 and 4500 as the key breakthroughs of their type. My old mate runs a 3500 with a 14" DD - amazing stuff he gets. The thing I really like is that no fxxxxxg around with the whole host of digital displays on the GPXs - fire it up and away you go.

 

[Guest]

I think the 3500 has got some very good write ups on this forum - never see a bad word about them. The problem with them is, they are that good, you actually see very few going for sale. I rate the 2200, 3500 and 4500 as the key breakthroughs of their type. My old mate runs a 3500 with a 14" DD - amazing stuff he gets. The thing I really like is that no fxxxxxg around with the whole host of digital displays on the GPXs - fire it up and away you go.

Spot on Loamer. The only thing I like to do is before I start detecting I let her warm up for a few minutes until she warms up.

I observed them on an Auction site for a few weeks about 7 weeks ago and went unsold while 4500 and 5000, 2100 and 2200 sold.

In the past 3 weeks a few posts have came up about detector recommendations and was surprised no one plugged the 3500.

It is a different and better machine modded though. In the past 3 weeks 2 GP3500 modded with similar modifications sold for I think $3200

by a retailer on the popular Auction site in Aus.

So if your careful and willing to wait you can pick up a bargain.

 

[loamer]

I think the reason it doesn't get mentioned is that some folk are looking at a lower price range for a PI, which is where the 2200 fits in nicely. To be honest? Sometimes I just wish I had a 3500 as one thing I should have also noted, a 3500 with a bigger coil is an excellent patch hunter. Find patch, run 3500, then a GPX for the very small stuff - works a treat for us.

 

[Guest]

I think the reason it doesn't get mentioned is that some folk are looking at a lower price range for a PI, which is where the 2200 fits in nicely. To be honest? Sometimes I just wish I had a 3500 as one thing I should have also noted, a 3500 with a bigger coil is an excellent patch hunter. Find patch, run 3500, then a GPX for the very small stuff - works a treat for us.

Yep your right.

The other thing I observed as well and I can be wrong here. There is not a truckload of old timers on this forum that have been around for a long time
and have used the GP 3500. So basically you promote what you know which is only fair.

For a patch finder coil I am thinking of buying the 18" NF Mono though I own the 450mm DD.

 

[RottenRon]

Hi guys.
I've just bought a Garrett ATX because after hiring one for a week, decided it was really easy to use, gave dam good results, especially for the price.

All the points made in previous post here are valid, but here's something worth considering.

I bought the Deepseeker version with the extra 20" mono coil and hard case on top of the standard 10x12 DD coil. Best price I found was $3,700 delivered.
The standard version with the DD coil only, I could have got for $3,070 delivered.

Now I don't know about anyone else, but considering the ease of use, similar performance and waterproof to 3m of the ATX, saving over $3,000 compared to the GPX5,000 was a no brainer.

I must admit, I haven't found any yellow yet, but considering some of the small bits of rubbish I've found at depth, it's only a matter of time. It would help if I actually walked over some too I guess.

There's also one other great feature I like about the ATX, it packs up in seconds to around 22" long, that's around 65cm in the new money. Great when I fly back and forth between Melbourne and Brisbane.

That's my reasoning anyway, besides after I told the missus I could save $3,000 by buying the ATX, she seemed a lot happier. I didn't have the guts to tell her that was my intention all along.

Good luck all.
Cheers, Ron.

I purchased a GP 3500 with 3 coils for $1800. I need to thank many people who have promoted every machine on many forums except the GP's
which in turn many go unsold on Auction sites and its when I pounced.

I have modified the machine and it includes a smooth timing switch and extra sensitivity switch.

Mono coils can be run no worries and have an amp pushing out the signal. In all I paid $2600. This includes the 3500, the modification and the
amplified little ripper wireless battery and headphone Kit which I was lucky to obtain from Ismael. Its an amazing piece of equipment and I am
very confident it won't leave much. The 3500 and mod only cost me $2200. The coils I received with the unit includes the 11DD, 15x12 Minelab
Mono and 450mm Coiltek DD. The last 2 coils retail for a combined total of about $700.

I can tell you now with the Mod and amp plus the mono coil the 3500 is a different machine and I think I can impress some users who own
newer machines considering what this setup cost me.

The threshold hums smoothly by the way.

In the end each to there own. We are all different. We all perceive things differently and all have different ways of doing stuff.

As long as your out there its all it matters and part of the issue of finding gold is that you need to walk over it.

You're right of course, each to their own. If you happy and confident with you rig, get good results and didn't have to mortgage the house, well done.

Only have a couple of questions for you.

1. When it rains, do you have to run for cover, or do you slip a plastic bag over your gear.
2. The other question is, how long does the plastic bag last under water at up to 3 m deep.

In all honesty, I don't detect in the rain much, but have been caught out a few times and have been pleased the ATX is waterproof. My XTerra 705 wasn't and the plastic bag thing was a pain in the ring.
Secondly, I haven't used the ATX fully underwater yet, but it's nice to have the option. I will give it a go when the water gets warmer and or when I go home to Qld. for a bit.

I haven't used the big 20" mono that comes with the Deepseeker package much yet, but I'm still learning what the DD goes like first. At $3,700 for a brand new Deepseeker package, (with warranty) I reckon its great value.

I also wonder how long it will take for someone to come up with some mods for the ATX as well. I suspect the ATX, with some of it's outstanding ease of use features, may become a real "gun" detector.

Can't wait till I break the ice.

Cheers, Ron.

 

[Westaus]

Hi All

I am heading out again in a few weeks to the Murchison Gold Fields of WA. Seeing as I am still to find anything I was hoping if someone may have a few general setup tips for the WA soils. I understand that everywhere is a little different but if anyone could shed a little light on what they use as a general starting point, then perhaps what they adjust to clean up signals when needed.

I suppose in general do you just fire it up and go, or do you use Fine Gold, deep etc... It would be helpful to take a few notes of what people suggest to see how it goes. I am no expert only using these machines a handful of times (Hire) and being so long between uses you forget what settings have been used. Even then I don't know if it is right because I haven't had any confirmation by finding Gold. I have found the usual bullets and lead etc... Someone said if you are finding that then you are pretty right. This time I will be taking a notebook for jotting down the settings used to give me something to compare.

Finally do you use the DD or the Mono mainly.

Appreciate any little tips or tricks anyone is prepared to share, if someone is feeling really generous any good places to start would also be appreciated. Certainly happy to let everyone know how it went.

Thanks for reading

Westaus

 

[Diggerdude]

Around my lease in Meekatharra which is in that area, I generally run fine gold timings, make sure the front switch is on special. RX gain 14, stabilizer 11. Everything else is just personal preference for tone etc. If it gets a bit noisy switch the front from special to enhance and drop your settings a few points eg RX gain 12 stab 8.
If you get into the granite you may be able to use normal on the front switch but most of the good gold areas are in the greenstone and surrounding laterites which can be a bit noisy.
I only use monos , possibly use a DD if I were on salt lakes but I rarely detect those.
I have been nearly everywhere around there, let me know once you decide on a spot and can give you some location specific tips.

DD

 

[Westaus]

Thank you DD that is exactly the general information this is what I am looking for, I realize there can be little variations but I didn't want to be a long way off. Appreciate your input and advice. It gives me a starting point.

I will most certainly take up your offer. Not sure if we will go so far Nth, Cue might be as far as we can get. We want to spend more time at a place searching, rather than hours in a car driving. It seems last few times we spent more time on the road than swinging a coil although these were quick 3-4 day trips this time hoping for about 6 nights.

Cheers

Westaus

 

[Mad Jack]

Go the Sadie

 

[stevo]

Guys I will soon be purchasing a GPX5000 and I would like to know if there are any other items that I should include with the package when purchasing the machine..thanks.

 

[trashmagnet]

a good strong pick...good luck with it
regards trashy

 

[Heatho]

Plastic scoop from bunnings, $2.

 

[Roscoe]

There is a whole host of things you can buy, but to get you started. A good pick with pick holder and strong magnet, a plastic scoop, A hip stick is real handy item, if you don't like headphones, then purchase an external speaker. Good luck with your new purchase it is a very good detector.

 

[loamer]

I would go 'clean fatigue' for a while before buying all the accessories. Then if you get a sore back, arms etc, then decide if you need the specialist harness and hip-stick. (Some people swear by them). Pick holder is the same - if you are using a bigger coil you really want the pick as far from the coil as possible - slung over your shoulder seems to even things out, but again, personal preference. Detector box cover - a must have. An under guard cable guide - fits under the handle and gives support to the coil cable into the box - saves movement of the lead, keeps it straight without any undue strain of the leads. (About $20). A spare power cable is a bonus. Go the op shop and get a cricket bat bag - lots cheaper than the minelab bags they sell and keeps your detector nice and safe in your vehicle while travelling. Plastic bag - cheapest all weather cover for the box. 100 mile and hour tape - great for fixing coils and stuff while on the move. and the list and $$ goes on.......

 

[dave14110]

As some one else has said, wait before getting most accessories but the essentials in my opinion is good quality pick walco or cc pick, plastic scoop. Everything else can wait till you know what you want.

 

[stevo]

Are the coil/s that come with the GPX5000 any good or should I look at a Coiltek coil.?

 

[loamer]

The Minelab coils are fine Stevo, you should do OK. Some people have personal preferences - I have changed over the Nugget Finders (you will see them called NF on the forum). I would have a play with the Minelab 11" mono you should get for a while just to get the feel for the detector. The 11" is a good starting coil and a for a lot of people, its their coil size of choice. Its good on small stuff and has a pretty good coverage and will find bigger gold as well. When you get used to it, you may find you want a bigger coil - 14" + etc, to chase bigger deeper gold. I know you will be asking 'how deep will they go?". If you are concentrating around shallow ground, mullock heaps, quartz dumps and the like, the 11" is fine. A smaller coil may also be a handy addition if you want to chase small gold on mullock heaps. In summary - Minelab coils are a good coil that should do you OK. As you progress, then I would contemplate progressing to a more wider range to suit your hunting as the costs do add up.

 

[Heatho]

Yeah the commander coils are excellent, mine came with the 15x12, and 11 mono and DD, only other coil I have bought is a Nugget Finder 8x6 sadie. Will be getting a NF 14 inch round soon also. The standard coils will/should keep you happy for a while.

 

[Heatho]

Loamers advice is excellent also.

 

[stevo]

Thanks