New....and its doi'n my head in.

[johnnymc]

Hi all
Ive been reading throught these posts for quite some time now and finally decided to join up .Have been interested in prospecting and fossicking now for a few years, mainly in rivers and streams, and kicking around on the surface, however over the last couple of months ive been stewing on investing in a detector but which one? have searched endlessly through forums, web sites and even talking to people, which lead me to this.......here it goes.
I live on the Sunshine Coast, so im not really on the goldfields door step, however, there are gold baring areas not far away, and of course we do travel alot, also obviously, there is a lot of coast line to scourer over, yes im looking for the best of both worlds too, Gold, coins, relics anything really just want to be in the hunt, after all for me its the thrill of the chase.
My price range is $1000-$1400
Hunting for mainly gold but want the variety of the beach, and park
what im looking at is, (and cant make my mind up)

Minelab X-Terra 705
Fisher Gold Bug Pro
Teknetics G2 ...... i know its the same as the fisher
Garrett AT Gold
and a new one i have just recently come across is
Makro Racer, and i believe the Makro Racer Gold is due for release in the next month or so.

So what im asking is what would suit me, the best, without adding too many more to that list, any of that wisdom that ive been reading for so long now would be so much appreciated.

sorry for the long post.

 

[Jaros]

Welcome johnnymc. I hope you find your detector and find some relics and gold.
Cheers Jaros

 

[johnnymc]

Thank you Jaros

 

[kemjak57]

I would suggest Whites GMT. They pick up very small gold and are an honest detector. I tried mine on coins and the signal on a coin is a zip sound that is very repeatable. They are quite easy to use and I found quite a number of small pieces, the best being 1.7 grams at 5 inches. Hope this is helpful, cheers Rick PS welcome onto the forum

 

[Ramjet]

Welcome Johnny. Only you can decide. You seem to have done your research and have listed some good detectors in your price range.
Good luck.

Cheers

Ramjet

 

[WalnLiz]

"Hunting for mainly gold" with "Variety of Beach and Park". Difficult decision you are needing to make Johnny. Bit similar in scenario to wanting a caravan towable by a mini.....hard balance to achieve without making some sort of compromises. Don't want to add anything to the list of contenders as if we all did that your decision would be all the the more difficult. :/

At your price range I'd certainly also be giving the SPP some serious consideration, as the gold part of your request is best achieved with a PI machine.....sorry for throwing another spanner in the works.

Wal.

 

[Blinkie]

Hi Jonnymc, welcome to the forum.
My only input on detectors is that do your research and whatever detector you chose learn how to use it to it's ability, because in the end/field it doesn't matter how good your machine is if the coil doesn't go over it you ain't going to find nothin'. .
We all look forward to hearing about your new adventure.
Bill

 

[Goldtarget]

Some good replies. My 2 bbs worth, pick up a decent coin shooter second hand hit the parks and beaches hard and use the money saved and finds found to stretch out to a decent pi for the gold.
Or go the other way by a half way nice pi and save a few hundred for the shooter.
Coins are easy mate put it in a place where people gather when it goes beep dig it. Gold that's always specialised and needs a bit of kit up to the task and the coil in the right place.

If there was really one machine that could do it all really well there be hundreds of us using them! I'm not trying to sell you just give you a nudge in the right direction. This topic has come up so many times but the answer is still the same. One for coins one for gold unless you just enjoy the surrounds.

 

[Redfin]

I'll go the other way mate.
Seeing where you live I would get the best coin / relic machine i could.
For your occasional trip to the gold fields I would rent.

I think anyone that cannot get up to the goldfields for at least 8 to 10 weekends a year is better off renting.

 

[Chewy]

Hi Johnny, welcome aboard.

 

[Picker]

Minelab eureka gold. Won't blow the budget out, has high sensitivity for smaller gold, that or GMT, or GB 2. The GB pro is nothing compared to the GB 2.