As I've mentioned previously, I like to think of it as a more robust Gold Racer, with ability to be hip-mounted. It also comes standard with the little 5" coil, so that accounts for some of the price difference. I also find the Au Gold finder seems to hold it's threshold just that little bit better than the Gold Racer (on similar iSat settings).
The gold racer with its screen and target ID is ultimately a little more versatile, but for a grab and go workhorse machine (like the old Fisher Gold Bugs), the AU Gold Finder is the go. I once was cleaning out a really trashy spot, and was on hands and knees cleaning out target after target. I chose the AU Gold to do this task as I knew there'd be dirt and rocks flying everywhere. It did a great job. I didn't pull any gold, but did when I went back with some other units that could be worked after a bulk of the trash was removed.
The gold racer with its screen and target ID is ultimately a little more versatile, but for a grab and go workhorse machine (like the old Fisher Gold Bugs), the AU Gold Finder is the go. I once was cleaning out a really trashy spot, and was on hands and knees cleaning out target after target. I chose the AU Gold to do this task as I knew there'd be dirt and rocks flying everywhere. It did a great job. I didn't pull any gold, but did when I went back with some other units that could be worked after a bulk of the trash was removed.
