Steve Herschbach

Yes, DD coils work better over a wider range of conditions than concentric coils, which is why nearly all top end detectors come with DD coils. Concentrics have advantages like better bottle cap handling and good performance on milder ground. They are cheaper to make so seen more often on inexpensive detectors.

No, don't do that. Adding your thumbs up is important... numbers count. I just wanted to post links for further information, that's all. I do that a lot here.

Was posted by Steve Moore of Garrett... “Here's a compilation of some recent field testing with the Garrett ACE Apex metal detector. Most of this is urban testing in North Texas with several field tester friends (Rusty, Wes, and Shawn) plus a little digging with George "KG" Wyant in Kansas. I run through a few of the settings and show some of our early finds. We all test changing the channels so four Apex units all set on Multi-Frequency can hunt in close proximity. Stay tuned, because some of these field testers will probably release their own videos (better quality no doubt!) in the weeks ahead. Note: we were not out to show deep digging. People will test that later when released. But we did avoid digging a lot of trash on these extremely trashy home sites. Thanks to KG and his buddies for getting permission to keep the well pump relic!“

Thanks for the new report. All the other reports on the forum have been good. I think I may get one myself for my 24K and TRP detectors.

Minelab MF5. Has a multifrequency coin & jewelry feel to it. Multi Frequency 5. CTX replacement? The CTX is eight years old now. Sounds very interesting, looking at Simons info my guess is it’s AN IMPROVED METAL DETECTOR. Patents being filed, trademarks filed, announcements in company reports... another September Detectival release maybe? Or maybe a new mine detector - Mine Field 5. Notice the resemblance to MDS-10 logo below. Minelabs FY21 starts in July 2020

The 7.5” x 12” Hi-Q is a dual field coil with a fancy new name. A large outer coil with a small inner coil. If you use a small test nugget only the small inner coil is reacting. The larger outer coil adds more depth for larger targets. The 12” round dual field will act the same way. Only the inner coil will respond to small targets, the larger outer coil the larger targets. As a round coil it has a larger total area than the Hi-Q elliptical so will get just a little more depth on large items, but not much, maybe 10%. All my old TDI detectors came with the 12” round and I did not think it was a problem swinging one all day. But overall I don’t think you will see much difference between it and what you have, unless that possible extra inch on large stuff is really important to you. Some TDI Finds 1.93 oz gold nugget found by Steve Herschbach with White's TDI

I tried all the email addresses I could find and never got an answer. You could contact the realtor and pass along a message that you are interested in buying the service data and schematics.

Old models I used to give a hard shake if I was diagnosing a problem. It did reveal if something was loose in the control box, not uncommon with old analog detectors with seated components. But these new surface mount circuit boards, almost unheard of, though connecting wires or cables could be loose. I have a 30 year old Gold Bug right now that the audio cuts out, and a couple flat handed blows to the control box gets it working again. Something loose in there for sure. I need to diagnose it but may just send it to Fisher for a complete tuneup out of laziness. .

There are operational differences. The threshold used to super boost the signal in disc mode if you turned it up on the old machines. The new GB2 the threshold is completely tied to all metal mode only, has no effect on disc responses. Coils have also changed over the years.

We really have gone off topic, but seriously Rick, were it not for the aforementioned issues with the SDC 2300, I would recommend it to all prospectors over any VLF. It simply ignores the ground and hot rocks with no special knowledge of tuning needed, automatic everything really. As close to turn on and go as possible, get a signal, it’s a target. Way easier than trying to run a VLF in hot rock laden ground. An affordable Impulse AU that simply matched that, but did it for a price regular folks can afford, would sell by the van load.

SDC, and no, I don’t claim it’s more sensitive to tiny stuff than a GB2. There is a reason for that. If you go there with a short enough delay, it will also light up the hot rocks the GB2 lights up, making the exercise pointless. PI detectors that have not been proven to be better than the SDC in real world hot rock conditions don’t count. No reason to believe me on that however... the testers will no doubt discover it for themselves. However, if the Impulse AU simply equaled the SDC for gold sensitivity and did it in a more ergonomic package for a better price, it would be considered a significant win. And that I have no doubt is possible. The SDC with stock coil can consistently recover gold down to 0.5 grain. Smaller might be possible under ideal conditions, but 0.5 grain is a realistic lower limit. That would of course not match the Gold Bug 2 at under 0.1 grain, but the Bug does have the advantage of that 4” x 6” magical concentric coil. Long story short, for a PI, I don’t think reliable recovery of sub-grain gold is anything to sneeze at. That being the case the SDC has indeed pulled huge amounts of smaller gold out of areas that VLF detectors can’t handle, while also being incredibly easy to operate. The ergonomics suck however, it’s very pricey, and there is that warble. I agree, ugh. So bring it on Fisher!

Already been done, they call it an SDC 2300. Fisher may produce an Impulse with the air test hots, but that’s the easy part. It’s getting it to handle the ground at the same time that matters. But I always find your faith and coy posts heart-warming Rick, so don’t give it up.

It's a fact that you hear electrical interference, EMI, with your ears. Your ears are on your head, so the EMI is probably coming though your head into your ears. So the only solution is to put the foil where it will really help.

Actually, I think the Gold Bug Pro was designed to replace the Gold Bug 2. But the gold prices took off and the Gold Bug 2 refused to die. If they can make money on it First Texas will keep building them. The main battle has been finding new parts to replace old analog parts as they go obsolete and retuning the detector to act the same. I wonder what a close look at the circuit board of a 25 year old GB2 and a new one would reveal?

I don't know about much but I do know one thing. If I was a Fisher dealer, held to tight restrictions on a so-called minimum advertised price, and then saw an outfit like Cabelas get preferential treatment.... I would be furious. I am not saying the case here, but if not then similar deals should be available from other dealers.

Well if it really is a model closeout, maybe. But again this may just be Cabelas clearing out Fisher - maybe they are done with First Texas in general or just First Texas nugget detectors? I sure do not know. I guess we will find out if other dealers also start offering this deal.

The Sadie is a mono coil. 99% of all SD, GP, and GPX compatible coils will run on the TDI https://www.detectorprospector.com/forums/topic/1062-minelab-pi-coil-on-whites-tdi/ https://www.detectorprospector.com/forums/topic/3534-minelab-coil-on-whites-tdi/ Whether they run well or not is another story. The TDI was designed for mono coils, and on most ground the DD coil is a mediocre option. However, in extreme ground where mono coils fail, a DD coil may be the better option. I'm talking Australia bad type ground.

There is nothing the DFX will do to improve your situation Jeff. Unless you simply want a mild-mannered, well behaved detector. Plus I am a fan of the White's SignaGraph display, which in my opinion was one of the better display options ever, and which White's has sadly abandoned on newer detectors. White’s DFX Data & Reviews That said I have been shopping for one as I am never quite satisfied with the V3i when it comes to running my Bigfoot coil. The V3i was not designed for the coil and it is squirrely. The DFX is far more stable, partly because it is a lower gain detector. It is a very stable platform, but lacks the sheer punch of the newer high gain models. That's not bad if you want well behaved stability, but if you are seeking cutting edge performance, not so much. However, having shopped a bit lately, it used to be you could get a used DFX for $250 all day long, and for some reason they are now often going for closer to $500 on eBay. Not sure what that is all about. Long story short Jeff the DFX is a really sweet jewelry detector for parks, which is what I use both it and the V3i for. The V3i is a much more powerful detector. Yet as I noted due to that it has EMI issues and such that the DFX does not have. The DFX in dual frequency mode is always running in a salt compensated dual frequency mode and so lacks that hot edge on small gold. You can only get out of salt mode by going to a single frequency option. However, the DFX also cheats on the single frequency option, still running in dual frequency mode and just ignoring one half the signal. So you don't really get that full extra punch you get in the V3i and other machines in single frequency mode, where all the power of going to one frequency. To sum up the DFX is a really nice, well behaved general purpose detector, but due to being well behaved lacks that hot edge expected from newer detectors... which also tend to be more unstable. White's SignaGraph display - simultaneous results on all VDI numbers, making ferrous identification a snap with "ferrous smearing"...

I as just alerted by a forum member that Cabelas is advertising the Fisher Gold Bug 2 for $574, a new low price. I do not know if this is a clearance sale, or a permanent price reduction, or if it is offered at other dealers. I'm sure we will sort that out real fast! They also have the basic Gold Bug on sale for $375. Do not confuse this with the Gold Bug Pro. The Pro has both ground grab and manual ground balance, the basic Bug has ground grab only. Otherwise however they are the same detector. https://www.cabelas.com/catalog/browse/_/N-1104188?CQ_view=list&CQ_ztype=GNU&CQ_ref=~type-Gold%2BDetectors This may be temporary but it also in my opinion is overdue as a permanent move on the basic Gold Bug at least. That model really should just be discontinued in favor of the nearly identical Gold Bug Pro, but if not it sure needed to come down in price. It adds to the confusion out there and some people buy it thinking they are getting the Pro. Just clear it out and discontinue it. Gold Bug 2 is a tougher story. It is in a class of it's own as an old analog model that with 6" concentric still may best the best tiny gold getter on the market. Newer machines at lower prices may very well equal it though, or close enough for most people. The main problem with the Bug 2 is it is expensive to manufacture so I am not sure a permanent price reduction would be sustainable. Fisher has discontinued several models in the last couple years and may be consolidating or revamping their lineup around the introduction of a new website. Lond story short this may be just a temporary sale or a sign of bigger things... we will see.

I as just alerted by a forum member that Cabelas is advertising the Fisher Gold Bug 2 for $574, a new low price. I do not know if this is a clearance sale, or a permanent price reduction, or if it is offered at other dealers. I'm sure we will sort that out real fast! They also have the basic Gold Bug on sale for $375. Do not confuse this with the Gold Bug Pro. The Pro has both ground grab and manual ground balance, the basic Bug has ground grab only. Otherwise however they are the same detector. https://www.cabelas.com/catalog/browse/_/N-1104188?CQ_view=list&CQ_ztype=GNU&CQ_ref=~type-Gold%2BDetectors

The F70 originally was stock with the concentric but near the end was also offered with the DD coil as stock. The F70 has been discontinued, but can still be found at some dealers. I just found one with the concentric option for $449. The concentric is far better at handling bottle caps and EMI, but the larger DD will get better depth, especially in bad ground. The T2 at $499 is a good detector, but lacking the Boost mode and other tweaks of the T2+/F75+ I’m not sure it would offer any better performance than the F70/Patriot. Perhaps even less. The original T2 and F75 are the oldest designs, followed by the F70, and then later the T2 Ltd and F75 Ltd, which as Dave explains incorporated the improvements quietly implemented in the F70. He goes so far as to say a F70 owner would not benefit from an upgrade to the F75, which makes me wonder if Boost is just the default operating mode for the F70 (especially with the SL option engaged), then added to the older models as an extra mode so they could catch up to and not be outperformed by the less expensive model. Many who have used both say the F70 performs as well as the more expensive models, confirming Dave’s statement. Food for thought, and not impossible for a company as convoluted as First Texas. A tidbit for those who are really into ferrous versus non-ferrous detecting employing tone id. The tone breaks on the T2, F70/Patriot, and F75 are preset and cannot be adjusted. Choosing any preset tone option sets an overly aggressive ferrous/non-ferrous tone break. One of the sole reasons I prefer the $449 F19 or $399 Time Ranger Pro (same detectors, different coils), is the ability to adjust the tone break position while hunting in dual tones.

Welcome to the forum. Yes, it is very normal for new owners of the Equinox to post this very same question here about once a month. Detectors are made to be waved over the ground, and holding up and shaking hard while pointing off to who knows what kind of electrical sources can display erratic behavior. The lower cable may also be moving due to the vigorous shaking, generating false signals. Best advice - don't do that. There is a minuscule possibility you have a loose component in the detector causing the issue. Nox 800 Vs Emi - Minelab Equinox Forum ... Equinox 800 Emi Testing - Minelab Equinox Forum ... Equinox Too Noisy? - Minelab Equinox Forum ... Emi Frustration - Minelab Equinox Forum ... More results from www.detectorprospector.com

I use this on all my detectors, cut to fit, works great. GreatShield (3 Pack) Ultra Anti-Glare (Matte) Clear Screen Protector Film Three 7” x 4” sheets only $6.99 ”The GreatShield Anti-Glare Screen Protector works by canceling out glare and blocking the reflection of UV rays. This allows users to see the display clearer in and outdoors, even while wearing polarized sunglasses.”

Time to bump up with release apparently happening soon. Fisher Impulse AQ metal detector

Beauty for sure - have yet to find one of those. Excellent condition - Congratulations!