My Dreams Finally Come True In 2020

[Steve Herschbach]

I consider myself to be extremely fortunate due to the fact that the entire age of modern metal detecting has taken place over the course of my lifetime. I was too young in the 60's to be one of the many famous names that were there first on the ground with these new toys that go beep. That's good though for me as most of them are gone now and I'm still here. I got my first detector at the true dawn of the modern detecting age when I got my White's Coinmaster 4 in 1972. It was one of the first of the new "TR" machines that were the starting point for what most of us use today. Mine was as basic as a detector gets, no ground balance existed yet or discrimination. Just a couple inches depth and a beep, dig it up. So I have been involved in detecting now for 47 years. I started my business while in high school in 1976, and have been involved in metal detecting pretty much daily ever since.

Anyone who followed my online presence starting in 1998 may see a pattern. I have been involved in some top end machines, some VLF, but basically almost every ground balancing PI made has been in my hands at some point. I had a vision in my mind based on my background in computers that told me what was possible and where we were headed.

I was particularly incensed when an upstart company from Australia showed up the industry leaders at the time with the world's most powerful gold detecting PI machines. All the more so when I heard White's had a shot at it and passed. I made it my mission to jump on and foster anything that came along that might compete, and so I was involved with the Garrett Infinium, the first U.S. ground balancing PI. I had a lot to do with White's finally producing the TDI.

Yet the fact is nobody ever seriously took Minelab on, and finally they won me over because they delivered when the rest just milked us. Minelab has been the sole company at the forefront of this technology since the SD2000 was introduced.

All this time I have wanted two things. A vision in my mind of what a VLF could be. And a similar vision regarding a PI. Both those visions basically revolved around something a normal person could use both as regards ergonomics and price, two areas we kept getting bent over on for 20 years.

Long story short I am grateful to Minelab for allowing me to be involved in the machine that delivered on my first vision. The Minelab Equinox is the first machine ever that really can do any VLF metal detecting task and do it well. In any one area it may not be "the best" but no one machine delivers across the board like the Equinox. My VLF quest is over. I will use an Equinox as my primary unit until a detector comes along, probably a Minelab, that does what it does but better. No more VLF buy and try for me. Yay!

In 2017 I laid out my vision for the PI I wanted. The price was kind of a set the bar high (with a low price) thing so there is a little wiggle room there. But not a lot... the machine price should be something most people can stomach. As far as I am concerned the GPX 4500 sets the standard at $2699 both for performance and price. The TDI wins on ergonomics but loses too much in performance for me. All I really wanted was a GPX performance in an ergonomic package, and we all know it can be done. That is what is so frustrating. It's one thing to introduce new tech but all I want is proven tech packaged right. Garrett has really been a disappointment not putting the ATX in a light box. They can do it but so far have refused. I would have been satisfied with that.

Right now I am calling the Australian made QED as being the default winner of my challenge. The rough edges have been smoothed out, and it's got the ergonomics, coil selection, and price all right. I am not going to argue with anyone over performance. Based on what I know it's good enough for me to go find gold and easily beats the TDI and is competitive with GPX. Good enough for me and good job boys. The only niggle is no FCC approval for U.S. sales, no U.S. dealers or service. But by end of 2020 if there is nothing better I will have one anyway.

But we have the Fisher Impulse AQ on the verge and a dry land prospecting version promised. I would be crazy not to wait and see what develops there. I sold my GPZ for many reasons, mostly because I was not going to be detecting much this year, but I resolved when I sold it I would wait until my vision appeared. I knew it was close. I decided I can have fun enough with Equinox until that happens.

Put as simply as possible I want a reasonably powerful PI packaged like a good VLF that most of us can afford. Something that can get in and out of a small backpack with an hour of labor being involved.

So I am tossing down the gauntlet. I have my magic VLF and am looking for a mate for it. Right now QED and Impulse are in the running. And it's up to Minelab, Nokta/Makro, and sure, let's toss Garrett and White's in there also. It's time to deliver as by the end of 2020 I am getting one. I prefer in the spring but if something is one the radar I may wait. By 2021 I will be using something that finally fulfills what this high school kid from Alaska has known would happen someday. And I got to be there and see it all from start to finish. As I said... a very fortunate soul! 

Interfacion QED PL2

Fisher Impulse AQ

[Jonathan Porter]

One question Steve and I hope I don’t come across contentious or conceited, what if ‘your’ bucket list metal detector is a problem in the ground I operate in? You see I’ve used the Garrett ATX the Whites TDI and an early version QED in the areas I go detecting and test metal detectors in and found everything else seriously lacking. So is the bar performance based, price based or weight based? Minelab loses in weight and price but in my case wins hands down on being able to work in my ground and at the same time have performance. And sorry to be seeming like I’m dragging the discussion into contention but this also goes for the X coils where I work and test detectors. 

If I go over said ground with all of the above and find nothing with them but find heaps with the heaviest priciest detector in the list, which detector do I choose?

Please I’m not trying to be walled eyed here, I’m not trying to be contenious or arrogant, this is not a Dodge versus Ford man beat your chest rant. There is no way I could bring myself to sell my Dodge ....... err GPZ. ?

JP

[Steve Herschbach]

Seems simple JP. Set your bars for your use, I’ll set mine for my use. For me I am sure I said it already but a Garrett ATX circuit packaged up right would be fine. That’s my low bar... for me. Unlike you I can grab an ATX right now and go find gold with it. But all I am doing is setting a low bar. What I am asking for is the machine that exceeds that bar the most while staying ergonomic and affordable. Did it appear I set an upper limit on performance? I don’t think so. GPX 4500 is the better low bar really, and I’ll sure go for more!

Said it many times. How about the SDC stuffed in the Eureka Gold box with a coil selection? At least I could hip or chest mount it. But no, it has to be in a 5.3 lb military box with a hard-wired coil. Sure it works but I want what I want.

I am the one being selfish and conceited JP.  The machine is for me and people thinking like me and I am sure I am far from being alone. You should use what you want and what works for you. You do this to make money so absolute performance is paramount I assume. What difference does it make? I’m not demanding that all other detector development for other people like you cease. It’s not a battle between us, where one must win and the other lose. Surely there is room for more than one set of desires in the world? How about I vote we both get what we want? I am just clearly stating what I want and what would make me happy, nothing more. I’d love a thread from you on what you want and why. I would assume that would be next gen GPZ but I should not put words in your mouth.

As for me it’s basically a non-issue. My bar has been cleared and all that is left next year is to pick between the available choices. Like I said, happy days... for me!

[Jonathan Porter]

OK so what I would like is a GPZ at around the same weight as the CTX 3030. Believe it or not but a too light machine hunting for deep gold is actually a negative because coil control is so important, patch hunting or chasing small shallow gold no problem, but for deeper edge of detection responses it’s the other way around. 

So my bucket list would be (Bar if you like),

• A light weight simple to use Steve ‘BAR’ PI with depth performance on par with GPX and sensitivity of the SDC with a variety of coil choices.
• A light as CTX 3030 GPZ 7000 with a variety of coil options, 12” small gold finder, 17” x 12” Patch hunter, 15’ round general purpose and say 18” to 19 “ same weight as the GPZ14” coil for outright depth.
• All units should have an option or ability to cut out EMI and Salt signals whilst maintaining reasonable depth and sensitivity.

JP

[Steve Herschbach]

Sure, I’ll take one if you throw in a 6x10 elliptical coil. Do you take American Express or VISA? 

[Steve Herschbach]

I am pushing somebody getting the ergonomics right. I actually love the feel of the CTX and had wished way back when for exactly what you are describing JP... a GPX in a CTX box. Once the ergonomics are right, competition will add the performance part over time. I’m just trying to draw a line in the sand and demanding the ergonomics. Whatever limits that places on the performance part I can accept, but I’m tired of 7 lb detectors and harnesses and bungees when there is no real technological need for all that anymore. That’s what this is all about from my perspective, saying enough is enough. If everyone out there thinks otherwise... but I doubt it.

My 2012 post at Findmall:

”I have a Minelab GPX 5000 and a Minelab CTX 3030. I am a firm believer at this point that the GPX 5000 has taken PI nugget detecting technology about as far as it can go, with only better ferrous discrimination the only thing to offer me. And I am not holding my breath for that. So where to go from here.

Pretty obvious I would say. Cram the GPX 5000 into the CTX 3030 package. I see no reason why it can't be done. The only limitation would likely be battery time per charge but if a CTX style battery could get me just a half day operation I am fine with changing batteries at lunch. A GPX 5000 in a single package with built-in speaker and GPS and waterproof to 10 feet would be killer. A new coil set mimicing the CTX set would be great as new waterproof coils would be a must. 8" mono, 11" (or 12") mono and 11" (or 12") DD and 18" mono would be all I would ever need. People are already using the GPX for beach and relic hunting and this would put it over the top. I would be using it for almost any detecting at all except where discrimination is a must, like turf hunting in a park.

Minelab GPX 5000 MSRP of $6995 (MAP $5795). You want to get another grand out of me Minelab? MSRP $7995? Give me a CTX 5000 or GPX 6000 or GPX 8030, whatever you want to call it and you got it.”

That was then and now being now the only thing I’m really wanting beyond what I posted in 2012 is the lower price.

[Jonathan Porter]

Actually what I would really like is two GPZ’s, one on par weight wise as the CTX for larger coil use and another one that is super light for small coil use and yes with a 10 x 6” elliptical for Steve.??

[flakmagnet]

Gents I hope you both have your wishes granted…they are both worthy. Me? I would just like a little time to get out and look.

[Rob Allison]

Hey Steve,

   For the price and performance only (not weight or ergonomics), I still think the Minelab GPX 4500 is the best bang for the buck here in the US.  The price is fair, the performance is great and you have all the options of aftermarket coils and accessories.  

That being said, the GPX 4500 will be discontinued again soon.  I'm not sure what is left, but I believe what is left is all we will ever see again. 

Rob Allison

[Steve Herschbach]

Just now, Rob Allison said:

That being said, the GPX 4500 will be discontinued again soon.  I'm not sure what is left, but I believe what is left is all we will ever see again. 

Holy crap, are you serious Rob? That’s real news actually and not the greatest because I agree, it is the best bang for the buck. Only acceptable really if GPX 5000 price comes down.