GPX 6000 - Tips, Tricks, Technical Questions

[Trent King]

I’ve been surprised by the amount of bits left behind by previous detectors, averaging about 1.5g per hour on flogged out ground.

Here’s a pic of her new clothes, although I’m a little jealous now that I’ve seen Docs fashion show.  May have to get his clothes for my next one 😉

[Gold Catcher]

1 hour ago, Steve Herschbach said:

Make of that what you will, but I promise you that you have no idea of the size, and magnitude, of the emotional content attached to all this. Immense satisfaction at a very hard job pursued relentlessly for many years, and a final perceived payoff for those efforts

Not many people have the luck to see their vision completed in their life times. Congratulations to that, Steve! And thank you for having so hard fought for it. We all benefit from it greatly. Not just by enjoying an exceptional new detector, but also by the passion and spirit that you are sharing with us. A true inspiration and also a reminder that life is worth living when you want to make a dream come true.

GC

[geof_junk]

The whole point is enjoying yourself and getting an amount of gold that satisfies your effort. The detector may go 10% deeper but how much gold is that 10% deeper. The detector maybe a lot lighter that might let you detect 10% more area, how much more gold is there. The detector might be better for ergonomists  reasons and that might allow you 10% more area, how much more gold is there.

Maybe you can increase your abilities and get 10% more gold that is time and effort not dollars to the Makers. A later manufactured detector that have taken into consideration the factors in the first paragraph will add to your enjoyment and gold acumination. Best of luck with your decision on acumination of Atomic number N°79 (Au79=Gold).   

[Northeast]

21 hours ago, Ridge Runner said:

 

 If that girl wants to swing that 6000 some let her. That’s wonderful that she would want to be out there with her dad.

It was certainly nice to have her out there with me.  Actually it was a great weekend all round just the 2 of us.  She has not long had her L plates (learner driver) so she did some driving, we stayed at my cousins, moved sheep, went fox shooting, visited my sister, found some gold and generally enjoyed each other’s company.  The sort of weekend where you go back to work for a rest  😄

Just on the GPX6.  My daughter handled it with ease.  The solid coil cover made it much easier than the Equinox 11” spoked coil to get through some of the long grass.  And the target response is so sharp she found it easier to pinpoint.   
 

I’ve previously mentioned my mum has a GPX6.  Well, she is currently in Far North Queensland and called me this morning.  She is winning the gold tally of her little group which includes 2 5000’s and a 7000.  Mum is just short of 70 yrs and only gets out about half the time that the others do due to the heat and she is not as super keen as the others.  Currently mum has 24 grams of gold and is hoping to get that up to an ounce either before they leave or when they get to JP country in about a week and a half.  
 

Mum’s sister was so impressed with the GPX6 (especially ergonomics) she ordered one and it arrived a few days ago.  Her sister is 80 and had been lugging a 5000 around!  😲 

What does all that mean?  Not much 🤣   Except that my mum’s happy and is finding gold with a beeper that is great at pinging on metal, is simple to use and she can physically stand to use due to its great design.   
 

So…thanks Mr Herschbach for your pushing, prodding, poking, guiding, arguing, advising, testing, miles travelled, emails written and phone calls made.  
My mum, Aunty, daughter and myself appreciate it  🙏

Oh, and thanks to Minelab too 😉

[Northeast]

21 hours ago, Gold Catcher said:

One thing I am in particular keen of finding out is how to make best use of both the 6000 and the 7000 in combination.

Hi GC.   We all hunt different ground and have different techniques I suppose but I can’t see anyone with a GPX6 and a GPZ7 ever using anything except the GPX6 for patching hunting - especially so when the 17” coil comes out and if you are searching open ground. 

Once a patch is found there is no reason to swap out - I would just keep using the GPX6.  For the most part it will find a large percentage of the gold and I feel it is a bit more efficient in recovery of targets than the GPZ7 due to the mono coil.  Handy if there is a bit of rubbish to deal with too. 

Lastly, if I had a GPZ7, I would definitely still make a pass in General/Difficult just to see what other pieces it might light up.  There is always going to be some sizes, depths, density, shapes, porosity of gold pieces that will be picked up better by one detector over another.  

I certainly wouldn’t be selling a GPZ if I could afford both as, like you, I loved what the GPZ could do.  But I think you’ll find the GPZ will become a ‘specialist’ use detector and not your daily drive.  Will be interesting to see what the final outcome will be for you   😉

[Ridge Runner]

Northeast  

 Happy Father’s Day to you!

 Hope everyday comes up gold with your 6000 and in life itself.

 Chuck 

[Northeast]

2 minutes ago, Ridge Runner said:

Happy Father’s Day to you!

Thanks Chuck, and to you too.  You can spend your Father’s Day in your comfortable new furniture!  
 

We celebrate our FD on the first Sunday in September.  Might have to organise another gold hunting weekend away with one of the kids; perhaps they’re good luck  🍀 

[Steve Herschbach]

8 hours ago, Northeast said:

I certainly wouldn’t be selling a GPZ if I could afford both as, like you, I loved what the GPZ could do.  But I think you’ll find the GPZ will become a ‘specialist’ use detector and not your daily drive.

Perfect summary, thank you. I’ve said all along that this is not so much an issue for GPZ owners. That’s fairly simple from my perspective. Keep the GPZ, get a GPX 6000, sort it out. If you can’t afford that…. Sorry. But that’s how I’d do it, and I don’t need the GPZ anymore. You might still for some purposes - it will go deeper on a ten pound gold nugget, true, or do x coil tricks. Whatever. GPZ owners should be able to figure stuff out, or they should not have a GPZ in the first place.

My concern continues to be the person that has neither, and wants to buy one or the other in the next couple months. And I’m saying despite what dealers may say… do not buy that new GPZ 7000 right now unless you know for sure, no doubt, it’s what you need. I do not think it a wise investment unless you are buying it at dealer cost. It must serve a genuine specific need. Otherwise, pass. That’s advice for the U.S. - I refuse to second guess my Aussie brothers on their own soil. It’s rude if nothing else. Thanks for sharing the positive thoughts however. I’m pleased to see some are also seeing the magic down under.

I’m biased. I love this detector. It is not perfect, none is, but this is what a lot of us have wanted for a long time. It’s a genuine sweetie, an inch this way or that be damned. Anyone that can’t genuinely appreciate what Minelab has done here, does not know or appreciate how heavy, clunky, and silly half or more of the Minelab designs have been in the past. I actually like the GPX 4500/5000 as detectors, largely just due to the new battery system. The lead acid batteries in the prior GP series was a pain. Harnessed and balanced properly, the harnessed GPX system actually made good sense for the time, and still does, as a system that employs over 100 coils.

But most other Minelabs I can only describe as klunky, heavy, and slow. The Monster may not be heavy, but no telescoping rod, falls over every time, it can be better. Nobody will talk of the GPX 6000 in those terms. This is a new line in the sand, and machines going forward will be judged against this detector, as a new benchmark in the design sequence. If Minelab comes out with an 8 lb detector tomorrow that “goes deeper” than a GPZ 7000, I won’t look at it, won’t consider it. Enough is enough with the “piggy detectors”! The ATX and GPZ design needs to be buried in the same hole, along with every other detector weighing over seven pounds. GPZ is brilliant proof of ZVT concept, is how I look at it, but not something to emulate going forward. Lighten that thing up!

[Gold Catcher]

25 minutes ago, Northeast said:

Hi GC.   We all hunt different ground and have different techniques I suppose but I can’t see anyone with a GPX6 and a GPZ7 ever using anything except the GPX6 for patching hunting - especially so when the 17” coil comes out and if you are searching open ground. 

Once a patch is found there is no reason to swap out - I would just keep using the GPX6.  For the most part it will find a large percentage of the gold and I feel it is a bit more efficient in recovery of targets than the GPZ7 due to the mono coil.  Handy if there is a bit of rubbish to deal with too. 

Lastly, if I had a GPZ7, I would definitely still make a pass in General/Difficult just to see what other pieces it might light up.  There is always going to be some sizes, depths, density, shapes, porosity of gold pieces that will be picked up better by one detector over another.  

I certainly wouldn’t be selling a GPZ if I could afford both as, like you, I loved what the GPZ could do.  But I think you’ll find the GPZ will become a ‘specialist’ use detector and not your daily drive.  Will be interesting to see what the final outcome will be for you   😉

Thanks, Northeast. Yes this makes sense. Without a doubt the 6 will be my daily detector. Over time, I will see what I will do with my 7 that I have with 3 coils (NF-12/14/19). It might very well be that the 7 looses in all aspects to the 6, doesn't matter what configuration the 7 has, then the time for the 7 is up. For sure, detecting with the 6 will be a much more pleasant experience, leave performance aside.

[Gold Catcher]

41 minutes ago, Steve Herschbach said:

My concern continues to be the person that has neither, and wants to buy one or the other in the next couple months.

There is only one answer: buy the 6000. I can't imagine anyone recommending the 7000 for someone who wants to join the high end club. And I haven't found a 10 pound gold nugget yet, Steve, despite swinging the 19 inch coil in 100 deg heat for days at a time (I made good use of the skid plate you sent me). So, unless I move to Au where I might at times need a "submarine type detector" there won't be many reasons left to keep the 7, other than nostalgia (of which I seem to have plenty of-for whatever reason) 😄