Steve Herschbach

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!

The conference was announced pre-pandemic, and like everything else was probably canceled. Whether Minelab has sent information directly to dealers in lieu of these conferences I do not know, but I’d be surprised. Believe it or not Minelab often tells dealers less than the public, and we know how much they communicate with us. When I was a Minelab dealer I swear half the time I’d find out stuff on the internet before I heard it from Minelab.

Yeah, I’m big into coils. I added the Patriot above as a good value option, with coils being its standout feature. Ace Apex - One coil Simplex - One coil Vanquish - Three coils Patriot - at least 26 coils (note, some Cors and NEL coils are duplicates) I’d sure like to put a White’s on the list, but frankly they do not have anything under $500 I’d even consider. The MX7 at $549 is as close as they get.

For me it is as much historical research as knowing geology. Simply getting the right areas and putting in the hours can pay off without knowing a thing about geology, though those who go that next extra step have a definite advantage. This article uses New Mexico as an example, but the methodology is the same anywhere. https://www.detectorprospector.com/magazine/steves-guides/where-to-prospect-for-gold-nuggets-r121/

Thanks for joining, welcome to the forum!

Companies are not always that accurate with weights, and Nokta/Makro in particular comes up heavier in reality more often than not. Another great value, the Teknetics Patriot, same machine as the Fisher F70, for $399. Unlike the machines above, there are at least 26 coil options available for this detector. All F70 coils from Fisher, NEL, Cors, and Detech will work on the Patriot. The F70 was a very under appreciated machine, the equal of the F75 in most respects but always overshadowed by its more expensive sibling. See what Dave Johnson says at this link. Teknetics Patriot metal detector

What do you think? Here are my top three contenders. Garrett Ace Apex $425 Minelab Vanquish 540 $369 Nokta/Makro Simplex+ $254

Simplex = No multifrequency option or selectable frequency options Vanquish = No selectable frequency options, no ground balance Apex = No recovery speed setting And let’s not forget, both Simplex and Vanquish lack...... Hybrid Audio!!