Steve Herschbach

There are some Aussie sites reporting this as an "August Only" special. If so, that is a real shame. Minelab really needs an entry level PI and this fits the bill. https://www.cwpsupplies.com.au/product/minelab-detector-gpx-4500/

I have never found anyone yet who could make the Coin/Relic mode work. The soil needs to be nearly inert for it to function. If anyone has had success with it I would like to hear about it.

I got a PM reminding me that perhaps I was oversimplifying things in my original post. I mention the Fine Gold timing and "other subtle differences". Here is the PM (don't be afraid to post folks):

"Just thought I would bring up that there are 3 timings that you get with the 5000 that are not on the 4500. Fine gold,salt gold and coin relic. I would also like to add that the ground balance is better on the the 5000 and it handles the EMI much better. The enhanced timing seems to work better on the 5000 also might be because of the detectors ability to ground balance better."

These differences were actually covered in an older thread on the forum at http://www.detectorprospector.com/forum/topic/144-minelab-gpx-4800-vs-gpx-5000/ so that is worth a look also.

A matter of perspective I suppose as to what differences are important or not to an individual. But no doubt my original post was thin on details.

Prior thread on the subject at http://www.detectorprospector.com/forum/topic/499-drones-for-aerial-reconnaissance/?hl=drones

Not really a rumor more a matter of when. I can't say I am holding my breath. The more I use the GPZ the less I really care. The stock coil is pretty amazing. I do agree though that both a smaller coil and a larger coil are needed.

In most ground no. In ground requiring the Fine Gold or improved Enhance timings, absolutely. There are other details see http://www.detectorprospector.com/forum/topic/144-minelab-gpx-4800-vs-gpx-5000/?p=1005

Looks like the typical very low mineral, very low trash virgin ground scenario in Alaska. The gold is likely to be small unfortunately so I would recommend small mono coils running in Sensitive Extra at as high a gain as allows for stable operation. Be alert for faint signals. The Gold Bug Pro may work as well or better in that location. Good luck, and thanks for posting the photos. Been awhile since I had a view out the windshield like that!

Awesome story, great nugget and excellent photos - congratulations strick!

Check is in the mail, hold me a spot.

For some people, yes. For others, no. It just depends on the individual circumstances. No doubt though a GPX 4500 and SDC 2300 for about half the price of a GPZ 7000 is a formidable combination.

On 8/8/2015 at 7:50 PM, Rick Kempf said:

Relic hunters like the bunch who attend Digging in Virginia" will benefit from this since ultimate depth in hot VA soil is their major interest.

I take it that when you say reintroduction, you mean that the 4500 will stay in the lineup and that this is not just the disposal of excess inventory. Good news for prospectors.

Unfortunately all I am saying is it is again being sold by dealers in the U.S. and elsewhere at this time. What the reasons are and how long it will last I have no idea. The official Minelab page at http://www.minelab.com/emea/products/gold-mining/detectors/gpx-4500 still says " Please note this product is not available in Australia or USA."

Minelab really can use a PI detector at this price point. It is more than the TDI and ATX but not so much more as to make it unreasonable to those considering those detectors. As much as I like my ATX it is a given to me that a prospector would be better off scraping up the extra $500 to get a GPX 4500 with two coils.

If this is a temporary clearing of stock then I will have to again change my pages to keep up with the times!

You guys are flattering the heck out of me and seriously I am not quite as good as you may imagine. I am basically just a patient person who puts in the hours in decent locations with decent detectors. There are a lot of guys on the forums better than I.

Sounds like a great opportunity Clark, best of luck to you!

Variation on the theme with a homemade plastic rod assembly posted at http://forums.nuggethunting.com/index.php?/topic/11579-gold-bug-2-mini-conversion/

The reintroduction of the Minelab GPX 4500 with two coils for only $2699 has in my opinion shook up the price/performance question. Up to now I would have considered the GPX 5000 to be the default "safe choice" for anyone wanting to get into serious nugget detecting with a proven machine. However, there is not a lot of difference between a GPX 4500 and GPX 5000. It really boils down to the Fine Gold timing which the GPX 5000 has and the GPX 4500 lacks. That timing is very good at handling certain very hot ground and extreme hot rocks while still getting a majority of the gold. However, the timing is not perfect and it does miss nuggets or exhibit "holes" in its ability to find nuggets and therefore should only be used in ground that requires its special ability to ignore hot rocks. Too many people rely on it as an "everywhere, all the time" mode.

Most ground in the United States does not require the Fine Gold timing. With the GPX 5000 at $5795 with 11" round DD and 11" round mono and the GPX 4500 currently at $2699 with 11" round DD and 15" x 12" mono coils I am hard pressed to say the GPX 5000 is worth $3000 more just to get the Fine Gold timing. Yes, there are other subtle differences but seriously that is what it sorts out as from a practical standpoint.

That being said I have added the GPX 4500 to my equipment roster at Minelab GPX 4500 Gold Nugget Detector and updated my Nugget Detector Review to reflect my opinion that at this time the Minelab GPX 4500 represents the best value for somebody new to high power pulse induction nugget detecting and wanting to get in on it without mortgaging the farm.

Now, this is based on MAP (Minimum Advertised Price) versus MAP price for each detector. Package deals can be had and may sway the equation somewhat back towards the GPX 5000 for overall value. But no matter what if buying new you are going to lay out a lot more money for a GPX 5000 than the GPX 4500 and it mostly comes down to how much you think that Fine Gold timing is worth to you.

Minelab GPX 4500 Color Brochure

What coil are you using on the Tejon Ray? The stock concentric? Have you tried a DD coil on the hot ground?

It does have a very touchy ground balance control.

Like many detectors not made specifically for prospecting the Tejon could be placed into service as a nugget detector. I know a guy who used one at Ganes Creek years ago. If weight were the issue though I do not see any advantage in a 3 lb Tejon over a 2.5 lb Gold Bug Pro. Or the Lobo ST set up as a chest or hip mount for featherweight swinging.

Tesoro Tejon:

Nice gold Mitchel, though I was sure hoping for you to find a one pound monster! What was the largest found while you were there?

Hi Tom,

I never mind links to good related subject matter. Thanks for posting.

On August 4, 2015 at 3:13 AM, Reg said:

Hi Sunriseboy,

Yes, there is a guy in OZ that does mods.  His name is Luke Lindsay.  He can add a mod that reduces the warble making the detector much quieter.  To know more about what his mods do, you can look at his you tube videos he lists under lukeozdigger.

Unfortunately, he is in the process of moving right now, so catching him at a time when he can do the mods may take a while.  

Luke posts on many PI forums including a couple in OZ.  Usually you can catch him on the TDI and goldmaster forum.  Just google the forum and you should get a link.

Reg

Hi Reg,

I have no rules prohibiting links to other forums and in fact encourage people to please post them. I believe this is the one you are referring to http://z7.invisionfree.com/whitesgoldmaster/index.php?

On 8/4/2015 at 3:30 AM, Reg said:

Jasong,

The "iron dust" toroid ferrite that meets the general specs (mentioned in their white pages) of the ML ferrite used on the ZVT is a simple powder iron type and most likely is a -6 type.  The color usually gives the type away and the one used by ML is yellow.  A T106-6 is a 1" toroid.  A T80-6 is one that is .80" od.  So, if you know the approximate diameter of the one used by ML then if the OD is 1.5" then a T150-6 most likely would work.  

Like mentioned before, most likely, the ferrite won't be needed here in the US in most places.  Our soil conditions are generally nothing like those in Oz.  However, since anything is possible, there may be an isolated place or two where a ferrite might help. 

Reg

From the Minelab Knowledge Base Article at https://www.minelab.com/__files/f/254884/KBA_26-1 GPZ 7000 Tips for Better Ground Balance.pdf

"A ‘dust iron’ toroid suitable for the HF frequency band (e.g.1–30MHz with an initial permeability of between 6 and 10) has been carefully selected. It is recommended to use this specific Minelab accessory, only. Alternate ferrites may significantly degrade ground balance quality."

Note the words "recommended" and "may". Certainly a substitute can be found if someone wanted to make the effort. Like other here though I don't see putting much effort onto it as being worthwhile. Presumably the dam will break at Minelab soon and we will be flooded with ferrite rings.

Well, all I can say is if White's does not care about their own new detectors I do not guess that anyone else will either. I have never seen such a lack of interest in a new detector from a major manufacturer. There are interested potential buyers, just no interest from dealers or White's themselves. I have no interest in buying a low price detector myself but I do post threads about them in case others are interested. It is telling that this thread is by far the only one going on any forum with any information at all. White's own forum at http://forums.whiteselectronics.com has barely any mention of the new models.

Findmall just started a new forum on the Treasuremasters at Link deleted since Findmall Forum update broke all old links and so presumably that will be the place to watch going forward for any discussion of the new models. But if this is how the new administration at White's thinks you introduce a new detector they are in real trouble.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/breaking-news/os-florida-family-finds-rare-gold-coin-20150727-story.html

http://youtu.be/vtDOdvhjlrE

Welcome to the forum! Everyone always likes to see photos of found gold. Thanks for joining and posting.

The bad news is the price of used Minelab detector for those that want to sell them just got driven into the dirt. That is good news though for those of you wanting to buy a used Minelab detector. A used GPX 4500 is now worth under $2000 and older models even less.

This is the detector that drove the African electronic gold rush. It has never stopped production but has been made for years by Minelab as an "Africa Only" model. This could be an indication that increased competition and lower gold prices has left Minelab with excess stock. Regardless, a very welcome move, as once you factor in the inclusion of a second coil at $2699 this is the obvious step up from the Garrett ATX at $2120 with a single coil.