Steve Herschbach

Any CTX gold hunting tips most appreciated!

I vote TDI. The ability to chest mount can be a huge plus around water. Also, on many beaches it can be run with the ground balance shut off, giving a real boost to achievable depth.

The ability to interface the V3i with a PC was promised early on and never delivered on. That was a disappointment. All the on screen magic the V3i performs is a wonder to behold but half the time it is just easier to dig the target than to analyze it 16 different ways. Main thing for me it is runs my Big Foot coil.

Hi Nugz, I own both machines. What is your intended use? Neither was designed specifically for prospecting. Most prospectors would agree the V3i tracking is not up to that used in the White's MXT or GMT models which are based on a prospecting circuit. I would generally only use manual ground balance on the V3i myself. The CTX does fine for its intended use as a coin and jewelry detector, but is not noted for being depth demon. What the CTX does is offer superb discrimination at depth, not the same thing as sheer depth. Most would agree the CTX does this in a simpler fashion than the V3i. The V3i can perform very well but the expertise required to squeeze the most out of it defeats many people. White's manual is very detailed because the machine requires it. The CTX manual does not go into much detail but then again it is an easy machine to master by comparison to the V3i. The V3i does have many preset out of box modes that do all a person normally might need, but chasing better performance can lead down the rabbit hole with the vast number of settings options. Frequencies like coils are a detector marketers dreamland. Minelab advertising is not false, it is just very carefully written and people reading it make false assumptions. I honestly think focusing on practical results is more important. The CTX has superb discrimination and all around performance, and is a really great coin and jewelry detector, and is waterproof. It does ok at relic hunting and prospecting. It can only be run in multi frequency mode. The V3i can be run in any one of three frequencies exclusively, and it is this ability that sets it apart. The knowledgeable operator can use the capability to get extra performance on desired targets. All normal VLF prospecting detectors run at a single frequency for a reason - you get more punch at a single frequency. The 22.5 kHz single frequency mode on the V3i is very hot on small gold nuggets. In multi frequency mode it is not how many frequencies, it is how they are used. The behind the scenes processing going on is the key. How each machine uses whatever frequencies it uses and delivers information to the user can be seen more in how they perform in the real world than in marketing claims. Both have their fan clubs and the more you research the more you will find you just have to pick one based on the feature set that appeals to you personally. If you are a nuts and bolts detector nerd turned on by a zillion settings than the V3i appeals. The CTX is much more basic but gets the job done just as well if not better for most people. The V3i has more issues with electrical interference than the CTX. Lots of threads on the Internet about that. I very much like both machines for their respective capabilities, but if I had to keep one it would probably be the CTX. Mainly because it is waterproof and I can use that now and then. Both are basically my urban detectors. The CTX is great for deep coins in parks. The V3i is my urban jewelry detector. For prospecting I would rather use a Gold Bug Pro, F19, or FORS Gold. I have been toying with the CTX and V3i as prospecting units but they are kind of like taking a fine sports car four wheeling. If that is what you want to do however they will do it, both detectors have been used to find gold nuggets.

Hasn't been an issue for me so far. I took it off once and shook the dirt out. I do not see any reason why tape would not work if a strip was just run over the slotted section where it grips the edge of the coil.

I think that is a very good choice for your situation.

Google answers questions like this quickly and easily http://www.quartzsitemetaldetectingclub.com

Detection patterns are far more complex than the blade and cone mythology sold by the marketers. One only need observe reality in the field to see that patterns for large targets and small targets are entirely different, even on the same coil. How many people know that the detection pattern for a small nugget on a large PI mono coil is a hula hoop, not a cone? Same with GPZ. With large targets it acts like a mono coil but smaller targets react more to proximity to the coils winding overlap. The small targets also reverse tones in relation to where they are relative to said windings, producing some complex signals. From the GPZ owners manual: More information on the GPZ 14 coil http://www.detectorprospector.com/forum/topic/670-gpz-14-coil-for-minelab-gpz-7000/

The coils are intelligent coils that tell the detector which coil is being used, much like has been done with the X-Terra coils. That way the machine optimizes the detector and coil for best performance. It certainly could be used to control who builds accessory coils also. Counterfeiting is a big problem these days.

"If you ever get the chance to detect brushy areas of Alaska you will understand what I mean." Now that I got a chuckle out of! Though the way I surf hunt hunting in the brush is easier. I am pretty well beat up after three hours in the surf. Straight up beach detecting is another matter though, just a walk in the park, or on the beach as the case may be. Coins except pennies and nickels were 90% silver 1964 and prior. After that, only the Kennedy Half had any silver at all, 40% from 1965 until 1970. http://coinsite.com/us-silver-coins-when-they-ended-and-what-theyre-worth/

I think Africa is like early days Australia. There is so much surface gold even VLF detectors clean up. There was a lot of gold found with VLF detectors in Australia in the 1980s and the detectors were not even as good as what we have now. Eventually the easy stuff will be gone, and then the PI detectors will be more a necessity than an option.

I like your advice. Not a matter of right and wrong, just opinions, and in this case more about fitting a budget. If I was not such a wussie about traveling to places with minimal legal systems I would say we had both just better get on a plane with our GPZs and head for Africa!

Pulse induction detectors handle ground mineralization better than VLF detectors. That is their selling point. However, really hot VLF detectors like a Gold Bug 2 or White's GMT hit tiny goldthat a PI cannot. Tiny gold is more common than large gold, especially in glacial terrain. So going for a detector designed to hit pinhead good means you have a better shot at finding gold eventually. The closest you will get in a PI is the SDC 2300. Spend enough money, put in enough time, and eventually you might find a piece of gold you could have found easier with a $5 gold pan.

Well initially I will just stick with question asked, SDC 2300 versus SD 2100 and ignore price. Both are "dig it all" pulse induction (PI) detectors. The SDC 2300 is compact, waterproof, tough, runs off four C cells, and very easy to operate. It is extremely hot on small gold, easily hitting stuff the SD 2100 would miss. However, the SDC 2300 has a hardwired 8" mono coil. The SD 2100 has over 100 accessory coils available in a wide range of sizes. This means that the SD 2100 can cover ground far better than the SDC 2300 and also reach far deeper on larger nuggets than the SDC 2300. A very simplistic generalization of both units would be that the SD 2100 is the better overall prospecting detector where the SDC 2300 is the better site machine. By that I mean the SD 2100 is better suited for a person truly out and about looking for that next good patch. The SDC 2300 is good for hitting already hard hit areas ekeing out the leftovers, or for working targeted areas like a gully. The small coil very much makes it a machine designed to work limited areas in a slow, careful fashion. The SD 2100 with a big coil covers the countryside. There is a middle ground. With the SD 2100 you are reaching back quite far in the Minelab lineup. A used GPX 4000, 4500, 4800, or even 5000 would be something I would be looking a lot harder at, especially now that people are doing the GPZ upgrade thing. In older units personally I would not be going back any farther than the GP 3500 (a personal favorite) or the GP 3000 and GP Extreme. In non-Minelab brand new full warranty at this point the only serious contender to Minelab at this time (in my opinion) is the Garrett ATX. As others have noted a decent VLF may even be the best option. The reason? You are in a terrible place for gold prospecting! Northern Minnesota, I would probably be more inclined to use a gold pan than a metal detector to look for gold. The best you can hope for is some gold in glacial material pushed down from Canada, a long shot at best. If I were there I would be running a Gold Bug 2 with a 6" coil but even then it would be a bit of an exercise in futility. Seriously, a small sluice box is probably a better investment. A SD 2100 has almost no chance of finding gold there, as most gold will be flake or fines. I hate to be the guy to break it to you, but you are in a really poor location to go nugget hunting with a metal detector.

One can argue the merits of different detectors endlessly. If detecting was your main and only goal a different alternative including a Minelab PI might be preferable. But it raises other problems - proprietary batteries, battery charging, battery cable failure, etc. avoided by going a less expensive and safer route. This may or may not be your best bet, but I think it is a safe and affordable bet. Good luck!

The old F75 could be a real challenge due to the EMI (ElectroMagnetic Interference) issues. The new F75 is a much tamer beast, no problem for a beginner. It is all about intended uses. You say the main use is gold nuggets, that makes it easy. A 19kHz Gold Bug Pro or F19 has the edge over the 13 kHz F75 for gold nuggets. The F19 between the two has more features and comes stock with the preferred 10" x 5" DD coil. That said the difference between the F75 and the other two on gold in minuscule. The 19 kHz machines have a small edge on gold under 1/4 oz. Gold around 1/4 to 1/2 oz not much difference. Gold 1/2 oz and larger I always felt my F75 in all metal boost had the tiniest of edges, but so small as to be mostly psychological. Anyway, they are all good, and sounds like you really want the F75. No reason per se not to go that way but if you are seeking the better nugget machine while keeping with the features I do suggest the F19.

Silver content by year? Do you mean coins? 1964 and earlier dimes and quarters are silver. Interesting you are using the Excalibur but lots of trash. Were you digging everything? Jewelry odds in the surf go up dramatically but it can be dangerous. There are many calmer swimming areas however where a person can do well. The key is be in the water where people are swimming or even just hanging their hands in the water. The reality is though jewelry finds are few and far between no matter what, digging lots of targets that are not jewelry is part of the game. I will post my own new Hawaii story soon so stay tuned. Glad you had a good time!

Found a couple silver coins Rick, but the salt water does eat them up. 50s or 60s? Just silver discs more than coins. Coins in Hawaii are just a tiny step above junk targets from my perspective. Every one recovered in surf is just a time waster. I will have to add up my ring haul for Hawaii but I am guessing around 35 quality gold and platinum? A pile of silver, copper, and just plain junk jewelry.

Hello Paul, Not much said here about the tones. You are familiar with the Infinium and ATX dual tone scheme Paul. A hi-lo or lo-hi tone is generated based on the targets relation to the ground balance setting. The Minelab PI detectors employ the same dual tone system. The tones work to full target depth unlike the discrimination feature, which only works at shallow depths. Going by dual tones only you break targets down into two categories. Low conductive and small ferrous make a hi-lo tone. High conductive and large ferrous make a lo-hi tone. For coins, digging only clear lo-hi will eliminate most trash and get high conductive coins (no nickels). The observation of many ferrous items producing warbly or bubbly sounds is spot on. Elongated or ragged edge ferrous will often give a mixed tone response. A coin or bullet will have a very solid smooth edged response. The tones are standard in Normal timings but can reverse in other timings. Use Normal as the main reference. However, switching to other modes can give additional information about the target by noting if the tone changes or not. When I was hunting in Fine Gold I could get a lo-hi target. Switching to Enhance could change it to hi-lo, which in that particular circumstance meant a smaller gold nugget. If the tone remained lo-hi it was sure to be a larger gold nugget. The tones when combined with the shallow iron blanking system make for a much better discrimination scheme that a person might think as time and accumulated targets train the ear. Of course it is never foolproof and when nugget detecting can be outright dangerous. Relic hunting however it would be the only way to go short of digging everything, which is just not practical in most sites. I will be curious on your personal take of ATX vs GPX Paul. One thing for sure, the GPX has a vastly superior selection of coils for any circumstance that may arise. I prefer the ATX "iron adio" discrimination method over the GPX blanking system myself.

Africa is not Australia and the vast majority of it is nowhere near as mineralized as Australia. Chris Ralph has made two trips to Africa and observed thousands of prospectors in the field using detectors. Almost none of them were Minelab PI detectors. Nearly all were VLF detectors, which run very well in most conditions there. There were many types in evidence but two extremely popular and well proven machines for the African gold fields have been the Teknetics T2 and Fisher Gold Bug Pro. Any good VLF would work. I agree with Featheredfishead (Adam), get two of the same to share coils and other parts and learn one unit. The simple choice is the Gold Bug Pro, as there are many already in Africa. Parts should be common by comparison to most detectors. It will also make it easy to sell the machines and upgrade to a PI if your budget allows and if the need arises. Africa is a huge continent and there is no doubt many areas exist where a PI is the best choice.

One battery does not an issue make. This is not a new charger or mounting method, all same as CTX 3030 just larger battery. I have never heard of issue overcharging either but have put in inquiry.

The zincs self destruct anywhere, just happens a lot faster in salt water. Nobody going to be digging those coins in 100 years! More bottle caps than I usually get - an area where the locals hang out? I try to stay in front of a tourist trap and in waist to chest deep water.

Minelab seems to have done an poor job of having plenty of accessories ready at time of release. Especially spare batteries. Anyone in sales knows the time to sell accessories is when the credit card is out and the customer is in the buying mood.

The first time I put my new GPZ battery in the charger nothing happened. I actually was using my CTX charger which I know to be good. I unseated battery, reseated a couple times, nothing, so just left it be a few minutes, and it finally started charging. Am not sure what was up with that, it was like battery completely dead but that would be odd. Seems to be fine now, it ran detector just fine. May be a contacts issue with battery or detector or both. My guess is Minelab wants the entire thing back to 100% get to the bottom of it. It is early in the game and I bet they are being extra careful regarding new out of box issues like this. Sorry to hear about the delay Fred.

The WM10 is $275 Australian and $249 U.S. and my guess is WM12 is the same?