Tahoegold

I had it on my hardwood floor. I had a piece of bird shot in a plastic bag and was just pushing down to make sure the shot was on the coil. I wasnt pushing very hard and I wasnt moving it, I just pressed down gently to flatten the bag. I hear of guys using their detector as a walking stick. I wasn't pushing nearly that hard. I guess I should treat coils with extreme caution. I'll be gentle and not push on them is all. I hope this coil isn't going to go next... 

Thanks Steve,

   I believe what you are saying.

    Mine was epoxy filled and used only 15 times. I probably had a bad coil from the beginning and I finally used it enough to find out. I suspect when I get the next one, that it will be fine. I'll use it often to try to discover if it has an issue while under warranty!

   Update:   Today, I was testing my 10" DD coil on my floor with some bird shot. I briefly pushed down, not very much, And got a quick overload signal. I was about to try again and I thought I had better not. That is how it started with the 4x6" coil. Gently pushing down. I'm not even talking about leaning on it. So, maybe there is some design issue? Or does pushing down on a coil damage any coil? I'm not an expert. But, from now on, I'll never lean on a coil again, as it just happened again. This time, the coil still works.

That's great, I was hoping you could send it in. Makro actually seems to fix issues quickly.

     Glad someone is having fun with yours! 

I just spoke with the Service Dept. in Georgia. Being as I am out of warranty, they cant help me. However, I did get to ask the tech a few questions.

   Since I had this happen, I was concerned about whether or not there has been issues with these coils as this brand is relatively new. I was considering another brand as a replacement. The tech said they sell 3rd party coils as well and have seen the same issue happen in every brand. It's just not very common. I asked him if he would recomend a 3rd party coil as a replacement. I specifically asked if there was another brand that was tougher or had a better track record. He said that the Makro coils are the best choice. And Makro coils are designed for the specific machine and are as well made as any other coil. He said he sees that manufacturers coils seem to work best on any detecter. 

    I'm sure third party coils are great as well. The Makro coils are his suggested choice so I'm going to get another. This time, I'm going to get to using it and keep using it for a few months to find out if it has any issues BEFORE the warranty runs out. 

   I guess this happens to any coil. And Paul, you had yours on as your go to coil, so it can happen at any time it seems no matter what brand. 

    I wonder what went on inside. My GR19 is epoxied so maybe its in the wire above the epoxy. I am thinking of opening up the cable to check. But, I think it best to have peace of mind and just leave it alone. If I try to repair it and it damages my unit, I would have been better off just getting another coil.

   Another question I asked is if there was something I did to cause this to happen. I have been careful so I don't know. He said most folks take good care of their equipment, and coils can take a lot of use. He seems to think I did nothing to cause this and sometims this happens for various reasons. I thought maybe I could have bent the cable at the connection or something. So, at least I am not worried about the Makro brand coils. It was just something that can happen to any coil, anytime and there's nothing I probably did to cause it.

    All my other coils are working well and Ive been using them frequently. At least, the Makro coils are not pricey. Plus, if you use them for prospecting, the Makro coils are flat on the top. Like most prospecters, I find tiny bits by putting dirt on top of the coil and moving it around with my finger to find the target. The other coils I was looking at had raised letters and so I will stick with the GR19. 

Ok, no using the coil. Darn.

2 hours ago, vanursepaul said:

Anyone have any idea why my coil is overloading???

I checked up and down the cable to see if it was shorted to no avail....

It works fine with another coild.

Trying to upload or link a video.... Standby----

https://photos.app.goo.gl/W1Nwk2kCRQixPE5H9

 

BTW

Hey all you crazy Aussies--  Im still kicking---hope all is well with you all there...

Hi Paul,

I just had mine do the same today at about the same time. It was ok for 5min then I got the overload signal. Turned it off and on, tried different coils. It's my small GR 19 that is having the issues. I signed in just now to see if there's others with knowledge about this. I contacted the company where I bought it and am waiting for a response. I was wondering if anyone from Makro/Notka knows this issue. Thanks.

5 minutes ago, GB_Amateur said:

That's not quite true even for dry land PI's.  The White's TDI/SL qualifies, but is underpowered compared to the competition.  The QED PL's also qualify but unfortunately their distribution is currently limited.  So, yes, there is a huge need for a moderately powered, widely distributed, lightweight, affordable dry land PI.  (And I suspect that's what you really meant.  😉)

 

 

Yes, close to what I meant. The TDI I believe is no longer available as a land PI. And it was over $1,000, yet, the least expensive I think. And, I suspect that this new PI would have to compete with high powered PI units to capture the attention of a world wide consumer. Even though the TDI works fantastic, folks want the most powerful money can buy. This seems like a daunting task, or is it? Are the major expensive machines overpriced for the amount of cost to build? And can a competitive manufacturer enter this market with a powerful inexpensive detector? I look forward to see it see if this happens!

8 minutes ago, Steve Herschbach said:

Waterproofing a VLF and waterproofing a high power PI are two different things. Just ask Fisher.

I believe you Steve. I won't hold my breath just so I could have water proofing. I really dont have to have it if it increases cost/weight to make it too close to other detectors cost/weight. I'll throw a plastic bag around the unit if I have to if it keeps cost down. Bottom line is weight/cost.

5 minutes ago, phrunt said:

Waterproof isn't vital, rainproof is.  A built in speaker with good volume is a must! The less I have to take with me the better. I will say it again support for Minelab GPX coils is vital.  There is absolutely no point starting all over again with coils when the GPX probably has the biggest range of coils ever made for any detector and now X-coils has also started to make and sell excellent GPX coils there is an even bigger range coming to market.

A lot of the people wanting a light weight PI maybe coming off a heavy GPX so will already have a collection of coils they'd like to use, having GPX coil support would attract these customers too.

If it's going to be a great seller, I believe support for GPX coils is a must.  Buying a whole new range of coils because a new PI detector comes out doesn't appeal to me at all.

I agree with all of this. What if the detector can be sold without coils? Coils are sold without detectors. Same coil set, different detectors to use them?

   I don't own a PI unit and would need a coil with it. I'd buy a matched coil made by Notka/Makro if it is made for this unit. They seem to do a great job with coils.

4 minutes ago, Joe D. said:

The cost to make a light waterproof case is negligible at this point! May as well just make it submersible to ten feet like the Simplex, Equinox, or AT series! It should also break down or collapse small enough to fit into a backpack! You all covered the battery options well enough!( both would be nice)! 

    Here's my argument on waterproofness: Say you hike in somewhere you are unfamiliar with to do dry detecting, but end up near a stream or wash and see some promising wet locations! You only have the one detector; dry only except for coil! Do you risk a dunk with this machine if you slip, or have the piece of mind of a waterproof unit! Seems like an easy choice to me!

Now obviously salt water is a different animal, and requires different software that my not be compatable in a PI detector! I'm only talking inshore locations! But it would be nice to have the "get wet" ability!

This was exactly what I was thinking. The waterproof simplex is 2.9 lbs. Wading across a river or walking along smooth bedrock with water is a concern. However, Like others have said, if weight/cost makes this too heavy/costly, I'd rather have water resistant and a rain cover. If I need to I can put the unit in a plastic bag to keep it dry in my pack while crossing rivers. However, It would be nice if it was made so that if I just dropped it in shallow water, and grabbed it real quick it would still be ok. I don't see myself buying a $2000 detector. I don't detect enough to spend like that. I just need to battle high mineralization and locate heavy metals in bedrock. However, a unit that can find small gold (around a grain) by using a small coil to get into the crevices would be what I would need. And has good depth with a larger coil. Something that has different tones for iron and lead/gold would be ideal. It would need to be better than the Gold Racer in mineralized soils is my point. And, good enough so that I would not be tempted to spend more money on some other detector to get a complement to my Gold Racer VLF. I'm thinking if the unit is the same price as other brands and does a similar job, there would be a difficult decision to choose Notka/Makro. A light weight, low cost PI doesn't exist. And, if it does a good job, that would be a home run in my book. I think if anyone can do this its Notka/Makro. They dont have a PI unit and don't have to be concerned with customers having an expensive version and getting upset. Like others, Dry ground is my primary hunting ground. I don't need bells and whistles if it keeps cost down and weight down.

Hello Notka/Makro,

   I wonder what your new name will be once you have all your distribution channels consolidated.

   On the new Pi detector, how about a way to chest mount? Push button controls, a way to have wireless and 1/4 inch corded head phones. A shaft like the Simplex+, under $500? 

  I don't mind having to replace batteries after a few hours if it makes the unit lighter. However, if that means less depth due to low voltage then I'd take better depth over less weight, especially If I could chest mount. 

   Ability to change coils yet stay water proof. I would think water proof enough so that if it was dropped in a wave at the beach or falls into a pool it would be ok. 

Thank you Notka/Makro for going towards making Pi Detectors! We are willing to wait for a new, consumer request driven dector, and VERY much looking forward to see what you will do in this area!

Thanks for the welcome neighbor! Excellent info! I think that just about finishes my search for this question. Thank you for that link! What I have been experiencing with these coils is confirmed with that info. It's interesting that Makro has gone with these two coils. Makes sense now. Glad I got the concentric for my Gold Racer. I always liked how well it sounded. Now I feel more confident for it's unmasking abilities as well. 

This thread about the Gold Kruzer contains info about the concentric coil. I have this coil as well as all coils for the Gold Racer. I am searching for input on the concentric performance nuances. On the posts I've read so far about this coil, there seems to be an affinity for it and it is now standard on the Gold Kruzer. So I hope this fits into this thread. If not, feel free to place this thread on it's own...

 I understand why the small DD would be included as it sees less mineralization, the magnetic field being denser lights up smaller nuggets better, it fits into smaller places, it can pinpoint better because it's small. What has been said about the concentric? I am kind of new to detecting, about 3 yrs, but am facinated because I love adventure, technology, learning techniques, and the possibility of being rewarded. I have a compadre which is a coin master with concentric 8" coil. So, I find the tones with the concentric analog sounds are very revealing. The Makro concentric really reminds me of the ability to hear the target shape like the Compadre which I really like. Still, I use all metal and dig it all. Ive found tiny jewelery. I am saying this as a little background info. So, the question is, why the elliptical concentric over the DD of the same size? The DD should have more complete search area for it's size due to it's axe like detection field. I've noticed on the Makro concentric, that it detects way out towards the edge unlike my "doughnut 8"" on my compadre which detects only in the small inside circle. I suspect the receiving coil on the Makro has been placed close to the sending coil on the edge. This makes the elliptical concentric react more like the DD in it's response field compared to a round concentric coil. But, I would really like to hear more about the response aspects between the DD and the concentric and why you feel Makro has made a good choice to make the concentric the standard and the DD the option. I am planning a trip (close by, 2 hrs) and was thinking of taking the 2 DD coils but will now take the concentric as well. ( PS. I read a little more and the DD is more football cit in half shape. The concentric can see the target through iron better for some reason as was shown on a video) The more technical about response to gold the better. Thanks!