Northeast

4 hours ago, Reg Wilson said:

if I could maybe hire an Equinox

I will be fairly close to your place in about a week Reg.  More than happy for you to loan my 800 for a month or two  👍

Oooh, I think you’ve mentioned this spot to me??  I’ll bring the Equinox 🤣

Re: which is best, not sure.  The 24K certainly gets rave reviews.

Or maybe an Axiom?

Or a Manticore? 

@Gerry in Idaho this is probably a question for you.  

I thought you already had one @Norvic?   Or has it been replaced under warranty?  

On 5/17/2024 at 12:56 AM, RONS DETECTORS MINELAB said:

That’s really good on the size gold it’s picking up. Can you share your coil size and settings.

It is a lot smaller than I was expecting.

NF 12” Evo  

Special - Fine Gold.

Frequency - tiny and Front End Gain about 3/4 of the way around (these are the 2 dials added by the mods)  

Detector Gain - 1 (right down)  

Stabiliser - 10.

Using a Rooster Booster and a low latency Bluetooth wireless set up.  

Vol limit - 5.

GB type - general.

Motion Medium.

Audio - Normal.

Signal - 20.

Target Vol - 1.

Response - Normal.

Threshold set just at a low hum.  The threshold on these is very different to the GPZ.  When it is a bit lower and right on the cusp of being heard or not, it sort of ‘twangs’ in and out of being heard.  I guess being a dial instead of a digital arrangement like the GPZ is the difference?? 
 

Sorry, I thought this pic of the front end uploaded yesterday but apparently not 👍

@Gold Ryder did you end up getting your 5000 back? 

Last few months I've been to Western Australia and back, mostly using the 6000 and have had little time to really fiddle with the modded 5000 and compare the 5 and 6.   

Until a few days ago I really hadn't wrapped my head around the 5000's settings and I probably still haven't!  But, I am pretty happy with my settings now as it really seems dialed.  17 bits this morning for a 1.2 gram total.  

I had already decided to sell the 6000 as I just don't need both.  Really thought I would regret losing the small target sensitivity of the 6000 but now I don't think I'm losing much at all as many of the 17 bits came off a very small spot the 6000 has been over several times.  Probably still lose a bit on porous/wire type gold but don't think there is any difference at all on the denser bits.  

2 hours ago, phrunt said:

look at the price, they've bumped it up.

When I click the Detectorist link above it says $2,275.   Had to check back and VicR had a post in January advising that same price.

It’s not showing up as NZ $$ when you click the link is it Phrunt?  

Nothing showing on Minelab Australia's website as yet re: direct sales. 

Makes it bloody hard for a dealer and I feel sorry for you guys. 

With the increase in stocking in big box stores though, I would prefer to buy direct from the manufacturer than from Anaconda or BCF (Oz sort of versions of Cabella's).  

Although I do not have a 'local' dealer, I will continue to support Nenad and JP with my purchases here in Australia due to the quality information they bring to the forum.  I'd encourage anyone to support their local dealer where they can. 

@RONS DETECTORS MINELAB  are you able to assist with what Guys gold mentioned above?  

Thanks Guys gold   👍

2 hours ago, Doc said:

Back when I first started having Coiltek manufacture them

Hi Doc, I never realised these were from your stable but glad they are as I can ask you a query  🙂 

I have one of the Coiltek built set-ups and it is used on a GP 3500.  I can plug ear buds directly to it and can also plug a bluetooth transmitter into it and audio works well. However, if I plug a speaker directly into the Coiltek unit the speaker will not work (I can hear a very, very faint signal but that is all).  Are the Coiltek units supposed to be able to run a speaker and therefore something is broken in mine or would a speaker only work on your newer model you speak of above that has had the amplifier built in?  

2 hours ago, Doc said:

Now the GPX series is different.  They use a bank of batteries that equal 7.2 volts and fully charged to 8.4 volts with no regulation.

Another query if I may re: the comment highlighted above that the GPX has no internal regulation.  Over on the DP Minelab forum I had asked some questions re: building a light-weight battery set-up for my GPX 5000 and I have had a few discussions with David at Detectormods about it.  The concern re: building something is that we guessed it would need to have some sort of regulation in it as the GPX is supposed to run at 7.2 volts but fully charged the batteries I was looking at would be about 8.4 volts.  But, is that actually not a concern?  Can a GPX happily run at 8.4?  What is the maximum a GPX will run at without damage?  

Cheers, NE. 

11 hours ago, Doc said:

Have you seen those exoskeletons?  They are mega expensive.

Hey Doc, they are an excellent looking bit of kit.  You say expensive but I thought at $1,000 (I assume British pound so about Aus $1,800 and US about $1,250) they actually weren't too bad.  If they can assist people to stay a couple of more years in a hobby they love then I'd say well worth it.  @Steve Herschbach  if you hadn't got your hips done a while back would this be something you would have considered?  

My mum has a dicky hip and if she was an avid bushwalker I think she would get one. 

I have actually sent this through to the physios at work to see if it is something they might be able to use. Clients with Motor Neurone type disorders might benefit as it may give them enough assisted strength to improve balance and endurance.  Or very poor conditioned people post hip fractures/surgery, etc.   

Thanks for putting up the link Doc  🙏

Thanks Phrunt - that is 1 vote for the DM battery system  🙂

Could you do me a favour please?  The website says the battery is 450 gm but it doesn't look that big.  Is that accurate?  Still much lighter than the Minelab at 780 gm.   

On PA there was a suggestion of just putting the Li-Ion in a pouch exactly like yours and using the harness and guide stick - which I already do.  It is certainly the cheapest option as I already have 2 of the batteries.  Already have 2 pouches too, just not with the battery holder on the side unfortunately.   This may just be the easiest, but not lightest, road to take.  Would just need one of the short 5 pin power leads that NF make - PhaseTech stocks them.  

Decisions!

The good old search function has brought me to this thread, which has been interesting.

I've been lucky enough to recently receive a modded 5000 (modded by Mick at Detectronics) and a really good range of coils. Likely to sell the 6000 in the near future. Looking to set up a battery system that is attached to the detector and get rid of that bloody curly cord and being tethered.

So, I have looked at multiple options and feel there are pros and cons to most of them. Wondering if anybody has any other suggestions?

I have a Coiltek camcorder type system for the GP or SD machines (running it on the GP3500). It works well and has 3 batteries. But, I don't find it the most compact system and although the batteries and regulator are quite robust I am always worried about the battery charger - it just seems a little fragile although working well.  (Adit - actually, I have been putting together the 3500 this morning and for the first time I tried a speaker and the battery system is obviously not boosting it!  Works with wired headphones or LL BT sender/receiver - strange).  

The Detectormods system - https://detectormods.com/shop/63/lightweight-battery-kit  Looks OK. Like the idea of the higher capacity battery that has the USB-C charging port - much better than the actual charger it comes with I think. Can also just buy the batteries separately - 2 X high capacity would be $410. I think the more flexible cable running from the battery to the power plug on the detector is also good. However, although the audio plug is simple and effective it also means either using wired headphones (tethered again) or using a BT sender/receiver which are 2 more things to keep track of and charge. Approx 13 hours runtime for the high capacity. 450 gm is still a bit weighty.

The Detectronics system - Busy B - https://www.detectronicsaustralia.com/product-page/busy-b-dbv-wireless-battery-system  
Currently out of stock - I think everything is noted as out of stock because Mick is having a few months off for the birth of a baby. A more complex and professional looking system. Provides an audio sender/receiver built in. Not keen on the big loop power cord hanging out the back of the detector - see pic. Might be able to request a smaller cord and maybe even a R) angle plug. A bit pricey (although I think the quality looks excellent) and the battery at 500 gm is fairly heavy. 8-10 hours runtime.



The little home made system from this thread - https://www.detectorprospector.com/topic/1621-diy-wireless-gpx-5000/#comment-63351 I actually like this one the most.  It seems super simple, very much like the Detector mods version. I would attach it to something like this and have several of them and simply change out every 4-5 hours.

Would require a BT sender/receiver or something like the Quest Wirefree Mate from PhaseTech. Would also require someone who knows what they are doing to build the adaptor. And 3 batteries is up around the $270 mark, then the sender/receiver and the adaptor - so not really a saving on the professional jobs but I think lighter and smaller. Doesn't provide weight but would likely easily slip into the side zipper pocket on the 5000 control box cover and I do already have a Soundpeats and an Avantree LL BT sender/receiver.

The Little Ripper - I have seen a few references to this but can't seem to see it for sale and think it may have been discontinued. Had some good reviews. Was built by Ismael from WA.

Docs Gold Screamer Pack - https://docsdetecting.com/product/power-pack-regulator-amplifier-battery-system-14-oz/ Still about 440 gm, is $469 US and then would have to pay for shipping. Just not viable for me in Australia.  

Any other good, light, compact, value for money options that anyone knows of?

Will probably wait for Mick to return and end up getting the Busy B unless something else pops up.

13 hours ago, Glittering_Ship4193 said:

At what point does private messaging become available for new users?

Have a look here GS 👍

Looks like 10 posts and 30 days.  

It is interesting to hear just how steady the Threshold is on the Algo on both of those videos. 

22 hours ago, Taz said:

though I doubt ill ever use it to charge

Yes, handy but very slow.  

Micro USB is 2.0 amp input. 

USB-C is 3.0 amp input. 

Solar is just 0.3 amp input.  Days of sunlight to fully charge that! 

Hope the Algo is there soon 👍

7 minutes ago, phrunt said:

They only do a maximum of 30,000 total purchase price for the spilt payments.

Ah, yes, I didn't read that properly.  Without that option I am going to have to pass up the offer as well   🙂 

1 hour ago, Steve Herschbach said:

Well at $99,999.00 I’ll have to pass.

Even if you can break it up into 3 easy payments of $30,000???  😉

1 hour ago, Taz said:

Everything ready but the Algo.

I just bought one of the little Cygnett solar charged battery packs a week ago.  Hopefully not too heavy for the Algo and should balance your NF coil nicely.  Is that a 12"? 

I didn't buy mine for an Algo, just for camping.  Was $100 at Office Works but they price matched a deal that Anaconda had at $70. 

Need to get some of those little USB plugs to fill the gaps of the other ports whilst it is on your Algo 👍

On 3/4/2024 at 8:34 PM, Aureous said:

Have to run thru his myriad of videos to find it again lol

Nooooo, don't do it to yourself  🤣

Followed your link Art.  It shows the unlocked episodes but unfortunately it says unavailable in our region  😞

Jin is an Australian too, so likely has the same issue.  Is this where one of those VPN thingo's would help @phrunt ?

I know it will be also directed at communications and the other areas of their business but $117 million of product development is encouraging. 

Wow!  That is very interesting to know.   There will be very few camera shots of landscapes appearing in photos or on YouTube from now on.  

Thanks for the heads up   👍

7 hours ago, Nedkelly said:

If it had the extra power of the 6K

If it is doing something special/new with ground balancing and can handle ground that the GPX 6000 cannot, that is the extra power I am looking for. 

And, if the "Algo 2500" is calibrated for large targets and has the same ground handling ability then things might get very interesting  🤞

On 2/17/2024 at 2:47 PM, phrunt said:

no issues with the red and orange clays in Victoria,

This bit is particularly exciting I think.  I have areas where these clays are a P.I.T.A and at Manual 1 Sensitivity the GPX 6000 still does not handle them.  

5 hours ago, Nedkelly said:

I've got a modded SD2200 and would love to see a comparison between a modified SD2200 and a modified gpx5000

Hi NK. 

I have been fortunate enough to receive my father's old 5000 that was modded by Mick at Detectronics.  Have only used it a couple of times now but have been impressed with its smooth threshold, the ability to wind it right up and the ability to tame things for hotter ground.  Used it last weekend around the Whipstick for a couple of hours and picked up a nice 4 gram piece and the usual other bits of crap.  Using a 19" Evo and it was about a foot deep.  Had 2 6000's with us (my mother and my son using them) and they picked up 5 small pieces of gold and the usual 867 pieces of lead shot!  Unfortunately we didn't check anything before digging.    

Not sure where you are NK but happy to meet up at some stage and compare the SD Vs the 5000 if you like?  I'm in N.E Vic but head to Bendigo reasonably often. 

I've also got a GP 3500 that I'd like to check on some deep targets with the 19" Evo as I think it might have some issues.   I bought it to run a 20X40" AI drag coil and it was underwhelming but I assumed that was just the coil.  Hooked it up to the 5000 yesterday (in the shed) and the threshold was smooth and the detection depth of air tested targets was pretty much 2/3 more!