auminesweeper

That's a great video and very skilled, he has a whole series of them and they a great source of info, thanks for posting them.

1 hour ago, Gerry in Idaho said:

I'll be taking Pre Orders on the new GM-24K this coming Monday, July 16th.  I've been told I can not share any photos until then.  But yes I can now say I have used it and like what I see so far.  Realize I have not used it in all my areas, but have been able to recover two different types of gold at 2 different sites.  Gerry's Metal Detectors at www.gerrysdetectors.com is best way to contact me on Monday.  Hopefully I find a few more this weekend?

That's cool Gerry, I would rather the info thing was done the right way, This past years we have had a bit of a mud fest regarding some machines and I would rather things were done the right way because of my respect for all those involved in this machine, I know you will give us the low down when the time is right, keep up the good work,

John.

Yeah, although we would all love to know more I guess they are holding their cards close to their chest,

1 minute ago, johnedoe said:

I posted the youtube vid on White's forum of the 24K field test only to have it removed by a moderator... Ho humm.......

Sorry to hear that John, I guess they don't want to talk about it there ?

A few years ago companies use to work with the people who put them on the map but with the birth of forums things have become to unpredictable and out of the companies control so they have to be very careful with whom they share their info with,

needless to say that I have stopped buying detectors because of forums, The machines I bought were proven by prospectors for prospectors, People I trusted, Since then detectors are bragged about and marketed on forums but often fall short so forums are not a safe place to market a new product, I read Steve's prospecting epics over and over along with a few others and seeing those nuggets and the story behind them sold more machines than modern reviews ever could, One guys views on what makes a great detector can be miles apart,

I prefer it the way it use to be done because I see and hear all the hype and then I see those same machines on ebay within weeks of their release, But when you read things like this  https://www.detectorprospector.com/magazine/steves-mining-journal/garrett-infinium-whites-mxt-ganes-creek-gold-nuggets/ and see the results  You just can't argue with that, No need for comparing them to other machines or brand bashing because it tells me if he can do it then so can I, Or at leased I can dream about doing it, But the fact is It gave me the tools I needed and point me in the right direction.

I use to spend a fortune on Treasure Mags but those paid reviews are very hollow and many of the testers have only just started shaving and are easily impressed, I don't mean to throw Steve in the deep end but I wish Whites would work with people like him and Des D again.

I Like the look of this new machine and according to some folks it has some great new features and that colour will hide the dirt keeping it looking like new, And that nice big VDI will be a huge bonus, WTG Whites, Good Job. 

This tread has a lot of good info and I forgot to order the new Whites Coil to give it a test, Has anyone had a chance to test one out regarding it's sensitivity and depth compared to the standard 10" 2D coil ?, When I compared the 2D coil to the 6x10 they seen equal when it comes to sensitivity but the 2D has a couple of inches more depth over the 6x10 (5x9). 

Thanks Steve for reposting those links, I think this thread should be made a sticky because all the info a person would need is in those links, It was good to read them all again because every machine there is still holding their own regardless of what has been released since.

On ‎6‎/‎27‎/‎2018 at 4:08 PM, Gerry in Idaho said:

I too enjoyed the Super 12" round coil later names 300MM.  Thanks for adding to the post and sharing Success.  Well done.

 

Gerry If you have the chance you might like to check out the Detech 14x10 DD because it has the depth comparable to that of the 12"/300 Coil but it has the weight similar to that of the White's 10" DD Coil, I liked the first one I bought that much that I ordered another one the very next day, One weighs about 5 grams less than the 10" DD and the other weighs about 5 grams more which must be due to either the potting or the cable length  and the balance is way better than the 10" DD, the coil just glides over the ground and it has good depth to match, It has the same sensitivity as the 6x10 and it as very good separation too, Being a DD also helps when hunting in hotter ground were the 12"/300 might loose a bit of depth,

hope that helps,

John.

The trouble with some of the mid frequencies is that the government use them for repeaters and SAR so the ones around the 20/30khz can become a bit over crowded.

Yes a lost chance for sure, a VX Sport could have been a winner with less adjustables and screens that are not needed and a good tracking system, Even stuffed in to the new GMK housing would be a good place to start.

I am surprized at the EQ missing that, I have always admired the V3i but to me it is over complex and the tracking is not as hot as other Whites machines, I never felt the love for the V3i like other models, It's a great detector but all those menu's take up detecting time pretty much like the old Eagle II SL 90's, I just don't know what White's Goal was when making the V3i, It's too busy and they gave it a good frequency for Gold but never gave it a tracking system to match and I don't think it has the Hyper Gain that other Whites models have either so it can see really tiny bits, I think it is a good machine but it seems to have lost focus So then it was easier to stuff it full of adjustable stuff and that was a mistake because I think it drove many folks away, I know it did me, for me it's about the detecting and the company and the finds and all that complexity does not offer any advantage over other Whites models in their lineup, Yes it is a work of art, But for what purpose, For Arts sake ?

19 hours ago, GB_Amateur said:

What this thread (and one or two other recent ones) just made me realize:

Make a list of the longest running (in market) detectors in history.  Here are 4 that may be in the top 5:  Fisher Gold Bug 2, Fisher CZ3, White's MXT, and White's GMT.  What do they have in common?  Pretty amazing trophy to have on one's mantel in this modern electronic age.

Yeah I agree, And the thing is that any one of those machines can and will perform as good or better than any new comer, The GB2 might be getting on a bit but it is still the hottest LF detector on the market as old as it is, The GMT with a 6x10 concentric is an extremely hot combo, which is about as close to the GB2 as a detector can get when set up right.

This new GMK is a nice addition to the Whites line up so it will be good to see how well it performs compared to the GMT, but either one will get the job done. 

I am surprized that young Tommo has not been here to give up all the Info,  Guess he don't love us any more  

Jim, It's always a nice day when you drop by, that is one massive lump of silver, It is almost like leaf Gold only Silver in colour, thanks for posting,

John.

Going back more than a few years a friend showed me that the MXT could see things that my 2 new machines couldn't, And in a frosty mood I got on the computer and I found some of Steve's early success stories, not knowing too much about him apart from he had driven just about every detector that had come out and the fact that it even surprized him how good it was back then, This was a Sunday night, with the Major all brand detector importers 7 or 8 miles away I had a new MXT 300 in my hand by 10:30am Monday morning.

I phoned the friend who showed me what it could do and he told me how to set it up and off I went, In the excitement I went off without food and water 14 hours later I came home feeling almost broken, hungry, thirsty, and worn out from digging the toughest ground I have ever dug til this day, something was wrong, I dug good sounds that came out as bad and nothing worked, After a week of hibernating I thought I'd give it another shot only this time I took test pieces to set it up.

I got to a spot 800yds from the first place using the test bits to set up the machine and walked up the 4/5 foot bank on to the little plateau and the first sweep of the coil I got 3 medium volume signals about 4 feet apart, I dug the first one that was reading 55 on the VDI and it was a huge Mens 18ct Gold Ring, wiping off some of the dirt I said please be REAL, out with the eye glass "Oh Lordy" It was, I sat down and had a Coffee and laughed and I almost was ready to go home right then,

Then I thought I better dig the other signals, the second one 14" from where the Ring came out, and a few inches 4/5 down out popped a huge Pocket Watch T-Bar from a watch fob, out with the eye glass revealed that I had another 3rd of an Ounce of 18ct Gold, sitting on my Knees I thought my mate "his name is Steve too" Is never going to believe this, even more so when you consider this place had been used as a test site for the past 40 years and had been used for 100's of detector rallies and had once fallen victim to a full on archaeological Dig not 100yds from where I was standing,

Now I am more than ready to call it a day, then I remembered the third signal that was almost at the end of the sweep 4 feet from the first target I had another Coffee, gulped it down and started digging 5" out came a fine woman's Gold ring again in perfect shape, the eye glass confirmed that it was also 18ct, now I am shaking my head still saying "Steve is never going to believe this"  Not wanting to damage it I wrapped it up in tissue and put it in a safe place, 

Now the day was more than perfect, 3 lots of Gold in your first sweep of the coil with a new machine on the first day ? that can't be right ?,

The following weeks had me searching 7 days a week 10-14 hours a day and in a place that people said was dead / useless forgetting about the Gold, I found more ancient coins and relics in a day than anyone had found in 5 years prior and In a week I was finding the stuff I had only seen in magazines and only dreamt of, In a place that had seen every French, American and Australian detector made for the last 30/40 years from a time when brand snobbery had not been invented,

When people ask what machine you use they quickly dismiss the subject when you tell them an MXT with a deflated "Oh".  and I wonder Is there a best machine out there ? I don't know for sure, but from what I have seen with the MXT you can't reinvent the Wheel, that has been around for over 6/7,000 years, It's not a gadget or a gizmo, It's a Tool that is solely  about detecting, How do you judge something like that, that has done all of the above ? and why I spent so many years testing it in some of the worst places on earth, The only way I can judge it is by calling it a Tool because it just gets to work and gets it done. Is it the best detector ever made ?  I can't answer that but it is the best Tool ever made.

JW, I still got the Love for the GMT,  both the MXT and the GMT are to reliable machines that are hard to pass up, If there is Gold there then they will find it, And if a person feels the need once it has been found then ya can bring out the new younger whipper snappers, I love VLF's when the trash keeps turning up,

The ZED is a whole new world, but I would imagine junk might make life tough, The only down side to the ZED is you need an extra long Pick and a Shovel to match and Arms like Popeye to Dig with.

Good Lord Gerry you did alright, I have to agree with you there, First thing I always do is update my MXT after I got that one secure then I buy the rest at my leisure, Like all machines they all have their quirks but it just so happens that the MXT's quirks work In the right way, And your right about the coils, I have from the little 4x6 and the 5.3 which is the hottest coil for the MXT right up to the 15" MAX coil, My favourite DD is the Detech 14x10 it has a couple of inches more depth over the 10"DD possibly even the 12" concentric but it can handle the hotter ground better than the concentric,

The MXT has become a Legend in it's own life time, Two must have detectors for prospecting is the MXT and the GPX but I would also have to add the SDC,

I would sell any detector but not the MXT unless I was buying another one and trading it in for the new one, I think it's just that it works no excuses needed no silly menu's to get wrong, just turn it on beep and dig, plus there are about 40 or 50 coils out there made for it, Love the Balance of that 14x10 on there, it just Glides over the ground, Heaven, "Oh Yeah".

John.

PS, Gerry I gotta ask, but how deep were those nuggets ? Awesome pics, any stories to go with those pictures thanks for posting.

14 minutes ago, MarXthespot said:

and that is really what detecting is really all about, isn't it?  The fun.  I think most everybody will agree about that.

I apoligize, auminesweeper, if anything I said came off as mean spirited or defensive.  I really think we are all looking to have fun and enjoy this, and the last thing I want to do is take the fun out of this for anybody.

Mate we are all in this together and if it is good for the hobby then it is good for us and the standard of machines coming out lately is only going to enhance our success, I have waited since 2010 for ML to bring back machines like this and it's only gonna get better.

I still have a weakness for the GPX even though I don't like using PI's, The thing I find refreshing about this new direction is that ML have now gone back to making machines with a single frequency or the option of multi frequency, The musketeer Advantage was the most fun machine and they stopped making it and I had BBS and FBS but I missed that lightning speed the Musky had, I am glad ML have gone back to their roots with this new tech so to speak.

5 minutes ago, MarXthespot said:

 

Just so I'm clear, I didn't take what you said as an attack on Minelab or me or anybody.  I took what you said as something similar to how I took Mike Hillis' comments... as, to borrow his words,...

 

The way I understand that is, you are both just pointing out ways Equinox could be better.

I agree.  I think Equinox could be better.  I just think those potential improvements are very small potatoes compared to what one would be giving up by purchasing another detector, in that price range.  And that is what I want to make sure newbies reading this forum understand clearly.

I don't doubt your sincerity or his.  I hope you don't doubt mine.  I really think the whole long exchange that this forum represents helps people learn from many perspectives, and get to what works and is true for them.  I really do value everybody's opinion, even when I disagree. We all have experiences others haven't had.

and I agree with you, in principle, but for me that shortcoming is easily overcome, so it carries little influence for me.

I said there was no vitriol/venom in my words, and I meant it.  I do value your input, and we agree the balancing could be better.

The GM has been the most productive Gold getting VLF these past months/year whats not to like, but I don't think there is a machine in history including the ones I have that didn't need a tweak or two. It does not make them any less effective, In fact and I would go as far as to say the GM is my favourite out of all the machines that have come out in the past 3 years, apart from the rerelease of the 4500.  

12 minutes ago, MarXthespot said:

Quibble about the minutia, and make small arguments against Equinox all you like.  If you are coming from a place like Mike....

So, thanks, sincerely, Mike Hillis and auminesweeper for offering small ways Minelab might be able to up their game.  I want my next detector to be 100% perfect too.  I'm just glad I got my Equinox 800 before your arguments had any influence to dissuade me from a great purchase.

I don't think any thing that was said was an attack on ML,  All I said was that a person should not have to modify a new machine to be able to use larger coils, and I have always said what great machines the GM and the EQ are and I still believe that. Go and read all my past posts if in doubt.

If you are pleased with your result that's great that's all that matters, JW and Chris have had outstanding results with the GM and I do think it is the future of Gold Machines. but I do think you took what I said the wrong way.

3 minutes ago, MarXthespot said:

Just shorten the length and move the sweep in closer to the body. Some people cause issues for themselves just by swinging too wide, even with a 3 lbs. detector. 

If that doesn't do it for someone, different folks on this forum have shown useful ways to put recharge batteries below the elbow rest.  There are more simple and creative modifications coming too, like stands and such that can easily counter balance to anyone's custom fit.

If none of that suits someone, there is always the route of using the weight assists typically employed for much heavier machines, those really work on any machine.

No need for anybody to break a wrist with any machine really.

Shortening the shaft only helps so much and you should not have to modify a new machine with after market battery packs so you can use larger coils.

That 12x15 coil is going to be a wrist breaker without a counter balance, Where as the CTX lends it's self very well to such coils,

2 minutes ago, Mike Hillis said:

I guess the marketing spin I see everywhere is getting under my skin.  I'll have to start treating it like I do the mainstream news; Tune out and Turn off.    That and post more about what I care about.

HH

Mike

It's easy to forget that this hobby is about the finds and good company and Awesome views, nothing else matters least of all the companies, give me a great bunch of blokes/Gals sharing the fun any day.