Gerry in Idaho

Ceramic wedding bands 1st started showing up about 10 yrs ago, tungsten bands even before that.  Luckily the Tungsten craze is starting to fade away.  I'm also noticing it during my Caribbean water hunts as 5 yrs ago, it was more Tungsten than gold bands.  Now, it's finally starting to flip back on the gold, for me anyways on this last trip it did.

I wear my 35 yr  yellow gold band almost everywhere, but do take it off when I detect and need to use the Pinpointer.  I can usually get away with wearing it when Nugget Hunting though.

You must have the same problem I do when not wearing it? The girls are just lining up trying to take you h🤣me?

On 2/18/2024 at 9:40 AM, mn90403 said:

Are you one of Gerry's customers?  haha

You have two hats on ... a Gerry's trainer and ... Arizona gold seeker in the winter.

That is a nice gold picture.

If it was Lunk, he would have posted already.  Well maybe not? 

Knowing him, he'd still be at the same spot trying to recover every last mineral of Au from each of his gold vacuuming detectors.  Always have to have more than one.

I'm not sure Lunk can completely clean an area out in a week. Yes, his skill level is beyond our orbit (you should see him hunt Meteorites, now that's far out), as he's methodically uses each detector and all the different coils.  The end results is a "dead zone" of any sound coming from Mother Earth on that mountain side.  

I feel sad for the folks who unknowingly detect behind his once gold source.

10 hours ago, Valens Legacy said:

Very nice hunt and I bet they learned from you on how to find all that gold.

Thanks for sharing.

Has taken my class a few times on a variety of detectors.

Being in Idaho and around MT or Eastern OR.  A good DD coil will allow you to hunt in hand workings and tailing piles.  If your 4500 came with stock coils, there should be an 11" DD with it.  If not, I would suggest a Commander 10" Ellip DD.  What's cool about that coil (many folks don't know), is you can actually run it in MONO mode and get half the coil to use as a small MONO for tiny gold.  And as mentioned before, it also will fit the upcoming AlgoForce.

DD coils seem to be overlooked by many, but in the right places and the Iron ID setting option of the 4500, you can save some time when hunting.

4 hours ago, George Kinsey said:

Really hits hard on some small gold nuggets. Nice relic hunter also. It was sent to me to field test prior to the final release. Not waterproof (neither am I) but it has all three coils. Nice.

Glad to see you are enjoying the Gold Kruzer.  It's a pretty affordable VLF detector with a few possibilities. Just some advice when you share the testing, please add a pic or 2 of the detector and or the finds (small gold nuggets) you mentioned.  Sure some of us know, but many reading your post don't know what a Gold Kruzer is or even looks like.

In all honesty, Detector Prospector is the best all around detecting forum I am aware of.  There's been many come and go, but DP just keeps on going and giving us knowledge and opportunities to share.

Lost Scout,  I love the smile she shines and you too need to be just as happy as you have a lady whop seems to enjoy the hunt as much as you.  So many of us have a spouse, but their swinging interest is not as passionate as ours.

Her personal handmade arm cover is the touch.

We're looking to see more posts from your adventures here on DP.  Happy Hunting.

13 hours ago, Lead Detector said:

It will be interesting to see what price point it actually comes in at in the US. So far we are just going off the price point in Australia.  We may see a surprise here in the US. What if it ends up at $2000-$2500 instead? Add a couple coils, batteries, and good headphones,  and your in the ballpark of the axiom price. All we can do is eat our popcorn till Gerry has them in stock lol

1st off, I need to be clear on me being a dealer for AlgoForce.  It's not a done deal but he knows me from Minelab, he knows I enjoy metal detecting for all kinds of gold (natural nuggets, specimens and gold jewelry) with a passion. He also knows the Field Training my Staff Experts/I offer.  For a new customer coming into this game, that's important. But at this time it's not a done deal.

You bring up a valid point of the E-1500 possibly being more money when it hits the US market and that easily could be. Your price points mentioned and compared to an Axiom MAP $4000?  I have no worries the E-1500 will easily outsell the Ax.  Garrett had their chance to price point Ax to actually make a splash and evidently a few higher ups wanted a quick pay back.  In the end the $4000 US and crazy AU price was more than most wanted to pay coming from a company not known as a top PI player.  It really cost them and now they're probably scrambling wondering how to play their hand.

My personal opinion and I have made it pretty clear on DP.  I feel the Axiom is the best price vs performance PI gold detector on the market today.  I feel the E-1500 is going to soon take that spot over unless Garrett has an Ace up their sleeve or how soon Minelab reacts.

Bottom line and I have said it until I'm blue in the face.  It's the opportunity to get another tool/option for me and also my customers. 

When selling a detector to someone who wants to get into the gold hunt.  I always try to sell them what I consider the best value detector out there, for the tasks they want to pursue, within their budget.  The E-1500 is just another option.

11 hours ago, Gold Catcher said:

 I am also not a member of the ML bashing crowd, as so many here. With all the criticism for many good reasons, ML got us all here where we are now. And as much as I hope that Algo will be the next big player with an exciting emerging product line, as much I wish that ML will solve its current challenges and continue to deliver fantastic new detectors, as it has done so over the past decades.

GC  

I don't think most on here are Minelab Bashers, as much as getting fed up with paying out the arse for a detector, paying crazy prices for a coil, then the same for the battery and the same for the headphones and other parts.

Competition of metal detector manufactures goes back before I started swinging in the early 1970's and still does so today and maybe even worse.

I've complemented Minelab more than most brands in the last 25 yrs 10X.  The majority of my various metal detecting trips are using Minelab detectors and technologies because I feel they are usually better performers vs the others.  At the same time, I also feel as a paying customer (even though I'm a dealer and getting a little discount), I still think I am allowed to compare and express my desires of a future detector.

Manufactures have folks who do read what we post, as they know we're the future sales, when those detectors get built.

As for Minelab being the one that has us all here?  I think not, and especially in the US.  USA made in America "White's" is what actually got me to here.  Then after White's it was Fisher and the GB-2. Those companies are the ones who planted the seed and so Minelab took it and cross pollinated it to what we have today.  And they did a stand up take my hat off and I salute you, job.

Many of us have done very well with Minelab technology detectors and if it wasn't for other manufactures pushing Minelab, I don't think we've have what we do today.

Example XP and the price point of the Deus pushed Minelab to come out with Equinox.  Equinox 800 was the best overall performing VLF gold detector out there.  

XP fired back with the Deus-II.  Minelab fired back with the Manticore, which I feel is now the best overall performing VLF type gold detector.

Heck, Fisher for some on here (the original Gold Bug) and Garrett (Ground Hog) were early pioneers in the gold fields.  

AlgoForce, we really don't know the outcome of longevity, well at least we can see the way they are listening to customers and doing it better than the competition (E-1500).

As already mentioned, the E-1500 will poke some competitors and then those competitors will respond.  Hopefully anyway.  In the end, that allows us end users more options, better prices and the desire to jump on here and ask for more, do more comparing and chatting.

I don't think it's Minelab bashing at all.  As we are now about to see what many of us had thought?  Someone is making a lot of money off of metal detectors and there should be a better way.  It seems someone listened and is now giving us that options.

It's all good though....for the end user "us".

17 hours ago, Gold Catcher said:

It's just that I like the robust and foldable design, combined with the MPF timings. The SDC is a tank compared to the rather flimsy 6k, and at times I need something for the rough 🙂 No doubt the Algo is a great machine, and I will get my hands on one for sure. But will it replace the SDC entirely, I doubt it. The 6/7k did neither. Is the Algo as tough as the SDC, that you can throw down the canyon when you need both hands to hike down? Doesn't look like it, but I don't own one yet so I could be wrong. As Gerry said, the right tool for the task.

GC

SDC is a great detector and many have done well with it.  Do you know it's background? It's housing is the exact one provided to the military.  One of the Minelab conferences showed us the military version before the SDC-2300 came out. 

Boy I would love to have Minelab provide a Dealer Conference again.  Last one I attended was Italy about 5 yrs ago.  They have not had another since.  Was great times as you were able to speak with Engineers and some of the heavy brass of Minelab/Codan. 

Myself, I don't care for the SDC-2300 cockeyed way it swings and transfers the weight.  As for compactness, the Manticore is almost as compact in length, but even slimmer and lighter.  I'll take SDC-2300 in Manticore housing and shafts, but what would I pay?  Considering the E-1500 at $1500 and I get 100+ coil options and numerical ID.  I would not pay much more than $1500 and that's only if the SDC actually had more power and depth.  It's close or even the SDC is a little deeper?  I would probably go with the newer detectors because of me being able to adjust the extra features the SDC is missing.

Don't get me wrong, SDC-2300 is still a great detector, just like and SD-2200, or GP-3000 or many other older Minelab PI's.

As for nugget hunting with a metal detector (my specialty), I think the choice of detectors and their lack of capabilities for small gold nuggets, is part of your results. Of the 4 machines mentioned, tdi big box, gmt, tm 808 and V3i, only the GMT is a dedicated high frequency VLF detector suited for small gold.  If you know what your doing and running a small 6" Ellip coil on the V3i, you could get lucky and find small gold near surface.  The TDI is capable usually a 1 gram size and above, but Iron ID on small iron has issues when compared to your GMT and V3i, TM 808 won't respond to a small nugget.

Take the others info and use that as well.

49 minutes ago, Norvic said:

GC I`ll send my E1500 over coz I think it`s maybe going to put the SDC to bed in your wild ground, send it over when it`s not busy that is..... and like the Axiom with its fixed GB option and other controls it has the 6K beaten in some circumstances and sneaking up on the Z also with a 12 Evo. Mono coils are so much lighter for old codgers, whilst the E1500 is no slouch, just a caution low price may be too good to be maintained once the cost of CP is factored in. 

It might be different in Australian soils as the SDC-2300 could??? be smoother than E-1500, but at what price difference is it worth it?  Our US soils for much of the areas are not as bad.

Your last part of above does worry me.  How long can this go on of the initial price we were informed, before a price increase?  Heck, maybe that's exactly what they are planning on doing?  Get a big wave of momentum and many people chatting about such a great value detector and then 6 months later they add a 25% price increase?

15 hours ago, Tony said:

The Empire will strike back........

That's Bruce Candy putting a death grip on the E1500.

The AlgoForce is strong with this one.

 

Of course Minelab will strike back, that's a given.  But will it be price decrease, same technology in different better ergonomic housing, or a totally new detector aiming at the E-1500?

I think AlgoForce already expected it and that's exactly why their offering it for so much less.  Heck, many of us would pay $500 more or possibly up to US $2500?  So AlgoForce makes sure if Minelab does a machine close to it, they really have to price it accordingly and that's exactly why they (AlgoForce) went lower.  It really makes it hard for Minelab to just do a quick price drop or old technology new housing.  I'm just guessing, but let's say Minelab dropped they current price of the SDC-2300 from US $3400 to $2400.  That $1000 difference and I'm willing to bet it would hardly move any additional inventory or slow down the folks desiring the new E-1500.  Minelab realizes a $2400 SDC-2300 won't cut it.  Do they skip the $2400 and offer it at $1900?  That's then becomes $1500 off current $3400 price. I still don't see it stopping folks from wanting the E-1500.  Do folks all of a sudden want to get an SDC-2300 for $1900?  Not if it only has the one coil option?

Then you have Garrett and the Axiom.  In my personal opinion, way over prices at $3999.  Do they drop it to $2499 or $1999?  What do I think the sales at $2499 of an Axiom?  Ho hum.  If they want to move some units and get steam, $1999 would be a good price as it does have more capabilities than E-1500.

If all works out, we as end users will get more options and better price points.  That's a win/win to me and my customers.

12 hours ago, Gold Catcher said:

Well said Phrunt! And I sure hope they will establish themselves as a big player one day.

GC

It could easily be AlgoForce who is the next big name.  Just think in Spring 2026 the E-2500 for $2500.  If such happens, if?  It could be a detector with GPX-6000 or GPZ-7000 depth capabilities.  At least we are now being provided an option from a company that was silent a month ago, at least I had never heard of.

15 hours ago, phrunt said:

Plenty of the people on this forum don't even need one, when armed with both a 6000 and a 7000 unless you're using it for something other than gold prospecting it's not going to offer you that much.  If you have a 7000 it offers a bit, and for anyone with an earlier GPX it offers quite a lot, and also shares coils with it, a great thing to get for those people.

The real winners are those new to prospecting wanting to buy a PI, they get a great unit an affordable price and don't have to feel like they're missing out by not having to sell a kidney on the black market for body parts to buy a Minelab.

Simon,  I feel if you are comparing performance of the 6000, the 7000 and the E-1500, then you are 100% correct and for those who already own them, they'll be happy with what they already have.

Here are a couple reasons why I think the E-1500 will beat out the 6000/7000 and you already shown us. 

EMI and Power Lines - I personally have 4 sites I hunt and try my best to get as close to those power lines as possible.  I have yet to get decent performance out of my other detectors because of the power lines.  2 of those sites have produced multi ounces pieces, so you know where I'll be heading when time comes with an E-1500.  I also know guys in AZ who try to detect gold in or around the military facilities and EMI is serious.  Sure you can dumb down the detector, but then depth is compromised to a point, a VLF could be used, but the hot rocks make that extremely hard.

The E-1500 Digital readout system.  That one feature right there will allow me to hunt some of the hand placer mining of old and also tailing piles.  Both have more trash than many can handle with a traditional 6000 or 7000.  Those high dollar detectors, even though has top performance, are lacking any potential target identification help.  Again, you have shown me enough to realize the importance of this feature.  Sure it's not 100%, no machine is.  But my last few years of gold recovery, most ounces recovered has been with ID detectors or with the aid of such, to save me time and energy. 

Having the option of a Pulse Induction detector to handle hot rocks and has a form of target ID is right down my alley.

The guys who enjoy fishing as their favorite hobby, have at least 4 different rods.  Heck, I don't even fish as often now, but still, have my 3 heavy duty sturgeon rods, 2 ultra light crappie rigs, my 2 Steelhead and Salmon poles, 2 bass outfits, and 3 trout rods.  I have another 3 or 4 fly fishing rods. Other favorite hobbies we enjoy with multiple tools, guns.  We won't even go there, but the bucks some folks drop on the various weapons, is eye opening to some.

I actually feel many folks who already own a 6000 and or even 7000, will certainly want the E-1500.  If anything, just for price point and having someone come along and join them, they can hand them an E-1500.

Even as we are patiently waiting, some of the guys on my list for an E-1500 already have the 6000 or 7000 and a couple own both.

I totally agree 100% with your last part of post and the new prospectors getting into a PI.  I also see many previous customers swinging VLF type detectors now wanting to step up.  They don't have to try and chase down a half worn out and heavy GPX-4500 for $1500 and then hope there are no issues with it.  The E-1500 easily fits that bill as well.  Sure a good running 4500 will find a bigger solid placer nugget a little deeper, but as been mentioned many times over, those are now the rare finds.  We've been hunting those areas with capable depth/power PI's for 30 yrs.

I get your point though as you are letting folks know, this price point PI is not going to match overall depth of a 6000 or 7000.  I don't expect that either, especially for the price point.  We'll have to wait for the E-2500 model and then we could be doing some serious overall comparisons.

2 hours ago, Tony said:

Not sure about you guys in the USA but down under this way, there's a heck of a lot of SDC2300's suddenly for sale.

I think it's RIP to the SDC2300....it's not like anyone bought it for its water proof rating.

Minelab will counter-attack this year........I'm sure of it.

I'm also sure that no one at Minelab is singing Zip-a-dee-doo-dah 🤣

 

I've been watching the used PI market and I think it's going to get ugly later this summer, could be sooner.

Now I do like the idea of an SDC-2300 packed inside a Manticore housing and shaft for $1700.  Boy would that hurt E-1500 steam train.

Minelab singing?  Only if it's "The best days are behind us".  Actually, they have a few ways to play this. They offer so many Coin/Relic machines as well, so I'm not sure they're going anywhere soon.

Now they could something from this and totally adjust prices accordingly and sell many more detectors. Time will tell. 

2 hours ago, Lead Detector said:

Is there something your trying to tell us? How many do you have in stock? 😂 

You already walking on thin ice....Please don't get me in trouble.

I have absolutely zero.  That's how many are in the box.  Nice try though. 😏

2 hours ago, Chase Goldman said:

It's very promising, Gerry, I'll give you that, but strictly from a technical and performance standpoint.  However, as a pragmatist, I'll refrain from singing zippity-do-dah until it becomes widely available to USA users at the advertised AUS price point.  There are significant hurdles to that still need to be overcome and questions that need answering including inventory, supply chain, and distribution struggles, US regulator certifications, overseas demand and the ever present threat of potential litigation from industry intimidators (whether or not "they" have has a case is immaterial, USA distribution simply opens the door on this possibility (see Quest V60/80 series)), etc.  Until those hurdles are addressed and put aside, then it is basically a very promising unicorn with an uncertain arrival.  Better than the Nokta PI promises at this point, but as the Quest rollout demonstrated, USA distribution is not out of the woods.  Rooting for them, most definitely, but concerned whether they will be able to gain a stable foothold here in the US.  Once that happens, then sure, I'll sing a song.

Well you dirty rotten trying to ruin my day....SOB.  You are not stealing my chocolate heart and I don't care what day it is.

You are 100% spot on my friend.  Those are real genuine questions and concerns.  It could be like some of the other manufactures and we in the USA not see it for a year?  Heck, it and all the yippie is earning right now, could fizzle out with a storm of issues?  Heck, it could be the best April Fools on us, that been pulled in years.  Now that would be Tops. if so.

My crystal ball is not seeing it my friend and even though I have crappy batteries in my crystal ball, I can see enough pieces of this puzzle coming together, so be it, in another country.  Open communication, taking advice, new software downloads, well known gold hunters using the product and not having all the issues a few of the others of past have had.  I just think this machine is so well thought out.

But your points and input is of concern and I have no issues with you mentioning.

In the meantime, I'm going to skip down the yellow brick road.  Golden baby,

I do wish to see Garrett go full speed ahead and come out with the TDI and a few mods, but my gut tells me that won't happen.

What I do expect to see and this will not be a Garrett only thing, but it would not surprise me at all to see Minelab as well, drop the prices of their gold detectors.

As for me digging all targets?  Heck no way.  I enjoy hunting the trashy sites most folks walk away from.  I enjoy using Identification features on my detectors to help me decide what it is.  No, it's not 100% correct, no detector is.  But it saves me time and energy.  Both time and energy is what I seem to find less and less of as I get older.  I'll walk, swing, ID and dig 20 targets in tailing to find 4 pieces of gold.  But I I don't have the youth to dig 100 targets in that same amount of time.

On a rare occasion at a site with great amount of gold, yes I'll eventually remove each target, but I grab the gravy 1st.

And to think, some folks actually buy.  Silly

I love hunting those old hand stack workings.  Great to see a different part of country and all the moss.  1st gold before any iron was most incredible but as you know, the iron always comes through.

I loved seeing the dog even moving rocks.

Well done Tom and glad to see you enjoying some free time.

I had already thought of what Steve mentioned as I know Minelab, CT and NF's all have the 1/2 coil option.  Yes, I too feel the 10" Ellip DD will be killer.