Gerry in Idaho

My wife has some of the nicer ones. Most the others are sitting in the safety deposit box at my bank. I have yet to sell any but eventually probably will, it is just a matter of dong it. I'd rather spend timing detecting or selling detectors than actually selling my finds. The EQ-800 is a fine detector for salt water and I have done will. It's now my Back Up go 2 water machine. What do I like using most, the Equinox 600. It gets same depth as my 800, parts are interchangeable if I have an issue and for some reason if it does leak (never had a problem yet) or gets lost/stolen/damaged on the flight, I am not out as much money. I have always felt the EQ-600 is a better bang for the buck detector for most of the people who purchase an EQ and are not in gold nugget country.

Interesting read and Sheppo. I like this page of images. It is just a matter of time and I feel we'll be able to use detection like these.

I'll make this easy on everyone and including myself. My first 20 yrs was detecting old coins, civil war relics, gold jewelry on the beaches, Roman/Celtic in England and general use detecting before I became a dealer. I ran White's, Garrett, Bounty Hunters (BH were good in the days), Compass, Teknetics, and Fisher brands with many models of White's, Fisher and Garrett back in the 70's, 80's and early 90's. In the mid 90's I started chasing gold nuggets and so this is where I'll start as it's easier to remember the last 25 yrs. I have owned and found gold nuggets with at least 40 different models of detectors in the last 25 yrs. I could probably dig up photos of most, but it would take some time. Interesting, we have more followers than I had expected that actually have been enjoying detectors for many years. Hats off to you for keeping the "gold fever", it's real.

What does a Veteran Detectorist think of all the gold detectors? I’ve been hooked and chasing gold nuggets for 25 years with a metal detector. I really don’t care who makes it or where it’s from, as long as the detector can find me more gold. I’ve used most all of the popular gold detectors manufactured and or sold in the US in that same 25 yrs. I’ve watched metal detector manufactures grow, seen them make a few duds, helped a couple introduce some fine detectors to the industry and I hate to admit it, but have watched a couple big name manufactures close their doors. I think it might be fun to share my spin on the brand that seems to just keep getting bigger and stronger – Minelab. Yes there’s a few guys out there who have been using detectors longer than I and maybe they don’t agree with me. No worries, I’m not trying to outdo anyone or prove a point. I just want to share what I have experienced and if someone feels different and wants to take the time to do a write up, that’s even better. It adds to the discussion and conversation of what we here on DP love, detecting for gold. Chuck had asked if Minelab had made a gold detector that was essentially not much of an improvement. Jason gave his input and history of Minelab detector and how he ranked them. I got to thinking, as a Minelab dealer for 20+ yrs and one who was even using their technologies and products in the field with success, before I became a dealer, I feel some more light could be shed and even going back before Jason was on board. Minelab SD-2100. In 1996 I was blown away with the introduction of the SD-2100 and it's power (depth) over a VLF. Yes, it was a heavy detector but I was young and enjoyed digging deep holes. Definitely deserved a 5 star rating as this was the deepest detector I had ever got my hands on. Minelab SD-2200d. The year 1998 a new version, the SD-2200d come along and the depth was on par with the 2100, but the 2200 had some discrimination, which worked ok. This detector did not knock me off my feet, but I did use the DISC in some areas of Oregon to get good gold in trash. I'd rate it a 3 Star. Minelab GP-Extreme. 2000 was a good year and the introduction of the GP-Extreme with DVT (Dual Voltage Technology) allowed for greater improvements on smaller and finer gold than the SD's. Minelabs claim of nuggets 55% deeper than an SD-2200d (wonder why they did not say SD-2100?). I was pretty happy with their claim and my success…when I found an Extreme that ran properly as some of the early ones were noisy. I would give it a 4 star. Minelab GP-3000. The issues of the GP-Extreme were cleaned up and an improved GP-3000 came out in 2003. Again, no big jump in depth, but cleaning up the internal noises allowed for cleaner smoother operation, clearer signal response and a few more nuggets. In my opinion the GP-3000 earned a 3 star. Minelab GP-3500. Only 2 years later in 2005 and the GP-3500 was in my hands. Again, no big depth difference in any types of gold, but the Ground Tracking Button was added to the top of the hand grip. This change was nothing I wrote home about, but it was an improvement. I'd rate it a 3 star at the time. Realize from the SD2100 (I never owned an SD-2000), up through and including the GP-3500, the coils, shafts and power supply were the same, so in reality it's hard to get a big increase in depths. The GP series with the DVT was better at smaller/rougher gold but depth on big gold was all pretty close and I felt in some cases the SD's could get a little better depth on solid nuggets. Today, finding a good clean SD-2100, SD-2200, GP-3000 or GP-3500 and it runs properly, at a decent price, would be a wise move for someone on a budget wanting to step up to a PI. That’s why I am willing to take some of the older units in trade, but the price has to be right. Minelab GPX-4000. 2006 was the GPX-4000, yes a new series "GPX" and there was improved capabilities again on smaller gold, specimens and crystalline gold. New lighter battery, digital readout tuning and more timings. No claim of extra depth from Minelab but I felt the adding timings, and digital adjustments were in fact getting me a few more pieces of gold. I give the GPX-4000 a solid 4 rating of 5. Minelab GPX-4500. In 2008 we were offered the very popular (even to this day), GPX-4500. I personally did not see a big difference in depths and or did Minelab make any claims of such. But it did have SETA (if I recall, a smoothing filter?) and added Timings, improved battery with built in Amp and a better waist belt, for what that’s worth. Even though this machine was not a wow factor for me, it did prove the test of time and to this day is a fantastic PI detector. In fact it was fazed out in the US and then later brought back at a better price point. At the 2nd better price point, certainly a 4 star, maybe 5, but at 1st when came out in 08, I rate it a 3 out of 5. Minelab GPX-5000. Fall of 2010 we get the new improved GPX-5000 with 2 added Timings and some other fine tune adjustments. No big depth differences for most folks, but the 2 timings did have their merit and some folks to this day prefer a 5000 over a 4500. If I was looking at price differences today, I think the 4500 is a better deal at $2600 vs the $4000 price point we see for a GPX-5000 today. Realize the 5000 was priced $5800 and stayed there for a few years with great sales. I don’t recall Minelab stating any depth gains of the 5000 over the others, but I could be wrong? I did find more gold though as the Fine Gold Timing was good for certain kinds of gold. I would rate the GPX-5000 a 3 star. Minelab GPX-4800. Came out about the same time as the GPX-5000 while they tried to faze out the GPX-4500. The 4800 in all fairness a relabeled 4500 in my opinion and it did not sell well, or last long. Still a good reliable detector though and event today finding a used one at the right price is a good move from a VLF. This was in my opinion, Minelabs 1st flop of a gold detector introduction. I rate it at a 1, but performance at a 3. All 4 models of GPX detectors use the same power cords, battery (although the 4500,4800 and 5000 battery have built in amp), same headphones and shafts. Heck even the coils, shafts, headphones are all interchangeable with the SD and GP series as well, nice bonus for us all these years. An interesting spin on the GPX gold detectors, is they are now the most desired detector of the serious Relic Hunters back East. Those East Coast dealers are finally getting to make some money selling a multi thousand dollar unit that performs above all others at depth. SDC-2300. Introduced in 2014, I felt this was a good breakthrough for Minelab and the gold nugget hunting community. Easily the coolest looking most compact gold detector Minelab has made to date, but heavy and awkward. Well we learned to deal with it, as it’s simplicity and performance for the majority of gold (small gold) was a big win. The 100% waterproof had a liking as well and I enjoyed a few nice water hunts with it on some black iron sand beaches with gold & diamond success. No it’s not a deep PI on big gold and Minelab never claimed it was, but boy did and still do, many people have fun and gold finds. I rate the simplicity/performance of the SDC-2300 a solid 5 star. GPZ-7000. Early 2015, a Field Staff Expert and I took a prototype GPZ-7000 to Nevada to test the 40% more depth claims Minelab was touting. Another easy to see benefit of the GPZ was the simplicity when compared to a GPX and we liked it as we also realized most customers felt the GPX detectors were not easy to understand with the 250K variables of timings/sub timings/options/settings. The easier to set up and run 7000 was going to be easier to train and in fact we were worried it might be too easy and nobody would take the training. That eventually went away, as we realized most people still did not have an understanding of proper coil control, a good beep form a bad one and difference from ground noise and a real target. Did we find the 40% depth increase claim to be true? Well no measuring sticks were used, but I know for a fact the 7000 sees a variety of gold deeper than any other previous bigger PI detector I or any of my Field Staff have ever used. Our biggest complaint about the detector was the actual weight. In fact my 1st prototype did not even have the swing arm, which is almost a must for most folks. I rate the GPZ-7000 a solid 5 of 5 stars. I will say this though. Early on, I would have rated it a 4 as I had not spent enough time testing the settings and getting it dialed in like the settings I currently use. Today, I feel the performance of the GPZ-7000 is easily a 5 star. GPX-6000. Introducing in late Spring or early Summer 2021 the most impressive of all GPX-6000. The claims of XXX depth over a variety of gold is impressive to say the least. The ergonomics and feel from my Staff that played with it seems to be a 5 star. The User Friendly cleaned up turn on and go (somewhat like a GM-1000) operation rates a 5 star. Now we just need to get it in our hands and in the field for some actual real prospecting. Then we can rate the stars on Performance vs what Minelab claims. Again, I know some folks will have differing opinions than what I have mentioned. I also know their soils and detecting ground or overall detector knowledge will be different. I realize a few people have higher expectations than some of us and or not as fast to sell their old to try the new, technologies. But when I look back at my 25 yrs of using Minelab detectors, I find very little faults in their claims of depth increases. I’ve also found each new gold detector actually was an improvement over the other (minus the 4800) in some way or another. Do I justify each of us running out and purchasing the next new model? Heck no, I don’t know your income level or how high on the fun scale you rate detecting and digging up gold. But for me, I have found enough gold to pay for all my different Minelabs and I consider detecting to be my #1 passion. In my eyes, Minelab has been the most consistent metal sensing detector manufacture in the last 25 yrs and will probably continue to do so. Each new unit they have come out with has produced more gold for my staff and I. We all expect this new GPX-6000 to do just what we want. That’s to find more gold, with a better ergonomically designed and user friendly detector. Will we find a particular nugget that one of our other detectors may hit at stronger, or a little deeper, or in a certain EMI or soil condition? Could happen, but I don’t worry about the rare anomaly occasion, I look at the overall variety of gold I pursue and chase. I’ll go out on a limb and rate the GPX-6000 a ---- shooting star. Would love to hear your responses. The video is some of my guys and I putting a spin on one of Minelabs 5 Star rated gold detectors.

I agree 100% Gold Catcher. When I hear someone say a detector is junk, but only used for a month? I think the owner did not give it due justice. Typically, it is the operator who has issues, but I don't think so in his case. He likes the extra fine tune features the GB-2 and 24K possess, so he knows those detectors. Or maybe the unit was bad to begin with. I too was not a big fan of the Monster at 1st, but it grew on me the more I used it and I starting seeing its finer points in some situations. My issue at first coming from VLF detectors than needed adjusted all the time. Now I realize, like most folks, the Gold Monster 1000 is a fine tool for most applications. And as others have mentioned, it is truly one of the best detectors to hand to a friend, family or buddy who does not hunt as often, since it's so User Friendly. GM-1000 is the #1 selling VLF gold detector in the US, so I'm certain "junk" does not get mentioned often when compared to the amount of Success it provides the majority. Heck, I'm a NOX fan myself when it comes to VLF gold detectors, but will admit, the biggest piece of gold I found in 2020 was with a customers Gold Monster 1000. Boy it's a hard pill to swallow when you hand over a 10+ ozt specimen with over $5000+ you just dug with someone else's detector. But I got to find it, so that's what counts most.

But my friend...you have at least 1 gold and diamond grill, maybe 2? I have yet to to wear one.

One of my customers in AZ forwarded this pic to me. Looks to be the end of the box from a GPX-6000. Interesting to read what Geo Sensing Technology is. I realize this does not go into detail, but it's a start. I'm quite impressed with the about statements - detect in different environments once thought undetectable. - suppresses unwanted signals via 3 overlapping feedback systems. - super fast detecting of all gold pieces. - GPX-6000 is in tune with you and the earth Best for last- ALL GOLD, ALL SOILS, ALL THE TIME. Your thoughts please? PS. Thanks Ray for sharing the pic. If you are thinking about the GPX-6000, www.gerrysdetectors.com has been been around selling/using Minelabs for 20+ yrs.

I know something is out there, it's just not for recreational use yet. I fly quite a bit with metal detectors and they always pull my bags aside since they can see the coil windings and or a bunch of dirty coins. Heck a few years ago one of my Field Staff and I were coming back from Cancun. I made certain to have my detectors and cheap jewelry in the checked luggage as I did not want them to pull my Carry On. It held over 3.5 oz of gold and platinum rings. Anyway, as my Carry On Backpack is being scanned, they pulled it aside. Some young lady pulls out my container and opens it. She dumps the rings out and looks at my buddy and I, asking why I have some many rings? Being as quick-witted Marine I am, I reach back, put my arms around my buddy, gave her a wink and said, "we're gay...is there a problem with that"? She stuffed them back into the container and off we went. About 10 feet later I get a serious jab in the back of my ribs and a few choice words from my buddy. Anyway, the moral of the story is they can see shapes, sizes and density. I imagine it will be here for regular detecting use in the near future, but at what cost? Pics are from 1 trip, 2 guys hunting 12 hr days. We found over 70 rings with half of them gold and or platinum and just those were over 7 ounces. The nicest one was a ladies diamond ring. I have never done that good before in Cancun and can only attribute it to a recent storm that cut the beaches away, us hunting 12 hr days and practically destroying our bodies. It took me 5 days to recuperate after the MD'ing vacation. His 5 rings with diamonds. My best one of the trip. CTX 3030's killed it for us. My 19 gold or platinum rings on the left and his 16 on the right. This is the 1st time I've shared these pictures. Now you know why the airport Security Screener pulled my bags. We were so lucky that time and I have never kept my stash of gold all together since.

Heck you are really stretching it. I'm just hoping to have new GPX-6000's in my customers hands by Easter. My first 3 Day Field Training class is in April and it would be nice to have my staff and I showing them off.

They do, the Gold Monster 1000. It's lighter and better at tiny gold than a GPZ. Minelab makes a variety of detectors to do a variety of tasks. Just like Ford has a multiple sizes of trucks and then even the same size truck has different packages based off of your driving style.

I agree with a smaller 10" ellip as desired coil down the road but am not to worried at this moment. There has never been a detector in the last 15 yrs that did not have coil options sooner or later from someone. Yes it might be a few yrs though. Africa price and difference? Who cares, it's what it is and we can't change it. Most countries price products to sell to their customers. If it's to high then the product will not sell. Yes we all dream of the perfect detector, coils, battery, pricing and performance, but the reality is we get what they ship us. USA is not the bread and butter making Minelab big money like it used to be years ago. We are an afterthought. No big deal, times change and yrs ago I can remember when USA was the main money maker for Minelab, even over Australia. We can all dream, discuss and wish though...that's why we live in America and have a great DP forum to share. Battery, I don't expect a $400 battery as Minelab had with their older GPX series. The GPZ battery is only $200 and last a day. Folks actually buy them but I can't sell the $400 GPX-5000 battery to save my life and I don't blame folks.

You know Joe, I have found practically everything imaginable with a detector that is metal, but the gold and diamond grill has eluded me. I have dug gold filled teeth, gold crowns, retainers, tongue studs and even found false teeth, but not the grill. Now what is funny, is a few of my own customers have and even one of them here on DP has found 2. Guess I still with big gold grins.

Here's the 1st video Minelab USA did for TV. You might know the English sounding dude from FL. What's interesting is we were able to see Minelab Mine Detector as it turned into a gold detector. The comments towards the end about seeing what's in the ground before you dig it, I'm still waiting. Do you feel, we'll see a detector that can actually see the item or at least the shape of it with any accuracy and if so how long out?

You know, I actually carried around about 8 different coils for a while. One of my own staff came on a trip with me a few years back and showed up with 11 different coils and rods. Heck it took have the room in my truck backseat. I'll stick with simplicity, lighter, newer technology and get more gold. I like the taste.

Rick, You are too good of a gold prospector to not want one. You and I both know Minelab is really the only brand left that continues to get us more gold. Sure there are a couple flash in the pants manufactures of a certain model that is good at a task or two, but the reality is most of us who are serious realize it's Minelab. You own a GPX and GPZ, but if we go off of what you said about available coil selection for a GPX, then you could have just as easily did that with a 20+ yrs old SD-2100. Your justification does have some merit. When you mentioning coils and coil selection, but I think you are missing a big part of the GPX-6000. Ergonomics, lighter weight, not being tethered to a detector, no headphone cord - Bluetooth wireless and to many people - User friendly. Just these benefits alone are worth the investment to many people. Any extra gold we find is a bonus. I don't know any more than you about the SDC-2300 being discontinued soon, but I would certainly doubt it as their price point $3300 US, compact and waterproof are desired features the other machines do not offer. I'll think it will be around for a few more years, or they would not have spent the money they recently did on the upgrades to it. You'll own a GPX-6000 eventually as you have done the same upgrades to the other GPX and GPZ. No worries though, as us prospectors get it in our blood and it's to tempting. Yes some will hold out longer, but in the end..you'll bite...It just tastes to damn good not too. Or, you hold out just to make a point and be carrying around 15 different coils and shafts for your GPX. As most folks get older, we try to make live easier and less clutter. Why you want to be different? Bottom line....you'll bite...It just tastes to damn good not too.

Your Settings on the 7 are pretty close to mine. Smoothing OFF was my 1st year getting used to it and with some knowledge from my staff (who get in the field more often that I), Now I keep it off for most hunts. This is not a do it all, everywhere suggestion, but for Rye Patch and a few of my other areas, it doesn't miss much.

I won't know until they come in. I've never broke an X-Terra coil ear or an Equinox coil ear and I probably have more hours on those two machines than most folks. Now that is funny, I did break a ear on a 17" coil that goes to my CTX 3030 one winter. I was hunting a swimming hole in the winter that gets drained and so it was very Idaho cold that day n the 30's. Not sure exactly how I did it, but next thing you know the coil is kind of flopping. I have seen seen broken ears on X-Terra coils and heard of a couple on the Equinox coils, just like I have with Garretts, Whites and Fisher. The more popular a detector, the more that are out in the field, so the more we hear about it, but the % vs sold is actually pretty good. As I said, I have never broke an EQ or X-Terra ear, but did hear of a product that snaps in place and is supposed to beef it up. I think they run about $10. For $10 to those who feel they might run into issues, I think that's cheap insurance. So now I wonder? Do we want lighter coils as some folks have complained, or beefier ones? Either way, CoilTek coils come with a 2 year warranty.

I do quite a bit of water hunting each time I get to MX, Bahamas and HI. I have used larger coils and do get better depth for the heavy gold or platinum rings. But the weight of the coil in water is not an issue. We can all move heavier objects in water than on land and I can move a heavy coil in water easier than on land just as well. One thing to mention most don't realize, unless they do it. The heavier coil does not get tossed around in the moving surf as easy as a lighter coil and the heavier coil seems to snug the bottom better, allowing for best depth. These pics were of me using the 14x9" coil for the CTX 3030 on a MX hunt a few years back. On a side note, I agree with Trevor. If you want best depth. then go the lighter 15" round coil. Just so those who don't know, I have all 3 versions on order and waiting for them to arrive.

Heck Lunk, Your post with the testing is almost good enough to be it's own post, but maybe Steve feels it's best here. Either way, with performance like that in CANCEL Mode of all things and a DD coil is most impression. So they are not joking when they say it will find smaller gold than a GPZ-7000. Also looks like the box is different coloring than what we seen from Africa. Thanks for taking the time for the informal testing, pictures, questions and posting for us here on Detector Prospector. Just another reason why I enjoy having you on my team.

You know me well and know my Field Staff and I used to get to test Minelab detectors before they came out. That seems to be Minelab of past and all I can do is scratch my head? Maybe if enough folks complained to Minelab USA, someone there might actually get a "light bulb" moment?

I can confirm the US version with have 11" round mono and 14" round DD. I'm most certain the US is only getting 1 battery. As I get more info that I am allowed to share, I'll keep you/DP updated.

Heck Steve, Your getting me all hot/bothered. Keep it up and I'll even shave/shower for you. Of all the high end gold detectors my Field Staff and I have used/sold, this has me foaming the most. I'm getting all buggy eyed. My Pre Order list is not what I would have expected, but I guess most are waiting to see what others have to say. Contact www.gerrysdetectors.com and YES as a VET myself I offer the 15% discount to Military.

I used to do quite a bit of day trips out of a backpack and on occasion a 3 day trips. These were a few yrs ago when my back was good. Here are some of the items I enjoyed taking along and in no particular order. Breakfast was instant hot oatmeal and my JetBoil compact cooker had water boiling in 60 seconds. It was also nice to enjoy a hot Ramen Noodle in the evening. If I was not up for a quick cooking, just slam a Protein Drink and go. Day munchies included individual cheese (will last a week without refrigeration), Slim Jims/Jerky, Trailmix and figs. Dinner was individual Beef Stew packets, or Tuna/Chicken packets and half a bagel with peanut butter. In fact to this day I carry most everything in the pics in my truck 24/7 except the cheese. As other have mentioned, a water purification straw is nice as well. If available, I like to take stream water and use powdered Gatorade for hydration. Today I usually have my truck within reach and like to keep a bag of apples or oranges. The fruit/vegetable that holds the most water is a cucumber 96%, and they actually last a few days in the field. But some folks are not into their flavor. The next best thing most people enjoy is a watermelon and it is 92% water and very good for you. Only problem is that size and weight of watermelon, so I keep it at the truck. Field Knowledge - FIGS.. One of the best fruits for you, very high in natural sugars. They prevent cramps and optimize hydration. Figs are a true superfood, containing antioxidants, vitamins and minerals like Potassium and Magnesium. Potassium also helps balance out sodium concentration in your blood to lower blood pressure. Water - and plenty of it. Hard to take gallons with you on a pack, but if you are in desolate areas, I'd make sure water is with you at all times. Now when I detect with good friends. I make sure Chef Rusty comes along. As long as his trailer can get there, we'll have eggs/bacon/hash browns toast or waffles in the morning. His famous burgers with fresh sautéed mushrooms, or cheese stuffed bacon wrapped jalapenos, or chicken cacciatore, or prime rib and twice baked potatoes. He has the best baked beans you'll ever get your lips on and don't dare even think of asking for the recipe. He finishes the evening with a plate of warm berry pie and old fashion vanilla ice cream. At Chef Rusty's camp, all I'll bring is a roll of toilet paper and a bottle of antacids. Oh...and my electric blankie, favorite snuggy pillow. At my age, I'm leaning more towards the Chef Rusty style of camping.

I've sold thousands of GPX detectors and have yet to hear/see this problem. I would have thought the switch was bad, but you said it was sent in to Minelab, so that would have been checked. In the meantime, I recommend disconnecting the power supply when in travel ( to/from ) the detecting site.