Reg Wilson

I have to agree with Steve on this one. I can't for the life of me see how anyone could give it five stars. I have been detecting since 1979 and have yet to use a detector which would rate five stars. The GPZ definitely has a depth advantage over every thing else so far, handles most ground types, and has good signal response and definition. The negatives are, obviously weight, poor screen, very high price, and poor build quality and reliability with some machines. While I was lucky with with my GPZ and got one that functioned beautifully, some of my friends were not so lucky, and had all manner of problems, some of which were resolved either by being returned to Minelab, the introduction of the 'magic ring' and the little dance that accompanied it, or a soft ware up date. Not really good enough. I give it a 4 star rating because of the above. (PS I sold mine)

I would like to begin this review with a bit of background. A couple of years ago I received a phone call from an old prospector that I had not seen since since the late 1980s when I was involved in testing a prototype pulse induction detector developed by Bruce Candy, one of the original Minelab team. I had tested one of Bruce's earlier VLF prototypes of the GT16000, in the process of which I turned up a 98 oz nugget in a patch of over 300 ozs. It was while I was in London that I picked up a newspaper and read of a new type of metal detector developed by Eric Foster of Pulse Induction Technologies. This detector was finding Celtic gold treasures at depths not achievable with VLF machines. Naturally I was quite excited and on returning to Australia, then to Adelaide, passed on the information to Bruce. Some months later I had a PI prototype from Bruce in my hands.....and the rest is history. My old prospector acquaintance explained to me that he had met a most interesting electronics 'wiz', who had developed over many years a very compact pulse induction detector, and that he needed someone with experience and credibility to test it for him. Naturally I was curious and the introduction was made. I visited Mr. Howard Rockey who lived not far from me, just out of Ballarat, one of the worlds most famous gold towns. He was a very friendly man who impressed me with his enthusiasm for his project. After showing me his detector (which I must admit looked a little simplistic and perhaps unfinished) we proceeded to his back yard for a demonstration. He had a tiny piece of gold in a clear plastic pill bottle which he tossed onto his lawn. I noticed all the electric wires in the area and thought, "this will be interesting". He turned on the detector, did a quick ground balance whilst explaining to me that his detector was manual GB, then swung it over the target. The response was crisp and very positive, and I have to admit I was a bit taken aback. I then had a play with the machine myself, moving the target to different positions and distances from the coil. I noticed that it ran smoothly despite all the obvious electronics in the area. He explained that it even ran smoothly inside the house. I left Howard's home with a prototype and over the next few weeks the machine received extensive testing as I familiarised myself with the different settings and mannerisms of the QED. It was quite different to the detectors that I had been used to - it achieved the required performance through procedures new to me. The more I used it, the more I liked it. As its functions became more familiar, my confidence grew. Out in the field, the first small bit of gold turned up after a few days, and I then knew that this was a viable gold hunting machine. The current PL2 QED is quite an improvement on that first prototype (which I still have and prize greatly) as it has better balance and has some additional features. The mode has been extended, and auto ground balance added (not auto ground tracking). The battery system is now lighter and charging much easier than the earlier version. The controls can be accessed with the thumb with one hand, making adjustments easy. I won't go through the functions here as that information can be found within the operations manual, but I will give a few reasons why I enjoy using this detector. Firstly, it is very light and well balanced - I give the machine a very high rating for its ergonomics. Secondly, the target response is extremely positive even on tiny targets, and when fitted with a small mono coil it performs as good if not better than other specialist small gold detectors. Thirdly, although small in size it does not lack power when matched with even very large coils, and comes close to matching even the most expensive of the bigger heavier detectors, punching surprisingly deep. In summing up...this is not the perfect detector...nor is any other detector I have ever used to this point. The QED suits my detecting style in that I can use any size coil I wish for different circumstances, covering more ground while prospecting new areas. I know that with its sharp signal response I will miss very little. I am confident that this machine will also do the 'low and slow' hunting out of deeper and more elusive targets in previously proven ground. 3/2021 Update - Quality Issues

Andy, disappeared 'like straw in the wind'.

Big companies that have virtually monopolized a market become arrogant. Profit, profit, profit. Minelab is now Codan. Made in Malaysia.

There is QED being used here in Vietnam where I am at the moment. It has a sand detecting mode and is being used as a beach detector with great success.

Will do Rob, I have always tried to stay up to date with the latest developments detector wise, and have made a good buck in doing so. I love competition, and we need it to keep the market leaders from being complacent, and think they can get away with flogging us recycled military equipment that they think that we will accept and be grateful for.

The new Russian coils are very interesting as testing here in Australia seems to conclude that they surpass the ML GPZ coils in depth and are lighter. Some are already in the field here and people that I have spoken to who are using them are certainly singing their praises. Initial testing of the prototype GPX coil indicated superior performance, although a bump sensitivity problem has seen the coil returned to Russia to have this problem resolved. The coils are branded X coils, and although not cheap, they are less expensive than ML.

Rob Allison, just wondered if you have ever used the said 19" coil and what are your impressions? I realize you are a dealer, and therefore have a vested interest, but your opinion based on experience would be appreciated.

If we ever get to meet Paul, I am confident I could change your mind. I think you may have spent too much time in Aussie 'redneck' country.

Most ground I have encountered will not tolerate Normal mode.

phrunt, limited R&D budget.

Where did you get that picture? It's supposed to be secret.

Minelab agents recommend not scraping. I was told by one 'expert' at the gold expo in Bendigo at the weekend that it was not the thing to do. Jin, I have a slightly used bridge in Sydney that you may be interested in purchasing.

phrunt, you probably believe Superman is real.

Speaking from experience, they will be lucky to get 10% above bullion. America is not the market it used to be, the Chinese seem to be the best buyers these days. Mind you, Perry is a gold buyer, so maybe he has some good contacts up his sleeve. Good prices have been paid by people wishing to launder black money, however they won't buy gold that has received the publicity that this piece has.

phrunt, the boots illustrated are the exact ones I wear and swear by. They are the ones you want.

phrunt, you could have found it with a pointy stick mate. The EXCAVATOR found it. If you like those sort of programs (totally staged) then you are easily entertained. I can't watch them. REALITY TV!!! Yeah, right. Just embarrassing.

Having an excavator helps. You need to find gold when running expensive equipment.

Oliver elastic sided. Been using them for years. The best for sure. No metal, comfortable, light weight, and they handle the old prospecting 'side scrape' without ever having the sole come loose. A pair lasts for years.

I recall a big nugget found in California a few years back. It was called the 'Washington' Nugget, and sold for $460,000.

Norvic, not sure what ails NE, but it aint ales. Probably neads a good nugget fix.

Dave, the Quest setup has become my system of choice. Matched to my Bose noise cancelling earbuds, it is the 'ducks guts'.

Now there's your problem NE. A man needs a drop of 'inspiration' to set his mind free, and to give him the imagination to go hunt where others have not. Besides that, a man without any form of vice is as boring as bat droppings.

You'll never make from Kiwi land mate.

Paul, it's my shout at my place.....I make my own.