Gold Catcher

I think the reason I might have some more tolerance for it is that I was (and still am to some extend) a heavy SDC user, and that pretty much right from the beginning when it came out. I then added the GPZ and bypassed and never owned any of the older GPX models. Hence, a smooth stable threshold was never something I was spoiled with (aside from the screeching GB2 tone that probably cost me my sanity after years of hearing it...). I totally agree with you regarding threshold jittery of hot 6000 vs "hot" GPZ. When I use the GPZ after having spent the whole day using the 6000 it is very much noticeable how much more stable the GPZ is in the same ground/location. And that is at HY/Normal/Gain 15/ smoothing off ( however using the NF-Zsearch which appears to be more stable than the stock coil). Added benefit: less microscopic trash 🤩 GC

Hi Simon, when you dial back on gain to about 4 clicks and below the threshold becomes rock stable, almost like a smooth single tone with practically no variation. That is assuming "normal" ambient EMI conditions and no source on your body. For higher ambient EMI reduction to gain 2 or 1 will again make the threshold super stable. I don't have a video of it but could make one. The good news, only little sensitivity will be lost and most targets will stand out without any problem. In those cases I increase the volume on the detector and decrease it on my headset. Conversely, when I run on full manual gain or on auto+ I dial back the volume on the detector to one and increase my headset volume. The latter case helps me to get the machine a tat more stable (or better: helps my brain to process the jittery ground responses better). GC

What a bummer, all these reports about poor quality. My 6000 runs without any issues and I am very happy with it. It was one of the first ever to arrive in the US, perhaps the early production models where higher quality? Regardless, ML better fixes these issues before releasing a new flagship detector (or any new model for that matter). GC

I don't think I have ever found any gold on the surface of gravel bars. The low pressure deposits are usually all the way on the bottom, so dredging there would be better. Look for dry bedrock crevices, those that are sideways to the stream, not parallel. If there is hard compacted gravel-good, start cleaning them out and look all the way on the bottom. Also, sampling with the gold pan is helpful to orient yourself where gold has traveled. As Steve said, the area should be known for coarse larger gold nuggets. Sometimes, all there is is fine flood gold. Also, check higher up benches, if there are any. The GB2 is not easy to operate on bedrock which usually has a fair amount of mineralization, I use it more for very mild soil and shallow small gold. Just my 2 c. Good luck! GC

The 14 inch might also be a bit too big for this area. I usually use it more in the open field.

Thanks Jeff. No I have not tried the 14DD in this area, certainly worth a try. But from my previous times I have used the 14DD I can say that it remains remarkably sensitive to small gold, much more so than I would have expected. GC

Interesting thought, I just would be a bit worried about EMI creeping in. I usually keep the coil as flat over the ground as possible. GC

Hi Oneguy. Indeed, for these situations that you describe the SDC is a good choice IMO. And, it is still a reasonably good detector that finds gold, albeit with a much narrower focus. I just wish they would come out with a more modern and ergonomically friendly version, while still keeping the MPF or something similar (without going for brute force). The stand came with the control box cover. You just slide the rod stand through the sleeve. GC https://www.ebay.com/itm/154921735979?hash=item24120e172b:g:DB4AAOSwPcVVt30x

So, I went prospecting to mother Yuba (Sierra County), armed with the SDC. I went to a pretty trashy area that I had previously visited with the 6000. The problem with the 6000 in that area was that I had to stop literally every 20 sec to dig a target, mostly tiny pieces of trash. The enormous sensitivity of the 6000 is a god send, but it can come and bite you if you are in trashy areas. Even dialing back sensitivity all the way did not make any difference, as expected. I literally spent most of the time on my knees digging targets, almost thinking I should just remain on my knees and slowly crawl forward to scoop up all the tiny trash. Hence, this time I decided to use the SDC to have a PI detector with comparably lower sensitivity, just to make this a more productive day. Indeed, I was surprised (well not really..) how quiet the same area was with the SDC. Yes, here and there a few trash targets, but not nearly as bad as with the 6000. I could even walk for a few minutes without any target, something that would have been unthinkable with the 6000. I managed to pick up a couple of pickers, something I contribute to the fact that I was actually able to cover some ground, instead of having to stop constantly to dig small trash targets. So, bottom line, the 6000 remains my to go detector and it's performance is simply out of this world. However, there are instances where more sensitivity is not always a good thing. IMHO, this is another reminder of how different circumstances require different approaches and that there is not one single detector that fits all occasions. GC

The problem with this and the hoodie option is the heat. When you live in warmer climates (AZ, NV, CA) this will not work most of the times. GC

They work but I find them pretty shock sensitive. When you touch the cable they give an unpleasant banging sound in the ears. GC

The FBI? 🤣🤣 That's hilarious. Probably the dummest thing I havd ever heard. GC

I wish more people in this world would have this attitude. Instead of fighting stupid wars people should rather pick up a detector and go prospecting. Life is a gift and gold can be found if you are just trying hard. Not just the physical gold but also the gold that comes from a fulfilled life, while enjoying the beauty of nature, recognizing that all life forms should be respected, being a good dad (or mom) and making a difference for others. You are born naked and you will be buried in an old suit. Everything in between is up to you. GC

I am am headset guy. Makes me always a bit nervous when prospecting in the middle if nowhere and I don't hear what's going on around me. Desert is a bit better than thick forrest where you can't see whats coming at you (animals or crazy guys on drugs- plenty of them in some areas). GC

Would be unthinkable here in the US. Dogs are more valued and loved than most people, probably for good reason. GC

Wow, every other target gold. Never had anything close. I am there with Phrunt. If I am super lucky it's more like 1/10 to 1/15. GC

That's really good advice!

Looking forward to it, Gerry. The 6k is my every day detector and the best overall product, all things considered, that ML has ever made (IMHO). My 7000 is long out of warranty but since the NF Zsearch is a ML endorsed coil I speculate ML would still honor the detector warranty, even if I still had one. Interesting question though. I suppose the same will be true for the 6000 when the Coiltek and NF coils come out. Because they will be ML approved ML should still cover the detector warranties, even though you would then be using after market coils. The NF Zsearch is a huge upgrade for the 7000, I am in Rob's camp in this regard. Well, for that price it better be. 😉 Best, GC

Awesome write up, Gerry. Always inspiring! I agree with your comments about the 6k being the RP king, but to be fair it all depends on how you are using the 7000 and on how experienced you are with this machine. An expert 7000 user who knows all the settings inside out will be equally successful at RP IMO, especially with the NF Zsearch coil, unless in wet saturated conditions where the 6k/14DD will steel the show. GC

That happened to me several times. Slow scoop sweep and shaking the scoop before sweeping (so the heavies go to the bottom) usually always does the trick. Every scoop I repeatedly sweep slowly over the coil edge and also from different directions before I toss it. It takes a bit more time, but I have lost several targets by not being as careful like this. I also noticed at times an audio delay, which combined with sweep speed could contribute to loosing targets. It does not happen often though. GC

For me the 17 inch coil with the 6000 is more about ground coverage than depth. The nice thing is that the 17 inch is almost as sensitive as the 11 inch for small gold. But when it comes to outright depth I prefer the 7000 any day. The SDC with a bigger coil is a head scratcher to me. The MPF tech. is aimed for shallow small gold/mineralized ground. The 8 inch is perfect for that. So, why a big coil? I totally agree with you on that. The 6k, as it being called a super PI-GM, is also designed for shallow/medium depth (also as judged by the ML star chart). Hence, sensitivity to small gold at medium depth is one of it's biggest strength and no other detector can compete here. So, very large coils for depth would not make much sense (IMO). No doubt it can punch deeper too, but there it looses it's leading edge when compared with the 7000. Just my 2 c. GC

Sounds great! I wonder though whether they will be able to meet the huge demand. These coils might be really hard to get once they become available. I just remember how long it took for the NF Zsearch to reach the US market and that was just 1 coil. GC

Not for me. The SDC can handle dificult terrain including hot rocks exceedingly well. With all my enthusiasm for the 6k it is kind of sensitive to hotrocks, more so than the SDC (IMHO). There are also other reasons, i.e. foldability. GC

I bet the 10x5 will have the biggest demand. What a bomb this will be. GC

Thanks for sharing. I heard the O-ring on the battery compartment seal needs to be checked frequently. I have the first gen. SDC which has a lot of mileage since I bought it years back, so I hesitate a bit to submerge it. I am very sentimental with this machine as it has been my companion for countless expeditions and adventures. And it has found me good gold. It will take courage to submerge it, like pushing an old dog into the water who has never swam. GC