Gold Catcher

Then you are surely used to chirpy tresholds...😉. I run mine barely past 3 ever

The target signal strength is dependent upon the distance of the target from the coil. If you reduce sensitivity, you will less and less hear deep targets until they will disappear altogether. Hence, if you reduce gain, as we are talking about here, you will more and more miss deep targets. They are not just getting "softer", at some point they are gone. In order to counteract the weakening signal with depth you need to increase power (Rx), not reduce it. My question was how the 6000 measures up with this general rule at low gain compared to others. The general term "depth" means how accurate targets can be heard until the signal is so weak that the amplification can't get it through the treshold anymore. Something that depends of course on many other factors as well, including target time constants and mineralization. Here, I see the Geosense technology could have an edge, meaning that it could still "hear" weak signals better at lower gain compared to others.

How is depth impacted by reducing sensitivity in your experience? I can still hear shallow targets remarkably well at low gain and enjoy a stable treshold at the same time, but I suspect depth will be significantly impacted.

This is my viewpoint 100%. The coil and detector are one integrated part that are synchronized by fine-tuned engineering. This is different to the old days (5000) as the electronics get more and more sophisticated. I don't think any competitor has ML-level engineering capabilities to come up with their own after-market versions that are at par with ML-quality.

The strongest argument to be skeptical for any non-ML endorsed aftermarket coils IMO

All good points. I just don't think having any competitor involved (i.e. coils) would be aligned with ML's vision going forward, aiming to be exclusive. You are supposed to stick what they offer, or with what they allow on a very selective basis (see NF-ZSearch). At least the 6000 has 3 coils from the get go (IMHO a good package) and availability is the only issue at the moment (for both detector and separate coil for that matter). Being exclusive as a strategy, and not allowing others to eat some of their lunch, is their prerogative as being the only real player in town. Like it or not. Demand for ML products appear to be stronger than ever, so what's wrong with their business concept? You can always go somewhere else if you think you can remain competitive in the gold fields... 😉 If I could swing a magic wand I would want them to purchase one of the leading Au coil manufacturers, beef up the manufacture capabilities and then seriously engage in offering more coils for their fleet, all protected by chip that would be fine by me. This will take some investment but would play out well in the long run IMO. Some may say that this would also make a more compelling argument to buy their detectors to begin with (if they would need any more arguments for that matter-but I can see the point).

Big backpacks are great for hiking to the location of interest, but when it comes to actual detecting you don't want to have heavy gear on your body. Important to me is to just have enough essentials on me that I can do productive detecting/digging without having to gear up and down every time. Ideally, everything stays on all the time. And If you plan a 8 hour detecting day with strict coil control and digging deep holes in between there is no way you can have all that stuff on your body, especially in a hot climate. Heavy harnesses or anything that covers up too much surface of your body while detecting/digging will add to fatigue and misery. This is one reason I don't like the ML harness. By the time you put the harness on an attached all the gear and perhaps even added a hydration backpack on top of it (where else could you carry the water) you will look more like an astronaut who is barely able to move. Add the 7000 to it with a big coil and your detecting day won't last long 🙃

I have various configurations based on the mission. Battle belt with pick holster, tool pouch and 2 small attached molle pouches for small stuff. Then, either Camelbak Ambush or HAWG with 3L bladder and Hipstick attached. I love the HAWG but when temperatures push 40 deg C I don't want any backpack.

Running Auto 1/Normal, headphones

I have no EMI issues where I hunt. In fact, I think it performs really well even with the 11 mono, better than the SDC or Z. But it requires operator discipline. Again, a price for ultra sensitivity while managing a wide variety of ground conditions.

Thanks, I will have it read. I think it will definitely capture more depth than the SDC, but my first impression is that the primary focus appears to be shallow to medium depth, at least with the 11 in. It is an absolute killer there. In contrast, the Z was primary designed for power and depth outright. Lets see how the 17 in will measure up compared to the Z in depth. Our aussie mates should be able to tell, I think it's already available there but I could be wrong. My guess is that in mild soil the 17 in mono should punch deep. For high mineralization however the ZVT could have an edge with DOD or concentric

This is what I found as well. However, this might only be true for shallow gold. My suspicion is that with sensitivity 1 you will take a significant hit with depth. I will test this these days. Although the 6/11 is not designed for outright depth, it nevertheless should be somewhat useful for deeper gold as well. But this will of course be more of an issue when using the 17 inch coil where dialing back on gain might defeat the purpose of using a big mono.

And I thought California was bad...

I think it really depends on the perspective and expectation what to find, LL. I am fine with smaller finds as long as I learn something about the area and my machines. Now, if you go for larger gold patches with the potential for higher return then this is a different story, and I am with you completely. I just hear way too often that all gold is gone from a certain place while I (and others) still find some. But as I said, it all depends on the goals you set. For instance, on Friday I will be back at Big Bear to hunt an old patch with the 6000 at mild temps. My goal is to have a pleasant hunting day without heat and perhaps find what I did not find with the 7000 before. So, I have rather modest expectations and little can make my day 😁

There is always gold left somewhere. I have not yet seen an area that has been completely depleted by detectorists, with the exception perhaps of very small club claims. But normally, the area ratio of land/coil is just way to big. Even at Majuba placers I find gold most of the times I go there, albeit granted much less than years ago. And this area is probably one of the most pounded areas on Earth...😉

Interesting perspective, thanks Norvic! Let's hope that this sun cycle will not just bring more EMI, but also a rich yield of gold nuggets for all brave members on this forum

What I like about the 7000/Bogene's is that you can run the machine with full bore while still minimizing EMI via treshold reduction (or via additionally dialing in high smoothing if you want to take a hit-I like that options less). I guess for the 6000 this is not possible and you have to reduce sensitivity in threshold-off mode to get the same effect. This appears to be an advantage for the 7000 where you have these settings to play with.

Thanks, JP. How do the Normal and Difficult timings affect bigger gold at depth on the 6000/11 or the 17 in? I guess most 6000 users still want to keep an eye out for deeper/bigger gold as well, although the focus of the 6000/11 clearly is shallow(er) gold. I see this as the biggest difference to the 7000/14 or 7000/NF, which appear to cover more depth as well while still maintaining a fair amount of sensitivity for small/shallow gold (especially with the NF-depending on settings), albeit probably not at the 6000 level.

Goler Gulch still has good spots but not accessible by ATV. The easy gold is gone, you need to hike to some areas to get rewarded. Best to do in winter. But don't ask me to show you where they are. I still want to grab some more with the 6000 😉 GC PS: I am a member of Taft, PCSC, GPAA and a few others. Their claims are mostly around Benson Gulch, not Goler. The inner portions of Goler are not club claims.

Thanks. So it's not like with the 7000 where you can essentially completely eliminate EMI with Bogenes settings. I guess here is where the more setting options of the 7000 come in handy.

Very nice, Lunk! Re EMI, did you try to run with threshold off?

Sounds good, then I don't have to bring any for an upcoming joined mission (hopefully in 2022) 😁🤠

There are. You have to work your way around them. There are still some spots to go

El Pasos have been heavily worked but gold is still there. Check out Goler Gulch about 3 miles in, past the "narrows". You need to hike though. Bring plenty of water. And you don't need a jacket 🤪

Well said Norvic! Bogenes is always my friend of last resort. A good friend I shall say, in particular for the 7000. I always put coil tape around the 11 inch, not something I am keen to do but it helps in keeping the dirt out. Also, since there seems to be no spare skid plates available in the US I am careful because I usually change the cover when I clean the coil, and thenit just does not fit anymore tightly once it has come off once. Would love to have a coil cover of yours. Would be willing to trade for exquisite espresso from Italy 😁