Gold Catcher

I always have long sleeve shirts for sun protection. These work really well: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07JFPXBJM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 As for the hat, I went with MN's recommendation, excellent choice: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07SPZ6237/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 My temperature limit for detecting is 100 deg F (38 deg C), unless it's cloudy then I can go up to 105. That's where most I know quit. Jasong, get used to desert prospecting, these temperatures are normal for AZ/CA/NV unless you only go hunting in winter time. No pain no game. 😁

Thanks for the brief preview. Looking forward to read more. How were you able to get a hold on the 6000? Did ML send you one? Good luck for the "surgery". I am sure your patient will survive and be well. 😁

Thanks, Northeast. Great review! When you compare Normal vs. Difficult do you think you loose a lot of sensitivity in Difficult? You said you still heard the small stuff well, even with the 14DD/difficult? I don't mind hearing targets a bit softer as long as the threshold is stable. PS: Finally someone who likes listening to the threshold like me 🙂 Don't like it gone.

That's why I tend to always go back to places where I found gold before. I know this is not always a smart thing to do, but in the desert finding areas that consistently make your jar rattle are not easy to find. When I get adventurous I often get skunked...

100% agree. In fact, IMO knowing where to look based on extensive research and knowledge about the location is perhaps 80% of what it takes to find gold. The detector, and how to operate it properly, contributes to perhaps 20% or even less. Many do this wrong and barely find anything. This was my mistake when I started years back. Not that now I find fistfuls every time I go out, but at least consistently, albeit mostly small stuff. I am sure I won't beat Steve though, nor will I ever. 😉

The SDC will always remain a key member of my fleet. Not only because I hike a lot and it folds completely in my backpack, but also because it's superb performance in difficult mineralized terrain, such as small washes close to bedrock. The small 8 inch coil also will get to places where the 11 inch won't fit. 3 inch is a significant size difference. Just like the 7000 has it's terrain where it will dominate, so has the SDC. The 6000 is somewhere in between and rather is a 7000 light than a SDC successor, from all that has been reported thus far. Regarding gain, I hardly ever run the SDC beyond 3. The threshold gets so unstable that I will not hear faint targets anymore and I miss gold. Tested this many times with small nuggets in depths >= 3 inch. Gain 2 or maybe 3, combined with headphones and SP01, that is where the SDC performs at it's best IMHO.

Although I totally get Steve's point, I still will hold on to my 7. It is just such an awesome machine that has found me good gold in the past (albeit probably not by Australian standards..). For some situations it will remain the Undisputed champion of the world, even for non-professional Prospectors.

What amazes me is that despite all the poverty it is still the biggest ML market. Interesting topic, thanks for brining this up Mitchel.

Here a list of the average annual income per country. In 22 countries the annual income is below what the 6000 costs, including all in Africa. https://www.worlddata.info/average-income.php

I think people over there are just from a different mindset. If they are successful finding gold they will hide and not tell due to fear. Sadly, this region of the world is highly unsafe and the last thing people probably care about is chatting on social media about their 6k detectors which is more than the average annual salary for many. It is striking though, the largest market for ML is essentially silent like a black hole. I always wanted to visit Africa. Unfortunately, for me it will be Discovery channel only. The risk for me and my family would just be too high.

Fascinating Gerry. I see many good applications for VLF's, and I use mine mostly in trashy areas where I need an iron meter, or for bedrock scrubbing if the mineralization allows it. But gold of that size missed by high end PI's/ZVT that only a VLF can see? Why do you think that is? There clearly is something that I don't know yet about VLF's. Thanks for your inspiring posts.

If I had to choose only one I would stick with my 7000, no question. For 7000 owners the 6000 is a "nice to have". I would even say a "really nice to have" for the reasons others have already stated. And yes, I still love my SDC, this machine remains a "must have" for me, just like the 7000. I would never give it up!

Thanks mate. You have seen many generations of detectors and such positive words from someone seasoned like you weigh heavily. Of course, the question that GPZ owners will have is whether or not the 6000 would add significant value for those who use X-coils on their GPZ. Since I am not in that camp (yet) my answer is definitely yes! And I can't wait to finally have mine. But if I had a smaller X-coil already, would I want to spend 6k US? The weight difference alone might not justify such an investment, and the ergonomics of the Z is pretty good already. And unless Geosense would see things the Zed/X can't, what would be the striking argument?

You are right, Norvic. For some reason I just can't jump over my shadow just yet. But this could all change when I come into your neck of the woods 😁

What an interesting turn this discussion has taken. Some people might have been right all along then, when all this started. Me, I am just disappointed that no authorized and ML-endorsed procedure exists to have the plug made, by an authorized ML repair shop, including warranty. Sure, do it yourself obviously works for many and this is great for them. However, I am one of these guys who does not take any chance with a 10k investment but rather trust the engineers who built it the way it is. I am on the NF12 waiting list (will it ever come to the US?.....) and will get my 6000 any day now. I hope I won't have a huge disadvantage then, only because I am relying on products that are made by professionals without the need for helping out myself.

Agreed. In HY/Normal the gain of the Z can be lowered substantially with not much impact on target signal strength (I sometimes go as low as 4...), although I then boost with Volume a bit. The 6000 also has Volume control, but it would be really good to know if this is just threshold volume or target strength Volume like on the Z. If the latter, then lower gain on the 6000 could equally be compensated by increasing the Volume a bit. But I doubt this is the case. It just might be the threshold Volume.

That would be interesting to know. How much can the sensitivity on the 11 mono be lowered to still have an edge over the 14 DD under EMI conditions?

All my best wishes Norm. Never give up! I work in healthcare and I can tell you that nothing can be predicted with absolute certainty. Many times patients with a terminal disease live way longer and reasonably well than what was forecasted. It is actually not rare at all. I wish you strength for the days ahead!

It might not look like a 5000 but I believe a lot of 5000 elements (timing/settings combinations) were incorporated into the automation algorithms of the Geosense. I am sure Steve and JP can speak to it.

And I will bring good espresso 😁

Amazing story! I always liked the smell of eucalypts oil. Now I know why!

Amazing. I always suspected gold is also growing on trees in Au.

I am a contrarian: i still like all of that! But also will enjoy the 6000.

Although good to see the first "test comparison", I would caution to rush to early judgements. There is so much more that needs to be considered when comparing machines and performances that I doubt such a simple test will serve justice. The 7000 stands out in so many aspects that are not considered in the simple test experiment shown in the video.

One thing ML is really good at is to diversify their machines to fit various needs. IMO all current models have individual applications that are not matched by any other ML model. There never will be one-fits-all detector, ever. But what the 6000 appears to do is to sum up all that has been learned from the 5000, GM and SDC to feature an intelligent automated machine in a light weight format. To me, a good day prospecting is not just measured by how many grams I have recovered (if any...), but rather whether I had fun and a good overall experience. The 6000 appears to be perfect for that. But of course, I am in the fortunate position to have multiple options to choose from, based on the circumstances and how I feel that day. It appears though the 6000 is thus far the most overreaching detector WRT to applications, also indicated by the fact that it is the only high-end ML detector that comes with coil options (aside the 19 inch for the Z). This tells you that it is supposed to be an all rounder, with emphasis on handling and smart automation. I am still really curious though if the Geosense technology will give you yet another niche not matched by any other ML detector. But to be honest, I would not really care if not.