1st of all, a big thank you goes out to all who responded to my starting post, taking so much time to research this minor but perplexing issue with the GB P. Being a newbie on any forum site can be sometimes a bit intimidating pertaining to certain subject matter. Honestly I am not terribly surprised by the genuine and warm welcome from your group. There just seems to be something about "Detectorists" that is more relaxed and easy going than some other subjects. In my estimation it is generally due to the nature of the hobby or sometimes venture itself. I guess our pace is somewhat slower and calming, possibly even I may go as far as to say therapeutic.
With that said, I have been lurking around your forum, others, YouTube, manufacturer's websites, seller's websites gathering as much information as possible of late, trying to get caught back up on technology. You guys do a great job on your content and the passion for detecting and prospecting shows through clearly.
I started detecting way back..early 1980s....back when Tesaro had exploded on the scene going full blast with new revolutionary lightweight, sensitive and easy to use uMax machines. Minelab was then the dream machine, heavy but great and still is over my pay grade. White's was right there at the time as well with the new ID display for relics. Bounty Hunter seemed to be a generic relic tool with a Cadillac muffler style component housing, overweight and under powered.
My 1st machine was a Tesaro Bandido uMicromax 12Khz with the 5" coil. Back then $439.00 was quite a chunk of change. My x wife was not too pleased about that buy. I loved the sleek and just plain cool look and feel of the uMax machine. I had some great memories and a few nice finds around the Montana Gold belt, Virgina City, Alder Gulch, Bannack area here just west of Yellowstone.
Time went by and life went in different directions, I ended up in the Fireworks business, retail sales then full public display operator. A few years ago a young fellow stopped by my retail outlet to get his yearly pyro fix and offered me more than I paid for the Bandido and without thinking.... I sold the complete set, brown case, apron with 2 coils. I regret that mistake to this day. So here I am....slowing down on fireworks as much as I love the business, starting over on detecting. Times have changed for certain technologically speaking, along with everything else. I don't believe anyone had a cell phone......back then...humm...
After being offered by my adventurist younger buddy now in Hope Arizona, to get the heck out of this bitter cold wilderness and have some fun in wintertime instead of freezing to death, I am starting over on detecting.
As far as i can tell the GB P is a nice machine for Gold, aside from a few minor details as the no backlit display and layout. Possibly replacing the famous GB II, with it's weight and power supply drawbacks. Gold is the main mission along with Meteorites on this adventure. My price range for a Gold machine is $550.00 tops, so that puts me in the Fisher GB P category. That is unless anyone on here has a better suggestion. One thing I have learned about electronics and technology is "Now Is The Best Time To Wait".
Thanks Again For Your Help,
P.S.
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