Libertas

Interesting! Will be useful when we eventually have a colony there.

Just a follow-up, I got out yesterday now that the snow has melted and the detector runs 100%. Thanks to all that helped with input. 

1 hour ago, flakmagnet said:

I put a cut-in-half section of pool noodle inside Doc's protective cover under the detector for extra cushioning. 
Also, I never treat that machine like anything other than the 7 to 10  thousand dollar item that it is. It's worth that extra few seconds to treat it well.
Picks on the other hand? I don't worry so much about.

 

A great idea! Thanks. 

You're right Steve and thanks for the parts link. I'll contact my local dealer for the 2008-005 replacement part. 

I opened the box. The data cable appeared to be slightly pulled out at the right side, but not by much: 

I cleaned and reseated it. I epoxied the battery locator pin back in place and it appears good to go. 

I'll get out in a few days and see if the issues are resolved.

Thanks for the help!

Thanks for that JP!👍 Since day one with the detector I have noticed that my WM12 audio sometimes drops out randomly as well. I used to build PCs, so reseating the mylar cable should be easy enough and hopefully solve both issues. 🤞

I have had GP machines from the Extreme to the 4500 and nothing has EVER broken despite thousands of hours in the field being banged around, in the back of my pickup and on ATVs over rough trails.

I noticed that my GPZ has started rebooting and loosing it's current setting whenever I lay it on the ground. I have used one of Docs protective covers since I bought it.

I took off the cover and found this:

It appears that one of the pins that holds the battery in position has sheared off likely causing the reboot issue:

Luckily the broken pin was still in my big Minelab protective bag:

I'll try to epoxy it back on and treat the detector as if it is made of glass from now on. I'll admit that I have occasionally let it drop to the ground from a foot or two when going to dig a target. An apparently very bad habit I acquired when using the GPs. No more..

I'll see if I can fabricate a pad for the broken stand since I don't see this part available from ML separately. 

I bought the machine used with about 10 hours of prior usage, so no warranty for me.

Just posting this so you guys won't have the same issue. 

2 hours ago, Elijah said:

Give the link

It's unfortunate that Minelab appears to have eliminated connector compatibility with the prior GPX coils. I talked to Chris Gholson. He is participating in a briefing with Minelab on 01/15. I suggested that he ask about this. 

It's pretty obvious in this video at 4:38 and 7:01 that the connectors are a new design:

I was able to get out for several hours to an old patch that has been hammered to death, is near power lines and has seen lots of shooting with lead, bullet jackets and fired casings everywhere. Found with the 7000 in Bogene mode. I was concerned about depth in this mode, but one of the pistol cartridge cases was a solid 24" down in sandy soil and was a delicate but obvious signal. My first pieces with the 7000! Total weight of 1.1 grams:

It is simply amazing to me how sensitive the 7000 is to tiny lead BBs and bullet shards:

Interesting looking pieces. Congrats!

Just a follow up - 

I have about 6 hours on the machine so far and have some observations/questions:

Yep, it's stupid heavy, but using the hip stick makes it tolerable for flat terrain. I can't see lugging it up and down hilly terrain & gullys like we have here in AZ searching for a patch, so my 4500 still has a purpose! Yep, I need to work out more, but my gym/pool has been closed since COVID started. 

Compared to the 4500 menu/switch arrangement, the Z is so simple! Not perfect, but a huge improvement. 

The screen is not bright enough in full sun. I made a screen shade out of duct tape. Problem solved & an easy solution. 

It has a pretty lively threshold, but target signals are relatively easy to delineate. I was on a heavily thrashed patch with power lines yesterday and had to use high audio smoothing to maintain my sanity. I'm going to try Lunks settings. Bogene’s configuration for high EMI with threshold at 1 and sensitivity at 20 is intriguing. Like super GM1K mode! I have not tried that yet. 

I have used the WM12 both with the speaker and with headphones. I was having audio blanking issues with the headphones, so I'll try cleaning the contacts and plug. Works fine with the headphones plugged into the machine directly. I love the wireless since the cable is not constantly getting tangled on all the thorny vegetation we have here in the field. 

The plastic latch to stow the guide arm is just a stupid design. Considering Doc's solution. I ordered his cover package and a ferrite from him as well. Do I really need the ferrite here in AZ? Our soils are not that difficult, although hot rock strewn. 

As to finds, no nuggets yet. I have found numerous trash targets at all depths. The sensitivity of the stock coil is simply amazing. I did find a 35 pound quartz boulder down about a foot with a substantial metallic signal. My GM1K screams on it as well. No visible metal. I need a bigger sledge hammer..

Anybody know how much more the GPZ 19 coil weighs compared to the stock 14”?

Thanks!

1 hour ago, Goldseeker5000 said:

I would love to hear more in depth store about the terrain you found them in. Was it forested, no forest, steep mountains or hills. We're they found on a ridge or in a wash or gulch bottom or side slope of a gulch. Discribe your surroundings and what you think or know was going on with the gold geologically without telling us the location. This is a fascinating story. Tell your story in detail, I am sure there are people here that might gain ensight from it .

The inside bend, side slope of a desert canyon about 200 feet above the existing stream bed. That's all I can share for now..

I was blessed to personally know Jim Straight years ago and spent a number of days detecting with him. Fine memories..

4 hours ago, Swegin said:

You can get these for under 6K US with full warranty. 

 

Where?

These are from CA, found several years ago on an isolated high bench. There were nuggets everywhere, despite having been detected by others who didn't know their machines or were swinging too fast. My detecting partner found 3 with his GP Extreme. Found with a GPX 4000 and 17" elliptical NF coil. The nuggets are 4.8 grams total, the speci is 5.6 grams:

3 minutes ago, Gold Catcher said:

I do it religiously. Hipstick and swing arm works magic for me and this is the only way I can apply comfortable and strict coil control with the "beast" for many hours. I never use the GPZ without it. I use a camelback (Ambush or HAWG) for my hipstick attachment/hydration/storage. The only problem: the pick needs to be in the holster when I am searching for a target (I need a third arm!). That can be a bit heavy on the belt. But it's a small price to pay.

That being said, like with everything else, this is just my personal setup and what works for me might not work for others.  I used the Pro-Swing harness for a while but it makes me uncomfortable, clumsy and sweaty while digging,  especially in the heat.

I solved this issue many years ago. I have always had a very big shovel style pick that was awkward to wear on a belt. I enclosed a large super magnet on the right shoulder strap of my backpack with duct tape so I can place the pick on my shoulder and it stays in place until I need it. I put some foam padding under duct tape on the pick handle for more comfort. The super magnet on top of the pick helps keep it in place as well. 

2 hours ago, phrunt said:

You have the same combination of detectors as I do, the GPZ is great and you'll be shocked the difference between it and your 4500.   I don't think it will complement your GPX 4500, you'll probably hardly ever use your 4500 ever again. 

Congratulations on your GPZ purchase.  There is endless information on the forum but it's so much easier to use and understand than the GPX anyway so I don't think you'll need to read too much before taking it out and finding some gold with it.

I've been watching every video I can find on it. Looks pretty simple to use compared to the 4500! 

8 minutes ago, mn90403 said:

Get a hip stick.

I have used one for many years with bigger coils on the 4500. How does it compare to the included Pro Swing 45 harness?

..and bought a used GPZ 7000. It will compliment my 4500, GM and Nox 800. Hopefully it will provide an edge on old hammered patches I know of. Guess I had better start lifting weights!

Any sage advice from the GPZ veterans here much appreciated.

Thanks.

Welcome!

I lived in SoCal until 2015 & could not handle the business/political environment there any longer. Luckily you live in an area of CA that might be Jefferson some day!

Tmox,

Is that your CA plate?

Mine:

Thanks for the warm welcome to all that posted!  I appreciate it.

My largest was found back within a year of my starting detecting in 2003. I found it with a GP Extreme with the big black DD coil that came with it while trying out the discrimination feature. This was a patch where I later found dozens of pieces ranging from .5 grams to .5 ounces. The area was full of iron trash and the GP blanked the signal identifying it as iron. I dug it anyway and boy was I surprised when this 29 gram specimen emerged from the 18" deep hole. I found the other pieces the same day:

Hi all. I've been detector prospecting since 2003, but I moved to AZ in 2015 and took some time away for business and other hobbies. I'm back at it for both gold and coin detecting.

Great to see all the good info here! I’m hoping to meet some other Roadrunner members in Yavapai county. 

Thanks!