phrunt

Not sure about selling it I'm pretty down on the whole thing, I've had a lot of people contact me saying I'm being too hasty giving up on it so quickly. JW's going to try his 11" on mine and see if it improves once his 11" comes back from warranty, it's going to be some time and the service agent and ML have no stock of it and he's going to use mine and see what he thinks by comparison to his and see if it is acting how it should, I just seem to have an endless battle with EMI no matter where I use it, I'm constantly pressing the noise cancel button over and over again to try make it stable, more often than not it just makes it worse. I was hoping by putting a smaller aftermarket coil on it then the EMI would improve, and also if my 11" has a problem this would resolve it. It just sucks having a detector you've got no confidence in. My Avantree Torus arrived yesterday and that will solve my speaker problem and the high pitched hiss in my headphones so that's a good start, I've quickly tested it and I can hear no high pitched hiss using it, so it's not the detector causing it, it's the dodgy headphones. My ML80's also didn't have the high pitched hiss when connected to the 6000. Mine works great with the 14" DD, perfectly in fact, I was for the first time happy with the detector when I put that coil on it. At this point if I want it fixed it has to have a fault, I don't know if it does anymore, it appears to work, I can send it in and leave it with them for weeks and see if they fault it, they're just a camera repair store in NZ for the service agent and they haven't been a service agent for that long, do I have faith they'll find any problems with it? No. You're probably right for their reasoning of locking down the coils like this, either way they win, they make money off each chip they sell and they get full control over what the aftermarket can make. Gone are the good old days of the older GPX series and freedom of coil designs. Those freedoms brought us some really good coils, various spirals and figure 8's and a wonderful range of shapes and sizes, one to suit everybody and their needs. I love my Coiltek Joey and the 11' Coiltek AI coil. Excellent coils.

They'd have to pay ML for access rights to the chip, increasing the cost of aftermarket coils significantly. Here in NZ to buy the Coiltek 15" Nox coil you had the pay half the price of a new Nox to get it, about $150 more than the 15" ML Coil. Because of this very few people bought it. I don't blame the coil makers like Coiltek for this, it's the extra costs involved with them having to pay to use the chip and jump though these hoops to provide coils, sort of a licensing fee. I'm just thankful they're able to make coils for it, we don't need another completely locked down detector and with the Nox the little 10x5" which was the more affordable of the range turned into a big success for three reasons, it's price was reasonable and it works well and it's a size people really wanted. Minelab worked out they couldn't stop aftermarket coils, so they worked out a good way they can make money out out the aftermarket guys making them. None of it is ever to the benefit of the end user. For the 6000 for once I'm on the happy side as the aftermarket coils are sizes I like and prefer, this time it's the Aussies missing out as they mostly prefer the bigger sizes. For the US users you'd think any of the small coils coming available along with the stock sizes would just about cover everything they'd need, perhaps a smaller DD would be handy too for high EMI and general use with 14" being a bit big, I'd love a little DD.

I think it doesn't matter which one you buy, you'll always wonder if the other one would have been better. That's at least how my brain works 🙂 I had to get them all then I decided which I prefer based upon my needs and what I like about a detector. Actually I didn't bother with the SDC as I had enough evidence I'd be wasting my money on that one. Getting something like a 4500 or 5000 along with the 6000 makes some sense as you can throw a decent size coil on it if you want too for the extra depth and that maybe your best move and possibly what I'd do in your situation, but if you were to believe Minelab's marketing and their star chart you'd see the older GPX series is not near as deep as the 7000 or even the 6000. Sorry to throw a spanner in the works, but don't read too much into that chart. One thing I will add, weight is subjective, some people seem to care a lot more than others that's for sure and the 6000 weighs 2.1 kg (4.6 lb) with the 11" coil, the GPZ weighs 3.32 kg (7.32 lb) including GPZ 14 coil, is that a big difference to you? To some it clearly is as they focus a lot on the weight, to others it's not. I don't think weights the problem so much as RSI, repetitive strain is going to happen with either detector so if you're concerned about weight so much you'd want to use a bungee with both detectors if you're using them a lot and then when rigged up like that weight isn't really an issue anymore with either as it takes the weight away. If you're on hilly rough ground where you have to do the heavy lifting the lighter weight of the 6000 makes more of a difference than smooth ground and in that case it is the better choice. I think standard packages out of the box the 6000 might be your best bet for what you want to use it for, is there a service agent nearby? Might come in handy if there is. The 19" GPZ coil is one of Minelab's biggest mistakes, the only people that seem to use or approve of it are those selling it. I really don't think you'd want to use that coil. I rarely hear of anyone using it and many people have it, I've never used mine but I'm not in an area suitable for it, even if I was I would never use it. The 7000 is no harder to use than the 6000, in fact I find it much easier as it's better behaved and it doesn't take a genius to work out the settings. You're not making a mistake which ever you choose, it's not like there are other brands to choose from anyway. You could just pick up a working used GPX 4500 and start with that and see if you think your mission is even going to work out before spending more money, it's not all that far behind the others for what you're wanting to use it for.

Has it gone unnoticed both manufacturers are just making smaller coils for it, and both are making 3 coils each, and both are doing different sizes to each other? coincidence? 😄 It's not their fault! If they wanted to go rogue and make whatever coils they want they wouldn't get the chip. That's the world we live in.

A great story to sit down and read while sucking down a coffee, thanks for the post.

I lift big rocks with my pick all the time, if I had magnets on it like that pick in the photos they'd break the first time I use it.

Another vote for drilling it into the bottom of the handle, putting it on the pick end is doomed for failure, it'll either break with you using the pick in rocky areas smashing it or fall off from the shock of hitting the pick on the ground/rocks all the time. Don't just stick it onto the end of the handle, it'll get damaged, drill a hole in the handle the size of the magnet and recess it into the handle so its protected and just put some decent glue holding it in there. Some magnets have a screw hole you can use to hold it in too.

I can relate to that, I struggle to pinpoint with the 6000 on tiny targets, I can't just tilt the coil on it's side to use as a pinpointer like I do with the GPZ as it goes mental on me telling me off for lifting the coil off the ground and tilting it, sounds like a UFO crossed with a police siren almost every time I do it 🙂 the nose of the 10x5" should help with pinpointing.

My interest in smaller coils is always they can go where the bigger coils can't, they're a necessity here really. If it's not rocks, uneven ground or long grass its damn thyme and briar rose bushes making larger coils just useless and if my GPZ was using the standard coil I'd be so excited about the 6000 and I'd even be more forgiving with its shortcomings.. Usually the larger coils will get a response on the same size targets as smaller coils in the case of the GPZ and likely the GPX 6000, but based off my experience with the GPZ the smaller coils will add significant depth to the smaller bits over the larger coil and I'd expect it to be the case with the 6000 too. Sometimes a small nugget that has to rub on the coil on the larger coil will give a number of inches of depth on a smaller coil and this is where I notice the most difference between the larger/smaller coils. I rarely find a target with the smallest of coil with the GPZ that the standard coil will give no response at all on, it's all about the depth you will find that target with the smaller coil over the larger one. In the case of the 10x5" Coiltek with bundle wound windings we can expect to see a large boost at the edges of the coil, the GPX 11" coil already has hot edges with it's semi spiral windings, imagine all that wire being pushed right up at the edge of the coil how much more powerful the edges are going to be, so the 10x5" should excel in rocky areas or detecting down into crevice like cracks in bedrock where you'll be able to push that edge down in there. The smaller mono may pick up less EMI than the 11" too which would be a nice bonus as I'm constantly battling EMI with the 11" that I didn't even know was there with the GPZ. JW already pointed out to me when he purchased his 6000 it was finding bits his GPZ combo missed because of the edge sensitivity up against rocks the 6000 has over the 7000, that edge sensitivity will be even further enhanced by the Coiltek 10x5" being bundle wound so I don't see that as a negative for that coil at all and I think it or another brands smaller size coil is almost a necessity for me to get the most out of the 6000 in my area, so I'm going to try every brands smaller coil but being different sizes each will have a time I want to use them. They may be enough to make me want to keep my 6000.

Jim didn't do all that many posts, but when he did they were an education. Lots of the long time detector users are happy to share their knowledge to help others, and it's always been encouraged on this forum and the forum has thrived because of it. I'm sure he is fine, perhaps life got in the way, maybe he's found a great silver hunting spot and it's consuming his time. 🤞 We certainly aren't ready for a guard changeover yet, far too much knowledge is locked up in the older members brains that us younger guys are completely unaware of for that to be the case. I've got far too much to learn yet for any of the older members to kick the bucket so I won't allow it, nobody is going anywhere!

I prefer the 7000, but it's really up to the end user, I've had a bad run with my 6000 which doesn't help. This statement you've said goes for both, although I think more so for the GPX than the GPZ "Takes more skill. One must work slower and more methodically. Keeping good coil control, paying attention." I don't think you'll see a big coil for the GPX, the aftermarket guys have already demonstrated that with their planned coil releases. I'd be very surprised if there was ever a big coil for it.

You can identify Chinese coins here https://www.calgarycoin.com/reference/china/chinaid.htm#square hole My Detech Arrow gives me similar depth on my AT Gold as the stock AT Gold 5x8" coil on a coin size target.

Here is the guts of the 11" mono GPX coil, thanks strick. Is this what the GoldHawk windings look like?

A little bundle wound 10x5" on the GPX should be a killer coil, the 8" on my GPZ is bundle wound and fantastic for small gold performance. I'm betting the Coiltek 10x5" will be the same, not only that being bundle wound the edges with the GPX 6000 power on small gold are going to be crazy sensitive to up around rocks more so than if it was semi spiral. I'm not overly interested in the other sizes but the 10x5" is going to be good I think.

Thanks for your prompt reply Trevor, looks like I'll be trying out a 10x5" once my dealer gets 'em.

My motto is buy the best you can afford as you'll save money in the long run, the higher end detectors have higher resale value too if you want to throw in the towel on the hobby, you can barely give a Simplex away here now, prices have bottomed out now the Legend is out where as the competitions multi freaker entry levels still get good prices on the used market. Nokta could just about discontinue every detector they sell now the Legend is out, with just a gold prospecting model and an entry level model still required in their lineup, and they basically have done that already. Soon the Simplex may get replaced with a MF to stay in the game with the competition that two of which are already offering that. I wouldn't invest any money in a single frequency coin detector even if it allows you to change that frequency now, it's all multi from here on in.

It's great you were able to track him down Lanny. I'm also a bit worried about Jim Hemmingway, he's disappeared off the radar too. I hope he's OK.

You must be starting to feel a bit grumpy you spent so much time with your 4500 now 🙂 I don't yet have confidence in the 6000, I think that'll come when I have aftermarket coils for it, I'm really struggling with the 11", it's just so unstable and noisy and having to noise cancel every few minutes to keep it stable. The 14" DD is a different story, a pleasure to drive.

A few questions if you will Trevor. We are at the point of per-ordering where some dealers are wanting full payment up front so I feel disclosing the basics like my questions below aren't out of line. Are you able to release the weights of the coils? Have you decided recycled Ice cream containers aren't the best thing to make coils out of and chosen a different plastic? Do the Coilteks scratch just touching them with your scoop? I'd rather a slightly heavier sturdier coil personally. Are they waterproof to 1m or something? And lucky last, is the 10x5" still a semi spiral or did you have to go bundle wound with it?

Geez, it's a tough call which brand will be first to the post. I want one of each brand 🙂

That's what I've been trying to describe, you've done it better than I did 🙂

The good thing about the sphere of pellets is its even harder to detect, you slightly flatten a pellet and the detector gets a far better response on it. Other than the steel pellets when it comes to lead shot vs gold nugget the detector will find gold nuggets of the same weight a lot easier than a pellet.

The 15" Concentric. One of my favourite coils, and it or the 12" CC would have been my choice for that spot too due to the power lines he was hunting under. Concentric coils handle EMI really well.

Great going! You're making me envious as each and every nugget (flake as Aussies call them) are an achievement to be proud of. It's not getting any easier, each one gone is another one that can never be found again. It's sucks to be in the business of making gold detectors as one day their business is gone, the harder gold is to find the less desirable their detectors are but they're sure good at milking it while it's there 🙂 I'm confident you'll pay that puppy off and at least break even, you're off to a good start, I'm rooting for you. As Goef said, forget the minimum wage, we're doing this for fun.......... It sucks your shaft is showing signs of failure already, another problem I've got to look forward to, hopefully the aftermarket steps in with good quality shafts if it does pose a problem or someone comes up with an easy pin solution upgrade to fix it, so far mines rock solid and I'm not holding back, if it's going to fail it will fail with how I use my detectors, funny this mindset is normally something I'd have for a couple of hundred dollar detector. I don't follow gold prices but gold price being $450 USD for 1/4 of an ounce? that's not too bad for a week. I'd be happy with that, not so the monetary value as I don't care about that but more so the success level of finding that much gold in a week. If I found that in a week here I'd be super happy.

That's not a bad idea, I will take both along. The GPX is easy to take along as a second detector as you can stuff it in a backpack easy enough. I can shrink the GPZ down and backpack it, I just find it easier to carry but the GPX is simple to backpack.