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Jonathan Porter

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  1. Steve I don't think the system is compatible with the WM12 or WM 10, it wasn't mentioned when I did some testing with it anyway. I feel it is actually a stronger WiFi set up than whats available on the GPZ plus the receiver has a volume control rather than using the inbuilt volume controls or you can use a combination of both. This set up will be a boon for SDC users, especially as it has the SDC adapter as part of the kit. JP
  2. In both PI and ZVT its about the ability to pick a target from out of the noise, Its just that the electronics on GPZ are much more refined so we can use less filtering and thanks to ZVT targets are lit up much more aggressively, that mix of abilities is very powerful in a metal detector. The GPZ 7000/GPZ14 combo is a delicious combination of amazing sensitivity to small fast time constant gold, much better than a GPX 5000 with the smallest coil you care to put on it and on par with the SDC 2300 except for micro surface stuff (due to the SDC's smaller coil size), yet at the same time the GPZ 7000/14" combo has more grunt than a 5000 with the largest coil you care to put on it in whatever timing you choose. When you go to a larger coil on the GPZ you sacrifice usability due to weight and also sensitivity to smaller bread and butter gold, so it requires a more specialised approach. The GPZ14 is my go to coil for 90% of my detecting with GPZ. DDancer I'm passionate about the way I use the GPZ but please do not mistake my passion as me being closed minded about the way others use the detector, SteveH has a completely different approach to the way he uses the Zed compared to me and he's is extremely successful. I feel I would be doing everyone I talk to a disservice if I did not at least try to convey my experiences and opinions on this product to inform operators of the GPZ 7000 all of the options and why they matter so much. Knowledge is power and power with the GPZ equals results. Hope that makes sense? JP
  3. Audio Smoothing is a Filter, so once applied a target response or even threshold variation needs to break through the filter to be heard, problem is the Filter is digital in nature and steppy, meaning the break through stutters interfering with target info, whereas with Audio Smoothing OFF the full information is able to be heard. I always adjust my audio volume to suit the information provided, this means having a smooth stable threshold with the Volume controls set conservatively. The main aim is to be able to hear the threshold through my speakers over intrusive sounds in the environment but at the same time allowing as much space in the volume train for target information to to expand fully between threshold and max volume. The greater the range the more information is available in the audio. If I was using headphones I would be tweaking my Volume settings to suit. The bulk of my large finds at depth have been signal responses that you could not call a target signal, I'm listening for a disturbance in the surface tension of the threshold, something that is repeatable and different to the general ground signal in the immediate area. This information can be played with so long as you do not allow the GB to drift off through repeated passing of the coil (I configure the USER button to the GB control). In Auto mode I recenter the GB nearby on typical ground indicative of the ground associated with the target signal (usually 2 coils widths or more away), by pumping the coil up and down just above saturation point. All of this is typical of a DOD or Super D coil which is down to the dual receive points. I should also point out that if people knew how much outright depth was being lost when applying Audio Smoothing they would not go near it. One of the main advantages of the GPZ is the ability to run the noise floor at Zero, I strongly suggest operators train their ears and brains to running Audio Smoothing on OFF, this is the reason why I recommend using conservative Volume and Sensitivity settings so I can retain the integrity of the Audio Smoothing OFF, there is no setting on the GPZ 7000 more important especially if you want to maximize your depth potential. JP
  4. Hi Chet, the B&Z booster just does a very good job of amplifying the audio without distortion. Larger coils run quieter because they have less windings so are therefore less sensitive to smaller targets. The advantage is the lower sensitivity also allows deep faint targets to stand out more from the reduced grounds signal. The sweep distance is determined by target size and depth, its usually a case of experimentation for each target to get the sweet spot of the coil right over the target zone. JP
  5. The GPZ REALLY shows its potential in quiet ground, that's were it has the most performance hence Goldhounds results. The larger the coil the less the ground signal and the greater the depth as targets increase in size. High Yield Normal is the Go-To mode for Quiet ground. JP
  6. Just posted this on an Aussie forum to put my opinions out there and felt it should be put on here too in the hopes some of the info will help forum members here.
  7. I enjoyed playing around with the ATX, its the first time I've used a PI that worked well that wasn't a Minelab. If it was in a lighter housing I would own one because it was fun and different to use and offered reasonable depth performance with excellent sensitivity. JP
  8. Some more pics of gold found during the development of the GPZ 7000 and GPZ19 coil.
  9. Hello forum lurkers, its been a while since I posted here but I make no apology because its been a while since I had time to do much of anything outside of the day to day running of a retail business. The reason I'm posting today is because I was forced to defend myself on an Aussie forum after posting up material on our The Outback Prospector FB page OBP FB page so now feel this forum deserves some of the information because I would prefer to spend my online time here than anywhere else. The GPZ19 coil is the subject of scrutiny at the moment and for good reason, namely that it offers the full depth potential of a very powerful metal detector. I know this is not an ideal scenario for a lot of detectorists who work in very hilly scrubby terrain but for a lot of people its announcement and pending release is definitely raising the pulse levels. I've been exposed to large coils on the GPZ tech for a long time now, with the first coils I used being hand built heavy monsters. I was also very fortunate to have been involved in a major alluvial gold discovery around the same time so benefited from regular deep gold discoveries with these coils on a regular basis, this then fast tracked my understanding of SuperD and ZVT when exposed to deep targets outside the range of other tech. At this stage I've been asked to write up some material on my experiences with the large coils so will hold off on going into too much detail here but keep an eye out once these go mainstream, also please bear in mind I now own a retail business that relies on my personal information being exclusive to its success so need to focus on whats good for my business. The main advice I can give for successful large coil use with the GPZ 7000 with GPZ19 is, The deeper the gold the larger the range of controlled coil sweep required to assist a suspect target signal to be recognizable from ground signal Conservative Sensitivity and Volume settings Careful coil control Comfort when swinging the coil Quality clean audio Targeting the right places to detect I'll post more to this thread when I have time over coming days. Jonathan Porter
  10. Sounds like a dead coil, we've had a few of them come through the shop this year from the first release. Get it back to your dealer or contact Minelab direct. JP
  11. Rub each end of the batteries on your shirt at the start of each session, travelling over bumpy roads with the batteries in place causes oxides to form at the contact points causing connection issues. After market batteries with larger contact points help avoid this issue. JP
  12. The GPZ is not as problematic for large targets in front or behind the coil compared to conventional monoloop coils. This is mainly due to the way Super D coils receive, so essentially directly under the coil is the place you will get the best depth not so much out in front or behind. This means having a pick placed sensibly on your hip (to the rear of course) should not present major problems with the new GPZ 19 coil. JP
  13. Steve I took a quick look at a Gold Racer for the first time a couple of days ago, what's with the iSAT control is it a bit like the VSAT arrangement on the White GMII units? The ground balance was pretty sudden death too and the first time I have ever heard on a detector an audible alarm when the GB is completed, also it was interesting with the alarm/overload for really hot ground when setting up the sensitivity control. JP
  14. Keep me posted Paul, hopefully it was just something localised. JP
  15. I'm easily outperforming a GPX with large coils using the stock GPZ 14 coil and at the same time it is outperforming the GPX with small coils attached. If that is the case how do you think a larger coil is going to behave based on our experiences using large coils on PIs? Think less sensitivity to immediate ground noise, also less pesky bird shot. There will also most likely be less susceptibility to Saturation and of course better outright depth, the only negatives for a larger coil would be increased salt signal and maybe EMI in some areas. These are all just basic observations that are already experienced when opting for larger coils on previous tech, so one would assume this is also going to be the case with ZVT. Bring on the large coil I say, the sooner the better. JP
  16. Paul's enjoying himself, and I only growl when he lifts the coil or swings it too fast. :-) JP
  17. My suggestion would be to focus on General for large nuggets in Difficult ground and High Yield in Normal ground. JP
  18. Any DD coil on a GPX series machine can work in high EMI areas using the Cancel mode, and if the ground is mineralised you can also use Fine Gold, Enhance or Sensitive Smooth timings. The GPZ 7000 does not have a Cancel mode so will suffer from Mains interference, however the GPZ is heaps better than previous detectors for Sferic noise which is also channelled down power lines and fences. JP
  19. If the ground has a salt component to it then it will become noisier when wet especially with the GPZ because the GPZ is more susceptible to salt signals. Generally speaking I find most machines become noisier when the ground is wet or has varying degrees of moisture (wet top layer and dry bottom later). Generally in summer the weather is more unstable so as the day proceeds EMI will increase as the more unstable weather approaches during the heat build up. In winter you are more comfortable so tend not to be so irritated by instability. Main thing to watch out for on the GPZ is over-driving the Volume and Sensitivity, trust in the technology and learn to maintain control over the coil. JP
  20. John check your PMs for details and pricing on the B&Z booster combo to NZ. JP
  21. Disclaimer: My thoughts and opinions only. The GPZ needs to be Ferrite balanced for optimal performance, when using the original software in some ground types the Ferrite balance could move about potentially degrading target responses. If the Ferrite balance had moved away from optimum then some components in the ground have the potential to generate noise which is counter-productive to finding gold. Some ground do not have much Ferrite like components so therefore not much noise will be produced however all ground has it to some degree. Best policy is to upgrade to the new software and always use the Ferrite to make absolutely sure your detector is optimal at all times. JP
  22. Ok I have to ask... what's hanging off the side of your detector connected between the coil and control box? JP
  23. Headed out early today with my son Timothy for the first day of 2016 and scored a fantastic 11 gram slug with my GPZ 7000 along with a few of its mates for 1/2 ounce of 97% + pure Clermont gold. Timothy found a nice speci really deep along with some smalls with a GPZ as well. JP
  24. When I first started testing the prototype GPZ 7000s I and also Minelab had no idea of what it was going to actually do in the field. We all knew the technology was punching in deep but it really was an open book on how it would actually stack up on proven ground, especially ground that had seen the attention of a lot of different detectors with a plethora of different coil sizes and shapes for over 20 years now! The first thing I discovered with the GPZ was even though we knew it was getting better depth than anything that had ever come before, the gold had to actually be there for the detector to be able to provide a depth advantage!!! No one actually knows how much gold is still laying in the ground and to honest I don't want to know, part of the thrill and romance of detecting is being surprised when a nugget pops out when you least expect it and then the potential that nugget implies to what else might be lurking under the ground. For me the GPZ has been a constant string of pleasant surprises as nugget after nugget has come out of favourite proven areas, far too many to be just mere pimped up suggestions of anecdotal evidence. Don't get me wrong I truly want to believe the GPZ is BETTER than anything that has ever come before, that's why we have all bought into the GPZ isn't it? Because that's the ever hopeful prospector in us! In my not too short amount of time spent with the GPZ, including detecting in Victoria which has some of the most swung over ground in the world, I still clearly see daily evidence that the GPZ is outclassing everything else I'd ever used before. Sometimes its on par with the 5K, but I love the wireless cordless freedom of the Zed, sometimes its slightly better than the 5K but not by much and in some cases it definitely makes more ground noise than the 5K especially if salt is present, but the thing is at present if I want to compare the 5 K to the Zed I have to be constantly swapping coils all the time. For starters I never use a coil less than 11" on the 5K, NEVER! So that means I NEVER get the tiny stuff the "Sady brigade" or 8" round guys get. Also on the 5K I almost always use coils around the 18" mark which means I suffer from an insane amount of EMI and Sferic noise, so quite often have to down tools and give it a miss in the summer months, not so with the GPZ! With the GPZ 7000 I'm finding gold I would normally get with the 5K using an 11" coil, I am also finding gold I would not have got because I refuse to go smaller on the 5k, at the same time I'm finding gold that the 5K won't even go near in the sub 8 gram mark (or the SDC for that matter) because the High Yield/Difficult mode is simply amazing on those gold sizes. Then finally I'm matching and in a lot of cases surpassing the 5K with an 18" or 20" mono attached, this is all with the ONE COIL SIZE! That's why I use the GPZ, I get incredible sensitivity to small gold which is my bread and butter or the indicator that leads to a patch, I also get brilliant depth on the money makers which is the multi gram stuff and finally if there is a 2+ ounce slug at 2+ feet I'm going to slam it just as well if not better than I ever did with my 5K with half the interference and sferic noise without ever once having to change coils. I love the GPZ 7000, its simple to use, its adjustable, its cable free and it just purrs along when you know how best to drive it. My only hate is the weight, 1 kilo lighter would be so much better! JP
  25. Yes on switch off it retains the last piece of good data and dumps the rest, so if your balance was good at switch off it'll be pretty good when you turn on again. JP
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