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Sorry about the title, I couldn't help myself with all the monster talk . This video is a bit of detector vs big coil comparison on a decent sized bit of trash (unfortunately).

I had my first experience with caliche recently...I was wondering if anyone has advice on which coils work well on caliche covered nuggets. I plan to buy a 9x14 evolution soon, but don't know if that will be better in this regard. I was swinging an advantage 12" RM and managed to get one, but thought there could have been some I may not have heard. I use a goldscreamer and it blasts on the tiniest of targets so I think there may be something special about nuggets with caliche. Any experience you can share is appreciated.

Hello, This was posted in the Find's forum as well but no answer yet. So I am planning on getting a 18 or 15" DD coil for my GPX 5000 for relic hunting. I am looking at ML and Detech coils. I am unsure if I should go ahead and get the ML 18" DD or rather the Detech one, or maybe even the 15" Spiral DD by Detech. Which one gives more depth on relics? Which one is more quiet? Any suggestions? Thanks FschJg

Post any tips when switching coils or "going from mild to hot ground "or" Big coil 18 plus size" detector settings that need switching? Or any thing else" that comes to mind?When operating the Minelab Gpx-4500/5000's... The Guy's w/ the Zed's are the 1%.and deserve a $10g machine! I watched some "Aussies" $$$Payoff their Zedz in 90days! upon it first debut ..Im sure there's a "Bunch" of newbies' like"Me" out there/on here...that got into p/i/ during the last 24months. Because we could finally $$$ afford to! And at $2600 for a gpx45! Thanks Minelab and Rob'sDetector's! I "appreciate" all posts/responses I've Read thruout the "forum" archived&current and take heart of "Everything" I can on these Great Machines! And Feel Blessed" to be Carrying one! Just like my "Mates Down Under" Thanks! Cheers, Ig Hot Ground Balance below;

Just recently we were detecting (all experienced detectorist) in the grasslands of California, with two GPZ's, one had the stock 14" coil and the other had the 19" coil and two GPX's one had the 17x13 Evo and the other had the Minelab 12x15. Towards the end of the day, we decided to perform a test. We buried about a 9mm slug 14" deep. I went over the target with my GPZ, HY, Normal, Sen 15, Smoothing Off, and barely heard the target. Same settings with the 19" but much better results. Heard the target about three inches above the ground. Next, the GPX with the Evo coil in Sharp, General, don't remember the gain but a smooth threshold with the gold screamer, and no signal. The next detector is the one that is really giving me heart burn, the GPX with the 12x15 commander in Sensitive Extra, General, don't remember the gain but a smooth threshold with the stock battery. It gave an obvious signal about 5 inches above the ground. I could not believe how loud of a target response this stock GPX gave. After hearing the results from the GPX, I increased my Sensitiviy to 20, but there was too much ground noise to hear a target. I also tried different ground and gold modes with the GPZ, but nothing compared to that GPX. I wish we had more time to really investigate, but we were all tired, and the sun had already set behind the mountain. Is this just one of those scenarios that we must except and move on, or is there some credibility here??? Has anyone done similar tests or can give some suggestions? Still scratching my head, Brian.

how do i find out the birth day of my 4500? Thanks for the help.

when useing a DD coil on GPX 4500 do i need to flip toggle to DD?

I have a ML GPX 4500 and want to buy a control box cover that has a battery pocket. So, I need a shorter power cord...any idea where to get one (and ensure it meets specs)?? And, any suggestions on the best headphones? ...Killer Bee Wasp?

As a total newbie, the more I read the more confused I become. I was leaning towards a 2300 as a first machine to use when I move back to AZ. But I was looking at the 4500 and 5000 as the price where I am are all within 100 bucks of each other. Makes for a tough choice........BUT then I keep reading about the GPZ and the size and depth increases it affords and I think that is the machine I will ultimately want anyway. I am new to the detecting(read zero experience since the 80's), but not to prospecting. Would I be getting over my head going straight to the GPZ? I am not talking about the price as much as I want to know if as a first piece of equipment is it too much? Do I need to work my way up the ranks before I get the big dog? I do not want to buy and then sell a 2300 or a 5000 or both only to arrive at the 7000 as an end game machine anyway. So if I bite the bullet and skip the retirement watch..... I defer to the experts.

Hi all, I'm ready to buy my first detector and have narrowed the choice down to two. Mainly based on price but some advice could help point me in the right direction. My choices are the GPX 4500 & SDC 2300, within $100 of each other. Most of my hunting will be in the Golden Triangle of central Victoria, Australia. The GPX seems to be more versatile but the SDC appears to be easier to master. It appears both will find gold in the right hands so I suppose my quandary revolves around which one will give me the broadest chance to find gold in quantity and size. Cheers in advance, Benny.

Great Treasure Talk blog by Nenad Lonic at http://www.minelab.com/go-minelabbing/treasure-talk/comparing-minelab-s-sdc-gpx-gpz-detectors comparing and contrasting the Minelab SDC 2300, GPX 5000, and GPZ 7000.

Purchased a GPX- 4500 package and an additional 12" round NF Evolution coil from Chris at AZO and took it for it's maiden run today. It was toasty in Central AZ today but I just had to give the new set up a go for a few hours. Not a bad first run... scored three little nugs. Totally HOT set up. Dean

Although no gold, I really enjoyed playing with my new GPX 5000 for a couple of hours. Not belonging to a club yet, I went to Lynx Creek just to get familiar with it in hot ground. Tried the Double D 11" coil to play with the discrimination feature. Set it at 3 and then 5 and still got a few rusty iron pieces but not many (Lynx creek is a very trashy area). I feel the discrimination worked really well for a PI. Had a great time, I am addicted to this machine and cant wait to join a club to go out in a more remote area. Here are a couple of photos of what I found. Many were just whispers when I began so I am sure the detector is working perfect just need to get it over some gold!

If you own a GPX I'm sure if you don't already have a battery back up you are probably wanting to get one. Well, that's where I am at. Problem is buying a 2nd battery is some 400 dollars or more. I know Doc's has the Screamer kit with the amp and a couple smaller batteries etc which don't sound bad but it's still over 400 dollars for the complete set up. There may be some other similar set ups as well, I don't know. I could see the option of buying the Screamer amp for 135, the little pouch that goes around the detector for 50 and another 50 for one battery cutting the cost a bit. But then you need a different charger for this battery so probably another 20 or so bucks. So with shipping your probably better than 250 for the set up. Some say the screamer amp is plastic and can get cracks in it easily? I'm assuming too the screamer has a built in regulator but I don't know. Anyone have experience with using the stock minelab set up VS the aftermarket one's?

Above is a quote from Jasong, from another thread that hits the nail on the head. Somewhat a forbidden topic on OZ forums, which I guess says a lot about social media. This matter has been touched on by others when speaking about the "new age" coils on the Xs in other threads. While I`m a confirmed and dedicated Z user, I recognise because I`ve experienced the ability of these coils and how they have closed the gap( in the field on undisturbed gold), plus in some cases exceeded the Zs ability. Saying that I`ve also experienced more cases where the Z exceeds the Xs ability. But it is interesting and really says it all about the dominance of ML, their only true competition to their latest serious gold detector is their model it replaced. This has been so for how many years? What are the other detector manufacturers doing? And why is it sort of "taboo" to post about this subject?

I would like some opinions on what my next coil selection should be for my GPX 5000. I have my Vlf unit (Eureka Gold) with 3 coils to cover the smaller gold. Presently for the 5000 I have a 8" commander mono, 11" commander DD, 11" commander mono and a 16" Nuggetfinder Mono Advantage and I would like at least one more coil. I'm thinking to maybe get an even larger mono. Maybe the 22" Coiltek Goldstalker mono, Or the New Coiltek 18" round Mono Elite. But the Coiltek 24X14 goldstalker sounds interesting. Then of course there is the Nugget finder 25" mono Advantage but it's much more expensive than any of the others. On the smaller side there is the 14X9 Blitz said to be developed for the 5000. So what would you all think I should buy?

I was searching today for something online and came across this Utube video and thought this was a pretty smart way to put your Deep seeking PI detector to good use. In the video they use it to locate deep targets, mark them and go back over with an etrac to determine whether to dig or not.

HI just wondering if anyone as ever attempted to take a minelab GPX Series metal detector OFF of the shaft and mount it to a backpack frame? i havnt been able to find any images of a modified gpx......Does anybody know if minelab makes extension cables for the ground balance button? or who might be able to make one? Also does Nugget finder have extension cables available for their coils to make it longer? Thanks ahead of time...... just wondering if its doable....appreciate any input or recommendations! Cheers IG

Xp deus shaft docs gold screamer and a few different wireless options! Finally got all the peices. Of course I got a bum connector peices for the aptx blue tooth so that will have to wait. I did test it but I had to keep my fingers on the connection while I used it. I must say sounded perfect, there was no lag as far as I could tell. Ready to stuff it in the pack and go find some gold!

Just thought I would share my wireless setup for anyone thinking of trying this. I have used Avantree Saturn Pro (Low Latency) bluetooth Transmitter/receiver and some Camcorder batteries. I have also got a couple of Lipo batteries from my RC which run the 5000 really well as they keep their voltage for longer. The leads I made myself with genuine power plugs and a deans RC battery plug and a 1/8 audio jack so as to go straight into bluetooth wireless module. These little module are very good and are lasting well over the 8 hour mark on a charge, and their size and weight make them very versatile. The 7200mah pack and wireless module come in at 325 grams with leads included this lasts about 5-6hours I have made up a couple of 3400mah packs with 18650 cells and these weight 180 grams with module and leads and lasts about 3 hours. I have a 5000mah Lipo hardcase which weight 200 grams with both wires and module, this goes for 7 hours before the low voltage alarm comes. Lipo batteries aren't for everyone as they can be a little volatile, but I am yet to have one explode and treat them with care when charging with a good lipo charger.

I have a claim that has lots of very tall thick brush. Tired of getting caught on all the branches. So I ordered a Gold Screamer battery kit for my 4800. Since I am very protective of my GPX I thought I would ask for reviews from others before I used the Gold Screamer. Anyone have any problems using it with there GPX? Thanks in advance. Steve

There appears to be a new genuine by Minelab smaller battery option available for the GPX series. Oddly enough it is not on the Minelab site and no reference to it anywhere except one Australian dealer http://www.minersden.com.au/minelab-gpx-small-lightweight-battery/ Part number 3011-0332 and less than half the weight, 18.6 wH good for around three hours.

Hello anyone know of any type foldable shaft for a gpx. I back pack in alot of spots, it would be great if I had a easier way to carry my gpx. Thanks

Hi friends Let's share our maximum depth experience with GPX 5000. I had an detection of a tea spoon in about 2.5 feet with 18" DD and sharp timing.

hi I am a begginer in gpx 5000 prospecting deep targets , I prefer to use coin/relic timings and use a double D 18" coil . What confuse me is ground balance , we have "fixed" and "tracking" in front of panel and also 3 option to choose by setting in GB type . Would you tell me what to choose to gain maximum depth? And is it possible to ground balance on a target and eliminate that size of target in prospecting? Thank you