Why Can't I Get A Ferrite Ring For My GPZ 7000?

[jasong]

I emailed Minelab and asked about ferrite material specs for potential 3rd party purchase, this is their response:

 

"Minelab does not recommend using any aftermarkets items on any of its products.

 

Thanks again for your inquiry, we look forward to servicing you soon."

 

A bit confusing really considering I already had to buy 3rd party coil covers, detector covers, and a screen cover (which didn't work because the screen was already scratched due to not having one when it was new) because ML didn't provide them or make them available and in the case of the detector/screen covers they are still not available today.

 

This is one of the most expensive consumer detectors in the world, and expectation of service and quality is inferred and I'm starting to get the feeling ML has ignored that part. If I purchase the penthouse suite at the Hilton I don't expect to have to furnish my own towels and TV. Even Motel 6 understands that for 1/10th the price.

 

I get its a cheap ferrite of potentially dubious usage. But that isn't the point. For me, it's the continuing pattern that is frustrating.

[1515Art]

Jasong, you make some really good points and minelabs response sounds like it is painted with a very broad brush. Obvious too Minelab I would believe if they had not wasted your time with some caned reply. I'm a bit confused really by the mistakes on something as simple as the ring when my other customer service experience was so good. Did you call minelab America and talk to Nadia?

[Reg]

Jasong,

The "iron dust" toroid ferrite that meets the general specs (mentioned in their white pages) of the ML ferrite used on the ZVT is a simple powder iron type and most likely is a -6 type.  The color usually gives the type away and the one used by ML is yellow.  A T106-6 is a 1" toroid.  A T80-6 is one that is .80" od.  So, if you know the approximate diameter of the one used by ML then if the OD is 1.5" then a T150-6 most likely would work.  

Like mentioned before, most likely, the ferrite won't be needed here in the US in most places.  Our soil conditions are generally nothing like those in Oz.  However, since anything is possible, there may be an isolated place or two where a ferrite might help. 

Reg

[fredmason]

Nadia is a very nice person and wants to be helpful. However, she is bound and gagged by the Minelab bureaucracy...

 

Hey Reg! hope you are doing well.

 

fred

[Rob Allison]

Hey Fred,

 

   I actually got in touch with a few of my contacts at Minelab and the Ferrite Tubes are in fact still on backorder.  They are doing their best to get them in stock and out to customers and dealers that have requested them.  If for some reason I would happen to get another stock of them before you get yours, I will send you one.  

 

Rob Allison

Rob's Detector Sales

[Norvic]

OZ is a big gold field, and I think in percentage the area of saturated alkali soils that produces compared to the "normal" ground that produces, would be much the same as anywhere in the world. I suspect the "story" that OZ gold fields are different to others doesn`t take into consideration all the ground that isn`t "hot" that produces. But it adds to the romance of OZ gold I guess. It is a lot easier to cover ground that isn`t rugged and covered with grass, thus the "lure" of those open salt flats of WA OZ.

 

So while Minelab have probably distributed ferrites to OZ first, I suspect a lot will be like mine, "somewhere in the Toyota". I doubt they will be used by the majority of GPZ prospectors, in fact I haven`t depressed my fast track trigger for months, but this is my take.

[klunker]

 I used the ferrite a few times and can honestly say I had no improvement with the Z ground balance. Generally where I am detecting the ground type can change significantly many times in very short distances. This is when the old antique GPX5000 had an advantage as far as ease of keeping proper ground balance.

 My Minelab dealer (Doc) sent the ferrite with out my requesting it. Didn't know what it was so I tried to eat it.

[Steve Herschbach]

On 8/4/2015 at 3:30 AM, Reg said:

Jasong,

The "iron dust" toroid ferrite that meets the general specs (mentioned in their white pages) of the ML ferrite used on the ZVT is a simple powder iron type and most likely is a -6 type.  The color usually gives the type away and the one used by ML is yellow.  A T106-6 is a 1" toroid.  A T80-6 is one that is .80" od.  So, if you know the approximate diameter of the one used by ML then if the OD is 1.5" then a T150-6 most likely would work.  

Like mentioned before, most likely, the ferrite won't be needed here in the US in most places.  Our soil conditions are generally nothing like those in Oz.  However, since anything is possible, there may be an isolated place or two where a ferrite might help. 

Reg

From the Minelab Knowledge Base Article at https://www.minelab.com/__files/f/254884/KBA_26-1 GPZ 7000 Tips for Better Ground Balance.pdf

"A ‘dust iron’ toroid suitable for the HF frequency band (e.g.1–30MHz with an initial permeability of between 6 and 10) has been carefully selected. It is recommended to use this specific Minelab accessory, only. Alternate ferrites may significantly degrade ground balance quality."

Note the words "recommended" and "may". Certainly a substitute can be found if someone wanted to make the effort. Like other here though I don't see putting much effort onto it as being worthwhile. Presumably the dam will break at Minelab soon and we will be flooded with ferrite rings.

[vanursepaul]

I was also kind of wondering just how big a difference the ring would make when used in the western united states, the ring is targeted as I understand for a very specific mineral content as found in a limited geologic reagin and as such seems counterintuitive if used in soil conditions of a different composition? If there is a need for something like this worldwide (and I'm not saying there is by any means) shouldn't it be formulated to match the targeted mineral content and then, this is really something IMO the detector does very well already without any outside interference by the operator. I just want one to hang on a string and wear it around my neck as a token to the Zed gods as I'm about wondering the hillsides, ferret ring warding off evil spirits...

I knew it was said in jest, but anyone with a pacemaker should not wear it around their neck. That goes for cell phones in your left front shirt pocket too.

Have fun with your ZED smoke rings... Lolol