Steve Herschbach Posted November 29, 2020 Share Posted November 29, 2020 Back in May we were speculating on the filing of a new Minelab trademark for "MF5" and what kind of detector that might mean. Well, Minelab quietly added the MF5 mine detector to the lineup. What makes this interesting is the MF5 employs the fold up housing originally developed for the F3 Compact mine detector, and later used on the SDC 2300 gold nugget detector. The Minelab MF5 introduces a new coil that features a round transmit coil combined with a EMI canceling figure 8 receive coil. The coil measures 7.5" x 10.6". Minelab MF5 metal detector Even more interesting is the MF5 is employing some sort of multifrequency hybrid technology. No doubt the reality is hidden under a layer of advertising catch words: "combining the advantages of Pulse Induction and Continuous Wave technologies" "Simultaneous Multi-Frequency Digital Metal Detection" "Four frequencies in the range 5 kHz to 75 kHz" This means the MF5 has at least some level of discrimination available: "DETECTION CAPABILITIES - The MF5 detects metal and conductive targets, including fine wires and carbon rods. It provides indications of ferrous and non-ferrous targets, carbon rods, and fine wires. The MF5 is able to detect targets in all types of soil, regardless of mineralized content, and can operate in environments of high electrical interference." Minelab MF5 Official Information Page MF5 Color Brochure Minelab MF5 User Guide MF5 TECH SPECIFICATIONS Key Technologies: Simultaneous Multi-Frequency Digital Metal Detection Coil: Transmit Coil: 269 x 191 mm (10.6" x 7.5") Monoloop | Receive Coil: Figure 8 Operating Frequencies: Four frequencies in the range 5 kHz to 75 kHz Output Power: < -30dBm Sensitivity: 1 to 5 Noise Cancel: Automatic, Operator initiated Ground Balance: Automatic, Operator initiated, Settings retained after switch off Target Identification: Ferrous / Non-Ferrous / Carbon Rods — Fine Wires MF5 GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS Volume Control: 1 to 9 Collapsed Size: 400 x 99 x 194 mm (15.7" x 3.9" x 7.6") Extended Size: 1615 x 191 x 237 mm (63.6" x 7.5" x 9.3") Weight, Operational: 2.8 kg (6.2 lb) with rechargeable NiMH C cell batteries Audio Output: Internal Speaker / MF5 Earset Earset: MF5 Earset Waterproof: Waterproof to 3 m / 10 ft (IP 68) Software Upgradeable: Yes Battery Compatibility: Rechargeable NiMH / Alkaline C cells Battery Life: 10 hours with NiMH batteries Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beatup Posted November 29, 2020 Share Posted November 29, 2020 Interesting Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vanursepaul Posted November 29, 2020 Share Posted November 29, 2020 I wonder if they made the battery holder the right size this time.... 40% smaller 🤠 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gold Catcher Posted November 30, 2020 Share Posted November 30, 2020 Interesting. I wonder how long it will take to come out with a gold detector version. I suppose the 2300 will then be discontinued. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DolanDave Posted November 30, 2020 Share Posted November 30, 2020 Pretty good info thanks Steve, looks like a lot coming out for minelab, now I would love to incorporate the MDS-10 PI with GPR to see the contours of bedrock, look for those low spots where gold accumulates. There is a lot of new detectors coming out. Here is the link just for the countermine detectors. https://www.minelab.com/usa/countermine/detectors Also check out the F3 UXO - Multi Period Sensing technology into Minelab’s new BiPOLAR technology. 😳 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skookum Posted November 30, 2020 Share Posted November 30, 2020 10 hours ago, Gold Catcher said: Interesting. I wonder how long it will take to come out with a gold detector version. I suppose the 2300 will then be discontinued. This is my comment/question, exactly. I’ve liked my short time with the SDC, but am sure hopeful for some improvement. The ever warbling threshold masks some of the tiniest targets for me. Anyone with past experience have a guess on how long Minelab spends repurposing the military model into a consumer version? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Hillis Posted November 30, 2020 Share Posted November 30, 2020 I hope its extremely good at de-mining the current crop of land mines. HH Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vanursepaul Posted November 30, 2020 Share Posted November 30, 2020 22 hours ago, phrunt said: C cell batteries, not likely 🙂 That joke went over your head...🤣 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryan Posted December 1, 2020 Share Posted December 1, 2020 9 hours ago, Mike Hillis said: I hope its extremely good at de-mining the current crop of land mines. HH Mike agreed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skookum Posted July 12, 2021 Share Posted July 12, 2021 I believe I've answered my own question above. The SDC 2300 precursor, the F3 Compact, was released in 2011. The SDC 2300 was released in 2014. I've been thinking about the tech listed in these specifications. The marketing says the MF5 combines the advantages of both PI and CW. However, with 4 frequencies between 5kHz and 75kHz, doesn't that just sound like continuous wave multifrequency scanning after the manner of the Equinox? The SDC 2300 was 3kHz PI MPF. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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