The GPZ Is Fragile!

[Libertas]

I have had GP machines from the Extreme to the 4500 and nothing has EVER broken despite thousands of hours in the field being banged around, in the back of my pickup and on ATVs over rough trails.

I noticed that my GPZ has started rebooting and loosing it's current setting whenever I lay it on the ground. I have used one of Docs protective covers since I bought it.

I took off the cover and found this:

It appears that one of the pins that holds the battery in position has sheared off likely causing the reboot issue:

Luckily the broken pin was still in my big Minelab protective bag:

I'll try to epoxy it back on and treat the detector as if it is made of glass from now on. I'll admit that I have occasionally let it drop to the ground from a foot or two when going to dig a target. An apparently very bad habit I acquired when using the GPs. No more..

I'll see if I can fabricate a pad for the broken stand since I don't see this part available from ML separately. 

I bought the machine used with about 10 hours of prior usage, so no warranty for me.

Just posting this so you guys won't have the same issue. 

 

[Jonathan Porter]

For that pin to break off suggests a huge impact. The clamps on the side of the detector should hold your battery reasonably in place with only one pin. Based on the damage I would say it is the internal Milar Flexi strip that delivers the audio to the headphone socket and power from the battery to the board that has come adrift internally which is causing the constant switch offs. It is a simple thing to fix but requires you to damage the tamper sticker.

The Flexi strip is held in by a wide strip clamp mounted to the PCB, it has two lock tabs on either side, release those and pull the strip free and clean it with a tissue then insert back in firmly so that it is fully seated then lock back in place with the clamps.

When this Felix gets loose the detector can exhibit all sorts of nasty behaviour and is a common problem for older units. The GPZ is driven by ZVT tech, ZVT (Zero Voltage Technology) requires a VERY stable power supply which is easily disrupted by a loose Flexi.

Hope this helps
JP

[Libertas]

Thanks for that JP!👍 Since day one with the detector I have noticed that my WM12 audio sometimes drops out randomly as well. I used to build PCs, so reseating the mylar cable should be easy enough and hopefully solve both issues. 🤞

[Steve Herschbach]

47 minutes ago, Libertas said:

I'll admit that I have occasionally let it drop to the ground from a foot or two when going to dig a target.

I treat my detectors like expensive electronic instruments, that I may want to sell someday for top dollar. The GPZ is not fragile; you are breaking it, and it will continue to break unless you stop dropping it. It was hit hard. Putting a cover on it does not make it indestructible. I’m not being critical here, just saying I do not drop my new iPhone a foot or two when I put it down, and I always place my detectors on the ground, not toss them there.

https://parts.minelab.com/category-s/100.htm

[klunker]

 Yikes! I am the type that could break the horn off an anvil. I use my 7000 about as hard as anyone on this planet and contrary to my initial fears it has held up very well (3+ years) but I do put a bit more effort in not knocking it around. The foot on my 7000 lasted 2 days. I never replaced it. I have broken about 37 lower shafts Until I made my own fix. I have to agree with Steve- The GPX7000 is not fragile.

[Libertas]

You're right Steve and thanks for the parts link. I'll contact my local dealer for the 2008-005 replacement part. 

I opened the box. The data cable appeared to be slightly pulled out at the right side, but not by much: 

I cleaned and reseated it. I epoxied the battery locator pin back in place and it appears good to go. 

I'll get out in a few days and see if the issues are resolved.

Thanks for the help!

[Dances With Doves]

If  I spent that much for a detector  I would not be   dropping it from 2 feet    even on  soft grass.      

[flakmagnet]

I put a cut-in-half section of pool noodle inside Doc's protective cover under the detector for extra cushioning. 
Also, I never treat that machine like anything other than the 7 to 10  thousand dollar item that it is. It's worth that extra few seconds to treat it well.
Picks on the other hand? I don't worry so much about.

 

[Libertas]

1 hour ago, flakmagnet said:

I put a cut-in-half section of pool noodle inside Doc's protective cover under the detector for extra cushioning. 
Also, I never treat that machine like anything other than the 7 to 10  thousand dollar item that it is. It's worth that extra few seconds to treat it well.
Picks on the other hand? I don't worry so much about.

 

A great idea! Thanks. 

[sturt]

Potential purchasers of the new 6000 (when it gets here) will need to be careful how they throw it around, because the feet at the rear of the detector comes off the battery cover, cheers sturt