Axiom Vs GPX 5000

[FishBamboo]

From everything I've read on the Axiom from Steve H. and others I can see no reason not to trade in or sell my 5000 to offset costs in purchasing an Axiom. It's a difficult decision for me as I have found a lot of gold with the 5000 over the years. Can anyone give me a reason not to do this? I have several coils from the 8x6 to the largest for the 5000. From what I can see the only con is maybe a lack of coils at this time for the Axiom. However looks like that will change with time.

For use in Northern California and the Mojave for gold prospecting.

Thanks for your thoughts in advance.

[Steve Herschbach]

Oh gosh, let's see. Lack of coils is a big one. Axiom is not bad there but nothing beats the GPX series by when it comes to coil selection. Way more settings for more varied situations with GPX, as long as you can actually master them. And if you have, and machine you know and are familiar with counts for something. You already own it, and it costs nothing to keep owning it versus buying another detector. If nothing else maybe you end up hating the Axiom and wishing you had your GPX back, so hanging on to it until your really are sure you want to go that route is cheap insurance if you can afford it. If you like the Axiom enough you'll just stop using the GPX, then it will be an easy decision to sell it.

A simple difference though is if smaller gold in highly mineralized ground matters Axiom has the easy edge there. Half ounce plus nuggets at depth, GPX due to large coils if nothing else. I always liked the Nugget Finder 18" mono, what a sweet coil.

Anyway, that was off the top of my head fast before I go walk the weiner herd. 

[FishBamboo]

Steve Thanks. Good advice. For the small stuff I do have my 24k with 6" coil. I also just purchased a Legend. So together especially the 24k and Legend take care of the small gold. However one of the attractions is the Axiom on smaller gold and the DD coils with what looks like a better iron check which I don't use on the GPX. 

Cheers

[Northeast]

On 2/20/2023 at 12:08 PM, Steve Herschbach said:

Lack of coils is a big one

On 2/20/2023 at 12:08 PM, Steve Herschbach said:

Way more settings for more varied situations with GPX, as long as you can actually master them.

Steve, for someone who was so heavily involved in the Axiom's development I love your honest answers. 

For me, I think if I had a 5000, a full arsenal of coils, I knew how to use it inside and out, I could still comfortably swing it and it cost me nothing to keep then I'd be keeping it and waiting for more Axiom coil options and more info on well it runs larger coils.  

Just my non-important opinion from a bloke who owns neither an Axiom or a 5000  ?

Good luck with your decision FB ?

[Steve Herschbach]

To this day I think the GPX 5000 is one of the most capable all around nugget detectors made. It also has been one of the best available options for relic and beach hunters wanting a high power PI. This is directly due to the large range of coils and tuning options. I honestly do prefer the Axiom myself for my own use though and would not go back to the GPX 5000. For me it and my uses it would be going backwards.

But he asked a direct question framed a certain way and I gave a direct answer to the question as posed. My entire career and mode of operation has been being a devil's advocate and attempting to see things from different perspectives. I can switch roles instantly. So while I personally like the Axiom myself I have no problem at all seeing valid reasons for other positions. The key ones you yourself touched on. There is no rush. Waiting for more independent feedback and waiting to see how the accessory coil situation plays out will kill nobody.

If I put my Axiom sales hat on though I will offer just one thing. A picture. It says all you really need to know about Axiom vs GPX 5000. 

[Daniel Tn]

I think the Axiom may be my next machine.  I've ran the GPXs from the 4000 thru 5000 but hate being tethered to the darn thing.  I've seen a few videos of folks relic hunting in the red dirt like I have here and doing well.  I don't have to have 100% GPX performance...I think any pulse is better than the VLFs in bad soil so I will still be winning.  I just wish they were a little cheaper priced or at least let a man choose the coils.  I'd rather have the two DD coils vs a DD and mono. I have a while to ponder on it.  

[Steve Herschbach]

52 minutes ago, Daniel Tn said:

I think the Axiom may be my next machine.  I've ran the GPXs from the 4000 thru 5000 but hate being tethered to the darn thing.  I've seen a few videos of folks relic hunting in the red dirt like I have here and doing well.  I don't have to have 100% GPX performance...I think any pulse is better than the VLFs in bad soil so I will still be winning.  I just wish they were a little cheaper priced or at least let a man choose the coils.  I'd rather have the two DD coils vs a DD and mono. I have a while to ponder on it.  

Well there again is a reason to wait. The Axiom has a transferable warranty, and you just KNOW somebody will be getting one and selling it used sometime in the near future. Get it used with warranty to try and if not happy, sell yet again with warranty. That makes buy and try a bit more palatable. So far though that has not been happening and I was a little surprised to see only one sold used on all of ebay so far, and none available used at this time.

[mn90403]

On 2/19/2023 at 5:08 PM, Steve Herschbach said:

I always liked the Nugget Finder 18" mono, what a sweet coil.

I concur.  I've found large and small gold with that coil.

[Daniel Tn]

I have a guided trout fishing trip coming up in March. After I get back from that, I'll start squirreling away $ for either a used GPX or new Axiom. Heck at this point I'm thinking I'll just go for the Axiom since that gets me away from a harness and battery. Those Diggin in Virginia guys usually unload machines after a hunt and they have one coming up next month.  I think it and a machine like the T2 would handle nearly 98% of all the hunting I would do.  Of course if you've followed my posts for any length of time, you know I am like a revolving door with hobbies.  I don't ever keep anything for very long, in order to fund new adventures. And fishing is always my #1 hobby. I'm just seasonal when it comes to detecting.