Opinions on Garrett Goldmaster 24k vs Monster 1000 or Both Versus A Nox 900

[runningnorth]

Also, I positively do not recommend the Manticore for cabins/ghost towns.  Don't do it! IME the Manticore is a fantastic $1700 nail finder!  Just superb at pinging every bent nail! It has a huge learning curve for the nails and tin at these old sites.  My Manticore is now sitting in quarantine in my closet - and it will stay there(I'll probably give it to my niece and let her figure it out).  For iron and tin infested sites I get far better results with my old CTX and Deus...just my 2 cents

[ChuckScrivener]

15 hours ago, runningnorth said:

Also, I positively do not recommend the Manticore for cabins/ghost towns.  Don't do it! IME the Manticore is a fantastic $1700 nail finder!  Just superb at pinging every bent nail! It has a huge learning curve for the nails and tin at these old sites.  My Manticore is now sitting in quarantine in my closet - and it will stay there(I'll probably give it to my niece and let her figure it out).  For iron and tin infested sites I get far better results with my old CTX and Deus...just my 2 cents

I appreciate the response. That's one I hadn't heard so it's valuable information to me, thank you. I have not used the ctx or deus but have had a chance to swing a NOX 800 and thought it did pretty well with the small coil. Would you say the Manticore is similar to that or have you had a chance to use it?

[Nikko]

Between the 1000 and 24k, I'd pick the 24k any day for ME.  For a new operator, I often hand them the 1000.  The ground balancing is much better on the 24k, you have a threshold, and it can be tuned in many ways.  You get target ID on the 24k and an extremely sensitive concentric coil, but really, if you throw on the elliptical DD coil, you only need your ears and you'll never look at that round coil again.  It'll still find gold smaller than most of us over 40 can see without a loupe.  If you want to find the smallest gold, get a gold bug 2.  Big I digress.

 

The Nox 900, that's a different animal.   When you get into a gold monster 1000 price range you aren't too far away from a 900 and it'll find very, VERY small gold.  IMO if you have a 900 and are comfortable with it, you have no need for a gold monster.

Now, you could do what I did and run all three, but I'm a different breed than many.  😉 

The 1000 and 900 feel more modern and polished.  But don't let the 24k's old school look and feel fool you.  Like the GB2, it's a square old looking box, but a razor sharp knife in the field.  If you dial it in and put it over gold, you're probably gonna find it.

The 900 will probably hold its value better.

Portability and ergonomics: 900

Overall Versatility: 900

Ease of use: 1000

Sensitivity to small gold: 1000 & 24k close close call.  24k has found smaller flakes of lead paint and gold than the 1000 for me.

Configurability: 1st 900 / 2nd 24k

Price: 24k

Handling of mineralized ground: 24k and 900 over the 1000

Handling of trashy ground: 900, then 24k.  

Mineralized and trashy ground: Forget the 1000, 900 or 24k hands down.

You are always welcome to try all three if you're near Valley Springs California.  Shoot me a message. 👍