What Would You Do?

[ROY]

OK  I am after some advice or opinion (constructive).

I currently have a GPX 4000 and a nox 800 and Minelab have released some new GPX 4500 for $3499 (Australian dollars) with 3 coils and warranty. And this got me interested in making a possible change, I have a budget off $3500 So what would you do. But I have to sell the 4000 if I get a new detector

1.  Get a new 4500 with 3 coils and warranty and Nox (sell 4000)

2. Keep the 4000 and Nox and keep going with what I have

3. Keep the 4000 and get a Algoforce E1500 (for fine / small gold)

So, What would you do and why

[Jeff McClendon]

I have owned the 4000 and the Equinox 800 and done Southwest USA gold prospecting with both. The 4000 is excellent for 0.5 gram and larger gold here and can sometimes hit smaller stuff. The Equinox 800 could hit anything that is smaller that the 4000 missed if it was shallow.

I have no clue how they do for gold prospecting where you are.

What coils do you have for your 4000? Are any of them monos that are compatible with the Algoforce?

I moved up to the Manticore and changed from the 4000 to the Garrett Axiom because of the Axiom’s lighter weight and better ergonomics. The Axiom is way cheaper here than in Australia. I still have some mono coils that I plan to use on the Algo when I get one here in the USA.

The 4500 is a really good PI but at least for me, I would rather have the AlgoForce/4000 combo.

[ROY]

4 minutes ago, Jeff McClendon said:

I have owned the 4000 and the Equinox 800 and done Southwest USA gold prospecting with both. The 4000 is excellent for 0.5 gram and larger gold here and can sometimes hit smaller stuff. The Equinox 800 could hit anything that is smaller that the 4000 missed if it was shallow.

I have no clue how they do for gold prospecting where you are.

What coils do you have for your 4000? Are any of them monos that are compatible with the Algoforce?

I moved up to the Manticore and changed from the 4000 to the Garrett Axiom because of the Axiom’s lighter weight and better ergonomics. The Axiom is way cheaper here than in Australia. I still have some mono coils that I plan to use on the Algo when I get one here in the USA.

The 4500 is a really good PI but at least for me, I would rather have the AlgoForce/4000 combo.

I have  a Coiltec 14" Elite mono  Nugetfinder 12x8     11' minelab both mono and DD

For the Nox a 6" 11" and 15"

[Alexnov]

50 minutes ago, ROY said:

Хорошо, мне нужен совет или мнение (конструктивное).

В настоящее время у меня есть GPX 4000 и Nox 800, а компания Minelab выпустила новый GPX 4500 за 3499 долларов (австралийских) с тремя катушками и гарантией. И это заинтересовало меня в том, чтобы сделать возможную замену. У меня бюджет до 3500 долларов. Так что бы вы сделали? Но мне придётся продать 4000-ю модель, если я куплю новый металлоискатель

1. Получите новый 4500 с 3 катушками, гарантией и Nox (продается 4000)

2. Оставьте 4000 и Nox и продолжайте в том же духе, что и я

3. Оставьте 4000 и купите Algoforce E1500 (для мелкого / мелкого золота)

Итак, что бы вы сделали и почему

the second option. if you use normal timing, then buying 4500 will not bring new finds.

[Jeff McClendon]

37 minutes ago, ROY said:

I have  a Coiltec 14" Elite mono  Nugetfinder 12x8     11' minelab both mono and DD

For the Nox a 6" 11" and 15"

12x8” Nuggetfinder and the Minelab 11” mono should work great on the Algo. 

[Northeast]

I'd tend to keep the 4000 and just use it. 

But, probably also depends on how much you are going to actually chase gold.  Would you use any PI within a couple of hundred km from home?  How long are you coming to Vic for?  2 weeks or 6 months - would make a big difference to how much I was willing to fork out.  When in Vic how much prospecting are you actually going to do? 

If you are only coming for a couple of weeks then I would suggest bringing the 4000 and possibly borrowing an Algoforce off someone you met in a popular bakery a few years back 🤣   Or at least test your 4000 Vs his Algo on a bit of local ground in Vic and decide if there is that much difference between them.  If you decide the Algo is going to do 90% of what you need it to then you could always buy an Algoforce from Miner's Den Bendigo and possibly get some $$ for trading in the 4000. 

One big thing though (I think) is that whatever GPX version you have, the ergonomics and battery set-up are terrible.  The Algo will be far more comfortable. 

[ROY]

18 minutes ago, Northeast said:

I'd tend to keep the 4000 and just use it. 

But, probably also depends on how much you are going to actually chase gold.  Would you use any PI within a couple of hundred km from home?  How long are you coming to Vic for?  2 weeks or 6 months - would make a big difference to how much I was willing to fork out.  When in Vic how much prospecting are you actually going to do? 

If you are only coming for a couple of weeks then I would suggest bringing the 4000 and possibly borrowing an Algoforce off someone you met in a popular bakery a few years back 🤣   Or at least test your 4000 Vs his Algo on a bit of local ground in Vic and decide if there is that much difference between them.  If you decide the Algo is going to do 90% of what you need it to then you could always buy an Algoforce from Miner's Den Bendigo and possibly get some $$ for trading in the 4000. 

One big thing though (I think) is that whatever GPX version you have, the ergonomics and battery set-up are terrible.  The Algo will be far more comfortable. 

At this point hopefully  I will be spending quite some time in the gold feilds in the Bathurst /Sofala  area  with a trip down your way later But over all plan is to get out there a lot more so I'am  looking fir the best set up I can have with the gear I have a small budget to make a change if it's worth it just finding  it hard to make a decision 

[Northeast]

31 minutes ago, ROY said:

finding  it hard to make a decision

And fair enough too, none of these things are just loose change.

If you’re planning on doing a fair bit then a brand new 4500 with 3 yr warranty at a good price is probably hard to pass up  🤷‍♂️

But I'd be keeping the 14” Elite to use with it  👍

[RONS DETECTORS MINELAB]

A tough decision for sure!

I would keep the 800 and probably get an Algoforce with warranty as you have the 4000 still for the deeper ones. 
But, the 4500 does have the Sharp timing that works well in benign soils and the Enhance also works well with the smaller pieces in mineralized soil environments. I like the ground balance and additional settings available on the 4500 over the 4000.

Maybe work with the dealer and do a trade in on the 4000 and see if he can work on the price of the 4500 to come out with the Algo and 4500 if close to budget.