Manticore M8 vs M9

[mntnflyr4fun]

Has anybody used both the m8 and m9 to compare performance?

I am considering buying the m9 for some parks I hunt that have some moderate trash so trying to justify another $300 bucks. Doing the math on the area of each coil says the m9 is 63.62 in² and m8 34.56 in2  or 46% so it seems like it should get quite a bit more depth.

The m11 would and does also work great except just a bit big enough to create some masking issues so I started kicking around the m9 as my confidence in the depth of the m8 depth isn't that high although it runs pretty quiet most of the time.

I would not sell the m8 to get cash to work with as I think there are times when its sniping ability will be important, but don'know if I will gain enough depth to make the m9 worthwhile.

I woiuld be gratefull to hear from anybody that has experience with both 

 

[UT Dave]

So...  I have both.  But have not done any head to head comparison between them.  But also, have not used the M8 since I got the M9.

The M9 has sniffed out small specks of gold as small as anything I've found with the M8.  But with more coverage at a lighter weight.  I find the M9 a joy to swing.

The M8, I have kept for the same reason you mention.  But, after more than a year now, I've not been motivated to swap on the M8 despite it being there in the carry bag on a spare lower shaft ready to go.

Again, I've done no head to head comparison.   Just used the M8 quite a lot before getting the M9.  Using the M9, I've just not seen a reason to put the M8 back on yet.

I'll be going after gold nuggets in a couple weeks with a friend that has the M8 but not the M9.  Intend to do some head to head comparisons on tiny gold then.  Don't expect to be changing back to the M8 though.

- Dave

[Chase Goldman]

I have both coils and @UT Dave nailed my experience with them as well.  I keep the M9 permanently affixed to my Manticore.

[RSmith]

I have both and I find the M9 is deeper than the M8 , and as best as I can tell it will find the extra small items just as good as the M8. 
However … If you are in an area where you have multiple items very close together the M8 will see each individual piece much better than the M9. 
Others in different areas may have different opinions, but in my soil this is what I am seeing. 

[Steve Herschbach]

Any gold prospector who wants an edge on sub-grain gold in harsh conditions should be running the M8 coil. If you are willing to give up that tiny edge on small gold for a little better ground coverage and an edge on the larger bits than go M9. Absolutely nothing has changed as far as the relationship of coil size to gold nugget performance just because this is the Manticore.

[UT Dave]

Yes, I'm not questioning the physical properties, but how much smaller do you need to go?

This is a .01x bit, my first one with the M9.  I found another one the same size a few feet from this one.  First hunt with the M9 right in the road next to the Jeep.  For the coverage and possibly very slightly better depth on slightly bigger bits, I'm sticking with the M9 for now.  And living with missing sub .01 pieces.

 

@abenson did a head to head video on small gold and it seemed like the M9 wasn't missing anything the M8 was hitting, too.  Which was what prompted me to try the M9 instead of the M8 in the first place.  I think he's using the M9 for his gold hunting with the Manticore as well?

 

I'm not locked in.  And do want to so some in the wild head to heads in a couple of weeks.  For now, I'm still liking the M9 though.

- Dave

 

[Gold Catcher]

For mineralized ground you want the smallest coil on a VLF. The less magnetic interference the coil sees the better it will find you tiny gold. I have both but stick with the M8.

GC

[Lead Detector]

I use the m8 in the goldfields and the m9 for most everything else. I like the ruggedness and the shape for tight areas for gold prospecting.  The m9 advantage is the depth, coverage, and weight.  They both seem to be pretty close in the sensitivity dept.

[mntnflyr4fun]

Pulled the trigger on the M9, worst case just one more bullet in the chamber.. should be here in a few days, can't wait to try it. I appreciate all the input.