GPX 4500/4800/5000 - To Mod, Or Not To Mod?

[Dirty Detector]

Al poor Yorrick, I knew him well….

The question of modifying your detector is one that most experienced users of GPX detectors has had flash through their minds at some stage, especially on the days where you’re walking and not being interrupted by pesky distractions like targets. 
At the end of the day my decision came down to trust and proof. I made my decision after testing my unmodded 5000 where I found 7 of the 11 targets the modded machine found, plus talking to others I trust about their experiences. My experience has been excellent and worth every cent.

I still have an unmodded 4500 here. I use it because I like it, know it and trust it. It’s handy to have for days when friends come along, plus it looks and feels like a real detector to them and not a toy (it’s amazing the effect telling them the detector in their hand probably found more gold of all sizes than any other detector in history). Plus it scratches the itches I sometimes have, currently it’s got the commander 11” DD on it because I want to find a piece of gold with that combination (even if it is switched into mono…..)

But on those occasions I use the 4500 those thoughts still flash through my small man brain - what am I missing the modded 5000 would find? But then I return to the pleasure of being outside in the bush doing something I love, exploring, learning and being challenged.

For those who’ve had their machine modded what was the turning point and how’s the experience been? 
 

[GotAU?]

Reese’s current posts about his recently modified 5000 tell a pretty positive story of success with it.  He’s been digging some rather deep holes for the returns he’s getting with it also, surprisingly small bits as well. Being a full-time professional prospector, he would probably say he’s out for maximum gain and it was a good investment for him.

[Aureous]

@Dirty DetectorSeeing how you're from Ballarat, did you get your 5000 modded by Woody? 

[Dirty Detector]

1 hour ago, Aureous said:

@Dirty DetectorSeeing how you're from Ballarat, did you get your 5000 modded by Woody? 

Detectronics at Dunolly. 

[Guys gold]

With yo getting your 5000 done by Mick put the new Evo2 Nuggetfinder on the end of the shaft and gold nuggets beware they will be found.I have 2 machines modded by Mick a 4000 and a 5000.The MK2 Evo2 is such a innovative coil.It is truly amazing to run.I had it out in some fairly hot Arizona soils picking up 1/2 a 8 shot at 4” .Too hot yet to hunt for long ,but I ran it though all the timing and frequency’s and tried to make it noisy.The feed back came up a little but nothing that a decent target signal could not break through.I hope Rohan comes out with a 15 inch.It would be crazy GOOD!!!!

[dig4gold]

Hi Guys gold. Do you know if the Evo2 works as well on the Woody modded detectors?

Cheers.

D4G

[Goldseeker5000]

I would think that is anybody's guess as the Evo 2 was designed for Mick's mods. Woody does his mods a little different from what I was told.

[Shade]

My 5000 was moded by Detectronics in Australia. I run in Finegold with the back end gain full up if the conditions allow and the front end gain about midway. The front end frequency is set to stock 5000. Using a nugget finder EVO Mono 14"x 9" coil I can match a GPX6000 hearing tiny gold. Running a Nugget Finder 18" Mono Advantage coil I can match a GPZ 7000 (stock coil) both in shallow small gold and larger deep targets. I have not tried the four separate custom frequency settings yet. Next time I am out with my buddies swinging 6000 and 7000 detectors I plan to experiment with those settings.

[TheDeepseeker]

Welcome aboard Shade. It's great to get feedback from people who have had the Detectronics mods done. I hope you find lots of gold with it