Golden Mask Altus

[MattB]

Hey there! I was wondering whether anyone has yet tested the Golden Mask Altus?

[JCR]

I have only seen a few videos of it.  Seems a very good machine but more a specialty unit than general use.

[topdigin]

Hi! We've been testing the Altus for a few months now. Tests at our Test Field proved to be incomplete; our targets were simply too shallow. I've had the opportunity to dig quite a few deep targets. It's a truly deep detector, but it's for high-conductive, or maybe medium- to high-conductive, objects. There are several videos on my channel and on the Diabel Piszczalka channel. I compared it to the Minelab GPX 5000 and Algo Force in terms of depth. With a 9-inch search coil, it performed slightly worse than the GPX 5000, but its relatively good discrimination gave it an advantage in digging specific non-ferrous targets (the current commercial model has improved discrimination and an 11x13 coil is available). It promises to be a great detector for deep deposits, but it's not really a universal detector. Below is a video of the Test Field, taken about 15 years ago. The test field features only deep, challenging targets in mineralized mountain soil.

 

[MattB]

how does it perform on small medieval silver hammered coins?

 

[topdigin]

Hi!
The Altus is a detector designed for medium and high conductors. It's very deep enough for objects as small as a Roman denarius. It detects hoards of coins very well, meaning it's deep. Unfortunately, you have to dig for wrought iron objects. In my opinion, the discrimination works well, but ancient and medieval iron is deceptive based on color. As for small silver coins, you practically have to touch the coil with a coin for the Altus to detect them. The manufacturer emphasizes from the outset that these detectors specialize in high-depth conductors. The Golden Mask 4 Xtreme is ideal for small medieval silver coins.

[MattB]

1 hour ago, topdigin said:

Hi!
The Altus is a detector designed for medium and high conductors. It's very deep enough for objects as small as a Roman denarius. It detects hoards of coins very well, meaning it's deep. Unfortunately, you have to dig for wrought iron objects. In my opinion, the discrimination works well, but ancient and medieval iron is deceptive based on color. As for small silver coins, you practically have to touch the coil with a coin for the Altus to detect them. The manufacturer emphasizes from the outset that these detectors specialize in high-depth conductors. The Golden Mask 4 Xtreme is ideal for small medieval silver coins.

Would you rather recommend the GM1 Xtreme? I've heard that the GM 4 Xtreme has issues with discrimination and deep targets in fields

[locator]

If I constantly had that annoying buzzing in my headphones, I'd destroy the detector in no time.

Sorry, but that's not for me. 🙄🤮

[MattB]

On 11/5/2025 at 12:25 PM, topdigin said:

Hi!
The Altus is a detector designed for medium and high conductors. It's very deep enough for objects as small as a Roman denarius. It detects hoards of coins very well, meaning it's deep. Unfortunately, you have to dig for wrought iron objects. In my opinion, the discrimination works well, but ancient and medieval iron is deceptive based on color. As for small silver coins, you practically have to touch the coil with a coin for the Altus to detect them. The manufacturer emphasizes from the outset that these detectors specialize in high-depth conductors. The Golden Mask 4 Xtreme is ideal for small medieval silver coins.

By the way have you had any chance to try out the Golden Mask H120? How does it perform?