About to get a Sovereign gt, need advice

[MFJohnson]

I have been metal detecting for about 4 years now. I started with a tesoro vaquero and that has been my "go to" machine ever since. I have used a couple other machines here and there (whites, tejon, ace 250) but have always come back to my vaquero. Over the past couple of years I have read great reviews about the sovereign and decide to get one. But I have some questions:

First, how easily do you think i would be to transition into this unit? I really like the idea of it being non-TID and have really grown to rely on my ears after all this time with my vaquero. I have been thinking about this for a long time and plan on committing to this, and really learning the unit. This would be my first unit to pursche besides my vaquero (so, i'm not one of those that jumps from detector to detector!)

Also, I hear about various "mods" and other "must haves". Is there anything you all would really recommend? thanks


My primary purpose in this switch is to get just alittle more depth. I have several good spots that have really produced some nice relics and it would be great to get another inch of depth. Thanks for the help.

Mike Johnson

 

[gear box]

I wish that I could give you some good solid advice but I can't because I'm in the same boat as you. Well almost.I asked all the same question's and somebody alway's had an answer I bought my Gt last month and I haven't been able to use it due to the winter here. There's a lot of real good people here who will give you some great advice. Some of which have many year's experience with the Sov. Everyone will tell you that there is a learning curve but nothing that can't be mastered with some time on the machine. I bought mine from David at Dixie Metal Detector's who is a sponsor of this forum. He also offer's a gt with some mod's done to the machine, if you like. Everyone who has had this done likes the way the machine perform's. I wouldn't know cause like I said I haven't used mine yet and wouldn't have anything to compare it to, due to lack of experience. These mod's do not affect the warranty at all. As far as depth goes,it sound's as if you would be hard pressed to find a deeper machine.I bought two extra coils for mine an original 8" coinsearch coil and a 12x10 SEF coil. Some of the people said that after using other brands of machines I might have a hard time slowing down my sweep speed . The Sov. works best when using a very slow sweep speed. I don't think I will as that is how I prefer to hunt.So, if you want to just look for clad at tot lot's and that is your goal then the sov probably wouldn't be your first choice.I chose it because I like the really old deep coin's and the combination of slow sweep speed and the great depth it get's fits me perfectly. I hope I'm not let down and I have my doubt's that I will. Well that's it I rambled long enough. Take the advice from these guy's and use it. I know I will.
Good hunting Gary

 

[Neil]

See if you can find one to listen to it first, see how it sounds over various targets. The sov is multi tone, not just two or three tones, and it can be confusing. Also on shallow targets it will give a broad signal compared to the Vaquero, that is something else you would have to get used to.
Its truly an excellent detector and gets exceptional depth if you slow hunt with it.

Neil

 

[sandman256]

[size=medium]The Sov GT is a good deep detector and doesn't take long to learn at all. The sweep speed is just a bit slower for max depth, but not were you notice. The guys that use the coil as a grass whip might not like the GT as much. There aren't really any sounds to memorize as since small iron is ignored it won't bother you with sounds on nails or mask good targets underneath or very near them. The changing threshold is what scares most new users away. All you need to remember is when you go over something that is ignore the threshold changes and when you go over something discriminated against it changes to a different tone again. It will still respond to a good target during this time. The threshold will return on it's own but many just wave the coil over a coin epoxied to their boot.[/size]

 

[Ron from Michigan]

Mike,the Sovereign is a great detector,but will require a learning period.In the mean time read through the threads here,which there is a lot of excellent information about the Sovereign.Rick ND is one of the best experts with this Minelab and has helped a lot of rookies including myself.The last couple of seasons I learned the Sovereign will surprise you and your buddies how well it finds coins and jewelry.Good luck

 

[davetee]

Hi MFJohnson

As an owner of a Minelab Sovereign GT, I can firmly recommend the machine to anyone, as it is a good all round machine that really does its job as a high performance top of the range detector.
It is a machine that is hard to beat and it has proven itself to out performed a lot of other so called top of the range deep seeking detectors, just read the reviews on the GT and you will see this.
In field tests, the Sovereign GT has more than proven its worth against a number of top detectors and has already equally earned its position in that elite list, to the disappointment, disgust and dismay of many other people who own other top machines.
Where other detectors fail to find an object the GT will often positively find it and the GT has proven to be able to do this in many serious field tests against other top machines.
There is definitely a learning curve that comes with this machine, but there are no digital screens to learn and the learning curve is not to steep a one.
Minelab have designed the Sovereign GT as a retro turn on and go machine that will even suit the beginner and it is easy to use in the turn on and go mode which is well described in its manual.

The Sovereign GT will find coins and rings down to a great depth and it gives a solid signal when it finds such objects, as the GT has built in circuitry which boosts the signal from the coil up.
The Sovereign GT is most definitely a good all round land and beach machine and it out performs a lot of the top machines in wet sand and in salty mineralised ground conditions, although owners of other expensive machines might try say otherwise, but don't listen to them as they are incorrect on that point.
The Sovereign GT searches the ground using 17 different frequencies at the same time and many expensive detectors don't use or even possess the ability to do that.
The GT is also a gold magnet and it blanks out iron, which takes away the nuisance factor in trash areas, so what more does a person want or need from a machine.

Let me say here that if anyone is thinking right now that I am just being bias about this machine - "Yes I am being bias" and not just because I own one.
All you need to do to find out why I am sounding bias, is to invest in a Sovereign GT and you will learn and see why I am singing it praises (and no I'm not a dealer either) that's is truth.

I hope that this article will help you and anyone else to understand that a Sovereign GT is a sound investment and that if you put the time in on your detecting adventures and research your your areas, the Sovereign GT has the power to pay for itself in a short period of time.

Happy Hunting folks, for the finds out there.and as the any seasoned detectorist would advise,
"IF IN DOUBT" - "DIG IT OUT.

All the best
Dave Tee

 

[MFJohnson]

thanks for all the replies


Well, I have the money set aside, now I just need to find a good used one for sale. Hopefully I'll be able to find one on one of these forums!
Thanks again for all the advice.

Mike Johnson

 

[Maxwedge]

Hi,

One thing you will want to get is an S-1 probe to help find the coins or relics after you pinpoint them with the coil. This is a very big timesaver. Another is a good 180 meter. I use a dt3, but the dt2 is the same, but no light for night hunting. If you read every post on the gt forum, there is a lot of good advice. RICK (ND) and others are long time experts on all the Sovereigns and if you have questions ask. People are very helpful on here. Good luck and ask questions on settings and such once you get one.
HH
Mark

 

[comisoas]

I too would recommend the GT. I am still learning mine. I bought the S-1 Sunray Probe and the 12" Sunray coil. That combo is fantastic. I love the probe, it does save alot of time and acts as an extension from the detector, gives the same tone as the detector is giving off. I used it at the beach and man does it snoop out coins. I even found a gold ring my last time out. Just a great all around detector.