ATGold / GP Extreme air test. AT nugget

[Atlas]

Hi All

I'm currently working on a project in Alaska and brought the new AT Gold up for a test drive. There is a GP Extreme on site and it is outfitted with a 14" elliptical mono nugget finder coil. I decided to try an air test using my 1/2" round test nugget which is gold with quartz. I set the AT Gold up with the 12" DD coil. I was surprised that the AT Gold hit the nugget harder and at a greater distance in the air test. That is I ground balanced both machines and then raised the coil to the max height I could hear the nugget.

AT Gold gave a solid hit at 8" above the nugget. The GP Extreme would only get 6" max. I did get a more solid signal with the GP in Sensetive. Just wondering is any one has any ideas on the weaker response from the Extreme? It seem to remember something about the pulse units not performing well in air test. but the nails in my boots set my GP3000 off at considerable distance. I use metal free boots for hunting but before I got them the boot nails were a problem.

Found one small nugget with the ATGold so far photo attached. Nugget found with the stock 8x6 DD

HH

 

[steve herschbach]

The number one difference between ground balancing Pulse Induction (PI) detectors like the GP Extreme and Induction Balance (commonly referred to as VLF) detectors like the AT Gold is how the ground mineralization affects them. In both types, depth of detection decreases as ground mineralization increases. No, PI units are not immune! But VLF units are affected to a much greater degree, and so as the mineralization increases depth of detection drops off far quicker with a VLF than a PI. It would be very easy to find some ground where that same nugget when buried was able to be detected by the AT Gold at only 4" while the GP Extreme would still hit it at 6", or 50% deeper. Which his just another reason why air tests are rather meaningless in many cases. High frequency VLFs air test like crazy but unless you are going detecting for nuggets with wings it does not count for much.

PI detectors also LOVE iron and steel. Gold is a poor target by comparison so boot nails are a nice target. Which is why most Minelab PI users have metal free boots.

Steve Herschbach

 

[parrott]

Also, it may not be widely known or remembered, the DVT GP-Extreme replaced the earlier MPS
SD-2200d. Unfortunately some earlier GP- Extremes were initially noted for having internal problems.

They were not properly set up to peak performance by the factory and it was a slow process to send
one in for repairs as it was then needed to open the control-box to re-set the various components needing
"tweaking." Thus the "smart-point" MPS GP-3000 soon replaced the Extreme and from then on it was a quick
job for a service technician to plug in and service the GP-3000. The point of mentioning this it has been
many years since the Extreme has been out there. It is possible over time, some of the inside "gizmo's" need
resetting.

You do not mention comparing the on-site Extreme with either your AT Gold / GP 3000. That could be
interesting with the gold/quartz test nugget on the ground Also, keep in mind some "metal-free" boots
are not completely metal free and the Pulses are known to be "brutes" and can be effected by even a
metal tab if your boots have a have zipper. More likely, as Steve has replied... air-tests are mean-less.

I wish you "The Best" in your Alaskan venture, keep asking questions as this is how we all learn (epecially me)
and may your AT Gold / GP 3000 and the on-site Exreme all "beep" over many nuggets and soon fill your poke.

 

[Atlas]

Thanks for the feed back guys.

Steve -- point well taken on the air test results vs in the ground results. I just expected the extreme to go a little deeper in the air especially with the NF 14" mono.

I have a GP 3000 "back in the states" (a little Alaska lingo Steve will know) and with the 14" elliptical mono it is a killer here in the western goldfields and is my go to machine most of the time. No question the GP's will cut through the ground mineralization.

Parrott -- I know what you mean about boots but I have a pair of 5.11 brand metal free police boots which are for sure metal free. These are the lace up style the ones with the zippers have a little metal that will set off my GP 3000. Also I'll be doing some more tests in the western goldfields now that I'm "back in the states" and will keep everyone up to date.

 

[Hoser John]

I sold a zillion detectors in my day and when folks asked for a air test I always answered" Why?? how many nuggets are found in the air,all you get is blue sky and bs as a detectors ability to ground balance out highly mineralized soils and hot rocks is what ya need. tons a au 2 u 2-John

 

[panama rich]

I think part of the sensitiviy of a detector is how YOUR ears recognize what the detectors is saying. In 1974 I bought a Gardiner
190C detector which changed pitch instead of volume. Really opened my ears to listen. When you are looking at buying
a detector, spend some time analyzing the sound response and what works for you. VCO or not, volume control, headphones,
listening while working in the wind, all could be real important.
Rich

 

[parrott]

Times change... Back in June July 1991 I was at a pay to dig on the south slope of the
Brooks Range and it was then known as the lower 48.