Did a Closet Queen rescue yesterday!!!

[gfatizzi]

Hey guys! I know it's been awhile, probably over 3 years or so but I'm back again! Once a Sov lover ALWAYS a Sov lover am I right? So I was perusing the Facebook Marketplace and was searching for a Sov when this baby came up! I drove almost 350 miles and 6 hrs round trip to retrieve it! I think this is the ONLY detector I would do this for as it is and always has been my favorite since Day 1. I started metal detecting on this bad boy in 1995 (one year after this version's release date). The CoinSearch coil has always been my favorite as well. Look at the condition of this detector! The owner said it spent most of 20 yrs in the attic as he just couldn't get used to it's language. Why did I make such a long trip? Because he was only asking $200 that's why! I didn't even pay him that however. I acquired this gem with a swap of my 3 yr old Bounty Hunter LRP and $50 cash. I don't think that was a bad deal at all. Took it for a quick spin down by the Hudson River for about an hour and a half and she's running like new. I am so happy to be re-united with this detector and I KNOW I've said this before but this time I mean it: I'm keeping this one! They're getting harder to find then hen's teeth, especially in this condition!

 

[GeorgeinSC]

Nice Find and an excellent deal. That machine looks like a new one I use the GT and was really frustrated with it until I got a meter from RON and now I can not see any need to ever replace it. I have a second GT in standby if my machine should ever fail and repairs not be available.

 

[Rick(ND)]

That is a nice one for sure and a great score.
I knew you would be back and thought you would have been back sooner as once you get to know the Sovereign it is hard not to have one even if you use differnt detectors.
GT with the meter I got from you sits on my wall waiting to get out and play with the other big boys, but I havent used it for over 2 years now as getting older my body cant take it as much anymore. I have a Equinox 800 I am trying to get used to, but it is no Sovereign for me and feel that Sovereign is by far the best ID detector I have used. The Equinox is light weight which is good for me, but I do dig much more trash that sound good, but with the Sovereign with my SunRay meter can ID the trash much better so I dont have to dig as much and easier on the old body.

Good to see you back George.

Rick

 

[gfatizzi]

Thanks for the welcome back Rick. Glad to be back. Actually I never really left, I just a had a bad spell financially and had to make due with some cheaper alternatives for a while until I got back on my feet. I really missed the Sov's modulated audio and analog knobs and such. They just don't make them like that anymore! I'm not a big fan of all this digital saturated audio most new detector manufacturers like to use. They just don't give the information on targets like the Sov does. I've gotten so good with it over the years I don't even need a meter any more and was calling the targets I dug yesterday with about 90% accuracy. By the way Rick you helped me out before finding some items I was looking for a while back. If you happen to have some decent used headphones your looking to sell or a Lesche Little Sampson T handle shovel, let me know. Always a pleasure to deal with you on Sov accessories. It would be nice to come across the blue nylon hip mount bag as well. Send me a message if you like...

 

[fwcrawford]

That is a very clean machine... luckily being stored in a hot attic
so long did not seem to do it any harm.
Even the coil is bright white... nice save!!!

 

[jtalley007]

I’m sending my sword Excal in for the pinpoint mod, swap the WOT coil for the stock 10” I have.

Me and the Equinox’s just didn’t jive.

I also still have one or two sovereigns stashed away, if I ever sold them , it would be prime time prices, you got a deal for sure.

Glad you’re back

Jerry

 

[gfatizzi]

Felix, One of the things I love most about these Sovs is they seem to be built like tanks! Not only did the Sov survive it's hibernation in the attic, when I opened the battery compartment at home I was horrified to find 2 nine volt batteries hooked up to the Y yoke adapters instead of the 8 AA batteries! This means the Sov's voltage regulator was handling 18 volts and still operating flawlessly. Luckily the amp draw current wasn't high enough to fry the board! Luckily I still had some AA battery holders and was able to set everything right again. I was thinking of picking up one of those 3400 mah Lipo packs and charger on the big E for it as well down the road.They are supposed to really extend the Sov's run time. Anyone using those now?

 

[gfatizzi]

Hey Jerry! Good to see you here my friend. Yeah the Sovs definitely command a good price now more than ever. It's so sad that Minelab never resurrected this great audio in a more lightweight and ergonomic package for us. I never got used to the "flutey" tones the newer machines are using. I've had a few Explorers and an Etrac in the past and just didn't jive with them either. I have yet to try a Nox but if it sounds anything like the others, I probably wouldn't like that either. Yeah I know the Sov is heavy and has a slow recovery rate but that's how I'm used to hunting anyway. I certainly wouldn't use it for a competition hunt but if I was forced to and had it balanced right, it would do just fine in all-metal I'm sure!

 

[Ron from Michigan]

Great deal, and hopefully a nice trip. HH Ron

 

[fwcrawford]

I’m not familiar with the battery pack you are thinking about getting.
I have a Sovereign GT , which uses the snap in battery pack.
This detector is about 9 years old , but the battery pack still holds a good charge.
I bet you were concerned when you found the 2 nine volt batteries connect to your detector...
Glad hear it was not damaged... they must be tough machines to deal with
a hot attic and improper batteries.
I look forward to seeing your future finds.
Good luck and happy hunting!!

 

[Ron from Michigan]

I've seen the rechargeable battery packs on Ebay at decent prices for theses old Sovereigns. The one thing that will burn up a Sovereign is to reverse poles positive and negatives. I've seen this happen all too often. Even if you buy a new pack check their work with a voltage meter before installing. HH Ron

 

[gfatizzi]

Thanks for the tip Ron, will do! I think they are pretty reasonable too. About $50 for the pack and charger with something like 5X the run time of the original 700mah nicad!

 

[Cameraniac]

[size=medium]How has the XS been working out for you? I got more use out of, and satisfaction from the Sovereign XS than any detector that I've had since.

I bought a new one about the same time you did, gfatizzi. Even drove a few hours, to Kellyco, to pick it up. Man, I couldn't get there fast enough, and what a cool place Kellyco is to visit. I still can't believe that I ended up trading it for a canoe!

Your post brings back some good memories ...[/size]

 

[gfatizzi]

It has been working out fantastic! I've always loved this machine. I'm about to take it down to the Jersey shore tomorrow for a few days and try my luck at some beach hunting with it. I've had great luck in the past finding an 18K gold men's ring down there. Just got a new beach scoop so I'm ready to rock! Wish me luck guys, I'll post any good finds when I get back! HH, George

 

[Cameraniac]

It has been working out fantastic! I've always loved this machine. I'm about to take it down to the Jersey shore tomorrow for a few days and try my luck at some beach hunting with it. I've had great luck in the past finding an 18K gold men's ring down there. Just got a new beach scoop so I'm ready to rock! Wish me luck guys, I'll post any good finds when I get back! HH, George

Sounds great, George. Good luck!