I've always been the type to try every new detector that comes down the pike. I've used and tried just about all the major manufacturers' "heavy hitters". Funny thing is I always seem to come back to the Minelab Sovereign. Of course Minelab no longer makes them but what a cult following this detector still has! I guess it can be attributed to the fact that I have the most time in with this machine since it was the first one I started with 20 years ago and I have found more keepers at hunted out sites with it then all others combined. It's definitely not without faults and drawbacks, that's for sure. But because of those drawbacks, it's taught me to swing low and slow. And as far as the lousy ergonomics go, I actually enjoyed modifying them all to my liking. This machine has such a unique language and great modulated audio that I just can't give it up. I actually prefer the earlier versions as well. They are built like tanks and seem to last forever. How bout you guys? Any older, out of production detectors you still have a soft spot for in your heart? Is it only the Sov or are there others? HH George Fatizzi
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Did you ever have a detector you always end up coming back to?
- Thread starter gfatizzi
- Start date
For me,detectors I've always come back to in order the Sovereign,Explorer and 1235X.
Been just waiting for you to come back to the Sovereign and know you were out of detecting for a while and seen you came back and were trying other detectors and was wondering how long before you would be looking for another Sovereign.
I too love the XS and the XS2 also, but I also love my GT as it is more sensitive for me than the others, but the XS and XS2 seem to be easier to learn and use. I do have my GT and picked up a XS2a control box and I mounted my 8 inch coinsearch coil on a extra rod I had and put on One of Ron's meter so I have a extra around. The only thing is I need to find a different battery door as this one has the latch broke so I am using Velcro to hold it closed. Thinking on changing out the battery system to the older XS style as a person can get those rechargeable batteries yet, but not the XS2 drop in battery packs.
The Sovereign when learned well is awesome detector and very hard to beat and will impress others plus yourself what it can and does find. It is a real shame Minelab quit making them, but been hoping they are working on a BBS replacement that will be more compact and lighter weight. That is a lot of wishing and hoping.
Good luck George and try to keep this Sovereign as they are getting harder to find.
Rick
I too love the XS and the XS2 also, but I also love my GT as it is more sensitive for me than the others, but the XS and XS2 seem to be easier to learn and use. I do have my GT and picked up a XS2a control box and I mounted my 8 inch coinsearch coil on a extra rod I had and put on One of Ron's meter so I have a extra around. The only thing is I need to find a different battery door as this one has the latch broke so I am using Velcro to hold it closed. Thinking on changing out the battery system to the older XS style as a person can get those rechargeable batteries yet, but not the XS2 drop in battery packs.
The Sovereign when learned well is awesome detector and very hard to beat and will impress others plus yourself what it can and does find. It is a real shame Minelab quit making them, but been hoping they are working on a BBS replacement that will be more compact and lighter weight. That is a lot of wishing and hoping.
Good luck George and try to keep this Sovereign as they are getting harder to find.
Rick
LOL Rick, you know me so well. I made a trade with a clean Xterra 70 straight up for an XS2 Pro with an 8" Sunray coil, large box older Sunray probe and Sunray DTI II meter. Even though that model is not my favorite due to the power supply problem, I felt it was a good trade. I actually came across the alkaline T bar adapter for it at the house here from a previous one I must have owned when I was rummaging through some stuff. The forum member I swapped with says the rechargeable pack holds a charge so I figured I'd give it a shot. Plus it's coming with 3 V-clips so I have options for mounting the stuff. That shows you just how much I've missed the Sovereign, swapping on my least favorite model. I liked the plug in XS versions best. I guess I better keep this one and convert it over to plug in because like you say, they ARE starting to get scarce. I want to find a super clean CoinSearch coil for it as well. Can't wait to give it a whirl, it's coming today! HH George
JASONSPAZ1
New member
Just now I was tending to my seasonal itch of trying to find a new machine.
I just can't bring myself to sell my fully customized Sovereign GT.
The Sovereign series has been my #1 choice since the 1990's.
I have tried all the top of the line machines from all the manufactures and I always return to the Sovereign. My worries are that someday it will break and the only way to replace it is with a used model, and the used ones may be scarce.
I baby my Sovereign GT, but nothing lasts forever. In saying that I am disgusted with Minelab for abandoning the platform.
I had a private conversation with a former Minelab employee who basically said he was pushing Minelab to bring back the Sovereign in a lite package. He and many of the familiar faces at Minelab where "let go" due to the company being run by analyst's and not detectorists. I personally feel at this point when my Sovereign dies my personal future experiences in the hobby will be damaged. I don't think I will return to MINELAB once my Sovereign GT is gone.
My only optimism is that some other manufacture will make a light weight multifrequency
waterproof beast of a machine that is kinda sovereign'ish. NO I don't want an Excalibur as it has no meter system and coil change options. The CTX looses me in its menus within menus navigations for optimal set up. It's sad that the raw power of BBS in a package that can be used with a meter and various coils is going the way of the Unicorn.
HH
Jason
I just can't bring myself to sell my fully customized Sovereign GT.
The Sovereign series has been my #1 choice since the 1990's.
I have tried all the top of the line machines from all the manufactures and I always return to the Sovereign. My worries are that someday it will break and the only way to replace it is with a used model, and the used ones may be scarce.
I baby my Sovereign GT, but nothing lasts forever. In saying that I am disgusted with Minelab for abandoning the platform.
I had a private conversation with a former Minelab employee who basically said he was pushing Minelab to bring back the Sovereign in a lite package. He and many of the familiar faces at Minelab where "let go" due to the company being run by analyst's and not detectorists. I personally feel at this point when my Sovereign dies my personal future experiences in the hobby will be damaged. I don't think I will return to MINELAB once my Sovereign GT is gone.
My only optimism is that some other manufacture will make a light weight multifrequency
waterproof beast of a machine that is kinda sovereign'ish. NO I don't want an Excalibur as it has no meter system and coil change options. The CTX looses me in its menus within menus navigations for optimal set up. It's sad that the raw power of BBS in a package that can be used with a meter and various coils is going the way of the Unicorn.
HH
Jason
JASONSPAZ1
New member
n/t
JASONSPAZ1
New member
n/t
GeorgeinSC
Well-known member
Companies that manufacture Metal Detectors are only interested in the Bottom Line. Apparently the Sovereign sales dropped off because nearly everyone wants a metered machine. Too much trouble to try to learn all those tones. I struggled greatly until I got one of Ron's meters for my GT. Now I can not imagine trying to learn another machine. I even purchased another GT to have just in case.
As Long as there are folks that will purchase every new machine that comes out just so they can try it Manufacturers will be more interested in building and selling new than what they will be in continuing a line that does not produce the desired level of profit.
Youngsters coming up today are far more in tune with all those adjustments that are being put on the new machines. They have grown up playing with all sorts of computer operated gadgets so they think that is the only machine that will work for them.
The Sovereign is a Great Machine but I doubt that we will ever see it come back in any configuration. I think that FBS is the direction that Minelab will take and BBS will be a thing of the past.
Those of us who love the Sovereigns will use them till either they or we wear out and no longer exist.
As Long as there are folks that will purchase every new machine that comes out just so they can try it Manufacturers will be more interested in building and selling new than what they will be in continuing a line that does not produce the desired level of profit.
Youngsters coming up today are far more in tune with all those adjustments that are being put on the new machines. They have grown up playing with all sorts of computer operated gadgets so they think that is the only machine that will work for them.
The Sovereign is a Great Machine but I doubt that we will ever see it come back in any configuration. I think that FBS is the direction that Minelab will take and BBS will be a thing of the past.
Those of us who love the Sovereigns will use them till either they or we wear out and no longer exist.
I've been giving it a little work out in my back yard (which is REALLY tough hunting mind you). The yard is FULL of nails and coal ash which makes ANY good targets sound like crap. It's nice being reunited with an old friend. I hunt primarily by tones alone. I found a nice old fork around a bush where I also found an old spoon earlier. I find I didn't even need the Sunray DTI II meter and S-1 probe that came with the unit. I have them on the classifieds if any one is interested. They are MINT! Next step is remote all-metal switch. I've already moved the box as far back as she'll go and it balances really nice with the Sunray coil.HH, George
Bill ( So. Ca.)
Member
Glad to see that you have had a chance to test your new (old friend) and that the Sun Ray coil is working for you. Keep us posted on your finds. HH Bill
riverbandit
New member
George my name is Paul. I have an older tesoro silver Sabre made in the early 80`s. Its a lunch box style detector .I went over some of my old hunting spots with it after using an Jetco BFO Treasure Hawk, which had no discrimination and a Garret deepseeker along with a whites coinmaster. I ran the silver sabre over these spots and found nickles...lots of nickles.The silver sabre seemed to be a nickle magnet and was suprised how deep it went.I still have the Silver Sabre.. the Garret was a decent machine but it took six 9 volt batteries not very economical to run and the batteries didnt last long.I made some good finds with the whites but it stopped working all together.My favorite machine to use is the minelab sov XS. I have a Tesoro compadre,cibola and the old Silver sabre.I use a fisher 1280X at the beach and I have a bounty hunter Big Bud XL .My kids like the compadre because its light weight and it finds coins etc without having to dig to China as they say when im digging...lol. I have got so use to the Sovereign its my favorite to use when im digging around old homesteads.HH Paul..
While I am a detector addict and have averaged better than 4 a year for my hunting history, I have a soft spot for CZs. They are the only thing I have had more of than Excals. I have had a Sword and currently 2 blues and a II. I just like units that can punch through the black beach sand. BUT, I am super ready for an improved model of either one! It seems this is the last market to get attention from both companies. Until then I can't see not having at least one each in my arsenal.
HighPlainsHunter
Well-known member
n/t
NamVetLesTreasureSeeker
New member
I just want it to be ANY Company other than MINELAB!! Les Robinson.