G2 on coins and deep silver

[GoGoGopher]

Everything I have read says the G2 is not very good on deep high conductors (silver)...Is this really the case?
I found a used G2 for a steal of a price, and need a little input before Monday when I plan to buy...Am I making a good choice?
I would not mind finding the gold, but I also need something that will hit 8+ inch silver dimes.
Will the G2 perform???
And before anyone suggests it, I do NOT have the funds for a T2 (Although I would like one)

Thanks,

 

[GoGoGopher]

Still looking for an answer to this question...

HH,

 

[Hobo lobo]

If you want 8"dimes , don't use a G2.................................... lots of detectors will do it but not a G2 or GB PRO, look for a used CZ

 

[sgoss66]

I am confident that a properly-performing G2 will hit an 8" silver dime, with 11" DD coil, in mild/moist soil, in disc. mode. I have done so with my Gold Bug Pro and 11" DD coil in my test garden, and my soil is a bit worse than "mild." With the bone-dry drought conditions in my area right now, with our irony soil, that 8" dime is tougher. But when moist, it will hit it no problem. Oh, and the 8" silver dime is NO PROBLEM in my test garden in all-metals mode, even with the 5" coil. All-metals mode on this machine is surprisingly deep.

But, if you have fairly mild, fairly damp soil, I am very confident that your G2 would hit an 8" silver dime.

(Hobo is right though that a good CZ would do better -- a properly-operating/calibrated 3D can air-test a dime to 11 1/2", I believe...)

Steve

 

[Monte]

ON COINS (or any smaller-sized target) .. AND DEEP SILVER (a smaller, higher-conductive coin at guessable depth) .. PLUS you have to consider other variables, such as:

a.. Ground mineralization, to include higher level of ferrous (magnetic) mineralization.

b.. Ground density, like differences between loose, porous sand/dirt/sod or pea gravel or larger rocks or other "intense mineral bodies" such as dirt clods, etc.

c.. Period of Time the coin/object has been firmly in position with adjacent ground snugly about it.

d.. Ground moisture content, especially factoring 'wetness' to the depth and position of the desired buried coin/target.

Frequently I add the comment in forum posts or in direct discussion and seminars that there is no such thing as a 'perfect' detector. There are many 'very good' detectors on the market that can serve a lot of people in a wide variety of detecting applications. There are some, however, that were designed for more specific applications, such as beach/water hunting or for electronic prospecting/nugget hunting which can still work for other functions.

The Tesoro Lobo SuperTRAQ, for example, was a model design as sort of a 'multi-purpose' detector but aimed more at the nugget hunting hobbyist. I used the Lobo ST a dozen years ago, along with my other two detectors, because I liked what it would do for me when nugget hunting, and especially when working some highly mineralized river beach sand or when trying to pluck some lost gold jewelry. Oh, I found a number of silver coins with it, to include a 1904 Morgan silver dollar ... but that wasn't very deep.

I like to use the Tekentics G2 for some of the same reasons. It supports the other detector models I use and carry with me, and like the Lobo ST it has its strong points.

Everything I have read says the G2 is not very good on deep high conductors (silver)...Is this really the case?

Responding to smaller-sized, deeper-located US coins is not what I consider to be a strength for the G2 or Gold Bug Pro/Gold Bug DP.

I like the G2 'family' and I know what they can do well. That said, I also know what they don't do quite as well, and one of those things is hunt up some older, deeper silver (at least in the very mineralized ground I hunt in) compared with some of the other models I use. A close 'cousin' would be the Teknetics Omega which has always produced better depth and responsiveness to deeper, higher-conductive coins than the G2. I am referring to times when I have compared them side-by-side and using the same search coil.

I found a used G2 for a steal of a price, and need a little input before Monday when I plan to buy...Am I making a good choice?

If you have another detector or two and you fell the G2 might be of some help, then a good deal might be in your favor. If you KNOW that there are definitley deeper coins in your area, and you know FOR SURE that they are long-buried coins and, for whatever reason, might be positioned at about 8" deep, then I would shop for a different model.

I would not mind finding the gold, but I also need something that will hit 8+ inch silver dimes.
Will the G2 perform???

Honestly, I have hunted with a lot of people over the past 47 years and heard their claims about coin depth. Then, watching their recovery and listening to their 'guess' about actual depth, I measured the distance in the ground to where the target actually was and seldom ... very seldom ... was the coin as deep as they thought.

Yes, we can find deeper coins, even to 8" or slightly deeper, but it honestly doesn't happen all that often. It also doesn't happen if the ground is really ugly, if there is any masking trash shallower and close to a desired object, of the coil and/or detector are not the right type or have the best settings. Again, there is no 'perfect' detector.

And before anyone suggests it, I do NOT have the funds for a T2 (Although I would like one).

The T2 is certainly a good detector that can, at times, produce some impressive depth. Not "inches and inches" deeper, but you can get a notable increase at times.

Just remember, any "Air test' response you get is simply a method to compare two or more models in the same environment. Things like outside EMI issues, and the results will show just what they can do .... if trying to respond to a target 'in air."

In-the-Dirt comparisons are the best method to compare detectors, and I favor taking one or more models out to a site and locating a naturally lost target that is unknown to you. Check settings of all detectors used, make different sweeps for a few directions and note the size and type of search coil used. Then, with that knowledge in hand, carefully recover the located target and decide which detector model gave YOU the best response and resulting information (audibly as well as visibly).

Good luck in your detector search.

Monte

 

[GoGoGopher]

I passed up a couple of good CZ3D machines in the past few months...now thinking I should have pounced on em...Might get a CZ down the line here, but I am gonna get this G2...deal is just too good to pass up...
I have been watching videos, and it seams to do OK on coins...

Thanks for the input,

 

[sgoss66]

While I fully agree with Monte that this is not THE machine for deep coin hunting, my personal experience is that is IS capable...moreso than one might think for such a high-frequency machine (19 kHz). If you are on a site that you think holds old, deep silver, and you put on that 11" DD coil and run it in all-metals mode, I think you will be pleasantly surprised, if not impressed. I really mean that. I obviously don't know your soil conditions, etc., but I have been nothing but impressed with the capabilities of this machine.

Steve

 

[Monte]

the last one I had that I never cared for was a CZ-3D. I tried them and they were terrible! I posted a few years back about a visit to two older parks in the Portland, Oregon area where I wanted to use the CZ-3D's to pick out US 5

 

[Monte]

As a rule, we read the posts and field the questions thinking in terms of the poster using the motion Disc. mode. On the G2 it is not close to what the All metal mode can do. Now, I am not a fan of the 11" coil, but that's because I usually hunt trashier areas.

That said, you are right that if he (anyone) uses the 11' DD coil and properly adjusts their G2/Gold Bug Pro for best performance in the All Metal mode, then they will see better results.

Good reminder, thanks!

Monte

 

[Big Boys Hobbies]

Its a Great machine! Go for it!!

 

[GoGoGopher]

I appreciate your thoughts on this machine...I think I am gonna pick it up... at $465 for a detector that was hardly used, I gotta take it. I will probably end up getting another machine JUST for coin hunting though...I will be sure to post my results when I get my first few hunts in with the G2.
I may just keep my QXT Pro also...It has been fairly good to me...I just need to get another 5.3 bullseye for it though to replace the one that was stolen from me...
The QXT has a unique modulation on the audio when hunting in Mixed Mode...The sound it makes on rings is distinct...I cannot describe it, but once you hear it a few times, you remember it...I have never found as many rings with any other detector I have owned (although most have been junk and Silver).
Also, has anyone tried the Sun Ray Probe with the G2...I have heard mixed feelings on this also...Some say it works, some say no, don't even try...
I know Ralph does NOT recommend it.


HH,

 

[Ronk]

I agree with you Monte on all said of the G2/GB. On another post when others were complaining about their G2/GB not doing so well on deep high conductive coins Dave J. reminded them that the G2/GB was designed as a Prospecting Detector First,and that's the primary purpose.Everything else is desert.I saw where someone was testing a Gold Bug Pro on a silver dollar and I was surprised to see that it didn't get that good of a signal on it even at shallow depth in the disc mode.It wasn't tested in the All Metal Mode at that time.It Can find coins but it wasn't specifically designed for it.Although in the All Metal mode it will probably get the 8 inch dime if conditions permit.If people are after deep silver or other high conductors then they will be much happier with a detector designed for it or just run the G2/GB in all metal and put up with all the trash looking for deep silver.
If the G2 is just too good to pass up I'm sure he will learn the detector to get the most out of it.He will find out for himself in His own ground how well it will do on deep coins.It shouldn't have any problems getting deeper nickels or gold items..jewelry,lead,brass and the like.After months of research on the the G2/GB and other detectors I've decided to purchase the Omega for general coin detecting and some relic hunting.I Might get the G2/GB a little later on unless they come out with something new or Better this coming new year.The Omega gives more coils to choose from right now but I would like to see a 6-7 inch elliptical concentric for it.
I researched a lot of detectors for Mainly Coins and the Omega got the Best reviews for it's price range and even performs better than a lot of detectors way above it's price range for general coin shooting.I think it will fill MY needs in MY Ground for the kind of places I hunt.

HH!
RonK

 

[Hobo lobo]

The GB was designed primarlly as a prospecting detector and it does a good job at it IMO, and it is a great detector for trashy areas. It will find silver dimes but if you are looking for a detector to hunt DEEP silver then there are lot of better detectors.That being said the GB is one of my favorites

 

[Hobo lobo]

The GB was designed primarily as a prospecting detector and it does a good job at it IMO, and it is a great detector for trashy areas. It will find silver dimes but if you are looking for a detector to hunt DEEP silver then there are lot of better detectors.That being said the GB is one of my favorites.

 

[rockpup1]

I find a lack of depth with the 5" coil.I cannot get over 5" on anything but a nickle.Just seems to get a little deeper on the nickle.With that said I need a larger coil.

 

[Bill G]

I find a lack of depth with the 5" coil.I cannot get over 5" on anything but a nickle.Just seems to get a little deeper on the nickle.With that said I need a larger coil.

That is par for the course with the smaller 5" coils but they have there place and work great pulling out good targets in iron trash and general heavy trash that bigger coils missed due to target masking. At this point the depth is not as important as pulling out a few goodies that were masked in the heavy trash. All the depth in the world does no good in these super trashy kind of environments. I really like the size and think the new 5X10DD Elliptical coil for the G2 & Gold Bug Pro is going to be a good compromise between the 5" & the 11" coil in a lot of hunting situations giving good target separation plus more depth than the 5"coil.

Happy & Safe Hunting To All,
Bill G

 

[sgoss66]

Hey Rockpup --

I wonder what you mean exactly when you say you cannot "get" anything over 5" except maybe a nickel. Do you mean "get" a proper ID, or do you mean the machine is simply SILENT on this coin? Also, did you try all-metals mode? I am NOT trying to pick a fight or argue with your findings, it's just that your findings surprise me. I guess, if you have REALLY bad soil, or you are dealing with substantial EMI, this could be the case -- but otherwise, I wonder if your machine has issues. A 5" deep coin is a cake-walk, literally, in my soil, with my 5" coil -- disc. mode OR all-metals mode. In all-metals mode, I can hit a coin in my test garden to DOUBLE that depth...

Steve

 

[rockpup1]

Well mesured my leshe digger.So I guess Im getting about 6 " on a copper penny,silver dime.6 1/2 - 7" on a quarter.This claim may be less as I will try again with a measuring tape(hoping it does better)

Soil is 68 in all metal.I was at 100 gain and 0 disc.Soil was moist not dry for once.No EMi Problems(never really does-super good for that)
I was surpised myself and with my lack of coins at this old school I have spent hours at,I had to do some testing.I dont think it did much better or any better in all-metal.

I guess thats not that bad(for a 5" coil that is).I could only get about 6" with my MXT and eagle spectrum with a 5" coil.The gold bug pro is finding me alot of clad my other machines simply miss or are masked by trash(does not bad at all on canadian clad).By far the best modern park machine I have had.I just Know there is deep silver in some places I go and that 5x10 coil should give me 8" in Disc mode.

It may be my machine as the + key does not work from time to time.I will be sending in when the snow falls for repairs and maybe a look over to make sure shes getting all the depth it can.

I find I do good on the beach as I uncover alot of blips I hear and pul out coins at good depth,but I have to uncover to get some sort of VDI.

It found my first metal detector gold nugget and thats what I bought it for anyway-just works great in the parks 2 boot.I find its depth on foil and low conductive objects very good.This I have not tested.

 

[sgoss66]

Rockpup --

Getting 6 1/2" to 7" on a quarter with the 5" coil is not bad, but your soil does not sound "terrible," and EMI does not sound like an issue, so it should do better than that, ESPECIALLY in all-metals mode. One thing I will say is, the hit on a deep coin is MUCH more subtle than on a shallow coin. MUCH more subtle. The "modulated VCO audio" on these machines is such that a shallow coin kind of "smacks you upside the head," while deeper ones sort of "whisper" at you. If you are passing on whispers, you are probably passing at times on deeper coins. I suggest you bury a dime or penny at a MEASURED 8", and THEN see if your machine can "see" it, at all (making sure you sweep the coil right at ground level, not floating above. You might be surprised; I am pretty confident that you will hear that coin in disc. mode, and if not, I bet dollars-to-donuts that you hear it in all-metals mode. Give it a shot, if you like, and let us know.

But yes, it IS tuned for low conductors, and you finding a gold nugget, and foil, etc. at good depth is indicative of that. As you say though, these machines are surprisingly good, too, in a park-type coin-hunting scenario.

Steve

 

[aliensr]

good post Steve. I'm curious if there is anything more (telltales) on these 'whispers' to try and increase the probability of digging something decent.
It would seem that just digging deep whispers would be pretty futile (I took some statistics classes in college). I mean there's an awful lot of 'deeper crap' buried. Can you elaborate any more? Your personal success/per time used digging these?
And BTW I bit the bullet and have been a G2 owner for a while now. personally I got it for (based on reputation) lightweight, quiet hunting for clad/rings.
It works for that purpose. I really haven't paid any attention to 'whisper' signals.
Do you look for consistent higher #'s over a small range to dig these?
The downside for me (in general) is that I need to find places (parks/schools) that are low on trash or I find it to be impossible to find clad amongst the crap. The frustration factor gets me out of those places pretty quick and I just won't waste my time. Lower trash sports fields are good to go....
oh, and I've only used disc. all metal seems too intimidating/noisy/not useful (at least for me). It just doesn't seem to be useful as a park hunter in all metal but I could be wrong....