GEB DISC. VS. GEB SAT.

[HaroldILL.]

I was wondering those that have an XL-PRO/6000 could tell me which mode you prefer and why? Have been using the GEB DISC. mostley,But keep hearing about the better depth and slower coil movement in GEB SAT. mode. And some say That is the mode to use in trash with the 5.3 coil. Thanks for any and all replys.

 

[a4wdguy]

I don't bother with it, myself. S.A.T. is useful if you lose track of your threshold and need to rely on the detector to maintain the threshold adjustment for you. I can see where the idea of having the threshold automagically continuously adjusted could result in greater depth, but I think I am able to keep up with my own threshold. In fact, I may be able to keep my threshold lower than the detector would keep it, which would potentially lead to missed deep targets.

 

[HaroldILL.]

WOW,Thought there would be more response's.

 

[a4wdguy]

I imagine the number of users of these detectors is relatively small these days, and of those, I imagine most simply use the preset settings. I'll go out on a limb and say that I bet even fewer spend the time and effort to maximize the ground balance/sensitivity adjustments, as well.

 

[HaroldILL.]

Well ant tips you or anyone can give is appreciated. I have an E-trac and CZ-3D,But for some reason these old Whites analog's are more fun to use. I guess it makes it more of a challenge.

 

[Monte]

I saw it right after you posted, but I have been busy with trying to make a move (trying to find where to move), packing, trying to find a new home for a 1yr. old Beagle, and taking a break with a little detecting here and there. I know I started a reply one evening, but I guess I got too tired and never finished it. So, wide awake this noon-hour, I'll share my opinions and thoughts.

Okay, your question concerned: Re: 6000 Pro XL or XL Pro GEB DISC. VS. GEB SAT.

For readers who don't know what the terms are or the function mode, here it is:

6000 Pro XL or XL Pro are the same detector with only a name change. These are considered moderate-to-fast sweep 4-filter designs that also feature a Tuner control to adjust a slight audio Threshold.

GEB Disc. simply means it is White's description of a Ground Balanced motion-based Discrimination search mode.

GEB SAT is White's Ground Balanced All Metal mode, operating with Auto-tune, or SAT (Self Adjusting Threshold).

I was wondering those that have an XL-PRO/6000 could tell me which mode you prefer and why?

For most detecting I do using a 6000 Pro XL or XL Pro, I prefer to use the GEB Discriminate mode. I only use the All Metal/Pinpoint mode for adjusting or checking the Ground Balance setting, or for pinpointing a target. On a rare occasion I might use the All Metal mode in the GEB SAT setting, but that's if I am scouring a larger open area in search of ANY metal target that might alert me to former human activity or habitat, at which time I slow down and go to the GEB Disc. mode for my general site coverage.

The "and why" answer is this.:
[1]..The discriminate mode uses a variable Disc. level and I an fine-tune it to just barely reject the common iron nails and that's what I do most of he time.
[2].. The Discriminate mode provides for a proper slight audio Threshold hum, and I like that, too, because I can hear if there is a nulling caused by rejected iron.
[3].. They feature a Signal Balance control (aka Pre-Amp Gain or Rx Gain) which helps reduce the required sweep speed and also boosts the sensitivity/target response.
[4].. The motion Disc. mode helps to smooth out the subtle audio variations in response caused by ground texture and/or slight ground mineral changes.

Have been using the GEB DISC. mostly, But keep hearing about the better depth and slower coil movement in GEB SAT. mode.

The Disc. mode requires a moderate-to-fast sweep, but search coil choice and Signal Balance settings can reduce the required sweep speed a good deal. The GEB Normal or standard All Metal mode does NOT have an auto-tune and while you need t sweep the coil to locate a target, once detected, the coil can be hovered over the target w/o any audio change or re-set to the Threshold. This can, in theory, provide a little better depth than you can get in the Discriminate mode ... if you can listen for the subtle audio changes in the threshold audio.

Use of the GEB-SAT mode helps to smooth out the audio as it will quickly restore or maintain a set Threshold level over varying ground mineral and ground texture environments. The strength is that you will not be hearing the audio changes as you could in the GEB-Norm All Metal mode. The down-side is that you will not have the benefit of any Discrimination to reject unwanted trash, and the auto-tune speed can also reduce (limit) the detection depth of smaller-size targets.

Yes, you can hunt in GEB-SAT and sweep a little slower, but it has to be faster then the GEB-Norm selection, and it will do better with the 6

 

[Monte]

you're inquiring about some GOOD detectors of the past.

One of the absolute worst detectors I ever owned or used was the Fisher CZ3D. Terrible! As for the advanced Minelab Explorer FBS model, they aren't my pick either. Heavy, poorly balanced, and they just don't 'fit' the type of sits I like to hunt. I feel the Explorer series includes all of the FBS progression from the Explorer XS to the II to the SE and SE Pro, then the E-Trac and now the CTX-3030.

Still, if they work for you and you like them, that's fine. For me, I prefer my MXT Pro, M6, VX3 and the older favorites like my 6000 Pro XL, IDX Pro and 5900 Di Pro SL.

I even have a 'spare' 6000 Pro XL in very clean condition that I would be willing to let you buy and feel the difference in performance and comfort afield. They are great 'cruising units', to be sure.

Monte

 

[HaroldILL.]

I have a 6000 XL-PRO already as to my question. If I bought another would be a XL-PRO just to see if there is any difference besides the decal as most say there isn't. Probally a good idea to have a second one as they quit making the mode switch from what I hear?

 

[Monte]

Being Prepared!

Why, I know a fellow who got an MXT Pro, new, earlier this year. He now has another brand new MXT Pro under his bed just in case. He also has a nearly new Classic ID with a hard-to-fine 4" Snooper coil that's rewarding him well ... and will be adding another nearly new Classic ID w/4" coil under his bed, also.

Yes, being prepared is something any avid hunters consider.

I have a 6000 XL-PRO already as to my question. If I bought another would be a XL-PRO just to see if there is any difference besides the decal as most say there isn't.

Trust me, there isn't. The 6000 Pro XL has the painted-on badging on the side. About 2000/2001, they needed to have a little marketing bump and created three 'new' models simply by changing the name to a "Pro" mode. The Classic IDX was renamed the IDX Pro, the Quantum was renamed the QXT Pro, and the 6000 Pro XL was just changed to XL Pro. They also went from a painted-on name to using the stick-on decals.

Now, the side of he control housing says XL Pro and they dropped tho '6000' from the name, externally, but inside he battery door it is named 6000 XL Pro. Other than the name change, they are the same detector.

Probally a good idea to have a second one as they quit making the mode switch from what I hear?

Yes, to both. The 4-position switch is the one that they couldn't find being made. Having a 'back-up' 6000 Pro XL is also a good idea.

Monte

 

[HaroldILL.]

Thanks for the reply Monte. One last thing I was wondering when you said in a earlier post you fine tune your signal balance by adjusting higher until the needle stays steady on zero with no twicthing or moving. I was wondering if you ground balance after every adjustment? Thanks.

 

[Monte]

Thanks for the reply Monte. One last thing I was wondering when you said in a earlier post you fine tune your signal balance by adjusting higher until the needle stays steady on zero with no twicthing or moving. I was wondering if you ground balance after every adjustment?

No, I don't.

I usually set the Signal Balance close to where I want it, then do the Ground Balance and hunt. If the EMI gets a bit milder I bump the Signal Balance up slightly, and if it gets noisy, with a jumpy needle display, then I make a slight reduction just to stabilize the display and continue hunting. I only re-adjust the Ground Balance if I have moved to an area with a different ground mineral contend and sense the need to re-adjust the Ground Balance.

Monte