Gold Bug question

[Sailorman]

So, currently saving up for my first Fisher detector which will be one of the Gold Bug models. What I primarily want it for is hunting micro jewely on the dry sand beach and parks/athletic fields. Honestly don't know a lot about these machines but plan to learn.

What I'm wondering is which is going to be better at this job. My impression is I may want the Gold Bug 2 as it will be better, and a little deeper, at the job but maybe not as smooth running and might pull more small trash. I can deal with that. I have two great multi purpose machines already so this one needs to specialise in the job I have described. But if the Pro model is better I'd like to know before I buy!

Would appreciate any input from users, will be saving up for the next few monts.

Oh, any advice on coil selection for the job would be appreciated as well.

 

[gmanlight]

Well if you are true micro hunting ,the GB -2 is hotter on gold that the GB Pro line.
Not sure i would want to park hunt with it as it will hit the smallest of small targets.

If you goggle NASA TOM he has some good micro hunting info

 

[Smudge]

Sailorman,

Your thinking is correct but you have to prepare yourself.

At 71 kHz the Gold Bug 2 is the most sensitive gold detector currently being manufactured.

If you run it on the dry sand of the beach, you really dont need to worry about ground balancing the machine unless your beach sand happens to be highly mineralized.

You absolutely must understand that you are going to be digging the tiniest fragments of aluminum wrappers and the like.

Really tiny.

A lot of those pieces will literally be smaller than bird shot.

A conventional sand scoop will do you no good.

You will need to buy a very fine sand sifter, otherwise the pieces will fall through the openings with ease.

Yes, this can be a rewarding form of treasure hunting, but many have tried it and abandoned it.

They felt the effort/reward ratio just wasn't there.

That does not mean that will be your expereince, but I simply want to warn you that you are heading into a task unlike any metal detecting expereince you've ever had.

Tom has written on this matter in some depth also, and gmanlight's advice is good.

 

[Sailorman]

Yeah, it's NASA-Tom that got me thinking about it! I know I'll need the different sifting gear and all, no problem. I'm also fine doing slow, methodical, systematic hunting and sifting through trash for some goodies.

That being said if the GB Pro is adequite for the job to get the small gold targets but able to disc out some of the headaches I'd consider going that route. I imagine I'd lose some depth on small pieces but will I lose much?

Right now I'm trying to educate myself on my options as the savings grows so I can make a good choice when I purchase.

 

[Hobo lobo]

The Gold Bug Pro will find the smallest piece of gold jewelry made, while a GB 2 may find a smaller piece of gold, there is no smaller gold jewelery. I have owned the original GB. The GB2 and the GB PRO and IMO the GBP is better suited for jewelry hunting. The GBP is deeper on a larger target way more versatile than the GB2

 

[markg]

The Gold Bug Pro will find the smallest piece of gold jewelry made, while a GB 2 may find a smaller piece of gold, there is no smaller gold jewelery. I have owned the original GB. The GB2 and the GB PRO and IMO the GBP is better suited for jewelry hunting. The GBP is deeper on a larger target way more versatile than the GB2

I agree with Hobo lobo on all points. The GB Pro is a very versatile machine, it can also be use for a coin hunter too. I might add something very important here. You must, I say again, MUST use a high quality set of headphones with this machine. The audio once learned will provide some outstanding information that will allow you to discern some of the trash from treasure.

 

[Sailorman]

Thanks guys, this is the sort of info I'm looking for! No problem on the headphones, got 'em already. Think you need them with any good machine really.

This one's not really going to be a coin hunter, got two good coin machines already. Just want to give the gold jewelry/micro jewelry hunting a try and want the right machine.

 

[Smudge]

Sailorman,

If you are serious about micro-jewlery hunting, the GB2 will be your best choice.

The GB Pro is an excellent machine, but it cannot compare to senstivity and depth to micro jewlery that the GB2 has.

NASA-Tom also has some of the sand sifters for sale, I believe. you can email him to find out.

Good luck to you!

 

[tabman]

The Gold Bug Pro + 5 x 10 inch DD coil = great setup for finding micro-jewelry in large areas.

The 5 x 10 inch DD coil is way more sensitive to micro gold jewelry than the 11 inch DD coil.

The 5 inch DD coil is also super sensitive to micro gold jewelry and works great in really trashy areas.

tabman

 

[Hobo lobo]

On a 1/2 gm. or larger piece of gold the GB Pro in all metal is as deep or deeper than the GB2, Using the GB P in disc vs. the GB2 ( which always operates in all metal), the GB2 has the edge. Both were designed as gold nugget hunters and gold nuggets are hunted in all metal The GB 2 has a audio ferrous disc. for small iron.

 

[Smudge]

When micro jewelry hunting, your targets are going to be less than 1/2 gram.

Please remember, I am in no way knocking to GB Pro. It is a first class detector.

But when searching for micro-jewelry, the GB2 will find those targets deeper than any other detector out there that I know of.

Other detectors may well find larger targets are greater depths, but the GB2 finds smaller targets at greater depths.

I am open to having my mind changed on this, but I would need to see hard proof.

 

[Big Boys Hobbies]

Gold bug 2 is WAY more sensitive but a gold only machine. No good on coins. Gold Bug Pro is the best of both worlds. VERY quiet running. Holler with questions or for a great deal!