Ordered a GOLDBUG SE I said I wanted the manual ground balance and VCO modulation got stuck with the version 1 GOLDBUG SE now what? Is there any way I can get GBSE with 2.9 or 3 software which is what I specified ? I don't know what to do.HELP is GBSE with software 1 worth keeping?
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GOLDBUG SE CAME BUT........
- Thread starter Woodchuck
- Start date
I don't know what software one is but even my Cabellas model has a version two (has manual and ground grab balancing) and it was made in 11/09. So far I think the only version 1 I have heard of is the G2 software. Are you sure it does not have manual ground balance as well as ground grab? Hope you can work it out!!
Good luck
Good luck
I have one of the first GB SE's that had to be re-calibrated, but it always had the ground grab and the ability to manually ground balance in all metal via the + and - buttons, as well as the modulated audio, so I am not sure what version prior to that would not have it.
Also, what is the deal with these software versions...what enhancements/new functions are in these newer releases ? Or is the newer software just updated for the issues it had on the first release ( ie, could not hit on big silver due to the ground balance adjustment along with a few other things)
All I know is, mine works great...whatever version I have !
JC
Also, what is the deal with these software versions...what enhancements/new functions are in these newer releases ? Or is the newer software just updated for the issues it had on the first release ( ie, could not hit on big silver due to the ground balance adjustment along with a few other things)
All I know is, mine works great...whatever version I have !
JC
This SE is from the last production run from the factory. Software is beyond the dealers ability to control but I would think that the last production run would have the best software. Too, earlier models had VCO in all modes, the last ones have only had them in ALL Metal.. Hope this helps... I will refund the $499 + shipping back to me or send a new F-5, customers choice... Best to all, Richard
The Gold Bug SE was not the latest version.
The final & latest Gold Bug is the Gold Bug "Pro", and the Gold Bug "DP". Pro comes with the 5" coil, the DP comes with the 11" coil. Both are version 3.
I have posted this info here a few times already.
Mr. Bill
wcrabtre@comcast.net
The final & latest Gold Bug is the Gold Bug "Pro", and the Gold Bug "DP". Pro comes with the 5" coil, the DP comes with the 11" coil. Both are version 3.
I have posted this info here a few times already.
Mr. Bill
wcrabtre@comcast.net
Usually I seem to offer up more lengthy replies but below I responded with a simple subject-line "Get back with the seller to make it right." perhaps I should have reviewed your initial post more or asked a question or two. Let me do that here. 
Also, unless a dealer has a detector already out-of-the-box, they can't check it for the features you want. Also, you said you "got stuck with version 1 GOLDBUG SE." Since you ordered a Gold Bug SE instead of the latest 'Pro' version, did you also want a specific version release of the SE? If so, or if not, did you ask for that?
From what I was told, there were four versions or revision s of the Gold Bug SE. This is rather common for most makes and models on the market and usually the consumer or dealer can't just press a button and turn it on to know there's a difference. Note, too, that all of the Gold Bug SE versions provided the Ground Grab and manual Ground Balance functions. The VCO audio feature can be a plus or minus depending upon how an end users likes it or even understands it.
A good dealer friend I do seminars for ordered in two new Teknetics G2's and Fisher Gold Bugs. I had my Teknetics G2 prototype (that still turned on and read Gold Bug) and I wanted to do some side-by-side comparisons with his units. When I visited his shop last month I noticed he had received the Gold Bug SE's, brand new in the box. Well, I compared them anyway and used the 11" DD and 5" DD coils they came with or that I had. The end result was that I found them to perform almost the same so far as depth of detection and discrimination performance was concerned.
Honestly, I didn't check to see which 'version' he had because I have used many makes and models, that have gone through several revisions, only to find that little, subtle changes are often not really even noticed by most consumers. In the case of evaluating these two detector models I did observe one thing. I do like a VCO Audio, sometimes, but a good ear can discern a lot if you're attentive the the total response. When I finished my comparisons I told him that his GBSE lacked VCO audio found on the new G2 or GB pro ... however .... I sort of wish there was a switch to change from VCO audio to non-VCO audio because I got slightly better target response, when comparing beyond about 3" from the coil, with the non-VCO Gold Bug SE that he received. I'm not claiming inches or anything like that, just a nice, pleasant audio response w/o VCO Audio.
I read where Richard at Backwoods offered a trade for a Fisher F5. Is that a model that you were also considering? What other detectors do you have and what types of detecting do you usually do? Is a Gold Bug really the model to suit your desires? For me I am mostly using my Teknetics Omega and G2, with the elliptical 10' concentric on the Omega and the 5" DD on the G2. I keep the 11" DD mounted on a spare lower rod for quick coil changes afield between these two models.
In closing, if you order4d a Gold Bug SE with manual GB and Ground Grab GB, you got it. There might be a difference in the VCO audio, but other than that you'll find very similar in-the-field performance between them. I know a guy who was going to 'upgrade' but decided to stick with his non-VCO GBSE because he likes it.
Just some thoughts.
monte
Maybe I should have asked why you ordered the Gold Bug SE and not the latest, and final, Gold Bug Pro?Woodchuck said:
Also, unless a dealer has a detector already out-of-the-box, they can't check it for the features you want. Also, you said you "got stuck with version 1 GOLDBUG SE." Since you ordered a Gold Bug SE instead of the latest 'Pro' version, did you also want a specific version release of the SE? If so, or if not, did you ask for that?
From what I was told, there were four versions or revision s of the Gold Bug SE. This is rather common for most makes and models on the market and usually the consumer or dealer can't just press a button and turn it on to know there's a difference. Note, too, that all of the Gold Bug SE versions provided the Ground Grab and manual Ground Balance functions. The VCO audio feature can be a plus or minus depending upon how an end users likes it or even understands it.
A good dealer friend I do seminars for ordered in two new Teknetics G2's and Fisher Gold Bugs. I had my Teknetics G2 prototype (that still turned on and read Gold Bug) and I wanted to do some side-by-side comparisons with his units. When I visited his shop last month I noticed he had received the Gold Bug SE's, brand new in the box. Well, I compared them anyway and used the 11" DD and 5" DD coils they came with or that I had. The end result was that I found them to perform almost the same so far as depth of detection and discrimination performance was concerned.
Honestly, I didn't check to see which 'version' he had because I have used many makes and models, that have gone through several revisions, only to find that little, subtle changes are often not really even noticed by most consumers. In the case of evaluating these two detector models I did observe one thing. I do like a VCO Audio, sometimes, but a good ear can discern a lot if you're attentive the the total response. When I finished my comparisons I told him that his GBSE lacked VCO audio found on the new G2 or GB pro ... however .... I sort of wish there was a switch to change from VCO audio to non-VCO audio because I got slightly better target response, when comparing beyond about 3" from the coil, with the non-VCO Gold Bug SE that he received. I'm not claiming inches or anything like that, just a nice, pleasant audio response w/o VCO Audio.
Did you specify 2.9 or 3 version software? Do you know the differences between them all? Have you used the Gold Bug SE that you received? You ask if it is worth keeping and I'd suggest that you just use the Gold bug SE that came your way. Learn it. Decide if it does what you want a detector to do, or were you looking for a certain type of model that offered different performance than the Gold Bug series?Woodchuck said:
I read where Richard at Backwoods offered a trade for a Fisher F5. Is that a model that you were also considering? What other detectors do you have and what types of detecting do you usually do? Is a Gold Bug really the model to suit your desires? For me I am mostly using my Teknetics Omega and G2, with the elliptical 10' concentric on the Omega and the 5" DD on the G2. I keep the 11" DD mounted on a spare lower rod for quick coil changes afield between these two models.
In closing, if you order4d a Gold Bug SE with manual GB and Ground Grab GB, you got it. There might be a difference in the VCO audio, but other than that you'll find very similar in-the-field performance between them. I know a guy who was going to 'upgrade' but decided to stick with his non-VCO GBSE because he likes it.
Just some thoughts.
monte
Detectorguru
New member
All I can say is for relic hunting in iron rubbish the VCO audio is a must. Nuff said.
The exact same thing happened to me, I ordered a GB SE and received a "Later serial number" (newest production) GB SE with software version 1. The odd thing was mine had 2 serial # stickers in the battery box one effortlessly placed over the other (almost like it had been back to the factory before). The version that I had performed similar to the 2nd one Keith Southern purchased and posted his "Houston we have a problem" video which has since disappeared. Discrimination and Air Tests of the version 1 we not equal to the 2.9 version (poor performance). My findings were not based on Keith's video alone, I have been hunting with and using George Kinsey's (Detectorguru) GB SE 2.9 ver. (earlier production than mine) for the past month and a half. We have been doing comparison's between the F75LTD and the GB SE. The problem that I had was that I didn't have the knowledge to ask for a particular Software version when ordering mine. Only a few folks were aware of all the different types and no info had yet been posted on any forums till after my order placed. Detectorguru made his"What version do you have in your Gold Bug SE?" post after I should him how to check for it so we could determine what was difference between our detectors. When I contacted Fisher a technician at first told me there was a problem and I needed to get an RO # to return it. When I called back to customer service I was then told that they had talked to a QA and said the detector was working as it should ( my findings where no VCO in disc and poor disc and air tests as compared to Detectorguru's 2.9 version) and that there was no need to send it in. I then asked to talk to the QA but he was unavailable. Thankfully the forum dealer I purchased the detector from (Don Dodson North GA Relics) was very helpful in getting me what I really wanted. He was also unaware of all the different software revs. in the GB SE's. After my new acquired knowledge of all the Rev. versions I asked for a GB PRO instead just to make sure I had the most up to date software. Don D being the great guy he is was obliged to help me out. The following week I received a call from Fisher saying that I could send in the GB SE and they would look at it but it was a little to late because I had already sent it back to Don D (coincidentally it was a few days after Detectorguru made his "What version do you have in your Gold Bug SE?" post). Now I'm not saying Fisher is a bad company or anything I just think they handled this Version thing a little poorly. Folks that purchase a GB SE expecting it to perform like there buddies are a little upset when they are not up to par, and Monte I'm not challenging your expertise or knowledge but there was a noticeable difference between the version 1 and 2.9 we were comparing depth wise and discrimination (the dime on edge between the nails would not work on version 1).
Detectorguru
New member
Great. My new "Black Beauty" should be here before Saturday. We should have some fun testing.
Just a question but why is it such a must when you have a vco in all metal and a tone break.? Also what I don't understand is why all these version one are coming out when the first models were the cabelles models which are version 2? Which no one seems to acknowledge they are out there, except for one person on this forum and no one will respond to comments on this model about the cabellas version. Whats up with that??? My 2 mode does extremely well in iron I hit stuff under nails and right next to large iron objects. In testing against my friends E-trac they cant do what this will do and they cant get a 1.2 gram nugget 2 inches down and I slam. Not griping just would like to be able to debate things.Detectorguru said:
HH
No Adam It only has a vco in all metal mode but I dont mind switching between it and disc. All metal really helps me to id Iron as the Vdi and fe meter give me allot of info.Adam(Va) said:
The full tone break and two tones seat at disc 40 allows me to really move along when coin shooting with it. Foil, nickels, gold and all coins hit higher and I only have a problem with large Iron at that point.
Wish someone like Dave J could shed some light on this for us and really let us know what each version is and how it differed from the next.
Good luck
Jim
I was about to order my own Gold Bug SE after they were first released but went another direction. Since that time I have played with a few Gold Bug SE's after viewing a lot of videos on the web and receiving some personal e-mail discussions. That lead me to want to check out and obtain a good Teknetics G2
With most makes and models on the market, I have found there to be a good deal of "not the same" between similar models. As an example, I have personally owned twenty-on (yes, 21) White's XLT's. Using the same headphones, they have varied a little just to set a similar audio Threshold. A couple have been as low as a setting of '4', most usually range fro a setting of '6' to '8', and still a couple called for a higher Threshold setting of '10' and one even needed a '16.' Some people have had F75 or T2 models, more than one, that had the same version, but one was quieter than the other. It's not out-of-the-ordinary so see some differences between production runs of the same model.
That said, yes, I am aware that there are some difference that can affect the overall performance and I generally prefer to own the best of a model that i can find. Always have.
Another comment is that I don't think I said the Gold Bug SE I checked out at the dealer's shop was a version '1', but I also didn't check that. I'll do that today or tomorrow to be sure.
What I do know is that I have had good performance from both the VCO and non-VCO audio Disc. modes on the GBSE's that I have checked out, and I'm with everyone else when it comes to getting all of this discussion out of the way. The fact is, we know there were a few revisions of the Gold Bug SE so if we order a new Gold Bug, knowing the SE has been discontinued and replaced by the latest/final version, we need to accept that fact that we might either get one of a few variants of the GBSE, or we ought to assure ourselves that we have the final revision and just buy the Gold Bug Pro (or Gold Bug DP, if we want the same detector with the larger, 11" DD coil).
I trust things will work out for you.
Monte
Two quick comments:Adam(Va) said:
With most makes and models on the market, I have found there to be a good deal of "not the same" between similar models. As an example, I have personally owned twenty-on (yes, 21) White's XLT's. Using the same headphones, they have varied a little just to set a similar audio Threshold. A couple have been as low as a setting of '4', most usually range fro a setting of '6' to '8', and still a couple called for a higher Threshold setting of '10' and one even needed a '16.' Some people have had F75 or T2 models, more than one, that had the same version, but one was quieter than the other. It's not out-of-the-ordinary so see some differences between production runs of the same model.
That said, yes, I am aware that there are some difference that can affect the overall performance and I generally prefer to own the best of a model that i can find. Always have.
Another comment is that I don't think I said the Gold Bug SE I checked out at the dealer's shop was a version '1', but I also didn't check that. I'll do that today or tomorrow to be sure.
What I do know is that I have had good performance from both the VCO and non-VCO audio Disc. modes on the GBSE's that I have checked out, and I'm with everyone else when it comes to getting all of this discussion out of the way. The fact is, we know there were a few revisions of the Gold Bug SE so if we order a new Gold Bug, knowing the SE has been discontinued and replaced by the latest/final version, we need to accept that fact that we might either get one of a few variants of the GBSE, or we ought to assure ourselves that we have the final revision and just buy the Gold Bug Pro (or Gold Bug DP, if we want the same detector with the larger, 11" DD coil).
I trust things will work out for you.
Monte
and you are correct that the versions you tested were not mentioned, my mistake. I was going by how you described the different response of the two Gold Bug SE 's you tested and made an unfounded assumption. I can see how possibly the non VCO disc could be helpful for coin shooters. My only recommendation to folks looking into to buying a Gold Bug SE is be aware of all the versions and test them before you buy if possible. If not, you have no idea what you might be getting, even the new "old stock" dealers have. Fisher does not seem very willing to "change" anyone's software revision so don't expect any help from them in that department. Go with a Gold Bug ( no Manual GB/ no VCO in disc if that is what you want) , Gold Bug Pro, DP or Tek G2 and you will know exactly what you are getting. Fisher should be very appreciative of all the input everyone has posted on this subject. Having that many differences in the same model in such a short period of time with folks being unaware that it is software and not hardware can rob the consumer of their confidence in the companies Quality Control. Thanks Monte, for all the years of experience you share on the forums! I for one am grateful!
BuckeyeBrad
New member
This might be considered "review" to anyone who has been able to keep up with the various version "new" Gold Bugs but in TODAY's world, one (whether a consumer or a dealer) only needs to view the three CURRENT versions available on the Fisher website. It verbally shows the difference between the current Goldbug (which is NOT an SE), the Pro, and the DP. If you (or any dealer for that matter) actually used the term SE when you made your order, it was either a mistake or it would have had to have been an actual earlier SE, which were 2.9's. The SE's haven't been made for awhile now and IF there are actually any still available in a dealer's inventory, it is from the early and only production of the REAL SE's. If there were actually any real SE's out there with 3.0, I'd be curious as to what the price of that particular unit was. The closest thing to an SE in the current lineup is the Pro. Yes, the SE's WERE at a great introductory price that didn't seem so obvious at the time because no one in the general public knew how it was going to evolve into three versions with two new different software features (1 and 3) as well as a different cost structure. I imagine just about everyone has been confused at some time or another as the intro (and further development) progressed initially from the Cabela's unit to the SE, to the three currently produced GB's. I guess the good news is you finally got the unit you wanted all along and I hope it impresses you as much or more as George's 2.9 has and I too am looking forward to his and your up and coming comparisons over the weekend. I was initially hoping to do the same test but I ran out of weather. 
autopilot42
Well-known member
I bought one of the gbse's when they where first available I think back in may or early June and I do not know what software was in the machine at the time. Mine took two trips back to the factory since then and when it came back the second time it had version 3 and functions up to my expectations and possibly more. The only thing I noticed from the first to the second rev (3) was a common nail rang at 27 instead of 15. I do not know if that is a function of tuning or software. The pro comes with 3 and there is probably not much difference but they sure made this very confusing for the consumer and the dealers. I guess marketing at FT drives what the product will be. If in doubt you have to buy the pro to get the vco audio in disc from here on out. I am by no means a seasoned detectorist but I am sure there will be more disappointments for the average consumer. If you ever had a problem with your goldbug and had to send it in who know what you would get back.
Just my thoughts
Bob
Just my thoughts
Bob
The one I ordered was in late October, The user manual inside was dated Sept 2010. The "S" rod (and I think the box) was marked "SE". When I talked to a FT technician he told me how to check the Software rev. in the unit . I then read him the serial number, he said it was a "late model production" with the "newest updates for the GB SE". I have a feeling it was an earlier model, returned to the factory (hence the two serial number stickers in the Battery compartment) with the new "Gold Bug" base model software loaded in it. Just a theory though. Folks just need to make sure to check the software before they buy new or used. Just so they know what they are getting. I made an uneducated assumption back then that if I ordered a "GB SE" it would respond like the 2.9 version. The only info I had of different "SE" models was Keith Southern's video. Were the Cabela's versions also called "SE" models?
Hopefully the weather will cooperate with George and I also. If it doesn't George will have the advantage with his detector, but to be honest George will always have the advantage with his expertise. I think he could swing a stick with a pie pan taped to it and still out dig me!
Hopefully the weather will cooperate with George and I also. If it doesn't George will have the advantage with his detector
, but to be honest George will always have the advantage with his expertise. I think he could swing a stick with a pie pan taped to it and still out dig me!