Goldmaster Vsat

[morose]

I have a chance to buy a Goldmaster Vsat in pristine condition. $250.
My questions are 1)What is it's operating frequency?, 2) How does it compare to a Fisher GoldBug 1 ? I would use this detector primarily for propecting. I have two older Garretts, but they both operate at 5.5 Khz. Not too good for smaller nuggets. Thanks for you replies.
Steve in California

 

[steve herschbach]

Hi Steve,

The V/SAT is a 50 kHz unit. It easily outperforms the original old Bug, and also has a good iron disc circuit to boot. $250 is a good price. If the big ground balance control is a double-staked control, it is a 1995 model. If it is a single 10 turn control it is the 1998 model. The operating manual for 1995 is online at http://www.whiteselectronics.com/manuals/Goldmaster%20Manuals/GM%20VSAT%201995%20Instruction%20Manual.pdf and the 1998 manual is at http://www.whiteselectronics.com/manuals/Goldmaster%20Manuals/GM%20VSAT%201998%20Instruction%20Manual.pdf

The 4"x6" Shooter coil from White's and 14" elliptical Goldmax coil will both work on the V/SAT. I do believe the V/SAT had a 10" elliptical concentric coil as compared to the 10" elliptical DD coils of the later Goldmaster models. This can be a good thing or a bad thing depending on your ground conditions. Generally a concentric is a better performing coil unless the ground conditions are really bad, then a DD will be smoother operating. Jimmy Sierra also has a new 12" HotShot round concentric coil for the Goldmaster series that is worth a look.

The V/SAT could be chest or hipmounted. A pouch and harness were available and I would not be surprised if Jimmy Sierra did not still have some around. Otherwise it is easy enough to rig up.

The V/SAT is a good rig and still does about as well as the later Goldmaster units. Some might even prefer it to the GMT since it can be chestmounted.

Steve Herschbach
Steve's Mining Journal

 

[morose]

Thanks for your reply. I'm going with the GM Vsat. I was wrestling with the Gold Bug 1 or a Garrett Scorpion but thanks to this forum I decided on the White's. What part of the world do you live in?? I'm smack dab in the middle of the Gold country in Northern California. Not quite Australia or Alaska but I fiqure between Cal and Nevada I should satisfy but hobby hunting Steve

 

[steve herschbach]

Hi Steve,

Anchorage, Alaska. Spring is in the air here... it is almost light when I go to work in the morning now! Got an early heat wave of a bit over freezing at the moment, but still snowed last night. Basically I'm just counting the days until I can do some real detecting.

Do a Google on

steve herschbach gold

for lots of gold hunting info.

There is lots of gold in California. And it is not froze over half the year! Just put in the time and stick with it and you can make some great finds. The secret is not the machine, it is sheer persistance that separates the successful nugget hunters from the rest. Good luck!

Steve Herschbach
Steve's Mining Journal

P.S. You might want to hang on to that old Gold Bug also. Fine machine and worth more than you will probably get for it if you sell it.

 

[maxgecko]

where in northern california do you live morose?

 

[maxgecko]

hey guys I just got myself a gold master vsat and I was wondering what kinda coil do you guys recommend for it b sides the stock 1 that came on it

 

[salmonriverhotrock]

Besides the stock Long Scan 6" X 10", I run the 6" X 10" Twin DD and the 4" X 6" GM Shooter DD coils on my V/SAT. The DD's are a little harder to pin point with but they are less effected by soil iron/mineral content. With the DD coils, I've found I can put more fire to the wire. I can run the Gain higher than at times with my Longscan. The stock Longscan and the DD coils have their ups and downs if a person wants to call it such but to have them will make your V/SAT flexible. Now that I've used the DD's, I would not be without them.