HELP!!! Minelab Sov GT vs Sov ORIGINAL

[Lineweed]

okay okay, everyone's been telling me the the Sov is King on the beach and I have finally decided on purchasing a one.

However, I've been offered a Sov Original and am now having a headache over choosing an expensive new Sov or a used Sov Original!

This model is so old that I can't find much information on it :no: I've to resort to asking you guys your opinion on this.

Does anyone know:

1. Internally, are the GT and Original Sov the same? Or has there been major groundbreaking changes since it first came out? I'm going to use this for the beach and shallow water.

2. If the coil is waterproof? The coil is the old white-coloured one, with a large orange minelab logo and the world "COINSEARCH" super-imposed on it.

3. Is there a volume control? I don't see one at all on the control box!

4. The Sov Original sold uses 8 AA batteries, can it be changed into a modern NiMH battery pack?

How much do you think is the max I should buy it for? I'm asking because its used, I have to take into account almost 120USD shipping fee to my country. Seriously considering phoning Plexus Corp in Malaysia and ask if they will ship a single Sov GT down to Singapore Doesn't even make sense for the machine to be assembled in a nearby country, shipped to USA, then sent back to practically the same place with a hefty shipping charge incurred

 

[ZOFCHAK]

Considering the high costs you will incur getting it shipped, I would definitely go with a new GT if it's within you budget. The original Sovereign is a good machine, but you're looking at a detector that is over 20 years old. The newer Sovereigns tend to have less issues with EMI interference and are more stable. They also have a much improved battery compartment. Also, Minelab will no longer service Sovereign models older than the Elite as parts are not available. The Coinsearch coils are not waterproof, so you would need to get a different coil to hit the shallow water.

 

[Lineweed]

oh yea i forgot to say there is no Silent Search mode... is that important!? I also wanted to ask, if the coil can be changed - to Sov GT 8"/10" or WOT/SEG.

EMI interference will not be a problem where I am.

 

[Critterhunter]

Some say the GT is slightly deeper and more sensitive to small targets than older Sovereigns. Like he said, the battery compartment is greatly improved. You should get a rechargeable pack along with the regular one with a GT. I see KellyCo now offers a package deal where you get the GT with the stock 10" Tornado and the 12x10. That's the deal I'd go for because the 12x10 is one awesome coil. It will also help improve your coverage on the beach. The GT has a silent search mode but the older Sovereigns do not. That old Coinsearch coil is not waterproof either.

 

[Ron from Michigan]

The Original likes hot rocks,I would choose any Sovereign model over the original.I have had two of these models and 80 percent of signals that would come in as a deep coin turned out to be a hot rock, the other Sovereign wouldn't even hick up in these parks.Get the GT or another Sovereign. Good Luck

 

[Rick(ND)]

The original is not the detector the others are and the GT is the best of them all. The original is the first Sovereign made and is was not as good for me as any of the other ones as I tried 2 different originals. Now the XS which was the next model made was one of the better Sovereigns the same as the XS2 as the 2 came with the waterproof coil and the drop in battery pack too, but being older they don't make the rechargeable battery packs anymore and you have to do some mods to the XS2 and the XS2a and have a battery made.
So if your shipping is that high then I wouldn't hesitate and by a new GT which is quite a difference than the original or even find a used one for the right price so you have the latest and best Sovereign made as the Minelab don't service the older Sovereigns plus so many have tried to do some mods to the older ones and did more damage then good and then want to sell them to those that don't know the difference so you can wind up with a Sovereign that is messed up and cant be repaired.



Rick

 

[RELIC_HUNTER]

Considering the high costs you will incur getting it shipped, I would definitely go with a new GT if it's within you budget. The original Sovereign is a good machine, but you're looking at a detector that is over 20 years old. The newer Sovereigns tend to have less issues with EMI interference and are more stable. They also have a much improved battery compartment. Also, Minelab will no longer service Sovereign models older than the Elite as parts are not available. The Coinsearch coils are not waterproof, so you would need to get a different coil to hit the shallow water.

...The Coinsearch coil will become waterproof, Apply Marine Epoxy to the wire and coil connector and then you have a waterproof coil... 6 years and still going strong.