Multi Use Gold Prospecting Detectors PI or VLF?

[Dwayne2010]

After much fruistration, and reading the latest Gold Prospectors Magazine, I have become absoilutely frustrated with the amount of information out there on gold metal detectors! There seems to be an overwhleming load of opinions on which detector is best. VLF or PI, Whites vs Minelab and Fisher etc. Very confusing. As far as I can see and from what I have been told, the MXT is hands down the best? On the other hand, after reading the Gold Prospectors Magazine, they recommend a PI machine hands down? I am confused. Are there PI machines that are under 1000$?
So, I have come down to two questions, keeping in mind budget,

Question 1

PI or VLF?

Question #2

If the consensus is VLF, which detector would be suited for small gold, but also for days that I want to hit the park? If a PI machine, then which one based on the requirements that I am seeking in the VLF part of my question?

 

[Frank in NH]

There are no PIs out there for under a $1000 that would be good for hunting parks with all the trash in them, as they will not disc. out junk. So i would go for a VLF as you could buy a nice one under a $1000. This is just my opinion.

 

[Digger Bob]

Agreed. A PI machine is deeper seeking for gold, or anything else for that matter. But they don't discriminate, so are practically useless for coin hunting. A VLF "gold only" machine, like a GMT or Gold Bug will hit on much smaller targets but again, they only have iron ID, not true discrimination, and they don't go as deep. Again, useless for coin hunting.
So, to get the best compromise between the two, the MXT is the best choice, especially for under $1000. It's esentially three machines in one. For nuggets I strongly recommend a smaller eliptical loop, the 9x5.

Digger Bob

 

[Frank in NH]

I use one and can hunt parks and also use at the ocean beaches looking for gold jewlery. Would also be great for prospecting gold.

 

[nvchris]

[size=medium][/size]Sounds like you want to both prospect and hunt coins and relics. And have never used a detector before.

If that's so then a unit like the MXT would suite you. "Jack of all trades and master on none" is what you get from an "all around unit unit" If I had to pick it would be the Minelab Xterra 705. (yes I have and use them both)

with your budget you could get 2 detectors one for gold like the GMZ or GB3 (gold bug ) and a entry level coin unit.

If prospecting is your main intrust then a Minelab Eureka Gold would be my choice. It handles hot ground better then the "others"

The PI is hands down the unit of choice for prospecting for gold unmatched for depth and the ability to ignore hot mineralized ground that.

The PI thats close to your budget ids the Whites TDI at around $1500. It makes a decent relic and coin unit too once you master the crude tone ID system. Still nothing like a VLF for discrimination.

Next would be a used Minelab PI. Good luck finding one tho right now demand is high and they fetch a premium price.

Just remember that most detectors end up in the closet. So pick one that holds a resale value.

nvchris

 

[Dwayne2010]

I use to own an Xterra 70 but had to sell it a year ago. So, I am not entirely a newbie having spent 100 plus hours on the thing. I sure loved getting out.

Okay, so 3 options. In summary, PI's are the way to go, likely the best value at this point is Whites TDI, a good 500 bucks more then I am willing to pay, yet you get essentially 3 detectors for the price of one. Or, options 2, purchase the GMZ and an Ace 250 and hunt both areas for under a thousand bucks? Last option, a Minelab Eureka Gold, strictly for gold hunting, but a PI machine.

I sure appreciate the responses. This actually helps a lot to have the field narrowed down. I see that the GMZ has two nobs and a trigger, not counting the nob operating the thing lol. (Poor humour I know)
A GMZ is around 500 bucks and an Ace 250 could run up to 400$. Hmmm. Is the Xterra 70 a PI machine Chris or a VLF. See you threw another curve ball at me lol.

 

[Frank in NH]

n/t

 

[Dwayne2010]

Okay Thank you. I see that the Eureka Gold Costs around 1000$. I really think that I need to split the prospecting up and the general coin and jewelery up. Forget just getting one machine to do it all.

 

[Frank in NH]

n/t

 

[Dwayne2010]

Well, we do have dealers, but it if you want a whites, they then have to purshase through the US I think. I was just looking and a Eureka costs 1000$!

 

[nvchris]

Just a note older Minelabs VLF's can be found at a good price and are damn near the same as the Eureka ( a VLF ) which can be had for about $600 used.

FT 18000, FT 17000 about $300 to $500 sometimes much less. Try Australia's ebay for them.

I've got a used MXT with 3 coils $450 + shipping and insurance.......and I'll send it to Whites for a check up on my dime.


Chris

 

[Dwayne2010]

I find it interesting that the Eureka will not even pick up iron, but auto discriminate it out. So, really, the only noise you should hear is lead, gold or other non-ferrus targets? Is this true? Anyone have this experience with eth Eureka?

 

[Digger Bob]

"''Okay, so 3 options. In summary, PI's are the way to go, likely the best value at this point is Whites TDI, a good 500 bucks more then I am willing to pay, yet you get essentially 3 detectors for the price of one. Or, options 2, purchase the GMZ and an Ace 250 and hunt both areas for under a thousand bucks? Last option, a Minelab Eureka Gold, strictly for gold hunting, but a PI machine.""

To clairfy a couple of things you said above; The TDI is a great nugget hunting machine. But again, because it's a PI, it is not a good choice as a coin machine. It CAN be used for that,but it takes some mastery of learning the different sounds and settings. No discrimination per se. For more details on this fine machine, go here; http://tdi.invisionplus.net/index.php?mforum=tdi&showforum=3

The GMZ is a great starter gold machine; VLF and easy to learn. No discrimination. I wouldn't touch an Ace 250 if you gave it to me.

The Eureka Gold is a VLF machine, not a PI. No discrimination, BUT it does have Iron ID. You hear it, but it sounds different than non ferrous metal. I have a brand new one, unused, if you are interested, $800 shipped.

I still think you're best choice for what you are describing is the MXT. You get the best of both worlds and truly 3 machines in one for under $1000.

Digger Bob

 

[Dwayne2010]

I jsut sent you a PM Bob.

 

[Mike Scott]

http://www.fisherlab.com/hobby/dave-johnson-essays.htm

Under the "books" section lots of info on VLF and Pulse technology along with other relevant info

I have been at the GPAA shows recently and raced the New Fisher Gold Bug prototype against all others it beats all the PI units, along with the MXT, Lobo, Scorpion and Eureka on small nuggets-It virtually matches the GMT and GB2 for sensitivity on small nuggets. Only the PI's have better depth but only on larger targets. Field testers that use and sell all these units have confirmed these results in the field. (It

 

[Dwayne2010]

What a great read! There is a tonne of information to absorb in that manual. It looks like VLF still has its place in the detecting world. Although there wasn't much emphasis on the New Gold Bug, its was a neutral position taken by the author which is good to see.

 

[TURNMASTER]

http://www.akmining.com/forums/showthread.php/13-Latest-Nugget-Detector-Recommendations-for-Alaska

Try this link, he gives some good info and really likes the MXT. I believe he liked the xterra705 also. Look for the posts from B.T. on the xterra 70/705.
I bought a 705 for coins and will use it for nugget shooting also. I bought it with the 5x10 18.75khz DD coil and have also gotton the 6" 18.75 DD and the 10.5" 7.5khz DD. These coils should hit multiple sizes and types of gold well. The 7.5khz runs contrary to popular freqs for gold but there are guys here who say it does real well in tailing piles and other places for larger nuggets.

I'd go with the MXT or the 705, but I knew I would hunt coins more. From what I have read if you learn either machine they will serve you well. The 705 is lighter that the MXT, but some parts in the 705 are made in Malasia. I do not know where besides the US that whites parts are made.

$450 is a good deal on the MXT.

Jeff

 

[Dwayne2010]

I wonder how small of gold the Xterra 70 will pick up? The gold that I am after will be grain gold, anything in the gram range would be a bonus. I have some ideas now. Where to focus my research, and my focus has narrowed, to the GMZ, Eureka Gold, and MXT. I had some good input from a forum member to purchase a Prism 4 for coin/jewelery. I donlt know anything yet about the Prism 4. So more research!

 

[TURNMASTER]

I forgot the Garrett Scorpian Gold Stinger.

 

[Digger Bob]

The one thing I forgot to ask you is the size of gold you are going after. Now that you have stated it is grain size, that narrows your options down some more.
For gold that small you need a high frequency machine like the GMZ, GMT, or Eureka. The MXT, TDI, and any other machine that operates under 15 Khz won't pick them up that small in bad ground unless you have the machine tuned perfectly and know what to listen for.

Digger Bob