Original Goldbug - what is it worth?

[PokerShark]

Hello all,

My detector stable has grown too large and I am about to trim it down so I can afford a new uber detector. In doing so I will be selling my original Goldbug because I don't do much prospecting these days. My question to the group is - what is it worth? I spoke to a local Fisher dealer that said those detectors are still in demand because people still swear by them. I asked him and he said $300 - $350. I think he is on drugs and only wish it was worth that much.

What do you think is the actual value?

Just so you know, I will be liquidating the GB, a Garrett GTI 2500, and a Whites XLT. I have a sentimental attachment to the GB and the GTI 2500 has been a rock solid coin hunter. The XLT and I have a love/hate relationship here in the highly mineralized soil of Southern California and it tends to like trash more than the GTI. I am doing this to buy a used V3i if I can find one used that is not 90% of retail!! Comments on the 3 into 1 plan are also welcome. I am a techie so the V3i peaks my interest and thus motivates me to learn more.

Thanks everyone,
The Shark

 

[Dave J.]

Although its basic "hots" are nearly in the same league as the modern stuff, it's probably not worth much. Here's why.

1. It's not quite as hot as the modern stuff, and in gold prospecting "hots" is a lot more important than (for instance) in routine coinshooting.

2. It has no discrimination features: not really much use for anything besides gold prospecting.

3. Not all that easy to use, manual ground balance only.

4. Oldie: if it quits, the cost of repairing it will probably be more than it's worth.

I've got no axe to grind against the original GB, I'm the guy who designed it. It was the first metal detector designed brand new from the ground up as a gold machine and not anything else. It became the industry standard in its day. But that was then: a lot has happened since. If a person already has one and has learned how to use it well and expects to continue using it, it's worth keeping. But for someone who's never owned one before, it wouldn't make much sense to get one.

--Dave J.

 

[PokerShark]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

AU - Yep, that is what I was thinking about $200 - $225.

Dave J - it is a pure pleasure meeting, be it indirectly, the designer of this fine machine. You sir own a place in the detecting Hall of Fame if there ever was one. It is well known that GB 1's were the best in their day and there is much more "shiny yellow" out of the ground and roaming around this planet due to your effort. Thank you sir for taking the time to reply to my post and I fully agree with your points.

The Shark - Jon