Here's wishing you the best of luck in finding another GTI.
Like you said: ... "I miss just digging coin sized objects"
I agree with you 100 percent.
Right now I have a GTI2500. Before it, I had a GTP1350. I've done hours of tests comparing the GTP and GTI against other detectors, from several manufacturers (all non-imaging). The others feel a little too much like toys now.
Example: I still have one non-imaging detector. It's a Teknetics Omega 8000 version 6, and it's good ... sensitive, stable, and deep. But like the others I've tested, there's no imaging. It can't tell the difference between a piece of can slaw or a large copper nut or washer at 8 inches versus a coin at 4 inches. The VDI numbers are similar. The signal width is similar too, when swinging the 'X' pattern. (Targets aren't always "flat" in the ground.) It takes the extra time, digging, and pinpointer to finally dig out what's there.
With the GTI2500, I see the target size right away -- coin size and shallower, or bigger and deeper. You can dig if you want to, and you'll see that the GTI was accurate.
When I first got the GTI, I dug everything. I did so just to see how accurate the imaging is. It's accurate. And still occasionally, I'll dig the target anyway -- once in a while -- just to see if the imaging is still accurate. It's just to keep the confidence level up. It's still accurate.
The GTI target imaging works because the GTI uses a 3-element coil -- one Tx winding and two Rx windings. In effect, it "sees" two cone patterns in the ground, one larger and deeper and the other one smaller and shallower. By comparing the two signals, the electronics can calculate both the depth and the size of the target.
The GTI costs more to make, because of the additional coil winding and the circuits processing the two cone signals. But it's worth it in the long run.
Another helpful GTI feature is the "surface elimination" ability. If you're in an area with lots of shallow trash, you can set the Surface Elimination mode to a shallow depth -- say two or three inches -- to ignore the shallow stuff. You will only get signals on the deeper (and possibly older) targets. You can spend your time covering more ground for deeper targets, and later you can always come back another time for the shallow stuff. The point is, with the GTI2500 you have the choice.
I'll take the Omega out for a day at the park or beach, because it's light and easy to swing. But for a day at a serious detecting site, the GTI2500 is the only one.
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Personally, I won't buy another non-imaging detector.
A little bit of a dig here. I respect Garrett, but giving an AT detector a "MAX" name just doesn't cut it.
It isn't a "maximum" design when it lacks a vital feature that another detector has. Call it something else.
"MAX" sounds too much like marketing. Call it "Almost MAX". That sounds more accurate.
When Garrett brings out a new AT with all of its current features *AND* imaging, then we've got a real Maximum detector. I'll be with the first people in line for it.
Best of luck in finding a GTI. They cost money, but humble opinion here, they're worth it.
Cheers,
Joe
