Sovereign update

[durhamradio]

I have a 1997 Sol XS, and have been very pleased with this machine. I have been thinking about updating to a newer Sovereign, and was wanting some opinions as to is there really any advantage to doing this at this time, Is there more depth or better target location with the newer units with meters. I am not into bells and fancy gadget's, just the different tones.

 

[Willee - Texas]

I have a 1997 Sol XS, and have been very pleased with this machine. I have been thinking about updating to a newer Sovereign, and was wanting some opinions as to is there really any advantage to doing this at this time, Is there more depth or better target location with the newer units with meters. I am not into bells and fancy gadget's, just the different tones.

Nope ... no reason to upgrade unless you just want something newer, need a backup, or just have too much money laying around.
Perhaps a larger coil to go back and hunt spots you have cleaned out with the smaller one.

 

[sovereign-fan]

does the new GT go deeper than the XS ? if so how much deeper. thanks.

 

[plugger]

I have both and if I were you I would just upgrade my XS. Try a balanced straight rod with a rear mount, a new coil like the Sun Ray S-8 and/or the S-12 (12" coil). Do you have a rechargeable Sun Ray NIMH battery pack for it (how's 30 hours between charges sound)? How about a stand or a Sun Ray S-1 Inline Probe? Modifying the stock setup is both fun and rewarding. It will seem like a new machine and still be as dependable as the Sovereigns all are.

 

[plugger]

Forgot one thing........ You can also move a plastic terminal block inside the box and set it up for "Silent Search" just like the GT. It's easy to do.

 

[Beachcomber]

Personally I would make the upgrades to the straight shaft and things like that for the time being. During the past 6 months or so Minelab has come out with new models of all thier machines except the Sov. THe GT has been out for around 5 years now and is way overdue for an overhaul (hopefully into a lighter smaller version with the new thin 11" coil that they put on the E-Trac). I would think a new version of the Sov can't be to far behind. The most annoying thing that could happen would be to go out and spend all that money on a new GT only to have a new version come out a month later. The Sov that you already have is a very good machine and with a couple of mechanical changes could be even more enjoyable to use. The only really safe time to buy a new model is within the first year that it is out as you will know it won't be replaced with a newer model right away. But as I mentioned the Sov is way overdue to be replaced with a newer version. JMHO

HH

Beachcomber

 

[ringking1]

I WOULD BUY IT IN A HEART BEAT !!!

 

[durhamradio]

Thank you all for the response's. I may step up to a larger coil, and wait a while longer to see what new oferings come out from minelab.