Gidday USA,This is Aussie88 saying hello to you all from Australia,I'm retied and I purchased a "Garrett GTI 2500 PRO" because it looked like it had the works for a Newbie prospector for gold,Now I live in Victoria Australia and will be doing a lot of prospecting in and around the Golden Triangle which has a fair amount of MINERALIZATION going on,A fellow has made a comment that I have made a mistake buying the "Garrett GTI 2500 PRO" to use where there is heavy MINERALIZATION,But from what I read and saw on the DVD the 2500 looked just perfect for the job,PLEASE PLEASE tell me I am right.As I belong to two other forums in Australia I would just love to post some positive info about the "GTI 2500 Pro",Well I hope you give me heaps of YES YES you have done the right thing,So for now My Very Best Regards,Aussie88
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The Garrett GTI 2500 PRO
- Thread starter Aussie88
- Start date
TheHarleyMan2
New member
I was given a GTI 2500 w/ Eagle Eye not long ago. I haven't been out using it much. Here in Texas the ground is hard as rock. I did bring it a few times out to an area where there were Indians back in the 1800's, where also, small abouts of fine flake and spec gold has been found.
I found about .3 penny weight for the times I went out prospecting so far. After I got the detector, I went out and tried it out in my backyard, with coins, nails, and the gold in the glass vile. I tried it out in ALL metal mode, discriminate, and of course it picked up the gold.
I took it out to another local river, where people go swim. But it seems that when in discrimination mode it will give a signal of a quarter or so and I dig it, and low and behold it is a rusty nail. I will say this much, the manual is confusing and when it talks about the different modes, it says if you are having confusion or not sure of the discrimination settings, set it back to factory settings and use ALL metal mode.
I was hoping to find someone here around the Austin, Texas area that has or had one that I could go out with that could show me the way with this metal detector.
I did bring the detector out to where I gold prospect and of course there is A LOT of magnetite, and I went out and the darn thing kept going off left and right. I was trying to discriminate the magnetite out to see if I can pick up some black sands with gold. (some of the areas there are some fine little flake pickers that have been found in some areas. But as far as the detector picking up a couple of small flakes. I don't know. I got frustrated with digging on the side of the hill by the creek only digging dirt and panning it and found that 90% of the black sands was magnetite!
I had researched metal detectors on which one to get and got different reviews as to everyone's preference and what they use. Kind of like some people prefer Chevy's, others Fords, and some Toyota's
So I had asked about the GTI 2500 on another treasure forum and few people that used it said it was a good detector, others that DIDN'T have it said they knew people who had it and said the reviews were not that great! I wanted it because the package I was looking at had the Eagle Eye come with it with the extra 12.5 coil and a few other things. So the person got it for me as a gift.
I haven't tried it out yet around any beach with salt water mineralization to see if it really works. The nearest beach from me is 4-6 hours away.
So tomorrow i am heading out to the river where I prospect because part of the river is a swimming area that people go to and the river is about 6ft down due to drought conditions and no rain here. So I am going to see if anyone lost any jewelry.
Before I got this detector I had gotten a cheapo Bounty Hunter Sharp Shooter II a couple of years ago. It worked pretty good and I found some coins. But, I guess it will take me a while to get the hang of my GTI trying to figure it out on my own
I found about .3 penny weight for the times I went out prospecting so far. After I got the detector, I went out and tried it out in my backyard, with coins, nails, and the gold in the glass vile. I tried it out in ALL metal mode, discriminate, and of course it picked up the gold.
I took it out to another local river, where people go swim. But it seems that when in discrimination mode it will give a signal of a quarter or so and I dig it, and low and behold it is a rusty nail. I will say this much, the manual is confusing and when it talks about the different modes, it says if you are having confusion or not sure of the discrimination settings, set it back to factory settings and use ALL metal mode.
I was hoping to find someone here around the Austin, Texas area that has or had one that I could go out with that could show me the way with this metal detector.
I did bring the detector out to where I gold prospect and of course there is A LOT of magnetite, and I went out and the darn thing kept going off left and right. I was trying to discriminate the magnetite out to see if I can pick up some black sands with gold. (some of the areas there are some fine little flake pickers that have been found in some areas. But as far as the detector picking up a couple of small flakes. I don't know. I got frustrated with digging on the side of the hill by the creek only digging dirt and panning it and found that 90% of the black sands was magnetite!
I had researched metal detectors on which one to get and got different reviews as to everyone's preference and what they use. Kind of like some people prefer Chevy's, others Fords, and some Toyota's
So I had asked about the GTI 2500 on another treasure forum and few people that used it said it was a good detector, others that DIDN'T have it said they knew people who had it and said the reviews were not that great! I wanted it because the package I was looking at had the Eagle Eye come with it with the extra 12.5 coil and a few other things. So the person got it for me as a gift.
I haven't tried it out yet around any beach with salt water mineralization to see if it really works. The nearest beach from me is 4-6 hours away.
So tomorrow i am heading out to the river where I prospect because part of the river is a swimming area that people go to and the river is about 6ft down due to drought conditions and no rain here. So I am going to see if anyone lost any jewelry.
Before I got this detector I had gotten a cheapo Bounty Hunter Sharp Shooter II a couple of years ago. It worked pretty good and I found some coins. But, I guess it will take me a while to get the hang of my GTI trying to figure it out on my own
[size=large]first off concentric coils tend to do bad in high minerlized soil. if you have a dd coil then it may fall to you to just get to know your machine.
the GTI machines don't have the reputation of being gold hunting machines. if you're serious about prospecting then sad to say you picked the wrong machine. each manufacturer makes machines just for the gold fields. it goes to your preference on sound and the learning curve. usually no discrimination and sensitivity as high as it will go. those with the best all around reps are the minelabs, whites mxt and fishers.for just gold hunting they all have good models. check out you tube. finding gold iii .the guy there shows the best garrett, fisher and whites machines and says why. he doesn't even mention minelab.
HH[/size]
the GTI machines don't have the reputation of being gold hunting machines. if you're serious about prospecting then sad to say you picked the wrong machine. each manufacturer makes machines just for the gold fields. it goes to your preference on sound and the learning curve. usually no discrimination and sensitivity as high as it will go. those with the best all around reps are the minelabs, whites mxt and fishers.for just gold hunting they all have good models. check out you tube. finding gold iii .the guy there shows the best garrett, fisher and whites machines and says why. he doesn't even mention minelab.
HH[/size]
Hi Theharleyman2, First off thank you for responding to my post,Giving up your time to respond, is very encouraging to me,And believe me I take note of every comment made,You know you are right perhaps just getting out there and learning how our GTI 2500 works is the way to go,But you know "Theharleyman2" I have posted my message for help on 3 different forums for 5 replies,It would seem not to many people own the GTI 2500 PRO,In fact you are the only one apart from my self who do own one.It is looking like most people in Australia use the "Minelab" for gold prospecting.I will certainly keep on trying there is still a heck of a lot gold still waiting in the "Golden Triangle" to be found,If I find out any more info from anyone on the other forums I belong to, I will post to you as fast as I can "Theharleyman2"I have one more comment,I also have a "Automax Precision V4 Pinpointer" It seems to work really well on small targets,Do you think one of these would be any good for flake gold?They are not very expensive either,Well thanks again mate,Will shut down for now.
Hello to "Widebody" & "Kelso,WA",Everything I have said about responding to my cry for help above, I say to you,A big heart felt thank you,All your comments help newbies like me and I'm sure others reading these posts,"Widebody" I have a rotten feeling you might be right,But I will have to stick to my GTI 2500 Pro for a while,It all comes back to money ay?,But on the up side I just plain love going out to the bush and wandering around,Great stuff.
Hello to "Widebody" & "Kelso,WA",Everything I have said about responding to my cry for help above, I say to you,A big heart felt thank you,All your comments help newbies like me and I'm sure others reading these posts,"Widebody" I have a rotten feeling you might be right,But I will have to stick to my GTI 2500 Pro for a while,It all comes back to money ay?,But on the up side I just plain love going out to the bush and wandering around,Great stuff.
TheHarleyMan2
New member
I know the GTI wasn't intended for gold. I also go out metal detecting. I just got to get used to learning the machine for regular metal detecting.
BigCatDaddy
New member
You might have done better getting a Scorpion or Infinium for a bit of prospecting. Those two were made for working the tough areas found in most gold bearing places. However, there used to be a guy that posted on another forum that used a 2500 in California and did quite well with it. If nothing else, invest in a DD coil as it will help in those tough areas. There's a 5 x 10 and 10 x 14 available for the 2500. You are right, most of the serious gold hunters use the "M" word machines, even here in the States.
BigCatDaddy
New member
Good friend you got that would give you a 2500!! I live in the Austin area (Pflugerville) and have used the 2500 a fair amount. I must say it's been a few years, but I'd be willing to dust my 2500 off and join you for a hunt sometimes. This time of year I tend to mostly water hunt but would not be adverse to a little dirt diggin'. I've only got weekends available but get in at least one hunt every weekend.
Plain and simple the GTI series are basically coin shooters and can be used for relic hunting also. What you need is a gold nugget unit as most metal detectors will pick up larger gold nugget in the all metal mode but for smaller ones which most are you indeed need a gold nugget detector of your choice. Sorry to say you bought the wrong detector and perhaps you can trade for a gold nugget unit or sell the GTI and buy a gold nugget unit...The hobby has several different types of hunting choices and to excell you have to have a unit that is made for that type of hunting..
Gold nugget hunting is hard work and well you just need a unit that is designed for that purpose and visit the Garrett home page as they do have a gold nugget line of units..
Gold nugget hunting is hard work and well you just need a unit that is designed for that purpose and visit the Garrett home page as they do have a gold nugget line of units..
TheHarleyMan2
New member
BigCatDaddy said:Good friend you got that would give you a 2500!! I live in the Austin area (Pflugerville) and have used the 2500 a fair amount. I must say it's been a few years, but I'd be willing to dust my 2500 off and join you for a hunt sometimes. This time of year I tend to mostly water hunt but would not be adverse to a little dirt diggin'. I've only got weekends available but get in at least one hunt every weekend.
HOW FUNNY!!! That would be cool as I LIVE in PFLUGERVILLE!!!!! I have plenty of time during the day, evenings, and weekends, (unless I am doing my Army Reserve Duty!) That would be great to get together so I can learn my machine much better.
I know Garrett sells the coil for detecting gold and I thought about getting one, but I wasn't sure if the electronics in the machine would be be able to detect gold. I had been told that the coil is what detects gold, but I am not sure as I am new to the sport somewhat on using other equipment than my Bounty Hunter.
I know there isn't big nuggets here where I go panning, but some people have found small falkes by using detectors.
Hi BigCatDaddy & Dan-pa,Thank you both for your input,I realise now I could have bought a different detector just for Gold prospecting,But unfortunately I have already purchased the "Garrett GTI 2500 PRO" So will just have to suck it up and use it any way for a while,At least I will get to see a bit of the Victorian country side around Dunolly & Maryborough (In the Golden Triangle) So that wont be to bad ay,And I'm sure I will keep on learning from these forums and practicable prospecting.
Muddyshoes
New member
You definitely didn't go wrong with the GTI 2500. - It's a solid machine, very, very versatile and with the imaging, it will really serve you well. Doesn't mean you still won't find nuggets with it to pay for a dedicated gold machine down the road.
Good luck!
- Muddyshoes
Good luck!
- Muddyshoes
You know "Muddyshoes"This is the thought I'm running with mate,I know I have a great metal detector with the "Garrett GTI 2500 PRO" And I'm absolutely determined to find huggets with it,Its really terrific to get a positive post,We all need encouragement ay?When I find my first nugget, you will be one of the first I will tell,But as you can see there are so many people who will try and help a beginner get started in this wonderful hobby,Thanks again "Muddyshoes" Aussie88
TheHarleyMan2
New member
Aussie88 said:Hi Theharleyman2, First off thank you for responding to my post,Giving up your time to respond, is very encouraging to me,And believe me I take note of every comment made,You know you are right perhaps just getting out there and learning how our GTI 2500 works is the way to go,But you know "Theharleyman2" I have posted my message for help on 3 different forums for 5 replies,It would seem not to many people own the GTI 2500 PRO,In fact you are the only one apart from my self who do own one.It is looking like most people in Australia use the "Minelab" for gold prospecting.I will certainly keep on trying there is still a heck of a lot gold still waiting in the "Golden Triangle" to be found,If I find out any more info from anyone on the other forums I belong to, I will post to you as fast as I can "Theharleyman2"I have one more comment,I also have a "Automax Precision V4 Pinpointer" It seems to work really well on small targets,Do you think one of these would be any good for flake gold?They are not very expensive either,Well thanks again mate,Will shut down for now.
I am still kind of new to metal detecting and gold prospecting. I started out a couple of years ago with a Bounty Hunter Sharp Shooter II. I went out to areas and metal detected and just up the road from me when they were building the toll road here, an old house was moved and I went there and detected. Found a gold ring with a gold 1945 pesos in the ring, 6 silver quarters, a couple of merc dimes, and of course a few modern nickels and quarters. Still wasn't a bad day!
I went to some parks, (before I got booted), and found some pennies, and a nickle or two. But other than that I really hadn't detected much here in the last year and a half because metal detecting here is like using a butter knife to cut concrete! Texas has some hard ground here and the calichi is a bear to dig into. You almost need a jack hammer to dig 1/4 of an inch!
With all the gold Australians are finding, I wouldn't mind making a trip there myself!
BigCatDaddy and I are getting together this Sunday and he is going to show me the ins and outs of my machine. I can't wait because I really hate looking over and seeing my detector in the case all packed up adn not being used!
Beginners like me, you and others, want to find great stuff with our detectors, but like you, I researched which detector to get, but wasn't sure which one and everyone had their experiences and opinions, but I guess it just boils down to everyones preference. Of course the detectors brain is made up to do what you want to look for.
I did test my GTI 2500 on .0.3 penny wieght of gold and it did give off a signal. I just got to get used to the different sounds for each target.
Hi TheHarleyMan2,You know mate It was said to me on another forum,Its not the detector, its the person who operates it, determines what you find,I find this comment to be true,I know my GTI 2500 is not a fully dedicated Gold prospecting detector but it is still an excellent detector very capable of finding gold,So I'm going to prospect in the Golden Triangle and am very sure I will find nuggets with my "Garretts GTI 2500 PRO" As you will find treasure with yours,So good hunting HarleyMan, Dinky
bearkat4160
New member
HI there Aussie88,
I have found nuggets with my GTI 2500 from Georgia to California, and a bit of Colorado. Since it was the only detector I had at the time I spent a lot of time learning its all metal mode for prospecting and relic hunting. There is a post somewhere on this forum I did after someone ask what settings I use for prospecting with the 2500...do a search here and you will find it.
If the 2500 can handle hot ground with the stock coil...that is the best to use as it is more sensitive than the DD coils. But if it too hot for that coil put a DD on it. I have done some limited testing while prospecting a while back with the new 11x8.5" DD coil for and let me tell ya that coil is a fantastic prospector coil on the 2500. Very powerful and deep. As per the frequency of the machine (7.2khz) it is the limiting factor on getting nuggets below .5 gram, but it can happen with the round coils.
Here is a post I did on my blog about a nugget I found in California with my GTI 2500. And go to the blog home page and you will see another post I did of finding a quarter oz nugget in Georgia with my 2500.
Good luck...its not just a coin machine it is a universal metal detector, made for all types of detecting, including electronic prospecting.
Heres a pic of the Georgia nugget and a Colorado nugget. The fines were located partly by finding black sand deposits with my GTI 2500 in Georgia and North Carolina.
Enjoy your GTI 2500! I still do!
Alan
I have found nuggets with my GTI 2500 from Georgia to California, and a bit of Colorado. Since it was the only detector I had at the time I spent a lot of time learning its all metal mode for prospecting and relic hunting. There is a post somewhere on this forum I did after someone ask what settings I use for prospecting with the 2500...do a search here and you will find it.
If the 2500 can handle hot ground with the stock coil...that is the best to use as it is more sensitive than the DD coils. But if it too hot for that coil put a DD on it. I have done some limited testing while prospecting a while back with the new 11x8.5" DD coil for and let me tell ya that coil is a fantastic prospector coil on the 2500. Very powerful and deep. As per the frequency of the machine (7.2khz) it is the limiting factor on getting nuggets below .5 gram, but it can happen with the round coils.
Here is a post I did on my blog about a nugget I found in California with my GTI 2500. And go to the blog home page and you will see another post I did of finding a quarter oz nugget in Georgia with my 2500.
Good luck...its not just a coin machine it is a universal metal detector, made for all types of detecting, including electronic prospecting.
Heres a pic of the Georgia nugget and a Colorado nugget. The fines were located partly by finding black sand deposits with my GTI 2500 in Georgia and North Carolina.
Enjoy your GTI 2500! I still do!
Alan
Hello bearkat4160,
Alan thanks for your post mate,I will follow up on the things you covered,Believe it or not,I have the post you were talking about in front of me,I printed it out I was not going to lose all that info thats for sure,You were talking with GabbyHayes,Txpirate,John-Edmonton,Metalhead,Winen,Uncle Willy and collector69 to name a few in 2009,Absolutely important information for me,All those setting will be coming out with me on my first effort prospecting in the Golden Triangle,You know to read your post, and I'm sure it will be for other newbies, put us in a really good mindset,That if we work real hard,put all the info that the members have posted, and put the effort in, we stand a chance of finding nuggets with our "Garrett GTI 2500 PRO",Thanks again Alan,I will get back to you after i have researched all your posts,Regards Dinky (Bruce)
Alan thanks for your post mate,I will follow up on the things you covered,Believe it or not,I have the post you were talking about in front of me,I printed it out I was not going to lose all that info thats for sure,You were talking with GabbyHayes,Txpirate,John-Edmonton,Metalhead,Winen,Uncle Willy and collector69 to name a few in 2009,Absolutely important information for me,All those setting will be coming out with me on my first effort prospecting in the Golden Triangle,You know to read your post, and I'm sure it will be for other newbies, put us in a really good mindset,That if we work real hard,put all the info that the members have posted, and put the effort in, we stand a chance of finding nuggets with our "Garrett GTI 2500 PRO",Thanks again Alan,I will get back to you after i have researched all your posts,Regards Dinky (Bruce)
Muddyshoes
New member
I know nothing about gold nugget hunting, but wouldn't you want a sniper coil for that? Seems it would be more maneuverable among rocks and such and more sensitive to nuggets. Granted, you lose imaging.
- Muddyshoes
- Muddyshoes
TheHarleyMan2
New member
Hey BearKat, You got a link or something to post about the settings you did? I tried looking for it and I can't seem to find it.
I did meet BigCatDaddy and he showed me how to get some of the settings on the GTI. I couldn't stay out long because I promised my girlfriend I would go to church with her, (yes, going to chruch isn't a bad thing, but sometimes you got to please the honey once in a while), so I only went out for 2 hours. BCD helped me a great deal, but I still would like to know more and learn as much as I can about the settings being I need to learn the machine fully.
I brought out the .3 pennyweight of gold I found, and out it on the ground, (yes it was still in the glass vile), BCD took the detector and played with the settings a bit and got a little signal out of it. So that in iyself was a good thing. The area I go prospecting at has a lot of black sands, and a LOT of magnetite. So I got to get the discrimination as down as possible to weed out the magnetite, I know hot rock areas are not too good to detect in. But, I got to learn my machine of wonders!
I did find an ear ring, (like a shinner on a fishing lure), a toy car from the Cars cartoon, (the red one), a quarter and a dime, and lots of bobby pins, some beer caps, and a nail!
BCD showed me some of his finds he found out at another lake. I must say he got some good stuff he brought to show me! I am sorry I didn't get to detect all day as the weather wasn't hot and it was overcast a bit.
I did meet BigCatDaddy and he showed me how to get some of the settings on the GTI. I couldn't stay out long because I promised my girlfriend I would go to church with her, (yes, going to chruch isn't a bad thing, but sometimes you got to please the honey once in a while), so I only went out for 2 hours. BCD helped me a great deal, but I still would like to know more and learn as much as I can about the settings being I need to learn the machine fully.
I brought out the .3 pennyweight of gold I found, and out it on the ground, (yes it was still in the glass vile), BCD took the detector and played with the settings a bit and got a little signal out of it. So that in iyself was a good thing. The area I go prospecting at has a lot of black sands, and a LOT of magnetite. So I got to get the discrimination as down as possible to weed out the magnetite, I know hot rock areas are not too good to detect in. But, I got to learn my machine of wonders!
I did find an ear ring, (like a shinner on a fishing lure), a toy car from the Cars cartoon, (the red one), a quarter and a dime, and lots of bobby pins, some beer caps, and a nail!
BCD showed me some of his finds he found out at another lake. I must say he got some good stuff he brought to show me! I am sorry I didn't get to detect all day as the weather wasn't hot and it was overcast a bit.
First Muddyshoes, Mate you are right,I need a couple of new coils,I have the 9.5 and 12.5,But they will have to do for now,I'm over my budget already,Maybe I will have them for my second trip ay,But thanks very much for your advise. Dinky
Hallo TheHarleyman2,I don't know if this will help,But the post I was talking about with bearkat4160 reads like this, GTI 2500 Owners I hope this will help, Dinky
Posted by Gabbyhays
April 20,2009 12-54pm
Hallo TheHarleyman2,I don't know if this will help,But the post I was talking about with bearkat4160 reads like this, GTI 2500 Owners I hope this will help, Dinky
Posted by Gabbyhays
April 20,2009 12-54pm