CONFUSED -Safari vs Sovereign GT

[t-swing]

Hi! Everyone. I need advice or help if you will. Remember when you decided to buy your 1st detector how confused you where. All the different models, bells & whistles. Struggling to find a fit. Well in my case I detected 28 years ago. Garrett Groundhog. Now that makes me a little older but now I'm a little more eager for the hobby. Now I would like to have some input on the pros & cons of each machine. Minelab Safari vs the Sovereign GT. I have downloaded both manuals. I talk to myself this -one that - one this - one and so on. I would really appreciate the help of all who are quiet knowledgeable with there selected models. I'm down here in Ontario, Canada. Thank you and Good Hunting T-swing

 

[Sky1]

I too was looking at the sovereign gt but the Safari recovery is faster and uses FBS with 28 frequencies from 1.5khz to 100khz, the Soveriegn is BBS technology with 14 frequencies up to 28khz. The extra frequencies I was told help make target identification a bit more stable and better penetration in mineralized ground.

Safari has a display and has more tones so you will get a better idea of what's down there. However I think I like the sound of the sovereign better. Both are kind of heavy (relatively speaking), the Safari comes with the giant 11" DD coil. I also like that I don't have to mess around with ground balancing.

I'd put my Safari with the FBS up against any detector out there when going for coins. The depth is ridiculous, and end up turning down the sensitivity when hunting dense areas or places where I am not prepared to dig huge holes.

If I was looking at the sovereign I would go with the Excalibur instead so I could do underwater hunting in the lakes and oceans, it's the same machine but waterproof.

I don't know about the sovereign but my Safari is not that exceptional on jewelry. It will NOT pick up small studded diamond ear rings, nor will it detect thin white gold, it will not detect small nuggets either. I find this along with it's weight gives it a huge drawback pulling it back in line with other detectors that are "Good at this Bad at that" category.

Even still, knowing what I know now and wanting a single machine that does most all, I stilll prefer the Safari over any other detector except maybe the Minelab Etrac if I had the extra cash or the Xterra 70 if I had any intention of prospecting or the Excalibur if I was near the ocean and had diving gear.

 

[morelic55]

I vote the Safari. I tried the GT and it drove me nuts. Sky1, as far as the Etrac goes, no thanks, I think the Safari will do me just fine for a FBS machine. If you want a hoot, do a search on MLO for the Explorer & Etrac Emulator. There is NO WAY I'm gonna try either one, way too much info to process..

 

[Sky1]

oh, I wasn't aware the Etrac was that complicated. You know now that I have my programing cross saved I like it even more. Now the TID reads the Ferrous like before but the sounds are based on conductivity so I essentially get both types of info now. ;-)

 

[t-swing]

Thank you Sky 1 For your reply. I here you on the cost. In Canada they are about $1100. dollars kind of steep + headphones and no back light for those early morning hunts. I like the Sov Gt for good depth & small jewelry also looking at X-Terra 705. I here good things about them. I know what you mean about the light leaning curve & how easy it is to use from what I have read with the Safari. Anyways thanks again. good haunting T

 

[Dang]

Sir. I had a Sov GT and thought the depth was excellent. All in all it was a very good detector. Did not like the control box's position on the rod. Found it very awkward to get to the controls with it under my elbow like that. Hip mount you say....never did like that either. I think I would go with a safari,

 

[ronaldj2]

While a backlight would be a plus for the safari. It is my opinion that you are going to use your hearing more than vision when it comes to locating a target. A good headlamp would help if things got too dark for recovery. Again only an opinion, my decision to buy a safari was never based on a backlight. I also use a White's xlt which has a backlight feature, in the 10 yrs that I have owned it I probably used the backlight a doz. times at best. Each person has their own unique way or style of detecting, night hunts can be fun, but you still need a flashlight to recover your target. Ron

 

[t-swing]

Thanks everyone for your remarks. From what I'm reading you sold me on the Safari.Thank you . One last question! About the X-Terra vs Safari. Yes! I have read comments in past forums but I'm kinda interested in what everyone that has posted for me. Shoot it down. Thanks T

 

[Mark ( ohio )]

the answers are two-fold.....

1st) I think with the expanded freq of the safari, you should see better results in a variety of different locations you may elect to hunt... and second

2nd) Your detector is ONLY GOING TO BE AS GOOD AS THE PERSON OPERATING IT!!! Meaning, practice, practice, and then practice somemore... I'm gonna dig all the signals I get ( except for Iron ) for the first 6 or so hunts, just to see and hear what the safari is trying to tell me....Did the same with the explorer, till it became an extension of my arm.

You'll do good too...............JUST PRACTICE.

Mark ( ohio )

 

[t-swing]

Mark. Thank you. I'm ordering My Safari in March. Chow T.