Detector choice?

[Rebel1]

Ok. For mainly coin and jewelry hunting but also wanting to do some gold nugget detecting, which would be the better choice, the Omega or the Gold Bug Pro? Why doesn't somebody make a unit with all the features of the Omega but the higher freq. of the GB? Seems like that would be a Great do it all machine?

 

[Big Boys Hobbies]

Better do the gold bug pro if you want nuggets. Have to be a good sized nuggets for the omega to hit them. However the Gb pro will hit coins well and obviously small nuggets.

 

[Rebel1]

Thanks, that's kinda what i figured. I like the features of the Omega but the GB might be hard to beat as well.

 

[Monte]

To be quite honest, there are several very good multi-purpose detectors on the market from several manufacturers. I am certain that you can easily select one, but I would suggest putting the main thought toward your primary type of search

Ok. For mainly coin and jewelry hunting but also wanting to do some gold nugget detecting, which would be the better choice, the Omega or the Gold Bug Pro?

Here you state the use would be mainly coin and jewelry hunting, but then add that you would also like to do some gold nugget detecting. I didn't see mention where you live, the types of "Coin Hunting" you do, or plan to do, or any comments about the features that you would want to use for the type of coin searched you plan.

Also, no mention about your knowledge of, or experience at, Gold Nugget Hunting. It is definitely in a class by itself and you need to be in a dedicated nugget-producing area, not just a site that has 'gold.' most of it will be small fine flour gold and not generally detectable. You need to hunt nugget producing areas.

Then you have only narrowed your search to the Teknetics Omega, operating at 7.8 kHz, and the Teknetics G2 or Fisher Gold Bug Pro which operate at 19.2 kHz. might I suggest that you also think of the Teknetics Gamma because it offers most of the features and performance as the Omega, just in case you're considering a budget.

Also, you will need to have two coils, regardless of the model you get, in order to hunt trashier sites when coin hunting, or challenging places where a smaller coil is better for picking out small gold nuggets.

Why doesn't somebody make a unit with all the features of the Omega but the higher freq. of the GB? Seems like that would be a Great do it all machine?

Remember that the Gold Bug Pro comes with a 5" DD coil and the Gold Bug DP and Teknetics G2 use the same circuitry, but they come with an 11" elliptical DD coil. I can tell you that the Omega will provide you with more Target ID info than the G2 or GB Pro, and it will also usually produce much better depth and responsiveness on the higher-conductive targets, such as silver and copper.

That doesn't mean the G2 and Gold Bug Pro don't find those types of targets, they just won't perform as well on them and get the depth an responsiveness that they do on lower-conductive targets. I know because I use BOTH the Omega and G2. I'll select the detector and coil that best 'fits' the application.

Garrett makes their new AT Pro, and it operates at 15 kHz and will work for both coins and gold nugget hunting. White's offers their M6, MXT and MXT Pro which are also excellent multi-purpose detectors with ample visual display info and they cover all applications. They operate very close to 14 kHz. I mention these models because it shows some examples of multi-purpose detectors that operate between the frequencies of the Omega and G2, and brings me directly to the Teknetics T2.

The T2 operates at 13 kHz, is very versatile with ample user-selected adjustments, and it will get better depth on the higher-conductive targets than will the G2. The G2, by design, was intended to be a versatile Gold Nugget hunting detector (mainly using the Threshold-based All Metal mode) but offering more use with the added Discriminate mode. The Disc. mode definitely gets less depth and performance than the All Metal mod on the G2 and Gold Bug Pro.

The T2 has been well received by Coin Hunters, Relic Hunters, and Gold Nugget hunters due to the operating frequency, and the great sensitivity/responsiveness that it offers. The T2 offers more of the display info and available Tone ID adjustments that some want and, you could say, offers more features like the Omega does, but it operates at a higher frequency. There's nothing wrong with many detectors, even operating at 6.59 kHz or 7.8 kHz, if they are used in the proper fashion for nugget hunting. I have found most of my gold nuggets using a model that I considered a versatile 'multi-purpose' detector, and all of them were found using a round concentric search coil, too.

A 5 dwt and 8 dwt nugget finds were made with a 13.77 kHz detector with round 8" concentric coil. Oh, and since we are talking about finding GOLD nuggets, it is very similar to finding GOLD jewelry. I have found most of my smaller, more difficult gold jewelry items when using a 6.59 kHz White's or 10 kHz Tesoro, or 7.8 kHz Teknetics Omega. There is a lot more to only picking an operating frequency. Yes, a higher frequency can be of help in some applications, but you also have to factor in the trade-offs for other uses, such as serious coin hunting when seeking silver coins or deeper coins.

Just some thoughts. I have both and would naturally select the G2 for serious gold nugget hunting, but that's due to the ability to fine-tune the Threshold setting as well as Sensitivity/Gain level which can't be achieved with the Omega. I keep my 5" DD coil mounted on the G2 because that's what I would first use for gold nugget sites, and also because that's what I grab when hunting some really dense-trash locations where the G2 w/5" DD has a bit of an edge.

The Omega usually sports the stock 10" elliptical concentric coil, but I can switch to the 5" or 11" DD coils if desired. Because I hunt for coins, trade tokens, jewelry and old artifacts far more than gold nuggets, I make sure I use a more appropriate detector for that task. It's not just about operating frequency, but HOW a detector works when using variable Discrimination level for the ground being hunted.

Monte

 

[Rebel1]

Hi Monte. Thanks for the great input as usual. This is Rod down south of you in Roseburg. I am still trying to find the Ultimate unit and as we all know, there really is no such thing as a One to Do It All unit. Right now i am back to a Compadre which is a good little coin finder in its own right. And as you said, most of the gold in this area is flour gold with an occasional larger piece so a dedicated nugget machine is not really all that practical, hence the looking for one to do both. But i am kinda leaning towards the Omega to go with the Compadre. Thanks again for the input. Take care.

 

[Monte]

The Omega makes a great choice. I am headed off to Idaho on Saturday for my brother's memorial service and to help my sister-in-law out for a couple of days sorting things. Health issues have limited some of my travels as I wanted to head south in May or June, but that didn't happen.

For most of the gold bearing areas we have around here, it's often better just to find the black sand pockets and work those areas.

I like the Omega, and it can be used for more than just coin hunting. If I get a chance later this month I'll shoot you an e-mail and see if I can make a day or two visit down that direction. I am doing a seminar on the last Saturday and then again on Sunday at the end of the month so I'll have to see what can be calendared in.

Happy Hunting!

Monte

 

[Rebel1]

Have a safe trip Monte. Sorry to hear about your brother. My thoughts are with you and the family.
It would be great to get together personally some time. We haven't been doing much traveling because of the gas prices and lousy economy.