GP extreme for coin shooting

[Anonymous]

Hello ,
I am looking for a powerful detector for coins shooting in Noth of France
It seems that the minelab PI machines ( SD2200D / GP extreme ) are the
most powerful units at this time for metal detecting , from what I see , a 1g nugget
can be detected at up to 8 inches deep , so I think I can expect 10 inches for a 4g coin
, which would be much better than the 6 inches max depth that I have with my current machine
( a Minelab Explorer XS )
I have a few questions concerning the SD2200D and GP extreme :
- Concerning the depth performances , has anybody made test with coins , can anybody confirm
the extra depth provided by these machines over a VLF ? I usually detect on low mineralized ground
- Usually coins are found around old houses trashed with iron junk ( nails , ... ) ,
I know that a discrimination exist on the SD2200D and GP extreme , the question is if
these machines can do a good job in such places
- Another question is more related to Minelab but I was wondering why the Minelab PI machines were so expensive ,
does it come from the cost of the internal electronics ?
Any answer will be greatly appreciated
Alain , North of France

 

[Anonymous]

The GP has a very mixed reputation. I'd stick with the SD's. If you wish to take a look at the brawl that has erupted among Minelab fans over the GP and decide for yourself, the finders.com.au forum is probably the best place.
Minelab PI machines are expensive because so far (possibly with the exception of Garrett) no other manufacturers offer machines that compete with the SD's on depth. So Minelab can charge as much as they like.
--Dave J.

 

[Anonymous]

Dave,
"Minelab PI machines are expensive because so far (possibly with the exception of Garrett) no other manufacturers offer machines that compete with the SD's on depth. So Minelab can charge as much as they like. "
Running the risk of starting a war here, but that statement is just not so. The Deepstar PI by Eric Foster, that I import into the US, can more than equal the "SD

 

[Anonymous]

Not a dealer just a user but I tried a SD on both land and beach in the U.K. and was surprised that it did not outperform either the Deepstar or an older model Goldscan. The price demanded for the SD and GD's seems only based on the ability to deal with extreme ground mineralisation found in some of the mining regions of Australia and the U.S.
Brian

 

[Anonymous]

The strength of the SD's is excellent basic sensitivity combined with the ability to cancel (to some extent) soils with a high magnetic loss angle.
The strength of PI in general, over VLF-type technologies, is ability to work in soils having extremely high magnetic susceptibility.
In areas where the soil (or hot rocks) does not have a high magnetic loss angle, I agree that the SD has little if any advantage over other good PI's. Although those conditions are not common in England, and are rare on beaches, they are quite common in some regions of the United States and are the norm in Australia. To my knowledge, there are no consumer market PI machines that compare to the SD's under those conditions, with the possible exception of the new Infinium about which not much field information is available yet.
--Dave J.

 

[Anonymous]

I may have to eat crow.
Does the Goldquest SS include some kind of "red stuff" ground cancellation feature?
--Dave J.

 

[Anonymous]

Dave,
Your correct on the ability of the "SD" to operate in real nasty soil, but what I was in question about is the statement about it being "no other unit can compete with the "SD

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Dave,
No crow needed, we all learn from each other. Here a couple of users discover something I had not thought of having a problem with, the coil wire. <IMG SRC="/forums/images/smile.gif" BORDER=0 ALT="">
The Goldquest SS is a real different detector than the other units I have Eric manufacture for me. It was by chance I found out about it being able to operate on "Some" foul ground.
Reg. Sniff had been doing a little work with the Beachscan MK II, and told us that it performed surprisingly quite well in the nugget fields. Reg. made a few suggestions. I had him send me a bunch of hot rocks, and I discovered that the Beachscan didn

 

[Anonymous]

The Tennessee Red Clay is a bit different from the Red Clay of middle to lower Alabama. I do not know the difference but I understand that in certain places in Alabama many detectors are plain useless. Our soil is mean here in the lower right side of Tennessee (Chattanooga) but not impossible. Vlf's do a fine job in most places around here for CW hunters. But some deposits of the Red Clay around here will cause many detectors to false. I have owned one PI that falsed constantly in the stuff. Hope I have not confused the conversation. Frank