GTP 1350 Eliminates the Competition!

[dahut]

Hey everybody!

It's been awhile since I've been around, and I thought you all would find today's tests interesting. I pitted my GTP 1350 against a Whites Classic ID and Tesoro Golden uMax. I aim to sell at least one detector this season, so I'm testing them against each other to determine the keepers.

I placed the following in a 6" PVC pipe, sideways on the ground in my yard:

Dime
Nickle
Gold Ring

With the target items resting in the bottom of a 6" pipe, I get a constant depth/distance to judge by. Placing it on the ground brings normal ground conditions into play and so avoids irrelevant 'air tests'. All tests were conducted with the appropriate stock coil for each detector

DEPTH

GTP 1350 - All factory presets, JEWELRY mode

Dime - 7+"
Nickle - 6"
Gold Ring - 7+"
Each gave positive TID and tone

I could also lower SENS and still detect each target. The dime was a solid response down to 5.5, with total fail at 5. Ditto the gold ring.

Tesoro Golden -SENS 8, DISC at jewelry mode equivalent, THRESH audible

Dime - 6"-7"
Nickle - 6"
Gold Ring- 7"

Whites Classic ID - SENS preset, THRESH audible, DISC at jewelry mode equivalent
Dime - INAUDIBLE
Nickle - INAUDIBLE
Gold Ring - Barely audible

I had to crank the SENS up to about 90% to get reliable hits at 6".

TARGET SEPARATION

Test: 5/8" Craftsman 3/8" drive socket at varying distances from the above targets

I'm going to summarize this test by stating what I feel is the obvious - each detector was pretty crappy on separation.
With the socket within 5" or less, in the same sweep arc as the good target, response was iffy to non-existant. With perpendicular swing arcs, each target was responsive until the socket came within 3 or 4". Then again, the same iffy to non response scenario played out.
This was consistent for each of the detectors tested.

With my goal being to eliminate one detector from the battery, it was obvious separation wasn't going to be the deciding factor. SO, I went with depth performance and features. Hands down the Garret was the winner in both arenas. The Golden came in second and the Classic ID is now up for sale.

 

[bigealive]

man u have to much time on ur hands. hahahaha I would love to screw around doing that but work work work. or mama gets to lock up the detectors

 

[dahut]

Well, I guess it does seem like I'm not doing much that is important. But all work and no play makes for a dull boy!

The fact is I'm learning a lot - and if you wanna get good at this detecting business, so should you.

By spending some of this testing time, I got reacquainted with these units and had a chance to learn some of their shortcomings.
It is one thing to take a detector out and just start clipping the grass with it. But it's quite another to see how models compare against each other under the same conditions.

In this case it also means the money I once spent is coming back to my pocket, since I now which one won't be staying.

SO it may seem like I was doing nothing productive, but there is always another way to see it.

 

[srf2112]

Nice thorough work dahut ! When I first decided to start detecting 3 mo's ago, I was researching many brands & models trying to decide which unit would be my best choice. I actually decided that I wanted to pick up a used GTP 1350 but I couldn't find the right deal. Although I have found some great deals on 2 different Whites models and 2 Fisher's. Your comparison info you has helped me
in deciding between a whites classic ID or IDX pro and the GTP 1350 for the next detector in my quiver. I will be keeping my eyes open for a good used 1350. Of course then I'll be in the same position as you and I'll have to start weeding out some of my machines but that's a problem I can live with. Thanks for doing the work for me.
HH
Scott

 

[slingshot]

Yeah, ditto, I've been thinking about the Golden to replace my Royal Sabre and as a sidekick to my Ace 250 w/sniper coil. The sniper coil has totally eliminated my use for the standard coil, but I wanted a Golden for the field-size, wide open hunts while I use the Ace for special purposes. I do the same thing, and if I hadn't experimented like you I would have sold my Ace and NEVER gotten the sniper coil and BOY would that have been a mistake. I appreciate your EVERY post and keep up the good work.

 

[dahut]

"...I've been thinking about the Golden to replace my Royal Sabre and as a sidekick to my Ace 250 w/sniper coil. The sniper coil has totally eliminated my use for the standard coil, but I wanted a Golden for the field-size, wide open hunts while I use the Ace for special purposes. I do the same thing, and if I hadn't experimented like you I would have sold my Ace and NEVER gotten the sniper coil and BOY would that have been a mistake. I appreciate your EVERY post and keep up the good work."
Thanx!

I was using my Golden uMax for a while, hunting a cleared field house-site. I had some issues one day with my main-unit Whites Eagle II SL, so I hauled out my back up - the Golden uMax. I was surprised at the depth it achieved and the tone ID was nice when iron was present. Its lightweight speaks for itself in use, too, when compared to heavier bulkier instruments like that Eagle or your Royal Sabre.

Later, I took a Vaquero to that same field and compared the two, Golden uMax, vs. Vaquero. Of interest was the fact that I found no targets with the Vaquero which eluded the Golden uMax, at any depth. The Vaquero is an "iron hog," in fact, which means you dig it a lot. When you consider that iron-tone ID feature on the Golden uMax, I was prepared to call it a winner.
I think it's interesting that relic heads will trip over themselves to get a Silver Sabre uMax or Cibola, but only sneer when one mentions the Golden uMax.

On a relevant note, I no longer have the Vaquero. I kept the Golden uMax, though.

"Nice thorough work dahut! When I first decided to start detecting 3 mo's ago, I was researching many brands & models trying to decide which unit would be my best choice. I actually decided that I wanted to pick up a used GTP 1350 but I couldn't find the right deal. Your comparison info you has helped me in deciding between a whites classic ID or IDX pro and the GTP 1350 for the next detector in my quiver. I will be keeping my eyes open for a good used 1350.
Of course then I'll be in the same position as you and I'll have to start weeding out some of my machines but that's a problem I can live with. Thanks for doing the work for me."
HH
Thanx again!

The IDX Pro went as far along towards improving the Classic breed as it could, make no mistake. It used a larger 9.5" coil, primarily, to achieve greater depth. It included a "black sand" function, which opens up the low end discrimination AND Freq. Shift feature. It still has the solid TID features of the breed and is a good discriminator across the board.
Guess what - the GTP 1350 can duplicate all that too.

Now, were a Classic detector what I had, I wouldn't feel cheated, by a long shot. But my purpose was to find what was the better of the ones I currently own. As of today, I'm not prepared to say it beats the GTP 1350 in performance.

Keep in mind, my Classic ID is the same detector as the IDX/IDX Pro, lacking only the "black sand" function and over sized coil. They all use the same motherboard. Recall also, that it is modified by Bill Crabtree - it has enhanced performance features the stock models do not. It is really a closer comparison with the 8" coil, as well.

So, how would you feel when you find that you must turn it's SENS up near max - to equal a GTP 1350 that is turned DOWN to half gain?! Well... you do the math.

Separation was equally lackluster on both models, so no points awarded there.
* The best separation on a detector I've seen in a long time was on a unit I sold last year. But, its depth was no better and it's other features couldn't compare to the GTP 1350, either.

Unless you have the "Mr. Bill" modifications done to a Classic series detector, I'd call the GTP 1350 the better detector hands down. With those modifications, it's only a draw. It's still a great detector for the money, $250 or so - make no mistake about that. If that is your budget, I would rather have the Classic over an ACE 250 any day. Put the 6" Blue Max coil on it and it will smoke the competition in congested sites!
So, I like it fine.

But, I'm interested in keeping the best of what I currently have. When it's time to make that decision, the facts fairly make the choice for me.

 

[srf2112]

I'm quickly learning that there is a LOT of information regarding all of the different features and variables and how they interrelate with detectors. I have been basing my conclusions on reviews I read as opposed to manufacturer and supplier claims. Even so, I can see that there is a long learning curve to become a technically knowledgeable expert ( which I want to be ) like yourself and others on these forums. Sharing your experience and hard work is an invaluable tool for those of us just starting out and I really appreciate it. Thanks again dahut.
HH
Scott

 

[bearkat4160]

Great Post David! Love those detector test. I do them all the time. I was going to do a video of some of them, maybe I will.
Nice blog by the way...I have a new perspective on you! A good one of course. Looks good, I saved it in my bookmarks.

Alan

 

[dahut]

Great Post David! Love those detector test. I do them all the time. I was going to do a video of some of them, maybe I will.
Nice blog by the way...I have a new perspective on you! A good one of course. Looks good, I saved it in my bookmarks.

Alan

Thanks, Alan.

Testing our instruments, both on their own and against each other, is just another way to learn whats going on beneath the coil. The wise user makes the effort and learns the facts. Sometimes the outcome is what you hoped or expected. Sometimes it is not.
In this case, there was a distinct purpose behind the test.
(I believe my purpose was lost on at least one person, who may have assumed I was "bashing" the Classic ID.
I regret that, but so it goes.)



As for the blog, I appreciate the comments. I believe that at some point in the past we, you and I, got off on the wrong foot. I'm glad there are no hard feelings. By the way, I would certainly appreciate any feedback you may have on ways to improve "Key Thoughts."

 

[Uncle Willy]

You've been a busy little bee bud. I see you dabble in much more than detecting but it keeps your mind active and sharp. Glad you dropped in. Been wondering how you are. Don't stay away so long the next time.

Bill

 

[Uncle Willy]

You weren't bashing anything. Facts are facts no matter how difficult to digest.

Bill

 

[RickIowa2009]

I love my GTP1350

 

[dahut]

I'm quickly learning that there is a LOT of information regarding all of the different features and variables and how they interrelate with detectors. I have been basing my conclusions on reviews I read as opposed to manufacturer and supplier claims. Even so, I can see that there is a long learning curve to become a technically knowledgeable expert ( which I want to be ) like yourself and others on these forums. Sharing your experience and hard work is an invaluable tool for those of us just starting out and I really appreciate it. Thanks again dahut.
HH
Scott

You're welcome, Scott.

Proficiency and technical knowledge are two different things, that eventually cross somewhere.
I have a degree in electronics and work in industrial controls, which along with a dollar, will buy me a cup of coffee. But it does mean that "techno stuff" comes easy to me.
But practicing the right things - the right way - doesn't require a technical background. It only asks a basic understanding, a little imagination and the actual doing.
This is why when you can do nothing else, and especially then, it is a good idea to spend a few minutes practicing. Hide some targets under a sheet of cardboard and practice finding and ID'ing them. Throw some coins into your yard, etes closed and then grid search till you find them. Test the detector under controlled conditions as I did here, so you get to know what it is capable of. And so on.
Anybody can do these things, and they should. It is both pleasing to me to do them, and to share the results with my friends.

 

[dahut]

You've been a busy little bee bud. I see you dabble in much more than detecting but it keeps your mind active and sharp. Glad you dropped in. Been wondering how you are. Don't stay away so long the next time.

Bill

Yeah, that's me - the dabbling bee!

And I won't stay away for too long - I promise.