I not new to MD'g, but never really had the upper-end machines that they have and when I say upper-end, I mean the newer technology that's come out with MD's.
At first I was set on a Fisher F4 with the thought that it would last me a few years and maybe then, if the fun-money was available, I could upgrade to another machine with more features, depth, etc. I called up Bart today and talked with him about an F4 and everything sounded great until close to the end of the conversation when he mentioned the Gamma 6000. Now I'm not made of money and to be honest, am on a pretty tight budget, but it got me thinking. OK, I buy the F4, use it a couple years and then try to wait until I can get the cash to do an upgrade. So instead, now I'm thinking and wondering if I should go ahead and spend the extra on a Gamma 6000, which hopefully would last me longer without having to upgrade. I've heard it's a good machine and I was told to speak with everyone about the 6000, especially Monte who is supposed to know them well. As far as money spent, I'm going to be going from roughly $450 up to $600 plus if I go with the Gamma 600 instead of the Fisher F4. My question is, is the jump in price going to be worth it in the long run if I do go with the 6000 instead of the F4, as I intend to keep the machine I buy for several years, unless of course I win the lottery.
For all those familiar with the 6000, of which I don't have much info, would shelling out the extra on the 6000 be worth it?....And, could someone clue me in as to the ground balance on the 6000? Reason I ask about the ground balance is, the F4 has a manual GB which I really like. From what I understand, the 6000 has both an auto GB and a manual. Is this correct? Here in my part of Missouri, there's lots of iron mineralization and a nice ground balance would be good, but I think I'd prefer a manual over the auto. But, if the 6000 has both auto and manual, that'd be even better.
So, do I do the normal "first detector with the new technology" and try to come up with the money to upgrade later on and go with the Fisher F4?...Or, do I go ahead and put out the extra for the Gamma 6000 with the 11" dd and 5" coils? I know hardly anything about Teknetics, so I need some good, honest advice as either purchase will be it for at least a couple years from now and I'd like to get the best machine I can that will last me for a while.
Any advice, suggestions from the Gurus would be much appreciated.
Thanks very much
At first I was set on a Fisher F4 with the thought that it would last me a few years and maybe then, if the fun-money was available, I could upgrade to another machine with more features, depth, etc. I called up Bart today and talked with him about an F4 and everything sounded great until close to the end of the conversation when he mentioned the Gamma 6000. Now I'm not made of money and to be honest, am on a pretty tight budget, but it got me thinking. OK, I buy the F4, use it a couple years and then try to wait until I can get the cash to do an upgrade. So instead, now I'm thinking and wondering if I should go ahead and spend the extra on a Gamma 6000, which hopefully would last me longer without having to upgrade. I've heard it's a good machine and I was told to speak with everyone about the 6000, especially Monte who is supposed to know them well. As far as money spent, I'm going to be going from roughly $450 up to $600 plus if I go with the Gamma 600 instead of the Fisher F4. My question is, is the jump in price going to be worth it in the long run if I do go with the 6000 instead of the F4, as I intend to keep the machine I buy for several years, unless of course I win the lottery.
For all those familiar with the 6000, of which I don't have much info, would shelling out the extra on the 6000 be worth it?....And, could someone clue me in as to the ground balance on the 6000? Reason I ask about the ground balance is, the F4 has a manual GB which I really like. From what I understand, the 6000 has both an auto GB and a manual. Is this correct? Here in my part of Missouri, there's lots of iron mineralization and a nice ground balance would be good, but I think I'd prefer a manual over the auto. But, if the 6000 has both auto and manual, that'd be even better.
So, do I do the normal "first detector with the new technology" and try to come up with the money to upgrade later on and go with the Fisher F4?...Or, do I go ahead and put out the extra for the Gamma 6000 with the 11" dd and 5" coils? I know hardly anything about Teknetics, so I need some good, honest advice as either purchase will be it for at least a couple years from now and I'd like to get the best machine I can that will last me for a while.
Any advice, suggestions from the Gurus would be much appreciated.

Thanks very much