Any detectors geared toward basics?

[Rip]

Hi all,
My trusty old Fischer died. I'm not so up on all the new models. But here is my question. I am never by water or junk. I only use this in the desert, usually miles from current or past habitation. So, I'm just wondering if, since I don't need waterproofing or huge ranges to filter refuse, if anyone can give me a recommendation on new models that would fit the bill. Thanks in advance!

 

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[KSDirtfisher77]

Hi all,
My trusty old Fischer died. I'm not so up on all the new models. But here is my question. I am never by water or junk. I only use this in the desert, usually miles from current or past habitation. So, I'm just wondering if, since I don't need waterproofing or huge ranges to filter refuse, if anyone can give me a recommendation on new models that would fit the bill. Thanks in advance!

I would highly recommend the minelab Xterra Pro. Maybe purchase a 6"equinox coil or a 10x5" coiltek coil for it. For tight areas around rocks & such.

 

[cudamark]

Not needing those waterproofing and filtering features doesn't mean it will hurt to have them. Most of the new models have turn on and go modes. Once you get used to a new machine, you may find having those features will expand your horizons in detecting. What is your budget? What are you searching for? Relics? Gold nuggets?

 

[eman1000]

Have you looked at an F75ltd. Still an great machine and they can be bought used or like new for $300. The Nokta Legend would be the next step up. IMO but I haven't used the new Minelab Xterra to have an opinion on it.

I wouldn't hold your breath on anything new from Fishers anytime soon.

 

[Rip]

I would highly recommend the minelab Xterra Pro. Maybe purchase a 6"equinox coil or a 10x5" coiltek coil for it. For tight areas around rocks & such.

Thank you, much appreciated. I’ve used friends Minelabs and liked them.

 

[Rip]

Not needing those waterproofing and filtering features doesn't mean it will hurt to have them. Most of the new models have turn on and go modes. Once you get used to a new machine, you may find having those features will expand your horizons in detecting. What is your budget? What are you searching for? Relics? Gold nuggets?

Thanks, I’m generally searching for nuggets and smaller that have washed out of quartz veins and are in desert alluvium up against bedrock.

 

[KSDirtfisher77]

Thank you, much appreciated. I’ve used friends Minelabs and liked them.

The Xterra Pro will hold it's own for a $270 metal detector. I own a Equinox 900 as well, both are good machines. The Xterra Pro has found anything the Equinox 900 did with my testing. Plus it's a ¼ of the price.

 

[cudamark]

Thanks, I’m generally searching for nuggets and smaller that have washed out of quartz veins and are in desert alluvium up against bedrock.

In that case, I'd save up for a good gold detector. They'll range in price from a Fisher Gold Bug 2 to a Minelab Gold Monster, to a Garrett Axiom, to a Minelab 5000, 6000, 7000.....and their related prices. The Legend, Equinox 600-900, and Manticore with a small coil also do a decent job with nuggets too, and are much more versatile. It's the real tiny and/or deep nuggets where the gold machines shine. Depending on the mineralization of your ground some models do better than others with ground balance and hot rocks.

 

[Rip]

In that case, I'd save up for a good gold detector. They'll range in price from a Fisher Gold Bug 2 to a Minelab Gold Monster, to a Garrett Axiom, to a Minelab 5000, 6000, 7000.....and their related prices. The Legend, Equinox 600-900, and Manticore with a small coil also do a decent job with nuggets too, and are much more versatile. It's the real tiny and/or deep nuggets where the gold machines shine. Depending on the mineralization of your ground some models do better than others with ground balance and hot rocks.

Thanks, I appreciate the info.

 

[1637]

i think the gold bug 2 would be great for what you are doing. i have a whites gmt and its to good.it picks up every piece of rust, i only works well if theres noting but but gold.

 

[deltamann]

Have you looked at an F75ltd. Still an great machine and they can be bought used or like new for $300. The Nokta Legend would be the next step up. IMO but I haven't used the new Minelab Xterra to have an opinion on it.

I wouldn't hold your breath on anything new from Fishers anytime soon.

I have been using my F-75 LTD-Enhanced for years. Very basic and outstanding machine.
You couldn't go wrong with one!

 

[jmc24]

Thanks, I’m generally searching for nuggets and smaller that have washed out of quartz veins and are in desert alluvium up against bedrock.

There are some great gold prospecting specific VLF detectors on the market right now.

What detector have you been using?

There are small gold prospecting VLF detectors with a fixed single frequency like the Fisher Gold Bug/Fisher F19/Teknetics G2+/Bounty Hunter Time Ranger Pro that run at 19 kHz, The Garrett AT Gold runs at 18 kHz, Garrett/Whites Goldmaster 24K runs at 48 kHz, Minelab Goldmonster 1000 runs at 45 kHz, Nokta Gold Kruzer runs at 61 kHz, and the Fisher Gold Bug 2 runs at 71 kHz.

Then there are a few that have selectable single frequencies along with dedicated gold prospecting modes like the XP Deus 1 and the XP ORX that can run as high as 81 kHz along with roughly 20, 30, 40 or 50 kHz depending on the coils used.

Recently Minelab, Nokta and XP released detectors with gold prospecting modes that can run with selectable single frequencies including 20 and 40 kHz or simultaneous multi frequencies as high as 40 kHz in their gold modes. The Minelab Equinox 800, Equinox 900, Manticore, Nokta Legend and XP Deus 2 all have excellent gold prospecting modes are really versatile detectors that can definitely do really well in more mineralized ground than the single frequency detectors.

All of the VLF detectors mentioned are priced between $400 and $1500 US. Most weigh 3 lbs or a bit less.

My personal favorites are the Goldmaster 24K, Goldmonster 1000, Gold Kruzer, XP ORX with HF elliptical coil, Equinox 800 and the Nokta Legend.

If you are looking for a pulse induction gold prospecting detector that will hit small sub gram gold and bigger nuggets, two newly released models are the GPX 6000 and the Garrett Axiom. Both are really lightweight, under 4 lbs and even a guy as old as me can swing them all day without using a harness.
They cost between $4000 and $6000.