The Goldstinger actually performed reasonably well over those surface targets in the video. But it can’t compete with a Goldbug2 on smaller stuff of a few grains down into the sub-grainers that are in the ground, not on the surface.
Evaluating signals produced by different detectors over the same targets is subject to the nuances of each unit, which does tend to muddy the water a bit. For example, modern VLF prospecting-capable models generally produce more distinct, sharper signals compared to the Goldstinger which generates fairly ‘mellow’ signals. Compared to my F75 for example, the Goldbug2’s signal is rather mellow too. But its signal is much more distinct or discrete on small stuff than the Stinger, and it will signal over small stuff that the Stinger will not see. So the Goldstinger falls short in that area, and it also falls short of the mark on deeper larger signals that my other mid-range frequency models do respond to. The Goldbug2 in more mineralized magnetic substrates also falls short of the mark on deeper stuff even compared to the GMT.
The most frequent or commonplace criticism of the Stinger, aside from sensitivity / depth considerations, has historically been the battery arrangement that necessitates opening up the control box to insert fresh batteries… and it is a battery hog compared to more current prospecting VLF units. The other obvious consideration is that the Stinger doesn't offer audio target ID tones or visual target ID, ground phase and Fe3O4 monitoring. These features are not necessary but can be quite useful at times.
I had used the Goldstinger to hunt silver for over 20 years before updating my equipment awhile back. I frequently used a 12” round concentric coil that was discontinued many years ago… and did very well with that configuration. I happened to buy one of the latest Goldstinger models just before it was discontinued. I found it to generate a slightly deeper, more discrete signal than did my older model, but I considered that it still fell short of the mark for everyday goldhunting where small gold generally rules. For larger silver up here, I think it is a very good detector… with a powerful all-metal mode… still useful searching for large, deep ores, or floats in the bush.
Here’s a short story that casts a slightly different perspective on the Stinger. Years ago I was invited by the late Lucille Bowen to accompany a party of electronic prospectors to participate at a pay-to-mine operation in Alaska. I asked Lucille what detector model seemed most effective for that area. Without hesitation she replied that the Goldstinger had found the most gold. It turns out that while others were chasing tiny stuff that the Stinger couldn’t hear, the Stinger operators were covering more ground and tended to get their coils over larger gold more often.
Jim.
