GB 2 and ground balance

[Mike RB.]

I'm torn between buying one of two detectors...either a GB2 or a GMT.

I think both are good detectors for small gold and I've heard the GB2 may have the edge in this area.

Ground balance is another issue I'm thinking about. You guys that use a GB2, are you constantly having to ground balance? Is it a pain in the butt?

I kinda like the GMT because of the auto ground balance, but can only find it with a 10 inch coil. Buying a smaller coil would run me $100. That puts it out of my price range.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

 

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[Terry Soloman]

Once you have balanced the GB2 you are done - UNLESS the ground changes, which in some areas it does every 15-feet. That is why we use the Tesoro Lobo Super Traq on our claims in Arizona.

 

[Hard Prospector]

The GB2 is not user friendly and shouldn't be anybody's first detector but without a doubt, its the best for hunting small gold on bedrock or quartz specimens. The GMT is a close second in these situations with the option to run in tracking. The Tesoro Lobo Super Trac although not quite as sensitive as the other 2 is more user friendly and a solid VLF performer especially in the desert. Sometimes I wonder what Fisher, Whites and Tesoro would have done if Dave Johnson hadn't come along.

 

[Rick K]

I find the GB2 is really easy to ground balance. The balance control is easy to reach with my thumb, so it's a one-handed operation. The stacked control has a coarse adjustment with click stops. Once you have "split the difference" with the coarse control, a relatively small,adjustment of the fine control will nail perfect balance.

 

[Lanny in AB]

Ground balance is something that has to be done if you're going to hunt gold in the highly mineralized soil that so often accompanies gold.

Even with auto-ground-balance, you have to be careful that you're not outpacing the setup of your machine so you don't walk over gold in a transition zone.

Manual ground balance isn't all that difficult once you learn how to do it, and some people prefer to hunt in manual ground balance. Having said that, auto-balance can simplify things greatly, but once again, you may walk over some gold from time to time in severe transition zones if you're outpacing your processor. It takes time to know your machine, and to pick the proper speed to hunt, but after a while, you'll catch on.

And, if you get a manual ground balance machine, once you learn how to balance properly, it's quite simple after that.

All the best,

Lanny

http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/metal-detecting-gold/69-bedrock-gold-mysteries.html

 

[kazcoro]

That is one of the reasons I got a GB pro. It is extremely easy to ground balance. And, with a LCD readout of the existing ground conditions, you can monitor if the ground changes. Just push the Ground Grab button, pump a few times, and you are off and running again. You also have the option of manually changing any ground balance values very quickly. I am so far from an expert it's not even funny, but I thought I would throw my two pesos in here..

 

[Hoser John]

Takes 2 seconds to pump my TLST a few times or maybe 30 seconds to re gb my GB2 as a habit--or is that a addiction really? Smallest coils on both will make detecting easier for gold as getting in/by/around rocks/boulders much easier. BUT that TLST sure rocks in trashy areas and good for anything just about anywhere. Buy used but not abused as the gold craze has hit but they soon tire as hardest form of detecting there is,coupled by most expensive and dangerous to add to that-John

 

[Lanny in AB]

Takes 2 seconds to pump my TLST a few times or maybe 30 seconds to re gb my GB2 as a habit--or is that a addiction really? Smallest coils on both will make detecting easier for gold as getting in/by/around rocks/boulders much easier. BUT that TLST sure rocks in trashy areas and good for anything just about anywhere. Buy used but not abused as the gold craze has hit but they soon tire as hardest form of detecting there is,coupled by most expensive and dangerous to add to that-John

When John comments, you really would be wise to listen. He's been up the hill, over the mountain, and down in the river chasing the gold enough times to write a library of books on prospecting.

All the best,

Lanny

 

[Hoser John]

Thank you very much for your kinds words Lanny as much appreciated and respect to ya in FREE Canada my friend-tons a au 2 u 2-John

 

[TerryC]

Mike RB, I have both the GB2 and GMT. BOTH are dynamite machines. Finding nuggets with a detector is not for the "casual" prospector. It takes lots of work and dedication. That means you MUST learn to ground balance your machine. Whether you choose the GMT or GB2 (auto GB or manual GB ) you will need to accept the fact that manual ground balancing must be "second nature". Case in point: on page 17 of the GMT user guide it says you must go to the manual ground balancing mode to get the TINY gold. Good luck! TTC

 

[Mike RB.]

Thanks for all your input. I went ahead a bought a GB2. I had my reservation at first, but a friend has one and he showed me that with practice it'll pay off with finding smaller gold (which Colorado has a lot of). It ought to be here by the middle of next week, that's when the work begins...getting use to ground balancing. My XLT is pretty simple to use, but rather useless for gold detecting. I may have to head to the desert one of these winters, as I've always wanted to do that.

I've been prospecting (highbanking) for many years, just thought I needed another weapon in my arsenal.

 

[IDdesertman]

The GB2 will work great for small Colorado gold, you made a good choice. Yes there is some learning curve to it, but that goes with any detector. If you've got a friend that already uses one who can take you out in the field and show you some things with it, then all the better. Happy hunting!

 

[Hard Prospector]

The GB2 will work great for small Colorado gold, you made a good choice. Yes there is some learning curve to it, but that goes with any detector. If you've got a friend that already uses one who can take you out in the field and show you some things with it, then all the better. Happy hunting!

Well put..........Remember this is actually a "ultra high" frequency detector and task specific. I believe every serious prospector should eventually have this machine, you made the right choice.

 

[Lanny in AB]

Keep in touch and let us know how it goes.

All the best,

Lanny

 

[TerryC]

Thanks for all your input. I went ahead a bought a GB2. I had my reservation at first, but a friend has one and he showed me that with practice it'll pay off with finding smaller gold (which Colorado has a lot of). It ought to be here by the middle of next week, that's when the work begins...getting use to ground balancing. My XLT is pretty simple to use, but rather useless for gold detecting. I may have to head to the desert one of these winters, as I've always wanted to do that.

I've been prospecting (highbanking) for many years, just thought I needed another weapon in my arsenal.

You will get VERY MANY small (very small) pieces of junk. Instead of cussing, be glad you are doing it RIGHT. The small gold will be there if you are doing it right. TTC

 

[Lanny in AB]

You will get VERY MANY small (very small) pieces of junk. Instead of cussing, be glad you are doing it RIGHT. The small gold will be there if you are doing it right. TTC

As Terry says, you might as well replace the cussing with a positive attitude because you'll also become an expert at digging tiny trash, but it really is part of the overall package.

All the best,

Lanny

http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/metal-detecting-gold/69-bedrock-gold-mysteries.html