New Gold Bug Pro today - quick test run

[TabWhisperer]

Got it in the mail late in the day with the stock 5 inch and optional 11 inch coil. I slapped it together with the big coil and drove over to the nearest soccer field before it got dark. Gave the manual the once over. I ran it in the Disc mode and about 40 sens and ground balanced in AM mode. First find in about 2 minutes was a pocket spill about 5 inches down of 2 quarters, 3 nickels, a dime and a penny. Over the next 45 minutes I picked up 3 more nickels, 3 pennies, 3 tabs, 1 brass pin backing, and a chrome screw about 3/8 diameter. Nickels seem to really jump out on this thing. I dug some junk and am quickly getting a feel for trash versus good targets. I really like the tones and the light weight. The depth was off a bit at times by a couple of inches but I can easily live with that. Sunday I'll do some testing with buried gold rings and random detecting. I think this might be the start of a long relationship.

 

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[Keppy]

Sounds good keep us posted................. I hear some say the Goldbug se is better than the Gold bug pro ... what do you think?

 

[TabWhisperer]

Sounds good keep us posted................. I hear some say the Goldbug se is better than the Gold bug pro ... what do you think?

I think there may be a few versions of the SE from what I've read on the forums. I have not used one. I suspect the Pro and SE are the same hardware. The SE may have been somewhat of a beta version but cheaper. I was calling around trying to find an SE but I got a hell of a deal on the Pro and not much more than the SE price.

I think FT may have re-released it as the Pro in order to sell it at a price point that made sense in the model lineup. Same with the Teknetics G2. It fits pricewise between the Omega and T2. If the G2 and Pro were sold around $500 it might have the potential to undercut sales on the other models. Marketing...

 

[Keppy]

Sounds good keep us posted................. I hear some say the Goldbug se is better than the Gold bug pro ... what do you think?

I think there may be a few versions of the SE from what I've read on the forums. I have not used one. I suspect the Pro and SE are the same hardware. The SE may have been somewhat of a beta version but cheaper. I was calling around trying to find an SE but I got a hell of a deal on the Pro and not much more than the SE price.

I think FT may have re-released it as the Pro in order to sell it at a price point that made sense in the model lineup. Same with the Teknetics G2. It fits pricewise between the Omega and T2. If the G2 and Pro were sold around $500 it might have the potential to undercut sales on the other models. Marketing...

Well you see i also heard that the Pro was better than the SE............ And like i said i heard that the SE was better than the pro............Makes life hard...

 

[therover]

First off, good hunting Jimbog...I think you are going to like this unit. It even works very well on salt water beaches.

I think Jimbog is right...it was more about marketing than anything. As far as the differences between the SE and Pro, it looks like it's a wash from what I see and read.

Are there SE's that get 4 inches more than the Pro...no. Is the Pro 50% more sensitive to gold than the SE...no.

If there are any differences performance wise, it is probably on a per basis unit ( there are always a few lemons and 'hot' detectors out of a batch), not overall. And if it was overall, it's probably so minimal, it does not really matter.

I have an SE with both coils and got it when they were first introduced at a price point that was a little less than what the Pro package is selling for, so I do believe it was kinda like a beta version and a special deal prior to going 'live' with the Pro. It was interesting that the Gold Bug, being marketed as a gold detector, came standard with the small coil, and the G2 ( which to me is almost the exact same detector) was marketed as a relic unit and comes standard with the 11 inch coil. I think these companies know most hunters are going to spring for both coils if they hunt different applications like fields, beaches, tot lots, gold nugget hunting, etc.

What I do not like now and days is how machines are now being marketed...SE, LTD, Pro, etc. What I do like is that when the 'new' versions of the same machine come out with very minimal changes, there are a lot of good deals on used machines !

 

[TabWhisperer]

A little more messing around today in school yards and soccer fields. I have about 45 coins, 9 are nickels. That is the highest ratio I've ever hit. I also hit 8 dimes , 4 quarters, a bunch of pennies, an earring the size of a quarter in the shape of a peace sign and several pull tabs. I ran it in disc mode (41) sens 77, 11 inch coil. ground phase was typically about 80-81. I am REALLY beginning to like this machine. I can't wait to get into some mine tailings. Maybe next weekend.

The tones are what I like most. The good hard hits have a certain "yelp" to them. Ever have an annoying little white yappy dog next door? It's kind of like that. It really gets your attention but is not annoying since it brings good stuff. In a test the VDI hits a womans medium gold ring consistently 58-59 at 5 inches deep.

This thing is a keeper.

Thank you FT and Mr Johnson!

 

[strickman]

I like mine it hits the small gold real well . handles hot ground good as well . haven't tried it on coins etc.. except to test . but with a little practice it should be deadly !!!!!!!!!

 

[goldman55]

Got it in the mail late in the day with the stock 5 inch and optional 11 inch coil. I slapped it together with the big coil and drove over to the nearest soccer field before it got dark. Gave the manual the once over. I ran it in the Disc mode and about 40 sens and ground balanced in AM mode. First find in about 2 minutes was a pocket spill about 5 inches down of 2 quarters, 3 nickels, a dime and a penny. Over the next 45 minutes I picked up 3 more nickels, 3 pennies, 3 tabs, 1 brass pin backing, and a chrome screw about 3/8 diameter. Nickels seem to really jump out on this thing. I dug some junk and am quickly getting a feel for trash versus good targets. I really like the tones and the light weight. The depth was off a bit at times by a couple of inches but I can easily live with that. Sunday I'll do some testing with buried gold rings and random detecting. I think this might be the start of a long relationship.

Nickels are the Best to test for how well it is going to Hit on Gold if you dont have any real nuggets to test some say 22 bullet but Nickels has almost the same respond. My Gold Bug Pro will be here Tuesday cant wait. The G2 just came out with a Pick, and 5inch coil coupon for $75.00. Hopping mt Gold Bug has a coupon in it for the Bigger coil. Wish.

 

[rogmey]

Nickels are the Best to test for how well it is going to Hit on Gold if you dont have any real nuggets to test some say 22 bullet but Nickels has almost the same respond. My Gold Bug Pro will be here Tuesday cant wait. The G2 just came out with a Pick, and 5inch coil coupon for $75.00. Hopping mt Gold Bug has a coupon in it for the Bigger coil. Wish.
[/quote]

The coupon is available for machines bought between Nov. 1 & Jan. 15, but as I understand it, Fisher has to have the money in their hands by 1/15/2011. Take a look here:

http://www.fisherlab.com/hobby/brochures/Fisher Offer 2 sided coupon 11.01.10.pdf