Gold Bug Pro (GB Pro)

[hermann]

Hi Sawmill,   Yes,  I was reading the manual a few times, specially the section where they explain how to ground balance this beast.  Plus,  I was watching several videos from experts on how to do it.  So, when I was swinging my 6&half inch coil, my machine was totally ground balanced.  First with the little knob, the cource ajustment and then with the bigger knob, the fine adjustment.  Another thing that I discovered on the machine was , when I touch the coil cable connector (it's made from metal) just slightly with my finger the machine gives a loud signal.  The connections look to be in very good nick (new)and clean, and definately nice and tight, screwed to the control box, I emailed Fisher about this and Daniel , the technician there, told me that the machine should not go off when I touch the connector, I think that I have to send my machine in.  I'm wondering if other Goldbug2 's do this also.  I live and detect mostly in the golden triangle in Victoria, Australia.   Cheers,  Hermann.

[Doug]

Hi Sawmill,   Yes,  I was reading the manual a few times, specially the section where they explain how to ground balance this beast.  Plus,  I was watching several videos from experts on how to do it.  So, when I was swinging my 6&half inch coil, my machine was totally ground balanced.  First with the little knob, the cource ajustment and then with the bigger knob, the fine adjustment.  Another thing that I discovered on the machine was , when I touch the coil cable connector (it's made from metal) just slightly with my finger the machine gives a loud signal.  The connections look to be in very good nick (new)and clean, and definately nice and tight, screwed to the control box, I emailed Fisher about this and Daniel , the technician there, told me that the machine should not go off when I touch the connector, I think that I have to send my machine in.  I'm wondering if other Goldbug2 's do this also.  I live and detect mostly in the golden triangle in Victoria, Australia.   Cheers,  Hermann.

Herman have you tried a Whites GMT? Might be worth a go if you have to send  your Gbug in for repairs.
doug

[sawmill]

 Hello Hermann

 It does sound like the connector could be loose,or have a
short in it. This would explain all the falsing and excessive
noise.

 There is several guys on Bill Southerns Nugget Shooter
forum that use the Gold Bug. They really like it,and have used
one for years. That would be a good place to ask for advice.
Actually Bill Southern uses one ,and would be able to help you
with any questions.

 I use a Whites GM3,it will handle the worst ground,and get
real small gold too. The Gold Bug is a little noisy,but it will find
smaller gold than the GM3. The GM3 is a little better for depth
and handling hot ground. Both machines require some time to
learn how to get the most from them. Once you learn how,you
won't part with them.

 Both machines are great for prospecting lode type gold and
stringers. I have worked with some experienced Gold Bug
operators,and seen what they can do. They will get tiny gold
in some really hot ground. They will hit the bigger gold at pretty
fair depth too.

[hermann]

Hi Sawmill,    Thank you for your advice, my Goldbug2 will make a trip tomorrow all the way to Texas for a checkup.  Regards,  Hermann.

[Doug]

 Hello Hermann

 It does sound like the connector could be loose,or have a
short in it. This would explain all the falsing and excessive
noise.

 There is several guys on Bill Southerns Nugget Shooter
forum that use the Gold Bug. They really like it,and have used
one for years. That would be a good place to ask for advice.
Actually Bill Southern uses one ,and would be able to help you
with any questions.

 I use a Whites GM3,it will handle the worst ground,and get
real small gold too. The Gold Bug is a little noisy,but it will find
smaller gold than the GM3. The GM3 is a little better for depth
and handling hot ground. Both machines require some time to
learn how to get the most from them. Once you learn how,you
won't part with them.

 Both machines are great for prospecting lode type gold and
stringers. I have worked with some experienced Gold Bug
operators,and seen what they can do. They will get tiny gold
in some really hot ground. They will hit the bigger gold at pretty
fair depth too.

Sawmill,
Do you prefer the GM3 or the gold bug? Also what settings do you use with the GM3 for very hot ground?
doug

[sawmill]

 Doug

  Actually I prefer to have both machines.
There is just enough difference between them ,that
they compliment each other,and make a total package.

 I am partial to the GM3,because I know exactly what it
is doing at all times,and how to make it do what I want.
 It does have some unique features ,that suits my purpose.
The Gold Bug also has its own unique features,such as the
extra sensitive high frequency. This makes it a killer on the
tiny specks of gold in quartz.

 If you are not familiar with the GM3,it is fully adjustable and
has a very wide ground balance range. Unlike the Gold Bug the
GM3 has two separate ground balance tuners ,located in different
places. One is a 10 position course tuner,and the other is a 10 turn
tuner. The fine tuner can be adjusted with one finger,as you swing.

 The GM3 also has V SAT, adjustable frequency,and a signal boost.
 It also has an iron ID that really works,and can be used as you
detect. 

 I usually run with a low threshold,no signal boost,V Sat at the first
position, frequency on lock,Gain at whatever maintains a steady
thresh hold,usually 5 or 6 ,sometimes higher or lower,and the ground
balance set just a tiny bit positive. All of these settings can be changed
depending on the ground.

 The GM3 will balance out hot rocks and black sand,or you can
choose to run it hotter and the hot rocks and black sand will make
a signal of their own,that can not be confused with a target signal.

 The GM3 will talk to you,if you know how to listen. I can pick a nugget
laying next to or under a nail ,and hear both,as different signals with
the iron ID running. The GM3 runs real quite and steady in heavy iron
mineral areas too. If it is tuned right it doesn't lie about targets either.

[Doug]

 Doug

  Actually I prefer to have both machines.
There is just enough difference between them ,that
they compliment each other,and make a total package.

 I am partial to the GM3,because I know exactly what it
is doing at all times,and how to make it do what I want.
 It does have some unique features ,that suits my purpose.
The Gold Bug also has its own unique features,such as the
extra sensitive high frequency. This makes it a killer on the
tiny specks of gold in quartz.

 If you are not familiar with the GM3,it is fully adjustable and
has a very wide ground balance range. Unlike the Gold Bug the
GM3 has two separate ground balance tuners ,located in different
places. One is a 10 position course tuner,and the other is a 10 turn
tuner. The fine tuner can be adjusted with one finger,as you swing.

 The GM3 also has V SAT, adjustable frequency,and a signal boost.
 It also has an iron ID that really works,and can be used as you
detect. 

 I usually run with a low threshold,no signal boost,V Sat at the first
position, frequency on lock,Gain at whatever maintains a steady
thresh hold,usually 5 or 6 ,sometimes higher or lower,and the ground
balance set just a tiny bit positive. All of these settings can be changed
depending on the ground.

 The GM3 will balance out hot rocks and black sand,or you can
choose to run it hotter and the hot rocks and black sand will make
a signal of their own,that can not be confused with a target signal.

 The GM3 will talk to you,if you know how to listen. I can pick a nugget
laying next to or under a nail ,and hear both,as different signals with
the iron ID running. The GM3 runs real quite and steady in heavy iron
mineral areas too. If it is tuned right it doesn't lie about targets either.

Thanks Sawmill!!
Have you tried the GM3 with the bigger coil?
thanks,
doug

[sawmill]

 Doug

 No I haven't used a big coil. For what I do with the
GM3 a stock coil works great. Actually a smaller coil
would be more of a benefit for my use.

 If I need to go deeper in  hot ground I have the TDI.
Between the two they work pretty darned good for
general prospecting.

[Doug]

 Doug

 No I haven't used a big coil. For what I do with the
GM3 a stock coil works great. Actually a smaller coil
would be more of a benefit for my use.

 If I need to go deeper in  hot ground I have the TDI.
Between the two they work pretty darned good for
general prospecting.

The GM3 is now discontinued I believe? I wonder if the latest GMT is as good? Some on the web are saying that the GM3 is still the best and most sensitive VLF that Whites have ever made and  is superior to the GMT?
doug 

[sawmill]

 Doug

 Yes the GM3 was discontinued. My old Prospecting partner
used a GMT,and had it figured out to a science. He was super
good with it.
 Both machines are very close in performance,with experienced
operators. Even though Jim used a GMT,he figured that the GM3
was just a little hotter machine,and did have an advantage.

 Yes the GM3 does have a serious following ,with the guys that
took the time to learn how to use it. It is not a turn on and go
detector by any means. I believe that Whites was looking for a
more user friendly model with the GMT. The GMT gained some
benefits,but did lose some performance in the process. The difference
is so small,that unless you were very good with both machines you
wouldn't really notice. The big difference is the GM3 can be fine
tuned to perfection by the operator.

[Huego]

http://golddetecting.4umer.net/t7763p30-vlf-vs-pi-detectors#7204

Operator has a lot of success with the gold bug in this area.

Indeed, he appears to have Brian but is walking on thin ice there as there are MInes Laid everywhere there.
But I can see he knows what he talks about & substantiates all his claims very well and is polite etc . That demands respect from the Mind-laddies

But Brian &members, do you realise WHO the MIne-Lads there are .... waving the ML flag??????

Ararat:  (former ML dealer) now Admin / managment
JP:   a ML product tester, gold meister, ML mouth, forum-activated spin doctor & prospectors "adviser"
Qld Sandy: a current ML dealer (endorsed by JP)

They are obligated by their contracts to support ML!   They are the obvious ones .......

Huego  

From the above:
........ But Brian & members, do you realise WHO the MIne-Lads there are .... waving the ML flag??????

•   Ararat      -  former ML dealer. now Admin / managment
•   JP            -  a ML product tester, gold meister, ML mouth, forum-activated spin doctor & prospectors "adviser"
•   Q Sandy   - a current ML dealer (endorsed by JP)
•   Oneday 69-  another WA ML dealer! "Theres no such thing as a cheap ML detector...."  NOT FROM  a DEALER there ain't!

They are obligated by their contracts to support ML!   They are the obvious ones .......