Finding Gold Nuggets with the Minelab GPX 6000

Minelab GPX 6000

The new Minelab GPX 6000 is a metal detector that employs new technology in ways that help prospectors detect gold with ease. Its capabilities lie in the way it adapts to different soils at a faster rate than other detectors.

This detector ushers in a new and exciting era of faster and simpler gold prospecting. Before we delve into how it works. Let’s first look at the features this new machine brings to the hunt for gold.

Lithium‑Ion Quick-Release Rechargeable Battery

This battery has a runtime of approximately 8 hours before you recharge. It has two charging options: using the AC charger plug pack to connect to a powered wall outlet or the supplied direct battery connection clips to charge using your car battery. This allows you to continue prospecting for longer hours without worrying that your battery will die. In the event that your battery is running low, use the quick-release mechanism to replace it with a spare battery for nonstop power.

GeoSense‑PI Technology

The GeoSense‑PI™ technology automatically detects the environment you’re working in and removes any unwanted ground responses. The Automatic Ground Balance monitors your movement and continuously adapts to any changes in soil conditions.

Instead of adjusting settings repeatedly, the GPX 6000 cancels out noise from complex ground signals so that you are able to interpret what you hear and concentrate on your core function – finding gold. The feedback systems in this detector are superfast in delivering precision and clarity.

Light and Comfortable

The GPX 6000 weighs a mere 2.1 kg (4.6 lb) and has a shaft made of light carbon fibre. The customized U-Flex™ armrest is so comfortable you can detect all day with less fatigue.

When extended the detector measures 155 cm (61 in) and when collapsed it measures only 67 cm (26.5 in) making it easy to carry.

Variety of Coils

This detector is supplied with two coils — a GPX 11”, plus either a GPX 14” or GPX 17” coil depending on your region. If you are prospecting in Africa the detector will be supplied with the 11″ mono and 17″ elliptical coils. The U.S. model on the other hand comes with the 11″ mono and 14″ DD coils.

The coils are customized to deliver results based on the environment they operate in.

GPX 11” Monoloop

This is a general-purpose coil that packs depth and sensitivity to detect the tiniest gold nuggets. It can maneuver perfectly in tight spaces and around obstacles, making it the preferred workhorse for the majority of detecting conditions.

The GPX 14″ Double-D

The GPX 14″ Double-D coil is useful in detecting gold accurately where the monoloop coils are unable to deliver the desired results. It performs well in areas with high levels of electromagnetic interference (EMI) and those with conductive (salty) soils.

EMI emanates from different sources but largely from mobile phones, electric motors, power lines and radio transmitters while conductivity increases when rainwater dissolves the salt in certain soils creating a large pool of charged ions.

GPX 17″ elliptical Monoloop

The GPX 17″ elliptical Monoloop is bigger than the other coils and comes in handy when you’re seeking to cover large areas and find bigger nuggets at greater depth. It brings efficiency to the gold-hunting game while accurately detecting the big ones. It works best in soils that are less conductive.

Perfect Audio

While the sound of finding a gold nugget cannot be missed with the clear inbuilt speaker, the clarity of the Minelab ML 100 headphones that are supplied with the GPX 6000 brings the game to a new level. Equipped with aptX™ Low Latency technology, these Bluetooth headphones deliver superior quality audio than standard Bluetooth.

The headphones are compatible with other Bluetooth devices and where Bluetooth is not available they are supplied with a detachable 3.5 mm (1/8 inch) auxiliary cable for a wired connection. This auxiliary cable also ensures that you can continue using the headphones if the battery is flat.

Ease of Use

The GPX 6000 has an easy-to-use interface that makes finding gold a breeze. It has a Monochrome LCD with Backlight display that’s easy to read, enabling you to adjust the brightness to high, medium or low.

The Ground Type button quickly toggles between “Difficult” and “Normal” grounds while the “Quick‑Trak” button (at the back of the display conducts a quick ground balancing operation.

How to find Gold Using GPX 6000

The GPX 6000 may be one of the most advanced metal detectors on the market today but it’s also the easiest to use. At 67cm in length when folded and a weight of 2.1 Kg only, this machine is highly portable.

With its largely automated systems, it allows you to focus on the sound. The humming sound with a tone that’s pleasant to the ear runs along and when you hit gold, the mellower tone gives a tempo so distinct you’ll feel the excitement. If it’s your first time to use the GPX 6000 you need to set it up before you start detecting. The beauty about this detector is that this process takes just a minute.

Starting The Process

The GPX 6000 will automatically start to track and cancel the ground rapidly when it is turned on. It begins in a high‑sensitivity automatic mode. In this mode it will automatically maximise sensitivity and minimise noise, ready for you to start detecting.

Ground Balancing

To properly ground-balance the detector, ensure the ground does not contain any metal targets. Hold the coil steady at 100 mm (4 in) above the ground before you turn on the power. After turning it on, wait for the start‑up process to complete.

Raise and lower (between 10 and 100 mm/1/2” and 4” above ground) the coil for 10 seconds to expose it to the full range of the ground. Try as much as possible not to touch the ground.

Quick‑Trak Ground Balance

In normal circumstances, the GPX 600 automatically adapts to changing ground conditions by switching to the appropriate settings. However, there are situations where it may not be able to adjust fast enough. This happens mostly when you move to different types of ground in rapid succession.

In such occurrences, you should use the Quick‑Trak Ground Balance to quickly recalibrate the detector to adapt to the new ground. To do this, press and hold the Quick‑Trak button (behind the control box) and then raise and lower the coil between 10 and 100 mm (1/2 to 4 in) above the ground. Try as much as possible not to hit the ground but take it as close as you can while ensuring it is parallel to the ground.

Once the ground noise has subsided, swing the coil from sideways to capture any residual ground signals to complete the ground balance. Once you feel the ground noise has reduced to a minimum, release the Quick‑Trak button.

Start Detecting

After ground balancing the detector, simply swing and move along to start detecting. When detecting in this mode the machine is using the factory default settings which are optimised for detecting in almost all conditions – Sensitivity is set to Auto and Ground Type is set to Difficult. It is the easiest and fastest way to start detecting without adjusting the settings.

To restore factory default settings, ensure the detector is powered off then press and hold the power button for 7 seconds. When the factory reset procedure is complete, you’ll hear a confirmation tone and ‘FP’ (Factory Preset) is displayed on the screen. However, you can manually set your preferred settings depending on the environment you’re working in.

Working Environments

You may start by using the “Ground Type” button to control unwanted ground noise. Set it to “Difficult Ground” (which is the Default) to manage ground conditions that vary quickly or have medium to high levels of mineralisation. Where the ground response is minimal simply change the Ground Type to “Normal.”

Achieving Maximum Depth

If you want to achieve maximum depth and find nuggets hidden deep in the earth, turn on the Threshold Tone. Simply long press the Ground Type button to toggle between on and off.
Dealing With Noise

There are times when the audio responses from the detector become inconsistent due to interference from EMI. In such a case you should try to minimise such interference by initiating the Noise Cancel procedure.

This process helps the detector to choose a detecting channel that is quieter. Simply hold the coil still at 100 mm (4”) above the ground and press the Noise Cancel button.

Continue holding the coil parallel to the ground as the Noise Cancel icon flashes. After around 5 seconds a confirmation tone will indicate that the process is complete. At this point you can proceed to detect.

If you are using a mono coil detector and it continues to be noisy, it’s now time to change to the Double‑D coil. As explained earlier, the Double‑D coil performs well in areas with high levels of electromagnetic interference (EMI) and those with conductive (salty) soils. However, this coil provides less depth compared with the mono coils.

Working with the Double‑D Coil

When you turn on the detector while using the Double‑D coil, set the Double‑D mode to “EMI Cancel” which is the default setting. This mode helps you deal with noise caused by atmospheric interference from other nearby detectors, power lines or stormy weather. You can easily identify EMI noise by holding the coil stationary and listening for any interference.

If you’re working in large open gold fields that contain conductive soil or ground that is wet, then use the ’Conductive Ground Cancel” mode (long press the Noise Cancel button for at least 2.5 seconds)

To confirm that the noise you’re hearing is due to conductive ground, simply hold the coil 1 metre (3.3 feet) above the ground and ensure that it is parallel to the ground.

Raise and lower the coil between your knee and shoulder height and listen carefully. If you hear any noise that corresponds to the coil movement then it is due to conductivity in the ground you’re working on.

Why You Should Adjust Sensitivity

If you have tried the “Noise Cancel” and “Quick‑Trak” procedures and you still encounter noise, consider manually adjusting the sensitivity. When adjusting manually the Threshold tone will be “On” by default.

It’s important to first know the source of the noise you’re encountering (EMI or Ground) before manually adjusting the sensitivity.

Press the minus button to reduce the sensitivity to level 1 and start increasing it until false signals occur. At this point start reducing by one level until the false signals fade away.

It’s advisable to swing the coil over a clear area and to see if any more ground noise is observed and reduce the sensitivity appropriately.

Important articles :
The best and most accurate gold detectors around the world
Metal Detector for Sale 2022
Is it possible to detect gold without a device?
Best Metal Detector for Gold and Silver 2022
Professional Metal Detector
Cheapest Gold Detector 2022
The most important methods of prospecting for gold
Best Metal Detector 2022
Gold Detector Price 2022
3D Imaging Gold Detector

#gold_detectors  #metal_detector #orient_detectors