Thoughts on purchasing 2nd hand set-up?

Hi guys,

As a newby to this hobby, I was wondering what any of you experienced enthusiasts thought about buying second hand prospecting gear? The reason I ask is that I may have the opportunity to buy a second hand GPX4500 with standard double d coil, an 11"x17" nugget finder mono coil, lithium battery with 12v and 240v chargers, headphones and loudspeaker, as well as a copy of  "Gold and Ghosts Vol 1" by D.W. De Havelland all for $5500. Everything is in pretty good condition too.
Is this a good buy?
From the research I've done, it seems quite good to me, I guess I'm just a little hesitant having no experience in this hobby or the associated equipment and was hoping for some "expert" opinions.

Cheers
Hanc

You can buy a 2nd hand 5000 for that price, I would look into getting one for that price
AP

Hi Hanc,
The 4500 is an excellent machine but you can probably get a second hand one from Coiltek in Maryborough (they do courier) for $4200. The battery and chargers come standard with your purchase and with a 11"DD coil. The NF 17x11 is probably about the $300 mark second hand and I'm not up to speed of the price of the G&Gvol1. So the gear is worth about $4500 plus the book and you've found one for $5500, so you have to ask the question, "do I really want to spend about $1000 extra to get the book?"
 
Sorry if the answer isn't quite to your liking but you asked the question ....

PS Forgot to say, in the buy/sell section on this forum, Golden is selling a beaut 4500 for $4200 with some extras. Might pay to have a look before it's too late.

Hi,Hanc, Sounds like a pretty standard 4500 package, the 17 x 11 is a pretty good coil by most accounts, its a nice addition to the 4500, so the value would be closer to let's say $4000 to $4500 IMHO depending on age and condition,that puts the value of the book at around $1000, probably a little steep for my liking, they are a good read but not that good, I have heard of them going higher and I do know personaly of a sale of one at $910, as Aussie says at that price I would keep looking a little longer or get it down some, nothing wrong with the 4500 however a 5000 could be a better option if your into that kind of money;). good luck out there. 

Wayne.

Cheers guys,

Very much appreciated. Have had a squiz at that one of Golden's and it sounds like a pretty decent buy according to other members who know a hell of a lot more than I do! As I said, I'm only really new to this hobby so I'm keen to listen and learn. From what I understand, the 5000 isn't as user friendly for a beginner and I was told to go for the 4500.

Thanks heaps for your time guys.

Hanc

Hi Hanc, dont make your choice on fear of the machine, if you can master the 4500 you can master the 5000, very similar machines one arguably better than the other,though the jury is still out for some  .

Wayne. 

Hank,for that money,I'd get the best available in terms of gold detector equipment,then worry about books latter.A well tuned 4500 comes close to a 5000 but the 5000 is designed to be slightly more stable,quieter,with a little better depth & sensitivity towards the smaller slugs of gold,than the 4500,not to say it won't punch deep on the bigger stuff as well.My opinion,the best tool for the job first,research second.
Both the 4500 & 5000 in Factory Pre-set,are quite user friendly,with the option of playing with many a variable in between as you get more proficient in detecting.
         
          Cheers Kon.