ML F1A4 Modified or Whites TDI Pro

Hi All,
We are new to gold prospecting.
We had a weekend away with friends staying at Dunolly.
We hired 2 TDI Pro's plus we had an old VLF - unknown brand.
My wife actually enjoyed the prospecting (mainly reading a book) so I am planning to purchase a machine.
Budget max is $2,500.00
I have researched machines including the TDI pro and the modified F1A4's Level 2.

Any thoughts on the pro's / con's of the two and how they compare?

P.S. We didn't find any gold, just nails, 22 shells, and other bits and pieces.
When we returned the machines we were advised that the way we had the machines tuned would make it difficult to detect gold.

regards

redtag

G'day redtag and welcome.

I think i've been around long enough now to give some advice, so here goes...

Why/how have you narrowed it down to those two machines?!    If I were you (and with your budget) i'd give them both a WIDE berth and go for an unmodified GP series Minelab. I have owned a SD2100 and a GPX4500 and can tell you that (even though i was slow to stumble across the gold) the SD picked up 22 bullets at depth with ease, however could not pick up shot gun pellets that the 4500 can. From what i've heard, you can expect sensitivity to be somewhere between the two with the GP series detectors. CostasDee will tell you to attach a 14" Coiltek DD to the end of a SD series detector and i'd have to agree with him. Upgrading your battery system is highly recommended for the SD series detectors however you should ask someone with more experience if it's necessary to upgrade your GP one.

Head straight to Coiltek in Maryborough and they'll sort you out for a VERY reasonable price. They also stand by their products (even second hand) and will soon become your best mates out in the triangle!

Good luck.

 
Quote Redtag "When we returned the machines we were advised that "the way we had the machines tuned would make it difficult to detect gold".
What they meant to say was " Because it's not a Minelab it will be difficult to detect gold"
Mate, go to the members finds section of this forum. Now count the number of gold nuggets found with anything other than a Minelab. That's right, none.


Get yourself anyone of the following:-
In order of preference and what your budget can stretch to-
Prices at Coiltek  Ph: (03) 54604700 when in stock:-
1st GP 3500       -$2800
2nd GP 3000     - $2300
3rd GP Extreme - $1900
4th SD2200       - $1700
Now arm yourself with the following coils,
10" x 5" DD coil
11" round DD coil
14" round DD coil.
And a Minelab Propointer
And a decent pick.
And a Camelbak back pack with hydration pak.
A Garmin Etrex GPS. Don't leave the car without it.
A 50 kilo bag of patience (most important part of kit).
Now walk very slow with the coil way down low in any goldfield.
Good luck!

Now of course the above advice is only to be heeded if your after gold. If you just want to stroll around the forests looking at the wildlife without being rudely interrupted by the silly old Minelab telling ya to "Dig here, it might be gold Dig here, it might be gold!" then by all means buy something other than the detectors listed above.  

Hi Avon g and Shiraz,

Thanks for the replies.
Good to see neither of you are sitting on the fence!
I guess I looked at the TDI Pro because we were able to rent the machine and it fell within our budget.
The F1A4 Modified seemed like a viable alternative in the same $$$.

I will check out the SD2200, GP Extreme, GP3000 and GP3500.

All the best,

redtag