Aftermarket for GPZ

Hi all,

Since it's my first post I'll introduce myself. I started prospecting in Victoria in 2004 with SD2200 and gone out bush at least once a month until 2006. Being young other commitments have taken over my life and I didn't get back into prospecting until the release of the GPZ, and this time WA was the place of choice.

The big thing that annoyed me about the 7000 was the lack of choice for coils, and the price and weight of what's available. The coil of choice for my SD was 18", the 14" on the Z is a weapon but somehow it feels like it lacks the ground coverage (and maybe depth) in the sparseness of WA. The Minelab 18x19" for the Z is too expensive, heavy and seems to be badly designed.

After a year of waiting I finally have an 18" coil sitting on the business end of the 7000. It's under 1000g in weight and has an enclosed design... and it's not made by Minelab. It's handmade by a bloke that knows a thing or two about coils (he makes ones for GPX as well).
All of his coils are undergoing testing at the moment, including an 11", 24" and 16x13" for the Z. So far I only tested the 18" coil in the confines of the big smoke, so it is yet to see our beautiful (highly mineralised) red dirt. As hard as it is waiting to test out the new beast the next time I can go bush will be a while away - end of May or mid June. For anyone interested I'll write a full report and make a few vids. I hope it works as well as I'm told as this potential little breakthrough will give us more choice and might improve the performance on what is available at the moment.

Interesting to see your reports and also another independent report. As you stated there is nothing yet on the market for the zed and some more choices other than what minelabe are offering, if they prove the goods will be a welcomed. TG

Welcome Stan O,

Cheers,
NeoGeo.

Gentlemen,

Thank you for your replies. The coils need to undergo rigorous testing before they're offered up for sale. For me, personally, it is exciting to be testing a new product for the 7000 - whether it performs or it doesn't, I'm looking forward to the process. So far there is only one of those coils in Australia. I'll be sent the 16x13" in the near future as well - so hopefully more testing could be done by reputable person(s). But, before I pass on the coils for independent testing I need to make sure myself that they're good for our conditions and soil types (the coils are designed and made overseas so haven't had a taste of our harsh environment). I found hundreds of nuggets with the 14" stock so the new coil will need to perform extremely well before I give it the tick.

Thanks,
Stan

Hi Uncle Bob,

Thank you for your PM. Unfortunately I cannot reply to it due to the restrictions (I haven't made enough posts). If you would like I can provide you with a reply in the public space or, alternatively, via email if you PM me yours.

Thanks,
Stan

G'day Stan O

I have the 7000 with both coils, and for sure the 19" is a big heavy beast, but I have done very well with the 14" never the less.

So how much do they envisage this aftermarket 18" coil to sell for when compared to ML 19" coil?

cheers dave

Hi Dave,

The 14" stock will be hard to beat, no doubt about that. I can't wait to get out there and do direct comparisons between the two. I'm very impressed with weight of the new 18" - I think it is around 8-900g and the fact that it works on the 7000. Also had good reports from other guys testing it overseas. I would say it is a bit early to talk about price at the very moment: it needs to be tested and then evaluated against the 14" and 19" ML coils. The price I would say will depend on the outcome of those tests. It would not be anything ridiculous.

Thanks,
Stan

if the objective of the 'new coil' is to save money....why buy the Z in the first place. Test it out first...then come back...WA has it's own special dirt

g,day and welcome, I'm interested to see how they go for sure keep us posted on how things work out, cheers joe,

G'day Stan and welcome to the forum, sounds very interesting to me also. So please keep us updated on your test results.

Cheers.

Mike.

All the best with the testing stan, hope it all works out well.

Hmmm  very interesting, welcome to the forum, it can only be a matter of time before someone produces a variant for the zed market, good luck with your tests, I, like a few others I suspect wait for your results with some interest.

Wayne.

Hi Joe, Mike, Wayne and Flyspecks,

I'm counting the days until I can get out and test the coil out at one of my spots with deep ground. Until then I made a little video that just shows that the coil is real, it works and can pick up small gold... I'll post it in a few days as due to restrictions I can't post a link for 7 days after joining the forum. If it works well in the field it'll give us a greater selection of coils that will tailor to our hunting needs, rather than being restricted in our choices.
In the meantime here are a few photos from the boys testing out the 24" coil for the Zed.

Cheers,
Stan

Goldtalkleonora,

Not sure where you're heading with your post, but the objective of the new coils is:
1. Provide better selection of coils: 11", 16x12", 18", 24" so far have been developed for the Zed.
2. Weight reduction which reduces fatigue: the new 24" coil is a massive 400g lighter than ML 19" coil. The new 18" coil is lighter than ML 14". I hunt for 12-15 hours a day, so for me, personally, the difference will be significant.
3. The coil does need to prove itself, as I stated many times. It might be worse, it might be better or it might have the same performance. I'm sure some people would appreciate reading a gold-related post and one about a potential new development in our field. The coil works, and that's a step in the right direction already.

Regards,
Stan

Interesting & great that new aftermarket coils are in the works.
I always thought one major stumbling block was that the current Minelab coils had a proprietary chip in them? Looks like that isn't the case?

cool stuff mate cant wait to see the vids good work

G'day fellow prospectors

I know all us GPZ 7000 users, would like to see more variety towards coil size/type selection, but ask yourselves this, if after 18 months from the introduction of the GPZ 7000, Minelab could only come up with 1 only, much larger/heavier, 19 inch open spoke coil, to suit their GPZ 7000 & neither of our top 2 Australian coil manufacturers (for what ever the reason/s) have not been given authority/permission to produce, or just simply cannot produce something better, than what is currently available towards coil performance/selection for the GPZ, what makes people here think, that an overseas coil manufacturer, can do so, or has done so, by better producing a series of coils of their own, to better suit the GPZ 7000?
To be able to do so, would bring $ millions to the table & I highly doubt that Minelab, who spends $millions of dollars in R&D, would allow a foreign coil manufacturer, to take not a slice, but the whole pie, on an improved, successful, after market GPZ coil design, on a detector Minelab themselves created?
Sorry fellas, but I'd tread with the greatest of caution on this one.

Cheers guys  Kon.

I agree Kon.
How would the GPZ would know what coil is attached (GPZ knows & tells you what coil is attached in the information icon/page - either GPZ14 or GPZ19) without software upgrades from Minelab + how does the GPZ knowing (or not knowing) exactly what coil is attached affect how it operates, if at all? You would think that any aftermarket coils would need some input from Minelab to operate correctly on the GPZ especially as it can sense which coil is attached?

mbasko wrote:I agree Kon.
How would the GPZ would know what coil is attached (GPZ knows & tells you what coil is attached in the information icon/page - either GPZ14 or GPZ19) without software upgrades from Minelab + how does the GPZ knowing (or not knowing) exactly what coil is attached affect how it operates, if at all? You would think that any aftermarket coils would need some input from Minelab to operate correctly on the GPZ especially as it can sense which coil is attached?

There's some serious questions this coil maker needs to answer?
Keeping quiet about this says a lot!!!

Keep an open mind, let the bloke do some testing and put up the results I say, then it will be time to say whether it works or not, the videos may be all telling if done correctly.


Uncle Bob, are you saying you know which coil maker???


cheers dave

davsgold wrote:Keep an open mind, let the bloke do some testing and put up the results I say, then it will be time to say whether it works or not, the videos may be all telling if done correctly.


Uncle Bob, are you saying you know which coil maker???


cheers dave

Dave,
Stan says they are made in Europe.

I'm guessing, Detech.
Let's see what Stan says

There was some similar photos + some videos doing the rounds last year from a mob calling themselves "X Coils". The videos are no longer on YouTube.
Be interesting to see what comes of it.

Stan O wrote:Goldtalkleonora,

Not sure where you're heading with your post, but the objective of the new coils is:
1. Provide better selection of coils: 11", 16x12", 18", 24" so far have been developed for the Zed.
2. Weight reduction which reduces fatigue: the new 24" coil is a massive 400g lighter than ML 19" coil. The new 18" coil is lighter than ML 14". I hunt for 12-15 hours a day, so for me, personally, the difference will be significant.
3. The coil does need to prove itself, as I stated many times. It might be worse, it might be better or it might have the same performance. I'm sure some people would appreciate reading a gold-related post and one about a potential new development in our field. The coil works, and that's a step in the right direction already.

Regards,
Stan

So how do you get around the electronics package that is in every Minelab coil, and which tells the detector electronics what size coil is attached?
I'm sure Minelab won't just pass them out to anyone who wants them. The next question is "Does the GPZ adjust its electronics in the software package depending on which coil is attached", and if so, have you a remedy for that?
Cheers.

Gentlemen,

I'm not here to cause any controversy or fighting or scam anyone. That is of no interest to me whatsoever. I thank Dave for his level-headed response. Competition (in commercial sense) drives development and advances in technology, which in turn benefit us - the consumers. Only testing will show whether this new coil has what it takes.

I do not make those coils and I do not sell those coils. Neither did the developer ask me to go on the forum - I'm an avid prospector and I'm very happy about the fact that I'm involved in the testing of this new coil... as I would imagine a lot of prospectors would feel if they were given the opportunity. I call it as is and don't have any delusional expectations of the coil.

As far as the chip and software go:
The chip is there and the coil is not a straight plug-and-play. Some modifications are needed - at least for now. Once I test the coil I'll have a better understanding to what extent the software plays a part in coil's performance.

The coils are handmade - they are not made by a company so they don't have a commercial registered name as yet.

Minelab was once a small mob of people and thanks to an idea of one became a global leader in its field.
While I don't have the QED I heard it's a fairly capable machine, especially for the money. Yet big powerhouses like Whites and Garrett haven't produced anything close to what's being manufactured at the back of someone's shed.
Ford was one of the first to develop a motor vehicle. Yet most of the fourbies you see out bush are Cruisers and Patrols made by people we used to call sandal- wearing bums... until not that long ago.
Point being, keep your mind open. Technology does progress and it doesn't take any one or a handful of companies to initiate that progress in any one particular field.

Thanks,
Stan

Stan O wrote:Gentlemen,

I'm not here to cause any controversy or fighting or scam anyone. That is of no interest to me whatsoever. I thank Dave for his level-headed response. Competition (in commercial sense) drives development and advances in technology, which in turn benefit us - the consumers. Only testing will show whether this new coil has what it takes.

I do not make those coils and I do not sell those coils. Neither did the developer ask me to go on the forum - I'm an avid prospector and I'm very happy about the fact that I'm involved in the testing of this new coil... as I would imagine a lot of prospectors would feel if they were given the opportunity. I call it as is and don't have any delusional expectations of the coil.

As far as the chip and software go:
The chip is there and the coil is not a straight plug-and-play. Some modifications are needed - at least for now. Once I test the coil I'll have a better understanding to what extent the software plays a part in coil's performance.

The coils are handmade - they are not made by a company so they don't have a commercial registered name as yet.

Minelab was once a small mob of people and thanks to an idea of one became a global leader in its field.
While I don't have the QED I heard it's a fairly capable machine, especially for the money. Yet big powerhouses like Whites and Garrett haven't produced anything close to what's being manufactured at the back of someone's shed.
Ford was one of the first to develop a motor vehicle. Yet most of the fourbies you see out bush are Cruisers and Patrols made by people we used to call sandal- wearing bums... until not that long ago.
Point being, keep your mind open. Technology does progress and it doesn't take any one or a handful of companies to initiate that progress in any one particular field.

Thanks,
Stan

Stan,

This is a level headed reply from you.

Maybe you would have been better off coming here and giving details after your testing was completed.

None of us here said that you came on here to cause controversy, fighting or scam anyone Stan. Just like you stated your case/personal opinions, so does everybody else here have the right to question what was stated, with an open mind.  Competition is a healthy thing, for It does drive development, as a monopoly on any Item/good delays or stops it.
Personally, I don't think anyone here cares of where, how or who makes the coil/s. If it works for the better & offers better advantages over what's currently available now, there won't be one of us 7000 users, that wouldn't want to get their hands on one.

Cheers Kon.

Ex member and Boss No. 1 from the Sudan, Shiraz, has asked me to offer his opinion :
Quote Shiraz, "What a load of #%&*@#$ bull@#$%. Are we all so desperate for a  magical coil that will lead us out of the wilderness that we put reality and logic to the rear of our brains and start believing in the fairies at the bottom of Granite 2's garden?" Minelab couldn't get the 19" afterthought aftermarket coil right (and it's still has not found the largest, deepest nugget with such a large coil) well we'll ignore all that and just believe in not one but 3 or 4 new coils made for the Gpz  by some egghead in Turkey (who still can't make up his mind if he's drinking Greek style coffee or Turkish style coffee) a difficult question that preoccupies a large proportion of his day and leaves him little time to develop more interesting coils in his back shed. (How could Minelab possibly compete?) Jeez wake up please.





(All views expressed by ex member Shiraz are his and his alone, so please don't shoot the messenger)

I personally would like to see the testing of these coils play out, however that goes, in the mean time please at least afford our new contributor the courtesy of presenting his case, as he seems willing to do, this forum could do with a little input, the individual can make his own assessment and we can let the corporate people sort out the legality's of the technology, as I am sure they will, thanks for the info so far, please continue Stan.

Wayne.

  Now now Slim. It's a proven fact that either coffee, Greek or Turkish, tastes good with a fine blend of rolled tobacco, first thing in the morning.  

Kon.

Digginerup wrote:I personally would like to see the testing of these coils play out, however that goes, in the mean time please at least afford our new contributor the courtesy of presenting his case, as he seems willing to do, this forum could do with a little input, the individual can make his own assessment and we can let the corporate people sort out the legality's of the technology, as I am sure they will, thanks for the info so far, please continue Stan.

Wayne.

Thank you Wayne, for pointing out that in his haste to warn the good people of the gold detector world, Shiraz failed to mention that he was not having a go at Stan O, who. like myself is/was just conveying Shiraz's thoughts, as was Stan O conveying the manufacturers' plans designs and ideas of the new aftermarket coils. You go for it Stan, try and get us as much proof of the new coils as you possibly can.

Kon, Kon, Kon, that line of yours "It's a proven fact that either coffee, Greek or Turkish, tastes good with a fine blend of rolled tobacco, first thing in the morning." has set me and my psychiatrist at least 5 yeas back in our efforts to wean me off the cigarettes!