Minelab or Garrett

I note Adrian talking about loving his Garrett Infinium and finding a nugget beneath metal. Raises all sorts of questions. Discrimination? Kind of tired of picking up rubbish metals and no nuggets to the point where I just don't want to hear another sound.
I have a Minelab 22000 given to me by the widow of a friend who passed some years ago. How does the 22000 rate?
I guess buying a detector is like buying a car. Some will only go with a Landruiser and others are just totally committed to something else. Given the the Garrett Infinium is rather less costly than the latest Minelab is that the main draw? Or is one accepting a lesser creature in the process?

harryopal.

Must clarify a point.
The Infinium like other PI detectors will detect gold through Iron Ore but through solid refined iron is a different kettle of fish. Mineral iron ore is not the same as smelted iron and I have not tried to detect gold through iron as in nuts and bolts type iron but now I will do a few tests with the Infinium in this regard..

The 2200 is a fine and very capable machine.

Adrian SS

Thank you Adrian. So, I must ask. Why the Infinium rather than a Minelab machine? Or do you have several detectors and it is horses for courses?

Yours tropically, Harry

Harry.

Yes I have several detectors and each is for a specific purpose.
The Infinium is ideal for my deep beach work and it doubles as a very good gold field machine that will handle all ground and weather conditions.
In my opinion, If you have been handed a 2200 then give it a serious tryout before rushing off to buy another machine if the gold fields are your destination.

Adrian.

Thank you again. Any plans to head up north?

HaRRY

Hi Harry
I have a 2200d, it's great I only detect a couple of times a year at this point so can't justify an upgrade, the only reason for upgrading is for a more quiet unit, you need a couple of add on's for the 2200 to improve performance.
PM me if you need some help "neighbor"
cheers
Lee

Harry,

Yeah that would be great mate. I spent a bit of time around tennant Creek and Katherine and said I would go back one day, but my body is almost dead in the water and will not allow me to stray too far from home.

Adrian

Hey Harry Opal,

On Australian soil 2200 is a better machine than the Infinium.
Actually its probably a better machine in any soil, but thats up to debade.
2200 will find gold, just go "slow and low" and stay away from hammered ground.

Cheers!

Good morning Rtanweb,

Thanks for the encouraging comments but what do you mean by `hammered ground'?

Yours tropically, Harry

G'day Gents.

Rtanweb your pretty much spot on in saying that the 2200d or V2 are much better machines than the Infinium on most soils of Aus,in terms of raw power alone,but i've also seen the Infinium purring smoothly on very hot ground where the SD 2200s struggled to maintain a smooth threshold with DDs. I personally believe that if the Infinium had the electronics designed around a 6.4 volt 3 amp plus gell battery system,instead of 8 small AAs it would probably out do the 2200s.The only thing missing in it is balls,to drive it.

Cheers kon61.

A related new thread on an Alaska gold forum:
Gold Bug Pro or Infinium LS
http://www.akmining.com/forums/showthread.php/733-Gold-Bug-Pro-or-Infinium-LS?p=4052#post4052

Good after sales services of any brand of detector is handy, especially if it can be obtained within Australia, easy and hurdle free.
I do have and use an Infinium LS purchased in Aust. and most of the manufactures coils available, can't comment on any services that might be available here as I've never personally experienced any.
My latest Infinium coil exchange was via a dealer in the US of A.
I got no trouble setting up and using the Infinium LS; but I can not match some of the extraordinary claims that have said about this detector and floating around on various forums over the years...........................guess it's nice to have something to look forward to.
A brand specific oriented forum or section is usually a good indicator to a detectors level of support and its supporters.

ivanll