Minelab SD 2000 VS SD 2100

l'm trying to decide between a second hand minelab SD 2000 for $800 or a SD 2100 for $1100, is it worth paying an extra $300 for the 2100 ? what is the difference btweeen the two and what makes the SD 2100 better.

G' day Hotrock - (my thoughts)

The SD2000 is what I would call a first generation Pulse Induction Minelab detector. Many gold nuggets were found (and some people still use this model) with this detector.

The SD2100 was the second generation SD detector from Minelab. Trying to improve what the Minelab had already started they released this one onto the market.
From my understanding it is more sensitive to the smaller pieces of gold that the SD2000 had a little trouble in responding too.

Both these machines are manual ground balance detectors.
After the SD2100, the later models all have automatic ground balance (with a switch for manual as well)

With each generation improvements and advancements were made to the Minelab 'flagship' gold detector up to the latest Minelab Gold detector the GPX 5000.

You can go here and download pdf manuals for each detector if you like.
http://www.minelab.com/aus/products/consumer/product-archive?p=2

More knowledgeable folks may provide more info

CB.

G'day Hotrock,

The 2100 would probably be the better detector. The main difference would be the timing that is in the 2100, I think that it is a bit more sensitive to small targets and still does well on deep targets. They say that the 2000 was the deepest(on big gold) detector ever made, but I am not so sure of this after doing some tests with a standard 4500 and 5000 and my modded 2000 on large nuggets. I was able to pick up the nuggets that were in a 17" hole when I used the "low frequency" setting, but the 30 ounce nugget in the 2 foot hole was missed whereas the gpx could get this target in normal timings. I believe this 30 ounce nugget was found with a 2100 at about 1.2meters

However if you are into electronics and want to fiddle, there is a full schematic for the sd2000 available.

Personally if I had my time again(and was not under the thumb of the financial controller ) I would get myself an extreme or better. However I have learned a hell of a lot about detectors by getting a 2000 and playing with the insides!

Cheers Mick

Thanks for the advice,
l'm a total beginner , whats the difference between automatic and manual ground balancing, would l be at a great disadvantage with say a SD2100 compared to an automatic SD2200

Hi Hotrock,

The auto Gb is just easier, but with a bit of experience the manual ground balance is easy to master.
The 2200 would also be a bit more sensitive to smaller nuggets, so there is an advantage there. Really you want to set yourself up well from the start to get the best out of your detecting time. If you can afford to spend just a little more you should be able to pick yourself up a gp extreme or 3000 for about $1800 or less if your lucky. The gp's give a much better target signal response than the sd's. Might be worth your while to hire out a few different detectors first to get a feel for how they work.

Where abouts are you located? There a plenty of people on here who would be willing to help you out to get started.

Cheers Mick

Mechanic wrote:Hi Hotrock,

The auto Gb is just easier, but with a bit of experience the manual ground balance is easy to master.
The 2200 would also be a bit more sensitive to smaller nuggets, so there is an advantage there. Really you want to set yourself up well from the start to get the best out of your detecting time. If you can afford to spend just a little more you should be able to pick yourself up a gp extreme or 3000 for about $1800 or less if your lucky. The gp's give a much better target signal response than the sd's. Might be worth your while to hire out a few different detectors first to get a feel for how they work.

Where abouts are you located? There a plenty of people on here who would be willing to help you out to get started.

Cheers Mick

Thanks, yes hiring might be a good idea, l am in warrnambool, l might join a metal detecting club to help me get started.