What would people like added to new model Mine Lab detectors? (Asked by Miners Den Melb)

ive been laughed at recently... but i cover my handle with a sleeve. Didnt want to get dirt ground into my handle, lol. I actually just used a material sunglasses sleeve and fastened the cord around the shaft. Keeps it clean (in case i ever sell it).

Hi Dave

I should point out the button itself is not faulty
but if you are careless enough to allow a small piece of grit work itself
into it then the button will not work correctly
I have seen this occur on more than one 5000
I previously owned a 4500 and the button was a different design
This situation never occurred on that machine

Cheers Ron

bedrock wrote:a quantum leap in technology forward again (just like when the SD2000 hit the fields) , as opposed to new timings to get smaller and smaller nuggets.
bedrock

I"m with you on this bedrock,three goes on top end timings is enough.That should have been perfected by the Gpx4500,Throw a new one on the Gpx5000 and its starting to look like a grab for cash.One more attempt and we will be on our hands and knees looking for sub atomic particles.
The harness is absolute rubbish and does Minelabs reputation no favours.Supply a Jonathan Porter Dvd Credit with every new machine sold,This by far the best way to get to know there capabilites.

Cheers Dig

What about snap on /snap off coils that connect at the bottom of the shaft.without having to touch the lead .a simple connector at the base of the lower shaft will work.And argh a stubbie holder would be handy.

How about a Backhoe Attachment

In my opinion the new generation Minelab's should be lightweight and have an inbuilt speaker and batteries to eliminate the need for a harness. Frankly, the harness, the jumble of wires, and the weight make the GPX detectors more reminiscent of a 1940's backpack mine-sweeper than a modern day detector. Get your sh1t together!!!


Maybe it is also time to hire some younger and innovative engineers. The GPX 5000 is still an analogue detector with a digital front-end to make it appear timely.

sand scoop and magnyfing glass as accessories ...if they think of going one 'finer' with timings.

Ski's.

The only thing I could possibly think of isn't actually something to add but insread something to remove, the massive price tag. I bet if they dropped the price to half or less they would own the marketplace worldwide. The biggest thing that has permanently put a lot ok people I know off all minelab machines is the cronicly overblown pricetag. Lets face it, they are made in a factory in china, the cheapest manufacturing location and they seem to think that this entitles them to charge the highest price. My grandfather had a shop and he taught me a little trick, keep your prices down and sell large amounts of stock which will allow you buy product cheaper thereby selling more for less and making a lot of money. Top heavy corporations don't get this.

Axeman wrote:Lets face it, they are made in a factory in china, the cheapest manufacturing location and they seem to think that this entitles them to charge the highest price.

INCORRECT.
The electronics are actually assembled by Plexus Corporation, who are a very large Company manufacturing even pacemakers, and I believe the Malaysia facility does the assembly.

A few point to consider;
Do you really want a GPS incorporated so anyone who repairs or uses your detector can see all your spots?
Do you really NEED to remember another damn pin to access your menu?

Personally I'd like to see a slide-in battery similar to the E-trac/Explorer detectors which would eliminate the power cable (I have never had a power cable fail in the last 7 years I'll add) and some type of audio jack on the control box to make the unit "free" from the operator except for the bungee.
I'd also like to see the menu moved from the rear panel and placed onto a screen on top of the detector handle similar to a coin machine so you can access it without having to unhook the bungee etc.
Lastly I'd like to see some improvement in outright depth with maybe a special timing to punch deep for the bigger targets.

davesgold,

I was just thinking the same thing. I have never known anyone to get grit
in the Ground Balance button.
Guess it would be simple to put a plastic bag over the handle and rubberband it down.

Great thread...


Flak

Qld Sandy wrote: Lastly I'd like to see some improvement in outright depth with maybe a special timing to punch deep for the bigger targets.

G'day Sandy

This is what I would like also, the timings "for fine gold" & "enhance" etc are great but lets face it if you want to get a few more big bits at depth in noisy ground, (and thats where there hiding) a timing for deep noisy ground would be really something. No harm in dreaming I guess.

cheers dave

A screne on the handle is a good idea.
With so many options available its easy to forget where you are.

Dont like more pin's either to remember but probably a good
idea on a $6000 detector.

Alan.

Oh yeah. A decent length lower stem. Not everyone is 5'6"...

Hi, in the area I live, Stawell, the ground is so mineralized that I can only use smooth on my 4000. I think that a worthwhile advance would be to have a detector that can detect as deep with a mono coil while ignoring mineralization as the older models did with the DDs. I find that often the detector will detect through 3" of leaf litter and only 2 or 3 inches at best into the ground on say 1g nuggets. I know that the newer models will do a bit better on larger nuggets but still not as good as the guys that came through the gold fields a few years back. I say this as it is only small nuggets that I find as a general rule when I feel that there are bigger ones there but the 4000 just can't see them. On occasion I find a spot that the early guys just missed and find larger nuggets, so I know they are there. I also know the 4500 and 5000s will do a lot better but still, there is a big gain to be had in this area. Enough to warrant any effort needed to get there. Assuming it is possible with current tech at all.
Sparrowfart

I would like to see future models made "upgrade-able", where Minelab could supply, for a price, of course, the "improved" software features of the new model.
This could perhaps be downloadable via a code supplied by Minelab, linked to the detector's serial number. This would save us having to buy new detectors every couple of years !

Phil

i think the 5000 is pretty good the way it is but a new timing to get medium sized nuggets down 12" or so would be good
cheers

G'Day

I am thinking seriously of getting a brand new Minelab if I can sell my old GP3500.

Can anyone tell me when the 5000 hit the market?

How long would be an educated guess as to when the next model will become available?

Is there usually much the same timeframe between models or does it vary considrably?

Thanks,

Waz

In the next model I would definitely like to see a battery pack
where the battery can be replaced if it gets weak, seems like
a joke to buy a new complete battery for $400. Minelab should
offer these refurbishments of sell re-conditioned ones.
Also nice would be a machine that handles EMI better than the
current model....
just my thoughts
bedrock

Waznme.

5000 been out for just over a year.
Usually a new model comes out after about 2 years so
I think at least another year or more for the next one.

A few improvements that I think would make the next Minelab model better would be:

(1) Self diagnostic tool inbuilt into the detector control box so that users could see that the detector is working correctly in the field without needing a techspert to check function.

(2) Automatic and Manual frequency control to continually scan optimal frequencies on the go which would minimize changing interference affecting stablility. Similar to auto ground balance.

(3) Pinpoint mode (indicating depth and likely target) like coin machines use for easier recovery of targets.

(4) Weather proofing of the control box dial pots / switches by installing rubber covers over them.

(5) A Specific Gold prospecting only detector with more actual useful timings for Australian conditions. Prospectors dont need Coin & Relic mode and is only a waste of space that nobody uses when searching for gold. If I wanted to search for coins and relics an xterra or similar is the cheaper more sensible option. Imaging trying to recoup the money spent on a gpx5000 in coin mode only, thats why they make cheaper coin machines with target ID and the gpx5000 falls way short of even being close without target ID so why bother.

(6) Volume control dial built into the battery box for volume control for external speaker and windy conditions etc so that you dont have to change actual volume control settings in the rear menu for either headphones or ext speaker.

Just a few simply ideas,Too many bells and whistles just cause confusion. Cheers.

goldsmiff1 wrote:What about snap on /snap off coils that connect at the bottom of the shaft.without having to touch the lead .a simple connector at the base of the lower shaft will work.And argh a stubbie holder would be handy.

Hi All
A stubby holder you ask, why I have that on my SD2200d, old technology the 5000 should be able to brew the beer!!!
cheers
Lee

Bluetooth ear piece would be good.

Option of using password coded operation to deter theft of machines.

A readout of current EMI interference being experienced.

Extra button on the Quick Track handle to switch momentarily to "cancel" for pinpointing.

Minelab really need to get competitive.I can buy a Rangertell that blitzes the 5000 for only $879 and can also find fish,bottles,diamonds etc,etc not to mention all this at 10s to 100s of feet as compared to the measily 1-2 foot for the 5000.Also comes with the unique microgold avoidance system so your not bothered by those annoying little species plus a super light design that even a child can use.Included is the worlds best lemon laws so come on Minelab stop twiddling your thumbs and step up to the challenge.

Actually I just noticed some bad feedback so maybe its not exactly as described.

"plastic box with a $1 calulator on top,i asked for refund they refused realbad"

I'm not a GPX owner but...

My $1000 computer does limitless things for the price tag.

At $5500 plus, I'd expect a detector to have (but not limited to):

- GPS
- Long battery life
- SOS button via Satellite using paid service (as an option)
- Not be heavy
- Ergonomic
- FREE Carry bag/case + Quality Headphones
- Harness to not only store battery but other things like water!
- Changeable tones/feedback
- Adjustable forearm support (some of us are bulk)

The big one!!! Hopefully nobody already mentioned it:

- Be able to plug-in a slave detector! Explained below...

You have a main GPX detector and it has a port to plug in a slave detector that does not have a control box or battery (gets power and data from main unit). The second user would sweep at a short but not too close distance but using the main detector's control box for settings etc... The slave would need to be able to ground balance independantly though and have it's own ear phones or speaker.

The slave would need to be an optional extra at a good price but very simple. Yet it would be as powerfull as the main unit.

This would save the GPX main unit owner from having to purchase a second more expensive main unit. They could go wireless and have the slave run off 9V battery as it does not have all the heavy duty tasks to perform as it get's everything from the main.

My two cents

i hope the 6000 has the flip side to the chillian pipe music that plays as im detecting, cheers stu

My two cents worth:

- Built in battery for the unit so you dont have to lug a brick on your back;
- Make the battery a long life rechargable one;
- Allow operator to swap the battery out with a spare battery if required for long detecting sessions while the other battery recharges;
- Add a cabled pinpointer to the unit and a switch to put it into pinpointer mode that directs it to use the pinpointer cable instead of the main coil;
- Build a proper carrying strap for it rather than a bungee cord so you can carry the weight on your shoulders and across your body like you carry a weed wacker so people dont get lopsided while carry heavy coils;
- Add a built in torch to the unit for night time detecting;
- Allow unit to record GPS co-ordinates of finds;
- Allow unit to upload its GPS position (people have to opt into service) to website so people can be tracked by loved ones back home in case of emergencies;

Now howz about a Minelab talking module, adaptation software with index finger recognition;and i could imagine it working something like this;
ok now Trev touch the spot as located by the coil,now move your finger to the right,Trev Trev i said to the right,now move your finger to the left just a touch,no no no trev thats too far,ok now slowly to your south,good now your learning,ok a little more east ,well done you have now found the G spot (gold spot)now trev the nugget is 16 inches below the surface ,weewoo weewoo weewoo weewoo,congratulations trev i have just found you the nuggett dreams are made of,woohoo woohoo woohoo you bloody beauty======EUREKA.
if only it could have warned me about the death adder that bit me after i was rolling around on the ground with joy 150 Klms from nowhere.
cheers..........Trev.................................YES it also needs to remind me to take my Medication................

a built in music player that's automatically interrupted when there's the slightest target response. call it the 'virgin patch' timing