I've always been against mods as the 5000 is a brilliant machine un-modded. I'm also a dedicated nugget hunter who spends a lot of time chasing gold all over Australia and wants to use the best machine to maximize my results. Minelab have brought out their super detector, at what we now know is also at a super price tag, especially once you get the smaller and larger coil, which I feel I personally will need to compliment the terrains I spend much of my time.
If "Theoretically" a mod comes out for the 5000, be it by Woody, Ismael, or some other tech, and an older model modded 5000 could equal or better a 7000, then I would not turn a blind eye towards it. I would have to be convinced that the mod was at least better than 40% of a stock standard 5000. At this % one winter season in WA would more than pay for the machine...for me in any case. I would treat the machine as a disposable commodity, knowing I can get two 5000's for the price of a 7000 with extra coils.
In saying all this...I've run a 7000 for only a limited time, and need to do some additional serious testing before I'm totally convinced it will get me more gold on a semi professional level, than a 5000 and SDC combo. For my money at the moment, the latter combination will probably net me more nuggets because of their superior versatility.....so getting back to the original topic.....would I look at a modded 5000......I'll look at anything that will improve my nugget take on a percentage factor, whether Minelab warrants it or not. My opinion only and each to their own I guess.
Wal.