Just got me a 5000 - now need to learn how to use it...

[ro1ex]

Hey all,
I've just landed a Minelab GPX5000...whoohoo...

But now I need to learn how to use it!

There are a couple of places around that offer 'day courses' in the use of detectors (such as Coiltek in Maryborough).

Are these courses worth doing?

Any other hints and tips would be really appreciated!

Thanks in advance

 

[mardymoose]

Definately worth doing, good place to learn the basics

 

[old hand]

Why not go to the Dunolly weekend cup day there will be plenty of members only to pleased to help
just stars in factory pre sets make sure the front switch is in special and on the back fine gold with the 11 mono coil
watch some YouTube regards john good luck with the new detector

 

[Diablo]

Hi ro1ex
I found the Goldern Triangle Tours have a couple of different courses. Greckie specialises in Minelab detectors,,, excellent courses. One on one tuition.Checkout their website for info.
At least get an experienced operator to teach you. The more information the better. Work your area carefully and listen to 'your' detector.

Diablo

 

[davent]

Wish I could have done a course. I reckon I wasted about 4 or 5 trips. I'd would have done one if available for sure.

 

[Dignit]

To be honest you'll get best value by just reading the manual over and over and get out and play.
Have fun.

 

[goldtruck59]

try this info. This is the board at Coiltek from a lesson I had years ago. Might help you get started without the expense !!

GT

 

[davent]

Wow, those stab/ gain cobmo,s wouldn't work here.(4500). Today for example, it was windy, hot, pretty hot ground. I was using a 14 x 9 nf evo. Early morning, stab 8 gain 11. Threshold just on the edge of sound. By 11 am, it was 35 deg, hot wind. Dropped stab to 7 , still noisy, dropped gain to 9 and had a pretty steady him with just a few sqawks here and there. Regular ground balance. Running in enhance/ deep, target volume 18, drop to 16 in hotter ground.

Basicly, G = gain

S = stabiler

T= target volume.

Play with these settings to get your machine running smooth. Every area is a bit different. Ground balance regularly, up here, the valley floors are pretty deep black soil, and we get a lot of hot ground (sounds like a target) in patches. Quick g b and move on, as the ground shallows again, another GB.

Get out as often as you can at first, and it will become 2nd nature. I got a lot of help on this forum, and I'm definitely no expert! Just passing on a few things that I've learnt myself and tips from others. Great machine the 5000.

 

[davent]

BTW, thanks for posting those settings goldtruck, I will play with some of those settings next time I'm out. Might try dropping the stab down to 5, and up the gain past 10. Cheers.

 

[Dignit]

Oh ...... And bury some targets and see how they sound on different settings. If you're up around Inglewood there is a place with buried targets. The depth and size are marked. Just ask any of the locals and they'll tell you where it is. There is also a test spot at Talbot. I've not been there but have been told about it.

 

[Ridge Runner]

Congrats on the new machine, have a word with Nenad, ( PhaseTech ) see if he is near you, he is a Wizard with ML machines, But the Aldi has got him stuffed.

John.

 

[Nuggetbuster]

https://www.prospectingaustralia.com/forum/img/member-images/1033/1472121788_settings.jpg

try this info. This is the board at Coiltek from a lesson I had years ago. Might help you get started without the expense !!

GT

Wow...they're almost identical to some settings I came up with the other day:

 

[Jaros]

I don't see and equals (=) sign anywhere......?

 

[Brumble-Gum]

When I had my 5000 I used to say to myself:

God (gain)
Make (motion)
Today (target volume)
Special (stabilizer)

Starting with this saying helped me setup my 5000. By listening to the audio I could setup in any area.

 

[ro1ex]

Thanks all, awesome advice!

Should I be starting with the mono or double D?

Cheers, Ian

 

[mbasko]

Start with the mono. The GPX is made for them. The DD can come in handy when conditions dictate.
To start out I would just keep it simple. Stick to your factory presets & adjust gain/stabiliser if needed.
I'd mainly be concentrating on a good auto tune firstly - yes auto these machines have a built in capacity to best pick frequency to suit conditions on the day. No human can detect or select this let alone the difference on any given day or area. I've heard of some having preferred manual settings but I think it's more good luck than good management. If you do get some EMI try manually adjusting a few up &/or down to see if it settles before doing another auto tune. Sometimes when starting out you may need to do more than one auto tune but these machines are very good at it.
Next concentrate on ground balancing - technique & ensuring your getting it right.
A lot of trouble people have initially can be traced back to these two things but many question other settings etc. Know what noise is what i.e. spurious noise with your coil up in air = EMI = retune. Noise when sweeping the coil across the ground or pumping the coil = ground = quick track time.
Once you get more confident in tuning & ground balancing adequately then start playing with other settings. Don't be afraid to change or try something. You can always reset to FP & try again. A lot of settings can be area dependant & personal preference so pointers are good but always better to find what works for you.

 

[mbasko]

P.s forgot to add to the above. Yes a training day with a reputable instructor or company is worthwhile. A good instructor will teach more than just machine settings i.e. maintenance, safety, do's/don't's, geology/ground etc.

 

[PhaseTech]

To be honest you'll get best value by just reading the manual over and over and get out and play.
Have fun.

True to a point but the problems with a manual or DVD is:

1. You can't ask it any questions

2. It doesn't observe you and make suggested improvements to your technique

3. It can't determine the local conditions and fine tune your detector for that day

A good instructor can take months and months off the leanrning curve. Also bad initial habits can be hard to undo.

Nenad