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             MINELAB METAL DETECTORS

 

The following information on the most popular Minelab Metal Detectors currently available has been provided with the aim of giving you some idea on what the specifications, features and uses are for each unit. If you have any other questions ... please contact us.

 

For all our SPECIAL PRICES  on Minelab Metal Detectors & Accessories - just 'click' on to Up in the top left-hand side column of this page then go to the Minelab Metal Detector Price List

Also ... Don't forget to check our   METAL DETECTOR WEB SUPER SPECIALS   at the top of this page.

 

Index

GPX 4500     New !

Commander GP / SD Search Coils 

GPX 4000           

SD 2200v2 & SD 2100v2

 

Eureka Gold

E - Trac         New !  

Explorer SE  

Explorer SE Professional   

Quattro 

Sovereign GT 

X-Terra 70   

X-Terra 30 

X-Terra 50

Musketeer Advantage

Musketeer Advantage Pro

Excalibur II Underwater       New !  

Glossary of Terms

Minelab 'Australian Adventure Club'

Product Warranty Conditions

 

           I told you that my nugget would be bigger than yours!

...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................

GPX-4500        New !

Another step up to the next generation of metal detectors in High-End Gold Detection !

This newly designed metal detector is the 7th update and was released on the 7th April 2008.

The original Minelab SD 2000 (May 1995) the updated models that followed were the: SD 2100 (April 1996); SD 2200D (May 1998); GP Extreme (November 2000); GP 3000 (April 2003); GP 3500 (March 2005) and the GPX-4000 (November 2006).

In each case and as each model came out, prospectors went back to the goldfields all around Australia and found more gold.

This brand new model has just been released and is now available from us at a very competitive cash price.

Please check our prices ! Just click on to   METAL DETECTOR WEB SUPER SPECIALS  at the top of this page.

 

      Minelab GPX-4500 Metal Detector 

HISTORY

This metal detector has been specially designed for gold prospecting in areas of extreme iron mineralisation to locate both small and large gold nuggets in eluvial or alluvial gold deposits. By the same token, you can now detect even deeper in non-mineralised ground by turning the ground balance mode off. This setting can be advantageous when searching sandy and loamy soil or any other non-packed material.

Following the great success of the Minelab GPX-4000 (which is still available) the new Minelab GPX-4500 metal detector is now the 8th model since this new type of pulse metal detection technology was released in May 1995 has come a long way in providing the serious gold prospector with an instrument capable of finding even more and more gold than ever before!

It has been proven that each model has gone deeper than the model before ... finding even smaller gold nuggets as well as larger ones at a greater depth - this of course depends on various factors such as ground conditions and operator experience. By the same factor, Minelab have made many changes and updates to the circuitry which in turn, provided better stability in areas of extreme iron mineralization.

In order to find gold these days, it pays to keep up with technology ... this, as you would be well aware of, applies to a wide range of products on the market today not only to metal detectors. 

I have found with my long experience of 40 years + in the metal detector industry, that far greater technology has occurred in just the past few years compared with the previous technology available to us in the past.

Even today, the larger metal detector manufacturers both in Australia and overseas are currently working on both new and updating models all the time to give you the best that is available. 

Minelab have done just that in producing this new GPX 4500.           Gold Through Technology

With the current price of gold in Australia "floating" around the $1000.00 per ounce mark it now makes sense to re-visit the popular as well as the least popular gold areas which will give you today a far better chance to find that gold.

OVERVIEW

The new features over and above the GPX-4000 model found on the new GPX-4500 are as follows:

NEW TIMINGS so the GPX-4500 is even more versatile. Users of the previous GPX-4000 have learnt just how valuable it is to have a range of timings to optimise the performance of the detector. In addition to the four timings found on the previous model, the GPX-4500 now introduces two new timings, Enhance & Sharp.

The new Enhance timing is a powerful feature, similar to the Sensitive Smooth timing, but provides an improvement in the depth and signal response on small and larger targets. The Sharp timing is more suited to quieter soils and can also be used for pin-pointing.

Now with the six (6) timing options to suit different detecting conditions compared with the previous GP series of detectors which operated using one (1) universal alignment suitable to all their timings. With so many different timing options packed into the GPX-4500 it was no longer possible to rely on a single alignment and so the Smart Electronic Timing Alignment or SETA was born.

Timings stability prior to SETA

             Precisely aligned timings after SETA Processing   

SETA automatically sets a precise alignment for each timing option. What this means is: that in each timing, noises caused by magnetic interference will be minimised, the threshold tuning will remain more stable, and signals from highly magnetic rocks will be significantly reduced. In turn, this allows you to harness all the power of the GPX-4500 and operate it more efficiently under different conditions.

This is going to give you a noticeably more stable detector, less susceptible to thunderstorms and other electrical interference and is able to operate with a vertical positioned coil which makes it easy to scan creek and river banks, mullock dumps or even just to put your detector down to dig a hole without picking up the interference from the Earth’s Magnetic Field.

NO-FUSS DETECTING WITH PRE-PROGRAMMED SEARCH MODES

The GPX-4500 offers pre-programmed search modes, for easy ‘switch-on & go’ detecting. In addition to the General and Deep search modes are four others, Hi Mineral; Hi Trash; Patch and Test A modes. All six (6) search modes can also be modified with your favourite settings and renamed.

GB OFF for neutral soils. When searching in non-mineralised solis, ground balance can be switched off to give increased depth. This setting will be popular for treasure and relic hunters looking for both ferrous and non-ferrous artefacts as well as buried vehicles and aircraft in non or extremely low iron mineralised loamy or sandy soils.

BACKLIGHT This enables you to read the LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) menu in any light, day or night. The backlight has adjustable time-out to preserve battery life.

STABILIZER for the smoother threshold. The Stabilizer function is a fine tuner that gives the operator full control over the threshold stability. After all other functions are set you will use the Stabilizer to give fine adjustment for a smoother threshold and the ability to pick up the faintest of signals.

TARGET VOLUME Target Volume allows you to increase the strength of softer target signals. This is useful for very windy conditions; for people suffering from hearing loss; and to adjust the audio volume when using external speakers. This is a powerful feature, and will work in conjunction with the Stabilizer control, giving you the ultimate in fine tuning ability.

IMPROVED DISCRIMINATION gives you access to the worst of trashy ground. When detecting in a high-trash area like a mining site or a campground, the Iron Reject function allows the operator to set the desired level of discrimination, from cautious to aggressive. This will assist detecting in areas that have previously been rejected due to the quantity of Ferrous junk.

BUILT-IN AMPLIFIER allows you to hear soft target signals from deeper nuggets, more easily. The newly designed Li-Ion battery pack now has an audio amplifier built in, which boosts target signals, if using an external amplifier. The design of the amplifier and the use of high-quality low noise components ensure the signal response is clear and crisp, without the added background hum of some boosters. The new Minelab Lithium Ion battery will also automatically detect if headphones or an external speaker is in use and adjust the audio level accordingly.

IMPROVEMENTS

  • Improved Battery Harness - now with thicker straps and reinforced padded belt, for improved support and a more comfortable fit.

  • Modified End-caps - now allows for full control box adjustability, to improve balance when using larger or smaller coils.

  • Heavy Duty Power Cable - the GPX-4500 is supplied with a longer power cable, with thicker outer sheath and over-moulded plugs, designed to handle the rigours of the goldfields.

SPECIFICATIONS 

The GPX-4500 comes complete with the following components:

Two (2) piece rod, Aluminium arm rest and neoprene arm rest cover and velcro strap. Handle assembly with a 'Quick Trak' button, 11" GP Commander Series DD (white) search coil and coil cover, 9.2 ah / 8 volt Lithium Ion Rechargeable Battery, 240 volt Mains charger, 12 volt Car charger, Curly Power lead, Battery pouch and harness, Bow knuckle and re-designed Bungy cord, ¼" Headphone Jack (in the battery) to suit Koss UR 30 / 100 ohm Headphones and Instruction manual.

  • Length Maximum: 1300mm.  Minimum Length: 1100mm.

  • Weight: Complete with 11” coil (excluding battery & accessories) 2.4kg

  • Technology Dual Voltage (DVT)

  • Multi-Period Sensing (MPS)

  • SETA (Smart Electronic Timing Alignment)

  • Transmission Bi-Level Pulse Induction

  • Search System Motion detector

  • Configuration: Shaft-mount 2-piece shaft

  • Headphones:  1/4” socket “Koss” 100 ohm

  • Search Coil: (standard) GP Series 11” Double-D

  • Battery :   Lithium Ion 9.2ah: 8.0 volt

  • Weight: (battery only) 768 grams

  • Operating Time: up to 12 hours

  • Battery charging system:  240 volt Mains & 12 volt Auto Charger

FUNCTIONS & CONTROLS

  • On / Off:   Spring loaded toggle switch

  • Factory Preset (FP) restore:    Hold On / Off

  • Threshold Tuning:   1 turn control

  • Search Modes:   Custom / General / Deep

  • Custom Modes:   Hi Mineral / Hi Trash / Patch / Test A

  • Backlight:  Off, 1 - 10

  • Soil / Timings:   Enhance / Normal / Special

  • Special Timings:  Salt-Coarse / Sensitive Extra & Sensitive Smooth / Sharp

  • Ground Balance:  Fixed / Tracking

  • Ground Balance Speed:   Slow / Medium / Fast

  • Ground Balance Type:   General / Specific / GB Off

  • Coil / Rx (Receive):  Double-D / Mono / Cancel

  • (E.M.) Tuning:   Automatic (push-button)

  • Manual Tuning:   0 - 255

  • Volume Limit:   1 - 20

         Front Control Panel Layout

The functions that are commonly used and switched whilst detecting are located on the front and rear control panels for quick and simple adjustment.

General Description of the Front Panel of the GPX-4500 Control Box

Auto Tune Automatically reduces Electrical Interference from powerlines, radio transmitters, electrical equipment or other detectors operating close by. The detector may also produce sounds when not over ground. These will not be metal target signals, but signals caused from the surrounding environment. The GPX-4500 has a Tune function to overcome this electrical interference.

When the Auto Tune button is depressed, it is preferable that the Fast Motion setting be used this will allow the detector to scan each channel for the least interference. This tuning operation or even fine tuning can also be carried out in the Manual Tune mode.

The lower frequency channels (low numbers) can give a little more depth on to larger targets whereas, the higher frequency channels (high numbers) can be slightly more sensitive to smaller targets closer to the surface.

Threshold   (Background sound) This is the constant background audio / sound produced by the detector. When a target is detected, the Threshold changes in volume and pitch. Listen to the Threshold carefully. Concentration is an important part of detecting. A very deep or small target may only give a minor change to the Threshold.

Search Mode   The GPX-4500 offers pre-programmed search modes, for easy 'Switch-on & Go' detecting. In addition to the General (G)  & Deep modes are four (4) others: Custom  - Hi Mineral; Hi Trash; Patch and Test A modes. All six (6) Search Modes can also be modified with your favourite settings and renamed.

General (G) ...  The General Mode will provide the best compromise of sensitivity, depth and signal response under a variety of conditions. Until you are comfortable with the different functions and settings of the GPX-4500, General Mode should be used.

Deep ... The Deep Mode should be used when you are detecting a small area very slowly and carefully, such as when chaining, or when cross-griding a run of nuggets on a slope. Deep Mode is optimised for a very slow sweep to provide maximum depth, sensitivity, and Threshold stability.

Custom ... This mode can be programmed to your favourite settings. It provides a choice of four (4) additional modes as stated earlier. These are as follows with a general description of use.

(1) Hi Mineral: This mode will help to stabilise the detector in highly mineralised soils, yet still remain sensitive to small and deep targets. However, you may need to adjust the Rx (Receive) Gain setting to suit your particular location.

(2) Hi-Trash:  This mode has factory presets specifically selected for detecting in an area containing a lot of rubbish. The Iron Reject setting has been factory set quite high so you may want to reduce this if you want to be more cautious in not loosing small gold.

(3) Patch:  The Patch mode is set up for prospecting unknown ground when you are likely to be walking and detecting faster, seeking a first nugget that may indicate a new area worthy of further investigation.

(4) Test A:  This is a default mode initially set with the same settings as General, which you can use to experiment with and compare with other modes.

Soil/Timings   The Soil/Timings switch has the ability to change the electronic 'timing' or pattern of the pulses. This optimises the detector for different soil conditions, the type of coil being used and desired target sizes. Soil/Timings can make a big improvement to your finds. Put simply, certain combinations of pulse patterns (timings) have a particular affinity to certain soil conditions, (be it magnetic or alkaline or neutral, etc.) and on different target sizes and conductivities. By using the Soil/Timings switch, changes to the timings can be made to improve the performance in different conditions.

Enhance & Sharp  This new timing feature (similar to the GPX-4000 Sensitive / Smooth Timing) provides an improvement in the depth and signal response on small and larger targets. The Sharp timing is more suited to quieter soils and can be used for pin-pointing targets.

Normal (N) Normal gives you the best performance on a wide range of soil conditions and will provide the best depth on a wide variety of target sizes. You will use this setting most of the time. You should always use Normal in new areas where you are unsure of the soil mineralisation and the depth of targets.

Special / Salt The effect of alkaline salt mineralisation is vastly different to the effect of ironstone and mineralised clays. Anyone who operates on dry salt flats will know how difficult it is to detect. In these areas, Normal should be tried first, but if the Threshold is too unstable, then better performance will be obtained in Salt. Using the Salt setting may result in a slight loss in signal response to smaller targets. The response on larger items remains relatively unaffected and ground noise is usually minimised. Therefore, when searching for large deep nuggets in highly mineralised soil, the Salt setting can be used to obtain a smoother Threshold, allowing you to hear those mellow deep nugget signals.

Ground Balance   reduces the effect caused by iron mineralisation in the ground commonly called 'Ground Noise'. The detector may also produce various random signals caused by different minerals in the ground, sometimes referred to as false signals. The GPX-4500 has an automatic Ground Balance function to overcome ground noise and now has an optional Specific ground balance, designed specially for use in very hot ground and especially useful with Monoloop coils.

On the other hand, when searching in highly variable mineralisation conditions, 'Tracking'  Ground Balance is the preferred setting. 'Tracking' Ground Balance automatically adjusts the Ground Balance as necessary to maintain stability and detection depth. The GPX-4500 has three (3) Auto Tracking Speed options: Slow, Medium & Fast. If the ground being detected has mineralisation which is changing too often for you to search in 'Fixed', then Tracking Speed allows you to gradually increase from 'Slow Tracking' Speed, into 'Medium Tracking' Speed, then into Fast Tracking Speed, as required. The preferred Tracking Speed is the slowest speed which still keeps up with the variability of the ground mineralisation. In ground conditions that make operating in 'Fixed' impractical, the factory preset Medium setting provides a good compromise between effectively maintaining the Ground Balance and pausing the Ground Balance when a target is located.

Main Menu       Ground Balance Type     'Ground Balance' settings as illustrated on the 'Menu' screen

Coils with Tracking The Fast Tracking Speed is very effective at adjusting the Ground Balance in highly variable soils. Its use will only be required in extreme cases. When using a Monoloop coil, the nature of the Tracking tends to be more aggressive. Faint, deep targets may be 'tracked out'. In these extreme, highly variable soil types, you may achieve better performance by opting to use a Double D coil instead of a Monoloop and then selecting the most appropriate Tracking Speed.

Ground Balancing Tips When going over old patches, i.e. small concentrated areas known to have produced gold nuggets, run in 'Fixed' Ground Balance and periodically re-Ground Balance with the 'Quick-Trak' button every few metres. When Ground Balancing in very rocky terrain, lower the coil to the height above the ground that you will actually be swinging it at. In highly magnetic soils, you may have trouble ground balancing the coil all the way to the ground (most common with larger Monoloop coils).

If you experience this, you can change the Ground Balance type to 'Specific'.  It is very important when searching with a 'Fixed' Ground Balance, that the Ground Balance setting is regularly checked and maintained. Testing by raising & lowering the coil is quick and simple and should become a regular part of your detecting technique.

A new feature on the GPX-4500 is that you can turn the Ground Balance off (GB OFF) in neutral soils. When searching in non-mineralised soils, the ground balance can be switched off to give increased depth. This setting will be popular for treasure and relic hunters looking for both large ferrous and non-ferrous artefacts including buried vehicles and aircraft parts in non or extremely low iron mineralised loamy or sandy soils

Coil / Rx   This mode allows you to change the sensitivity and search patterns of receive (Rx) fields of the coil. The GP series or Commander Range of Double-D coils can change characteristics to suit different detecting conditions and targets. Coils not specifically designed for the GPX-4500 may behave erratically or be ineffective in either of the following positions:

Monoloop (M) or Cancel. It is very important that you always switch off the detector before changing coils. (Note: You will need to re-Ground Balance every time you select a new position for the 'Coil' switch. Minelab Commander Monoloop coils can be used on the GPX-4500 with excellent results. Minelab recommend their use in conjunction with the Coil / Rx switch in Monoloop (M).

Double D This is the most suitable electromagnetic field for areas of medium to very high mineralisation. It is also excellent for pinpointing as the target response is strongest from the centre of the coil. The search pattern of this position is the conventional blade or wedge shaped signal through the centre of the coil. However, it is possible to lose a little depth using the DD coils as opposed to using the Monoloop coils which can provide a little more depth particularly on smaller gold nuggets.

Monoloop (M) This setting may be used in most locations of low to medium mineralisation. Monoloop is also suitable for locating small nuggets with Soil/Timings switch set to Sensitive. Use of Monoloop will often increase the sensitivity of the detector but may also be a little more unstable in heavily mineralised ground. Pinpointing is not centred in the middle of the coil, but to the left side and may give a complex signal when the target is very close to the coil, so it is recommended to use the left edge of the coil to pinpoint shallow targets.

Cancel This setting provides a receive field that is particularly stable in areas of electrical interference. This position is ideal for detecting close to neighbourhoods or where the Tune function has difficulty selecting a quiet operational channel (e.g. near power lines, phone towers or under poor atmospheric conditions). Pinpoint in Cancel will be to the left side of centre of the coil and signals may be complex if the target is close to the coil. In Cancel, Sensitivity and depth are slightly reduced.

Salty environments In highly saturated salt conditions such as ocean beaches or large inland salt lakes (such as those in South Australia and Western Australia), the use of Cancel  may give better performance than  Salt.  As a general performance comparison, Cancel will be more sensitive, but Salt has a greater depth potential on larger targets and larger gold nuggets. Note: The detector will not detect targets if Cancel is used with a Monoloop coil.

Coil     (Connector)   Connects the coil to the control box.

Smart Point is a connection point for the Quick-Trak button, located on the handle. Minelab also uses this as a test port to ensure that your detector is operating at peak performance before it leaves the factory.

          Rear Control Panel Layout

General Description of the Rear Panel of the GPX-4500 Control Box

The following controls on the Rear Panel are detailed as follows:  

LCD Screen  This displays all the menu functions and settings of the detector. This now includes a Backlight which can be turned on when detecting under dull or fading light conditions. The Backlight can also be adjusted for various time periods ranging from 10 seconds to 2 minutes or even turned on continuously.

LCD Function Display

The LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) screen is located on the rear of the control box. Simply scroll through the various functions of the detector and select the level required. All the variable level controls offer precise numeric settings for more accuracy. Gone is the old inaccuracy of turning the control to ‘about 2-o’clock’ - now you can compare the effect of different settings precisely and easily remember your preferred levels, without the risk of settings being accidentally changed during transit or while detecting.  All setting changes are saved automatically on Shut Down, and loaded up when you switch the detector back on, then at any time you can also restore back to the Factory Preset (FP) settings by just simply pressing the On/Off push button.

Function Select scrolls up or down through the list of functions.

Functions Settings    

Once a function has been selected, the Setting control accesses a settings adjustment screen. 

Main Menu  this allows you to scroll through the menu to access all the various settings.  

Navigation Arrows indicate which way the setting can be adjusted. 

Title indicates what type of function you are viewing (universal or mode dependant).

Functions  there are two types of functions, universal functions (under the Main Menu heading) and mode dependant specific (under the Mode heading).

New Value Icon indicates the value for this function has been changed from the Factory Preset.

Motion (Adjusting Sweep Speed) When detecting you will find that the speed at which you sweep the search coil can have a bearing on the response time of a signal and even ground mineralization adjustment. Therefore, you are now able to match your sweep speed with the corresponding Motion setting thus reducing ground noise and increases target signal responses. The four (4) sweep speed settings include: Very Slow, Slow, Medium and Fast.

Rx Gain - Adjusting the Sensitivity of the detector:   The Rx Gain function allows the GPX-4500 to be optimised for differing conditions, controlling the sensitivity of the detector to its environment and to targets. The detector, with a high Rx Gain setting, will detect smaller and deeper targets but may respond to unwanted noise and ground signals. A high Rx Gain setting is recommended for mild soil conditions and areas of low interference. 

The detector, with a low Rx Gain setting, will detect less unwanted noise and ground signals, but may miss deep targets. A lower Rx Gain setting is preferable for variable ‘noisy’ conditions or high interference areas. The Rx Gain control should be adjusted to suit the soil conditions, as well as the coil being used. Example:  if you have found some nuggets in an area and wish to detect the same spot with a larger Monoloop coil, it may be necessary to reduce the Rx Gain setting. 

Always ensure that you are properly Ground Balanced and the detector is tuned before making any changes to the Rx Gain setting.

Audio - Changing the Audio / Response of Target Signals. The Audio Type function replaces the Boost switch on the previous GP Series detectors. There are four options to choose from. Each setting changes the way that the detector interprets a signal and how that signal is produced as an audio response.

  • Quiet This gives the most reduction of both ground noises and interference. The signal response is slightly quieter compared to the other Audio Types, so should only be used in the most extreme situations.

  • Normal This may be used for general detecting conditions. Normal provides the best compromise for signal response and Threshold stability.

  • Deep This is the preferred Audio Type when searching for larger targets at depth. It works well in combination with the slower Motion options, where target signals come through loud and clear, but noises from ground and mineralisation are somewhat filtered out.

  • Boost This is a more aggressive Audio Type. Boost will provide very sharp target signals but will also increase any signal caused by ground noises or electrical interference. It is best used in milder soils and well away from electrical interference.

Setting  Once a function has been selected, the Setting control accesses a settings adjustment screen and allows you to adjust the setting required accordingly.

On / Off     The On / Off button is located on the back control panel.    It is best to only turn the detector on when outdoors and away from sources of electromagnetic disturbance such as power lines, transmitters, electric fences and phone towers. These sources may cause the detector to perform erratically, giving numerous false signals. Many of the GPX-4500 functions are accessed through the LCD Menu. The detector is provided with a Factory Preset (FP) selection of menu settings, suitable for first-time users until you become more familiar with the various settings.

Battery Connector connects the control and headphones.

Ground Balance 'Quick-Trak' switch

                                                               

'Quick-Trak' Push Button          Using the new GPX-4500 in the field                 .... and the results !

 

A multi-function waterproof 'Quick-Trak' push button is incorporated into the handle assembly that switches the ground balancing mode from 'Fixed' to 'Tracking'. This switch makes it a lot easier to ground balance when necessary without having to flick switches on the control box as one had to do on some previous models. To re-balance, it is a matter of just pumping the search coil a few times whilst in the 'Fixed' mode thus giving you better depth. if you are operating in the 'Tracking' mode in extreme mineralized ground conditions, by switching to the 'Fixed' mode which enables you to test those questionable responses and then pin-point the target. When this button is released, the detector gives a very fast three (3) second re-balance back into the 'Tracking' mode.

The MINELAB GPX-4500 offers three pre-programmed search modes already set up for the three common search techniques – Patch Finding; General detecting and Deep slow careful detecting. As you get more familiar with all the new functions of the GPX-4500, you can then program your own preferred settings for each technique, or search mode. Never before has an operator had this much control over exactly how their detector worked. In addition to the new Search Modes, there is now greater control over the performance of your detector.  

Pre-Set Search Modes – Custom, General & Deep

Different search techniques require different settings on your detector to give maximum performance for best results. If out patch finding over virgin ground your priority is to cover more ground at a faster sweep speed, you need a detector with fast target response, sharp clear signal and possibly fast ground tracking. However, carefully chaining an area that has already produced nuggets requires an entirely different set of settings. (Further information on this can be read under the Search Mode section in the description of the Front Panel (see above).

Discrimination  -  The GPX-4500 is capable of rejecting many iron/ ferrous targets while still detecting non-ferrous targets. While detecting in littered goldfields, much of the iron rubbish may be ignored, with a high probability that valuable targets will not be missed. When Iron Reject is turned off , no iron targets will be rejected, therefore all types of metals will produce a target response. This is known as 'All Metal' and is the preferred setting for most situations. In All Metal, the detector will give varying volume and pitch signals. This information does not indicate the type of metal in the object. If Pinpointing a target prior to digging, best results will be obtained from turning Iron Reject Off.

Iron Reject Off (All Metal) When Iron Reject is activated, iron or ferrous objects are rejected by blanking the normal target signal, so that the Threshold Tone goes silent as the coil passes across the target. Discrimination is dependent on target signals being strong enough for the GPX-4500 to determine if the target is ferrous or non-ferrous. If the signal is weak, the detector will give a non-ferrous response until the signal becomes stronger due to a hole being dug and the coil getting closer to the target. The Iron Reject function is designed this way for maximum accuracy. Caution: Do not attempt to discriminate by raising and lowering the coil on a deep or partially dug target. An accurate discrimination requires an even side-to-side coil motion.

Blanking When sweeping over a rejected target, the Threshold ‘blanks’ (becomes silent) indicating that a target is located underneath the coil, but has been rejected. Blanking is a useful way of distinguishing between desired and undesired targets. 

ResponseTarget Response (Metal Object Response)   This is a change in the tone (pitch) and volume of the Threshold when a target is detected and not discriminated (rejected).   We are all familiar with the standard distinctive target signal we get from small nuggets, it tends to start in a rising tone and then drops to a lower tone. Because we usually find more small nuggets than large ones, this target signal is very familiar to us. The 'Response' function allows you to invert the normal target response so that when you’re detecting deep ground for large nuggets, the target response from a big nugget is easier to hear, as it will be the familiar 'Hi/Low' target signal you are used to listen for.  

Motion - Different sweep speeds demand different software so that the detector can give the best results. The 'Motion' function allows the operator to indicate their intended sweep speed to provide the best threshold stability and target response for that sweep speed.

Volume Limit - Improvements have been made to allow potentially loud signals to be reduced without any loss of signal strength on weak soft signals even on very low settings.

Volume Limt  'Volume Limit' as  illustrated on the 'Menu' screen

Search Coils -   The GPX-4500 is supplied with the 11" Double-D coil. This coil has an excellent combination of depth, There are five main things that you should consider when deciding which coil is best for your terrain and In some circumstances, non Minelab Double-D and Monoloop coils will work on the GPX-4500. However, there are limitations which means that some functions will not work properly. In some cases the use of coils not designed for the GPX-4500 may cause the detector to be unstable and noisy.

Coil Size and Depth  A larger coil will typically find targets buried deeper in the ground, but they can be less sensitive to smaller targets. A smaller coil is typically more sensitive to small targets, but does not go as deep as the larger coils.

The range of Minelab Commander coils are specially designed for the GPX Series and are available in a range of sizes and configurations.

New Lithium-Ion Battery

GPX-4000 battery               Battery Voltage  Battery Voltage as  illustrated on the 'Menu' screen

For a mere 870grams ..... Minelab’s new lightweight Lithium Ion batteries hold their charge at almost full power for hours more than conventional batteries and will operate the GPX-4500 for 12 hours. The intelligent charging system is self-contained in the robust yet lightweight aluminium housing, offering very rapid recharge times of 3 to 4 hours, from either the 12 volt Auto Charger or the 240 volt Mains Charger. Best of all, the available power of the battery can be tested at any time through the LCD display on the detector.

Low Battery When the battery is low, a series of alarm signal pulses are given at 1 minute intervals.

IMPORTANT:

MINELAB have advised us that this new Lithium Ion battery will not work on any of the previous have advised us that this new Lithium Ion battery will not work on any of the previous MINELAB SD and GP models (except the GPX-4000).

Do not use or try to adapt this 'new type' battery or the Power Lead as the higher voltage would do un-repairable damage to the circuitry of the previous detectors.

New Padded Comforter Belt

      This is included with the GPX-4500 ... a new style padded waist belt that makes wearing the battery harness all the more comfortable, you won’t notice that you have it on.

As with all MINELAB metal detectors the GPX-4500 metal detector is thoroughly checked and tested prior to leaving the Minelab factory, the 'Diagnostic Smart Point' Plug that supplies the software instructions to the new 'Quick Trak' push button has been further enhanced so that every unit is functioning to the precise factory specifications.  

OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES include an 18" coil, additional batteries, leads and carry bag. Other sized MINELAB 'COMMANDER' Search Coils are also NOW AVAILABLE For further details please refer to the Minelab Price List page just click on to    Up    in the left-hand side column of this page.

To those of you who may think all of the information provided above is confusing  … don't panic … you can start to find gold immediately by following Minelab's simple QUICK START Instructions which are printed on the back of the 100 page Instruction Book. As you become more familiar with the use of the GPX-4500 the various menus will eventually become second nature to you. 

The 'Quick Start' operation is as follows:

  • Set the front panel switches to the positions as illustrated on the 'Quick Start' Instruction sheet.

  • Press the 'On/Off' button on the rear control panel. 

  • Turn the 'Threshold' control up until a tone is audible through the headphones.

  • Raise the coil off the ground and Press the 'Auto Tune' button to reduce electrical interference. The tuning process takes approximately 60 seconds. Do not move the coil or pass metal objects near the coil during the tuning process. Whilst lowering and raising the coil between 25mm and 100mm (1" and 4") from the ground, change the Ground Balance switch to 'Tracking'.  Any variations in the 'Threshold' will smooth out with 3 to 5 seconds.

  • Adjust the 'Threshold' to a very faint but still audible level. It should be smooth with only minor fluctuations.

You are now ready to start searching!  ..... it's that easy !

Recommended Price: $6,150.00 (Including GST)  

However ..... please check our Metal Detector Web Super Specials ... at the top of this page  for our special prices

 

Each purchase includes the MINELAB WARRANTY UPGRADE to 5 Years on the Control Box & 2 Years on the search coil ... and ... FREE Membership to the 'MINELAB ADVENTURE CLUB'

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COMMANDER SEARCH COILS

         To enlarge this photograph just 'click' on to the picture. 

Optional Minelab Commander Coils available for the GPX 4500 and other GP & SD Metal Detectors

18" Round Double D A serious coil for the serious operator. The 18" Double-D punches deep through heavy mineralisation, while running smooth to allow you to hear those mellow, deep nugget responses.

8” Round Monoloop The most sensitive of the Commander series, the 8” round provides the best depth on sub-gram nuggets in light to moderately mineralised soils. A popular coil for use on old diggings, it is also a great coil for detecting in heavy vegetation.

11” Round Monoloop A lighter, more sensitive and deeper seeking coil compared to its Double-D brother, the 11” Monoloop is a brilliant coil for almost any situation. The second most sensitive Commander Monoloop, it is also one of the most stable Monoloop coils available, and remains stable in most soil types.

15” x 12” Semi Elliptical Monoloop On larger nuggets, this coil has better depth than the 11” Monoloop and the 15"x12" Double-D. It is very sensitive for its size. This coil is great for searching open areas for new patches, and also when seeking out deeper nuggets in areas that are too vegetated to allow effective use of the 18” Monoloop. It is an extremely stable coil and runs smooth in all but the worst soil conditions. This coil has already become a favourite for many operators.

18" Round Monoloop Superb depth and good sensitivity in low to medium mineralisation. This coil will find targets in heavily worked areas where other operators have given up. In addition to this there are also a number of other size coils now available to give improved performance to your detector. These range from smaller coils which give greater sensitivity to small targets and are lighter and manoeuvrable in heavy vegetation, up to larger coils which give greater depth.

10” x 5” Elliptical Double D This is the coil that every prospector should carry as its versatility is endless. Great in thick scrub, heavy mineralisation, and high trash, it has superb sensitivity, and surprising depth for such a small coil. It is also great for pinpointing deep targets found with one of the larger coils, and is extremely stable in all soils.

15” x 12” Semi  Elliptical Double D This coil has greater depth and ground coverage than the 11” DD, it provides stable operation in all soils. This is a great coil for all-round use in highly variable mineralisation, and a lighter, more manoeuvrable alternative to the 18” DD when seeking out large nuggets in heavy mineralisation. Its semi-elliptical design provides impressive sensitivity for its size.

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GPX 4000

              

                           Another great gold find!

Minelab GPX-4000 metal detector

To enlarge the above photographs just 'click' on to the picture.

The MINELAB GPX-4000 metal detector is a Dual Voltage (DVT), Multi-Period Sensing (MPS) motion detector using a Bi-level Pulse Induction transmission making it a most superior metal detector specifically designed for gold prospecting ... even in areas of extreme high iron-mineralisation where gold can be found.

A new, advanced digital control system provides a lot more operator control and functionality to allow the metal detector to be fine-tuned for any type of searching. Pre-programmed search modes optimise the detector at a flick of a switch for different situations, whether general searching, patch finding or chaining an area. Access to a number of new variable functions allows the gold prospector to select their own combination of setting to gain the best possible performance.

SPECIFICATIONS 

The GPX 4000 comes complete with the following components: Two (2) piece rod, Aluminium arm rest and neoprene arm rest cover and velcro strap. Handle assembly with a 'Quick Trak' button, 11" GP Commander Series DD (white) search coil and coil cover, 9.2 ah / 7.4 volt Lithium Ion Rechargeable Battery, 240 volt Mains charger, 12 volt Car charger, Curly Power lead, Battery pouch and harness, Bow knuckle and re-designed Bungy cord, ¼" Headphone Jack to suit Koss UR 30 / 100 ohm Headphones and Instruction manual.     Maximum length = 1300mm; Minimum length = 1100mm. Weight:    2.4 kg  plus battery and Comforter Belt approximately 1 kg  = 3.4 kg   (+/-)

DESCRIPTION & NEW FEATURES

The first thing you will notice is the elimination of a lot of knobs and switches compared with all the previous models. 

Minelab have made it so easy for everyone to use. 

The 'Quick Start' operation is as follows:

  • Set the front panel switches to the positions as illustrated on the 'Quick Start' Instruction sheet.

  • Press the 'On/Off' button on the rear control panel. 

  • Turn the 'Threshold' control up until a tone is audible through the headphones.

  • Raise the coil off the ground and Press the 'Auto Tune' button to reduce electrical interference. The tuning process takes approximately 60 seconds. Do not move the coil or pass metal objects near the coil during the tuning process. Whilst lowering and raising the coil between 25mm and 100mm (1" and 4") from the ground, change the Ground Balance switch to 'Tracking'.  Any variations in the 'Threshold' will smooth out with 3 to 5 seconds.

  • Adjust the 'Threshold' to a very faint but still audible level. It should be smooth with only minor fluctuations.

You are now ready to start searching!  ..... it's that easy !

General Description of the GPX 4000 Control Box

Improved Control Panel Layout

The functions that are commonly used and switched while detecting are located on the front and rear control panels for quick and simple adjustment.

Description of the Front Control Panel

Front Panel         To enlarge this photograph just 'click' on to the picture.

The following controls on the Front Panel are detailed as follows:

Auto Tune automatically reduces Electrical Interference The detector may also produce sounds when not over the ground. These will not be target signals, but signals caused from the surrounding environment. The GPX 4000 has a Tune function to overcome electrical interference.

Threshold   (Background sound) This is the constant background audio / sound produced by the detector. When a target is detected, the Threshold changes in volume and pitch. Listen to the Threshold carefully. Concentration is an important part of detecting. A very deep or small target may only give a minor change to the Threshold.

Search Mode   The GPX 4000 has 3 separate Search Modes: General (G), Patch & Deep. Each Search Mode has a series of Factory Preset settings saved, which can also be customised with personal preferences to suit different detecting conditions.

General (G) The General Mode will provide the best compromise of sensitivity, depth and signal response under a variety of conditions. Until you are comfortable with the different functions and settings of the GPX 4000, General Mode should be used.