David,
When I have a little more time I will pen my thoughts and in field findings. For right now I will say that it is not an apples to apples comparison. I am using both machines and there are advantages to both. I'll get my findings up for your consideration as quickly as possible.

I owned the original Garrett ATX; the Recon. Identical, but with a mono coil. Garretts mine sweeper model for NATO and the military.

 I'd recommend saving yourself 2 grand, and find a Garrett Recon on Ebay for around $500-750. 

 This was a great unit, but, I got tired of digging(And walking away from,) 3 ft deep holes that were 99.9% junk. The Garrett Recon and ATX,  is technically nothing more than a souped up

Garret Infinity, believe it or not. 

 The time I wasted in the desert digging 2-3ft holes, was time I changed my thinking, and went to a Keene GW25 goldwheel and a Falcon MD20 detector.

 You'll find much much more(Moving,) gold dust, than you ever will with any metal detector. Took me 3 years of detecting to learn this fact. 

Just my 2 cents.

Take care!

Joel, I find your comments very interesting. Did you ever try any detecting in streams/cracks/crevices? I'd like to hear more about you experience with the Falcon MD20.

 

Thanks

 

Tony Hall

Fella's ,  This could be a real good  thread and really educational..

 

I have a Garret  AT-Gold and don't believe there is a lot of difference between the AT-Pro,  However I'm sure there is between a Mine-lab detector. 

This is my second year or season using it and pleased with its results to date.  I agree though it gets a bit tiresome digging at times for a bottle cap or bullet casing, and even with the discrimination setting on,  I just gotta dig it up and see.   I was reflecting back to a article I read, and I am to the point where I'm going to purchase some small pickers of various sizes and maybe glue them to a poker chip or something.  Then I will field test all  by burying these samples at various depths and try to tune in my AT-Gold and Myself for consistency.  I have faith in this machine still as it is able to read some pretty small things like fishing (lead)split shots, of the smaller size & pretty deep...etc..etc.. 

 

So like to hear some thoughts, has anybody tried this type of field testing with gold pickers, does it work, or just ring off at same high pitch..??

Like I said also, 'I read this in an article" so not my idea and don't want to steal anybody's thunder, But it makes sense. 

 

Happy Hunting...   

I  

 

 

Well its all Kevin's fault here. I sat in on his session at the gold and expo in Fresno and now I have the bug. I inherited an old Radio Shack detector I am using to work my way up with. I read on one forum that you can use the old poor detector to make enough on beaches to buy a better one and I am putting that theory to the test. In the mean time I would be interested in the discussion here. Garrett or Mnelab? Which gives you more bang for the buck?

All you need to know is over at Steve Herschbach's site. http://www.detectorprospe...vs-minelab-gpx-5000/

I too would be interested in hearing about the MD-20 from you Joel

Really difficult to answer the ATX vs GPX 5000 question without first knowing more about you and what your plans or needs are regarding where you will hunt, average size nuggets, soil types , etc. The GPX is a superior detector with many more options coil wise and more operator control regarding settings, but the new ATX right out of the box will hear a smaller bit of gold with a 12x10 DD coil than the GPX with a stock 11 inch mono coil. Now if I switch to the 8 inch mono with the GPX the 5000 once again has the advantage when in the Special/Fine timings..

 

I have not yet tried the 20 inch mono on the Garrett ATX, but betting the depth will be impressive, but from what I have heard from others the GPX is still superior overall and I would tend to expect this.

 

Budget and how often you will be hunting nuggets is a big factor as well...... Bill

I currently have a Garrett AT Gold, Garrett Infinium and a GPX5000, my wife uses a Fisher Gold Bug Pro. I looked into the Garrett ATX when I was in the market for an upgraded machine. One thing that I didn't really like was the false signaling the ATX can produce. Cost was going to be my deciding factor to go with the ATX but truly wanted the GPX5000. Fortunately things worked out and we were able to purchase the GPX. After using the GPX5000 for several weeks I can tell you that I love this machine!! I have no regrets what so ever for not getting the ATX, even with being a devoted Garrett customer. Call Bill Southern and talk about your what would work for your needs.

You have got to try out that MD20!! You can find, pinpoint, and tell the difference between metals with it. I need to send mine in for an adjustment, but even though it is not working perfect, it still is better and a lot cheaper than the others for a high frequency machine... at only about $250!!

As to your original question, I have been hunting nuggets for several years and the smallest nugget I have found was .6 tenth of 1 grain with the gpx 5000 and 8x6 coil. 2 grain nuggets scream. If you can afford a 5000 buy one. If not I would buy a used 4000. A 4000 won't find gold that small but 3 grains and up it does just fine. So yes the 5000 will find very small gold.

I'm about a week away from receiving my GPX 5000, I'm looking forward to see how the platypus DD coil works for beach hunting..

Well, I have read several comparisons between the two. Here,s what I got out of it.
The the GPX5000 cost about twice as much, It is heavier with more attachment cables, and is far more complicated to use.
The ATX is more compact and folds up into a nice package for transportation, It is far easier to operate.

Now for the operation facts.
The GPX5000 is better at deeper large gold.
The ATX is better at smaller shallower gold.
The dept difference is app. 2" to 3" with the GPX 5000 going deeper.
That's the basics with the candy wrapper off. lol
Frank...-

Kind of strange seeing "newbie" under your name, But I think most people should know the facts.!

check out this web site it give great advice on all brand of detector he in the business for over 20 year using them
http://www.detectorprospe...ors.htm#.UpJMn5ETuX0

Posted By KEVIN HOAGLAND on 18 Mar 2014 07:38 AM
David,
When I have a little more time I will pen my thoughts and in field findings. For right now I will say that it is not an apples to apples comparison. I am using both machines and there are advantages to both. I'll get my findings up for your consideration as quickly as possible.

 

I just completed reading Mr. Hoagland's review of the Garrett ATX Pro in the Nov/Dec 2014 Gold Prospectors Magazine.  After reading the article I'm even more curious to hear his opinion on the subject to the comparison, especially due to the Garrett ATX Pro is much less expensive than the Minelab.  As a complete novice, and not an endless budget, the article Mr. Hoagland wrote has me very intrigued and thinking the Garrett is an excellent option.

Thanks!

This is really an apples to oranges comparison. I myself have never used either of those units, but have found lots of nuggets with a Minelab SD-2100 and a Gold Bug non pro version. From my perspective both machines have proven they will find gold. What you have to consider is your budget and experience level. The ATX is a rather simple unit in comparison to a GPX 5000. The 5000 can be intimidating for somebody that is just getting started in this hobby. It has many options and settings that can be tweaked to obtain the best capability for a particular area. Both units are relatively heavy when compared to any VLF type detector. Both have multiple coil options available, more so with the 5000. Both can find large and small gold. Either machine in the hands of an experienced operator will certainly serve the purpose.

What you have to ask yourself 1st is what kind of budget can you afford. It might not be the best investment for somebody just getting started in this hobby to spend the big bucks on the higher tech if you aren't sure if you will even stick with it through all the trials and tribulations involved with metal detecting for gold. This isn't an easy hobby to succeed at. When I bought my SD-2100 I was as green as anybody could be. Never used a metal detector at all. I could have bought an extreme or 3500 at the time, but decided to get the less expensive and also less complicated SD-2100 because of it's limited and simple setup. I still use this machine today and have been successful at finding gold. I bought the GB some years later as a compliment to my Minelab for use on long hikes into unknown new areas for cherry picking primarily and for use around tailing piles for specimen pieces. In my opinion if you start with a simpler unit that is known to be capable, you are more likely to stay with the hobby and have a better chance at being successful.
An experienced person will find more gold with an older capable machine than a newbie with the latest and greatest.

My advice would be to get the best unit you can really afford. This might just be a $500 Gold Bug from Cabelas for some. It will find gold and get a person started in this hobby. If money is no object and you can afford a 5000, that is fine, as long as you understand your learning curve might be hindered by the complexity of the machine. For an experienced person that knows how to find gold with a detector, I say get the best you can afford and spend the time to learn how to operate the machine to the best of your ability. For a person just getting started I advise to consider the investment 1st, and the machine second. If money is no object and you want to start with a PI unit, an ATX or similar Minelab SDC2300 might be better units to start with because they are simpler units with fewer functions to learn. Understand you don't need the latest and greatest to get started in this hobby or to find gold. You need dedication and perseverance. If I was new and just getting started, and wanted a PI for my 1st unit, I would be looking at the ATX and the SDC2300 and would likely have a hard time deciding between the two units. Price would likely be the deciding factor for me. I like the fact that the ATX has 3 coils for different situations. What can I say about the Minelabs......they have been around a long time and they have proven their technology can consistently find gold. This would be a tough decision.....good luck with that, lol. Dennis

Dennis Thanks for the info. I have a Whites TDI Pro that I started using last year. I think I understand how it works and setting it up. I have yet to find nuggets at all. Do you know anything about this detector? It came with a 12inch and 8 inch coil and it seems like its is harder to ground balance with the 8 inch, but anyways. I do think that once I find a few nuggets, maybe I will feel more at ease with it. I do find lead with it so I guess I am doing something right, but just not in the right spots. I am always thinking what if its just 3 more inches under and I am missing it. I was looking forward to buying the GPX5000, but when I spoke to the dealer he told me he personally liked the TDI as well as the price was much better. So I bought. If anyone has any experience with it, would be helpful.

Leo

Leo, I have no experience with that detector myself. I would suggest you check around the internet. I believe there is a forum specific out there that TDI's are the common topic. Might find a link on White's website, I'm not positive about that though. Youtube might be another location you can gain some more info TDI specific. I hope this helps, Dennis