question for sdc2300 owners

[ahorton10]

I've heard nothing but good things about the 2300, but I've yet to hear anyone say they would give up their gpx5000 for one. That being said, I have a gp extreme, if I wanted to upgrade would I be better off selling the extreme and purchasing a used 5000 with accessory coils. Our holding on to the extreme and getting an sdc2300? I guess I'm wondering if an older pi and new sdc would be as effective as a 5000 with several coils. Thanks in advance for any input!

[McGator]

I believe most folks would say you can pry the GPX 5k out of my cold dead hands. So if you like your 5K you can keep it. But I'm going to get a SDC as well. Its a great machine. My comparison would be the SDC is like a GPX 5k with a 6x8 sadie coil, but a bit better, rugged and easier to handle. I tried both side by side. Just my thoughts.

[Reno Chris]

I don't think anyone would recommend getting rid of a GPX 5000 to get an SDC 2300. Overall the 5000 is way more adaptable and powerful.

I've got a lot of hours on the SDC and my 5000 as well and its more sensitive to small gold than a GPX 5000 with a sadie coil. That's my opinion and Bruce Candy's opinion as well (and Bruce is the engineer who designed both of these detectors).

The GPX is unquestionably more flexible in working different areas.

The GPX is more sensitive to bigger gold down deeper - no question.

The SDC is a better machine for beginners - simpler to operate.

I ran a GP Extreme for many years, and both of these machines, the SDC and the GPX5000 would be a huge upgrade to the Extreme (though the Extreme is an excellent detector).

[ahorton10]

Thanks for the input guys, I still have a while to decide but I'm saving my penny's. Mike, hopefully you'll have a new sdc when you get down here this winter, we got a ton of rain there should be some good gold uncovered this year. Chris, I just finished your book and really enjoyed it. Tons of practical info and easy to understand and apply, I'll definately recommend it to anyone interested in prospecting!

[Steve Herschbach]

I will take the contrarian view just because I an ornery. I know one person that ditched their GPX for an SDC already.

The GPX is not Gods gift to prospecting. I have seem people with a GPX that frankly should not own it. They do not understand the settings and more often than not have it so screwed up it can't find gold better than a VLF. It is a bit of a pain in the posterior what with the harness, bungee, separate battery, etc. who has never got out someplace and found the battery cable was at home, or failed shortly after getting into the field? Ever try to run a GPX with no headphones (assuming you have no optional external speaker)?

Now, maybe a person should not sell their GPX to get the SDC if they really are in the groove with it, so to speak. But what about not having either and shopping new? The GPX costs an arm and a leg, whereas the SDC only costs an arm. Not only that, but it is a rare GPX owner that does not eventually spend another grand on coils, backup batteries, cables, external speakers, etc. That is nearly impossible with the SDC.

What kind of goldfields do you have access to? My old haunts around Anchorage, Alaska, a gram nugget is a big piece of gold. Large nuggets are nearly non-existent and gearing up for them is a waste of time and money. Anyone heading south of Anchorage, Alaska I would say take the SDC and leave the GPX behind.

There are lots of little stringer veins out there shedding smaller stuff most GPX users will walk right over. Not because a GPX can't find small stuff, but because people usually are not geared up specifically to be doing that. The SDC forces you to slow the heck down and get serious instead of trying to cover ground trying to get over bigger gold.

If I was going to hook my father up with a PI, it would hands down be the SDC. Turn on and go, no fuss, no muss, and a better shot at him actually finding gold with it. I know most of you guys are GPX wizards and no doubt it is the best machine for you, but I have dealt with more potential detector owners than just about anyone out there in my 40 years in retail, and I do honestly believe the regular common guy looking at his first PI would not go astray getting the SDC. If you can't find gold with it than a GPX would be a waste of money.

[ahorton10]

Good info Steve! Just a couple months ago I was making calls to near by prospecting shops looking for a power cord that I left connected to my charger at home. Ended up calling it a day because I couldn't she'll out 70$ for something I already had

[Reno Chris]

I will take the contrarian view just because I am ornery.

Agreed. You are ornery.

Ever try to run a GPX with no headphones (assuming you have no optional external speaker)?

Wait..... That was me - this last spring,,,,, the GPX doesn't work very well when you forget your headphones, but now I know where to buy a headphone socket adapter in Quincy, CA. I only wasted, what, about 2 hours time trying to come up with a workable pair of headphones?????

You have a good point there.

There are lots of little stringer veins out there shedding smaller stuff most GPX users will walk right over.

This is the thought that really has me going. I know of a number of places that were worked hard in the old days, and I hit them with my GP Extreme and found nothing, so wasn't all that excited to return when I bought a GPX 5000. The only one of these where I have since taken the SDC is now producing some very nice (though generally small) gold for me. Some of those places worked hard by the old timers probably had a lot of gold so small I could not see with the GP Extreme. I am pretty sure now some of these will likely produce well with the SDC.

If you can't find gold with an SDC then a GPX would be a waste of money.

I agree. So my version of this would be that if you have never found a nugget with a metal detector or have only found just a couple, I would seriously suggest you consider buying the SDC 2300 before buying a GPX 5000. On the other hand, if you have a GPX 5000, are experienced with it and are finding gold, I would not suggest you ditch it for an SDC. If you have the finances to afford both, that's a great option (and I have both), but if I was forced to choose only one, it would be the GPX 5000.