Hi all, firstly, to keep it all 'on track', my biggest nugget was found with an Ismael modded SD2000, position 1, gain at 50% (approx) on Ch1 and using a 24" Coiltek 'Big Red' elliptical DD. It was 4.1oz at a measured 24". Flat, ugly sucker about 4" across but only half inch thick. Strangely enough, my second largest piece was found with ANOTHER Izzy modded 2000...3.6oz @ 14" using only a 10" Coiltek 'Joey' mono. Well, both Marco and Inhere have been busy lately I am sure that most US based prospectors will think that us Aussies are a bickering crowd of egotists, going by the recent barrage of posts. But, all ego's aside, they both have posted a number of incorrect items. To Marco's defence, the DD argument has been thrown around for many years. With a number of observations being noted, the DD coil design does appear to punch deeper into multi-layer, highly mineralized ground better than a mono. But, 'Doug' is also correct when he says that there is no 'hard' evidence to conclusively support this. Its like religion....if you believe it, it works! Now, regarding "That" 3500M....it was supplied by me to 'Alluvium' to test for only 2 days. Its owner was coming up from NSW to collect it and couldn't be in JC's hands longer than that. It was modded by Izzy, NOT Woody. Izzy is the only bloke to have offered that overclock mod on ANY GP as a commercial offering. All the other ones done by Woody have been on an experimental basis. I believe the number is small. The 3500 in question was stated by Izzy to be a slightly poor version. Tolerances were low and he said that mods on better quality 35's would be a lot more obvious. My testing showed that the sensitivity and depth on small gold was very obvious on my test patch. Friends using their 4500's (in enhance) with same coils on the same un-dug small targets couldn't get the same signal quality as the 3500M. JT is in a couple of videos stating just that....and he loves his 4500! I have now used 5 different modded GP's by both Woody and Izzy. The increase in depth on small targets is obvious, even to the beginner operator. The fact that I can go anywhere and ping small gold on totally flogged spots at ease is proof enough for me. Now this next statement is a total obvious one: IF ANY CUSTOMER IS NOT HAPPY WITH WOODY'S MODS, SEND IT BACK FOR REPAIR. Just like any repair, warranty or guarantee, you have a fall back position. If it don't work, send it back....Duuuuuhhh The fact that this particular customer that Inhere whinges about hasn't done this basic task sounds very odd. So, both Marco and Inhere are WRONG. By all accounts, Marco has Minelab's best interests at heart, perhaps he is on the payroll or a shareholder in Codan? He jumps to ML's defence at any given opportunity. But, I suppose that's OK....he is well known for it and everyone takes that on board when his posts are read. But when paranoid ideas like a false representation of my videos are presented, it goes too far! Reversing switches so that the unit is dumbed down when I am supposed to be proving that the modded unit works, is insulting and defamatory. I strongly resent it...it is totally INCORRECT. Inhere, calling me a liar just proves what a fool you are. Even when the evidence is presented to you, you close your eyes, place hands on ears and yell "LALALALALA" and make a goose of yourself. Stay on Finders where you belong. You are despised on most credible OZ prospecting forums, even Izzy's. How Izzy has managed to keep you onside with him is testimony only to his kind, tolerating manner, not your input. The offending video is here for those interested:
I will be posting a few more video's on You-tube within the week showing more mods on GP's in action. A lot of people have misrepresented me as 'Anti-ML' or a Woody/Izzy stooge. To set the record straight, I have supported Minelab from the day they opened their door in 1986. Me and my Brother were in the first group of people into their showroom the day they opened for business. I have bought 8 brand new ML detectors and another 6 used ones for my own or company use. I have written promotional articles for them also amongst other assistance. I believe that if you can afford it, a 4500 remains the best PI prospecting detector you can buy. It may have its problems, but its multi adaptable platform makes it far more adjustable and useful in ALL ground types. For the rest of us who cannot afford it, modding an older Minelab is a very good option. It certainly works for me! Cheers, Dwt