Fisher Gold Bug

Great New Gold Bug from Fisher

Pete in Denver, CO -
I'm a long-time Minelab PI user, so please bear this in mind...normally I avoid the VLF detectors from ANY manufacturer, simply because of their inherent sensitivity to the ever present hot-rocks.

The new Goldbug(mine is the "Special Edition" unit) is no different in this regard-the positive variety still sound much like a nugget, only perhaps with a little more blur in the "zip".
The real innovative difference with this detector is the digital screen, which gives you a numerical reference for the ground balance. They call it the Ground Grab(GG) feature, which is a button you push while pumping the unit to achieve a very quick GB.
It works much like the Gold Button on the Minelab 3500, 4000, and 4500. You just press the GG while pumping, and you can watch the Goldbug do a comparative analysis of the ground via two digital numbers in real-time.
Its pretty slick in actual use, and you have the option to go positive or negative to suit your personal preferences.

I like the fact that you can switch to the Disc. mode to check on the positive hot-rock(i.e. to check on the signal, just switch to Disc, and the hot-rock will usually vanish if not too large). The default on the Disc is set at zero, but this is enough to eliminate the hot-rock w/o losing a potential nugget(unless it is very tiny). I got skunked in Nevada last week using the 4500, so I purchased this unit at a local dealer-the 4500 has a tough time finding nuggets smaller than 1/4 gram or so.
I have not enough time with this machine to know its absolute limits, but the 19kHZ New Gold Bug is sensitive enough to pick up nuggets down to a grain or so. Not quite as good as the GB 2, but I really don't want to dig gold smaller than 2-3 grains.

At the MSRP of $549.00, you really can't get a better gold detector. My only complaint is the threshold tone sounds much like a digital mosquito, more so than the GB 2, Lobo, or Gold Master.
I have not used this unit for coinshooting or relics-I have an E-TRAC for that. Hope this first impression helps...

Oct 01, 2010

21 Yes
4 No

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Gold Bug...To MN GUY WHO WROTE REVIEW ABOVE THIS ONE...

MrPanMan2U in St. Paul, MN -
I have no experience with the GB or GB2, but am purchasing one soon...BUT..i have helpful info for you....
You won't find gold nuggets here in MN...but you are one of the extremely few (maybe a handful) of people in MN who have gold detectors...and that is great for you...because if you go to the local beaches, that machine will pick up all of the MICRO GOLD the other machines could never get...such as the tiniest gold stud earrings with nice size diamonds attached...and tiny bracelets that might have nice stones attached...that detector of yours will pick up stuff no other detectors exceprt gold specialty detectors will find...but, be suse to get a good scoop w/ tiny holes or use a large plastic spoon and their will be lotsa bending because your machine will pick up everything, its upp to u to learn the noises the jewelry will make vverses a tiny piece of foil.

Good Luck!!!!!

Oct 20, 2008

10 Yes
8 No

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I'm kinda a newbie, but have used it.

mnmuskie in Lexington, MN USA -
I wish I had a better feel for this, would be nice to run into someone with some experience with one. I'm not sure this is the right machine for Minnesota. No gold yet, tons of bottle caps, bolts, screws, nails, and a small bit of change.
Oh, and a friend's cable, so he knows where it runs now.

Aug 26, 2008

6 Yes
14 No

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