New here need some tips.

[grapat]

Hi All

I am wanting to get into metal detecting and what better way than building my own.

I am looking at silverdogs kits, are they good?

Which is the best multipurpose detector?

Which is the easiest to build for a beginner?

Any other tips will be appreciated.

Thanks
Graeme

[dfbowers]

Hi All

I am wanting to get into metal detecting and what better way than building my own.

I am looking at silverdogs kits, are they good?

Which is the best multipurpose detector?

Which is the easiest to build for a beginner?

Any other tips will be appreciated.

Thanks
Graeme

Graeme,

You can be successful at building your own detector depending on your skill level.
Most recommend building a PI detector for a first project as they are somewhat forgiving if your coil or adjustements are a little off. Plus, some of the PI detectors have great performance. You can probably build a PI without an oscilloscope but if you run into problems, you will be troubleshooting in the dark.

With that being said, consider the features that you want. The PIs are very basic with no discrimination, but generally perform very well. Most other projects are more in involved but you can buy off the shelf coils for the Whites or Tesoro projects if you do not want to build you own coil.

As far as the Silverdog kits, I think that I have built 5 of his kits so far, all are working. It's a wonderful value for the money but you will need to read the forums carefully when building. I have had minor problems with some of the kits ( missing resistor or wrong IC) but don't let that deter you. Andy's kits are awesome and he has provided a great service to many of us. Go Andy!!!
Personally, I suggest the Baracuda!! It's a hot detector and easy to build.

Don

[apaulsalerno]

Where do I start?

What a great site! Glad I found it, but now I am more confused then ever. I found this site trying to find information about the Headhunter PI and the Detector Pro Uniprobe and now I am thinking I should maybe build my own PI detector.

Does anyone have any comments on the Uniprobe with the PI detector in the headphones? I cant find a single review on these things. I did notice the Uniprobe runs off one 9 Volt battery and the Headhunter PI runs off 2. Is there a difference in the performance of these two circuits? Would the Uniprobe be a good purchase if I made my own coils for it and set up a conventional PI rig with the headphones as the control box, or should I just get some regular detector headphones and build a PI detector or save my money up for a VHF like the Eureeka Gold or the Gold Bug?

I like the idea of building my own coils, but would rather buy the Uniprobe if it is going to perform better than something I can make. I live in Southern California and need a detector for finding very small nuggets and placer gold. I have a Minelab Sovereign XS-2a Pro, but I would like something designed for tiny gold. Would a Fisher Gold Bug or a Minelab Eureeka Gold be much better than the Uniprobe PI with a searchcoil?

I know, a lot of questions, but any input would be apreciated. I can't find any reviews on the Uniprobe and I dont want to waste 315.00 if it isn't going to be any better than my Sovereign, which is actually not too bad at small gold, just not great for fine gold flakes.

Thanks for any help you can give me.

[homefire]

The Lobo is being worked on.

20Khz Gold machine.

All But Finalized now.

http://www.geotech1.com/forums/showt...highlight=Lobo

[grapat]

I Used to do electronics at school some time ago, and have been recently practising my soldering. As far as an oscilloscope goes i do not have one so a PI detector is the way to go.

I was looking at the barracuda or the surf pi as my first and if it goes wrong i only loose £30.


Graeme

[6666]

Try the surf pi as your first project its a tiny bit easier than the bara
build the + and - power supply first ,

[WM6]

Try the surf pi as your first project its a tiny bit easier than the bara
build the + and - power supply first ,

Agree.

And I can say only the best words about silverdog's parts and kits and his business as well.

[woodbob123]

Agree with all Just finished my first surf PI take care putting it together, check all the components twice and make sure you put cap's and IC's in correct check out R18 is in correct place. Follow and read the thread through and its easy to set up without a scope. last did electronic building 20 yrs ago. I am sure that as i progress the builds will remain as good.

[Farside]

I'm currently building my first detector - A silverdog kit.
I really recommend you get access to an oscilloscope.

Generally happy with the quality of the kit and very happy with the service. The biggest challenge personally will be making the coils as I live in a small town where I can't even find 20 min epoxy!

Feel free to P.M me if you have any questions. I'm not an expert but I'm learning as I go.

[grapat]

Thanks for all of the tips and help i think i will go for the surf Pi. I will be on here a lot more when i get the kit.

Graeme

[apaulsalerno]

The Lobo is being worked on.

20Khz Gold machine.

All But Finalized now.

http://www.geotech1.com/forums/showt...highlight=Lobo

So I geuse this means a HF VLF would be better at small gold than a standard PI? It sounds like only the really high end PI's like the Minelab SD's, GP's and GPX's are any better than a 15Khz or better VLF on small gold. I saw a GP for 1100 bucks on ebay, wish I could have afforded it but its just a little outa my price range. I never see the old SD's come up for sale.

I'll keep looking for an old SD, Eureka, Gold Bug or a Lobo on ebay reasonably priced, or try building the kit you mentioned. Are there any other really good small gold machines in the reasonable ($300 - $800) price range anyone can think of?

Thanks for your help..

[homefire]

Just hold off a bit longer.

The lobo is being worked even now.