
monster coils do they ever find stuff?
- fred
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While I certainly don't detect for profit and rarely sell stuff I find that it is sometimes a useful measure of a nice find to think of it in terms of a new machine or coil. 

Well the OP's question was rather vague and lacking any precise detail of what country, target type or even whether VLF or PI? But a great question all the same.
Do monster coils ever find stuff?
When gold prospecting in Aussie with a GPX 5000 I also had a large coil which I barely used as it was not great on the more frequent small bits so I preferred the standard mono coil which despite the harness was easier to use. Though after having thoroughly searched a patch the larger coil may snag a few deeper targets if they are there.
My Nox 15” coil finds plenty in the UK both small and very deep!
Do they pay for themselves?
When in Aussie gold prospecting in the right areas everything pays for itself several times over even without the large coil, though it could snag a complete game changer.
In the UK since getting the Nox I have been using the 15” coil, it has greater ground coverage and a slight depth advantage whilst still being sensitive to small targets. The whole detector and accessories has paid for itself though there are certain finds of value that I don't think I would have made without using the larger coil on my old pasture and I'm convinced that it is beneficial for me on my pasture permissions.
Do you need to dig massive holes when using a large coil?
Well in Aussie the ground is quite hard so the holes can get pretty wide when going deeper just using a hand pick. But I'd quite happily endure the hard-pack knowing full well that my prize could not be anything less than sizeable gold that was sealed in millennia ago.
But in the UK though, not at all if you can pinpoint with any accuracy. My spade is 6” wide, my dig holes are usually about 7” diameter which is okay to about a foot deep for the spade, after which may need widening.
I'm in Fred's camp that it's just nice knowing that your machine has earned it's keep and paid for itself. Unlike fishing where each week you have to purchase lost equipment like floats, rigs and bait etc, so metal detecting is only a win – win hobby as there's no regular costs unless you choose to fuel the greed of the many freelance dig organizers rather than just getting your own local permission for free.

Do monster coils ever find stuff?
When gold prospecting in Aussie with a GPX 5000 I also had a large coil which I barely used as it was not great on the more frequent small bits so I preferred the standard mono coil which despite the harness was easier to use. Though after having thoroughly searched a patch the larger coil may snag a few deeper targets if they are there.
My Nox 15” coil finds plenty in the UK both small and very deep!
Do they pay for themselves?
When in Aussie gold prospecting in the right areas everything pays for itself several times over even without the large coil, though it could snag a complete game changer.
In the UK since getting the Nox I have been using the 15” coil, it has greater ground coverage and a slight depth advantage whilst still being sensitive to small targets. The whole detector and accessories has paid for itself though there are certain finds of value that I don't think I would have made without using the larger coil on my old pasture and I'm convinced that it is beneficial for me on my pasture permissions.
Do you need to dig massive holes when using a large coil?
Well in Aussie the ground is quite hard so the holes can get pretty wide when going deeper just using a hand pick. But I'd quite happily endure the hard-pack knowing full well that my prize could not be anything less than sizeable gold that was sealed in millennia ago.
But in the UK though, not at all if you can pinpoint with any accuracy. My spade is 6” wide, my dig holes are usually about 7” diameter which is okay to about a foot deep for the spade, after which may need widening.
I'm in Fred's camp that it's just nice knowing that your machine has earned it's keep and paid for itself. Unlike fishing where each week you have to purchase lost equipment like floats, rigs and bait etc, so metal detecting is only a win – win hobby as there's no regular costs unless you choose to fuel the greed of the many freelance dig organizers rather than just getting your own local permission for free.


i recall an old publication from way back showing a guy with a massive coil suspended from the shoulders on tapes which you just walked along with it hanging just above the ground .one of those for the deus would work fine ,as you just bend down when you get a signal and have a dig ..
it looked like a skirt hem ..looked about 3 feet in diameter
it looked like a skirt hem ..looked about 3 feet in diameter
' hammys how i love ya, how i love ya my dear old hammys '
targets wrote: Sat Aug 10, 2019 11:45 am i recall an old publication from way back showing a guy with a massive coil suspended from the shoulders on tapes which you just walked along with it hanging just above the ground .one of those for the deus would work fine ,as you just bend down when you get a signal and have a dig ..
it looked like a skirt hem ..looked about 3 feet in diameter
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It's not too good for hammereds but can find an engine block at 6 feet deep!targets wrote: Sat Aug 10, 2019 12:31 pm thats it brilliant idea for pasture where you have miles to cover

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