Metal detection has been a rising trend in the last decade. Even though it’s not as profitable as we’ve hoped, more and more people are interested in finding not just gold, but also coins, relics and all kinds of treasures. What makes the search with a metal detector so appealing? It seems to be the adrenaline rush for the experienced prospectors, the curiosity for young people and the perfect time spent outdoors for the elder ones. People of all ages enjoy the metal detector treasure hunt.
If you find yourself interested in metal detecting, the first thing you’ll need is a metal detector. It’s an electronic device that gives some kind of signal when it comes close to metal. Most often it makes a beeping sound or other noise, transmitting an electromagnetic field that metal engage in and begin transmitting their own electromagnetic field. With prospecting becoming more and more proficient, so has become the metal detectors industry. Having so many models to choose from, how can you be sure to buy the right one for you?
Being one of the most sold models in the world, the Minelab SDC 2300 is the go-to metal detector for both professional prospectors and entry-level enthusiasts. These are some of the reasons why you should decide on buying it.
Powerful Performance and Features
The Minelab SDC 2300 metal detector is still a staple among prospectors, despite being released in 2014. When you take a quick look at its specs, it’s clear why this is so. Inspired by the technology used in the GPX detectors, Minelab’s scientists and engineers have developed a new technology for the Minelab 2300, called MPF which stands for Multi-Period Fast. It works on a Pulse Induction (PI) technology, separating the transmitting and receiving signals, resulting in minimal residual of transmit signal in the receiving cycle, enabling clear sharp detection of very small gold. In other words, this technology optimises performance on smaller gold nuggets and specimen gold in highly mineralised soil. According to the manufacturer, field tests have proven that the SDC 2300 will find much smaller gold than the GPX 5000, and all VLF detectors, in heavily mineralised ground conditions. Field testers have reported that other brand detectors are far below this level of performance and have demonstrated the SDC 2300 is ‘unbeatable’ in this mid-range high performance PI class.
Lighter and Smaller
The Minelab SDC 2300 is 20% smaller than other brands’ similar models. How much does the SDC 2300 weigh? It weighs only 2.3 kg without the batteries. It folds into a small portable size of only 216×400 mm. This means it can fit in any backpack or luggage, making it suitable for any destination you wish for, including the lands that you can never access carrying the bigger metal detectors. And since it’s a military-grade one piece detector, it doesn’t need to be assembled. The practicality and compactness come from the easy setup. What does it look like? You release the armrest strap to open and release the armrest. Next, you fold out the coil and rotate it into position. You need to slide and extend the shafts. Just adjust the coil angle to the ground and your Minelab 2300 is all set up. Being so powerful but so easy to use, this metal detector has found its place in many metal detectors’ homes throughout the world.
Extreme Sensitivity
The SDC 2300 is very sensitive to small gold scattered in heavily mineralised ground. This gold is often missed by prospectors with both VLF and PI detectors because of the difficult ground conditions and fine gold size, which means you can now detect the small gold missed in previously searched areas. These small gold finds can lead the way to new patches and bigger gold deposits. This metal detector is also quite simple to operate for such a powerful detector, making it a good choice for those who don’t want to invest lots of time into learning how to operate the harder to learn detectors. This makes it an entry-level prospecting friendly detector that anyone can operate. Once you get it out of your bag or backpack, make sure to adjust preferences like noise cancellation, threshold and sensitivity. Since there are 2 adjustment settings either for detection or sensitivity (normal and salt range) and automatic ground tracking for ground balance, the adjustment will take you no longer than a couple of minutes, and you’re ready to go. That’s how easy is to operate the SDC 2300 metal detector.
You Can Take It to the Beach
Being fully submersible to 3 m for detecting riverbeds and shorelines, the Minelab SDC 2300 metal detector allows you to transition with ease from land to water. Its 8-inch mono search coil seems to be perfect for slow methodical beach and shallow water hunting. The salt mode setting allows you to search for gold and relics with almost no background noise. And being waterproof, with no need to keep it dry, your beach adventures couldn’t be more fun and easier?
Other Features and Equipment
Batteries
The SDC 2300 requires four C cell batteries for operation. Only use high-quality alkaline or rechargeable batteries. It’s recommended that only rechargeable batteries with a capacity of 4000 Mah or greater be used. Rechargeable batteries have specific charge/discharge maintenance requirements, which should be strictly followed to ensure maximum battery life. Since this is a waterproof device, make sure that the waterproof seal on the battery door is free of contamination before going underwater. Always clean the seal and its surface and check for damage before underwater use otherwise serious damage can be caused to your detector.
Headphones
The detector may be used with the built-in speaker or the headphones supplied. The headphones that are supplied aren’t waterproof so be careful not to make them wet when going in the water. If you want to explore with your head under the water, you should buy waterproof ones. That way you can go deeper and have more fun.
Equipment That Complements Your Metal Detector
Digging Tools
These are the tools you need when your detector starts beeping giving the signal that there’s something valuable in the underground. You can start digging with a simple prospector’s scoop for all types of soil and a stainless steel one with a handle for the beach or underwater. If you plan on digging deeper on harder ground, you’ll likely need a knife and a shovel. If you want to keep your hands protected, you should have a pair of digging gloves.
Bags, Harnesses and Covers
When you have a compact metal detector like the Minelab SDC 2300, make sure you have the proper bag or backpack so you can carry it wherever you like. And having bags and find pouches, you can store the goods you’ve found, making sure not to lose even the smallest sub gram nuggets.