My Gold Century Metal Detector
Ok I fess up, I must be getting old because I enjoyed metal detecting. At least that was one of the many definitions I once had for “old” was seeing men out in the fields around where I grew up using metal detectors.
Over the years my interest in this hobby became addictive. It is a very peaceful and relaxing way to enjoy some time alone with also the potential to be very profitable. Over the years I have found several old rings, lots of coins and even some old Matchbox and HotWheels toy cars. Some dating back to the 1950’s.
So I bet you can’t guess what I got for Christmas this year. Yup a nice new metal detector. I am very excited with it and although I have never owned a metal detector by Gold Century so far I am very pleased with it. Here are some of the highlights for the model I have which is called
Super Eagle Metal Detector with Selective Notching and Range and
Higher Sensitivity LCD Display from Gold Century
( model GC1030) :
Motion and Non-motion Modes
Four Operating Modes. Interchange among 4 operating modes DISC, ALL METAL,AUTO-NOTCH and NOTCH. Press MODE touch pad to change the operating modes in following order: DISC→ALL METAL→AUTO-NOTCH→NOTCH→DISC……The operating mode displays at bottom left corner of the LCD.
DISC mode—Power up the machine, and it enters into DISC mode automatically. In addition, the PROBABLE depth of coin-sized objects is indicated by the rectangular segment indicators on the left side of the display. All detected objects will cause the depth indicator to illuminate. The depth indication is not accurate for larger objects. In this mode, the detector can eliminate unwanted objects from detection among the categories on top of the panel from left to right. DISC/NOTCH indicator shows detector’s current discrimination level, and an object’s probable identification is indicated by the arrows at the top of the display. SENS shows current sensitivity level. While DEPTH read the estimated target depth. Each time a target detected, DEPTH indicator will illuminate. DEPTH indicator is more accurate in relative depth, the larger the reading is, the farther the target away from the coil.
Adjusting Target DISC Range Press ADJ to enter the machine into DISC range setting status LCD displays “DISC/NOTCH” at bottom right corner then press“+” to increase the level of discrimination, and press “-” to decrease the level of discrimination.
ALL METAL Mode—Press MODE pad to enter into ALL METAL mode, the detector now is in non-motion mode. In this mode, the machine emits only a monotone sound when finding a target, and DEPTH indicates relative target signal strength. The stronger the signal is, the louder the tone is. Pinpoint is used to locate a coin-sized object precisely. To move the coil above or near the target area, target will be found soon. Target identification is useless in ALL METAL mode. To see target identification and depth, please change the detector into relative motion mode.
NOTCH Mode—To selectively eliminate one or several metals from the categories, you can use NOTCH mode. DISC/NOTCH indicator shows current target discrimination level, and an object’s probable identification is indicated by the arrows at the top of the display. SENS shows current sensitivity level. While DEPTH indicates the probable target depth.
Adjusting Target NOTCH Range. In NOTCH mode, press ADJ to enter into DISC/NOTCH range setting status. LCD displays “DISC/NOTCH” at bottom right corner Press + touch pad , and one press ENT to accept or reject the corresponding metal category. Press again+ ,its right (left) arrow will flash, then press ENT to accept or reject another metal category which the current arrow pointing to. Same as the others…
AUTO-NOTCH Mode—When detector is working in AUTO-NOTCH mode LCD shows “AUTO-NOTCH” at bottom side it eliminates trash metals automatically and keep the detection for coins. Eliminated trash metals include: Bottle caps, S-CAPS, IRON/FOIL, Pull Tab. DISC/NOTCH range not adjustable displays current target identification range. And an object’s probable identification is indicated by the arrows at the top of the display. SENS shows current sensitivity level. While DEPTH indicates the probable target depth.
SEVERE GROUND CONDITIONS A secondary use for the Sensitivity Control is to reduce false detection signals caused by severe ground conditions. Although this metal detector has specially designed circuit to reduce the ground mineralization, the ground conditions in field hunting cannot be anticipated. Highly magnetic soils found in mountainous can cause the detector to emit tones when metal objects are not present. High saline content soils and sands can sometimes cause the detector to false. If the detector emits false, non-repeatable, signals, REDUCE THE SENSITIVITY.
MULTIPLE TARGETS If you suspect the presence of deeper targets beneath a shallower target, reduce the sensitivity to eliminate the detection of the deeper targets, in order to properly locate and identify the shallower target. Surface Elimination. Press SURF ELIM to enter into or quit Surface Elimination mode. SURF ELIM only works in motion mode. SURF ELIM can improve the accuracy of detection result in soil with mass trash metal. It restrains the signal from trash metal in soil surface layer, and balance the signal from large target. But detector’s sensitivity is decreased in this mode.
One of the newest top of the line high tech metal detectors from Gold Century. Fully loaded with all the popular features.
* Frequency: 6.5~6.7KHz
* Static Current 35mA
* Min. voltage 11.6V
* Low Voltage indication 11.6~12.4V
* 8.5” waterproof search coil
* Sensitivity ALL METAL 26cm
* DISC 24cmOnline owners manual click here
1 Year Warrantee.
SKU: GC1030
Now to be honest I am still discovering just how to adjust and use this detector but from my experience all metal detectors are similar in basic functions while each brand or model has its on little features that once mastered can render the user a very rewarding experience.
My wife order my Gold Century detector through the Amazon website but it was actually sold by and shipped from a company called LG Enterprises, LLC . The shipping was ahead of expectations and everything that was supposed to be included was included. And I expect this model will give several years of excellent service.
So far I give the Gold Century Model 1030 a very respectable 7 rating because I have not found a huge pot of gold or silver yet but once I do I will no doubt rate this detector a 10!
*Note: This rating will undoubtedly change once I have fully learned how to use all the features of the GC1030 to the best of its abilities.
Rating on shipping and customer service: 10
I rate the customer service based on the continued updates that LG Enterprises provide until my detector arrived.
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Never used a Gold Century but have always had good luck with my Bounty Hunter.
I have a couple of older detectors and one has something called ground balance. I have read some articles about this and how to set it but not sure just what it does nor if I have it set correctly. Any comments on this would be appreciated.
Tom,
There are a few good articles about the process for adjusting the ground balance. Appears that certain types of terrain can require this adjustment for best results. For instance mountain or very rock type areas can give you false positives until you get the ground balance adjusted.
Thanks for the article. I am looking at the Bounty Hunter, Minelab and Garret because I saw them recommended on some metal detecting forums but had never heard of gold century. I will be considering it now also. A question about coins. I read a lot about finding some “clad” coins. What excatly is a clad coin?
Clad coins are coin made after 1965. Before then some amounts of silver were used.
metal detecting can be a fun hobby but unless you have tried it you may want to go with some of the entry priced detectors first before jumping in and spending a lot of money on a fully loaded model.
just a tip when digging for the finds. unless your in a rocky area you can often use only a garden trowel. you will find that many will grant you permission to detect on their property if your using this instead of a larger shovel . be sure to refill any holes you dig.
Great to see another metal detector review. Just wanted to add to those who are just getting started in metal detecting is don’t get discourage. You will dig a lot of false positives before your done but some of those you think are false turn into a nice payday.
Last year I kept going over this place that would invariably give me a reading. Sometimes my reading would suggest “pull tab” the next time 25 cents. I dug several times each time trying to hone in a little more but never turned up anything.
One day after a good rain I went out again to the same area and over the same spot. The same thing happened and I dug again. This time with the ground somewhat soften by the rain I dug a deeper and sure enough there was a Walking Liberty half dollar about 8 inches down.
It is one of my prized finds that would have gotten away had I simply chalked the reading up to a “false” positive.
Thanks admin for the reply. I have read several of those articles but still not sure just how to tell if your ground balance is set correctly. I did read where it can only be set in “all metals” mode. I have not had much luck in this mode so don’t use it. Does ground balance only work in this mode?
I never though about getting my husband a detector. I bet he would enjoy this!
After doing some research I found this article that might help others in reference to “clad coins” :
In the early 1960’s, the silver supply for the nation’s coinage was dwindling rapidly. As Congress and the Administration debated over silver’s future role in coinage, the silver market jumped 10% immediately, and another 30% by 1962. This set the stage for the complete elimination of silver from our coinage by the end of 1964.
Any United States dime, quarter, half dollar or dollar that is dated 1964 or earlier is made of 90% silver. In the dime series, all coins dated 1965 or later are clad coins and contain no silver at all. Quarters dated 1965 or later are all copper-nickel clad coins except for the dual-dated Bicentennial Quarters that were sold by the Mint in special Mint Sets and Proof Sets. These quarters contain 40% fine silver and have an “S” mint mark. They are different from the Bicentennial quarters you can find in circulation and were sold by the Mint at a premium to collectors.
In the Kennedy Half Dollar series, the 1964 of course is 90% silver. Halves dated 1965 through 1970 contain 40% silver. Halves dated 1971 or later are copper-nickel clad coins with the exception again of the special Bicentennial halves sold in the Mint Sets and Proof Sets with the “S” mint mark, which are 40% silver. Among Eisenhower dollars, coins dated from 1971 through 1974 with the S mintmark are 40% silver. In addition, the special Bicentennial Sets contained 40% silver coins. All other Eisenhower dollars are copper-nickel clad coins.
pennies, pennies, pennies! that is about all i ever find but sure do enjoy the detector. i use one from radio shack. not sure the brand name but have had it for a few years and really enjoy it. who knows maybe next time out i will find the big one.
I had an old detector from Radio Shack a few years back and while it did not have all the bells and whistles it was still a good detector. I think a lot of the success one has in detecting has more to do with the willingness to dig all the alerts instead of simply looking for coins.
Ted
Just wanted to add that I did a little detecting this morning for a few hours and had to use Surface Elmination because of all rock and type of soil I was in. This works great for reducing the signal to some qualified metals but also can allow you to miss any coins or other object of value on the surface.
Today was only aluminum can day but the good part is all of them were at depths of 6″ or more so the readings using SE can be strong.
Looking at some of these detector and it looks as though some need batteries and some come with a charger. Any difference in the quality of the detector or is this extra expense just the added convience of being able to recharge the battery?
Some of the more expensive one have batter packs. You really need to look at what type of detecting you will be doing. Just a now and then hobby to get out of the house for awile and maybe find a few coins or old civil war relics or serious hunting for profit making?
If your like most people of us and it will be a nice hobby then no real reason to spend the big buck on a detector loaded with all the bells and whistles
Found an old Kennedy Half yesterday around an abandon building. Pretty good shape. Good tip is to carry a zip lock bag with you to put your collection in while hunting.
Ground balance is always preformed in the all metal mode, after GB, switch into disc mode and you are set correctly. Always ground balance when you begin on new ground. Ground balance is a must, If ground balance is not correctly done, you will miss many good deep targets.
Ground balancing your detector
http://www.treasurefinders.net/ground_balancing.htm
Nice review and great looking blog. Saw your review on Amazon and good to see someone creating reviews on products like this. Great job!