X-Coils (https://www.x-coils.com/) are the “first” after market coil made available for the GPZ 7000. Their design is quite adequate being somewhere between a Coiltek and an Nugget Finder in strength and robust enough to jam under a bush. Unfortunately, you are required to have the coil cord cut and modified to use them.
There are 3rd party people offering these services where you send off your original GPZ 14 or 17 inch coil to be modified. The plug containing the identification IC is cut off and turned into an adapter measuring somewhere around 20cm.
At this stage, you can then use your original coil with the adapter or the X-coil. But you cannot use any other GPZ coil unless it too has been cut. Here is a link to the instructions on how to modify the Minelab coil. I strongly encourage you NOT to attempt this yourself.
GPZ X-Coil Modification PDF Download
You can download the “how-to” instructions for making the GPZ to X-Coil patch lead here for free. This is a PDF download containing details of the modification procedure for your Minelab ML14 or ML19 coil cable to be used with the new x-coils.
IMPORTANT UPDATE: Recently I experienced some bump sensitivity followed by the X-Coils “overloading”, spiking and blanking out. I knew what had transpired – a broken wire in the patch lead, and probably where the plug and wires were soldered.
I had followed the instructions and even reinforced my lead significantly, but after a few hot weather days swapping coils around, noticed the plug spinning within the heatshrink? I was at a loss as to how this could happen as that dual wall heat shrink is tough and the glue is strong.
After some contemplating why this had happened – I realized the problem presented itself during some particularly hot weather. I had been prospecting on days up to 38 degrees celcius, often in the sun. I had also changed coils a few times, now it was making sense.
The detector shaft is black, only intensifying the heat load on the patch lead which had “softened” the supporting “glue gun” glue around the plug pins and also reducing the tensile strength that the heat shrink was providing.
I had also added a longer custom made middle shaft as I found the factory original a little short and loose after some time. This added to the tension load being imposed on the patch lead for the GPZ 7000. I dismantled the plug/lead and found this to be 100% true.
One wire had clean snapped from the rotation of changing coils regularly compounded by the increased tension and reduction of strength due to heat. Another soldered joint had a bad connection and detached during disassembly. Not what I was expecting, but also – answering a lot of questions.
The lead wires have multiple strands and those multiple strands are individually coated in heat resistant lacquer, while I had removed most of the lacquer, some remained weakening another connection. The answer was a complete do-over!
There procedure is quite delicate and a balancing act as the plastic coating on some of the wires is far from heat resistant and soldering temperatures. I meticulously went about cleaning up and re-attaching the wires. But this time I did things a little different.
After careful inspection with a loupe (a small magnifying glass used by jewelers and watchmakers) – instead of using a hot glue gun, I bedded all the wires and connections to the plug with high strength casting epoxy resin (purchased from AliExpress). Then encapsulated it in two layers of dual wall heat shrink.
The result is one very strong connection that “hopefully” stays fail-proof for many years to come. The positive is the monolithic structure is enormously strong. The only negative is if there is ever a connection problem – I’d have to cut the end clean off and start again. So remember to leave your patch lead a little longer if you choose to follow this example.
So, if you are having any issues with your GPZ 7000 running X-Coils – I’d be metering the lead under tension or simply having it checked for any problems. This would be particularly aimed at those prospecting in warmer weather, especially places like Western Australia and Queensland – though I experienced this problem in a Victorian summer.
Luckily there was no damage to the GPZ!
I find the X-Coil factory tape holding the skid plate on to not be very effective and will wear or peel off quite quickly. This is simply fixed by removing the tape and installing some good quality electrical tape from new.
The standard skid plates that come with the coil are quite thin and do not last long for those who like to run their coil on the ground. The good news is that X-Coils have an “optional” poly carbonate skid plate that is thicker and much stronger.
The X-Coil design is much more sensitive than the original ML14 and ML19 designs, and also much lighter. Being more sensitive brings with it additional challenges of no longer having a one-coil does it all. The selection of coils is welcome, but you must learn to match a coil to your typical prospecting needs and requirements (see details below).
The X-Coils are quite expensive, but equally rewarding after you learn.
Target sounds and responses more so mimic the GPX series coils rather than the original ML14 inch warble sounds.
There is also a Nugget Finder NF12 inch coil which has had many positive reviews around the world. The NF12 does not require any modifications and cutting of leads. You simply buy and install.
Super-D Coil Technology – Exclusive to the GPZ 7000
(Courtesy: https://www.minelab.com/anzea/metal-detectors/gpz-7000)
The incredible sensitivity of the GPZ 7000 with the Super‑D coil gives you the ultimate advantage in the field. Find gold others have missed, from sub-gram gold through to those elusive ‘retirement nuggets’ still out there.
Precision Ground Balance
Most gold is buried in the mineralised ‘difficult’ ground that many detectors can’t cope with. The GPZ 7000 accurately ‘balances’ and automatically ‘tracks’ to even the most severe ground conditions, with ease.
Enhanced Noise Immunity
The outstanding noise immunity of the GPZ 7000 enables very smooth and quiet detecting. With 256 Noise Cancel channels, the GPZ 7000 picks up less atmospheric noise. Listen to the gold, not the noise interference!
Here is a review on my findings while using my collection of X-coils including my new elliptical DOD X-Coil.
8 Inch Spiral X-Coil
- Comparable to an SDC2300 in sensitivity but with less depth than the 10 inch X-coil, and much quieter.
- I found the scraping/moving of the plastic coil over gravel physically very noisy (I don’t use headphones).
- Great in dense bush, on diggings, reefs, gullies and cleaning shallow patches.
- Small – actually tiny like a Gold Monster, light weight, can swing all day long – though a little too small for “my” liking.
- Brings new meaning to low and SLOW! though it can sure get in to some small areas I’d miss with a larger coil.
- Hyper sensitive for entire area of coil including edges.
- Smaller coil equals less interference from EMI and power lines.
- Unfortunately, it makes hot rocks sound like a one ounce nugget with sensitivity up high.
10 Inch Spiral X-Coil
- Comparable to an SDC2300 in sensitivity but with more depth, and much quieter.
- Great in dense bush, on diggings, reefs, gullies and cleaning shallow patches.
- Small, light weight, can swing all day long.
- Great all rounder for the bush, can move between diggings and open areas with ease.
- Hyper sensitive for entire area of coil including edges.
15 Inch CC X-Coil – Most Productive and Favorite Coil
- Great all rounder, can move between diggings and open areas with ease.
- Relatively small coverage area due to being concentric, but super accurate and deep sensitivity when directly over target.
- Can find .010g size targets close to surface 0-5cm.
- Can find .050g targets to 15cm+ and deeper on flat nuggets.
- Can find deeper targets accurately the larger they get.
- Not best for detecting up against trees, rocks, stumps etc due to being concentric.
- Can run concentric with hotter setting and also gets less EMI interference.
- Requires increased overlap swings to accurately cover ground.
- Can miss targets is you are moving to fast.
17 Inch CC X-Coil
- Great for more open ground away from diggings.
- Not best for detecting up against trees, rocks, stumps etc due to being concentric.
- Slightly less sensitive than the 15cc on sub gram targets, but much better on larger and deeper targets than the 10 inch spiral or 15cc.
- Accurate target location being concentric.
- Can run concentric with hotter setting and also gets less EMI interference.
- Requires increased overlap swings to accurately cover ground.
- Larger and heavier to swing with slightly more coverage than the 15cc.
- Being larger, picks up more EMI, especially on hill tops etc.
17 Inch Spiral X-Coil
- Hyper sensitive for entire area of coil including edges.
- Can find a shotgun pellet at 10cm and larger targets down past a meter.
- Heavy to swing all day, but great ground coverage.
- Fantastic for patch finding on open ground but with its great edge sensitivity, works well among trees, stomps and against rocks.
- You wont miss much with this coil but seems to loose depth on smaller sub-gram targets compared to concentrics.
- Great for larger and deeper targets in all conditions – though concentrics still rule for absolute depth.
- Being larger, picks up more EMI, especially on hill tops etc.
10 X 15 Inch DOD X-Coil – UPDATED
- Nose sensitive like the original ML14 coil with more of a single target blip rather than the ML14 double target blip.
- Slight decrease in sensitivity to shotgun pellets – especially bird shot at increasing depth.
- Light weight, can swing all day with great ground coverage.
- Improved ground coverage and general sensitivity to all size targets at varying depths.
- Fantastic for patch finding in all conditions, elliptical works well among trees, stomps and against rocks.
- You wont miss much with this coil but is very different compared to concentrics.
- Ability to find bigger gold at increasing depth.
- Can moan and groan on hot ground if sensitivity up high.
ABOVE: 1.28 grams found at 6 inches with 10X15 DOD X-Coil, sounded like a metal button on the surface – loud and clear. Almost walked away thinking it was junk.
UPDATE 06-02-2022: I have worked up quite a few hours on the 10 x 15 DOD coil now and it is proving an absolute winner! When the EMI is to much for the concentric or spiral, the DOD handles it like a breeze. Poking it in between shrubs has been finding many missed targets, and in particular, lead shot is found with ease.
The sensitivity is VERY surprising and I tend to use this as my primary coil now. It has more coverage than the cc coils, and easier pin pointing than spirals. The detecting area seems to run a couple of inches wide and the full length front to back. I have been running it High Yield – Difficult – Sensitivity: 18 to 20 except in high mineralised areas where I run it anywhere between 12 and 15.
General consensus, 10 X 15 Inch DOD X-Coil: BUY ONE NOW!
My 3 Top Picks
After much use and testing in all the gold producing areas in and around the Golden Triangle and including Heathcote and Rushworth, there are only 3 essential coils I regularly use.
In no particular order: the 15 inch concentric, the 10 inch spiral, and the 10X15DOD coils are the “minimum” I would recommend for any collection. This allows you to cover virtually any situation, condition, and ground type. While the rest of the coils perform brilliantly, adding the to your own collection may depend on individual preferences and uses.
Those who bother to put in effort prospecting are richly rewarded, either through the adventure of the chase or the satisfaction of the find. Keep up the good work and enjoy the journey.
MORE VIDEOS
MORE INFORMATION: UPDATE 26/11/2023
In response to a video that ‘Bart’ posted on the X-coils Facebook Users Group.
Knew you’d love that coil, Simon in NZ also said it was one of his favorites. A great coil to clean or use in dense bush. I’m glad you mentioned the “touch sensitivity”, that’s something I always noticed on the x-coils – some worse than others. I was always fighting it trying to stabilize cord and secure connections but the inherent sensitivity of those x-coils always led to some form of movement sensitivity issue. On the other hand, that sensitivity found me more gold that I ever did with any other detector or non-x-coil. Some absolutely hate it, for me, it was a small price to pay for great results.
SEE MORE HERE: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3553656301344280/permalink/7083502461692962/
QUOTE from https://www.detectorprospector.com/topic/10215-x-coils-what-is-x-x-equals-ferrite-ferrite-equals-x/ by Jonathan Porter – field tester for Minelab.
I do not use the X coils in Clermont, Queensland because of these main reasons, our ground is saturable and the X coils saturate much more readily than the Minelab coils, most of my coils have the mod so X signal is not such a problem but a couple of them do not so they don’t get used either, with the larger coils I always use GENERAL/DIFFICULT and every X coil I have used makes touch and knock noises, some are acceptable (The Spiral wound ones seem best) but in most cases General/Difficult is out thereby negating the advantage of using a larger coil for larger deeper nuggets.
10 Inch Spiral X-Coil
How much is the price?
Can it be sent to me and shipped to Saudi Arabia?
Please contact them directly: https://www.x-coils.com/