Hi David, had a busy week with Minelab at the GPZ-8000 events. Fun stuff though! So as far as upgrading, I highly recommend it and you will love the Manticore. The audio is so much better this is something nobody talks about but it has a full digital synthesizer for the audio engine which is something no other metal detector has ever had before or since. The speed of the processor is much improved as well as the build quality. If you like to look for relics, you will need the M9 coil. A good place to get one honestly is the dealer I work with High Plains Prospectors. No tax, no shipping and you can use my coupon code BRASSMEDIC at checkout. If you want I can send you a link to the exact package, do you want the M9 too?

@David Schmidt Not sure if too late but to answer a few questions: yes the 15" Coil is great for beaches! You won't need the M8 unless you want to prospect for gold nuggets in creeks, etc. Looks like high Plains does not currently have a package deal for the machine and the M9 coil. If you give me a few days I will work on that, or you can just order now from these links: https://www.highplainsprospectors.com/products/minelab-manticore-high-power-metal-detector-with-free-gear/?ref=brassmedic https://www.highplainsprospectors.com/products/minelab-manticore-9-round-m9-coil/?ref=brassmedic

Hi David! So I use a setup I call Brass Magnet, it's designed to work best when trying to locate relics like buttons, suspender buckles, etc but still works great on coins and even hold nuggets. It's in the course here where all of my setups are. Lmk if you can't find it or if you have any other questions! 😉

Just checking in to see if you had any chance to try the program yet?

Yes George, if your beach has really high salinity or mineralization, you may benefit from the 8" Coil by being able to run your sensitivity higher and get more real depth. But if it's pretty tame, use the biggest coil you can for more coverage. Go to your factory beach setting and run your recovery speed at 1 and use all-tones and no discrimination at all. You will have to try and get your sensitivity as high as you can before the machine gets unstable and starts to whine and cry over the sand, especially in the wet. When investigating low tones for small gold jewelry or platinum rings, turn 90 degrees on the target and see if it still sounds as good. You are going to have to dig everything for a while until you get used to it. If you want to try 5 tones lmk and I'll give you the tone breaks. But the main thing is stability and recovery speed low, with the perfect swing speed. Lmk how it goes.

There has only been one software update so far which was on June 14th, 2023 version 6.20.0-3.7.1 Any machine sold in the last 2 years would already have this update.

I was the same way in my early years but those silver coins in any park are deep!! You have to really get an ear for those iffy high conductor signals trying to come through. It's a whole different mindset when looking for silver coins. Also try to swing over areas others would skip past around or in the flower beds. Under shrubs, near fences, dirt areas or on edges of parking lots and grass. Let me know what your setup is and I'll give you the best settings and we will talk more about tones.!

@Tracy Taylor I don't want you to be struggling, really looking forward to getting you optimized in every way!