The Sovereign GT's effective, powerful and simplistic design has created a dedicated fan base of relic, coin and beach hunters around the world, and I’m proud to say I’m one of them!
Back in 1989, the first Multi-Frequency detector hit the market, and it set the coin/relic/jewellery detecting market alight – it was the Minelab Sovereign. The Sovereign featured BBS technology (Broad Band Spectrum) transmitting 17 frequencies from 1.5 – 25.5 kHz, to provide maximum depth and sensitivity to a range of target conductivities. The other advantage of BBS was (and still is) auto ground cancellation, including smooth operation over wet salt beaches - an area where many detectors struggle. Since the first Sovereign was released, the model was revamped with minor feature changes, new coils, new style control box, reduced scale target ID meter etc. After being on the market for 19 years, it was thought there was nowhere to go for the Sovereign series, and the Elite was perhaps as good as Minelab could make it.
However, one feature the very original Sovereign had that was dropped in later models was the tracking all-metal mode. In the Discrimination mode the Sovereign uses advanced digital filtering to compensate for ground mineralisation, while the “Set” position in the all-metal mode used a ground balance method designed for magnetic soils, very similar to Minelab’s VLF gold detectors at the time. The audio response was also slightly different, giving a modulated signal, which helped to improve the sensitivity towards small and low conductive targets.
The latest Sovereign GT re-introduced this all-metal search mode, (now labelled – Track - Fix - P/point), as an increase in depth and sensitivity in mineralised soils is a very handy tool to have at your disposal. While this does not make it into a gold prospecting detector to compare with the Eureka Gold or GPX-4500, it does make it a very versatile detector, able to balance out all but the very hottest ground.
The Sovereign GT has combined all the best functions from previous models, and features the proven variable Discrimination; Notch filter; multi-tone Target ID; excellent ferrous elimination; submersible coil & hip-mount capability, and now also features:
- A Silent Search/Threshold switch which allows the operator to run without an audible threshold in the Discrimination mode
- Balance and comfort have been improved with the use of the new straight shaft, handle and rear-mount configuration
- The ability to switch off the Iron Mask circuit, providing smoother operation in less trashy ground
The Sovereign GT combines the best of the old, and the best of the new, and features everything Sovereign users have grown to love. It really is quite unique, and there isn’t another detector on the market quite like it – it really is a Modern Day Classic!
Comments
1. The literature says the ground movement of the search coil should be about 4 seconds per sweep. Is that a VERY SLOW, SLOW, MEDIUM, or FAST sweep speed? Is that a particular arc, say 90 or 120 degree sweep? It makes a big difference. Since there is no video available I am left to speculate.
2. My unit came with 2 DD coils, the 11" round and 12x15. If I use either of them on MONO setting, how comparable is the performance to a similar-sized mono coil? Since the transmit coil is much smaller in the DD I would assume not, but want to hear your perspective on this.
Thanks in advance.
AlaskaMan
1. A normal sweep is approx. a 120 degree arc. If it takes 4 seconds from left to right, I'd say this relates to a slow sweep.
2. Any Minelab DD coil used in the Mono setting, is more stable compared to an equal sized Monoloop coil, but the Monoloop coil will go slightly deeper on larger targets. A DD coil used in Mono is less reactive to hot rocks, and generally can allow a higher Rx Gain to be used. The 15x12" DD coil in Monoloop mode in very stable, very sensitive to small gold, and still achieves good depth and ground coverage, so is a perfect combination when scouting new ground.
Best of luck!