Damianicus
Elite Member
With the focus of discussion often the latest and greatest I'm curious to see pics and description of the oldest machine still successfully being used by our members. Please no negative i.e. "omg you're missing out" comments.
Who's swinging the oldest machine?
- Thread starter Damianicus
- Start date
sycotoad
Member
Musketeer here - about 12 years old & its still my go to machine for coin/relic hunting
DIGGER27
In Memory Of
Compass Judge 2.
Somewhere from the mid 70's to early 80's I believe.
Somewhere from the mid 70's to early 80's I believe.
The machine I probably use the most is my Sovereign XS2, released in 1998. 
Just as deep or deeper than my other machines...
My CZ6a is about 15 years old as well.
Just as deep or deeper than my other machines...My CZ6a is about 15 years old as well.
ks coyote
Super Motivator
I have a 1988 Garrett Master Hunter 7. It's a beast but still finds the goods.
Damianicus
Elite Member
Sweet! I found a few pics on google:
Compas Judge 2
Freedom Ace Plus
Garrett Master Hunter
Compas Judge 2
Freedom Ace Plus
Garrett Master Hunter
DIGGER27
In Memory Of
Ergonomics was not a word or idea in common use when that Compass came out.
Take a small anvil and mount it on a metal pole to get an idea, and try to swing it for a long time and feel the burn.
Still, this 100 kHz TR machine is very cool in iron infested sites...it not only can see around iron it can actually null out and see through iron while still hitting on high conductive targets under many or large iron targets.
I keep it around just in case I happen to come across problem sites like that...plus I guess you can consider it an antique.
It doesn't work perfectly, needs a tune-up so maybe if Keith Willis is still around one day I will get it into tip top shape, but it does work.
Also got a 71b in the same deal that doesn't work at all but I can probably use for parts if needed.
Paid $20 for both...one of the best deals I ever did since I have been in this hobby.
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Tom_in_CA
Elite Member
- Joined
- Dec 23, 2013
- Messages
- 20,748
Hey digger27, I believe the first generation "Judge" was simply a 77b, with the addition of a TR disc. added. So that would have been a TR/TR machine (versus a VLF/TR machine). The first "TR" indicated the all-metal mode (which was like the 77b), and the 2nd TR is what became familiar on a whole host of mid-to-late 1970s machines.
Their days were numbered though, since starting in about 1978, vlf-disc (aka motion disc, or geb disc) took the world by storm!
I have a 77b I take out for certain iron/nail riddled locations. Circa 1971 to 74-ish. Like ghost-townsy sites. They could see through up to about 4 nails at a time, while still seeing the conductive target underneath. Thus good for spots that give modern power-house discriminators fits with masking.
However, the benefits ended there. In all other ways they were a dinasour. No other form of disc, a bear to keep balanced, poor depth (compared to later VLF's), poor in minerals, etc.... Max depth on a coin was perhaps 4". Maybe 5 or 6" if you had exceptional soil and balancing.
Their days were numbered though, since starting in about 1978, vlf-disc (aka motion disc, or geb disc) took the world by storm!
I have a 77b I take out for certain iron/nail riddled locations. Circa 1971 to 74-ish. Like ghost-townsy sites. They could see through up to about 4 nails at a time, while still seeing the conductive target underneath. Thus good for spots that give modern power-house discriminators fits with masking.
However, the benefits ended there. In all other ways they were a dinasour. No other form of disc, a bear to keep balanced, poor depth (compared to later VLF's), poor in minerals, etc.... Max depth on a coin was perhaps 4". Maybe 5 or 6" if you had exceptional soil and balancing.
Top
Elite Member
Fisher 1265X
Since I didn't get this "Addiction" until about 2007, I am loving this thread! Keep them coming guys!
Ziggen
Full Member
I'm currently using a White's Coinmaster 590Di
DIGGER27
In Memory Of
That's what I have gathered hanging out on the Compass forum, the 77b and the Judge 2 were similar.
There are a few different Judges too, some with auto tune or other tweaks, mine has no button on the handle...black or red.
I wanted one of these for that see through iron super power specifically.
I rarely hunt that type of site where it is needed, but in case I ever do...
Another member mentioned these things are very good on gold and nickels, too.
Damianicus
Elite Member
Yes more pics I'm a son of two antique dealers. I always loved old but functional machines. Sometimes simpler is better. Found this pic, hopefully no one is using this thing still haha.
I'm a son of two antique dealers. I always loved old but functional machines. Sometimes simpler is better. Found this pic, hopefully no one is using this thing still haha.
Damianicus
Elite Member
chris kennedy
Elite Member
The machine I probably use the most is my Sovereign XS2, released in 1998.
My CZ6a is about 15 years old as well.
i was 2 at that point. lol
Rammjäger
Elite Member
- Joined
- Sep 4, 2007
- Messages
- 4,173
Yes more pics
this one is good for carrying in the backpack
Silversmith45
Elite Member
I still hunt with my Teknetics 9000, my original Big Bud and my two original Silver Sabres. I have older machines but they are just part of my collection and rarely get used such as my Fisher M-Scope.
Although it still works I could have got more depth with my old Jetco.
Although it still works I could have got more depth with my old Jetco.
