Minelab GPX 6000 User Manual

Getting Started

This section guides you through quickly setting up your detector to begin detecting with minimal adjustment, and describes how to identify and adjust key detector functions.

Quick Start

Beginning with Factory Default Settings is recommended before using this Quick Start procedure.

Steps:

1. Turn On: Power on the detector.
2. Coil Movement: Raise and lower the coil for 10 seconds, keeping it between 10 mm (0.4 in) and 100 mm (4 in) above the ground, without touching it.
3. Begin Detecting: Start your search.

Factory Default Settings: Optimized for most conditions. Sensitivity: Auto, Ground Type: Difficult.

Factory Reset: To restore factory default settings, ensure the detector is powered off, then press and hold the power button for 7 seconds. 'FP' (Factory Preset) will be displayed upon completion.

Achieving Maximum Depth: Maximum depth is achieved with the Threshold Tone on. Toggle the Threshold Tone on/off by long-pressing the Ground Type button.

Controls

The GPX 6000 features several controls for operation:

• 1. Bluetooth® Control: Enables Bluetooth® for wireless headphones. Long-press to initiate pairing mode.
• 2. Backlight Adjust: Cycles through backlight brightness settings (high, medium, low, off).
• 3. Power On/Off: Turns the detector on and off. Long-press from off for 7 seconds to restore factory default settings.
• 4. Sensitivity Adjust: Adjusts the sensitivity level.
• 5. Ground Type: Toggles between Difficult and Normal Ground Type.
• 6. Noise Cancel: Initiates the Noise Cancel process. When a Double-D coil is connected, toggles between EMI Cancel and Conductive Ground Cancel modes.
• 7. Volume Adjust: Adjusts the audio volume level.
• 8. Quick-Trak: Press and hold to conduct a Ground Balancing operation.

Display Indicators

The display shows various indicators:

• 1. Bluetooth® Indicator: Shows if Bluetooth® wireless audio is active. Indicates Qualcomm® aptX™™ Low Latency or Standard Bluetooth®.
• 2. Double-D Mode Indicator: Appears when using a Double-D coil, showing EMI Cancel (default) or Conductive Ground Cancel.
• 3. Backlight Indicator: Indicates if the backlight is on.
• 4. Ground Type: Displays the selected Ground Type (Difficult or Normal).
• 5. Noise Cancel: Flashes when Noise Cancel is in progress.
• 6. Headphones Connection: Indicates if Bluetooth® or wired headphones are connected.
• 7. Error: Indicates a system error.
• 8. Volume Level: Displays the current audio volume.
• 9. Sensitivity Level: Shows the sensitivity level (1-10 for manual, 11 for Auto, 12 for Auto+).
• 10. Battery Level: Indicates the current battery charge.

Battery

The GPX 6000™ is supplied with a lithium-ion rechargeable battery. It is recommended to start each session with a fully charged battery.

Charging Methods:

• Supplied AC plug pack (100-240 V AC).
• Typical 12 V DC car or truck systems using supplied direct battery connection clips.

To release the battery, press down on the battery locking lever.

Charging the Battery – AC Charger

1. Connect the AC charger plug pack to a powered wall outlet.
2. Plug the charging connector into the charging socket on the top of the battery.
3. The battery charging status LED flashes green during charging. It remains steady green when charging is complete.

Charging the Battery – DC Charger

1. Attach the black negative (-) clip to the negative (-) battery terminal.
2. Attach the red positive (+) clip to the positive (+) battery terminal.
3. Plug the charging connector into the charging socket on the top of the battery.
4. The battery charging status LED flashes green during charging. It remains steady green when charging is complete.

Charge Status LED

The charge status is indicated on the battery decal:

• Charging: Flashing green light.
• Fully charged: Steady green light.
• Error: Red light.

Bluetooth® Headphones

The GPX 6000™ is best used with Minelab ML 100 wireless headphones, which feature aptX™ Low Latency™ compatibility for faster, higher quality audio. Standard Bluetooth® headphones are also compatible.

Optional Wired Operation: The ML 100 headphones include a detachable auxiliary cable. Plug the connector into the headphone jack and turn 90° anti-clockwise to lock it.

Headphone Controls and Features:

• 1. Volume Plus button (+): Increases volume.
• 2. Multi-function button: Used for various functions, including pairing.
• 3. Volume Minus button (-): Decreases volume.
• 4. Status LED: Indicates pairing mode (alternating blue/red), connected (flashes every 3 sec), not connected (flashes every 2 sec), or charging.
• 5. USB Micro-B charging socket: For charging the headphones. The Status LED is solid red during charging and solid blue when complete. A USB charger is not supplied.
• 6. Headphone socket 3.5 mm (1/8 inch): For wired connection.

ML 100 Headphones Pairing Procedure:

Pairing is only required for the first use or after a factory reset.

1. Ensure headphones are off and close to the detector (within 1 meter / 3.3 feet).
2. Turn on headphones and enter pairing mode (long press Multi-function button for at least 7 seconds until ascending tones and alternating blue/red LED).
3. Enable Bluetooth® on the detector and enter pairing mode (long press Bluetooth® button for at least 2.5 seconds until indicator flashes rapidly).
4. Headphones will automatically connect. A successful pairing is indicated by a beep and steady Bluetooth® indicators. The Status LED will flash blue every 3 seconds during use.

To factory reset ML 100 headphones, press the Multi-function button for over 10 seconds.

Coils

Selecting the correct coil size and configuration optimizes performance. The GPX 6000™ is supplied with a GPX 11™ coil, plus either a GPX 14™ or GPX 17™ coil depending on region.

• GPX 11™ Mono: 11-inch round monoloop coil. A great general-purpose coil for most conditions, sensitive to smaller nuggets, and easy to maneuver.
• GPX 17™ Mono: 17 x 13-inch elliptical monoloop coil. Top performer for larger, deep nuggets in less conductive (salty) ground, covering large areas quickly.
• GPX 14™ Double-D: 14-inch round Double-D coil. Excels in areas with high electromagnetic interference (EMI) or very conductive (salty) soils. It can operate where monoloop coils are unusable. Use of a Double-D coil is recommended when monoloop coils cannot achieve good results.

Changing the Coil:

1. Turn the detector off.
2. Unplug and remove the coil connector from the control box and undo the coil bolt.
3. Attach the new coil, ensuring yoke washers are in place, and fasten with the plastic bolt (do not overtighten). Plug the coil connector into the control box.
4. Turn the detector on.
5. If using a Double-D coil, select a Double-D mode (EMI Cancel is default). Long-press the Noise Cancel button for 2.5 seconds to toggle between modes.

High Performance Automatic Operation

The GPX 6000™ is engineered for easy operation with maximum depth. GeoSense-PI™ technology automatically tracks and removes unwanted ground response with minimal user input.

Intelligent Automatic Operation

This procedure ensures the detector maximizes sensitivity while minimizing noise.

1. Factory Reset the detector: Ensure powered off, then press and hold the power button for 7 seconds. 'FP' will be displayed.
2. Hold the coil 100 mm (4 in) above the ground: Keep the coil still and parallel to the ground, ensuring no metal targets are present.
3. Raise and lower coil for 10 seconds: Move the coil between 10 mm (0.4 in) and 100 mm (4 in) above the ground, as close as possible without touching.
4. Begin detecting.

Periodically (every 5-10 minutes), raise and lower the coil to ensure the detector remains ground balanced and at maximum sensitivity. If conditions are quiet, switch to Auto+ sensitivity. If the detector becomes noisy, perform Noise Cancel (page 13) or the Double-D Coil Noise Cancel Procedure (page 14) if using a Double-D coil.

Automatic Sensitivity

Two automatic modes are available:

• Auto: Provides smoother audio, recommended for most users. Threshold tone is off by default.
• Auto+: For locations with low EMI and low ground noise. Offers slightly higher sensitivity for weaker targets, but may produce more noise. Threshold tone is off by default.

Sensitivity adjustment buttons are used to select Auto and Auto+.

Manual Procedures and Settings

This section details how to adjust key settings for optimized performance in specific scenarios.

Manual Sensitivity

Choose the highest stable manual sensitivity setting. Levels 1-10 are manual settings, typically with a constant audible Threshold Tone. The Threshold Tone can be toggled on/off.

Manual Sensitivity Adjustment Procedure:

1. Always try Noise Cancel (page 13) and Quick-Trak (page 16) first.
2. Start with a Mono coil unless detecting in high EMI or conductive soil areas.
3. Set sensitivity to level 1.
4. Increase sensitivity until false signals occur. If noise is due to EMI, keep the coil stationary. If due to ground noise, swing the coil close to the ground.
5. Reduce sensitivity by one level until false signals disappear.
6. Check over clear ground and reduce sensitivity further if any ground noise is encountered.

Manual Sensitivity Guide:

• Manual - Low: Smoother audio, some target signals may be missed. Use if Noise Cancel/Quick-Trak don't reduce noise. Threshold tone is on by default.
• Manual - High: Better for hearing more targets in low-noise conditions. Some targets may be masked by noisy audio. Threshold tone is on by default.

Noise Cancel

Use Noise Cancel to automatically select a quieter detecting channel if audio responses become erratic due to EMI.

Noise Cancel Procedure:

1. Hold the coil 100 mm (4 in) above the ground, still and parallel to the ground.
2. Press the Noise Cancel button. The Noise Cancel icon will flash during the process (approx. 5 seconds).
3. Wait for a confirmation tone, indicating completion.
4. Begin detecting. If noise persists with a mono coil, follow the Double-D Coil Noise Cancel Procedure (page 14).

Double-D Coil Noise Cancel Procedure

This procedure is for managing noise from EMI or conductive (salty) ground when using the GPX 14™ Double-D coil. It is less noisy than mono coils but provides less depth.

Use this procedure in areas with high EMI or very conductive (salty) soils.

1. Connect the GPX 14™ Double-D coil. Turn off the detector first.
2. Hold the coil 100 mm (4 in) above the ground, still and parallel to the ground.
3. Turn the detector on.
4. Ensure the Double-D mode is set to EMI Cancel (default). Long-press the Noise Cancel button for 2.5 seconds to set this mode.
5. Hold the coil still and assess noise levels. If still noisy, proceed.
6. Conduct the Noise Cancel Procedure (page 13). This helps remove EMI. If still noisy, proceed.
7. Reduce the sensitivity level. Swing the coil close to the ground while adjusting sensitivity to remove ground noise. If still noisy, change to an Auto sensitivity setting (Auto or Auto+).

Ground Balance

Ground Balancing separates unwanted ground signals from target signals. The GPX 6000™ features automatic ground tracking and manually initiated Ground Balance, with two Ground Type settings for enhanced control.

The detector constantly monitors and tracks ground noise. Automatic tracking is reliable for most conditions.

Quick-Trak:

Manually initiates rapid ground balance to recalibrate the detector to new ground conditions, especially when moving between different areas.

Ground Type:

Controls the amount of unwanted ground noise removed from the audio response.

• Difficult Ground (Default): For medium to high mineralisation or varying ground conditions.
• Normal Ground: For minimal ground response.
• Conductive Ground: For salty or wet ground. Use a Double-D coil and follow the Double-D Coil Noise Cancel Procedure (page 14).

Ground Balance Procedure:

This procedure helps identify ground type and manage noise.

Normal (Quiet) Ground:

1. Set Ground Type to Normal.
2. Perform Quick-Trak (page 16).
3. Adjust sensitivity (page 12), swinging the coil close to the ground.
4. Begin detecting. If noisy, proceed to Difficult/Variable Ground steps.

Difficult/Variable Ground:

1. Set Ground Type to Difficult.
2. Perform Quick-Trak (page 16).
3. Adjust sensitivity (page 12), swinging the coil close to the ground.
4. Begin detecting. If noisy, proceed to Conductive Ground steps.

Conductive (Salty) Ground:

1. Change to a Double-D coil.
2. Turn the detector on.
3. Ensure Double-D mode is set to Conductive Ground Cancel (long-press Noise Cancel button for 2.5 seconds).
4. Perform Quick-Trak (page 16).
5. Adjust sensitivity (page 12), swinging the coil close to the ground.
6. Begin detecting.

Advanced Concepts

Identifying the Source of Detector Noise

Accurately identifying noise sources (EMI, Ground Noise, Conductive Ground Noise) helps in applying the correct solution. Manual sensitivity settings are best for identifying interference.

Electromagnetic Interference (EMI):

Sources include power lines, electric motors, transformers, and mobile phones. EMI is present even when the coil is stationary. To identify EMI, hold the coil stationary away from metal objects.

To Manage EMI: Perform Noise Cancel (page 13) or use Double-D coil with EMI Cancel mode (page 21).

Ground Noise:

Occurs when the detector interprets ground mineral content as a target. Types include Normal (low mineralisation), Difficult (medium to high mineralisation), and Variable (varying mineralisation/conductivity).

To Identify Ground Noise: Raise and lower the coil (10-100 mm / 0.4-4 in). Signals correlating with coil movement, which stop when stationary, indicate ground noise.

To Manage Ground Noise: Perform Ground Balance (page 17) or Quick-Trak (page 16). Use Difficult Ground Type for variable ground.

Conductive Ground Noise:

Occurs in salty or wet ground. Conductivity effects are most noticeable after rain. If a detector is sensitive to small gold, it will also detect low conductivity.

To Identify Conductive Ground Noise: Hold the coil 1 meter (3.3 ft) above the ground, tilt parallel, and raise/lower. Noise correlating with movement indicates conductivity.

To Manage Conductive Ground Noise: Use a Double-D coil with Conductive Ground Cancel mode (page 21).

Double-D Modes

These modes manage noise from EMI or conductive ground when using the GPX 14™ Double-D coil. They are not available with mono coils.

A Double-D coil has two back-to-back 'D' shaped windings that overlap. By subtracting responses from these windings, the detector minimizes noise from EMI or conductive ground, but may reduce response to deeper nuggets.

Set the Double-D Mode:

Press the Noise Cancel button for at least 2.5 seconds to toggle between EMI Cancel (default) and Conductive Ground Cancel.

Choosing the Right Double-D Mode:

• EMI Cancel (default): Use for atmospheric interference. Noise is present when the coil is stationary. Best for areas near power lines, stormy weather, or close to other detectors.
• Conductive Ground Cancel: Use for interference from conductive (salty) soils. Noise is present when raising/lowering the coil. Best for large gold fields with conductive soil or wet ground.

Threshold Tone

The optional Threshold Tone provides a constant background tone to help detect faint signals and set optimal sensitivity. It is off by default in Auto/Auto+ sensitivity and on by default in Manual settings. The tone can be toggled on/off.

Turn the Threshold Tone On/Off: Long-press the Ground Type button for at least 2.5 seconds.

Troubleshooting

Errors

• Coil Error: Error icon and coil icon displayed for 5 seconds before automatic power-off. Check coil connector, cable, and coil for damage. Try another coil. Contact service if error persists.
• System Error: Error icon displayed for 5 seconds before automatic power-off. Contact an authorized Minelab service centre.

Coil Overload:

Very large metal objects near the coil can overload electronics. The coil icon flashes, and an alarm tone repeats until the coil is moved away. The detector shuts down after 60 seconds of continuous overload. Overloading does not harm the detector.

General Troubleshooting:

• Detector does not turn on, or turns off by itself: Charge the battery.
• No sound - ML 100 Headphones, wired operation: Check detector is on, headphones are plugged in, volume is audible, and detector speaker works. Try different headphones.
• No sound - ML 100 Headphones, wireless operation: Check headphones are on, detector Bluetooth® is on and paired, headphones are charged, detector volume is audible, and headphone volume control is set correctly. Try different Bluetooth® headphones.
• ML 100 Headphones will not pair: Power off and re-pair headphones. Ensure they are within 1 meter (3.3 ft) of the detector, with no obstructions. Move away from interference sources. Try pairing again. Perform a factory reset on headphones and detector. Pair with different headphones.
• Detector shafts are slipping under light load, or do not lock tightly: Unscrew twist locks, separate shafts, rinse parts in clean water to remove sand/grit, dry, and reassemble.
• In-built speaker sounds muffled or ‘scratchy’: Ensure detector is off. Remove speaker cover, inspect speaker for dirt/dust, and clean gently with a damp cloth or rinse with clean water. Avoid sharp tools.

Care and Safety

Follow these recommendations for safe use and longevity:

• Detector body is rain-proof only; do not submerge.
• Coils are waterproof to 1 meter (3.3 ft), but ensure the coil connector is not submerged.
• Battery pack is not waterproof; do not immerse in liquid.
• Wash hands before handling the detector after applying sunscreen or insect repellents.
• Use a damp cloth with mild soap detergent for cleaning; do not use solvents.
• Keep away from gasoline/petrol or other petroleum-based liquids.
• Avoid sand and grit in shafts and fastenings; rinse and dry thoroughly if accumulated.
• Do not expose the detector or accessories to sharp objects.
• Avoid extreme cold or heat; protect when not in use, and do not leave in a hot vehicle.
• Ensure the coil cable is in good condition and not subject to undue stress.
• Take precautions when transporting or storing to prevent scratches or damage.
• Do not expose ML 100 headphones or charging accessories to liquid/moisture or excessive humidity.
• Do not allow children to play with the detector or accessories; small parts can be a choking hazard.
• Charge rechargeable batteries and accessories only as instructed, and avoid extreme temperatures during charging.
• Remove the battery prior to air transportation.

Disclaimer:

The Minelab GPX 6000™ is designed for treasure and gold detecting in non-hazardous environments, not for landmine or munitions detection. Bluetooth® word marks and logos are registered trademarks of Bluetooth SIG, Inc. Qualcomm® aptX™ is a product of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. Minelab®, GPX 6000™, GeoSense-PI™, GPX 11™, GPX 14™, and GPX 17™ are trademarks of Minelab Electronics Pty Ltd.

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Specifications

Specifications may vary by model or ordered items. Minelab reserves the right to make changes to design, equipment, and technical features.

For the most up-to-date specifications, visit www.minelab.com.

Further Information

For instruction manuals, videos, and training, visit: www.minelab.com/LearnGPX6000