New Minelab MANTICORE Coils

In early September 2023,  'Gold Rat Metal Detectors'  received a few of the 2 new coils for the Minelab MANTICORE detector. These coils are also of Double-D (DD) wiring configuration, and they are elliptical-shaped. These new coils are only compatible for use with the MANTICORE detector (and likewise the Equinox range of coils are not compatible with the MANTICORE detector).

The two new Minelab MANTICORE coils are:

M8 (8x5.5" size or 21x15cm) - weighs about 390 grams  (AU$379)

M15 (15x12" size or 38x30.5cm) - weighs about 640 grams (AU$499)

Now, you were probably thinking that the new M15 coil will be significantly heavier than the M11 coil.     NOT SO !     Rather surprisingly .....  the M15 coil is only 70 grams heavier than the M11 coil. 

The MANTICORE detector and all 3 Minelab MANTICORE coils are rated as FULLY-WATERPROOF to a depth of 5 metres. They also each have a 3-Year Minelab Warranty.

All new coils (made by Minelab, and also made by the 2 Aussie businesses of Coiltek & NuggetFinder, for the extensive range of Minelab detectors) include a skid plate attached to the coil.

Initial Indicative Testing "in-house"

Preliminary testing of the small M8 coil with the MANTICORE set on the 'Goldfield' search mode, and also set on a moderate Sensitivity setting of only 20 (since this prelim. testing was only inside of our EMI-prone retail store) - achieved the following maximum air-depths (and Target ID numbers - TID) on two different-sized/shaped Aussie gold nuggets: 

> a flat, sub-gram (0.38gram) gold nugget  =  7.5cm / 3"  (with a TID range of 8 to 10); and

> > a "jelly bean-shaped" (ellipsoid), gold nugget - weighing ten (10) grams  =  17.5cm / 7"  (with a TID range of 13 to 15). 

Additionally, preliminary testing of the large M15 coil with the MANTICORE set on the 'All-Terrain General' search mode, and also set on a moderate Sensitivity setting - achieved the following maximum air-depth (and Target ID numbers) on an Aussie $2 decimal coin: 

> > > $2 coin  =  22cm / 9"  (with a TID range of 62 to 65). 

With increased ground coverage, in conjunction with greater depth capability, I can hardly wait to unleash the M15 coil soon at my favourite detecting beaches near Brisbane.

The MANTICORE with the M11 coil already punches deep, particularly in dry sand, so it will be very interesting to see what deeper finds are unearthed using the larger M15 coil (which has a footprint area about 50% larger than the M11 coil).

I am also very keen to use the M8 coil (that I have dubbed the "Mate" coil) at an abandoned, trash-riddled, old town site in the bush in SE Qld - where I have detected many British & Aussie pre-decimal coins using the M11 coil on my MANTICORE.

I have been impressed by the immunity of the MANTICORE against electrical interference when running the M11 coil, so I will be keen to see how the larger M15 coil performs when high levels of EMI/RFI are present.

Early Customer Feedback

One of our customers who has now used a MANTICORE detector on Queensland beaches to find many items of jewellery & coins, recently purchased the M15 coil from Gold Rat. After only 2 hours of use, he rang us to tell us how impressed he is with this larger coil in terms of it's balance, and weight, and also depth performance. He also said that he was very happy to find a gold bracelet on his first use of the M15 coil. What an awesome way to start with this coil !

My Initial Use of the M15 Coil on Qld Beaches

I recently had the opportunity (and pleasure) to swing the M15 coil on several beaches (both north & south of Brisbane) for 7 days (about 45 hours of use).  WOW !

My MANTICORE was set on "Beach - Deep" search mode, and Sensitivity of between 21 and 25, with a Recovery Speed of between 4 to 6. I was very impressed with how deep some of my finds were (i.e. old/corroded 5 cent coins at significant depths in wet sand). I also easily detected an empty aluminium soft drink can at a depth of about 0.7 metres !  I also detected several rings, a pendent, a necklace, a bracelet, a bangle, and five single earrings (gold, and silver), and surprisingly, an Aussie Penny dated 1962, in dry sand. 

On one of those days, I was accompanied by another experienced detectorist - who also (and very regularly) uses a MANTICORE detector + M15 coil. He easily detected a few silver rings, earrings, a chain, and coins, in both wet sands, and dry sands.

On most days I used the M15 coil I found both coins & jewellery. I was surprised at how sensitive the M15 coil is at detecting small silver jewellery like very small earrings.

WHAT  A  BEAST  OF  A  DETECTOR  &  COIL !

I was also impressed by the weight of this coil, and how well balanced it is. It was also easy to use the "Pinpointing" mode with accuracy. I also found that I could cover about double the area of beach in the same amount of time compared to using my 11" coil. So far, I am impressed by the M15 coil. The only thing I could possibly fault (which is only a very minor issue for me) - is that I found that there was a slight build-up of super fine sand between the skid plate and the coil. I rectified this by removing the skid plate, and then using a soft bristle 2" painting brush to remove the sand. 

A  HOARD  OF  SILVER  COINS  DETECTED  IN  QUEENSLAND

In late Nov. 2023 one of our customers used his MANTICORE detector + M15 coil to recover a hoard of more than 100 silver coins buried in a yard near the Gold Coast. He was impressed by the performance of the MANTICORE combined with the M15 coil, stating:

"Was  located  about  1.2 - 1.5m deep  wouldn’t  have  found  it  without  the  15 inch coil." 

UPDATE

As of late November 2023 -  Gold Rat  have  replacement skid plates  in stock for the three different-sized Minelab 'Manticore' coils.