This is NOT What I Expected - Minelab SDC 2300 vs Garrett Axiom

The verdict is in and the debate of the Minelab SDC 2300 vs. the Garrett Axiom is over. Watch this BEFORE you buy one of these metal detectors!
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METAL DETECTING:
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Gold Monster 1000 (Metal Detector): amzn.to/3FUNOst
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Garrett Super Sluice (Gold Pan): amzn.to/3It9YDM
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Gold Scoop (Hand Shovel): amzn.to/3tY139i
Rock Pick: amzn.to/3qZLc8f
Gad Pry bar: amzn.to/3AtEnPy

[@MountaineerMatt]

Finding Gold Nuggets with Garrett Axiom - kzbin.info/www/bejne/noHQaH6Heap3bM0si=ustrZPPYyy3Y9L9t

[@jeffmcclendon3835]

Thank you Matt for the very good video and comparison. It turned out as I would have expected. I've owned the SDC 2300 and the GPX 6000. Still own a GPX 4000 and the Axiom. The Axiom for me is the most comfortable to swing and operate and the most versatile too since it is great for prospecting and for relic hunting and deep coil/jewelry hunting. It's on demand iron tone feature using its DD coils is very good too. Even with you running the Axiom maxed out, it was very stable. I can't run it that hot where I detect in the SW USA. GPX 6000 is a fantastic detector too but here in the USA it's $2000 more than an Axiom and its not $2000 better than an Axiom.

[@RelicsRings]

Ive never run an SDC 2300, so it was good to see how it compares to the Axiom. But i do have the Axiom, 6000 and 4500. Axiom is somewhere between the 2 as far as performance goes.

[@gazzasgold]

Hi Matt You did a great job on this video. I own 2300, an axiom and a gpx4500. The sdc will miss even bigger targets 6 inches and deeper .Its a known fact. However they are a fantastic machine to pick up small pieces all day long. The 4500 will pick up a 1 gm nug up to half a meter. (I've done it). Now the Axiom. I have tried everything to quieten this machine where I detect in Western Australia which is near salt lakes. Unless I go less then 5 bars on normal (not fine) its unusable . And less thwn 5 bars on normal misses small targets. I also have certain hot rocks that the Axiom wants you to dig but the 2300 ignores. (I kept these rocks). Overall the earlier, not later 4500 is my favourite. And with a sadie or 8 inch mono will pick up less then 0.1gm targets with optimum settings. The above is MY experience.

[@MountaineerMatt]

Thanks for sharing! I have found the axiom to be somewhat noisy if I'm running the mono coils but not noisy at all the the DD coils. The only time I've ever had to use ground track on the axiom was while running the mono coils. I definitely agree with you about how it handles hot rocks. My trick is to ground balance over the hot rock, if it goes away I just assume it's a hot rock. Probably not the best practice but I get tired of digging hot rocks. I'm sure the mineralization in your area must be much worse than where I dig. Thanks for sharing and good luck!

[@LuisChavez-mm9us]

Great and fair comparison. I have a gm 1000 and axiom. I was always curious to see a comparison with these two. Happy with my purchase.

[@wesdering2151]

Nothing wrong with either of those detectors Matt, but I'd have both those up for sale and get yourself dialed in on a 6000 with a Nuggetfinder 7x12. Audio clarity and sensitivity is insane! Happy hunts!

[@MountaineerMatt]

I hear you! There's a lot of things I'd do with some more $$$ in my pocket 😄

[@goldfools5445]

Expected results for the SDC. They have been around quite a few years now. Not a bad starter machine but the GPX 6000 would sell more than 10 to one. This is what all the prospector’s in Australia are replacing their SDC’s with.

[@danbrent4618]

Great video Matt! Thanks for a test drive with both machines very helpful! Thank you Dan Brent

[@MountaineerMatt]

Thanks Dan, glad you found it helpful!

[@josephashcraft6539]

i asked a famous detector dude i know the question what detector/coil combo do you use? he said it’s not the detector as much as it is the person using it and the ground in which they are standing. i do think you did a great video. i e done this a million times to figure out my detectors, and what coil did the best in whatever conditions it was. i know for a fact that i could go out tomorrow and get big gold with my 2007 T2, and it’s fun to use being so light. but this category you have here is not the elephant gun, you are using a mauser, or even a 7mm08 lol.. both of these detectors are great. but i wont be swapping my sdc anytime soon. nice channel. i subscribed. cheers

[@timcalhoon6759]

Well done comparison Matt. Thanks for your videos.

[@MountaineerMatt]

Thanks Tim. I hope you find them helpful

[@sonshinelight]

Thanks, Matt. I ordered the Axiom from my BC dealer. Tax in $6200 Canadian

[@MountaineerMatt]

That's great! Congrats on your new detector and good luck

[@gcar1957]

Great comparison Matt. Just wondering what was the threshold setting on the axiom?

[@MountaineerMatt]

I run the threshold just loud enough for me to barely hear it without losing signal tones. This will vary based on ground condition

[@WestCoastGoldProspecting]

Good job Matt. Enjoyed this. And I didn’t know it was only 400 more for the axiom

[@MountaineerMatt]

I'd say the Axiom provides more value per dollar for sure

[@autwins5610]

Tiff-Great video Matt, it makes me want to get a Garrett Axiom 👏🏽👏🏽 I do love my SDC because I like to play in the water too much 😁 but with the Garrett Axiom being lightweight, a bigger footprint, and more depth ..I need both.

[@MountaineerMatt]

Thanks Tiff! Yes, each detector has it's place. It's nice to have a machine that you don't need to worry about getting wet. Sure is nice how light the axiom is though!

[@IBRAKEFORBEDROCK]

The axiom is better. I`ve only used an SDC once , but I didnt like it. You`ve got my 👍

[@MountaineerMatt]

If I'm correct, you mostly detect in the desert? I can definitely see how you wouldn't like it out there. The SDC is nice for long hikes through the bush and poking around in the bedrock near the rivers though. I've yet to take the axiom to a river

[@kn-qz7by]

No idea why Minelab doesn’t offer VERY large coils for its detectors, especially the PI ones.

[@gcar1957]

Yes I own an axiom Matt. Just wanted to know the exact number setting you had the threshold set to when running on max sensitivity because on lower threshold settings my threshold isn't smooth anymore.

[@MountaineerMatt]

Yes my threshold isnt very smooth either with higher sensitivity but I've noticed the axiom will still make a nice clean tone on good targets even when there is a lot of instability in the threshold

[@gcar1957]

@@MountaineerMattYes I have noticed that as well.

[@kord530]

Great comparison! How does the axiom feel for build quality? I’ve heard the 2300 is built like a tank.

[@MountaineerMatt]

It's hard to compare the two because the 2300 is also as heavy as a tank which makes it feel sturdy. I'll need to abuse the axiom a bit more but so far it's handled what I've thrown at it. I will say that the coil on my 2300 has cracked and I've seen more than once where the shaft started falling apart on the 2300.

[@kord530]

@@MountaineerMatt yeah I’ve heard that happens with the 2300 pretty often 😵‍💫

[@newhailman]

Thanks for not being irritating and corny like most other videos out there. I'll be subscribing for sure.

[@autwins5610]

Kim-Great job! I like the fact that it’s light.My back would like that fact too lol

[@MountaineerMatt]

I can relate to that haha

[@SECRETCREEKPROSPECTING1776]

Phenomenal sensitivity of both machines Matt. This was real enjoyable to watch and learn from. You explained it very well with the difference between the two separate detectors. Liked your thoroughness and your knowledge of both detectors. Axiom and the 2300 are both great machines and are very competitively different but suitable for any novice prospectors. Stay golden and keep sharing your gold seeking adventures with us. 👊💪🇺🇸⚒️⚒️⚒️⚒️🫶

[@MountaineerMatt]

I completely agree 👍 glad it was helpful!

[@DigDougDig]

Good video showing the difference between the machines.

[@MountaineerMatt]

Thanks Doug. Wish this storm wasn't keeping us off the spots but I guess we need a break every once in a while

[@TomsWildTreks]

Convinced. Excellent video, unmatched comparison.

[@RussTNails-fw9ds]

Sadly in Australia the axiom costs nearly double the price of the sdc😮😢

[@danielstrickland1005]

The "New Kid" wins! Great comparison! Thanks Matt

[@jarrodhnizdil1756]

I run the small coiltek on my SDC. It is an improvement over the stock coil

[@MountaineerMatt]

That's what I've heard. They are good coils

[@smavidsmampbell914]

Two different type of coils. So, they have different radiation profiles. The 8" mono of the SDC has a penetration profile of a cone. The Axiom is a modified DD. DD's have chisel shape. The mono offers more depth, but requires a very short overlap of sweeps. The tip of the cone is maybe only one inch.

[@MountaineerMatt]

The 11" mono coil is being used on the Axiom in this video.

[@Smithsgold]

well done

[@PhaseSkater]

does a 6000 still find bigger and deeper nuggets? i typically dont care about finding anything under a gram in size when hunting

[@MountaineerMatt]

The 6000 is slightly more sensitive and should detect slightly smaller and deeper gold with the same size coil. Keep in mind that the axiom comes stock with two coils, with one being a 13" coil that will go deeper than the stock 6000 coil. The 6000 is an amazing machine, but in my opinion it is nowhere near worth $2,500 more than the axiom.

[@PhaseSkater]

@@MountaineerMatt well I know the 7000 goes the deepest but it’s so pricey and a decade old and really heavy from what I’ve heard. I’m trying to look into the best possible detector for big gold and depth to use in tandem with my gold monster.

[@MountaineerMatt]

@@PhaseSkater if price is no issue, then the 7000 is best for big deep gold but it misses "smaller" gold. The gm1000 will detect small and medium gold at shallow depth but will miss deeper medium gold. You will still need something for medium gold at depth, which would be an axiom, or a 6000 with a larger coil. This all depends on the ground you're working and if there is a lot of trash or not. Large coils are a nightmare in trashy areas

[@PhaseSkater]

@@MountaineerMatt I had my best luck detecting in Arizona. Ground wasn’t too bad. I live in Oregon though. If I go to places to detect, it’s volcanic basalt areas in eastern Oregon or super red mineralized soil in southern Oregon or California motherload area when I visit. So something with depth that handles hot rocks and red soils would be great.

[@ferdinandmaglangit3284]

Wow! Amazing machine for gold hope i can have that one someday new subscriber sir from the philippines keep it up sir matt God bless..

[@donaldblank8873]

You should redo this test with the garret ATX. Bet it Kix a**

[@brettdizzy]

got to get out and use them, burying gold messes up the mineralization and is a false test

[@MountaineerMatt]

After finding at least 20 nuggets with the Axiom, the results have been the same as this video. Lots of factors to consider of course

[@luboslavouchev3835]

lol XP ORX will do better job 😉

[@MountaineerMatt]

I haven't used the ORX but it's different technology (not pulse induction.) Comparing apples to oranges. If the ORX can hit as deep and handle ground mineralization as well as either of these machines then I'd definitely be interested in checking it out. Thanks for watching

[@179joshua]

Try them on hot rocks you will hate you see the mine lab shine

[@MountaineerMatt]

The Axiom has the ability to balance out hot rocks

[@greedygringoprospecting6941]

i would go for a 6000 just as light as the axiom. and can change the battery. but again. a gm1000 is pretty bad ass. and i've seen them for $600. cause people give up. waiting for rain. have a good day.

[@MountaineerMatt]

Thanks for sharing! You can change the batteries on the axiom with the included AA battery adapter

[@peterwoodland446]

The SDC 2300 is a far better detector.

[@user-qv1qk7qi5t]

Waste of money don't do it spend 8000 on minelab 7000 and your set for life

[@boydah69]

How does the Axion go at underwater detecting, as in fully submerged?

[@MountaineerMatt]

It is not fully submersible. Only the coils can be put in the water