What the "DP" Adds: Depth and Multi-Purpose Reach
"DP" stands for Deep Penetrating, and it comes down to the coil. The standard Gold Bug ships a small 5" coil that's a specialist for tiny gold in tight, hot ground; the Gold Bug DP swaps in an 11" DD elliptical waterproof coil that reaches deeper and covers far more ground per sweep. That single change turns the Gold Bug from a dedicated nugget-shooter into a genuine multi-purpose detector — strong on gold, but equally at home pulling relics and coins from open fields. You still get the full 19 kHz Gold Bug feature set: V-Break variable breakpoint tone discrimination, Ground Grab computerized ground balancing that handles everything up to salt, a Ground Phase and Fe3O4 mineralization readout, VCO audio, and a static pinpoint with depth — all in an ultra-light, ultra-simple package around 2.5 pounds.
Gold Bug DP vs the Rest of the Family
The Gold Bug line splits cleanly by job. The original Gold Bug with its 5" coil is the tight-ground nugget specialist. The Gold Bug DP takes the same platform and the 11" coil for depth and all-purpose coverage — the best pick if you want one Gold Bug for gold, relics, and coins. The Gold Bug Pro emphasizes precise manual ground control and is often bought as a dual-coil combo, and the Gold Bug 2 jumps to 71 kHz for maximum sensitivity to the smallest gold. If your hunting spans more than just nuggets — fields, parks, relic sites, and gold ground — the DP's big coil makes it the most versatile of the bunch.
Fisher Gold Bug DP Specs & Features
- Operating frequency: 19 kHz (single-frequency VLF)
- Coil: 11" DD elliptical waterproof (deep penetration & coverage)
- Weight: ~2.5 lbs (ultralight)
- Modes: All Metal & Discrimination (2)
- Discrimination: V-Break variable breakpoint tone system
- Ground balance: Ground Grab® computerized, real-time — balances to salt
- Readouts: continuous ground condition, Ground Phase value, Fe3O4 mineralization graphic
- Audio: VCO in both modes; independent threshold & gain; dual headphone jacks
- Pinpoint: static, with depth indicator; large LCD
- Best for: gold-nugget prospecting, relic hunting, and coin shooting
- Made by Fisher; full manufacturer warranty (coil waterproof; control box not submersible)
Coils & Accessories
The DP ships ready to hunt with the 11" coil, but it accepts the full Gold Bug coil range, so you can add a smaller coil for tight, trashy ground later. Browse compatible coils and accessories in the Gold Bug family collection, and pair the DP with a pinpointer to speed recovery. Comparing it against other gold machines? See our full gold detectors lineup, or our best gold detectors guide for help choosing the right machine for your ground.
Fisher Gold Bug DP FAQs
What does "DP" mean on the Gold Bug?
DP stands for Deep Penetrating. It's the 19 kHz Gold Bug shipped with a larger 11-inch elliptical coil instead of the standard 5-inch, giving more depth and ground coverage and making it a true multi-purpose detector rather than just a nugget shooter.
What's the difference between the Gold Bug and the Gold Bug DP?
Mainly the coil. Both run the same 19 kHz platform, but the standard Gold Bug's 5-inch coil specializes in small gold in tight, hot ground, while the DP's 11-inch coil adds depth and coverage for a versatile gold-relic-coin machine. If you want one Gold Bug for everything, the DP is the pick.
Is the Gold Bug DP good for relics and coins, not just gold?
Yes — that's its strength. The 11-inch coil and full feature set (V-Break discrimination, ground balance, VCO audio) make it a genuine multi-purpose detector. It finds gold in mineralized ground and pulls relics and coins from fields and parks just as well.
How does the Gold Bug DP compare to the Gold Bug Pro and Gold Bug 2?
The DP is the depth/multi-purpose version (big 11-inch coil). The Gold Bug Pro emphasizes precise manual ground control and is often sold as a dual-coil combo. The Gold Bug 2 runs 71 kHz for maximum sensitivity to the tiniest gold. Choose the DP for all-around depth and versatility.
Is the Gold Bug DP waterproof?
The 11-inch search coil is waterproof for working wet ground and shallow water, but the control housing is not submersible, so keep it above the waterline. It's a land-and-edge machine, not an underwater detector.
Why Buy Your Gold Bug DP from Serious Detecting
We're an authorized Fisher dealer, so your Gold Bug DP is genuine stock with the full manufacturer warranty, and it's a machine our own staff hunts with. Orders over $99 ship free in the lower 48, local pickup is available out of Michigan, and over 2,700 verified buyers have rated us 4.9 stars. Not sure whether the DP, the standard Gold Bug, the Pro, or the Gold Bug 2 fits your hunting? Tell us where you hunt and what you're after and we'll match it.
