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The Fisher Gold Bug 2 (also sold as the Gold Bug II) is a VLF gold prospecting metal detector running at an ultra-high 71 kHz frequency, engineered for extreme sensitivity to sub-gram gold nuggets in heavily mineralized soils. Built for prospectors who hunt Arizona caliche, Nevada hot rocks, and California ironstone country, the Gold Bug 2 delivers a clean target response on fine gold where lower-frequency machines miss the signal entirely. This combo ships with both a 6-inch and a 10-inch elliptical waterproof coil, dual 9V batteries, and a two-year manufacturer warranty — giving you coil flexibility for tight bedrock crevices and open placer washes in one package.
What's Included with the Fisher Gold Bug 2 Combo
- Fisher Gold Bug 2 metal detector with control housing, adjustable stem, padded armrest, and foam grip
- 6-inch elliptical waterproof searchcoil for tight spaces and bedrock hunting
- 10-inch elliptical waterproof searchcoil for broader coverage in open ground
- Dual 9V alkaline batteries (installed)
- Two-year manufacturer warranty backed by Fisher's US technical support facility
Ultra-High Frequency Performance in Mineralized Gold Country
Desert Washes & Dry Placer Deposits
The Gold Bug 2's 71 kHz operating frequency excels at detecting low-conductivity targets in oxidized desert soils where hot rocks and iron trash dominate the signal. The dual-knob manual ground balance system uses a 16-turn vernier potentiometer combined with a 25-position coarse adjustment, letting you null out ground response precisely as mineralization shifts across a wash. Audio Boost mode amplifies faint signals from deep or small targets without raising the volume on strong surface hits — critical when you're working windy ridges or noisy creek banks where threshold audio gets masked.
Bedrock Crevices & Tight Cobble Fields
The 6-inch elliptical coil maneuvers into narrow crevices and between boulders where larger coils can't reach, and the high frequency keeps sensitivity to sub-gram specimens even when the coil is wedged against rock. Iron Discrimination mode filters ferrous trash and hot rocks once you've located a target in All Metal mode — though most Gold Bug 2 prospectors run All Metal for primary search, since the threshold-based operation gives you depth and subtle signal variation that discrimination lacks.
Creek Gravels & Wet Sand Benches
Both elliptical coils are fully waterproof, so you can sweep shallow creeks and wet gravel bars without worry. The 10-inch coil covers ground faster in open benches and gives better depth on larger nuggets, while the 6-inch stays more stable in variable ground and tight between rocks. Retune speed is fastest in the High and Normal mineralization settings, helping suppress ground noise when you're working black sand concentrations or magnetite streaks. New to high-frequency prospecting? Our gold prospecting tips and FAQs cover ground-balancing and coil selection for the Gold Bug 2.
Built for All-Day Prospecting in Rugged Terrain
- Lightweight ergonomics for long sessions: at 2.9 pounds with the 10-inch coil, the Gold Bug 2 balances well for full-day hunts, and the padded armrest plus foam grip reduce wrist fatigue on steep slopes or across miles of placer ground.
- Hip-mountable control housing: the moisture- and dust-resistant control box detaches from the stem and mounts on your belt, shifting weight off your arm when you're navigating loose talus or crossing creeks.
- Extended battery runtime: dual 9V alkaline batteries deliver up to 35 hours of operation — enough for multi-day trips into remote gold districts without resupply.
- Dual-coil flexibility: the 6-inch coil penetrates tight spaces and stabilizes in hot ground, while the 10-inch coil increases depth and coverage in benign soils, so you're equipped for both reconnaissance sweeps and detailed bedrock work.
- Proudly made in the USA: engineered, assembled, and field-tested at Fisher's El Paso, Texas facility for rugged reliability and strict American quality control.
How the Gold Bug 2 Compares to Other Fisher Gold Detectors
The Gold Bug 2's 71 kHz frequency makes it the most sensitive fine-gold machine in the lineup, ideal for hardcore nugget shooters. If you want a more versatile, easier-to-run detector that also handles coins and relics, compare it against the Fisher Gold Bug Pro, or see the full Fisher Gold Bug series. Shopping across brands? Browse every gold prospecting metal detector we carry.
Specifications
- Operating Frequency: 71 kHz
- Operating Modes: 3 (Normal, Audio Boost, Iron Discrimination)
- Ground Balance: Manual (dual-knob precision control)
- Audio: Variable Frequency Audio Output (VCO)
- Searchcoils Included: 6-inch and 10-inch elliptical waterproof coils
- Weight: 2.9 lbs (1.3 kg)
- Battery Type: 2 x 9V alkaline
- Battery Life: 25 to 35 hours (alkaline recommended)
- Headphone Jack: Yes (1/4-inch)
- Country of Manufacture: USA (Texas)
- Warranty: 2 years
Why Buy the Gold Bug 2 from Serious Detecting
Serious Detecting is an authorized Fisher dealer, so your Gold Bug 2 ships with an authentic factory serial number and a genuine two-year manufacturer warranty backed directly by Fisher's US technical support facility. Our team has run the Gold Bug 2 in Arizona dry washes and California hard-rock country, and we stock the full range of Fisher Gold Bug 2 coils and accessories for prospectors who want to expand their setup. Every order over $99 ships free within the continental US, backed by a 30-day return policy and price-match guarantee — so you get the best value on a detector built to find gold where others walk past it.
Customer Questions & Expert Answers
What advantages does the 71 kHz operating frequency provide over lower-frequency detectors?
How does the manual ground balance system affect performance in variable terrain?
What's the difference between Audio Boost mode and Normal mode in real-world detection scenarios?
Can the IRON DISC mode be used while searching, or is it best as a target check?
How does the retune speed vary across the Mineralization settings?
Can I use aftermarket coils or other Fisher coils with the Gold Bug 2?
What are the best practices for achieving optimal depth with this detector?
What's the recommended sensitivity setting in highly mineralized soil?
Customer Reviews & Field Feedback
See what real detectorists and prospectors are saying. Read authentic experiences from the field, discover what users love most, and learn how this product performs in real-world conditions. Share your own review to help fellow explorers choose with confidence.
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