Nel Thunder for AT Max

[Kodiak43351]

Took the Max out today with a brand new Nel thunder coil. I’m very impressed with the depth and separation of this coil. I went into a trashy field and found 2 wheats and parts off pocket watch I think. The coil handled the iron great and could hear those wheats fine. I took it to my test garden and it hits every target without putting it in all metal. I was surprised about that because even the dues has trouble on the deep quarter but still dig tone. This Max reminds me so much of the AT Gold and if you know me that’s awesome. I had surgery about a month ago on my neck so didn’t detect long. I don’t think I will leave this coil on though because it’s to heavy for the types of detecting I do. For me it would be more of a specialty coil if I was looking for real deep stuff. I think the stock coil is to big if that tells you anything. I bought it to try it but I may list it on eBay and buy something else or just keep it for when my neck gets stronger or I do more cache, deep target hunting. If it wasn’t for the weight I could use this coil instead of the stock because in my opinion it blows the stock coil away on separation and def on depth. I have a decision to make either keep it and use it when needed or sell it and buy something else. Lol if your looking for a bigger coil that can separate good and don’t mind a little more weight then this coil will make you smile. I had the Nel Tornado on the AT Gold and it was awesome as well but the Thunder is even better. My Tornado sat most of the time because I used the 5x8 most of the time so it may just be better to sell to someone else who would use it more. What do you guys and gals think? Felt so good to detect today as it was in the 50s in NW Ohio and I’ve been cooped up since surgery. Good luck all.

 

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[A2coins]

Sounds like the surgery went well I also have the Max I'm going out with it sat and sun Thanks for the review and take it easy for a while Tommy

 

[Kodiak43351]

Yes went good just hurts a bit. Can't swing very long yet. Thanks and good luck this weekend.

 

[Loco-Digger]

I had dreams of max depth back in 2015 and added a nel 12" x 15" coil to my arsenal. I used it a lot when I first got it (for about 2 months). Had to use my make-shift harness when I swung it for over an hour. I mainly keep it around for field hunting or going over yards that had more than a few inches of fill added.. A harness will neutralize the weight if you want to use your big coil on a daily basis. My harness is made from an old set of Army LBE and 2 bungee cords.

 

[Kodiak43351]

Great idea I have a couple of those and a couple single point AR 15 slings I could make something work I'm sure. I think my recent surgery and weakness from that made the coil feel heavier than it should. The coil is really good at separation. The shape of the thunder helps this I'm sure. It does alot better than the stock coil.

 

[John-Edmonton]

Thanks for the report on the Nel thunder coil on the MAX. Could you run it on full sensitivity?

 

[Kodiak43351]

Yes I ran it up to full sens and it was mostly stable. There were distribution power lines running parallel to the field so I was getting some emi off those. I would say out in open area it would be real stable.

 

[John-Edmonton]

Yes I ran it up to full sens and it was mostly stable. There were distribution power lines running parallel to the field so I was getting some emi off those. I would say out in open area it would be real stable.

That is great news! Is it OK if I post your results on another forum? Permission please!

 

[Kodiak43351]

Yes that's fine John

 

[SultansOfSwing]

The Thunder only weighs 2.3 oz more than the stock coil. In my opinion its the best option for depth increase vs weight increase.

Stock coil = 506 grams
Thunder coil = 570 grams

 

[Kodiak43351]

The Thunder only weighs 2.3 oz more than the stock coil. In my opinion its the best option for depth increase vs weight increase.

Stock coil = 506 grams
Thunder coil = 570 grams

I agree it's just I had surgery and I can't handle the weight yet of either coil for very long. I'm sure when I'm healed if I don't have a small coil on I would rather have the thunder on than the stock because of the benefits over the stock.

 

[Whiplash016]

I just bought a Max and Thunder coil, hit my spot for an hour before getting frustrated and went home. I started searching for others that might have the same problem and read a few posts describing exactly what my machine is doing. Its like I don’t even have a coil on my machine. A few grunts and blips, but mostly unresponsive. To save troubleshooting questions, I tried the factory reset, checked coil cable, reset again, ground balanced in multiple places with sensitivity down. The cable is secure, fresh batteries, headphones fully charged. Maybe I have one of those faulty machines. Garrett’s response said “the NEL coils are compatible with the AT Pro and Gold, but they cannot confirm the Max.”

 

[HighVDI]

I just bought a Max and Thunder coil, hit my spot for an hour before getting frustrated and went home. I started searching for others that might have the same problem and read a few posts describing exactly what my machine is doing. Its like I don’t even have a coil on my machine. A few grunts and blips, but mostly unresponsive. To save troubleshooting questions, I tried the factory reset, checked coil cable, reset again, ground balanced in multiple places with sensitivity down. The cable is secure, fresh batteries, headphones fully charged. Maybe I have one of those faulty machines. Garrett’s response said “the NEL coils are compatible with the AT Pro and Gold, but they cannot confirm the Max.”

I thought they were different coils for the pro vs the Max. A friend was using the NEL from his pro on his MAX when he first purchased one. He seemed very frustrated. He just bought a MAX specific coil.

 

[BeenThere DugThat]

NEL has a Thunder coil for each machine. For example, a Thunder coil made for the AT Pro won't be compatible with the Max. He needs to buy the Thunder Coil made for the Max.

 

[Kodiak43351]

Yes my thunder coil is for the AT Max only. Mine worked great. It beats the stock coil on separation and depth. Have you checked to see if factory coil does same thing? If so then I would say you have a bad coil because if mine weren't so heavy I would leave it on over the stock. I like smaller coils because almost all my hunting is in iron infested old home sites that are just farm fields now. Let us know and we will see if we can narrow it down and help you. Nother worse than a detector not work as it should. I wish I was close so I could put my thunder on your Max.

 

[Kodiak43351]

I just picked up a Cors fortune for the Max and if the weather was better I would give it a try. Like I said I like the small coils and this is the same as the NEL sharpshooter. It's 9.5x5.5. Should be great in the sites I hunt. I'll use the stock and thunder for special situations.

 

[lookingharder]

Thanks for the post. I to have a ATGold and have been wanting a larger coil. Your post just made the choice easier for me.

 

[Bart@Big Boys Hobbies]

Great idea I have a couple of those and a couple single point AR 15 slings I could make something work I'm sure. I think my recent surgery and weakness from that made the coil feel heavier than it should. The coil is really good at separation. The shape of the thunder helps this I'm sure. It does alot better than the stock coil.

Agreed! The NEL makes great coils. Especially the thunders!

 

[hoosierguy]

Is there a chart that shows the attributes of each Nel coil, and what they're best suited for?

 

[Kodiak43351]

Is there a chart that shows the attributes of each Nel coil, and what they're best suited for?

If you go to their website it will give a number rating 0-10 on 4 areas for each coil. Depth, separation, sensitivity to small targets and sensitivity to large targets. This is only charts I have seen. I will tell you the tornado was a great all around coil so the thunder should be as well. The sharpshooter is about the size of Garrett's 5x8 and I have one but haven't been out with it yet but air test are promising.