Description
The GPX 17 goes on when you are chasing deep targets in open ground, and a 17x13 in ellipse scrubs more surface per swing than anything else in the kit. The plate molded to that ellipse is the cheapest part on the machine and the one protecting the most expensive coil.
At a glance
Genuine Minelab GPX 17 skidplate, part 3011-0430, UPC 811493017495. Minelab's own listing: GPX17 17" Elliptical Skidplate for GPX 6000 Metal Detectors. Sold by History Seekers Metal Detectors, an authorized Minelab dealer; same-brand fitment, Minelab's own description, nothing invented.
Why this part
A skidplate is sacrificial by design: it is the thin shell that the ground wears instead of the coil shell, and Minelab's instruction for all three GPX 6000 plates is the same sentence, replace your worn skidplate to continue to protect your GPX 6000 coil. The GPX 17 is the accessory coil for depth in open ground, the one that covers the most dirt per swing, and on a big mono the edge is in contact with rock more of the time than the center. The genuine plate is molded to the 17x13 in ellipse exactly, which an aftermarket round-ish cover never is, so the edge seats without a gap and the plate does not walk under a long swing. When it wears through, you replace a plate; without it, you replace a GPX 17.
Which Minelab machine is this for?
| Machine or coil | Fits? | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Minelab GPX 17 17x13 in (43x33 cm) elliptical Monoloop coil (GPX 6000) | Yes, listed by Minelab | The accessory coil for depth in open ground. |
| GPX 11 coil | No | GPX 11 skidplate 3011-0428. |
| GPX 14 coil | No | GPX 14 skidplate 3011-0429. |
Specs and what they mean in the field
| Spec | Value (Minelab) | What it does for you |
|---|---|---|
| Coil | GPX 17, 17x13 in (43x33 cm) elliptical Monoloop | The deep-ground accessory coil. |
| Job | Sacrificial wear plate | The ground wears the plate, not the coil shell. |
| Fit | Molded to the 17x13 ellipse | Seats at the edge, does not walk. |
| Part | 3011-0430, UPC 811493017495 | Genuine Minelab. |
Fitting it and keeping it working
A big ellipse hides wear at the two long edges; run a thumb along them every few sessions. Replace the plate when any spot has worn through or the edge has stopped gripping, and clean and dry the coil face each time the plate comes off.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this fit the smaller GPX coils?
No. The GPX 11 uses plate 3011-0428 and the GPX 14 uses 3011-0429, each molded to its own coil and listed separately.
Do I really need a skidplate on a big coil?
More than on any other. The largest coil contacts the most ground per swing, and its replacement cost is the highest; Minelab's instruction is to replace the worn plate to keep protecting the coil.
Does a skidplate affect depth?
No meaningful effect. It is a thin non-metallic cover designed by Minelab for this exact coil.
When should it be replaced?
When it has worn through anywhere, especially along the long edges, or when the edge no longer snaps tight to the coil.
Is this a genuine Minelab part?
Yes, Minelab part 3011-0430, sold by History Seekers, an authorized Minelab dealer.
Who you are buying from
History Seekers is a small American business and a working detecting channel: over 1.1 million people follow our hunts on Facebook and YouTube. We run the Minelab machines these parts fit, and the person who answers your call has replaced this part on one. Every purchase keeps everyday Americans working.
History Seekers Metal Detectors is an authorized Minelab dealer; every part we sell is genuine Minelab. Call 256-284-2247 if you are not sure which part your machine takes; we will check the part number against your model before you order. Because at History Seekers, the story is more important than the artifact.
See everything that fits your machine:What Fits the Minelab GPX 6000