Help deciding on a MD

[ixer]

Currently i'm using a Fisher F-2, there are some things about it that i don't care for and i'm wanting to step up to a better machine. If you must know what i don't care for, here's the list.
1. The Headphone jack is located low on the machine and faces away from you, making it difficult to hunt with headphones on.
2. The coil plug in is so shrouded it makes it difficult change coils, i dont like having to use needle nose pliers to change coils.
3. only has 4 tones, and no thresh hold tone. I used a buddies XLT and really liked the thresh hold and all the tones.
4. With the brains and the batteries located up top it gets a bit cumbersome after swinging for extended periods of time.
5. No real calibration to the "depth gauge"


The 2 machines that seem to peak my interest the most are the Minelabs X-Terra 705 and the Fisher F70. I generally coin hunt in the Southern Indiana and Northern Kentucky areas. I can't seem to find a side by side comparison of these 2 machines, and would like the opinions of those that have used both extensively. Are they "good" machines? Am I wasting my time looking at them? From what I have been able to gather so far they both have very accessible headphone jacks, unshrouded coil plugs, lightweight / good balance, and more then 4 tone id's. I'm not sure if either have an audible thresh hold tone, or how accurate the depth gauge is (but are atleast calibrated to give some idea of target depth). Any help / opinions would be very helpful!!

Thanks,

Rob

 

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[ixer]

Bump for the new format...

 

[ixer]

After more searching / reading the White's MXT is looking like it fits what i'm looking for also.

 

[Viddy]

I had a 705 last year as my first machine. It was a really good machine and gets lost in the shadow of the E-Trac. Some of the perks of the XTerra I liked were:
the large TDI display
backlit display for twilight hunting
very light
very easy sounding tones.
the numbers are VERY accurate to what you find (check out my YouTube demo video of the 705)
can change the frequency by changing the coil.
has a 'beach mode' for vacations
sensitive to small gold and metal (like you'll see in my video)
has threshold, auto ground balance, multi tones, etc.

check out my video I made of the X-terra 705 I made when I was selling it to upgrade to the ETrac which is what I use now...

 

[U.K. Brian]

The MXT is getting a little long in the tooth now but is still an excellent detector though you might want to buy a DD coil to go with it for some sites. The X-Terra range never did it for me and the advantage of frequency change by changing the coil didn't impress me due to the time involved in a change over and the sheer cost. Add the detectors price and a couple of coils and you end up in the twin/multifrequency price range so could go straight to an Explorer/E Trac/DFX/V3 etc and gain the extra features and far better wet sand performance.
F70 seems to attract a bit of love or hate reaction. Build quality is not on the MXT's level.

I should weigh up your physical needs. MXT, metal boxed but well balanced. F70 the lightest build. Explorers feel heavier than many detectors and need a slower sweep speed which may be why they came out with the X-Terra range. If you tend to sweep slowly the Explorers would suit. Others just can't slow themselves down so need to match that to the detector choice.

 

[ixer]

The good thing about being so new to the hobby is that i haven't developed any bad habits or brand loyalty at this point. So the V3i is better then the MXT? The more i look into these the more it seems "simpler is better" suited to the "rookie", but still has plenty of room to grow into a machine.

 

[U.K. Brian]

Ixer, I love you and I'm not gay. You have asked just the right question.

If you think your never going to want to optimise a detector through lots of menu's but just want to get on with it, then a more simple type detector would be the best choice.
If you think you would like a detector to use almost straight out of the box but will grow with you over time then most of the "complicated" detectors will suit as you can select pre set programmes to get you going. Then when your ready starting bringing in adjustments one at a time and see the actual effect the changes make. Changes should be made over a buried target so you see exactly what happens.

The problem with a more basic detector is that its not going to have a twin/triple or multifrequency option which is pretty essential if you want to work wet salt beaches for coins/gold rings. If your always going to detect inland then no problem. Pre "more than one frequency designs" you would either have a pulse machine to use on the wet or a VLF modified to cope with wet and salt. So you ended up with two detectors that could have cost more than buying just one more expensive detector in the first place.
So spending more at the start could end up saving money.

The next choice problem if you do go the expensive but will save money in the long run route is do you go for an older Fisher design like a CZ, the Minelab or a Whites DFX or V3 ? They all tend to be heavier than single frequency detectors, cost more and use more battery power.
Battery power is not a real worry as most come with rechargables. Cost is relative as you only need one detector not two or three and weight isn't to much of an issue if the balance is right.
Finally you have to consider how fast or slow you sweep a detectors coil. The Minelabs require a slower sweep than the Whites party because there's more "frequencies" but also because the Whites can be switched into a single frequency mode if you want.

You do really need to try swinging a few of these detectors before parting with any money. Could be the tones that many like and consider the most important advantage would drive you batty. Myself, I never use twin or multifrequency inland so my Minelab is reserved for the beach and of the V3 v E-Trac question it would be the Whites for me as it does allow the option of number and types of frequency. If you did go with a quality detector like the MXT its not the end of the world if you decide to upgrade at a later date because the good detectors hold more of their value if you look after them and you can always sell on or trade in to a dealer.

 

[Bart@Big Boys Hobbies]

Currently i'm using a Fisher F-2, there are some things about it that i don't care for and i'm wanting to step up to a better machine. If you must know what i don't care for, here's the list.
1. The Headphone jack is located low on the machine and faces away from you, making it difficult to hunt with headphones on.
2. The coil plug in is so shrouded it makes it difficult change coils, i dont like having to use needle nose pliers to change coils.
3. only has 4 tones, and no thresh hold tone. I used a buddies XLT and really liked the thresh hold and all the tones.
4. With the brains and the batteries located up top it gets a bit cumbersome after swinging for extended periods of time.
5. No real calibration to the "depth gauge"


The 2 machines that seem to peak my interest the most are the Minelabs X-Terra 705 and the Fisher F70. I generally coin hunt in the Southern Indiana and Northern Kentucky areas. I can't seem to find a side by side comparison of these 2 machines, and would like the opinions of those that have used both extensively. Are they "good" machines? Am I wasting my time looking at them? From what I have been able to gather so far they both have very accessible headphone jacks, unshrouded coil plugs, lightweight / good balance, and more then 4 tone id's. I'm not sure if either have an audible thresh hold tone, or how accurate the depth gauge is (but are atleast calibrated to give some idea of target depth). Any help / opinions would be very helpful!!

Thanks,

Rob

Rob if you still need help feel free to call me and pick my brain. Love to help you!

 

[smartmoney]

I personally love the V3i. Its relatively easy to use and is great on the beach and in parks. I am selling one of mine ( i have 2) in case you are interested.

 

[texjim]

don't for get to look into the vx3 if your looking into a quality turn on and go machine..