New and in need of advice

[Storm]

Hello all.
New to all of this, so new I have not purchased my detector.
I know this is a loaded question, but..................
I have narrowed my choices to a Whites Prizm series IV-V or XLT.
Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

 

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[luvsdux]

The Prizms are good, basic machines, but they have one (to me) serious drawback. They don't have a selection of different coils to enhance hunting in different conditions, whereas the XLT does. You might also take alook at at the M6, the MXT and the DFX. They all share a pretty complete line of coils that fit all three machines. If you get very serious about this hobby, you will end up with more than one coil. Why?
Well for instance, a small coil slips thru heavy trash and helps separate the good stuff from the junk and will let you get closer to playground equipment, fences etc. Kind of like the difference between a spot light versus a floodlight. The larger coils cover more area and detects somewhat deeper, but when multible targets are under them, the machines cannot deal well with so many signals at once. Also there are coils designed to handle heavily mineralized ground which may or may not be a problem where you hunt, but often is, if trying to prospect with a detector. Also, the machines other than the Prizms all have auto ground tracking while the Prizms are preset. Again, in mineralized ground the auto ground tracking can be a definite plus. Hope this helps, rather than confuses - there's more to this hobby than I imagined when I first started outl
Good Luck,
Bill

 

[epi-hunter]

I would definitely go with a machine that does not have a factory present ground balance (the Prizm series does). But there are other good options in addition to the XLT.....

 

[Storm]

Thanks for the input. You were both very helpful. Wasn't sure of the extra expense (between the prizm and XLT) but the price is not an issue if it's a better long term.

 

[thompy]

of you choices i would take the xlt, no small coils for the prizms, personally i would pick the mxt over any of the other whites

 

[ivan salis]

M6 -- good quailty machine very similar to the xlt --- nice easy and simple to use $600 new but not programmible -- xlt programmible