Hey guys. I tried searching for this and couldnt find any posts related to it, so I was wondering if anyone has did a head to head comparison with these 2 detectors. I imagine the v3i is better, but how much better? I currently have the dfx and would like to know if anyone has some data comparing the 2 in terms of depth gain, and target comparison. I love my dfx and I have made some great finds with it. Thanks.
v3i compared to dfx
- Thread starter marjam
- Start date
InsearchOfGold
Jr. Member
- Feb 26, 2007
- 27
- 1
- Detector(s) used
- DFX..XLT..6000 Di Pro, V3i, MxSport
I am curious of this also. I have a Dfx but just bought a V3i. Live in the northeast so can't do any comparisons myself yet. Hope it was worth it.
robertj298
Greenie
- Jan 14, 2013
- 10
- 1
- Primary Interest:
- All Treasure Hunting
Forget that upgrade. Just go out and get a minelab e-trac. You won't be sorry.
Giant056
Silver Member
- Jun 10, 2007
- 2,873
- 468
- 🏆 Honorable Mentions:
- 1
- Detector(s) used
- Made in U.S.A.
- Primary Interest:
- All Treasure Hunting
I've never had the DFX myself however I went from the MXT to the V3i and what a fantastic detector it is. I still have my MXT but it's only used as a loaner to friends and I keep it around for a backup just in case.. I'm not intimidated in the least by any other VLF out there cause I've hunted along with them for three years now and none have impressed me the way the V3i does 
- Thread starter
- #7
I've never had the DFX myself however I went from the MXT to the V3i and what a fantastic detector it is. I still have my MXT but it's only used as a loaner to friends and I keep it around for a backup just in case.. I'm not intimidated in the least by any other VLF out there cause I've hunted along with them for three years now and none have impressed me the way the V3i does
Sounds like a winner. What is the deepest coin you have dug with it, and does the vdi jump around on the deeper signals as much as the older technology? I hunt by sound first and then look at my screen for reference, and the deep signals bounce on the dfx, I can usually tell by the way it bounces coupled wIth the sound what it is. but I would rather have more consistent sounds and vdi. Who wouldnt, right? Does the v3i deliver that?
scotty544
Hero Member
- Mar 11, 2013
- 622
- 203
- Detector(s) used
- Minelab CTX 3030 XP Deus Whites V3i
Tesoro Silver Saber
- Primary Interest:
- Metal Detecting
Still new to the v3i but I have noticed the jumping vdi numbers, however it seems to get the job done on coins that are deep. Trashy things seem to vdi bounce more. But I dig first and ask questions later, found several nickels like that. Deepest coin so far was around 6 or 7 inches.
Last edited:
- Thread starter
- #9
I hear ya. So do I. Today I only had a whisper of a signal, then it would hit one way. I dug it and it turned out to be a 1956 wheat at about 7 inches. You just never know. I tell ya I have owned 6 different detectors, and my dfx by far outshines them all. That is why I wanted to see if anyone had did any head to head comparisons, to see if the technology in the v3i was going to be the upgrade that will get you the coins that are out of reach with the older technology. Too bad we dont have a place that rents detectors lol, then I could answer my own question. If you have a dfx or have had one, I would love to hear more from you in terms of your satisfaction with the v3i, and if the upgrade is netting you the finds you expected.
I still find things and deep with my dfx, and I really cant justify the upgrade right now for myself when I have the confidence in the dfx that I do. I wish I could see the v3i go over some ground I have detected and compare it that way. Or a youtube video, but cant find a comparison video between these 2 detectors. Sounds like a good project for one of you guys out there that has both machines. I personally would love to see it.
stan128
Greenie
- Dec 23, 2012
- 16
- 3
I have both the DFX and the V3i. I used the DFX for 10 years and it still can hold its own, however Have only used the V3i for 10 days and have uncovered older deeper coins in my own yard and a couple sites I frequent.I still have much to learn about the V3i but I'm already impressed with it just using the factory settings. Hope that helps.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using TreasureNet
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using TreasureNet
Digger
Hero Member
- Mar 24, 2003
- 740
- 186
- Detector(s) used
- XP Deus, E-Trac, Makro Racer 2, DFX
- Primary Interest:
- All Treasure Hunting
I had the DFX for close to 18 years and loved it. Bought the V3i and never looked back. The V3i is better in every way. More accurate VDI, deeper by far and much easier to make adjustments.
gsxraddict
Hero Member
- Sep 21, 2005
- 629
- 413
- Detector(s) used
- XP Deus, Minelab Equinox 800, Whites V3i
- Primary Interest:
- Relic Hunting
The V3i is an excellent machine, I'll be buying one for my wife sometime this year.
GPS53
Sr. Member
- May 17, 2009
- 284
- 99
- Detector(s) used
- Whites, XLT & V3i, TRX Pointer
- Primary Interest:
- All Treasure Hunting
Had a Dfx for 2 years and could never figure that damn thing out
, sold it and got a V3i, best decision I ever made, love the V3i.
, sold it and got a V3i, best decision I ever made, love the V3i.
a4wdguy
Full Member
- Mar 10, 2005
- 244
- 50
- Detector(s) used
- TDI, DFX, M6, XLT, XL Pro, CM 6000 Di Pro, Beach Hunter ID 300, Beach Hunter ID, Surfmaster P.I.(Plus)
- Primary Interest:
- Metal Detecting
Among other detectors I had an XL Pro and a DFX. Both were absolutely immaculate even though I used them constantly, especially the DFX. I was so in tune with it I could just about pull silver out of the air. I never, ever got skunked with my DFX. When the V3 came out I was reluctant to give up my DFX, but when the V3i came out, I decided to embrace the new. I sold both the XL Pro and the DFX and bought the V3i. The new detector was so completely different I was seriously overwhelmed. I tried to get it to imitate the DFX with no real success. I got it to sound the same, but of course, it didn't act the same. In retrospect it was the 3rd dumb thing I did (selling the other detectors against my wife's advice was dumb thing 1 and 2). I just couldn't get happy with the V3i, so I decided to sell it and go back to the DFX and XL Pro. Sadly, as nice as the two units I bought are, they are not as awesome as the ones I gave up. I kick myself every day for giving up my perfect detectors. I recently decided to get a brand new DFX but discovered that it is discontinued by White's, so now I am mulling over giving the V3i another go. The point of all this is that I think that trying to compare the DFX and V3i on anything other than a casual basis is a mistake. The temptation to try to compare them feature for feature is simply too great, and other than a superfluous similarity, they are really very different detectors. This is, of course, my personal experience, YMMV.
- Thread starter
- #16
I think I will keep what I have. I am satisfied with my dfx, like the last reply I never get skunked, and I have confidence if it is in the ground, I will find it with my dfx. I will upgrade eventually, but right now I see no need when I am successful with what I have.
Thanks for the replies. Feel free to offer more opinions, they are all appreciated.
Thanks for the replies. Feel free to offer more opinions, they are all appreciated.
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