V3i VS CTX 3030 HELP PLEASE

[lonewolfe]

Is there anyone here (non salesman) that owns/has used both for a while and that can give me an unbiased opinion / analysis of the 2 with a list of pros/cons of each machine?

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

DR.ÖTEK Metal Detector, Waterproof Gold Detector, Pinpoint & Terrain Modes, Professional Metal Detector - Grab it through Amazon!

[lonewolfe]

Alrighty then -- as a Christmas present to me/myself and *I* -- for the time being -- looks like the Tesoro Tejon it is after researching for the last few weeks via the net watching videos and seeing reports/etc.!!

It's on it's way to me as we speak!!

I'll wait to see if they make any changes to the V3i in the near future and/or if the price comes down a bit before pulling the trigger on one.

 

[markincypress]

Ok - I'm in the market for another top of the line machine and have it narrowed down to the V3i & 3030

Is there anyone here (non salesman) that owns/has used both for a while and that can give me an unbiased opinion / analysis of the 2 with a list of pros/cons of each machine?

I've read up on both but you know how that is - both claim that their machine is the best yada yada yada - but - I want to hear it from someone that has both and can put it into perspective w/o all the sales "hype" and technical garb.

1 more thing - remove the fact that the 3030 can hunt in the water - I don't care about that being an advantage over the V3i - I have water machines - I'm mainly concerned with features of 1 vs the other, programming adjustments, target id, depth, target separation (like a coin mixed in w/a nail), ease of use, fatigue from swinging, overall function and performance, durability, which one is seemingly better at picking up on certain targets VS the other and vise/versa, etc.

Thanks for any/all info

OK I have a CTX and a V3i. In answer to your questions:

Programing adjustments: CTX can be programed on the machine or on your home windows based computer via the exchange2 software. Firmware updates can be made by user also (Minelab released an update in response to user feedback). V3i programed on machine only. Firmware can not be updated by user. EVERYTHING on the V3i can be adjusted or tweaked by the user.

Target ID: CTX uses Fe/Co numbers for target ID. They are "rock solid" for good targets. Color display on the screen along with "target trace" and the ability to see and display both an accepted and rejected target (no hype it really can).

Depth: CTX is deep. I have not used my V3i enough to make the call on it (sorry).

Separation: CTX hands down. If you have a nail and a coin under the coil at the same time you will see it on the display.

Ease of use: Both will require practice and both have a learning curve. I am more comfortable with the CTX. Turn it on; select noise cancel and start hunting. The machine will ground ballance itself or you can do it manually. Set the sensitivity yourself or let the machine do it and make changes for you as you hunt. V3i is much more EMI sensitive and so you may have to fiddle with it as you hunt.

Fatigue, performace, durability, overall function: CTX is well ballanced and is water proof so if it begins to rain and others scatter, you can keep hunting. Both seem fairly durable, I prefer the CTX on that one (CTX coils and replacement rods are PRICEY). Whites customer service is reported to be great (I have only spoken with them by phone and they are very nice and customer friendly). Better variety of coils with Whites and cheaper too. I give target ID performance to the CTX. Solid stable target ID's on good targets. The whole Fe/Co numbers on the CTX may seem confusing at first but they really help ID targets.

 

[Digging Deeper]

Old thread, I had great experience with Whites customer service recently. I would find it hard to believe that another MD company (or any type of company) would have helped me out like they did. I have zero knowledge about the minelab but I am having a great time learning the V3i.

a day without pull tabs is like a day without sunshine.

 

[Sandman]

Not knocking the V3i or the Minelab, but I think you will enjoy the Tejon and it is light weight too.

 

[norbyx]

Interesting, I had the V3i and the tejon as well... for my personal way of hunting the tejon didn't meet my expectations. The V3i ended up being too adjustable and every time I went out detecting I ended up asking myself if I was detecting in the right mode or setting, sold it as well... Now I have a AT-Pro...

 

[HDRK11]

The Tejon is an excellent detector and will teach and produce!