Whites DFX vs Minelab Explorer II

[BamaBill]

Re: White's DFX vs Minelab Explorer II

I have an MXT and I would say yes, its going to be as good as the DFX on caches. The trick is to marry it to the right larger coil and find a way to accomodate the weight. And, it depends on the soil you hunt in. Is it highly mineralized or so good that you almost don't have to ground balance? If its bad ground you'll need a large DD coil or if its good ground a 12" coil will give you good depth. The real difference between the MXT and the DFX is the user interface. Do you want to spend the time learning all the different controls available on the DFX to tweek it or are you the type that wants minimal adjustment control and go (MXT)? In either case you'll have to spend time with whichever machine and learn it to get the most out of it (talking weeks and months here, not hours).

 

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[hollowpointred]

Re: White's DFX vs Minelab Explorer II

just another thing to consider. in your original post, you mentioned you want to achive a depth to about 1 meter (around 3 feet). in my opinion, unless the cache you are after is buried in a trash can, i dont see any of the machines mentioned getting three feet in depth without a two box system.

 

[BamaBill]

Re: White's DFX vs Minelab Explorer II

I agree with hollowpoint, you'll get good additional depth on a standard machine (like 12-20"), but not 3-feet. You'll need something specialized for that depth.

 

[TreasureGrabber]

Re: White's DFX vs Minelab Explorer II

BamaBill,
thank you for comments,
How do you think what would be maximum depth I can get from MXT on soda can size cache with 12" coil? 14" ? 18"?

Is there possible at least 2' depth?

 

[BamaBill]

Re: White's DFX vs Minelab Explorer II

Using a stock coil I detected an iron well head piece (was flat and about 5" across) at 18" (measured). You might get 2-feet with a 12" coil if the conditions are just right, but that's assuming you have good ground, the machine tweeked just right, you're using great headphones and are listening real careful for that just barely audible signal.

 

[TreasureGrabber]

Re: White's DFX vs Minelab Explorer II

It seems that we got to the conclusion...
If DFX has approximately the same depth as Minelab Explorer II and MXT is equal to DFX it seems that EXP II has approximately the same depth as MXT... so for cache hunting and nugget shooting together it would be perfect machine MXT with 18" coil(18-Inch EXcelerator Coil)... for nugget shooting 9.5 factory coil...

What do you think?

 

[BamaBill]

Re: White's DFX vs Minelab Explorer II

Personally, I agree with your assertions. The only caveat I would make is that if you're planning on using an 18" coil on the MXT for any length of time, make sure you have a swinging harness to help support the weight as that thing will be over 5lbs (unless you're built like a lumberjack, then forget what I said). As for nugget shooting, I don't have any experience, but based on my experience in bad ground I would say that you would be best served with a 6X10 DD coil for that application as my understanding is that gold hunting is done in some of the worst ground (black sand) there is.

 

[TreasureGrabber]

Re: White's DFX vs Minelab Explorer II

Is it truth that MXT is noisy machine? especially with larger coils? and it is difficult to ground balance?

 

[BamaBill]

Re: White's DFX vs Minelab Explorer II

It can be noisy at times, depends on the mode, settings, and ground conditions. Any high performance machine is going to be high strung and a bit noisy at times. As for ground balancing, its easy to do. Its the standard bob the coil above the ground routine. But, because its an autotrack type of balance, if you forget it'll become balanced after a few sweeps, as long as you don't flip the switch to lock.