Xterra 705 or Safari?

[Spaceport]

I am soery to hear about what happened to you truly I am and to answer your question no I would not buy someones detector that was stolen, to even ask that is absurd and insulting....I see no such videos mentioned after various ways of searching it....oh well....this topic has be hased and rehashed several times here and I honestly believe it just keeps the attention on the "illegal stuff"

 

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[Longhair]

I am soery to hear about what happened to you truly I am

I can appreciate that. Thank you.

and to answer your question no I would not buy someones detector that was stolen, to even ask that is absurd and insulting.

My intent wasn't to insult you, but rather to put the whole thing into a perspective that you would be able to relate to. There is nothing any more or less morally wrong about stealing from a company (made up of people) than there is stealing from an individual person.

oh well....this topic has be hased and rehashed several times here and I honestly believe it just keeps the attention on the "illegal stuff"

Agreed.
I personally just can't sit by and allow the topic of clandestine products to go unchallenged when there is a viable legal superior alternative.

 

[Spaceport]

Longhair I am curious here and not trying to argue...I am genuinely trying to understand...if certsin aftermarket coils are illegal to be sold in the U.S.A....how is it possible that certain big name dealers do sell them here and heavily advertised....not trying to knock these dealers either just trying to understand.

 

[Longhair]

They are free to sell all of the NEL coils that they want for Fisher, Teknetics, Whites, Garrett, and even some Minelab coils...just not Xterra or CTX coils. V-Flex and FBS2 coils are an entirely different animal. SmartCoil™ technology coils actually communicate with the control box unlike any others except perhaps XP Deus coils.

 

[falconman515]

Original Thread Name:

Xterra 705 or Safari?

I am just wanting to know more about these 2 machines really (the 705 more-so then the Safari).

Soooo .... anyone have anymore to say about JUST these machines in particular not aftermarket coils?

But good stuff to know about the coils I guess ... but that went on WAY to long.

 

[Spaceport]

I was in the same boat and went with the 705 and its a great machine....when I do get an fbs machine I will go with an Etrac or Explorer not a Safari.

 

[Longhair]

I am just wanting to know more about these 2 machines really (the 705 more-so then the Safari).

If you take a good look at everything else and compare it all to the 705, you'll not find another machine that has as many auto/manual/adjustable features, that have as many Modes of operation, or that can run choice of three frequencies. It can be a turn-on-and-go machine if you want, but it can also be much more if needed/desired.
I have an FBS machine (Explorer SE), and it may well go down the road in favor of an FBS2 unit at some point, but the 705 is staying right here because IMO it's that good.

 

[falconman515]

Okay .... Dangit!!!

Sooooo ....I might have a good deal lined up on a Minelab Safari

Now I am back to really the OP question ....

X-Terra 705 or Safari .... any updated thoughts on these two side by side?

What are the advantages and disadvantages to both


I know Safari is 0.7lbs heavier, doesn't have backlight but other then that it has the 705 beat in most cases right with the FBS multiple frequencies etc.
Screen seems good with great data as well and has just as many features and then some over the 705.

I know the 705 is best bang for the bucks ... but if a guy could say get the Safari for no more then about $200 bucks or so more then the 705 is that worth it?

The multiple Frequency FBS is what I think is worth the extra cost maybe.

I am set on sticking with Minelab for sure (thought about ATP originally but I prefer the 705 over that) ... just want to make sure I get my moneys worth.

 

[Spaceport]

Just me but if you are able to spend 1000.00 on a safari...I would go with a like new Expkorer SE or E -trac

 

[johnnycat]

I never had a Safari but, I had the old X-70. One of my detecting buddies had the new Safari. The one thing he always complained about was the slow speed he had to sweep at. I know the question wasn't asked but, I would take a Sovereign GT any day over a Safari. Whatever you buy, give it an honest chance .Learn it. Learn it.

 

[Spaceport]

All Minelab machines as far as I know have slow recovery and you have to swing slow.

 

[falconman515]

One of my detecting buddies had the new Safari. The one thing he always complained about was the slow speed he had to sweep at.

Ya from what I have heard and read all over slow speed is something that is inherit with all current (and maybe previous) Minelab detectors.

Just me but if you are able to spend 1000.00 on a safari...I would go with a like new Explorer SE or E -trac

Yes but the $1K or less price tag gives me "Everything" ... ProPointer, Lesche, Headphones, detector bag, pouch, etc. etc. .... that would cost $200-300 extra dollars for that on top of the $1K plus price tag for say a used Exp. SE or E-Trac ... and I am not a fan of used for the most part unless it comes from someone I know (to many bad experiences int he past I guess).

The $1K price tag for absolutely Everything is pushing the limit ... but to get into the other even used is way over the limit when all the extras that I need need being brand new to the hobby need!

I never had a Safari but, I had the old X-70. One of my detecting buddies had the new Safari. The one thing he always complained about was the slow speed he had to sweep at..

How did you fair with your X-Terra 50 against his Safari?

 

[falconman515]

All Minelab machines as far as I know have slow recovery and you have to swing slow.

This though is an interesting little tid-bit I posted in a Quote Below from a guy who has used them all extensively for the most part.

From Wayne at MetalDetectingStuff.com had gave me a little on his thoughts about the Safari and it kind of says even what johnycat said in his post above about his friends issue with the Safari being slow ... I think the issue is not slow speed so much to capture the sound it looks to be more-so the issue with even though you swing slow you need to maybe even go slower for the On-Screen Target ID to pick up what it is ... which would drive me nuts I think cause I'm not really a "slow swinger" to start off with.

Here is what he told me about the Safari and asking how he compares it to say the X-Terra 705 ........................

The Safari is a good machine and good technology, but it requires a slower swing speed to accurately ID. If you are willing to rely on more tones than ID numbers, the Safari will serve you well. If you are the type that only wants to dig consistent ID numbers, then the Safari may not be your best choice. I used the X-terra 50 (predecessor to the 505) for two years before I bought the 705. I used that for two years and bought the E-trac, now swing the CTX 3030. I have used a Safari for about three hunts to familiarize myself with it, and I found if I swing too fast, the ID numbers aren't always correct, but the tones are correct. I had to slow the swing speed down and turn 45 degrees on most targets to get accurate ID numbers on the screen.

Wayne

 

[christo000]

Just wanted to say I het that when most think of goin used there getting someone else's problem but I am.one of those who I did get a new machine & even had an extra or 2 only had 3 hours or so on the machine so it was new but used used price, new machine,new full warranty aswell with a used pricetag

 

[falconman515]

Just wanted to say I bet that when most think of going used there getting someone else's problem but I am one of those who I did get a new machine & even had an extra or 2, only had 3 hours or so on the machine so it was new but used price, new machine,new full warranty as well with a used pricetag

If I was buying from you then I may chance it ... off eBay? .... Ya...... NO!

I have seen some Shady $#!t come from there ... and I don't trust most sellers on eBay as far as I can throw them ... except for me, I sell on there but I am massively in depth with my descriptions, information, return policy, satisfaction guarantee, etc. ..... I make my buyers feel comfortable when they buy a product used from me.

Most sellers will post something like "Fairly new in good condition, comes with everything, Thanks" .... I can't a guy who wants to sell something for hundreds of dollars who doesn't take the time to describe what he is selling a little more in depth then a sentence or paragraph of info.

You just never know what your gonna get is all ... so I stay clear if at all possible.

And there are so many good options available that are new in the used price range of something a little better it's hard do drop a thousand or more dollars on something you have no clue about.

 

[Longhair]

I know Safari is 0.7lbs heavier, doesn't have backlight but other then that it has the 705 beat in most cases right with the FBS multiple frequencies etc.
Screen seems good with great data as well and has just as many features and then some over the 705.

Whoa! What features does it have that the 705 doesn't??
Unlike the Safari, the 705 gives you control over GB. You can go automatic like the Safari with the 705, but the 705 can go manual, or utilize Tracking Offset, which the Safari can not.
The 705 also has Beach mode and Prospector mode which the Safari does not. It also has Pinpoint Sizing as well as Pinpoint ID.
So I wouldn't say that the Safari has the 705 beat on features.

The multiple Frequency FBS is what I think is worth the extra cost maybe.

It might be, but there are also advantages to having a machine focused on one frequency, especially if the response from desired targets is best and/or response from trash is more easily discernible.

I would also add, that if any gold prospecting might be part of your plan, the Safari is not the machine that you want. They are not known to be very successful nugget hunters.

 

[Fletch88]

Just me but if you are able to spend 1000.00 on a safari...I would go with a like new Expkorer SE or E -trac

I already recommended this but was shot down. I sold my Etrac with 28 months warranty left for $950. It was immaculate too.

 

[falconman515]

Weird how Minelab makes a machine for for the most part detector alone a few hundred dollars more but yet it doesn't perform to much better then a cheaper Minelab detector and have as many features? I would have thought the Safari had 99% of what the 705 has to offer and then offer more on top of that other then what I had stated above.
Seems though the slow Slow speed is an issue on this as well ... the Minelabs are slow but this one seems to need to be swung twice as slow (which I would hate for sure).

So overall it seems as if the Safari is just not worth even the extra couple hundred dollar premium over the X-Terra from what I gather!?!

I will not be doing any kind of gold prospecting at all or beach etc. ... I will be a strictly local dirt coin-shooter! So that being said the multiple frequency thing is cool but if I want to coin-shoot most of the time and pick up a ring here or there etc. etc. then a single frequency that fits my need best would be best? And the 705 has 3 options so for what I want sticking to say the 7.5khz for a good all around frequency or really diggin in for those coin and hitting it with the 3khz would overall be better for me then a more expensive detector with that massive range of frequencies?

 

[christo000]

Well either way I apreciate it, customer service is everything to me I won't sell anything unless there happy & will take items back if it wasn't what they wanted. Whatever you do pick good luck.with it, it does sound like ur ready for that step its just a matter of what machine has really what u want I mean u are the one buying it & using it so

 

[Spaceport]

If you like the package deal then that makes sense....I am sure the Safari is a good machine I just am trying to let you know within a few months there is a very good chance you will want to upgrade...and by used I did not mean ebay I meant like Evan Grangers buy sell trade facebook page most of the dealers carry used machines too in mint condition with full or partial warranties left...if you plan to swing fast I almost really seriously reccomend the AT Pro...its like it wants and loves to be swung fast