A ? for those familiar with Whites and Garretts.

[Dirt slinger]

I'm wondering if there is a Whites detector that is very similar to the Garrett's Ace 250 or 350 in both price and function/capability? Reason I ask is, I was about ready to pull the trigger on a Garrett but I'm really liking the excellent customer service being reported here on the forums about Whites. How is Garrett with their service? Thanks for any input/advice.
Ken.

 

[dbsmokey]

The White's IDX Pro: blows the Ace 250 out of the water. I have owned both and, in the mineralized ground in Oregon, comparatively, the Ace 250 is inferior.

 

[SteveP(NH)]

Hey Ken - I have owned several Garretts and currently own a DFX. Garrett customer service is top notch just like White's, in fact these two companies probably have the best customer service in the business, though I have heard many good things about Tesoro customer service as well.

Anyway of the machines that White's currently has in production (the IDX was discontinued a few years ago). Either the coinmaster ($179) or the coinmaster pro ($279) would be the closest matches to the ace 250 ($212). I know someone who recently started out with a coinmaster and he did quite well with it. Overall I think the machines are pretty similar in most respects. If I were you I would go to a local dealer who sells both Garretts and Whites and give each of them a few swings to see which one you like the most and then buy that one from your local dealer. Prices are pretty much the same online as at the dealers so I would take advantage of being able to actually see how each handles.

BTW just for the record the IDX was priced as a mid-range machine, when it was being manufactured, and so comparing an entry level machine with a mid-range machine isn't really a very fair comparison. If you want to compare the IDX to a Garrett I would suggest that the GTAx 750 or perhaps the GTAx 550 would be a fairer comparison as they retailed in the same neighborhood price wise if memory serves me correct.

 

[widebody]

[size=large]one asspect of the whites i own is that the are much better balanced. don't know if the same is true of the coinmaster group. i do know i had to keep switching arms with my Ace 250. it gets coil heavy. where as i can swing my xlt for much much longer. and i would agree that both companies have very good service i would give whites a few thumps up more than garrett. if you can get a used xlt you'll be years ahead. jmbiasedo.

HH[/size]

 

[dbsmokey]

Anyway of the machines that White's currently has in production (the IDX was discontinued a few years ago). Either the coinmaster ($179) or the coinmaster pro ($279) would be the closest matches to the ace 250 ($212). I know someone who recently started out with a coinmaster and he did quite well with it. Overall I think the machines are pretty similar in most respects. If I were you I would go to a local dealer who sells both Garretts and Whites and give each of them a few swings to see which one you like the most and then buy that one from your local dealer. Prices are pretty much the same online as at the dealers so I would take advantage of being able to actually see how each handles.

Even though the IDX Pro is discontinued it still works wonderfully. White's will, for now, still service it. I know this from recent personal experience.

BTW just for the record the IDX was priced as a mid-range machine, when it was being manufactured, and so comparing an entry level machine with a mid-range machine isn't really a very fair comparison. If you want to compare the IDX to a Garrett I would suggest that the GTAx 750 or perhaps the GTAx 550 would be a fairer comparison as they retailed in the same neighborhood price wise if memory serves me correct.

It isn't fair to compare them for sure, because the IDX is a better machine: better at handling ground minerals, GB, speedy recovery, accurate ID. For about $50 more than a brand new Ace 250, you may purchase a near-new IDX Pro. You will get a better machine for slightly less money! It's a better deal in my opinion!

Widebody, how do your XLT and MXT perfrom in SW WA? I am in NW OR and am eager to try the XLT here.

 

[widebody]

[size=large]i can say i get at least 6"-8" with the XLT. haven't found anything deeper with it. the 5.3 goes at least 6" on it. my MXT does a lot better. picks up targets with a couple of inches between them. got two quarters that way. the D2 coil sounded of on both coins, bing bing. it's my favorite.
i favor the *" royal 800 when i'm using the XLT. about the same depth as the 950 but gets in between targets a little better.
you can p.m. me with you location and maybe we could find a place to hunt and your welcome to try any of my machines i ain't using at the time.

HH [/size]

 

[SteveP(NH)]

Anyway of the machines that White's currently has in production (the IDX was discontinued a few years ago). Either the coinmaster ($179) or the coinmaster pro ($279) would be the closest matches to the ace 250 ($212). I know someone who recently started out with a coinmaster and he did quite well with it. Overall I think the machines are pretty similar in most respects. If I were you I would go to a local dealer who sells both Garretts and Whites and give each of them a few swings to see which one you like the most and then buy that one from your local dealer. Prices are pretty much the same online as at the dealers so I would take advantage of being able to actually see how each handles.

Even though the IDX Pro is discontinued it still works wonderfully. White's will, for now, still service it. I know this from recent personal experience.

BTW just for the record the IDX was priced as a mid-range machine, when it was being manufactured, and so comparing an entry level machine with a mid-range machine isn't really a very fair comparison. If you want to compare the IDX to a Garrett I would suggest that the GTAx 750 or perhaps the GTAx 550 would be a fairer comparison as they retailed in the same neighborhood price wise if memory serves me correct.

It isn't fair to compare them for sure, because the IDX is a better machine: better at handling ground minerals, GB, speedy recovery, accurate ID. For about $50 more than a brand new Ace 250, you may purchase a near-new IDX Pro. You will get a better machine for slightly less money! It's a better deal in my opinion!

Widebody, how do your XLT and MXT perfrom in SW WA? I am in NW OR and am eager to try the XLT here.

My point is that if you are going to start urging buying a used machine you should also compare them to other used machines. For example you can buy a used gtax 550 for the money we ware talking about or even a gtax 1000 if you can find one. Though I think there is some value for a new guy to start out with an entry level machine as they are designed to be easier to learn on.

 

[dabbie1]

Steve p hit the nail right on the head!!!! ACE250 & coinmaster are very alike.In price and performance.They are the only two detectors I use.If you want the best relieability,and dont want to spend half your day adjusting one of those high price ones.I Know from over 40 years expereince,Ive had the others. I use the ACE250 with 10 by 14 inch Excellsior coil and get coins as deep as 14 inches.These two machines are coin magnetsYou dont need a high price machine to be a very good detectorist.HAPPY HUNTING Wayne in Delaware

 

[Dirt slinger]

Thanks for all your thoughts and comparisons.