Advice on new detector.

[kevjackhouse]

Hello, my nam is Kevin. Pretty new to this site. I've been detecting for probably 5 years or so but starting to really get into it now. I have an Ace 250 and have done well with it. I am looking to upgrade. If you had to pick between a Garrett gti 2500, Minelab Explorer, or a White's XLT or DFX, which would you choose? How deep does each one really go? Your input would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Elson(La)]

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[therick]

if you can completely erase your computers' programs and re-install them with no problems the first time......... if you can install a big screen TV with surround sound so that you can hear the horses from "Braveheart" run through your living room........... and if you have the cash to spare......... I'd probably lean toward an Excal. II or E-Trac. I really don't doubt their capabilities but they are just toooo complex for me to understand. I much prefer the turn-on-n-go approach to my detecting. But I'm an old guy and don't even know how to text on my cell phone. My kids laugh at me.

Just my opinion.

therick

 

[Butch in Colorado]

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[Ed SW Fla]

.... It's relative to several factors.

#1 Ground Conditions. Highly mineralized ground will limit the depth reached to possible targets. Here in SW Florida, our sandy soil has hardly any mineralization. An MXT with the standard 9.5 concentric coil, gain at +3, will reach out and touch a Merc dime at 10 to 12 inches. In other parts of the country you'd be lucky to read the same merc dime at 4 to 6 inches.

#2 Type of detector, VLF (very low frequency) or PI (Pulse Induction). PI's will seek targets deeper but offer little to no discrimination. VLF machines allow the user to discriminate between ferrous and non ferrous targets and even varying levels of non ferrous. The higher the level of discrimination used the less depth you will receive ... it's not a huge difference, but there is a difference.

#3 Coil size and type. To a certain point, the larger the coil, the deeper it will seek targets. Too large a coil makes it difficult to pin point smaller objects as the coil may react to several targets beneath the coil .... oval shaped and / or DD coils seem to offer a bit better depth.

Unless the soil has been plowed or landscaped / filled, most "dropped / lost" older targets will be within 4 to 8 inches as to max depth even in woods where leaves have fallen and rotted for hundreds of years. In plowed fields in the UK, I've found Roman and Medieval coins on the surface to as much as 10 to 12 inches deep.

Make sure you select a machine that offers both manual and automatic ground balancing, easy and quick to use controls, good light weight and ergonomics so it's fun to use ALL DAY LONG! Buy the best machine for the type of hunting you plan to do the most, that current cash flow allows.

 

[Ed SW Fla]

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[Vernon in Virginia~Formerly Alaska]

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[therick]

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[Brian(upstateNY)]

I do prefer the Minelab and Whites MXT over the others from my personal experience with them.
You may want to check out the Whites MXT

Now believe it or not that lil yeller feller Ace 250 shout not be under estimated for its price

Good luck and have fun welcome to the site

 

[Brian(upstateNY)]

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[Ed SW Fla]

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[Vernon in Virginia~Formerly Alaska]

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[whereswaldonow]

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[therick]

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[Vernon in Virginia~Formerly Alaska]

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