ctx 3030 or v3i

[jerseydigger]

considering one of these machines in the spring. waterproof does not matter to me, nor does the goggle earth mapping of the minelab. That being said, i hunt now with an e trac mainly, and a excal II for water. I have owned probably all the major lines of detectors in my life, ( I'm 54) , but i am curious as to the coil selection you folks use on this v3i and why. I will be hunting inland mostly, old coppers are my deal, and some Spanish 1600-1700s coins. gold jewelery would be next, then old us mintage from the 1700's up. Very curious about the v3i and your comments would help me a lot. Thank you in advance.

 

[kycoinseeker]

Just my 2 cents
I to was torn between the 2 detectors also, but I found a used V3i on craigslist. Got the detector, 12x10 SEF coil, stock 2D coil, soft bag, head phones (not wireless), a pen pointer, batteries and charger, 2 digging tools, all the paper work, and about 1 1/2 years warranty for 950.00. The cheapest CTX I found was about 1650.00 I have used a whites XLT for 17-18 years and loved it, never had a problem with it and I have been hard on it. I have heard nothing but good stuff abouts whites warranty, minelab service so so. I read everything I could find about both detectors and coil set ups. 99% of them loved the V3i with the SEF coil. A friend of mine has the CTX and let me try it, the balance on it is nice and it will hit a quarter at 9-10" no problem, but i just could not see paying that much for it. If i water hunted also, then maybe. Took the V3i out for the first time today hunting a old house built in 1920. I have hunted this yard 2 other times with my XLT. In about 2 hours i had 4 Wheaties, a charm, and a barber 1908 quarter. That just my 2 cents

Joey

 

[oneon]

I can tell you I've been drilling the old coppers with my V3I lately got another just this morning. That said I think most detectors do well on old coppers due to their size. Coil selection boils down how trashy or mineralized your ground is. So the standards apply. I found my D2 does really well in sweet soil. I like my V3I but I too am thinking about a 3030. I'm waiting to see a new Whites machine before I decide on a 3030. I'm loyal to Whites because they ALWAYS do the right thing. Best customer service ANYWHERE!

 

[Rob (IL)]

I can't see how you would get an unbiased post on either the V3i or 3030 forum. Each detector has it's followers. I have both the SE and V3i and both have their purposes. If you think the performance difference between the ETrac and 3030 warrants the price go for it.

One thing I will say, if my SE goes bad the cost of Minelab repairing it will probably mean I would have to junk it. On the other hand I have a 1985 Whites sitting against the wall Whites would repair at a reasonable cost no questions asked. Why is it so hard to to get a Minelab part, in a reasonable time, and at a reasonable price. An example would be, Whites lower rod $15 new, Minelab used $50.

I'm not putting down Minelab, remember I have one.

 

[burlbark]

I had an etrac........ I still have my v3i. Any questions?

$800 to replace the pcb board on the etrac when it goes out. Which it will. What would Whites charge me? $150 to rebuild the whole detector(v3i)? There is absolutely no question here as to what the better detector is. Its really simple. Especially since you mentioned gold.

Have you seen what Neil has been pulling up as far as old coppers.....

http://www.findmall.com/read.php?66,1799492

 

[digsgti]

Love my V3i for relic hunting with its audio and ability to find a variety of things at depth. Ive dug plenty of large cents/coppers at 9-10 inch depths with great ID. Never used a CTX, but have a Minelab SE pro. I like the Minelab for coin hunting mowed grass but I wouldnt keep it over my Whites machine.

 

[jerseydigger]

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