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CTX 3030

I have also wondered why so many of the supposedly best Minelab Machine made show up for sale so often. I suspect that folks are searching for the perfect metal detector that will find everything many feet deep and that machine has not yet been manufactured.
 
my honest opinion...their owner's are afraid of an EVENTUAL leak if they use it for submerged beach use (or even wading...). Minelab has not owned up to the fact that their battery seal for the CTX is faulty. That and the USB port also leaks. The water integrity issues are just the beginning.

I had one and used it for about 6 months before deciding to sell a ticking time bomb. It worked great and there were no issues with it, but I felt like it was only a matter of time before it leaked...

I went back to using my CZ, Excalibur and picked up a custom PI which I love...much happier! Although, I just don't have as much time to hunt anymore :(
 
I'm sure it's a great machine and although I thought about getting one, the price was waaaay too much for my pocketbook. I think that some buyers may have had buyer's remorse, not because of the performance but purely because of the price. Just my opinion.
 
Well I guess I must be the last to find out these machines are no good but just as well. I only have good things to say about mine and it's paid for itself several times over. It's been underwater and I guess it didn't know it was suppose to leak and I ain't telling it either. A lot of the leaking machines was just plain user error. Minelab posted pictures of sand embedded O-rings from customer sending in their machines because of "leaking". That's like dumping sand in the intake of your car and blaming the car company for a faulty engine. It takes patience to make sure the o ring is free of sand. Thankfully the battery last a long time so I've never had to change it on the beach. It runs quiet, deep, is simple to use, and has become my go to beach machine while the Excalibur stays home. If you take care of your machine, you shouldn't have any trouble. If you don't, well, this ones not for you.
 
good post. Re.: people's claims of "leaks": I really wouldn't worry about it, unless someone's going to go scuba or snorkel type detecting. In THOSE cases, then yes, the supposed leak rumor could be something to worry about. But for the 99% of guys who got the 3030 for the wet ebbing surf or wading (or hunting in the rain during beach erosion storms, and for occasional waps by waves), then these would be plenty sufficient. A lot of guys don't intend to go necessarily *under-water*, but get tired of having to wrap their machine in plastic for hunting in the beach storms/rains/wave-slaps. So to have something that is merely water RESISTANT, would be a welcome day.

I have sent in my explorer 2 times now for repairs, simply because it took a dunk during a wave hit, or when I'd fallen down in the surf. Water finds it's way around the plastic and black tape, doh ! In each case, I never needed something capable of scuba depths. Only needed something that could repel quick hits like that. Although I haven't bought the 3030 yet, the thought crossed my mind that if the price came down enough on used ones, it would be a good beach machine for that purpose/reason alone.

I suspect that a lot of guys go out and buy any new toy that comes out. And so when they show up on the used market a year later, it's not necessarily a sign that they're no good.
 
I too am problem free on my CTX so far going on 2nd year, Great machine so far and I hope to keep it that way. My only complaint is its a bit heavy for my 60 year old body. Remember the bulk of postings on forums of any kind are the complaints. Not nearly as many folks come on to say how good their machines are.
 
I think you will also find some of those getting rid of them, never really learned the machine and/or are getting near the end of the warranty period and want to dump it prior to being forced to pay for any needed repairs after warranty.
I personally can't wait for the warranty to be up so I can start modifying the machine....mainly a longer shaft with a better way to keep the shaft from slipping and wearing out the lower shaft.

Cliff
 
In less than a year Minelab has replaced mine 3 times for leaks. The one they sent in May has performed perfectly. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Yes....their dinky seal sucks !

Found this honey with my 3030 this year
 
Big Dan: curious minds want to know: When you say you had 3 leak problems so far, please reveal to us the TYPE of hunting you are doing with your machines. Eg.: truly underwater ? (as in snorkel or scuba, etc...). And if so, to what depths? Or are you staying top-side, and just venturing in and out of surf/splash or rain ?
 
I have not had any problems with mine and it is one of the first ones released. I also have an Excall and both machines have been dunked many times. This summer the CTX has been underwater more than above and all I do is clean it like the Excall with no problems. If mine leaks it will go back but so far like I said no problems. HH :minelab:
 
I went almost two years without any leakage, but it just happened a few weeks back. Minelab repaired it very quickly, basically I received a new or refurbished control box and battery...I'm happy :)
 
All wading in chest deep water
 
I have used my CTX under water and over water. In the rain and in the dry. Hot days and cool days and am proud to say this is the best machine I have owned in thirty plus years of detecting. I hunt salt water only and get two five hour hunts before I remove the battery for recharging and at that time I clean the gasket and battery compartment. Between
hunts I give the machine a good fresh water cleaning and so far this has worked for me. I read a lot about the gasket failing but I'm not so sure that is all the problems. I don't
know who manufactures the battery but if you notice, there are four screws that hold the batteries in the battery housing and two screws that hold the spade connectors
in place. Seems like to me if any are lose then the battery could bottom out before the battery housing is pulled down tight on the o ring gasket allowing moisture and sand in.
Also the molds must wear some during production of the housing and maybe the ears on the housing are off just a bit. Maybe all these issues are battery issues and not
o ring problems as thought ( all though I admit that is a pitiful excuse for a gasket ). Long story short GREAT MACHINE !
 
I've only had mine a month, but I got it from another experienced hunter that kept it a couple of weeks and decided it wasn't for him (he runs a AT Pro and is very good with it). I think lots of folks don't want to put in the time to learn the Minelab FBS, especially when they are good with their own brand.
 
I can think of a few reasons people would sell their CTX.

1) You had it for 3 months and didn't find the chest of shiny pirate treasure you saw in the ML advertisement

2) You realized you have to dig and struggle, in dirt and sand, and kneel, in dirt and sand which was not in the pretty advertisement either

3) You thought you could afford it, but then you learned you needed a pinpointer, sand scoop, pouch, digging tools, batteries - and now you're broke

4) You tried it for a full 10 hours but the audio was confusing and you didn't understand the target ID. Luckily the manual is in perfect condition.

5) You were using it at a park and a kid laughed at you ... so, being concerned of what punks think you are quitting the hobby for good

6) You dug nothing but trash - you did everything right: you swung it fast and 5" above the ground, you dug every blip ... but it just doesn't work

7) You found that rinsing gaskets, cleaning compartment grooves, and applying silicone grease was just too much work ... you need something easier

8 ) You needed the money for rent ... or else you'll lose the living arrangement you have in your mom's basement
 
I think that you are right, for some people it is not worth the effort to learn the machine, thus they are up for sale. I had a fellow call me to ask if I would help him with learning his first metal detector, I showed up at the beach and it was a CTX 3030. I looked at the machine, scrolled through the menu, grunted, set it up what I thought might work and helped him much as possible.
I asked where he got it, how much he paid and did he in fact tell the dealer his knowledge level. I don't know how some dealers can sleep at night, I believe he used it twice and it is sitting in his garage.
I think they might be a nice machine, how ever the learning curve is a fair amount. I compare it to the basic flight management computer that Boeing uses verses the over the top do everything computer that airbus offers.
CTX 3030 guys, please jump in with your observations, I am leaning towards getting one but am some what intimidated with what I hear.

Gerry
 
Johnnyanglo, that was an excellent post and absolutely true. You have it perfect. I liked it so much that I put it in my favorites section.
 
i too had one and yes the maybe factor of it leaking dawned on me every time i took it out…. but for me seeing the screen sucked... it did find quarters , dimes . but having the v3i also and the screen and three freks was just to my liking sold the mine lab bought the deus only used it a few time seems nice…… still don't know if i did the right thing selling … so i just bought a garrett atx to play with for a few don't know if i'll like the pi machine …. the deus and v3i and excalibur work real well for me …. dessert season is here and i look for gold when the wife dunebuggys around with here friends i fix the buggy and detect ….. at least where doing something together sort of ….LOL the ctx was nice just couldn't see it ….
 
I have a CTX and love it for and hunting. I never planned to dive with mine anyway. I wanted something that you didn't have to run for cover in the rain or worry about a splash around the water. It has amazing performance on land hunts finding stuff I know has been searched for years. But Iam now looking for a fully underwater unit to have the best of both machines to use.
 
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