DD coil or Sef coil MXT PRO

[knuckledeep]

I am brand new to metal detecting. I just got an MXT PRO in the mail today. I know this nail has been hammered to death I'm sure. For the money I'm thinking of getting a 6x8 sef coil or should I just save and get the d2 coil. I live in southern Indiana and will be hunting woods, old homesteads, parks, Schools, and a couple man made beaches. O and it came with the 300 coil. Just an FYI I spend more on the machine that I had..lol. I just wanted a machine that I wouldn't out grow and the MXT PRO sounded like the one that I could figure out how to use the best. I was wanting the dfx but it sounded to much for me to learn starting out. Thanks all advice will be greatly appreciated.

 

[coinjumper]

Maybe sell the big coil and get the 6x8? Thats what i'd do or the 6x10

 

[knuckledeep]

Thanks! Its just so hard for me to sift through the trash to find the actual treasure of information. Wouldn't the big 300 coil work good inn the fields. I haven't even had the chance to take it out yet it snowed about 5" here is southern Indiana. All I can do is look at it and do some research.. LoL

 

[coinjumper]

Yes it would work better in those fields but its not a good multi purpose coil in my opinion, esp parks and schools.

 

[plidn1]

My suggestion to you is pick up a whites 5.3 (6 3/4") coil and go out and put in about 300 hours swinging and learning your detector. Then you will be able to determine what other coil you may need.
This question has been asked a thousand times.
Always by someone who hasn't even turned on their detector yet. But they want the biggest and deepest coil they can find.
I buy and sell a lot of near new detectors with wrong coils on them all the time. And Cheap.

Unless you are very experienced in using YOUR detector, you should only learn with an 7" or smaller coil.
LEARN the detector first. Get a usable coil first to learn with.
The MXT has a frustrating and confusing learning curve.
I have over 3000 hours on mine and still learn something every day.
Of all the coils I own for the MXT, the 5.3 is still the best all around coil I have.

 

[Bill G]

The 6X8 SEF DD coil is a great coil just the right size it works great. The SEF 6X8 DD coil will also pick up a dime and other coins under a mineralized brick that the Whites 6X10 DD coil did not see (mineralized brick test) This made me a believer in the SEF 6X8 DD coil. The SEF 6X8 DD ID accurate covers a fair amount of ground it pin points right on center and gets great depth for the size of the coil as good of depth as the Whites 6X10 DD in my ground.

Happy Hunting,
Bill G

 

[Nancy-IL]

I would also go with the smaller coil to be honest. I wouldn't want to swing that big coil for very long. Besides, it's not a good coil to learn your machine. I prefer the small 5.3 but a lot of people like the 6x10 DD coil too.

I found out the best way to help get use to your machine is to hit tot lots and play with your pinpointing skills. It's better to dig in wood chips than it is making mistakes with digging a hole in a park's groomed lawn. Even in wood chips, you always cover your divots.

Good luck with your machine and before you know it, that MXT will pay for itself.

 

[leslie]

My go to coil for my MXT Pro and MX5 is the 8x6 SEF,

 

[plidn1]

For coin size and larger deeper targets, the 8x6 is very hard to beat.
But if you are looking for small gold (nuggets, chains, earrings, earring backs, tiny rings, pendants, etc.) I have found it tends to ignore them.
Especially on the surface.
The smaller coils are much more sensitive to these higher value targets.

 

[OregonGregg]

Of all the coils mentioned in the above posts, I would not start with the 10" D2 coil. Not a very good coil at all. Of the DD coils mentioned I would go with 8x6 SEF if DD coils were my only choice. If not then the best coil to start with and to learn your machine is like Pliden 1 suggested is the Eclipse 5.3. I have tried and used all the coils mentioned , the 10" D2 was first to go, to erratic. I used the 8x6 SEF numerous hours out in ghost towns and old sites and it does good, but not as good as the Eclipse 5.3. The 5.3 showed to have better separation in trashy sites, much tighter VDI numbers. It stays on my MXT Pro and M6 90% of the time for most my hunting. If I get into an area ,with less trash then I might switch it up to the 9" Spider coil. Either way a smaller coil will help when starting to learn your machine. Be prepared to get frustrated at times. The trick is to stick with a good machine, and you have one, and put in lots of hours on that machine. It will all make sense in time and ask lots of questions. Lots of people in here that can help you out.

 

[therover]

Incredible coil for the MXT-Pro in my opinion. Only other coil I use on it is the 5.3 concentric.

 

[Bill G]

Incredible coil for the MXT-Pro in my opinion. Only other coil I use on it is the 5.3 concentric.

on the 6X8 SEF coil...on the MXT & the M6.

Happy Hunting,
Bill G

 

[Monte]

whenever they are mounted to a VX3, MXT All-Pro, M6 or MX5 .... AND ... are being used by other people because, whatever makes them happy is fine with me. On my own detectors, with the exception of a 5" DD on a Teknetics Omega and stock 6" on my Compass Coin Hustler, Monte is almost certain to be working a detector/concentric coil combination. What works for me and make me happy, I am fine with.

Okay, maybe that's not breaking news to anyone who has followed my forum posts for almost 19 years. One per who knows what I prefer and why, is OregonGregg. who just happens to have a few things in his favor as he tries to learn the benefits and weaknesses of search coils on his own. What's in his favor? As simple question like that deserves a very simple answer ....

He reads. He listens. He asks. And then he owns, or has owned, a wide range or search coils. Better still, he puts in the time afield and spends hours hunting stage stops, homesteads and old, long vacated ghost towns where he deals with brush, building rubble, and a serious amount of trash. Most is rusty stuff, but not all, and some is larger size, but not most. He has learned to work more slowly and patiently, and be more attentive to the presence of trash targets and has put in the time to deal with the learning process it takes to get a good 'feel' for a detector and coil to better understand them.

Of all the coils mentioned in the above posts, I would not start with the 10" D2 coil. Not a very good coil at all.

I concur on that decision. I haven't had really satisfying performance from that coil for any of the types of sites I hunt. That includes time spent in urban grassy lawns at parks.

Of the DD coils mentioned I would go with 8x6 SEF if DD coils were my only choice.

There has only been one [size=small](1)[/size] Double-D coil that I liked and it performed well for me on the MXT and the MXT Pro. That was the 5" Excelerator DD, and I have had two of the thin 6" Excelerator DD's, but the slightly sub-5" DD worked okay.

Better than the 6½" White's Concentric? No, but in some moderately littered sites and in and around a lot of dense brush on the fringes of old parks, I felt it worked much better than the 6" Excelerator DD. It also worked better, for me, than the 6X8 SEF and any-other Double-D design I have patiently worked with in-the-field. If I added a DD back into my coil arsenal for the MXT All-Pro or MX5 I use, it would be the 5" DD or probably the newer and thinner DD coil that took its place.

If not then the best coil to start with and to learn your machine is like Pliden 1 suggested is the Eclipse 5.3.

100% support on that suggestion. When I go back to some of the better detectors I have used thorough the years that have proven themselves to work the best for me, especially in more trash environments, they have measured in the almost 6" to 7½" diameter. Generally, I keep the smaller-size coils mounted on my detectors for 95% or more of all the hunting I do, and that's because I'm usually hunting trashy sites, close to metal structures, in and around brush or rocks, and also because I just happen to appreciate the lighter weight, excellent pinpointing, and the superb efficiency they provide.

The 5.3 Eclipse [size=small](and I sure wish White's would re-label ALL of their coils to match the actual physical diameter)[/size] is a 6½" Concentric designed coil, and works great!

I have tried and used all the coils mentioned , the 10" D2 was first to go, to erratic.

Kind of for me as well.

I used the 8x6 SEF numerous hours out in ghost towns and old sites and it does good, but not as good as the Eclipse 5.3. The 5.3 showed to have better separation in trashy sites, much tighter VDI numbers. It stays on my MXT Pro and M6 90% of the time for most my hunting. If I get into an area ,with less trash then I might switch it up to the 9" Spider coil.

There's 'good', and then there's 'better', and my own findings confirm your conclusion.

Either way a smaller coil will help when starting to learn your machine. Be prepared to get frustrated at times. The trick is to stick with a good machine, and you have one, and put in lots of hours on that machine. It will all make sense in time and ask lots of questions. Lots of people in here that can help you out.

And "learning" is the most important thing we can do. Not just ask or read or listen, but actually USE the detectors and coils to learn all of their strengths and weaknesses.

Get frustrated? Well, I guess that kind of relates to someone's patience level.

Sticking with a good detector and making use of it with a good coil for the task-at-hand is what we all need to do, and pay attention as we go so that we can both learn and remember what we learned along the way.

You know, it would be kind of fun to get about ten or twelve people together, all armed with the same detector, like an MXT All-Pro, and just two search coils each. The 6X8 DD SEF and the 6½" Concentric. Take everyone out to a known productive old site, like 'Phil's Place' and have them each spend one full day hunting with one coil, then hunt the next full day with the other coil, all the while taking notes of their opinions as they go. When finished, read all the notes and ask each individual about their results and opinions in a group post-hunt discussion group.

Now, to find a location to invite a dozen people other than 'Phil's' so they won't be thinning out all the good stuff that's still awaiting our return as soon as winter lets up ...

Oh well, I know my MX5 w/6½" Concentric mounted, and my MXT All-Pro using the 6½" Concentric most of the time and 9" Concentric 'spider' coil when conditions are more open and favorable, satisfies me and my hunting style and sites.

Monte

 

[knuckledeep]

First off I want to say thanks for all the information. But it sounds like the 6x8 self has it. Its cheaper and maby later when I save a little more for another smaller coil. Like I said I know it has been asked to death. But coming from a borrowed bounty hunter to a mxt for my first detector.It doesn't bother me to dig pull tabs. I have to know what's down there..lol. I just wanted to make the learning curve as easy as possible for me.it just sucks that their is still snow on the ground. I will be out this Sat with the big coil till the smaller one comes in.
Wishing I would have started this hobby sooner.lol

 

[plidn1]

whenever they are mounted to a VX3, MXT All-Pro, M6 or MX5 .... AND ... are being used by other people because, whatever makes them happy is fine with me. On my own detectors, with the exception of a 5" DD on a Teknetics Omega and stock 6" on my Compass Coin Hustler, Monte is almost certain to be working a detector/concentric coil combination. What works for me and make me happy, I am fine with.

Okay, maybe that's not breaking news to anyone who has followed my forum posts for almost 19 years. One per who knows what I prefer and why, is OregonGregg. who just happens to have a few things in his favor as he tries to learn the benefits and weaknesses of search coils on his own. What's in his favor? As simple question like that deserves a very simple answer ....

He reads. He listens. He asks. And then he owns, or has owned, a wide range or search coils. Better still, he puts in the time afield and spends hours hunting stage stops, homesteads and old, long vacated ghost towns where he deals with brush, building rubble, and a serious amount of trash. Most is rusty stuff, but not all, and some is larger size, but not most. He has learned to work more slowly and patiently, and be more attentive to the presence of trash targets and has put in the time to deal with the learning process it takes to get a good 'feel' for a detector and coil to better understand them.

Of all the coils mentioned in the above posts, I would not start with the 10" D2 coil. Not a very good coil at all.

I concur on that decision. I haven't had really satisfying performance from that coil for any of the types of sites I hunt. That includes time spent in urban grassy lawns at parks.

Of the DD coils mentioned I would go with 8x6 SEF if DD coils were my only choice.

There has only been one [size=small](1)[/size] Double-D coil that I liked and it performed well for me on the MXT and the MXT Pro. That was the 5" Excelerator DD, and I have had two of the thin 6" Excelerator DD's, but the slightly sub-5" DD worked okay.

Better than the 6½" White's Concentric? No, but in some moderately littered sites and in and around a lot of dense brush on the fringes of old parks, I felt it worked much better than the 6" Excelerator DD. It also worked better, for me, than the 6X8 SEF and any-other Double-D design I have patiently worked with in-the-field. If I added a DD back into my coil arsenal for the MXT All-Pro or MX5 I use, it would be the 5" DD or probably the newer and thinner DD coil that took its place.

If not then the best coil to start with and to learn your machine is like Pliden 1 suggested is the Eclipse 5.3.

100% support on that suggestion. When I go back to some of the better detectors I have used thorough the years that have proven themselves to work the best for me, especially in more trash environments, they have measured in the almost 6" to 7½" diameter. Generally, I keep the smaller-size coils mounted on my detectors for 95% or more of all the hunting I do, and that's because I'm usually hunting trashy sites, close to metal structures, in and around brush or rocks, and also because I just happen to appreciate the lighter weight, excellent pinpointing, and the superb efficiency they provide.

The 5.3 Eclipse [size=small](and I sure wish White's would re-label ALL of their coils to match the actual physical diameter)[/size] is a 6½" Concentric designed coil, and works great!

I have tried and used all the coils mentioned , the 10" D2 was first to go, to erratic.

Kind of for me as well.

I used the 8x6 SEF numerous hours out in ghost towns and old sites and it does good, but not as good as the Eclipse 5.3. The 5.3 showed to have better separation in trashy sites, much tighter VDI numbers. It stays on my MXT Pro and M6 90% of the time for most my hunting. If I get into an area ,with less trash then I might switch it up to the 9" Spider coil.

There's 'good', and then there's 'better', and my own findings confirm your conclusion.

Either way a smaller coil will help when starting to learn your machine. Be prepared to get frustrated at times. The trick is to stick with a good machine, and you have one, and put in lots of hours on that machine. It will all make sense in time and ask lots of questions. Lots of people in here that can help you out.

And "learning" is the most important thing we can do. Not just ask or read or listen, but actually USE the detectors and coils to learn all of their strengths and weaknesses.

Get frustrated? Well, I guess that kind of relates to someone's patience level.

Sticking with a good detector and making use of it with a good coil for the task-at-hand is what we all need to do, and pay attention as we go so that we can both learn and remember what we learned along the way.

You know, it would be kind of fun to get about ten or twelve people together, all armed with the same detector, like an MXT All-Pro, and just two search coils each. The 6X8 DD SEF and the 6½" Concentric. Take everyone out to a known productive old site, like 'Phil's Place' and have them each spend one full day hunting with one coil, then hunt the next full day with the other coil, all the while taking notes of their opinions as they go. When finished, read all the notes and ask each individual about their results and opinions in a group post-hunt discussion group.

Now, to find a location to invite a dozen people other than 'Phil's' so they won't be thinning out all the good stuff that's still awaiting our return as soon as winter lets up ...

Oh well, I know my MX5 w/6½" Concentric mounted, and my MXT All-Pro using the 6½" Concentric most of the time and 9" Concentric 'spider' coil when conditions are more open and favorable, satisfies me and my hunting style and sites.

Monte

I would be careful for what you wish for .................As they say.
You may get surprised.

I have a long hunting history with detech coils and they are not to be sold short. In places where their particular strength is applied, they cannot be topped.
They are top notch performers that fill different nitches that the MFGs can't (or won't) provide.

But we are not discussing the best or worst coils here.
We have a person who admittedly has not detected before, who wants to learn how to metal detect and has chosen a detector that may be a little over his head. And as good as any of these other coils may or may not be, is not the issue.

The issue is, what's the best coil to learn with, that will be productive over all, under most hunting conditions, providing ease of use and be complimentary to the chosen detector. And that's the 5.3 eclipse.

All the other coils have their individual learning curves with in themselves. They are to be learned not learned with. After you have mastered the detector of choice, then you can proceed with the next lesson.

 

[knuckledeep]

I would just like to say thanks for all the advice.. And just an update I am killing the pull tabs and beaver tails..lol.. No silver yet gotta find that sweet spot. Thanks

 

[Nancy-IL]

With all the pull-tabs you're finding, don't be surprised that one day you'll find that gold ring also. As for the silver, it's there and you'll find that too. Glad to hear that someone is doing some detecting. We've got 19 degrees here this morning and playing in the dirt is out of the question. HH, Nancy

 

[Mxt Sniper]

I also have and use a mxt pro, my 4th MXT, I only have two coils for it, and love em. I mainly use a 8x6 SEF, and I have a 4.5"dd round detech for tot lot hunting, and heavy trash areas, I have had all the coils available for the mxt at one time or another, and the only ones I really like are Detech. And the 5.3 eclipse is a decent coil for it. Other than that I don't recommend using larger coils period. Unless your on clean ground relic hunting deep targets then they may be of use. Most areas we hunt these days are covered in small trash so small coils are the order of the day. Large coils will hear too many signals per sweep and confuse both the machine and the operator, a smaller coil can get between all that trash and allow the detector to id good targets so you can pinpoint them.

 

[colep410]

I have the MXT Pro with the 300 as well. Its great for open fields and hitting the woods but ive found it will wear your arm out in a hurry. I've found that around old home sites with all of the iron, it tends to mask alot of targets. Im still new to detecting and started with a Bounty Hunter 505 then stepped up to the MXT Pro. I may have logged 100 hours with my Pro so far and I'm of course still learning the machine. I got the 5" Excellorator coil and its great in trash so far. I was able to pick out the brass frame of a Colt pocket from a sea of nails from a burned house place. The only down fall so far is the size gap between the two coils. The 5" seems too small for areas that aren't too trashy, and the 300 too much coil around house places, parks, etc. I'm looking in to the 8x6 SEF or the 6x10 Whites for an intermediate coil.

 

[Monte]

consider the 6½" diameter White's Concentric coil. [size=small](The 5.3 Eclipse that I sure wish they would re-name.)[/size] I have worked it side-by-side against both the DD coils you mentioned and wouldn't even consider one of tem to take the place of the 6½" Concentric. I mainly hunt old places where iron and non-iron trash can abound and have for decades. I have my 12" Concentric for bigger-size targets and some cache hunting, and I have my 9" spider Concentric coil for working more open/low-target places. I plan to get the 4½"-5" Excelerator DD just for the nastiest of dense trashed sites, but the 6½" Concentric is my all-purpose, get-it-done search coil. Very proven.

Monte