Deus or CTX 3030

[M.L. Hinds]

I am looking to get back in the hobby after several yrs of not detecting. I am getting close to 50. and when I left I was using the Etrac. I have been looking at the CTX 3030 but not sure if I can deal with the weight for long but not sure the Deus with be able to really do as well as a Minelab "Not beating the Deus up just know the Minelab brand better"
Any input would be greatly appreciated..

Thanks, M.L. Hinds

 

[doc holiday232]

Get a NEW MAKRO KRUZER.

 

[sprchng]

Great time to get back in with the new selections like Makro and the eventual Equinox if it plays up to the hype. Deus and CTX is a great combo that's getting some challenges finally. You can probably buy 3 coils for the Kruzer for the cost of one for any of the others ,which long term could prove important. CTX is an easy transition from an etrac while the Deus is a totally different animal. If you can wait a month or two the choice may become much easier when we get some unbiased comparison reviews from users who don't have a dog in the hunt.

 

[pghmole]

If your looking for coins and jewelry the Ctx is the way to go in my opinion,the deus is good in iron but the Ctx is outstanding eveywhere else,you may want to check out the minelab equinox 800 as well

 

[JBM1]

Minelabs leading UK tester has a CTX3030 up for grabs on the MLO site. Jerry.

 

[parkgt]

Had a 3030 for over a year and a half when they first came out. Liked almost everything about it except one; the weight. Even at 6' 2" and 200 lbs it just wore my shoulder out after about 2-3 hours. I tried a couple of bungee swing-thing harnesses that helped but did not eliminate the strain. I am over 60 and have had some shoulder injuries so my case may not apply to you.

I miss the accurate and helpful screens of the CTX and the Minelab tones. Water hunting would be easier with the CTX. The Deus is a pleasure to swing and has been trouble free for 4 years. Now that there are HF coils available there is not much you can't do with the Deus.

I think it is hard to go wrong with either one. The CTX is easier to learn and the Deus is easier to swing. Found plenty with both and probably missed plenty with both!

 

[mrwilburino]

Sometimes a better decision can be made based on what you dont want to find.

If your sites are loaded with iron - get the Deus.

Aluminum & modern trash - CTX.

 

[basstrackerman]

I have the deus and did look at the ctx 3030 but the weight killed it for me. The etrac was also too heavy. I'm 51 but my shoulders have been injured over the years. After an hour with an etrac I was feeling it. Yesterday I swung the deus with 11" coil for 6 straight hours and after I was done I had no feeling of ever swinging a detector. Dues is not as good in aluminum, but every detector I've ever had loved aluminum , etrac was better at hunting in it though, but wasn't perfect. Most any place I hunt has some sort of iron nails, chunks etc. The deus is extremely good in these situations. Plus with another coil you could use select frequencies of 4/8/12/18/14/28/54 or 80. Alot of choices.

 

[Southwind]

For me it is simply a matter of what I'm hunting. If I'm looking for deep coins in parks/schools then the CTX. If I'm looking for gold in tot lots or relic hunting the Deus is my choice.

Both are good but each excels in different areas. They are probably one of the best choices to complement each other, but affording both is going to be costly.

Personally I'm waiting on my Equinox in hopes I can get down to only needing one detector.

 

[basstrackerman]

For me it is simply a matter of what I'm hunting. If I'm looking for deep coins in parks/schools then the CTX. If I'm looking for gold in tot lots or relic hunting the Deus is my choice.

Both are good but each excels in different areas. They are probably one of the best choices to complement each other, but affording both is going to be costly.

Personally I'm waiting on my Equinox in hopes I can get down to only needing one detector.

Yes I am watching the reviews of the new equinox. If it does close to as well as the etrac or 3030 in parks then I'm in. No reason that with new tech we can't have a super light detector with enough settings to satisfy most people. I will still have two detectors due to on a couple of occasions over the years just before vacation had a breakdown.. so no longer just one detector.