DFX vs. Garrett 1500 ---- wise to trade?

[drakes]

Hi,

I posted the same question on the Garretts forum but thought I'd try here also.

I have owned a Garrett 550 for the past 5 years and am very happy with it. But, recently I was given a used Whites DFX from a relative. (It is in like-new condition) In looking over the owners manual I am thinking it will take a long time to get the most out of it with all of the setting possibilities. I don't mind investing the time to learn it but since I have only had a Garretts detector before I was wondering about maybe trading it to a local dealer for the used Garrett 1500. That would be quite an upgrade for me over the 550.

My question is this ------- what do you all think? Would you trade the DFX for a Garrett 1500 or am I better off just learning the DFX? Which do you think would be the best way to go?

I mostly hunt for coins in parks, etc.

Thanks in advance for any and all comments ---- the more the better.

 

[Elton]

My opinion only.......keep the DFX..........It's resale value is a lot better. List it up for sale, and buy what you want outright.

 

[nc-joe]

DFX is the way to go, take your time learning it and use your 550 as a back up.

 

[XLT-user]

IMHO.The DFX is the detector to keep.

Not saying the GTI-1500 isn't good.( So be nice Garrett users)
Just saying Dollar for dollar the value is greater on the DFX. The resale is better, the market or at least in my area is more in tune with the Whites line.

Now this. You did not say what comes with the DFX
You did not say how old or condition of GTI-1500
You did not say what comes with the GTI-1500 ie: If the Gti has all coils and is a package deal from the dealer..well then....
You would need to rethink on what I said.
See if the Dealer will trade you a GTI 2500..closer price per detectors.

 

[sandman256]

I have a Garrett GTI 1500 and have had a DFX till it was stolen from my car. The DFX is the better detector by a mile. Sure it has lots of settings and programs, but the factory settings are there to make it easy to use. Later when you have learned some things you can try the other settings to see which you like for your style of hunting. Some of the things you get with the DFX that you can't do with the 1500 is set the sweep speed, target response, set the gain, number of filters used and more.

I had to send in my GTI 1500 for repair and it didn't come back working as well. If there is one thing Whites can do to improve the DFX is to make it hip mountable to save weight.

 

[FXDiz]

I've had both. Sold the GTI 2500 to get the DFX. Liked the GTI 2500 ... LOVE the DFX! It's a much better detector.

 

[nw1886]

I am not going to slam another brand. Although I've chosen to use the top Whites units for several reasons, Garrett, Minelab, Tesoro, Fisher etc... have good top of the line stuff. The DFX is the best machine I have ever owned. It's light, ultra comfortable,components don't weaken or fall apart and they last under heavy use. I'd seriously consider keeping the DFX also. If you don't feel like getting into learning it from stem to stern, the presets will get you by well. Learn the few extra tweaks at your own pace. Even though the machine has tons of things you "can" adjust, most of them just don't require it (by design). Simple machine to get excellent results with and simpler to use (if that's the way you want to keep it).

 

[ncpaul]

Take the DFX to an area you hunted with the Garrett. Choose COIN & JEWELRY, gound balance, and the dfx will be answer your question.

 

[Pirate John]

Just my opinion, and although I think that the Garrett 1500 is an outstanding detector I truly believe that the DFX is the best of the best. If you can master the DFX it will serve your every purpose. The only detector out there that will squeeze an extra 1/4" depth on a silver coin in the hands of an experienced detectorist is the the Minelab Explorer, but good luck when the beast needs to be repaired and it will need repairs from time to time. Go with Whites, quality and versatility of the DFX is the way to go.

 

[Larry (IL)]

If there are any questions about what the DFX can find, go to the DFX Classroom Forum and look at the posts for the finds in 2008

 

[Deno]

I had a GTI 2500 for 5 years. I have had XLT for 4 years. The XLT is by far the better machine.

 

[jackintexas]

DFX by a mile. I know several guys that hunt only in DFX presets and do quiet well. One has paid for his DFX with just the clad he has found.....Jack

 

[a4wdguy]

I believe the DFX is the best detector on the market. It is also the best one for me. However, to answer your question, the Garrett may be the detector for you. I'd suggest giving the DFX a try (since you already have it) and see how you like it. Does it feel good in your hand? Do you like the display? Do you like the overall appearance of the machine? If any of these things bug you, then you'll never truly enjoy using it, and if you don't enjoy using it, you'll never get proficient using it. That would be a waste of any detector.

 

[Gadget Guru]

I have a Garrett GTI 2500 and a Whites DFX, I would stick with the DFX. I used the Garrett a few times and was to different from the DFX.

 

[drakes]

Thanks for all of the responses. I have to say that White's Detectorists firmly stand behind their machines.

I have decided to give it a try. Think I may enjoy playing with all of the settings--- looks like an interesting machine.

Think I will try to buy the book I read about on this forum.