DFX / XLT skunked by El Cheapos?:whites:

[dirtfisher]

I probably should'nt bring this up but I need some input from you DFX and XLT users. I am thinking about upgrading but I keep reading a lot of posts saying that the DFX and XLTs are getting beat by some cheaper detectors. The latest ones were some Bounty Hunters, a Whites IDX Pro, and some Quantums. They all said that they found stuff every time when they hunted directly behind the DFX and XLTs. ( Especially in trashy areas). Also they all said that the coin and jewelry count was much higher on the cheaper machines at the end of the day. So...what gives? Any thoughts on this would be appreciated before I shell out the big bucks!

 

[Mr. Beard]

If the person with the more inexpensive detector really know his detector, and the person using a top of the line is still learning his machine...who will find the most and better coins??
This is one thing to compare on the different detectors.

 

[khouse]

Well my first guess is that the DFX and XLT didn't have to coil swung over the targets. The ONLY way to compare beeps is to mark the target then go over it with the other detectors. I have re hunted sites and still pulled good finds each time I went there. My conclusion was I just didn't get my coil over it. Or I swung at a different angle. There are some variables like coil technique, hunters experience and if the detectors settings were all screwed up.

PS. If you give Monte V. a stud finder he's going to show you up! Experience rules... Of course his stud finder would be modified!!

 

[Bowie]

khouse that twas humor wasnt it??? It was funny anyway.
Hey,Monte, come on over to my house. Wife has some pictures to hang.
John

 

[DFX-Gregg]

Funny you brought this up...forget about cheap detectors...anyone if an area is littered with coins and trash can repeat the area and find more... A good lesson learned for me was a trip where I could not stop finding coins in a tot lot...there was a small treed area in the middle I hit it... did well and went into woodchip area...it started pouring rain...this was the day I had to let my pinpointer dry out for 3 days before it worked again last year...As it rained I went back under the area with trees and hunted again...and guess what...I found more coins... As far as a bounty hunter finding more coins than a dfx...another story my last hunt a Bounty hunter user came up to me in a park...it was my second time at this park...he told me he hit the whole park really hard because he lived across the street. He said he would show me how well he was doing but his batteries were dead So...I asked him what he found last time he hunted the park he said his last hunt was $3.15. He was walking his dog and I said come back in two hours.... I hit this park with great determination and kept thinking about him...bragging and telling me how he would "show me" how well he had hit the park... Well 3 hours later...he still did not return... I sat on the bench and counted the over $8 in clad I had found...not to mention the $6 my other trip there two days before!

 

[Bill G]

I find that when I hunt behind someone that has poor swing habits such as not overlapping with the coil or moving to fast and missing sections of ground (both of these things are one of the most common mistakes made) is when I find items missed following behind them. Also some use to much discrimination and miss good targets, either way you have a good chance of finding good stuff when hunting behind guys that hunt this way.

Take Care & HH
Bill G

 

[bill(de)]

In my opinion a quick 2 filter detector will skunk an XLT at a very trashy area especially with a smaller coil but the XLT may skunk the other detector in finds due to it's ability to cover large areas rather quickly. Nothing better than having an XLT for coverage and detectors like the IDX Pro,M6 ,MXT or other makes to fight in the trenches. I have an Eagle Spectrum and XLT and prefer the M6 at high density trashy sites and even the lowly Fisher F2 in some folks eyes works great at trashy sites. Use what works best for the intended purpose and site conditions regardless of price or highend status. Just my opinion of course. HH Bill

 

[Elton]

You can use any detector that actually works and find coins..You can in fact go behind just about anyone and find missed coins and other items..
Lots of variables when detecting..Where you really excel with the better detectors is depth, knowing what you are finding (Meters) Different abilities for different areas IE: Prospecting mode, relic mode, Beach mode, Sensitivity settings, notch discrimination etc, etc, etc. Following behind someone with a cheap detector isn't going to determine if it's doing better than an expensive detector..It's just your going over items missed by the detectorist with the higher end machine.
You can do the same thing with an identical cheap detector...It's never hunted out. Truth is if all you want is surface coins, and items not very deep then a cheap detector is fine...In fact using a half way decent detector and no discrimination will garner you a lot of finds....The more expensive models allow you the ability for selectivity in your style and what you are hunting for..

 

[Steve(MS)]

I have hunted behind a good detectorist for a long time and continue to find stuff missed by him previously. I think determination plays a big role in what is found. Don't underestimate the IDX as it is a very good detector to use in trashy areas especially with a small coil. Oh I guess I should mention the good detectorist is me.

 

[mrowdy]

I have found missed items in my own footprints with my DFX, and in the wake of others using various machines. That's what makes it interesting.

 

[jackintexas]

Todays detectors all have reasonable depth. (At least as deep as I want to dig). Sort of like driving a Ford or a Cadillac. They both get you there. Depends on if you like the feel and the sound and balance. I like some detectors better than others because I like the way they feel and sound. I like the XLT for that reason. It is not the deepest or the best at seperation. I just like to hunt with it. Been detecting 29 years. Owned about fifty detectors. Now own twelve. Explorer--Exterra 70---XLT-- two Fishers--Two garretts. Three Bounty Hunters.ect. At times I enjoy hunting with the Bounty Hunters or Explorer ect. But my favorite for 12 years has been the XLT. Maybe not for everyone but the best for me......Jack

 

[Elton]

Over all I like it better for more detecting areas than any other I own. In my original post I was trying to make the point that following a cheap, or, high end detector, isn't the way for determining which is better.Like you said just about all detectors now on the market get respectable depth...Have a nice day.

 

[bulletman]

I have hunted for many years now. I once owned the Spectrum - have now purchased a new DFX. Too cold here to get out and see what this machine will do. What I can tell you is - if you take an inexperienced driver and place him in a race car - he will get passed up by an experienced driver with a yugo!

 

[jackintexas]

Thanks Elton.....Jack

 

[Elton]

n/t

 

[Steve(MS)]

There have been places that I have detected that didn't seem to have any potential only to make good finds after finding the right spots, or using a different detector, or digging a lot of iffies. If return visits and more time spent are a possibility, I think we all will can find stuff we missed earlier.

 

[Gadget Guru]

Hello everyone, it's been awhile for me metal detecting and posting here. I was able to check in on the board every once in awhile.

Just because you have the "most expensive" machine does mean it will find everything for you. My son and I went out on a hunt, (He = ACE250 - Me = DFX) within 10 mins he found a gold ring with diamonds. He will find just as much with his "cheapo" machine as I will on or near the surface. It's when you start adding different elements to the hunt ( trash, minerals, depth) is where the more expensive machine will prevail.

Also, we do not compare total dollar amounts at the end of a hunt day.
The way we compare is the total number of items found.
Ex: one hour time - A person who finds 7 dimes, 4 nickles & 9 pennies (.99cents = 20 finds) was more successful then person who finds 4 quarters ($1. = 4 finds).

This is just my .02

Happy Hunting everyone, It's good to be back in the swing of things again!

 

[DetectorDummy]

I agree with you GG. good to see you back here.

 

[RELIC_HUNTER]

There is a man that I see often who uses a Compass X100 and it is amazing what he can do with the machine.I have asked him if he ever thought about using another machine,I was told that if there was one,he might.

 

[Elton]

That Compass X100 was no slouch in finding coins and relics....It was big and heavy but very effective..Good meter and great discrimination.