Do you think whites detectors are holding their own?

[jer4004]

A friend of mine who owned a DFX just researched the V3 and also played with it's depth at a dealer.End result was he came home with an M6.

Wow that's some pretty in depth research. And I do read all the forums and have no problem matching the depth of the minelabs with my V3.

 

[billbeep]

Hi Paul A definite Yes Whites hold their own. I've been detecting since 1979 mainly for coins. I've owned many Whites, a Minelab and many Fisher's(late models). A current progress report
so far this early season.

I sold my detectors and what remains is a Hipmount Version of a Whites 6000D Series2 that hung in my closet in the bag for 15 yrs. I forgot I had it, was a coin killer when I used it in the 80's.

So out it came, cleaned it up added batteries and out I went to my proving ground park where I've taken all new detectors........and the small Park has been pounded by everyone within 50 miles

of my small town. It hasn't provided much just modern stuff.

The 6000D S2 was amazing within a half hour and 30 ft later I had 3 Wheats, 1 Mec,, 1 EF Barber Dime and 1 Indianhead. It was magical.......short of amazing!! My 6000D certainly is

magical and I don't understand why. However the 6000D S2 is different than than later version White's. That is the last Audio is analog, a mellow and clean as the later White's were more

processed or artificial. I can hear subtle changes on the signal that no other detector provide. The 6000d S2 requires ones brain and ears to judge a target merits. Don't need Auto SAT, ID or

a larger loop. Buying and throwing big money at finding more is proven here and none of the other detectors obviously couldn't match it. Simpler is best. Just my 2 cents

Dig Deep

Billbeep /b]

 

[Critterhunter]

Sorry, should have edited the message before posting because I found a few mistakes in spelling or sentence structure. Mainly I wanted to make the below more clear...

Just my view. Others may strongly disagree and good very well make a very strong and valid argument. We all form our own views based on experience and that's where I'm coming from combined with a little reading/research on the net.

Should say "Others may strongly disagree and COULD very well make a very strong and valid argument. I stand behind all of which I've said to be true for me and a friend who have "sampled the wine" of several manufactures over the years.

 

[Critterhunter]

A friend of mine who owned a DFX just researched the V3 and also played with it's depth at a dealer.End result was he came home with an M6.

Wow that's some pretty in depth research. And I do read all the forums and have no problem matching the depth of the minelabs with my V3.

I'm only giving my opinion. Taking a shot at my credibility only proves that you are a bit defensive about your purchase. I'm not a Whites "hater". In fact, Whites have always been my prefered machines over the years. I'll even say I went back to a QXT Pro after owning 3 different Explorers because I felt the QXT was as deep or deeper on silver/copper in at least good ground conditions, and without all the extra weight and hassle of using an Explorer.

My opinion is both based on the many machines I've owned, ones I've borrowed and used in the field extensively, and still yet others I've gone head to head with for performance comparisons in the field. A bit of my opinion is also based on the trusted knowledge of a few select friends who have also owned and used just about everything out there over the years. I know performance (both in depth and other areas) is what counts to them as well, not brand loyalty or even price for that matter.

If I have to spell it out plainly I will- Based on our comparison of a DFX a friend owned for a while it was lousy at any kind of depth despite how many hours you'd take to tweak it just right for a very specific site (which is another big complaint I have with the flagship Whites these days). My QXT Pro was deeper on silver and copper coins. Not saying it would be as deep on say nickles because it's a low frequency machine and thus hits harder on silver/copper. I know several people who have owned the V3 for a while and ended up going back to either a "lessor" Whites or their Minelabs. It simply isn't worth that much money for the "mid range" performance it gives at least in depth to less expensive machines, including Minelabs and some old school Whites units.

A Sovereign even with an 8" coil can hit coins at 10 to 12". That would be a feat on a flagship Whites even with a much larger coil. I had hoped to hear about improved depths on the DFX/M6/MXT using say a 12x10 or 15x12 SEF coil, but from what I've seen and heard 10" is pushing it. That's too bad because these coils are pushing the Minelabs even deeper on coin/ring sized targets at depths that were previously unheard of on a VLF detector.

Once again, I am not Whites bashing. Where it's at for me is in performance and depth. Truth be known I'd rather own a Whites because of the user friendly feel of the hardware. I was in fact an advocate against FBS and BBS machines in years past based on my Explorer experience and the negatives about those machines that made a hunt more work than fun for me. Wanting the best machine out there for coins/rings narrowed it down to the GT or the Etrac for me. Since they both are equal in depth and I couldn't afford the Etrac at the time I bought a used GT. So far this machine has been the deepest/best performing detector I've ever owned, which was a real surprise to me. I had planned to find something "wrong" with it so I could sell it and put the money toward an Etrac but thus far it's given me every reason in the world not to.

I still plan to buy an M6 but I won't be relying on this machine for old coins or rings at depth or mixed in with heavy ground minerals/iron. It simply isn't going to match the GT. However, as my scouting machine while covering large expanses of open grounds or woods it will allow me to blast through those areas faster until I find areas of activity. Once I locate those I'll be going back to work those spots with the GT. The other area the M6 will be great for is hunting in shallow trash when ring/clad hunting. I can do just as well with the GT in those respects but once again there are just those days when you want the "feel" of a Whites.

I've said this many times. If only Whites and Minelab would combine forces to make a third party unit. Let Whites build the hardware and let Minelab do the electronics and coils. If Whites was to get any input into the detector's software I *might* let them touch the VDI and audio, but only in certain respects. Let Minelab do the Multitones. That's another reason why I like the GT- it's got the long drawn out audio of some of the Whites I used to own but also with the great informative numerous tones of a Minelab. It's VDI is also as good as a Whites, but I can't say that for the Explorer or Etrac.

 

[Critterhunter]

By the way, once again talk is talk and that's fine. So let's get an "unbaised opinion". As I said before, skim through the Etrac, Explorer, and Sovereign forums for quantity of old finds as well as gold rings. Now do the same in the DFX or V3 forums, and for that matter in any of the other detector forums made by other companies. The proof is in those comparisons, without any biases or hidden agendas that any of us "may" have. I myself could care less who makes the machine so long as it's the best in performance/depth. You could almost say I was forced back into the Minelabs when Whites kept hyping the sizzle and not the steak in the XLT, DFX, and V3.

 

[jer4004]

A Sovereign even with an 8" coil can hit coins at 10 to 12". That would be a feat on a flagship Whites even with a much larger coil. I had hoped to hear about improved depths on the DFX/M6/MXT using say a 12x10 or 15x12 SEF coil, but from what I've seen and heard 10" is pushing it. That's too bad because these coils are pushing the Minelabs even deeper on coin/ring sized targets at depths that were previously unheard of on a VLF detector.
quote]

This is a pretty broad statement and its simply not true. If I owned a minelab and wasn't achieving the performance others were I certainly wouldn't blame the machine I would look at my own ability.Why is it that when a minelab guy isn't achieving the performance they think they should its there fault and they don't know there machine but when a whites guy isn't achieving the performance they think they should its there machine? I only speak from personal experience not from what Ive read or heard and I'm not saying your claims of what a sovereign can do are false but compared to what I have personally experienced with my V3 I'm not impressed.

 

[R-bass]

The un-sung M6 is starting to make a reputation for its self. There is a lot of talk were people are going for the M6 or MXT over the DFX or V3 think about it power + simplicity = M6 or MXT you do the math

 

[Larry (IL)]

No doubt the M6 and MXT are two great easy to learn and easy to use detectors with great depth and capabilities, and in the right hands, pulls out the deep old targets. My Nancy, the MXT Moderator, is tough competition when we hunt together and she gets her share of the goodies............BUT, for someone to imply the M6 and MXT is just as good or superior to the DFX and the V3 family has to be a couple of nickels short of a quarter in change. It took me a good year to get a good grasp on the capabilities of the DFX and after a year and a half I am still learning something new about the V3 and V3i. Both of the high end programmable detectors takes time to fully understand how to get the best from them. Even stating that because Minelab owners post more finds, the Minelab detectors must be better is just........(well, not true), and a poor assumption. One would have to know that exactly the same percentage of users posts all of their finds and ........and....and.....and......

Yea, the M6 is a great machine, so is the MXT, so is the Coinmaster, so are the Minelabs. They all do their jobs and they all have their advantages and disadvantages. They all could be the better "choice" for someone, but the better detector?

And the useless advanced features of the V3........yea, if you don't use them,............ very useless.

 

[jer4004]

No doubt the M6 and MXT are two great easy to learn and easy to use detectors with great depth and capabilities, and in the right hands, pulls out the deep old targets. My Nancy, the MXT Moderator, is tough competition when we hunt together and she gets her share of the goodies............BUT, for someone to imply the M6 and MXT is just as good or superior to the DFX and the V3 family has to be a couple of nickels short of a quarter in change. It took me a good year to get a good grasp on the capabilities of the DFX and after a year and a half I am still learning something new about the V3 and V3i. Both of the high end programmable detectors takes time to fully understand how to get the best from them. Even stating that because Minelab owners post more finds, the Minelab detectors must be better is just........(well, not true), and a poor assumption. One would have to know that exactly the same percentage of users posts all of their finds and ........and....and.....and......

Yea, the M6 is a great machine, so is the MXT, so is the Coinmaster, so are the Minelabs. They all do their jobs and they all have their advantages and disadvantages. They all could be the better "choice" for someone, but the better detector?

And the useless advanced features of the V3........yea, if you don't use them,............ very useless.

Very well put couldn't have said it better myself. Its nice to see other people realizes how ridicules it is to use the number of good finds on a forum to rate a detector.

 

[R-bass]

I did not say the M6 or the MXT are better in any way but the fact these md's have what it takes to run with the big dogs. But for as...good...you bet as for....superior..... that would be in eyes of the beholder and if you look at it this way
most veterans are still learning after 2 years or more still trying to find that perfect holy grail of programs to make it run like a MXT-M6- ace 250 But in the..... end DFX and the V3 are over priced with nothing but BELLS and WHISTLES AND YOU END UP WITH THE SAME ... Nickel,Dime,Quarter that we all get like i said... power + mostly useless programs + wasted 2 year learning curve = DFX or V3

 

[Old Katz]

Of course Whites is "holding their own." They have been around for along time and have the experience to
keep going.

I do think that rather than putting out an MXT with a 12 inch coil and calling it the MXT 300 was a bit odd. If they
had wanted to do something really useful they should have given the MXT a back light THEN call it the MXT 300. That's
more useful to me than a 12 inch coil and more in keeping with truthful advertising.

Katz

 

[bud212002]

I did not say the M6 or the MXT are better in any way but the fact these md's have what it takes to run with the big dogs. But for as...good...you bet as for....superior..... that would be in eyes of the beholder and if you look at it this way
most veterans are still learning after 2 years or more still trying to find that perfect holy grail of programs to make it run like a MXT-M6- ace 250 But in the..... end DFX and the V3 are over priced with nothing but BELLS and WHISTLES AND YOU END UP WITH THE SAME ... Nickel,Dime,Quarter that we all get like i said... power + mostly useless programs + wasted 2 year learning curve = DFX or V3

So, you have never used a V3, have you? or an MXT for that matter? You seem to enjoy bashing the high end machines eg: F75, V3, etc.. You are like the little child that is mad because "Johnny" has the latest and best, and you have an old and used,, whatever the item may be. I have a V3 and love it, as too 90% of all V3 owners. Yes I recently purchased an Explorer SE, which has been a B*&^h to figure out, and will be sold sooner, rather than later. I was able to "turn-on-and-go" with the V, but with the Minelab I can't tell a bottle cap from Silver. My wife and I have used them side by side for hours, and the V3 saw everything the explorer did. Truth is, "fanboys" will always bash other brands, But you shouldn't bash the more expensive detectors just because you can't afford the "bells and whistles." Also, lack of knowledge + Jealousy + inexperience = YOU!

So, have you had any good finds lately with your Radio Shack Detector?

 

[nw1886]

Those "Bells and Whistles" all don't need used in every hunt. But when you do need to go to one of them...it's there and can make a huge difference in your day. Since the Eagle (or any more complex machine from any manufacturer) "Bells and Whistles" has been used by people who don't own "that type of unit" or look to having them on board, as useless because of impatience in their own learning curve. If you don't use many to get where you want to be....that is best. But they're there to grow into if you need 'em. If you don't...who cares. (There are many you would be lost without though, once appreciated.)

 

[Davy Jones Locker]

I for one like my bells and whistles.(spectrum XLT) its what my first detector was.Got rid of it like a dummy(needed the money) we've all been there.I picked up another one since then.I would love to learn to use a plain beep beep detector.Sometimes I feel I'm missing out,but I like my VDI,Icons,Signograph and yes it beep beeps to.But above all its a whites.I got hooked watching their TV commercial, they don't do that anymore..I know I'm showing my age.I know there are other makes and brands out there, that do nicely yes I read the other forums.But I will alwas be a whites fan what can I say it was my first detector sniff.