First day with my new MXT

[gregma]

I have just purchased an MXT from a wonderful dealer, and wanted to go right out to have some fun.

I got to a local city park, and started assembling the detector. This park has a huge sand filled volleyball court and it was cold and windy so no one there using it. I was going to drop some coins and practice. As soon as I had it assembled a park guy came up and said no detecting in any of the city parks. Not a good first encounter.

So, we went to a different city and went to a park which had a large sand beach. Took out the detector and threw down a penny, nickle, dime and quarter. When practicing I got a hit in an area that had no coin. We dug and sure enough just 2 inches from the surface my first find!! A beer bottle cap ID'd as a dime. I know it wasn't much, but it was my first actual find, and I had pinpointed it to within a 3" area so I was proud.

Moving to the beach we had a couple of hits, mostly just trash metal. No coins or anything else.

Overall, for an hour or so I was pleased with the results. At least it wasn't a complete washout!

One thing I was unsure of, quite often when swinging the detector would be showing -95 HOT ROCK. What does that mean and how do I take care of it?

I also couldn't quite get the hand of the depth thing (pulling the switch). Are you supposed to do this and swing the detector until it shows the shortest depth?

Thanks!
Greg

 

[bcalton]

Hi Gregg:
Glad you like your MXT because I really like mine. I have the same problem with the Hot-Rock signal <p>but I just ignore it and continue on hunting because the machine will balance it's self out. I pull the trigger and use it to pin-point and find the depth of the object.<p> I just move it around slowly over the object until it goes to it's lowest depth and retrieve the object.<p> The object is usually in the center of the round hole in the center of the coil.<p>You will learn the machine as you go along and use it. I have only been hunting for close to 2 years now and I am still learning. **Happy Hunting**



Billy in Tenn.

 

[gregma]

Thanks for the reply! I've actually been finding that out with the MXT. I went out for an hour or so yesterday and this time actually found money! All were found near some swings in bark. Pinpointed right in on them. The 4 holes I dug in the ground however came up empty. So, I'm 4 for 8 in that session and one quarter, one dime, 3 pennies richer, which means I only have to find another $644.62 to pay for the detector!

Thanks!
Greg

 

[gleaves5@hotmail.com]

I am a novice to this hobby and am considering a purchase of the MXT. The unit comes with an instruction CD but the sales people say that I need covers for the coil and display screen. What is really necessary? Debbie

 

[OldeTymer]

Debbie,

I don't use coil covers, and have never worn through one in 34 years of hunting. Unless you are out hunting in wet, rotten, weather you probably don't need a display cover either. It's really a matter of preference. I don't use any of those things, but I don't hunt in the rain either.

Hope this helps,

OldeTymer
TheTreasureLeague.com

 

[gregma]

Welcome! I'm a complete novice myself, only having had a metal detector for 3 days now.

I would say that both a coil cover, and a shield for the box are personal preferences. Since I will be doing a lot of detecting in sand on beaches and gravel in creeks, I thought one might be a wise idea.

Also, since it rains every day in Washington state, I may get a cover for the box as well, but haven't yet.

Thanks!
Greg

 

[Jeff in MI]

I agree with OldeTymer. I don

 

[Jeff in MI]

I know a guy named Alfonso that will make any custom tool you can imagine. Here is his e-mail. You can tell him Jeff in MI gave you his e-mail, and he will fix you up.

Alfonso's e-mail:
Cdenoia@wmconnect.com

 

[Jeff in MI]

This is a "Raptor"

 

[DPW]

If the sales people say you "need" coil covers I say you "need" to find another place to do business. Just my two cents worth.

 

[gleaves5@hotmail.com]

Old Tymer,
Is there anything else that I will need other than the detector? Are headphones necessary? With so much experience, please advise me so I don't waste my money. Also, do you think that just starting out that I'm buying too expensive? Debbie

 

[OldeTymer]

Debbie,

Headphones are definitely a necessity. They serve several purposes. For one thing, they conserve batteries by not having to "drive" the speaker in the control box. They also allow you to hear the signals better without having to listen to outside interference (traffic noise, people noise, etc.). Another thing they do is to avoid attracting attention, or disturbing others with the beep, beep beeping. I suggest that you invest in a quality, comfortable, pair of headphones with a coiled cord, and volume controls. You may, or may not, need individual volume controls depending on your hearing. Personally, I use the Koss QZ-99 headphones. They fit entirely over my ears. Some headphones won't enclose your ears, but sit on them, and can become uncomfortable after many hours. The Koss units I use are also quite inexpensive if you search online. They come with a lifetime warranty, and are very high performance. They also use a passive form of silencer where they block out outside noises so you can hear the softer signals that many times indicate a good target that is deep. You should be able to find these, or other high quality headphones, without spending more than $50 or $60. I highly recommend them.

As far as too much unit goes, I guess that really depends on how serious you are about the hobby, and the kind of hunting you will do. I believe in buying the best you can afford, if you plan on staying with it. If it's just to try the hobby out to see if you're going to like it, there are many excellent units available at less cost. One thing good about buying a high-end unit that is in demand is that you can usually sell it easily should you decide the hobby isn't for you. The problem with buying a lessor unit is that it may not perform well enough to get you "hooked", and you may become frustrated because it doesn't, causing you to loose interest. You may want to consider buying a used unit to start with. With a used one, you can usually buy a much better detector at the price of a new entry level unit. You will also loose less money should you decide you don't like the hobby, or you want to upgrade to something else. Choosing a detector really depends on personal preferences, and what you primarily want to look for. Many of the high-end units are really overkill, and don't offer a lot more performance, just bells & whistles that may, or may not, be important. I prefer simple operation to complex programming. You also run the risk of not having the programming (adjustments) right, and loosing performance rather than gaining. The more complex units require a much longer learning curve, and should really be left to those that enjoy twiddling with the controls, or already have a fair amount of detecting experience. Bear in mind that these are just my opinions, and I'm sure there are many that will disagree. Again, you should try to decide which phase of the hobby interests you most, and buy accordingly. If you give me more specific details of your primary interests, I'll be glad to make some recommendations. You can also email me if you prefer.

Hope this is helpful,

OldeTymer
TheTreasureLeague.com

 

[Rick(ND)]

It all depends on what you feel is necessary, a coil cover will protect your coil from getting scratched up or if hit a big piece of glass and putting a big cut in it. The meter cover will help protect the screen also from getting scratched up. That would be like your car as many put floor mats to protect the carpet and blankets or seat covers to protect the seats. It is easier and cheaper to replace a cover than a coil.
What you do need though is a good set of headphones, a good digging tool that will not bend the first time you use it, a place to go and the patience to learn this detector well. It is a fairly easy detector to use and it has the power to keep up with the big boys and one of the most fun detector to use.
Good luck and good to have another MXT user and fellow treasure hunter.

Rick

 

[gleaves5@hotmail.com]

Olde Tymer,
Your information is so greatly appreciated. I am considering the MXT by White. Are you familiar with that model and would it be easy enough to use? My thinking, and I may be off, is that if I buy the MXT and decide within the year that this hobby is not for me, I could sell it on ebay losing about the cost of a low-end model. Debbie

 

[OldeTymer]

Debbie,

The MXT is a fine unit, and one machine that is truly an all-around unit. I have one myself, although I use it mainly for relic hunting, and prospecting, but don't use it as my primary coin hunter. I think it's a very easy unit to learn, and there are many folks here that will help. I, also, have some hints & tips I could email to you, if you like. I use the Fisher CZ-3D for specialized coin hunting, and the XL Pro as both a coin hunting and relic machine.

The XL Pro would also be an excellent choice for you. They can be had used for about $100, or so, less than a used MXT. The meter on the XL Pro is second to none. Although it might not get the depth of the CZ-3D, or MXT, it's still my favorite when it comes to coin, and general, hunting. Extremely easy to learn, and the meter locks on a target like no other. It would be my last detector for sale, if I were selling them. Another thing, the XL Pro uses a faster sweep speed compared to the MXT. Some folks prefer a slower sweep, but that's a personal preference. I like both types, although a slow sweep works better in high trash concentrations. Either machine would be an excellent choice though. Whites units are among the very best available.

OldeTymer
TheTreasureLeague.com

 

[gleaves5@hotmail.com]

Where do you find used detectors? Debbie

 

[OldeTymer]

You can check out the classified listings on FindMall here:

http://www.findmall.com/list.php?44

There are some other metal detecting forums with classifieds as well, and many of the dealers that sponsor FindMall have used units available. Patience is the key word. Try to find a lightly used unit in excellent condition with at least some of the transferable warranty still available. That's one of the nice things about Whites, is that the remaining warranty is transferable. They come with a two year warranty when new.

OldeTymer
TheTreasureLeague.com

 

[stgeorgeut]

The treasure depot classifieds sometimes has a good variety...I have seen some decent used mxt's offered at under $500.00...However, and I do know this is a whites site...and I currently own a mxt and a goldmaster,...I would take a good look at the new minelab x-terra 70..
Minelab will send a free dvd upon request and this tells you the mechanics of the unit...Either way ,you won't be sorry....And do look into a pinpointer a white's bullseye-2 works fine for me...I detect in the southwest deserts and I choose not to wear headphones because of rattlesnake tail ticking...and the rough terrain catches the wires...BUT, I will always wear headphones at a park or beach because of beach noise and or bothersome people...hope this helps a little..

 

[OldeTymer]

Out of respect for the owner of this site, and the sponsoring dealers, I didn't want to post a link to a competing forum, but that is one that has a lot of activity.

The last I heard, Minelab isn't going to produce a DVD for the X-Terra 70. It does look like a unit worth investigating, but it's still fairly new, and worth watching to see how it pans out. The MXT is a proven winner with a tremendous following.

I find most snakes, and rattlesnakes in particular, will get out of your way long before you ever see them. The sweeping of the coil will usually clear your path of them, unless you happen on their nesting site. In over 30 years out on the plains, and in the desert, I've been fortunate not to run in to one. I did find one on my lawn years ago here in the city. I just caught him in a cardboard box, and took him way out East to let him go.

Good hunting,

OldeTymer
TheTreasureDepot.com