First hunt with MXT !! "LOUD"

[Joel-Winnipeg]

Although I used the XLT all last summer decided to buy MXT for this summers use.
I figured both Whites operate in a similar fashion.
First target was a screw cap at about 3 inches.Ground is still frozen below that limit.
When I detected this bottle cap just about blew my ear drums out.
Ever target that were close to the surface were just as loud.
Very unpleasantly LOUD I would say.
I was using a expensive set of earphone ,good quality one that I used all summer on the XLT with no problems.
Question to MXT users do you uses headphones with volume controls or is my hearing too sensitive.
I hunt with a slight threshold sound on. Just that when I hit a target its LOUD.
Otherwise I'm really happy with this detector for the short time of only 2 hours first use.
Not much in finds because ground frozen ,only half dozen screw caps ,pull tab and some clad that I decided to dig to see what they were.
I can solve that by stuffing the earphones with something.
Is it my machine or are all MXT endowed with this extra volume ?

 

[oldfireguy]

I've only been using one for a bit over a month and I also found it loud compared to my Eagle 2 and 5900. I use adjustable head phones and keep them turned down. I have fairly poor hearing so I don't think it's your ears.

 

[GpSnoopy]

I had the same problem, Joel. The volume output is much higher with the MXT versus the IDX. Especially the VCO when pinpointing or the Overload signal. Darn near blew my eardrums out the first few minutes.
Luckily, my headphones have volume controls so just dialed it down.

I checked online, and there are inline volume controls for headphones available, some with a short cable. Maybe a nearby musical equipment shop will have something, especially since most of their stuff still uses the 1/4" jacks.

 

[Hillbilly Bob]

[size=x-large][/size]I use headphones with volume control, but I put my threshold were I can barely hear it almost silent, that works for me.

 

[ohio fred]

Mine is loud with object up to 5 inches then they start to be mid tone i have adjustable volume control on my head phones

 

[ohio fred]

n/t

 

[Larry (IL)]

Joel, headphones with volume controls and a limiter are highly recommended.

 

[steelheadfever]

What Larry said. HH Dennis in Idaho

 

[Joel-Winnipeg]

Thank guys I'll get some volume controls for these headphones ..

 

[Rob (IL)]

Joel what you need is the limiter. You want to be able to run your phone volume high to hear the whispers or deep weak signals but want the phones to limit the high volume sounds to a safe limit. If you just turn down the phones you are also turning down the volume on the faint signals.

I have a switch on my Rat phones so I can disconnect the limiter if I ever found a reason to do so. If I run over a surface can even in pin point mode the signal sound is a normal volume. If I then repeat it with the limiter switched off it will rip your ears off. With the phones turned all the way up and the limiter working it is a pleasure to detect.

Actually a limiter is not much more than two diodes and a resistor. Rob

 

[Monte]

either Killer B 'Wasp' or SunRay Pro Gold headphones. Same thing, basically, and the audio clarity is great, they are comfortable and stay put, and IF I WANT, there is a toggle switch to limit the audio blast from shallower targets. Different makes and models have different audio designs.

I like the XLT, having personally owned 20 in the past 15 years they've been out, but my custom programs have the Target Volume cranked up. I favor a loud target audio response, and with the XLT it's set at 60-62.

The XLT also has an On or Off selection called Modulation and, as a rule, I hunt with it turned On. That is, the audio response is Modulated so that the shallower targets response louder and as the coil-to-target distance increases the response will get weaker and weaker (after the first 2-3 inches). I also hunt with a higher AC Sensitivity and the Pre-Amp Gain (Signal Balance on the XL Pro) as high as conditions allow.

The MXT is designed differently and has it's strengths, but also weaknesses. The M6 works basically the same, but w/o an audio Threshold. As you increase the Sensitivity/Gain control you can hear it go through 'steps'. These are NOT just increases in the Gain/Sensitivity (Pre-Amp Gain or Signal Balance on the XLT and XL Pro), but on the upper-end of adjustments, from the factory Preset on up into the +1, +2 and +3 range, As you get into the upper range of Gain adjustment you are also going to see more Target Volume, AND more audio "saturation."

With the XLT, when you have Modulation turned ON you're employing what is referred to as a "gray scale" with the strongest audio from the closest (shallowest) targets and the weakest audio from the farthest (deepest) target, and the audio can be heard to diminish in response as the target-to-coil distance increases. With Modulation OFF you have a condition referred to as "saturation" wherein the audio response from a mid-range to deeper targets is saturated so as to be louder than normal and as strong as a shallower target.

My guess is that you're using the MXT with the Gain cranked up (which is what I always do) and as such you're benefiting from a louder or higher Target Volume and a more Saturated audio response. You can reduce the Sensitivity/Gain control to help control that, but it will be at the loss of depth and sensitivity and overall performance. Or, you can use a high -quality set of headphones with a limiter, such as the Killer B Wasp or SunRay Pro Gold.

Monte

 

[Nancy-IL]

Oh yeah, that's the MXT for you. It's great that it does this so you can hear those deep targets too. Definitely use volume control and limiter on the phones. Same as others have said. I just had to say it too. HH, Nancy

 

[steelheadfever]

Detector pro Grey Ghost Originals with limiter switch will run you around $99.00. We have used them around here for years with no problems. HH Dennis in Idaho

 

[GpSnoopy]

I use the Rats with the Limiter, but my hearing must still be in good shape because I still have to turn the volume down for the surface targets and overloads.

I turn the threshold up till it's a faint whisper, So, please correct me if I'm wrong, but the threshold volume control is the baseline, so as long as I can hear the threshold, I should also hear any "whisper" from deep targets.