Hello all - some advice please

[Jav400]

It has been awhile since I got to do much detecting, and I am thinking about getting started again and maybe getting a new detector. I purchased a Spectrum XLT years ago and still have it. Now if I get back into this, I am considering getting a V3. Can anyone with this detector give me some practical advice about it? ie. how they like it - how they consider it compares to other detectors of the same caliber - etc etc.

In addition I also noticed that there is a special going on right now and if I purchase the V3 - for an additional 99.95 I can get a carrying bag, a pinpointer, and my choice between about 6 or so other coils. If I did that which coil would be the one to get?

Lastly - is the wireless headphone option worth it, and do they work well?


Thanks in advance for any comments.

 

[RacerX]

Personally I would get out with the XLT again for a bit to be sure you're going to stick with the hobby. The XLT is a great machine and you won't see a huge improvement with the V unless you spend a lot of time with it.

No offense to whites but I'm not a huge fan of their pinpointers, though i do use one for zering in on targets. I use a garrett pro-pointer for it;s stability and range. That said sometimes the range is too much and the bullseye comes in handy. Still, you'd get a coil for $99 and thats a decent deal. Which one you choose depends on the hunting you do. Trashy area go for the 5.3, deep coins - choose the super 12. Also note that the Super 12 is a much more expensive coil so if you would ever need/want this coil it's the best deal (assuming you get to choose any whites coil).

I think most like the headphones with a few exceptions. I love them and they work perfectly. The only issue I hear a complaint on with any consistency is the fit. For me they fit perfect and I really enjoy not having a cord getting caught in my tool handles. $200 option so try a set at your dealer before you buy if you can. Oh, one other thing. The headphones of course need batteries (2-AA) which seem to die exactly when you are farthest from your car. Carry spares in your tool/find pouch. I get about 10 hours on ALK batteries. I'm going to try lithium on my next set.

 

[Jav400]

This is exactly the kind of information I was looking for. Thanks for your reply.

I am not sure just how much difference there is between the XLT and the V3. Technically I know that there are 3 freq's on the V3 - color display - analyze mode - etc etc. How much difference this makes in real world conditions is my unknown. For instance, if the XLT can reach 6" depth on average would the V3 reach 10"? Does it do better in trashy areas? That kind of thing is what I am looking for to base my decision on.

As far as the coils available to choose from, they list these:

Choose one Search Coil:
D2 10

 

[RacerX]

the XLT can reach 6" depth on average would the V3 reach 10"? )

Soil conditions play a huge role in determining depth. In the usual soil I hunt, looking for a solid repeatable signal I could get maybe 6" on the XLT and about 8" with the V (these are practical depths that I could find with a normal swing not knowing where a target is). I've also been in areas where I could easily hit 10" with the XLT (using a hot program). Yet to be to those areas with the V so I can't comment. I can also get well over 8" with the V in my complicated soil if I'm willing to dig iffy stuff.

Does it do better in trashy areas?

This is where the V will really excel over your XLT. It processes much faster - i.e. it will not still be working on nulling iron when you pass over a coin.

best example of what I'm talking about is in this youtube video starting at the 2:30 mark. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fzgaeh1pyVM I'd love to do a video comparison V3 vs. XLT soon. I know it;s faster because I'm digging more stuff near iron but exactly how they compare in an air test like that I'd like to see.

 

[Jav400]

Excellent video - thanks for the information. Those are the kinds of answers I am looking for. I too would like to see the comparison.

 

[Downdeep]

I can't see the video!

 

[njgreg]

Well The XLT is a great machine if you want my opinion. If you go for the V or even the DFX go for the DX-1 probe. It's a great in line pinpointer

 

[Monte]

It has been awhile since I got to do much detecting, and I am thinking about getting started again and maybe getting a new detector.

Sorry to hear you got out of detecting for a while. Why do you think you need a "new" detector? What are you looking for that your present detector doesn't provide? What type of hunting do you plan to do?

I purchased a Spectrum XLT years ago and still have it.

I've acquired 21 of them since spring of '94. Got a choice, 'as new" XLT a month or two ago and it stays. Why? I like them, I know them, and they work.

Do you feel you mastered your XLT? Set up a custom program or two of your own to bump the gain/sensitivities up and eek a bit more performance out of it? If not, perhaps you ought to just use your XLT again, for a while anyway, and refresh your memories of its strengths and weaknesses? Get to know it and figure out for sure what you feel it lacks for your needs (what you want to get out of a new model) and it will help YOU make the right decisions.

Now if I get back into this, I am considering getting a V3.

The V3 is a very good detector, to be sure. But it differs from the XLT and DFX in that with the former models, the factory programs were a bit (a lot) on the "mellow" or "mild" side. Rather conservative bu some standards and you HAVE to bump a few things up to get better or top performance out of them. The V3 is opposite of that approach in that the factory programs are already a little high (sensitivity/gain) for many sites and conditions and you have to be ready to deal with that and reduce them as needed.

How they like it - how they consider it compares to other detectors of the same caliber - etc etc.

There are other detectors in a similar price range .... but overall, comparing features and search coil options, there's nothing in the "same caliber."

Lastly - is the wireless headphone option worth it, and do they work well?

Absolutely well worth the cost!!! No tugs and tangles. Nice fit and audio qualities.

Just some thoughts.

Monte

 

[Captain Leno]

Wireless headphones... they are nice, but I leave them at home for the most part and use the grey ghost.. I like them better.

Extra Coil? Without a doubt I would suggest the 5.3 eclipse.. it SINGS on the V3.

I think everyone should have a smaller coil for getting up close to buildings and in and around trees,

I am poppin coins in the 5,6, inch depth range easily with this coil.. pin pointing and seperation is great.

I love the V3 and also love the 10x12SEF coil (non-whites)...

 

[Jav400]

Thanks for the advice from all.

Personally I just think you don't want me to get a v3 so you can find all the better stuff. Just kidding.

In reality you are probably correct that I should spend some more time with the XLT again. But I figured it would be easier to find more people excited about the v3's and forums to get help with those than with an older model like the XLT. Plus it has the added allure of maybe finding more/better items.

I would like to find some "hotter" program settings to help get me started again with the XLT if I go that route for a short while. It's been quite awhile, and having some settings to go through and figure out from would be more beneficial I think, than just me changing stuff and cranking up some settings. Any ideas on where to look for those?

 

[nw1886]

Jav400, I'm in the same boat in sayin' "Spend more time with the XLT." (Your next logical step would be to the V3 though.) All the time you will be learning a lot of stuff that applies to the V3 and the XLT is still a top dog machine so your finds will be good.

Lot's of folks here have mastered the XLT. (I'd go to past posts for a lot of info on the XLT first, Class Room second, PM third.)

 

[Hunt4Fun]

There are a lot of XLT programs and good advice in the Whites XLT Classroom Forum on this site. Welcome back and good luck. Bob

 

[Jav400]

Excellent

So now before I get to far off topic in the actual v3 forum, I will bow out and thank everyone for their suggestions. Looks like I will try getting back into hunting using the Spectrum XLT I already have for a short while and see how it goes. IF everything goes well and I find the time to hunt some more then I will probably go ahead and get a v3. Now the only thing I am bummed out over is after reading up about the DX-1 that was recommended - I find out it won't work with my XLT. *sigh*.

I don't see much point in getting the other one and then it immediately being out-dated if I get a v3. Just my luck - oh well, maybe I am saving my luck for hunting.

Hope to be back in this forum soon touting a new v3. Best of luck to everyone.

 

[Monte]

http://www.findmall.com/read.php?41,1054907,1054907#msg-1054907

Findmall's XLT Forum has some help and discussions, and frees up the Spectra V3 Forum for V3 talk.

Above link is for MY XLT programs. Try a number of programs to learn what works for you and the coil you have mounted.

Monte

 

[deathwind1]

I don't think Lithium will help as they are used mostly in freezing weather, because in cold weather regular batteries will not put out full power---If you have a wireless Thermometer, The instructions will tell you to use Lithium in cold weather or the tempture will not be Correct !