Is it worth selling the X-terra 70 to buy an X-terra 705? The major changes that I have noticed in the forum discussions deal with better ground balancing, sensitivity, and auto-tracking. I would greatly appreciate any information on these items or any other items of significance. Also, are any new coils coming out soon for the X-terra detectors?
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How good is the X-terra 705 vs. the X-terra 70
- Thread starter slowswing
- Start date
BarnacleBill
New member
Sensitivity per se did not change. There is the possibility of being able to increase sensitivity in more mineralised/variable ground by use of the new offset for Tracking. In mild ground that would not offer an advantage. If you are pining for a back light or believe that the sizing pinpoint would help in speeding up recovery time or cutting down on the amount of trash dug, then an upgrade would be of interest. A 4th Pattern location was also added.
There are no new coils that I am aware of, but that doesn't mean they aren't being worked on. ML holds things pretty close to the vest like most other manufacturers.
HH
BarnacleBill
There are no new coils that I am aware of, but that doesn't mean they aren't being worked on. ML holds things pretty close to the vest like most other manufacturers.
HH
BarnacleBill
steve herschbach
New member
Hi,
I think Minelab is making a great detector better. I don't think they were shooting for a machine that would cause X-Terra 70 owners to ditch their units and run out and get an X-Terra 705. More likely just trying to up the value of the X-Terra 705 versus the competition.
Steve Herschbach
I think Minelab is making a great detector better. I don't think they were shooting for a machine that would cause X-Terra 70 owners to ditch their units and run out and get an X-Terra 705. More likely just trying to up the value of the X-Terra 705 versus the competition.
Steve Herschbach
I knew the 705 would offer a backlight, Tracking GB offset, a fourth pattern and the additional Sizing Pinpoint. So I bought a new 705 to make legitimate comparisons. I have thousands of hours on the X-70. And only about a dozen on the 705. So, as they say, the jury is still out, to a certain degree. What I have determined so far is that there is no difference in the depth, sensitivity or stability. I don't hunt at night, so the backlight is not a feature that I would use. I seldom (never) hunt in Patterns, so adding the fourth is no big deal to me. Even if I did use Patterns, as easy as it is to tweak any of the other three, adding a fourth is just more of the same I've tried to make myself use the Sizing Pinpoint. But catch myself using the 705's Prospecting mode for sizing and Pinpointing, just like I do on my X-70. The 705's Sizing PP works well. And I like it better than the X-70's Pinpoint feature. But these old ears have gotten use to sizing up targets with the high pitched Prospecting mode. Learning the nuances of the lower pitched Sizing PP mode will take some time. Frankly, I don't use Pinpoint to locate the target. I can do that manuvering the coil.
So that leaves the Tracking GB Offset.......I made a conscious effort to monitor the effects of tracking GB offset all weekend. I was hoping that by setting it at a -3, I could maintain a bit of chatter as I swept across the field. On my X-70, I like to auto GB, confirm the setting manually, then set it a few points positive (lower number). Unfortunately, whether I set it with negative numbers or positive numbers, I couldn't determine that it tracked "hotter" or provided a more accurate TID. It could be because the sites that I hunted were littered with nails and bits of small iron. Or it might be that the X-terra is so fast adjusting to the ground phase changes that it is a non-issue.
Regardless, so far, I have not found the 705 to be a better tool for me than the X-70. Every bit as good. But not any better for my style of hunting. It is new and has a three year warranty. But honestly, if you placed a paper sack over both of them, I couldn't tell them apart in the field. But that ain't a bad thing. As well as I like the X-70, to have another model "fill it's shoes" is remarkable. So now comes the part where I have to eat my words....... I always said I didn't think I'd find another detector that I liked as well as the X-70. Well I was wrong! I have found one in the 705. Is it any better? In my opinion, not for the type of hunting I do. But you have to keep in mind that I REALLY - REALLY like my X-70 and have become quite familiar with the functionality if offers. Is the 705 just as good? Every bit!!! And with more features for those who might use them. JMHO HH Randy
So that leaves the Tracking GB Offset.......I made a conscious effort to monitor the effects of tracking GB offset all weekend. I was hoping that by setting it at a -3, I could maintain a bit of chatter as I swept across the field. On my X-70, I like to auto GB, confirm the setting manually, then set it a few points positive (lower number). Unfortunately, whether I set it with negative numbers or positive numbers, I couldn't determine that it tracked "hotter" or provided a more accurate TID. It could be because the sites that I hunted were littered with nails and bits of small iron. Or it might be that the X-terra is so fast adjusting to the ground phase changes that it is a non-issue.
Regardless, so far, I have not found the 705 to be a better tool for me than the X-70. Every bit as good. But not any better for my style of hunting. It is new and has a three year warranty. But honestly, if you placed a paper sack over both of them, I couldn't tell them apart in the field. But that ain't a bad thing. As well as I like the X-70, to have another model "fill it's shoes" is remarkable. So now comes the part where I have to eat my words....... I always said I didn't think I'd find another detector that I liked as well as the X-70. Well I was wrong! I have found one in the 705. Is it any better? In my opinion, not for the type of hunting I do. But you have to keep in mind that I REALLY - REALLY like my X-70 and have become quite familiar with the functionality if offers. Is the 705 just as good? Every bit!!! And with more features for those who might use them. JMHO HH RandyThat says just about all !! What an excellent, informative, and helpful post Randy !!
Bill or Randy, do you know if the Tracking GB was improved in some other way and by more than just the Tracking Offset ?? Or the Tracking Offset was the ONLY improvement to the Tracking GB on the X-705.
Thank you.
P.S. I was told by Dick Shultz that the Eureka Gold had the same performance as the X-70 in Prospecting Mode. Now something to think about is the Eureka Gold has no Tracking Offset installed on it. Now the X-705 does. The Eureka Gold works fine over high and variable mineralization without the Tracking Offset and it is a dedicated gold prospecting machine.
Also I used a Minelab GT 16000 in 1989 with Auto-Tracking GB while looking for gold in the worst and variable mineralization finding small 1 grams nuggets with no problem. That type of Auto-Tracking GB technology from Minelab is about 20 years old !!! They had no Offset GB in those days and it worked fine. So the modern day Tracking GB in 2005 to 2009 (even without the Tracking Offset) should still be better now, you would think !!??
Bill or Randy, do you know if the Tracking GB was improved in some other way and by more than just the Tracking Offset ?? Or the Tracking Offset was the ONLY improvement to the Tracking GB on the X-705.
Thank you.
P.S. I was told by Dick Shultz that the Eureka Gold had the same performance as the X-70 in Prospecting Mode. Now something to think about is the Eureka Gold has no Tracking Offset installed on it. Now the X-705 does. The Eureka Gold works fine over high and variable mineralization without the Tracking Offset and it is a dedicated gold prospecting machine.
Also I used a Minelab GT 16000 in 1989 with Auto-Tracking GB while looking for gold in the worst and variable mineralization finding small 1 grams nuggets with no problem. That type of Auto-Tracking GB technology from Minelab is about 20 years old !!! They had no Offset GB in those days and it worked fine. So the modern day Tracking GB in 2005 to 2009 (even without the Tracking Offset) should still be better now, you would think !!??
Thank you very much Tom, Bill, Steve, Digger, and David for all the information. I'm fairly new to detecting and your answers were such that I could understand. It was all very helpful and has helped me make up my mind to stay right where I am with the X-terra 70. I have had many good finds with it and will wait for more coils to come out.
Trackerman
New member
Not sure about 705 but i have a xterra70 and a xterra 305 and i like the 305 better. It ids better is smoother and has a louder volume. And have found better stuff with it.