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IDX Pro.....Reviews Please.
- Thread starter minnixb
- Start date
C E Stricklin
New member
Check out Monte Berry's posts about the IDX Pro on this forum, you can find a post by him on the thread Coinmaster GT vs M6. Click on his name "Monte" link, then click on show all posts. There are quite a number of them that you will have to scroll through but it is well worth it as he is very knowledgeable and his posts are very informative.
I purchased a used IDX Pro about a year ago partially because of his posts and because my Eagle Spectrum and XLT coils would work on it. I had Mr. Bill's modifications done and if you get one I would highly recommend that you do the same. He adds a manual ground balance and a manual threshold adjustment for a very reasonable price.
I intended it as a backup detector to supplement my Eagle Spectrum and XLT, but it has become my main use detector. I hunt a lot of old homesteads and the IDX Pro with the 6" coil enables me to pull good signals from among the many nails and other iron trash.
Good Luck and Happy Hunting.
I purchased a used IDX Pro about a year ago partially because of his posts and because my Eagle Spectrum and XLT coils would work on it. I had Mr. Bill's modifications done and if you get one I would highly recommend that you do the same. He adds a manual ground balance and a manual threshold adjustment for a very reasonable price.
I intended it as a backup detector to supplement my Eagle Spectrum and XLT, but it has become my main use detector. I hunt a lot of old homesteads and the IDX Pro with the 6" coil enables me to pull good signals from among the many nails and other iron trash.
Good Luck and Happy Hunting.
Very accurate detector as far as a ID detector goes , if it says pulltab etc it is pretty much correct.I have had the mod version and unmod version.definitely worth picking up.You can pick up a really nice one for $250 in change. If you can get a smaller coil for it ,stand back and get ready to say WOW!!!
White's IDX Pro, as well as other fine Classic-series models like the Classic ID and non-display Classic III SL and earlier Classic III Plus, have been some of the best-performing detectors I have used in the last 1-19 years. Most of the time I had my Classic detectors 'modified' by Bill Crabtree (Mr. Bill) and that provided the user with an external Threshold and Ground Balance control.
You can sometimes find a nice modified specimen for sale, and if you do, you're lucky! Most people who use one of these models, with or without the modifications, often find them to be very effective when hunting trashier sites, especially iron junk such as nail infested ghost towns or homesteads or urban renovation. How likable can a god Classic model be? I used my Classic III Plus, Classic III SL, Classic ID or IDX Pro models more often than the other detectors I had at the various times, and that included more than my XLT's, XL Pro's, and other models that are also great detector in their own right. You will note that several other posters to your inquiry gave the same kind of comment.
I don't know what make or model you are trying to 'back-up', or if you really need the visual TID of the IDX Pro. I know that for me and my hunting needs, I usually had the Classic III Plus or later upgrade Classic III SL equipped with the 4" Snooper coil (the Blue Max 350) to compliment another unit using the 6
Note: 'Mr. Bill' decided last year that he's just not able to continue doing those modifications.
You can sometimes find a nice modified specimen for sale, and if you do, you're lucky! Most people who use one of these models, with or without the modifications, often find them to be very effective when hunting trashier sites, especially iron junk such as nail infested ghost towns or homesteads or urban renovation. How likable can a god Classic model be? I used my Classic III Plus, Classic III SL, Classic ID or IDX Pro models more often than the other detectors I had at the various times, and that included more than my XLT's, XL Pro's, and other models that are also great detector in their own right. You will note that several other posters to your inquiry gave the same kind of comment.
I don't know what make or model you are trying to 'back-up', or if you really need the visual TID of the IDX Pro. I know that for me and my hunting needs, I usually had the Classic III Plus or later upgrade Classic III SL equipped with the 4" Snooper coil (the Blue Max 350) to compliment another unit using the 6
Robert2300
New member
It was my first detector years back. Wish I had never sold it. Nice little machine.
Robert
Robert
john@mohicanog.com
New member
Mr. Monte, I just picked up a like new Whites IDX-Pro and was trying to find out if you know if I might be able to have the dectector modified to be so 'modified' as by Bill Crabtree (Mr. Bill). I’m new to metal detecting but it seems this is a useful add. Just don’t know where to start, or if Mr. Bill is even available (or do you?) to perform such motificationson my IDX-Pro. I can’t find much info on Whites website. Any idea how long ago this model was produced by Whites? Any info you can provide will be greatly appreciated. I live on the TEXAS coast and have many beaches available to look for sunken ships, coins, old ranch houses and towns, etc.
Last question, it there a brand and model you might suggest for wet beach and shallow salt water metal detecting for old silver and fold coins?
Thanks, John
Last question, it there a brand and model you might suggest for wet beach and shallow salt water metal detecting for old silver and fold coins?
Thanks, John
john@mohicanog.com said:Mr. Monte, I just picked up a like new Whites IDX-Pro and was trying to find out if you know if I might be able to have the dectector modified to be so 'modified' as by Bill Crabtree (Mr. Bill). I’m new to metal detecting but it seems this is a useful add. Just don’t know where to start, or if Mr. Bill is even available (or do you?) to perform such motificationson my IDX-Pro. I can’t find much info on Whites website. Any idea how long ago this model was produced by Whites? Any info you can provide will be greatly appreciated. I live on the TEXAS coast and have many beaches available to look for sunken ships, coins, old ranch houses and towns, etc.
Last question, it there a brand and model you might suggest for wet beach and shallow salt water metal detecting for old silver and fold coins?
Thanks, John
Welcome to the Forum...not speaking for Monte but here are my thoughts on the IDX Pro........And the Mr. Bill's modifications
...For all we know, your IDX Pro might be properly adjusted, just flip the trigger switch to All-Metal mode and search for clean metal free spot on the ground. Only then can you do a proper ground balance, one adjusted it does not need further adjustments...But when changing search coils, make adjustments as needed.
...This is an old thread, and doubt that Monte is still following this thread. Just my 2¢ thrown in on the conversation. The IDX Pro really can be used without the Mr. Bill mods. I know what you are thinking but have some patience with me as I have adjusted the Ground Balance on the same detector using the little Ground Balance pot under the "Made in America" sticker. It is easy if you understand how to adjust a "Threshold" based All-Metal mode ground balance system !
....Here is how I do the Ground Balance on a stock IDX Pro without the modifications. Let's assume that the "Threshold" pot located inside the case(VR4) is adjusted just right by the factory and is producing a nice smooth and pleasantly low audible hum when using the trigger pulled All-Metal Mode. The trigger switch can also be flipped forward as a temporary locked position. All the while doing this outdoors away from any electrical interference and placing the IDX in All Metal Mode. Run your detector coil close and parallel to the ground listening to the Threshold hum. Search for some clean ground that contains 'no metals', this is accomplished when you have no audible rises in the Threshold during some "short" sweeps of the coil. Once you have found a quiet area without any metal targets. This is where you peal back the Made In America flag sticker and see a hole in the case... inside the hole you can see a miniature adjustment pot. With some good light you can see it quite well and all it takes for adjustment is a small homemade slotted screwdriver made out of some scrap plastic.
...Over the clean piece of ground you just found in all-metal mode...again... using this same mode, keeping the coil parallel and using an up and down motion...pump the coil up and down rapidly from about 6 inches above ground, down to about 1 inch above the ground. Listen carefully to what the Threshold is doing, is it going silent as coil gets closer to the ground?, if so use your homemade plastic screwdriver and turn the little GB adjusting screw clockwise...and if the opposite happens when the Threshold gets louder as coil approaches the ground use your screwdriver to turn adjustment pot counterclockwise, MAKE ALL ADJUSTMENTS IN SMALL INCREMENTS...about the thickness of a US nickel or 1/64 inch. Don't be afraid to experiment with it as you can always go back to how it was set if adjustments were made in small increments.
...If adjusted just so...there should be a slight rise in the threshold as coil is pumped toward the ground and all coin zones on the meter should airtest correctly. This may procedure may sound complicated BUT would still have to bee done even with the Mr. Bill's mods. Just saying that you nay not be able to get the modification done and this would be your only option. I know of two guys that in the past that did the mods, but not sure they do this anymore.
...One more thing, the IDX Pro...once correctly adjusted,,rarely needs repeat adjustment. As the famous Ron Popeil of Ronco fame says "Set it and Forget it"
Wayfarer
Member
Hombre is completely right. The Mr. Bill mods only allow easy access to the adjustment pots on teh circuit board. If you open the case, you can adjust teh threshold to a slight hum and pretty much forget it after that. On the ground balance, just as Hombre said, find yourself a good average soil in your area, clean of targets, and ground balance it using the pot under the flag sticker.
The IDX is very forgiving when it comes to ground balance, don't know what the design reason is, but it is very easy to ground balance and isn't very sensitive to varying ground conditions. If it's in the neighborhood of a good balance, it will perform great. Contrast this to a V3i, which is a bear to balance and has to be balanced perfectly otherwise it's almost unusable. SO if you're thinking the IDX has to be precisely ground balanced to perform properly, you'll be pleasantly surprised.
Of course if you really want to do the mods, the exact procedure can be googled and you can do it yourself if you know how to solder and know a bit of electronics.
The IDX is very forgiving when it comes to ground balance, don't know what the design reason is, but it is very easy to ground balance and isn't very sensitive to varying ground conditions. If it's in the neighborhood of a good balance, it will perform great. Contrast this to a V3i, which is a bear to balance and has to be balanced perfectly otherwise it's almost unusable. SO if you're thinking the IDX has to be precisely ground balanced to perform properly, you'll be pleasantly surprised.
Of course if you really want to do the mods, the exact procedure can be googled and you can do it yourself if you know how to solder and know a bit of electronics.
Foreverteachable
New member
If anyone wants to trade an IDX Pro or M6 with 2 coils for a Shadow X5 with 2 coils, SN 74, I would be happy to. It paid for itself in old buttons but not coins. I traded a deep hitting DFX for it and wished I had the money to have both but didn't at the time. I miss my Whites now that my Classic ID was loaned to a buddy and came back all chattery and with no sensitivity. I am envious of all the stuff my buddy found with his IDX Pro.