Interesting test on gold with M6 and MX5

[Phillip_in_NM]

The more I use the MX5, the more I like it! But I couldn't see putting the old M6 out to pasture until I tested them both on some gold rings I had found earlier with the M6. In a nutshell, both did very well! I wouldn't say that one was better than the other in giving good indications of gold. It was a quick and dirty test, but at least I am sure now that I can hunt with the MX5 and not worry about missing gold I would have found with the M6.

It was also very interesting that the signals for the newly buried gold weren't anywhere near as stable as they were when I originally found them with the M6. There was a variation of perhaps as much as 10 or 12 in the VDI numbers of both machines, but the ranges were similar and centered around the same numbers on both the machines. In all but one of the 20 gold items I've dug with the m6, the very reason I dug it was because the VDI numbers were so rock solid regardless of swing direction.

I will post again when I test with my two gold nuggets.

 

[bik-il]

Thanks for your efforts!
I just cant see myself parting with the 6 to get a 5.
Reassuring to know its ok to stay with the 6!
Man, that 2 tone option on the 5 is tempting though...

 

[basstrackerman]

For me ive used the mxt mxtpro and m6 since they came out. My favorite whites machines. The mx5 is now what i use because same depth better options in a lighter better balanced package.

 

[Scanman]

Great reports on the MX5, thanks for sharing.

 

[Percy]

I haven't been out but once due to the frozen ground and snow but I like the MX5. Really like the on the fly depth at old home sites, but miss the trigger pinpoint. Also my old eyes have problems seeing the
tiny icons like the number of tones. I started turning on the backlight until I get it set up as I like it.

 

[Phillip_in_NM]

I'm right there with you on the old eyes thing, Percy! I can see if its on the 1 or the 8, but if its on 2, I may have to cycle it through the other options to be sure! (By the way, I'm LOVING the 2 tone option!) I don't miss the trigger at all, although habit and muscle memory occasionally have me reaching for it! I love being able to suspend operations while pinpointing. My ProPointer drives both my M6 and MX5 nuts!

What I do miss are the confidence bars and the ability to really get at the connector ring when changing coils. I change them fairly often and the setup on the MX5 is a pain in the neck, IMHO!

 

[Percy]

Phillip:
I use the DFX and the MX5 and I keep a 5.3 on one lower shaft and a 8X6 on the other and just swap out the lower shaft on which coil/detector I use for the day
I like the tone ID on the DFX but prefer the 2 tone on the MX5 also.
Thanks for your reply!

 

[CladDog]

"What I do miss are the confidence bars and the ability to really get at the connector ring when changing coils. I change them fairly often and the setup on the MX5 is a pain in the neck, IMHO!"

Phillip, can you explain that one a bit more? Are you saying the coil connection is a pain?

 

[Phillip_in_NM]

"What I do miss are the confidence bars and the ability to really get at the connector ring when changing coils. I change them fairly often and the setup on the MX5 is a pain in the neck, IMHO!"

Phillip, can you explain that one a bit more? Are you saying the coil connection is a pain?

Sure! The receiver for the coil wire is set into a 'corner' on the back of the control box. So, out of the 360 degrees of connecting ring to tighten the plug to receiver, you only have access to about 150-160 degrees of it. This means that you can't get on opposite sides of the ring to really tighten it. That coupled with the challenge of seating the plug into the receiver EXACTLY right so as not to cross-thread the connecting ring makes the whole process a real pain! Since I like the 4x6 for the trashy areas and the stock coil for the cleaner places, I have to do the process a lot. Would have been so much easier to mount the connector differently. Although I am guessing the positioning has something to do with the "weatherproof" nature of the MX5.