Just plain confused

[dostoros]

Hello all,
I am very new to the detecting scene and am slightly overwhelmed with all the information about the machines. I have been researching different brands and Whites seems to stand out on both quality and customer service. My question is what is good model to start off with. I would like something I could grow into so Ive been looking at the DFX but don't know if that is too much when the XLT will do just fine as well. What is the difference. I saw the xlt is has one frequency while the dxl has two. What does this mean for me? Just looking for some answers.
Thanks
Confused in Virginia

 

[glide]

Hi Dostoros, I don't blame you for being confused. I looked and looked before I bought my MXT,and Im glad I did. I found it to be a very simple machine to turn on an go. With the factory pre-sets and stock coil your set. Practice for a while and your ready to play with the dials,add a coil or two and you can keep up with almost anyone. I have had it for about 4 months and I think I am doing very well. Hope this helps, Ken

 

[thepest]

howdy....
the only suggestion i can make is.... get somthing simple..... i wouldn't trade my whites 6000/di pro for anything.... but i started with a tesoro silver umax.... for a newbie....that's a decent starter machine... for not alot of money.... the hands on i got.... made graduating to a more complex detector much easier.... i've left my silver umax way behind..... it was my back up detector for a spell.... now my kids use it ....

 

[goodmore]

The model to start off with depends on your wallet. This question is asked many times. Since you are in the Whites forum I would recommend the M6. A very easy machine to understand. And later on you can use the same coils on the new model if you want to trade up. Take your time with the M6 and learn what it the detector is telling you. The one thing I always tell people starting out is to detect with your ears. Learn a good tone. Don't even look at the meter until you have a good tone. You will forget what you just read, and become confused, so copy it down. Detecting is a great hobby. Follow our code of ethics and have fun. Join a club if you can. People in the club will teach you how to detect and where to detect.

 

[Larry (IL)]

Every sentence is good solid advise goodmore............

I forgot to recommend a detector since you were interested. The DFX is very advanced and I would not suggest that one and the XLT is also another great detector, but again for a beginner, I would have to say, maybe or no. The M6 would be a great detector, and the MXT is one step higher. Either one would be a wise choice used or new. New ones come with White's bonus bucks until the end of this month, $100 with the M6 and $150 with the MXT, I believe.

 

[BarberBill]

Goodmore is telling it straight. I've seen it mentioned that it takes 100 hours to really get to know and understand a machine. I believe that's fairly accurate, especially with the first machine or when starting in the hobby. There are lots of machines for sale, trade, or sitting in a closet that would do their owners well if the owner had followed this advice rather than quitting too soon or expecting everything to come quick and easy. Good luck, be persistent, and have fun.
HH
BB

 

[tab-nabit]

You really don't see me post here (I do like to read here) but seeing some very sound advice I couldn't resist and wanted to throw my 2c opinion regards to the M6. I don't have an M6 but swung one last year and IMO it sure is one smooth sweet machine. I just can't see anyone going wrong with the M6.
As replied, audio first. My add is to get quality headphones. I seen to many times folks say the cheap headphones are just fine (and I'm fine with that - that's what they want), then how many of them one day get a quality set and change their opinion and wonder how they got along before with the cheap stuff. Audio is where it's at so it's important to me, so headphones are important to me. So I agree the advice to learn to hunt by audio, then use the display second hand for additional information, and I have to say, the M6 display is simplistic and easy to read. And the quality is there too.
I was actually eyeballing and pondering on getting a M6, but news got out that White's was coming out with another new machine, so I waited it out for it's introduction on the market. It has a good bit more learning curve than the M6, but on my experience detecting, starting out with a M6 would be a very nice start machine - I'd say one that holds it own well still to this day and on.
-added- man, I'm gonna have to see if my buddy will let me swing it again, I had a nice time with it that day.

 

[a4wdguy]

I own (and use) a few White's machines, including, but not limited to, the M6, XLT, and DFX.
I'll start with your last questions first. The XLT is a single frequency machine. It operates at 6.59 kHz. This frequency has been the workhorse freq. for White's for many years with great success. It is a good compromise between sensitivity to different types of metal and the surrounding mineralization. It is considered a "general purpose" frequency. Specialty machines, such as the Goldmaster, operate at a much higher frequency. It is very sensitive to gold, but not so good at finding other metals. The DFX can be considered a "new and improved" version of the XLT. As you noted, it uses two frequencies. 3kHz and 15 kHz. You can use these freqs individually, or together. This allows much greater flexibility in terms of matching your detector to the environment. Which is what all these modes are about, adjusting (optimizing) your detector for the current environment, to maximize the detector's ability to electronically separate the target from the surrounding minerals. Additionally the DFX processes data twice as fast as the XLT, along with some other system tweaks and improvements.
As for which detector is the best to start out with, I believe most people are mistaken in their recommendations. One of the great things about White's detectors, is their "turn on and go" settings. Ever model they produce is set up so that anybody can pick one up and with a minimum of training, achieve good results. This is true for the analog machines with their Preset positions, and for the digital machines with their factory preloaded programs. So the real issue becomes, "how much do you want to spend?" I know it's unthinkable, but you may not even enjoy detecting. If that turns out to be the case, several of us will be glad to purchase your slightly used high end detector at a very deep discount.
All this is to let you know that you don't need to be afraid of the DFX, or the new V. But, do let your pocket have a vote in what you buy. The M6 is a real coin getter, you could realistically find enough treasure to pay for a fancier detector down the road.
And as far as reliability and customer service, you are right, White's is second to none!

 

[dostoros]

Thank to everyone that posted and I will definetly check on these other models. I appreciate all the advice. Its nice to go on a forum for some knowledge where everyone is helpful.
Thanks again
Dostoros

 

[dirtdigginlady]

I felt just like you when I started this hobby and I did a TON of research before I decided on a detector. I settled for the White's MXT and I have NEVER been sorry. If you get a detector that is too hard to learn, you will become discouraged with the hobby and quit. The MXT is so easy to learn. However at the same time it has everything you need and even thought it is easy to use for a beginner they will always be plenty to learn about the machine. My friend has been detecting much longer than I have and has always used a Garretts. She recently needed a new detector as hers died. I encouraged her to get the MXT but really didn't think she would. Well she did and she has been overjoyed with it.

 

[dostoros]

thanks guy for the in depth answer on the frequency. it explained alot. what you said about the dfx and xlt seem to be true concerning the turn and go. i think i definetly have a better sense of which way to head.
thanks to all