Hello, currently I switch between a Tesoro Vaquero and a whites eagle spectrum. I've had the Vaquero for about 2 years and have only used the eagle spectrum for like 5 or 6 hunts. I mainly wanted to detect for silver/old coins and relics and thought the Vaquero would suit my needs, but at this point in time I just can't figure out how people are successful with it. I have found more silver in those few hunts with the eagle, including a Spanish reale, than the whole time I've had the Vaq. I'm thinkin of trading the Vaquero for a different detector and was thinking another whites. The eagle is just a little too heavy and stuff and i want something a little more modern. I was thinking I might be able to get a used DFX or something because I like how it can switch between 3khz and 15khz, but I'm just looking for any opinions. I got accustomed to the eagles programs pretty quickly so that's not an issue..thanks for any input
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Lookin for opinions
- Thread starter DigDugNY
- Start date
I don't see the DFX on White's Site anymore. Just checked. A used DFX or XLT would be your best bet. The XLT being the most like the Spectrum a very nice machine btw. Or something in the Prizm series which I don't see on their site either. There is nothing between the MXT series and the V's now I guess. I you like menus and can spring for top of the line a V would be the way to go. The MXTs are real nice machines but no menus.
bigtim1973
Well-known member
To me the tesoros is what I would prefer for relic hunting out in a field. It is very good for that reason. The thing with tesoros are, they are dependable, light and if you want to find the goodies, you have to dig alot of other stuff too or turn up the discriminator. With a machine like the Eagle, you have the option of being able to dig less trash targets and more good stuff with the meter. The eagle is still a sought after machine and alot of guys actually prefer the Eagle over the newer detectors. I have not swung a DFX but have an XLT and have had the Eagle spectrum as well. My Eagle spectrum went through alot of batteries but the XLT seems to do alot better than the Eagle does. You have 2 good machines and if you just dead set on getting the DFX, you could sell both of your units and proabably have enough money to buy a used DFX or you could possibly have enough money for a used MXT or maybe even a new M6. The MXT and M6 are real fast on target recovery and the batteries last alot longer in the MXT and M6 than they do with the DFX, XLT and Eagle spectrum. If your going to be looking at salt water beaches, then the DFX would probably do best for you. Just my 2 cents here. Tim
Hello Bobby S,
I don't know if i can give you any helpful advice, but i can offer my opinion, I am fortunate enough at this time to be able to own a whites VX3 and a tesoro vaquero, and i can tell you i like both machines, but if silver/deep coins are what you are looking for the vaquero is not the machine, as you have to dig everything with the vaquero, cause the more disc you use, the more depth you lose, and in my opinion miss a lot of good targets. The vx3 is a really good machine but is a little more pricey than some, my opinion would be try to get a machine with a lower frequency if old coins is your goal. GL HH.
I don't know if i can give you any helpful advice, but i can offer my opinion, I am fortunate enough at this time to be able to own a whites VX3 and a tesoro vaquero, and i can tell you i like both machines, but if silver/deep coins are what you are looking for the vaquero is not the machine, as you have to dig everything with the vaquero, cause the more disc you use, the more depth you lose, and in my opinion miss a lot of good targets. The vx3 is a really good machine but is a little more pricey than some, my opinion would be try to get a machine with a lower frequency if old coins is your goal. GL HH.
yowow#1 said:
Thank you for the response. I understand what you are saying and I am glad you are giving it to me straight. The Eagle spectrum has been such a joy to use and I am actually kind of shocked that I have found more silver in just a few hunts with it in places I have already been over with the Vaquero. I just need to upgrade from the Eagle and figured if silver is what I'm looking for then the DFX with its ability to go from 3khz to 15khz would suit my needs. I just hope I may be able to find one used and maybe trade my Vaquero + cash for one
[size=medium]one of the big bennies for the DFX is the collection of different size coils. something you don't have with the Eagle or the XLT. since you don't have difficulty with the programs then it would seem just about right to get the DFX. love my XLT though. prefer the Garrett ATPro to the MXT but the MXT was fun to use. just not as adjustable as my other machines. like others I've heard the older machines are more sought after. the newer ones seem to be overly hyped as for what you're getting what you pay for. especially if the less costly ones do just as well as the spendy ones.ya just don't learn the lesson til you've bought the thing.as for being heavy. i can swing my whites XLT much longer than my ATPro. the whites are so much better balanced. i have very bad shoulder and still love to swing the XLT. i hope the DFX works out the same way in your case.
Was wondering though if you have to be in the higher freqs to operate coils like the D2 with the DFX or will that coil work as well in the lower freqs.? [/size]
Was wondering though if you have to be in the higher freqs to operate coils like the D2 with the DFX or will that coil work as well in the lower freqs.? [/size]
Well, the Eagle Spectrum is a really fine detector so perhaps you shouldn't be surprised. It can also be dialed in for coinshooting more than the Vaq. I used a lot of Tesoros and found that once I leaned them I could guessstimate targets pretty well but yeah, I dug a lot of junk...often cool desirable or intering junk.
I'm thinking about putting AA NiMH rechargeables in mine with AA to C adapters...that will save a little weight. However, it will never compete with a uMax in the weight department even with no batteries in it. The White's rod might weigh more than the whole uMax.
Also, I keep the 5.3 coil on mine 90+% of the time. It doesn't give up much depth over the 9.5 and it is easier to swing (and you can swing slower to good effect).
I also thought about getting a later high-end White's and I'm still thinking about it, but I'm not expecting massive performance increases equal to the price differences. I had an XLT but sold it and kept the Eagle Spectrum and older Eagle II SL. XLT has a better display but I didn't find that it worked that much better for most of my purposes. in fact, I like the old boatanchor Eagle II SL best of all in some ways.
I have not owned any of the current crop of wonder machines since I have been dormant for a few years, but my sense is that an Eagle Spectrum is still competitive with most of what is out there and better than a lot of them.
Age ain't nothing but a number when it comes to old high end white's Detectors, they're still good....but weight is definitely a number too!
Well, you were looking for opinions...mine is to give the Eagle Spectrum a bit more time, if nothing else then as a reference point, and then don't sell it before you find something you confirm through hands-on use as being better for your needs.
I'm thinking about putting AA NiMH rechargeables in mine with AA to C adapters...that will save a little weight. However, it will never compete with a uMax in the weight department even with no batteries in it. The White's rod might weigh more than the whole uMax.
Also, I keep the 5.3 coil on mine 90+% of the time. It doesn't give up much depth over the 9.5 and it is easier to swing (and you can swing slower to good effect).
I also thought about getting a later high-end White's and I'm still thinking about it, but I'm not expecting massive performance increases equal to the price differences. I had an XLT but sold it and kept the Eagle Spectrum and older Eagle II SL. XLT has a better display but I didn't find that it worked that much better for most of my purposes. in fact, I like the old boatanchor Eagle II SL best of all in some ways.
I have not owned any of the current crop of wonder machines since I have been dormant for a few years, but my sense is that an Eagle Spectrum is still competitive with most of what is out there and better than a lot of them.
Age ain't nothing but a number when it comes to old high end white's Detectors, they're still good....but weight is definitely a number too!
Well, you were looking for opinions...mine is to give the Eagle Spectrum a bit more time, if nothing else then as a reference point, and then don't sell it before you find something you confirm through hands-on use as being better for your needs.
J-ROB said:Well, the Eagle Spectrum is a really fine detector so perhaps you shouldn't be surprised. It can also be dialed in for coinshooting more than the Vaq. I used a lot of Tesoros and found that once I leaned them I could guessstimate targets pretty well but yeah, I dug a lot of junk...often cool desirable or intering junk.
I'm thinking about putting AA NiMH rechargeables in mine with AA to C adapters...that will save a little weight. However, it will never compete with a uMax in the weight department even with no batteries in it. The White's rod might weigh more than the whole uMax.
Also, I keep the 5.3 coil on mine 90+% of the time. It doesn't give up much depth over the 9.5 and it is easier to swing (and you can swing slower to good effect).
I also thought about getting a later high-end White's and I'm still thinking about it, but I'm not expecting massive performance increases equal to the price differences. I had an XLT but sold it and kept the Eagle Spectrum and older Eagle II SL. XLT has a better display but I didn't find that it worked that much better for most of my purposes. in fact, I like the old boatanchor Eagle II SL best of all in some ways.
I have not owned any of the current crop of wonder machines since I have been dormant for a few years, but my sense is that an Eagle Spectrum is still competitive with most of what is out there and better than a lot of them.
Age ain't nothing but a number when it comes to old high end white's Detectors, they're still good....but weight is definitely a number too!
Well, you were looking for opinions...mine is to give the Eagle Spectrum a bit more time, if nothing else then as a reference point, and then don't sell it before you find something you confirm through hands-on use as being better for your needs.
I definitely appreciate your opinions and I agree with you on how the Eagle is still a dominant detector. It found me a Spanish reale not too long ago. The only reason I want to upgrade is that a part of the lower rod snapped and the part is so thin that trying to hold it together is tough. While swinging the detector the coil will keep shifting and I have to fix it. Also, I only have the C cell holder so buying batteries is a pain, as well as the weight being a huge issue. 20 years is a bit extreme on the life span and its seen better days, I just want to upgrade
Rebel1
Member
I use AA batteries in my Eagle. You can get the converters here: http://www.amazon.com/Bluecell-Battery-Holder-Converter-Adaptor/dp/B006G6ZUOI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1364758116&sr=8-1&keywords=c+to+aa+battery+converter
And you can get a new lower rod from Whites or a Whites dealer..
And you can get a new lower rod from Whites or a Whites dealer..
I would recommend either a used mxt or a mxt pro. The mxt's are more stable around EMI than the DFX, and they are much more user friendly in the options department than the dfx. Yes it only has one frequency, but it is a monster on depth, and still puts out very accurate VID numbers on fairly deep targets. It also has a faster recovery speed than the dfx from one target to the next. I personally like the mxt because it is quick to set up, and you spend less time fooling with all the different variables that the dfx has. That means more time in the field. The MXT performs right out of the box. No need to get a college degree to figure it out.
On the other hand, if you weren't set on a white's machine, I would recommend looking towards the minelab x-terra line up. I have the 705 and it's another machine I will never part with. It has many coil options, as well as three separate frequencies. The 705 is also does very well with EMI. The recovery speed is also very fast on this unit, which helps separate items better in those trashy areas. You can research it more if your interested. Just my opinion. Hope this helps.
On the other hand, if you weren't set on a white's machine, I would recommend looking towards the minelab x-terra line up. I have the 705 and it's another machine I will never part with. It has many coil options, as well as three separate frequencies. The 705 is also does very well with EMI. The recovery speed is also very fast on this unit, which helps separate items better in those trashy areas. You can research it more if your interested. Just my opinion. Hope this helps.
ronhob said:
It's a tough call on the MXT and DFX. My main concern is finding silver and the MXT has an even higher frequency rate of the vaquero so I don't see what the difference would be. The DFX can go down to 3 kHz and up to 15 which is a nice feature. Idk I'm still trying to sort it out
Well the 705, with the right coil, will go 3khz as well if you think that's what you need to find silver. You can also run 7.5khz and 18.75khz on the 705.
I'd just like to add, that the mxt pro is plenty receptive to silver at aprox. 14khz.
If you're dead set on getting a dfx, you can usually find a used one pretty reasonably priced ($500-600 in good shape). The nice part about that is, if you acquire a few coils for the dfx and later decide to try an mxt, the coils are compatible. Good luck in whatever you choose!
I'd just like to add, that the mxt pro is plenty receptive to silver at aprox. 14khz.
If you're dead set on getting a dfx, you can usually find a used one pretty reasonably priced ($500-600 in good shape). The nice part about that is, if you acquire a few coils for the dfx and later decide to try an mxt, the coils are compatible. Good luck in whatever you choose!