M6 is long overdue for an .....................

[Ivan]

upgrade!!! Whites should put it into the new Coinmaster GT format...............sure would be nice. The oversized clunky screen setup should go..... as well, how about triming down the weight a bit. Electronics are getting smaller and lighter......lets do that with detectors too.I think an M6 in the Coinmaster "body" would be a big seller........what do you guys say....would you buy it ??? Thanx.

 

[Topo]

upgrade!!! Whites should put it into the new Coinmaster GT format...............sure would be nice. The oversized clunky screen setup should go..... as well, how about triming down the weight a bit. Electronics are getting smaller and lighter......lets do that with detectors too.I think an M6 in the Coinmaster "body" would be a big seller........what do you guys say....would you buy it ??? Thanx.

something that I appreciate on whites is the quality and robustness of their detectors, the negative side is weight and volume. I think that's a good idea Ivan

 

[Dude]

That is one of the biggest problems of their top-of-the-line metal detectors is the weight. I owned the V3i for a year and finally gave up on it because of the sheer weight of the machine would cause me back spasms. I wonder how much the Coin Master GT has in common with the M6 as far as electronics go. It would be my guess that the Coin Master GT is more software driven. The Coin Master GT looks like a nice unit.

 

[triplehooked]

I can swing the Spectra all day with no problems. They are heavier, but so are other top of the line detectors, and Whites machines are much better balanced that others. Their solid build is definitely a plus for me also. Sorry to hear of your back issues.

 

[bigtim1973]

I do not understand all this about weight. Whites are about the best balanced machines out there and talk about built like a tank too you cannot beat them. If you guys think whites are heavy maybe some of you should go swing one of whites competitors models available now. Also over time those old wrist breaker set ups from the 1960's on to the mid 1980's in which some models took five 9 volt batteries or more with the way off balanced up swinging handles, now those things were heavy. Heck just go check some of the specs on the other manufactor websites. One in particular weighs over 5lbs all by itself. As far as functions and features go................I believe they were trying to reach a group of people in a certain price bracket in these not so good economical times, to bring them a detector no that hard on the pocket book, that had some bells and whistles that were not previously available in that price range. Automatic ground plus a backlight for under 400.00 bucks and I think they have some good accessories to boot too. Personally I think they have done very well. HH, Tim

 

[Ivan]

Look at the Fisher Gold Bug Pro and the rest of Fisher's top line detectors all in the 2 to 3 lb range. In the last 20 yrs electronics have greatly miniaturized, everything has gotten smaller an lighter t.v's. microwave ovens etc etc..... and yet Whites is still over 4 lbs. Where are the advancements in ergonomics? I have many friends who use Whites and after three hours they switch to Fisher's and Tesoro's cause their arms can't swing a 4 to 5 lb detector any longer. I get a laugh out of that.More thought has to go towards the actual physical peramaters of the detector. I'd love to use a top of the line Whites all day..............anyone who says they can do this currently................ are speaking with forked tongue!!!!!

 

[Monte]

That is one of the biggest problems of their top-of-the-line metal detectors is the weight. I owned the V3i for a year and finally gave up on it because of the sheer weight of the machine would cause me back spasms.

Since '93 I have had to use a cane. I have a bad back, shoulders and neck and have to limit activities that cause pain and fatigue. I get out detecting a lot and I went to a lighter-weight Teknetics Omega in March of 2010. It was lighter and easier to use than the MXT I also used, and the Omega is a good detector and provided ample adjustments and performance.

Today, however, I use my MXT Pro as my main-use model, and also have my VX3 along for the ride and use where I want it. I have the 950 on my VX3, and it does start to feel a little heavier after a period of time compared to my MXT Pro, but I keep the 6

 

[bigtim1973]

As far as swinging all day, I have and do it and it is not a problem. I also do not speak with a forked tongue either. You have to set up the lower rods correctly and you can do it effortlessly. Maybe if Whites went to an all plastic housing they could lessen the load for the guys who need it. I understand if someone suffers from physical disabilities or from an old injury that henders the ability to swing for long periods of time. But if Whites went to all plastic on their higher ended models, you could compare it to some of the old explorers that have busted and broken parts you see pop up for sale all of the time and they too would wind up the same way. I will leave it at this. Tim

 

[Dude]

As far as swinging all day, I have and do it and it is not a problem. I also do not speak with a forked tongue either. You have to set up the lower rods correctly and you can do it effortlessly. Maybe if Whites went to an all plastic housing they could lessen the load for the guys who need it. I understand if someone suffers from physical disabilities or from an old injury that henders the ability to swing for long periods of time. But if Whites went to all plastic on their higher ended models, you could compare it to some of the old explorers that have busted and broken parts you see pop up for sale all of the time and they too would wind up the same way. I will leave it at this. Tim

I own the M6 and it's a sweet machine but theres no need for it to weigh as much as it does. When we got rid of our 32" TV it took 2 men to move it, my wife held up our 42" LED HDTV while I bolted it to the stand. There's nothing wrong with using plastic as long as they use the right kind like Fisher. I have abused my F2 to no end, beat it against corn stalks, used it to move branches, thrown into the trunk and forgot about it for a month and it still works great and nothing has broken after 3 years.

I think one thing thats over looked by Whites is the demographics of users that use the high end machine. Every person I've ever run across over the years of detecting, that own a high end machine, are older gentlemen with the means of owning one, and their kids have left the nest. Such as myself.

 

[Wayfarer]

Very interesting discussion about the ergonomics of White's current machines. It must be relative, because back when the small "8-AA" configuration first came out in the mid 90's with the XLT, everybody exclaimed how light it was. Compared to my 6000Di Pro SL, my new XLT was light as a feather.

I for one really like the weight and balance of the V3i/MXT/DFX. It balances just perfectly, the grip angle and size is perfect, and the rod configuration is just right too. I have no problem swinging for 8 hours in a day. Balance is key. I also have a GB Pro, and while it is ultra-light, the balance is not quite as good as my White's, and the lack of perfect balance negates much of the weight advantage. Finally, the metal housing is fantastic, old-school high-quality manufacture, and not plastic, which is cheapo no matter how "good" the plastic is.

White's machines have perfect weight and balance, imho. If they went to the new GT arrangement, I'd view that as a step backwards.

 

[Bucksport]

Wayfarer, with all due respect, the GT would not be a step back if one was on a budget. It really looks like a great bang for the buck.

 

[Ivan]

Monte, I agree with you bigger coils are not the answer. .But that's what Whites stuffs you with ....why a 12" coil with an MXT??? Why can't I have the option of taking the Eclipse DD 6X10 instead of the 12" monster stock coil???? ( The 12" coil is so usefull in high trash areas...basically everywhere we hunt) It would be more practical to sell the MXT with the 6X10 DD and it would better balance on the detector and cost them less. Why do manufacturers have such a hard time with obvious...... easy to solve problems???

 

[Monte]

n/t

 

[Monte]

Monte, I agree with you bigger coils are not the answer.

Partly, it is our fault, especially if you go back to the mid-to-latter 1980's. Actually, earlier than that we had the "dual coil" packages offered, especially in the mid-to late '70s until early '80s, but those were mostly with the older style BFO's and VLF/TR's. Often it was something like a 7"-7

 

[AvisF16]

One thing I'll add about the metal box is that it's worth it's weight!!! I accidentally ran over my V3i last week after forgetting to out it into the car when I though I already had. The front wheel went over the left side of the box!

After a few choice words, I pulled the detector out of the bag and looked it over. The left side is somewhat squished and the box is now slightly angled. It took some effort to get the battery out and the motherboard has a slight bow to it. BUT, it still works, I went out for another four hours later and it performed very well! I'm sending it back for repair because it's a lot easier for dirt and water to get inside since the upper and lower halves don't seal together anymore. Hopefully they'll only have to give me a new bottom box.

There's no way a plastic box would've survived this.

 

[bigtim1973]

Wow!!! Now that is what I am talking about!!! Tough and built like a tank!!! I imagine you were very pleased it still worked too. Tim

 

[mgtmadness]

Also for balance and lessen fatigue on a White's is to use the arm strap.

 

[Larry (IL)]

There are not many detectors that you run over with your car and it still works.........

 

[khouse]

n/t

 

[khouse]

n/t