Most exciting feature of the new MX5?

[Phillip_in_NM]

In my humble opinion, it HAS to be the two-tone feature! Let me explain why:

Until a couple of years ago, the M6 was the detector that I used almost exclusively (AT Pro got me in the water a few times.) During that time, the M6 got me a whole lot of "firsts" - First trade token, first shield nickel, first V nickel, first barber dime, first gold ring, first IH cent, first war nickel, first buffalo nickel.... The list goes on and on. Despite all these great finds, I had always hoped to get my hands on an Etrac believing all the hype that it would get me the deeper and probably older coins that I thought might be beyond the M6's reach. When Minelab came out with the CTX3030, people began selling their Etracs at fire-sale prices so I picked one up. It has since found some amazing things for me (most exciting for me was my oldest US coin - 1842-O seated dime).

95% of the items I found I'm sure I would also have found with the M6. There were a few, however, that I think I could only have found by using what is called TTF (Two Tone Ferrous). In this setting, you get only two tones instead of the calliope music most people associate with the Minelab Explorer series and the Etrac - one tone for ferrous and another tone for non-ferrous. If you visit the Etrac forum, you will find 'Goes4ever' as the 'author' of this program and scores of testimonials (including mine) about how iron-infested areas are suddenly huntable. I have found many good finds, including a trade token, V nickel and several miners' tags, using this setup in areas where there is so much iron garbage that most detectorists will simply avoid it.

The idea that I can return to what is basically the M6 platform is tremendously exciting to me and could very well send the heavy, slow Etrac to the sales block. (Although I surely would miss the RNB battery pack for the Etrac! Yes, I know they make them for the White's as well, but with nowhere near the same battery life (at least, not that I'm aware of!)).

Anyway, that is why I am dying to get my hands on an MX5, although economic conditions may force me to wait a little while! I'm anxiously looking forward to the posts of those trying this two-tone option in the iron patches. (Are you listening Monte?)

 

[Monte]

The new MX5 is a nice 'blend' of some MXT Pro and M6 features that I really like. It's short a couple of things, but nothing that we can't live without, for the most part. And I even have an offer for you to consider ....

In my humble opinion, it HAS to be the two-tone feature! Let me explain why:

I look forward to your thoughts because that's why I use, and how I hunt, much of the time with my MXT Pro. I've used that technique with a coupe of other detector models with success, and have been finding it to do well on the MX5.

Until a couple of years ago, the M6 was the detector that I used almost exclusively ... During that time, the M6 got me a whole lot of "firsts"

Another White's favorite of mine. I owned an MXT (original) since its release, then added an M6 when it came out. There are things I preferred with the MXT, such as the ability to select the Two-Tone audio ID to classify most iron targets in the Relic mode. But I liked the M6 for the improved weight-and-balance, and even though I mainly used the single tone audio, I did like the 7-Tone option for working some modern 'flash money' sites.

When the MXT Pro came out I nabbed one of them, having used the prototype for a couple of weeks and forming an opinion that 'I wanted one!'. The production MXT Pro was finalized to be a better overall design than the prototype, and not only have I enjoyed it, but it has the 7-Tone audio of the M6 and that one model took the place of the MXT and M6. That made more room on the back seat of my rig to tote another detector model, if I wanted to. Still, I have added the M6 off-and-on during the past year-and-a-half just because it works so well, it's simple, and it was calling my name.

I really like the M6, and I think it is a great detector for many hobbyists or avid detectorists for typical coin hunting. However, I usually seem to plant myself in iron nail infested sites and want/need something that is light and durable, balanced, and with ample features to provide the in-the-field performance I would like to have in hand. The one function the MXT Pro gives me the M6 doesn't is the 2-Tone audio to help classify ferrous targets. The new MX5 does that.

When Minelab came out with the CTX3030, people began selling their Etracs at fire-sale prices so I picked one up. It has since found some amazing things for me . (95% of the items I found I'm sure I would also have found with the M6.

While the Minelab 'Explorer-series' (and I include the E-Trac and CTX 30-30 in that category) can work reasonably well for some people in some applications, I don't think my VX3 or MXT Pro or M6 or MX5 are that far behind, either, and wouldn't hesitate to hunt a site along side someone toting such a model.

There were a few, however, that I think I could only have found by using what is called TTF (Two Tone Ferrous). In this setting, you get only two tones instead of the calliope music most people associate with the Minelab Explorer series and the Etrac - one tone for ferrous and another tone for non-ferrous. ... scores of testimonials (including mine) about how iron-infested areas are suddenly huntable. I have found many good finds, ... using this setup in areas where there is so much iron garbage that most detectorists will simply avoid it.

And from experience afield with friends who use some of those Minelab models, there have been tough sites to work where I easily out-hunted their models in some really dense iron littered sites with nails everywhere, and closely spaced. Using the Iron ID audio has helped me in many locations.

It isn't perfect or foolproof, but it is a tool that has a lot of potential on a good detector, and my XT Pro and MX5 are both good detectors with the 2-Tone Iron ID feature ... that works.

The idea that I can return to what is basically the M6 platform is tremendously exciting to me and could very well send the heavy, slow Etrac to the sales block.

Now, there's an idea I would like to see happen! Heavy or poorly balanced or just annoying detectors ought to be eliminated from the market. [size=small]Oh, does that let my bias show?[/size]

r

Anyway, that is why I am dying to get my hands on an MX5, although economic conditions may force me to wait a little while! I'm anxiously looking forward to the posts of those trying this two-tone option in the iron patches. (Are you listening Monte?)

Yes, I am listening, loud-and-clear.

I moved over here to Eastern Oregon a little over a month ago and I'm taking advantage of the dry and gorgeous Fall weather to get out and have fun. I'm headed out in 15 minutes for another day of driving around to locate and mark sites I want to work up for some spring season hunts. Some are old school sites, several are good sized homesteads, one is possibly an old stage stop, three are pioneer or military encampments, and a few smaller sites I am able to hunt them now. Most have a good number of densely spaced iron nails to deal with, and I make sure I have the tools with me to handle such a challenge.

I have my modified IDX Pro w/4" and 6

 

[Phillip_in_NM]

Done and done! Thanks!