MTX at the beach ? ? ? ? ? :detecting:

[Cal_Cobra]

Hello,

I'm looking at metal detectors, and just had a quick question about the MXT.

How does it do at the beach (salt and fresh water) compared so some other similar models, like the Spectrum XLT and Coin$trike ?

Thanks,
Cal

 

[sterlingelastic]

I dont know how it compares to those models. It does have a salt mode and I hear that it works pretty well.

 

[MeNstick]

Are you looking to get one detector that will function in all types of conditions? If so the MXT will perform great. If your thinking of getting a beach machine only, I would suggest differently. The MXT is a great machine and very sensitive to gold and nickles and smaller items (14khz freq) but it's not the best beach machine, but will work. I'd rate it a 6 on a scale of 10. If you plan to be at the beach more than the parks, schools, or even prospecting, I would suggest something else. Maybe a beach machine that you can use on land. Then I would suggest a Tesoro Tiger Shark, Minelab Excaliber, Garrett Infinium. I also have used an XLT with great results at the beach (with a big foot coil in wet sands of California beaches/not that deep though) and would suggest it also as a great all around unit, but it doesn't like to get wet. As the others I mentioned have no problem getting wet. For the price the XLT E series is a good all around unit (you have to learn how to use it though, a nice learning curve, but worth it) if the price is an issue. The MXT is a great all around machine, very simple set up and fun to detect with, and it's simplicity and great performance makes it a winner in my book (but that's my opinion). If the beach is a once in awhile thing and you want performance and versatility I'd get the MXT. You won't be disappointed. HH Rick

 

[Cal_Cobra]

I understand there's separate models made specifically for different MD applications, but I'm looking for a versatile all-in-one solution to start off with (my first MD).o

I plan to use the MD more at parks, schools, old home sites, ghost towns for coins and jewelery and such, as well as recreational prospecting (I'm about 1.5 hours away from the California Motherload gold countryl, might as well have a little fun with it) more then the beach, but I'd enjoy having some fun with it every once and a while at the beach. I live in Northern California (about 1.5 hours from San Francisco) so there should be some good beach areas to hunt when the tide goes down. Also would love to hit the treasure beach areas in FL one of these days

I'm really on the fence between the Coinstrike and the MXT at this point, but leaning towards the C$, but the learning curve on it does concern me a bit.

Thanks for the feedback.

Cal

 

[cnshtrdave]

Hi Cal,
I have an MXT and Love it!!!! I'm kinda like you I mainly hunt parks,schools, home sites, and am now starting to relic hunt. I bought the MXT because it's a turn on and go machine, it also has auto ground balance. I only go to the beach 1 time a year and I had good results with it on dry sand. I tried to hunt in the wet and it screamed at me. I tried every setting to be able to hunt the water but couldn't so I settled for dry sand and I did OK I think with it. I think the problem as not the machine, I think it was because I was using the standard 950 coil. I think it was to sensitive to the salt water, so this year when I go back I'm going to have the 5.3 eclipse and a 4x6 DD to try and then "LOOK OUT" I'll be throwing sand everywhere and be wearing the bling. There are not many beaches close to where I live and the closest ones are at least 4hrs away and I don't want to drive that far on a 1/2 day hunt, to much wasted time driving. All in all I'm very pleased with the MXT for the hunting I do but I think for beach hunting(wading in the water) I would get a different machine and the control box isn't water proof. It doesn't take but 1 wave to ruin a good machine.
Just my 2cents.
HH, Dave

 

[robert roy]

Then I'd go with the MXT because of its reputation, and because I have one-) and because it has a prospecting mode if you ever in a place where gold nuggets can be found, and also because its an easy machine to use. That said, the Ace 250 will also serve you well at the parks and other places.
Robert R

 

[BarberBill]

n/t

 

[BarberBill]

I have an MXT and it works great for the hunting you mention - don't live close to any beaches so haven't used it there. I highly recommend that you add a 4X6 shooter or the 5.3 coils to your arsenal as well because they work so well in trashy parks. For really heavy trash I prefer the 4x6. Also, the 6X10 makes a pretty good all around coil. Personally, I prefer it to the 9.5. My two bits.
Bill

 

[Ben Diggen]

Hey Cal
I have an MXT and have used it on beaches and in water up to my knees. Remember it is not water proof!!! I always walk with a long handle sand scoop in my empty hand to give me more stabilization so I don't fall. I also use the 3X5 coil in water. It has served me well and I have found some real treasures.
Good Luck
Ben

 

[Hoosier]

[quote Ben Diggen]I have an MXT and have used it on beaches and in water up to my knees. Remember it is not water proof!!![/quote]

If I understand this correctly, it is ok to submerge the coil end of the MXT in water?

 

[Sandpiper]

The MXT will handle the wet sand provided that you ground balance it in the salt positon while on the wet sand then lock it in center position. You will need to do this again when you enter the dry sand. Each time you go from wet to dry. I have both the MXT and XLT, and have used the DFX. The MXT is a bit noisy and may be hard to get use to, but I have no problem hunting the beach with it. Hope this helps.HH