MXT vs. X-Terra

[Casull]

Anybody have experience with both? I have the X-Terra, but the multiple tones are driving me nuts. I wonder if I would be better off with the MXT. Thanks.

 

[JHM]

If my memory is right the xterra has both a single and 2 tone mode

 

[Casull]

This is the X-Terra 70. It actually can be set for 1, 2, 3, 4 or 28 tones. I've been trying the 28 tones and it's sometimes maddening.

 

[JHM]

The xterra 70 is a good detector with the right coil. I would try 2 tone mode and set the low tone for iron. After you got used to it then you can try the other features. 28 tones would make anybody want to scream.

 

[Casull]

-- moved topic --

 

[leroy1937]

I;m not sure but if you have it on 28 tones,it should only play 1

 

[Old Longhair]

I run mine in AM w/28 tones most of the time. You won't appreciate either until you learn to slow down.
The other thing that it will teach you, is where your machine's sensitivity needs to be at a given location to remain stable.

If you want to go fast and only skim the surface, go with the MXT. But, if you want to find it all, spend some more time with the Xterra.

 

[robo]

I have swung both. The MXT Pro and now the 705. In field performance in my soil is about the same. However I prefer the tones on the 705 way better. I like the display better on the 705 also. Also, the vdi numbers seem to be way more stable on deeper targets with the 705. Each has its own following so it really comes down to what the user is more comfortable with. To me its the 705!

 

[BADBAJA]

I walk right behind my neighbor with his MXT and pick up the coins he misses. Get to learn the machine. Only dig solid tones until your a little more used to it Andreas the e book
100 times.

 

[Casull]

Thanks fellows. Maybe I just needed a little encouragement. The place I've been detecting is over two hundred years old with mineralized soil. The bits of iron and junk have been driving me nuts. Seems like I have a dozen signals with each swing of the coil. Maybe I'll give it a little more time.

 

[Old Longhair]

Try backing the SENS down a bit. Too much actually robs you of depth. The machine should run stable if properly set, and should not give false signals.

 

[Casull]

Yes, I did find that I have to back the SEN down quite a bit due to the high mineralization. In northern IL I could run at 25 to 28, but here in VA, I found that if I ran at 25, I was getting probably 35+ signals per sweep. By backing it down to about 15, I probably cut that number by two thirds. But, I suspect that I'm losing quite a bit of depth at the same time.

 

[Digger]

If the iron and junk are driving you nuts, notch them out. By the way, notch discrimination and the ability to select specific segments of acceptance and rejection is just one of the things the X-TERRA will do that the MXT will not. If your soil is highly mineralzed and you're not using a DD coil, you might consider doing so. If you want single tones, as with the MXT, or dual tone as the MXT offers in Relic mode, set your X-TERRA up as such. And as others have said, slow down your sweep. HH Randy

 

[Casull]

Thanks Randy. I just finished reading your book (actually twice). So, of course I've been running in AM with 28 tones. I'm currently using the 6" DD 18.75 mhz coil. But, I think I'm experiencing some sensory overload. I guess I'll keep slogging it out for awhile.

 

[Digger]

If it is any consulation, I wasn't comfortable using minimal discrimination with multiple tone mode until I had a couple hundred hours of X-TERRA under my belt. And I've been detecting for 40 years! The 6-inch coil is my "coil of choice" for those trashy environments. But don't sweep too quickly or it will chirp with false signals. Especially if you are running with a high level of Sensitivity. By the way, I have owned several MXTs, and they are good detectors. But once you get use to the functionality of the X-TERRA, you'll find it difficult to go back to a detector with variable discrimination and single tone response. JMHO HH Randy

 

[MT_VertCaver]

When I started detecting with my 70 last winter, I tried 28 tones...but it was too much. It drove me nuts. I used 4 tones for a couple weeks, and then forced myself to use 28. Now, I wouldn't go back. Those extra tones give me information that I don't want to ignore.

 

[Casull]

Randy, that most definitely is some consulation. I've probably only spent about 20 to 25 hours with the X70, and was beginning to wonder if it just wasn't for me. I started with a Whites 5000D back in the late 70's and then graduated to a Garrett ADS III in about 1980 or so. I was quite comfortable with those analog machines. Fell out of MDing for quite a while and then jumped back in about 4 years ago with an ACE 250. Quickly decided I wanted to move up and bought the X70 about a year later. I initially gave it a shot, got kind of discouraged and put it away for awhile. Now, I'm trying to justify what I spent for it, and more importantly, trying to snag some of those nice finds I keep seeing others post. Based upon what you've said here, maybe I'll back off on the tones until I get some more time/comfort with the X70. BTW, enjoyed your Ebook very much. Thanks for taking the time to help out a digital noob.

 

[Mtnmn]

Just because many say that you need to use All metal mode and multi-tones to get the best results with the XT-70 (705). It's best to tailor the machine to what works best for you and not what works best for others. Anytime when starting out with a new machine even if an experienced detectorist, it is usually better to start out using the lower sensitivity settings and gradually work up from there until you learn to adjust it for your varying ground and trash conditions. The same thing goes for tones, start out by only using either two or three tones and work up from there until you find the amount of tones that work best for you. Multi-tones just doesn't work for many of us, especially those with below average hearing. The same goes for using the all-metal mode, you will listen to a lot less chatter in the beginning, if you start out by using "pattern one" rather than all-medal. If you need to use the all-medal mode for your type of hunting, then notch out those numbers which are causing you the most problems and go with that. By doing the above you will make life a lot easier on your ears, especially when first starting out with the XT-70 or 705.

 

[Casull]

Thank you Mtnmn. I can use all the reassurances I can get I probably have a bit of a tendency to "push the envelope" in my expectations of myself. I'll tone things down for a bit (pun intended) and restart a little more slowly.

 

[scoper]

Hi Casul,the problem with asking this question on this forum is that people will obviously be biased towards the minelab.If you ask it on the mxt forum people on there will be biased towards the mxt.....this is just human nature.What gets my back up is when you read comments such as "i follow my neighbour with his mxt and pick up the coins he's missed" and "if you want to go fast and just skim the surface get an mxt".Comments such as these can put people off buying a certain machine, such as the mxt in this case,when in reality you may find you enjoy using it more than the minelab.Comments such as these are made up by people who think that whatever machine they own is the best and most of them won't have even used the machine in question.