New MXT 300 Balance

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I just received my new MXT-300 a few days ago. This is my first detector in 20 years. I bought the 300 because of my idea to cruise the desert for meteorites, and the thought that a large search coil would be a good approach there where trash is minimal. I tried it out today for the first time. I swung it for 2 or 3 hours around the homestead (we live on acreage in the middle of ranch country - in Oregon's high desert). It found lots of targets, but only trash. Still, I learned a lot about the way the detector responds, getting somewhat familiar with response in all three modes. So far, it sure seems like an amazing bit of electronic wizardry.

My real question relates to balance. I am surprised at how poorly balanced the unit is. The old detectors we used to use were certainly heavier, but they were well balanced at the handle. You could balance them on one finger, if that one finger was in the right place on the handle. Today, after several hours of swinging, my biceps are really tired from the effort of holding the head up. Am I just a *****, or did others have these kinds of tired-arm blues at the end of their first long day? Why aren't these fancy expensive new detectors better balanced? Maybe it is the 12-inch coil. Will I find that a smaller coil is much less tiring? Did you notice a similar effort at first, but don't notice it any longer as muscles get fine-tuned to the task?

 

[Monte]

Why aren't these fancy expensive new detectors better balanced? Maybe it is the 12-inch coil. Will I find that a smaller coil is much less tiring?

The can be fine if you use a smaller and lighter-weight coil. I like the finish of the MXT 300. The 12" coil I'd relegate to specialty searches, such as potential cache sites, etc.

For general hunting here in Oregon I'd go with the 10" D2 Diou8ble-D coil. It balances quite well and you'll search all day w/o fatigue if you can to 2-3 hours with the 12". It's a weighty coil for long-term use.

For working any older sites with small-target potential, such as around homesteads and ghost towns that are apt to have nails and other small iron junk, you can't beat a good smaller coil. My favorite from White's is the 5.3 Eclipse for the MXT.

What detector did you used to use? have you been detecting for this past 20 years, or just getting back into after a time away?

What hunk of Oregon are you in? I'll be getting over to Central or Eastern Oregon in a month for some vacation, weather permitting. But I'll not be looking for meteorites specifically, to be sure, unless I am in a relatively 'known' meteor debris field.

Happy hunting with your MXT.

Monte

 

[Rob (IL)]

I use an extra rechargeable battery in mine so it's still a tad heavier than a regular MXT. Once I learned to shorten the shaft where the coil is closer to my feet I got rid of all forearm pain. The MXT is a well balanced unit. It's all in the correct set up. Also the MXT tolerates many swing speeds, you don't need to whip it around like the 4 filter units. Slow down the swing speed. The change of direction on a faster swing speed can also cause muscle pain. Rob

 

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Rcasio44 -
Good tips. Thank you.

 

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Monte,
Thanks for responding, and for the suggestions. We live near Merrill, which is about 20 miles from Klamath Falls. It has been 20 years since I did any detecting, and then I didn't do a lot of it - just had a cheap detector that I bought used. Getting a modern detector has been on my list of plans for a long time. The MXT is amazing compared to what I remember.

Maybe it is unrealistic to expect much joy from meteorite hunting, given the scarcity, but we have lots of good ground around here for hunting (little vegetation, almost trash, and little weathering). I guess we will see if I have the long term patience (and arm endurance ) for that. That certainly isn't the only kind of detecting I hope to do. I hope to do all the other kinds as well (except beach detecting perhaps - 'cuz we dont get to the beach very often).

I've also got in mind to head over to the Rogue river for some gold prospecting along the river bank, which is another reason I chose the MXT. We like visiting the Rogue river a lot, and Ciny's mom lives in Grants Pass, so we get over that way several times a year.

Will detecting be one of your primary passtimes when you come to the desert? If so, do you head for researched sites, or what? If you are coming to any places in the South half of the state and want any company, please consider messaging me. Maybe we can get together for coffee and pie if nothing else. I would enjoy hearing about your detecting experiences 'cuz I don't have any local network.