Neil in West Jersey
New member
I had a private message from a user on another forum asking if I thought he should "trade-up" to an older CXIII from the ACE250. Ironically, I was recently considering "trading up" to the newer ACE250 from an older CXIII. I ended up purchasing the ACE 250 with the idea of selling my CXIII. I figured I could get $400 for the CXIII with the accessories. After using the ACE for a few weeks I decided that they both have their advantages and disadvantages and I should keep both.
Here is what I discovered:
I have found the ACE250 to be a deeper seeking machine under normal operating conditions, however my CXIII does not have the Power Master circuitry that was added in the late '90's. This circuitry gives the CXIII about 20% more depth than the original.
The ACE250 is about 50% lighter than the CXIII, but I find that it is not as ergonomically balanced and the heavier CXIII is just as easy to swing for long periods of time. It also takes 4 AA Batteries vs. the 6 "C" cells on the CXIII. The 6 "C"'s will, however, last much longer before a change is needed.
Here is a comparison between the units.
1) Ground Balance: The ACE 250 is balanced at the factory. The CXIII has both automatic and manual ground balance adjustments. I have found the ACE250 to be sensitive to "hot rocks" where the CXIII ignores them.
2) Threshold: The Garrett CXIII features an adjustable threshold, while the ACE250 runs in silent mode. There have been numerous times that I have had to run my wedding band under the coil of the ACE to make sure it was operating properly.
3) Target ID: The CXIII features 24 zones the ACE has only 12. Although I dig all targets, more information is better. This is especially important in an area likely to produce large cents or colonial coppers which may read as a dime or quarter on the ACE, but are likely to read "8.5" or "9" on the CXIII, which are in between.
4) Discrimination: See above. 24 vs. 12 notches.
5) Pinpointing: I think the CXIII is far superior in this area. I have some difficulty pinpointing with the ACE although I am being told it just takes some getting used to. The CXIII also features VCO, which will aid pinpointing tremendously on deep targets.
6) Depth Reading: CXIII gives the depth in half inch increments, ACE gives it in 2 inch ranges.
7) Frequency: Preset for ACE250, adjustable for CXIIII. this is useful when on group hunts or in areas where there is electrical interference.
Bell Tone & Bi-Level Audio: CXIII allows you to toggle these features on and off. I like them both on, but some other users do not. The Ace does not allow you to override these features.
9) Last Mode: Allows the CXIII user to toggle quickly between two modes, such as "Coin" and "All Metal" mode without having to visually cycle through all of the modes like the user must do on the ACE250.
10) NON-MOTION ALL METAL MODE: The CXIII features a true non-motion, all metal mode which will give you incredible depth. This is especially useful for relic hunting or when searching for caches, however it is not useful in everyday hunting do to its extreme sensitivity to all metals, both ferrous and non-ferrous. I use this feature to help confirm that a deep, inconsistent signal is worth digging.
11) (edited 8/20/07) VOLUME CONTROL: You must invest in a pair of headphones with volume control with the ACE. The CXIII has volume control built into the unit. I usually leave it on the highest settings, prefering instead to use the volume control on my headphones.
I think These are both great units and recommend owning both. The weight, depth and versatility of the ACE250 make it a great unit for a quick hunt or a long hike. The feature rich CXIII make it a great detector for relic or cache hunting, even under the most difficult ground conditions.
So, to answer the question, old or new? There is no right or wrong answer. It all depends on your metal detecting goals.
Happy Hunting!
Neil
Here is what I discovered:
I have found the ACE250 to be a deeper seeking machine under normal operating conditions, however my CXIII does not have the Power Master circuitry that was added in the late '90's. This circuitry gives the CXIII about 20% more depth than the original.
The ACE250 is about 50% lighter than the CXIII, but I find that it is not as ergonomically balanced and the heavier CXIII is just as easy to swing for long periods of time. It also takes 4 AA Batteries vs. the 6 "C" cells on the CXIII. The 6 "C"'s will, however, last much longer before a change is needed.
Here is a comparison between the units.
1) Ground Balance: The ACE 250 is balanced at the factory. The CXIII has both automatic and manual ground balance adjustments. I have found the ACE250 to be sensitive to "hot rocks" where the CXIII ignores them.
2) Threshold: The Garrett CXIII features an adjustable threshold, while the ACE250 runs in silent mode. There have been numerous times that I have had to run my wedding band under the coil of the ACE to make sure it was operating properly.
3) Target ID: The CXIII features 24 zones the ACE has only 12. Although I dig all targets, more information is better. This is especially important in an area likely to produce large cents or colonial coppers which may read as a dime or quarter on the ACE, but are likely to read "8.5" or "9" on the CXIII, which are in between.
4) Discrimination: See above. 24 vs. 12 notches.
5) Pinpointing: I think the CXIII is far superior in this area. I have some difficulty pinpointing with the ACE although I am being told it just takes some getting used to. The CXIII also features VCO, which will aid pinpointing tremendously on deep targets.
6) Depth Reading: CXIII gives the depth in half inch increments, ACE gives it in 2 inch ranges.
7) Frequency: Preset for ACE250, adjustable for CXIIII. this is useful when on group hunts or in areas where there is electrical interference.
Bell Tone & Bi-Level Audio: CXIII allows you to toggle these features on and off. I like them both on, but some other users do not. The Ace does not allow you to override these features.9) Last Mode: Allows the CXIII user to toggle quickly between two modes, such as "Coin" and "All Metal" mode without having to visually cycle through all of the modes like the user must do on the ACE250.
10) NON-MOTION ALL METAL MODE: The CXIII features a true non-motion, all metal mode which will give you incredible depth. This is especially useful for relic hunting or when searching for caches, however it is not useful in everyday hunting do to its extreme sensitivity to all metals, both ferrous and non-ferrous. I use this feature to help confirm that a deep, inconsistent signal is worth digging.
11) (edited 8/20/07) VOLUME CONTROL: You must invest in a pair of headphones with volume control with the ACE. The CXIII has volume control built into the unit. I usually leave it on the highest settings, prefering instead to use the volume control on my headphones.
I think These are both great units and recommend owning both. The weight, depth and versatility of the ACE250 make it a great unit for a quick hunt or a long hike. The feature rich CXIII make it a great detector for relic or cache hunting, even under the most difficult ground conditions.
So, to answer the question, old or new? There is no right or wrong answer. It all depends on your metal detecting goals.
Happy Hunting!
Neil
