Prism6T and M6 comparison

[Roper]

Hi, am thinking about getting a Prism 6T to complement my M6 and wonder if anyone has had both and can compare the two? Application is typical tot lot, gravel parking lots, parks, and old house hunting.
Current machines are M6, X-Terra 50, 250, Musky, and just got rid of my Tesoro's.
Thanks, Roper

 

[Mark ( ohio )]

the 6t has a few quirks about it ( nothing bad tho ) which once you get used to are NO BIG DEAL....it is a very good hunting machine, especially with the 4x6 shooter coil.. I compared signals on one hunting trip with my eagle unit and the 6t saw everything the eagle did...Depth with the small coil is VERY GOOD.. As a matter of, its the only coil I use on the machine for everyday hunting..I'll put the bigger one back on for beach hunting, ( just to have the larger footprint )..

I'm sure you won't be disappointed if you get one to compliment the M6.. you may even like it better..

HH Mark ( ohio )

 

[BarberBill]

The biggest concern I can see is that you are into yet another set of coils as they are not compatible with the M6, otherwise a complimentary choice. My two bits.
HH
BB

 

[Roper]

Hi Mark, found only one review, a typical hype piece, but there's little comment on it. I hope it would be comparable to the M6 but at a more agreeable frequency. Esp. at it's price point.

Appreciate your comments. Sounds like it might be worth a try. Esp. if the processor works as well as the M6, it should be a good unit.

I sold off my last Tesoro (good machines but prefer a decent display. Over priced in my view when compared to new offerings) and have a little $$ to play with once I cash in this summers finds.

Thanks again.

Roper

 

[goodmore]

I love the 6t. I'm not sure you will see a big difference between it and the M6. But if you got the $$$$ to spend go for it. If you want to relic hunt or prospect I would go MXT. At least you can share coils. I have an XL pro and I think my 6t compliments it very well.

 

[Roper]

Hi, $$$ come into play when I roll the clad this weekend, probably less $700. (including what goes to the refinery) as it was a really bad year and the wife took the quarters.

If the 6T will not find items left after hunting with the M6 it would just sit in the closet keeping the X-50 company. Which leaves only the mid range Minelab's as options. Could be there is nothing better than the M6, in the price range, for what I need the machine to do.

It's a quandary.

Appreciate the comments.

Roper

 

[Monte]

Hi, am thinking about getting a Prism 6T to complement my M6 and wonder if anyone has had both and can compare the two? Application is typical tot lot, gravel parking lots, parks, and old house hunting.
Current machines are M6, X-Terra 50, 250, Musky, and just got rid of my Tesoro's.

I see what applications you want a detector for so I am curious what search coils you have for your M6?

Of the models you listed I would be using the M6 the most to be sure. Wouldn't even have a couple of the others in my arsenal.

Now, when it comes to the current Prizm 6T, I have owned one and will tell you this:

1.. It is a nicely balanced unit.
2.. It is NOT like the other Prizm models and works much better.
3.. The stock 9" coil is 'OK' for open, low-target sites, but the 6T becomes a decent unit with the Shooter DD coil.
4.. I like the handy adjustment functions and full-range accept/reject segments.
5.. I do NOT like the TID/VDI because it can range wide and doesn't lock-on or steady as well as the M6 and MXT.
6.. It still does NOT work as well as the Classic series, which the Prizm's replaced.
7.. For me, it is NOT as good as the M6.

Regarding the M6:

1.. While I like the 9-tone audio of the 6T, the 7-Tone audio of the M6 is quite functional.
2.. The M6 is NOT so reactive to nearby fences and poles as the 6T w/standard coils.
3.. The M6 has appealed to my friends and family members more due to simplicity.
4.. More stable TID information.
5.. Far superior coil selection, both factory and after-market.
6.. A "normal-functioning" All Metal/Pinpoint mode.
7.. The M6 is not all digital and, for me, provides better all-around performance.

As for what detector to get, I have two selections fro the White's line-up, and you can shop for a clean, hardly used specimen or new.

They are the:

MXT: This unit will share the same search coils as the M6, and will generally provide similar performance in the Coin & Jewelry mode. However, you get the benefits of the Mixed Mode Audio Relic mode, and an All Metal Prospecting mode. The Prospecting mode provides useful Iron % info as well as a Ground Phase reading. They provide some different features, but with the same basic search engine they provide similarity that lets you fell more comfortable with their performance. Also, one can keep a 950 mounted for more open, low=-target sites, and the other a smaller coil for trashier sites, such as my favorite, the 5.3 Eclipse coil.

XLT: If you want something different from the M6 and the others you have, the XLT just might be the one as the XLT & M6 (my 2-unit set-up last year at this time) or the XLT & MXT (that's my current combination) compliment each others quite well.

With any detector, make sure you have at least one smaller-than-stock coil for true versatility.

It's not to slight the Prizm 6T because it could be a compliment to my XLT ... IF I didn't have what I feel is a superior model, the M6 or the MXT.

Naturally, opinions are free.

Monte

 

[goodmore]

Maybe going used on an older unit would be the way to go. How about a modded IDX Pro or maybe an XL Pro? These two units each have a place in any arsenal. And the price on each is well with in what you are looking for.

 

[Roper]

Hi Monte,

I have all of the M6 coils, but use the small coil 99% of the time. This is my primary machine.

Generally, I hunt only the places no one else will touch. For example, gravel parking lots littered with pull tabs, twist off caps, pieces of fence wire, can slaw, and tin foil wrappers. Or an old home site littered with a hundred year's of junk and nails. I have lost interest in the areas where there is competition for slim pickings. In my area, there are too many people looking for gold rings who know nothing about the hobby and filling their holes.

The machines you suggested:
The XLT (I've had) did not seem to out perform the M6 for exceedingly trashy locations. But, perhaps I can't get it set up correctly.
The MXT (I've had ) is a warmed over M6 and I get comparable results. The M6 seems a bit more stable, but that's just my thought.

What I need, after detecting a five acre parking lot with the M6, a machine which can go behind the M6 and find what it missed. My current group can't do it. Possibly, nothing is better at this time, at a reasonable price. I had hopes the 6T (at a different frequency) would work, but from your comments I sort of doubt it.

Which suggest a mid-level Minelab or saving up for a high dollar machine.

My luck with used machines is marginal and I'd rather stay with new machines.

Your thoughts are appreciate. I am getting the feeling there is nothing better then the M6 for what I am doing.

Thanks, Roper

 

[Roper]

Hi Goodmore,

My luck with used machines is marginal and I'd prefer to stay with new machines. Regret ably, I normally detect areas where most people refuse to detect which makes machine selection difficult.
I go through several machines each year hoping to find the right one, but the M6 seems to be as good as it gets, at the moment. I have hopes Tesoro will come up a new machine, or Garrett will upgrade the 250. Neither seems likely any time soon, but I could be wrong.

Thanks,
Roper
.

 

[Monte]

n/t

 

[Monte]

Hi Monte,

I have all of the M6 coils, but use the small coil 99% of the time. This is my primary machine.

The M6 and MXT are excellent all-purpose detectors, so I can't fault your selection. Like you, the smaller coil(s) are the way to go most of the time, to be sure.

Generally, I hunt only the places no one else will touch. For example, gravel parking lots littered with pull tabs, twist off caps, pieces of fence wire, can slaw, and tin foil wrappers. Or an old home site littered with a hundred year's of junk and nails. I have lost interest in the areas where there is competition for slim pickings.

I, too, seek out such places. Not always easy to find a near virgin old-use site which is what I prefer. The gravel parking lots I usually pass on, but I know what you mean regarding all the modern trash combined with dealing with the mineral rock factor.

The machines you suggested:
The XLT (I've had) did not seem to out perform the M6 for exceedingly trashy locations. But, perhaps I can't get it set up correctly.

The MXT and M6 and Classic ID and IDX Pro would normally be better picks for such sites because they are dedicated slow-sweep designs. However, the MXT & M6 best the Classic's in the rock/gravel parking lots due to their 3-filter type design (less masking due to better ground signal handing). The XLT, however, can surprise people with its capabilities, with the right program. In most sites I use my Bushwhack or Ghost Town program with the 5.3 BullsEye coil and surprise a lot of people with how well the XLT can handle the situation.

The MXT (I've had ) is a warmed over M6 and I get comparable results. The M6 seems a bit more stable, but that's just my thought.

The M6 was based on the main MXT platform and can produce similar in-the-field performance. You can duplicate the M6's performance in Coin & Jewelry mode by simply reducing the Threshold tuner to match the silent-search, sub-audio M6.

What I need, after detecting a five acre parking lot with the M6, a machine which can go behind the M6 and find what it missed. My current group can't do it. Possibly, nothing is better at this time, at a reasonable price. I had hopes the 6T (at a different frequency) would work, but from your comments I sort of doubt it.

The only thing I would use, and I am presuming that you're using the little Shooter coil on your M6, to try and pick between the dense trash would be a Classic III SL or IDX Pro (same detector except one has TID) with Bill Crabtree's modifications and the 4" Snooper coil mounted. Excellent slow-sweep performance.
.

My luck with used machines is marginal and I'd rather stay with new machines.

I know some people have had bad experiences with used detectors from time to time. Sorry that happens. Personally, I acquire, and often sell, excellent condition (virtually "as new" most of the time) detectors from one-owners (usually) and I have never had a problem. I see some well used (abused) and beat-up stuff offered that I'd never touch. I pamper my detectors and only get those that are equally well cared for. they are out there, and at a savings.

Your thoughts are appreciate. I am getting the feeling there is nothing better then the M6 for what I am doing.

Quite possibly not. You're using an excellent slow-sweep, high-performance detector with a smaller-than-stock coil, and that's what you need. Unless something new and exciting comes along, and I know it will, I'd say stick with the M6. An MXT with Tone ID (selectable like the M6 has) would be a good pick, especially with a back-light for those hot summer nights or the short daylight season we're entering. For me, I like some of the functions the MXT provides over the M6, but I miss the Tone ID of the M6 which I put to use from time to time on those I had.

Best of success on your next trip afield.

Monte

 

[David]

Roper, Monte has some great advice and he also said the mineral rock factor and that is the key. I know this is a Whites forum and Whites makes great detectors but did you ever consider a used second-hand Sovereign GT with BBS for deeper searching than the M6 for what the M6 leaves behind. The worse the minerals(like in your gravel parking lots) the greater the advantage of the BBS-FBS multiple frequency machines in depth advantage over single frequencies. But they are slow sweep machines not covering as much ground in a day is the disadvantage. The reason I said the Sovereign GT is because you wanted a lower priced machine otherwise I would say an E-Trac. You can also look at the Fisher CZ multiple frequency. Or instead maybe get a second-hand DFX and run that in multiple frequency mode. Hope this helps!

P.S. I see you have a deep seeking Musky and I have one too. Then you could get a CoilTek 15" WOT coil for the Musky to get the deep stuff that the M6 left behind. Then again you could get a Detech 15"x12" SEF Butterfly coil for your M6 for the deep stuff. (The 18"x15" SEF size is NO deeper on coins over the previous size, in fact a bit less in tests.)

 

[Roper]

Hi Monte,

thanks for your comments. I think I'll stay with the M-6 for awhile, esp. since winter is near. Perhaps someone will come out with a new and wonderful $700. machine for Christmas. I still have hopes for Tesoro but it is fading..

Thanks again ,
Roper

 

[Roper]

Hi David,

I have had the Sov GT and Elite. Best beach machines made. Even with the meter the Sov. is far to much machine for a gravel parking lot. Depth is not an issue, as the 3"-4" of gravel sits on hard pack. Without nitro I can't dig the hard pack.

Imagine 500 SUV's of soccer mom's parking on a lot Sat. and Sun. then going out early Monday to hunt the parking lot while the maintenance guys cut the grass. I am not allowed to carry any digging tool near the grass. These people are really cranky about the grass.

The CZ's might work, (I have had a 5 and 7) but I would not want to depend on the Bounty Hunter folks to fix them at a far price. The DFX seems like too much machine, but I have not had one or even seen one.

I agree the Musky is deep. It is my last remaining beep machine and the last beeper I'll buy. I am a beep and dig type, but with the availability of good ID machines I miss the point of a beeper. When I go relic hunting again next year I'll probably get the 15" coil. if I haven't sold the Musky. The wife likes it so it's here until she gets tired of it.

I think Monte hit it on the head, the M6/MXT is probably as good as I'm going to get for my application, until something new comes out.

Appreciate your suggestions,

Roper