Quantum XT

[detectorbill]

Does anyone use this detector? I have always used the "old" Fisher detectors(coinstrike,1270) and now started using the Minelab X-terra 505 but I have always wanted to try a Whites unit. Is this a good detector? I know about the great detectors that never caught on ( I love the coinstrike), is the QXT one off those detectors? I have the chance to buy one around $200.00, should this be my first Whites detector for coin hunting in mild ground conditions?

Thanks,
Bill

 

[OhioMike]

Hi Bill, I just bought one of Ebay 3 weeks ago and love it. It's a very fast recovery machine with great audio quality. Easy to tell good from trash sounds. I haven't dug anything super deep yet in the field but it has an unbelievable airtest on a quarter. Has alot of user adjustability but not too much. Has 8 zone target id while some people like the vdi's for me I like it a little simpler. Also has scrolling sizing bar feature while you swing which is awesome. I think your right about it being one of those detectors that never caught on. But then again it was sandwitched in between a couple other great Whites machines, the Classic line and XLT. If you can get one for $200.00 I'd say jump on it. Their bringing around $250.00 on Ebay so you could always re-sell it if it's not for you. Mike

 

[OhioMike]

Bill, forgot to mention I also have mild ground conditions and haven't had any problems ground balancing the QXT. Also look up past posts by user critterhunter. He's an expert on the Quantum series. Mike

 

[srf2112]

Hey Bill, It can kick some a**. I would jump on that deal if I was you. One of the best MD values out there. ( personally I would pick it up as a 2nd QXT if I had the chance ) The tone harmonics are the best I've come across yet in the detectors I've used. I run it to compliment my MXT. Search the past forum posts on the QXT and as Mike said also search Critterhunters old posts on the QXT. His expertise can get you up and running effectively and sort out any confusion. It did for me and it made all the difference. If you learn to use this machine to it's potential you won't be losing ground to any other machine in it's class and most above it ! I haven't managed to swing it over any deep silver or copper yet ( where it's said to really shine ) but it has turned into a fantastic relic hunter at a couple of private home sites I've hunted. ( All with the stock Black Max 950 Pro coil ) The lack of a VDI has actually helped in this situation (relics) as I dig targets in a zone I might otherwise pass up if I was splitting hairs with the VDI responses and found some great old pieces in some of the less than optimum zones. The multi tones are awesome in sniffing out targets and the separation and recovery speed are very good. JMHO. Hope that helps. Good luck and keep us posted.
HH
Scott

 

[garwha]

I will rate the qxt deeper than the 12 series fisher and the coinstrike. I have a 1236x2, a CZ7aPro, a CZ20, QXT with 4 coils, and 3 Tesoro's. I have Owned two QXT's since 1998, that gives me 12 years with the machine and thousands of hours with it. I use my CZ7aPro more than my QXT, mostly because of the CZ's great depth with a small coil. QXT's are factory optimized for the 950 coil, and won't give the gain on the smaller coils that the Fishers will. Still the QXT with a four inch coil is and outstanding machine and will do things a CZ can't do. Mostly having to do with tone IDing good targets close to Iron. As you are learning the machine dig all those questionable targets and you will get a better understating of what happening under the coil.

That critterhunter guy they mention, I am pretty sure is Thomas Hill. If you google JB detector resources, go to that web site and click on Quantum II, QXT it will take you to tips on that machine. Under Thomas Hill you will see Hints and tips click on that. I would suggest that you copy and past that to your word processor so that you can better read it all and print it as well. It is the best start up guide on the web for using that machine.

If you google detector reviews you can find a number of reviews on the detector, and my 2004, 5 star, and highest rated review will show up there under Gary W. And yes, I still stand by what I wrote then.

 

[space_weaseal]

I have a Quantum 2 that i recently bought, (new old stock) that i am sending it to White's tomorrow to be upgraded to a QXT.
It seems that the plp that have them seems to really like them so i am looking forward to getting it back as a QXT.

 

[Dan-Pa.]

Critterhunter is indeed Thomas Hill and would follow Garwha's advice as Thomas gives some good advice on the QXT even though it was written years ago and understand Thomas now uses a variety of units but this info is well written and should help greatly in using the Quantums series...
Quantun series in capable hands is a good unit and many do well with this series of Whites detectors although not as populiar as many of the other units Whites produces.
I recently bought a defective QXT and will be arriving shortly from Whites repair and hope to add info in my learning process which shouldn't be long as have used many Whites models over the years and would seem to be a piece of cake to learn when compared to perhaps a XLT or DFX which usually requires a long learning period.

 

[Eric Sprado]

I have a chance to buy a clean White's Quantum XT with White's headphones for $195. Would that machine be a worthwhile improvement over my Coinmaster Pro? thanks, Eric

 

[Monte]

The Quantum XT 'group' are older technology 6.59 kHz models, using older search coils that White's quit making hobby-end detectors for a few years ago. They made some models in that frequency group that were favorites of mine, such as the XLT, XL Pro, Classic IDX Pro and Classic ID, but those are all replaced now with newer detector design offerings, such as your Coinmaster Pro, on the lower end, or the MXT All-Pro and Spectra series models in the middle to upper end.

Most followers of White's metal detectors know that I am not and have not been a big fan of the Quantum series of detectors. They were poor to lack-luster sellers when they were in production, and they have more controlled or limited sweep speed requirement. If you want to move up to a much better performing detector in the White's line-up, I would suggest you shop for an MX5 or MXT Pro. Far superior in overall performance and much more versatile.

Also, remember to take a loo at forum posts and maybe not drag up older material. Instead, simply make a new, fresh post and ask questions .... about newer and better detectors, or those that had much more popularity and proven performance, such as the XLT e-series or XL Pro.

Monte

 

[gravityrulz]

Every model in a manufacturer's lineup is unlikely to be a sales hit and Whites is no exception. I see a common thread between the Silver Eagle, Quantum, and the Prizm 6T. All were mid range models, MSRP in the $600-$700 range, and they were overshadowed in performance and reputation by not that much more expensive Whites models. The Quantum XT had to deal with the XLT slotted above it and the Classic IDX slotted below it, and then the MXT comes along ... no wonder it didn't stay around long with it's feature set at that price. And that's not even taking into account the competition.
Look what Whites did to turn the Prizm 6T from a marketing blunder to a moderate success as the CoinMaster GT. Drop several hundred off the MSRP moves you into a different market segment.
The OP's question though is whether the older generation mid-range QXT (at $195) would be a step up in performance from a current generation intro level CM Pro. The used prices I've seen for both machines are roughly equivalent. But they are different enough it's difficult to say if the OP would find the QXT clearly superior. Sure he could double his expediture and get a machine that would be clearly better, but that may not be an option the budget will allow.

Monte, although the OP didn't ask, would you consider the Classic IDX a 'worthwhile improvement' over a CM Pro? I know you would for nail infested sites, but what about for typical urban hunting?