Question Regarding SunRay X1 Probe

[DanRoss]

I have a Merlin pro hand held probe that does a pretty good job when the target is out of the hole... and it is fairly light weight/ It vibrates so I don't have to take off my headphones to use it..

My question to the successful and experienced Explorer users is "What is the best way to approach probing". Do most go for one of the expensive probes like the SunRay X1 or the Uni Probe with additional coil or headphones?

The SunRay x1 looks impressive, but the SE Pro feels lighter than my old XLT, and with the 6" excelerator SEF, it is lighter yet. I would hate to NEED a swingy thing. Right now it is actually very light compared to my last ten years with the XLT.

Is this another one of those "everybody has a different opinion" items, or is there pretty good agreement on this? I find that things most agree on are no-brainers, and I am trying to identify those things first.

 

[mattockman]

I have a whites pin pointer and a x-1 probe. I like the x-1 better cause you still have the Tone ID of the target you are looking for. If iron is in the hole also you know it...with the reg. whites pin pointer it is all metal and has one tone. So having the x-1 probe on is like having a 1" coil on to find target, it gets good depth. Now as far as weight goes, you will notice the weight diff. when it is on, but I use the SE Pro coil and smaller coils and it is not bad.If wimpy old me can swing it anyone can......with a few exceptions of injured people or real old folks. I also have the swingy thingy I have to use with the 15" WOT....I will only use that on the beach or in a flat field....cause using it in a wooded enviroment with hills to go up and down, it is a pain. But it is worth every penny I think....you just have to get it adjusted to your swing preferences and it is great.

To hunt without the X-1 Probe is like having cereal without the milk.....they just go together, and without it you get frustrated. At least I do.

 

[dewcon4414]

Im 57 and can hunt over 8 hours and have the SEF 10 X12 coil with X-1 probe. You get more breaks than you think digging so i dont notice the weight at all. Plus i swing it differently than i did a faster lighter machine like the DFX. I just dont think you can beat the X-1... its attached so you dont lose it, it doesnt cause EMI, you still have tone, pinpointing, and TID, its waterproof, uses your detector batteries but dont drain them, and you can get at least 3 inches in the hole. That means if your plug was 4 inches you can locate most targets easily. I have a couple of hand helds that i never use.... figure the cost of that. This is one item id say is worth every penny. Ralph has a great produce here that rarely needs fixen.

Dew

 

[dewcon4414]

One more thing.... have you ever been able to create patterns or air test with your handheld? Thats a great advantage with this probe being an extension of the machine.

 

[Magicman]

I love my X-1 probe. I used a handheld for a while before getting the probe. One thing about the probe, imagine it is a 1" coil (which it is). I use it in regular detect mode and pin point mode. I can tell you this, I have not nicked a coin since using the X-1 Probe.

When I detect something, I pinpoint with the SE first. Then I take my X-1 probe and pinpoint it even further. However, if it is more than 4 inches deep, I dig a plug (less then 4 inches deep) and then use the probe to determine where the target is and how deep. My hunting partner has a handheld and when we hunt, I come away with twice as much. Why? The X-1 probe allows me to recover items quicker.

I am right handed, but I swing with my left and dig with my right. I had the X-1 probe set-up for left side swing. (switch and probe are mounted to the inside)

One thing, DON'T FORGET TO SWITCH the switch back to the regular coil. I forgot once (Well a couple times) and I was getting this great signal, 1-31, but going around in circles. It was the SLQ in my pocket....

 

[DanRoss]

Magic Man,

You raise a good question here. I sometimes tire my right arm and switch to the left and swing with the left for a while.

If I got an X1 and mounted it for right hand swing, would I have trouble switching to give the right a rest???

 

[sangamon]

typically (not always), i kneel & set my detector off to the side, grab the probe, and then switch it on...so, by then my hands are free and it doesn't matter where the switch is.

i agree with everything these other guys are saying about the X-1. once you get used to it, you won't want to be without it. i have a Bullseye vibrating probe that i carry occasionally, and even then, i rarely actually use it. i also have a VibraMax (?) probe that came with my SE from KellyCo...which i've never used.

if you can afford it, the SunRay X-1 is the way to go.

 

[dewcon4414]

There are two ways to tipicly mount the probe... one is on the side where the battery is like Rich is using ... the other is on top of the upper rod above the swithch box. I tryed the battery mount and i must be uncoordinated or something. I have mine mounted on top and it works great. I think i did shorten my lower rod a bit to compensate for the weight and make it feel more balanced to me.

Dew

 

[DanRoss]

I guess that part only is held by wire ties, so you can move it around at the cost of a few wire ties, right?

 

[Magicman]

correct