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Question.

Digdoug

Digdoug

Active member
Which Whites machine should I buy. I own a Classic IDX, my first detector, and had an XLT until about 2 years ago when I traded it for a Fisher Coinstrike. The Fisher is a great machine for relics but has a steep learning curve and I only get to dig about once a month if I'm lucky, making it difficult to learn.

My experience is the Whites are much better at disciminating. I have considered the MXT and the DFX. I mostly coin hunt and relic hunt but once a year go to the beach so it needs to be able to handle wet sand well too.

Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Doug
 
Doug ,:nono: shame on you for trading the XLT for a Fisher, you sacrificed about 6 inches of depth for sure and XLT's discrimination is unsurpassed. I'de say if your going to need a detector for land and wet sand the DFX would be a good choice. Though I personally don't hunt beaches,I here the DFX's Dual Frequency mode is doing well on wet sand. When the DFX was designed, they installed features to aid in hunting the beaches. Learn it, and man don't trade it for something less :rage:

Dave
 
The DFX is really good on the beach as well as everywhere else. The thing to keep in mind is that it will have a learning curve much the same as the XLT. I have had both and prefer the DFX although the XLT is a good detector. If you are only able to get out once a month it could take some time to get comfortable with any machine that is menu driven. The MXT might be the right choice as it doesn't have a steep learning curve and can be used at the beach.
Pap
 
I use a White's XLT and love it!. Over 60% of my detecting is in old parks which contain alot of trash and after much input from experienced operators and dealers I decided on the XLT over my next choice the MXT and am I glad I did. A much quieter machine in trashy areas. I will eventually upgrade to the DFX , not because I think I'll improve my finds while land detecting but more for the trips to the beach I make a couple times a year. Truth of the matter is the XLT, DFX or MXT are all great detectors but I believe the machine contributes no more tham 50% of a hunters success, the other 50 is experience and really learning whatever detector you choose.
 
n/t
 
Although I have to disagree about the depth, you are sure right about the discrimination! I used the XLT for several years and it is a great machine. I was beating my head against a wall for a few weeks afterword until I figured the Coinstrike out. I am used to Whites and feel more confident using them and that is why I am going back. I love my IDS and will never give it up, it is great in trash but not real deep.

Thanks for your input!

Doug
 
n/t
 
I used the XLT for several years...is the DFX any more difficult to learn? It seems like it is just an advanced dual frequency machine and may be the route I should take since I too go to the beach at least once per year.

Thanks for your input, Bluemax!

Doug
 
DFX has a steep learning curve and is useless in preset modes so don't consider that. At least XLT is useable in preset modes.MXT is a user friendly unit and right now Whites biggest seller(don't want to start detector wars but Whites dropped the ball on the DFX) thats why a MXT was born...If you excell with a DFX so be it, but it was with a long learning curve which you surely don't want..due to your situation....
 
n/t
 
The MXT will handle the wet sand provided that you re-ground balance going from dry to wet sand, once ground balance, lock it in center position. I have both the MXT and XLT, and have used the DFX. By far if your looking for small gold items the MXT is hot. The DFX and XLT I have not been able to get the depth or pick up small gold like the MXT. The MXT is a bit noisy and may be hard to get use to. There is nothing wrong with the others, but they require a long learning curve. I only wish the MXT was a water machine, but I have a CZ20 for water. HH
 
Well there's no doubt the MXT will be noisier!! Ground conditions such as minerialzation will also have alot to do with depth. One of the primary reasons I chose the XLT over the MXT is because of thrashy conditions I hunt in and it's much wider ability to fine tune and notch things out which you can't do with the MXT. The MXT is an awesome detector in it's own right and if I was detecting in say wide open fields I would have given it a shot as rotary controls are very convienent for quick adjustments but are no where near as accurate as the controls on the XLT.
 
If you want to hunt the beach.It's two Freqs. will give you much more depth on saltwater beaches then an MXT will.I was digging nickels and pull tabs on Fl.beaches last year in the 12-15" range with fairly strong signals.Dave
 
I used the xlt from 1991-2000 and the DFX ever sense.First thing I did when I got the DFX was put them head to head.It wasn't even close.My XLT went on ebay the next day.You can't listen to the guys who don't get past the presets.Those guys need to stick to something more simple,like a prizm.Dave
 
Presets are only 1/2 of the DFX'S capabilities and Depth.

Va Dave
 
The learning curve is about the same as any other. The MXT was born to convert knob diggers to computer diggers ,thats why it has both. Think about how easy it would be to add the knob settings to the MXT's computer base. Its popular because its similar to the DFX's characteristics and is a couple hundred dollars less. Unfortunately Dan just used Factory settings and obviously like most guys just tossed the directions aside....what a shame..like the guys I encountered yesterday, walking around with a Button Price Guide book, being newbies, instead of having the manuals for there newly purchased Prizms, wondering why they were so out dug by me and a couple other veteran diggers.

Va Dave
 
I have both the MXT and DFX among my Whites Detectors. I had the MXT first and have always loved it. I picked up the DFX and yes I had to learn it. I read the manual, got Jeff's book, and went to work with it. I can hit silver and copper much deeper with the DFX. It was not too much to learn after I found out I had a bad coil cord connector at the box. I still like and use the MXT as well for things that I think it excells at. I use it when I hunt jewelry, and after I get the high tone coins out of an area I use the MXT for the nickels. I am just used to the way it hits them, which it does very well. They both have their place, but after learning the proper way to set up the DFX for a given area of ground, it just can't be beaten. If that were not the case mine would have gone on ebay a long time ago.

Rich
 
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