Albert said:
Anyone ever use one of these machines? And if so, what was your experience with it.
For decades I have tried to check out most of the regular type detectors from most major, and not-so-major manufacturers. When the original Quantum II and Quantum XT were being checked out by an engineer, I was intrigued at the interesting concept. I checked them out briefly, then when they came out I was working for a dealer and tested both models in his showroom, as well as outdoors where targets had been planted it the early '70s by the original owner and me.
When I evaluate detectors, I want to see what they have to offer me that I like for two types of hunting. 'Traditional Coin Hunting' where I might work an open grassy park or a private yard or parking strip and similar such site, or check for performance for an 'Avid Detectorist' who prefers to find urban renovation, building tear-down site, vacant lots, or get away from towns to work relic-type sites, such as mining camps, pioneer encampments, military forts or camps, homesteads, ghost towns, old-use recreation sites, etc.
In short, I didn't care for either of the Quantum series models overall. Things I did like were that White's used the good physical rod/housing package, slide-in 8-AA battery tray, and they worked at 6.59 kHz and used the Blue Max series of coils like I had on my XLT. That's about it in the way of 'likes.'
Other than that, I didn't like the limited, segmented type adjustment for Discrimination,. I prefer knob-type adjustment, and I especially prefer to have a full-range variable Discriminate adjustment. Not a factory-set segment type. The main thing I personally didn't care for was the somewhat controlled sweep speed necessary for performance. I had been using the Classic III-Pus and then Classic III SL models for about four years when the Q-II and Q-XT were first released and the only thing I wished those units had was a 'simple' yet efficient visual TID. Not for total use, but as a little info at a glance to help verify some audio responses of question.
I was hoping the Quantum's would provide that level of performance, but they didn't. I did a lot of side-by-side comparisons against the Classic III's in renovation sites and old relic-like locations, but he Quantum's needed to have a certain sweep speed. Not too fast, and not too slow, either. Just a more controlled sweep rate for better performance. Coupled with the segmented Discrimination that I couldn't variably adjust, I never liked them, for
ME and
MY preferred level of performance in the sites
I liked to hunt the most.
Albert said:
How does it compare to the idx, idx pro, classics etc. It seems to come packed with alot of features of the higher end White's detectors of that time.
From my viewpoint .... it doesn't compare well for what I use detectors for. In most cases it is hunting older sites or older stuff. I was quite familiar with he Classic III-Plus and Classic III SL performance, and when the Quantums came out I wanted to compare them with my new Classic ID that was introduced in early '98. Honestly, the Classic ID was just abut a perfect detector for most of my needs, and an excellent detector for both an avid detectorist or a new beginner in this sport. It was simple, and it worked great.
I like 'simple' even today. My personal detector battery that rides with me with me includes my as-new Classic ID w/4" Snooper coil mounted for super dense trash, and my 'as-new' IDX Pro w/6
