Seems like Buying a CTX3030 is like a crap-shoot

[silverseeker 2]

Mine sits on the wall waiting for all the great up-dates that were coming with it. Sure it's a great machine but I have my go to machine.
I have less than an hour on this unit but I saw its potential unmasking coins in trace pattern. (smearing of 2 targets) Found a couple
coins w/iron in the hole right on top of the coin.(eye-opener) Great machine I'm sure but CHEAPLY BUILT!!! I PAID dearly for this
unit and I would never ever spend that money again for this unit as I read all the War stories. So in the last year of my warranty
I'll push this machine to see what she can do.Hopefully she won't go FAULTY on me like a lot I have read about. It took 3 Explorer Xs's
to get it right back in 2000 but the 3rd was a CHARM. So again Minelab SOLD a bunch of bad batches. Dealing with Minelab has soured
my purchases for any more products from them. Minelab has left their LOYAL customers in the DUST!!! What do you think Minelab ,
Will the CTX hold up in its last year of Warranty or will I be sending her back to you??? Food for thought... There
are machines out there just as capable but don't have the ID ability in depth of a 3030. JMHO and care less what people think
of my opinion of Minelab these days as I was LOYAL back then!!!
silverseeker 2

 

[Jason in Enid]

Why not sell and walk away from minelab completely? You obviously have a bias against it, and have let this detect sit unused for 2 years. If you won't take the time to use it and learn it, you will never be great with it. Frankly, you have let yourself be blinded by the vocal minority. Most of these have zero problems, but you never see people posting threads stating "I never had a problem", you only hear the complaints. Every manufacturer has problems and there are always a % of units that will have trouble. It's the nature of everything manufactured and designed by humans.

Why are you asking "minelab" what you should do? They are not here, this is a forum of hobby users, not owned or associated in any way with the company. Like I said, you have a bias, so sell it while it still has warranty and you can get more $$ for it, then go back to your "go to machine"

 

[greenmeanie]

Well this is a NEW one for me LOL.
You are complaining before even having a problem hehehe.

 

[silverseeker 2]

I'll wait till the last year of warranty to put it thru her paces like I said. I'm
pretty good after 10 years with an XS Jason so I'm not looking to be one of the GREAT ones here.
You totally missed the point. I stated this machine is very good as I mentioned about the trace feature.
My experience with Minelab hasn't been so great so say what you want and as for your friend greenmeanie ,
laugh all you want as it shows your ignorance as a newer member here, and remember he who laughs first laughs last!!!
Plus you guys missed the point on cost of machine that was built with CHEAP parts that FAIL.
Since you guys are so GREATwith your CTX's all I'll say is SWING AWAY and eventually I'll see what the hype is with you CTX user's...
silverseeker 2

 

[Champ Ferguson]

I had exactly the same thought as Jason. Why keep something you don't like and never use? Sell it and find something else to complain about.

greenmeanie, that's an astute observation there.

 

[Willee - Texas]

What updates were you wanting?

I have had my CTX-3030 not quite 4 weeks yet and I love it.
This coming from an past user of Sovergines, Quatro's, Excalibur's, Explorer 2, E-trac, 705's, so I am not a newbee to Minelab.
Cant say I ever had any more trouble from them verses the other brands I have owned ... maybe less.
Electronics nowadays are very complicated and the number of components is staggering .... it is almost mind boggling that any of it works as well or reliably as it does.

 

[greenmeanie]

How is that a new member lol.

 

[ncarolina]

I have found more with my CTX in the last few years than any other machine.. It's a totally different animal than any other machine besides it brother machines , I think a lot of people do not take the time to properly learn the CTX and in turn get angry at the machine when they should be angry at themselves !. It takes time and lots of use to get well versed on it. As for Minelabs repair service. I have only had one instance I need service, my coil went out, I sent it in and had a new one in a few days. No questions asked. These machine have had loads of thought and work put into them for their existence. So slow down, read, read , watch and watch videos, even more get out and learn the ins and outs. It will come to you one day out of no where !"man why was I so confused over this thing"!!
Best of luck to you, be happy, go out and enjoy the world and find cool things!

 

[Bell-Two]

Ok you have had this machine two years and have used it for one hour and you say it is a great machine but it is built cheap......how in the heck could you know, how great or how cheaply made it is if it has just been sitting on your wall? And why have you been content to let it sit and just now figured it was time to complain? When making such a complaint after admitting not really using it why should anybody value what you have to say about it? Tell us why you never used it and then and only then we may listen to you.

 

[masterjedi]

The CTX is know for water issues, O-ring issues, screen issues. It is a good machine if you get a good one. If you don't, its no fun at all...

 

[Champ Ferguson]

.... It is a good machine if you get a good one. If you don't, its no fun at all...

Very true on any consumer product.



Only problem I have ever had with a Minelab was with the Koss30 headphones shorting out at the plug. (Actually they had come with my Safari). Called up ML and Nadia said no problem, give me an address and no, we don't need your old ones. Sent me new Koss30's that day.


(and before you dismiss me as a 'new member', I lost my old Findmall id in a computer crash and registered this one here not long ago. I have been using Champ Ferguson at the other boards for years tho)

 

[ML]

.... It is a good machine if you get a good one. If you don't, its no fun at all...

Very true on any consumer product.



Only problem I have ever had with a Minelab was with the Koss30 headphones shorting out at the plug. (Actually they had come with my Safari). Called up ML and Nadia said no problem, give me an address and no, we don't need your old ones. Sent me new Koss30's that day.


(and before you dismiss me as a 'new member', I lost my old Findmall id in a computer crash and registered this one here not long ago. I have been using Champ Ferguson at the other boards for years tho)

I went through three pairs of the Koss30's that were cutting out as well and they kept sending me news ones without questions. That seems to indicate to me that they know they are junk. And I actually liked the tones out of them them, but switched to the Sunray Pro Golds.

 

[silverseeker 2]

masterjedi, you hit the nail on the head. IF you get a good one. So like I stated it took Minelab 3 times
to get me a machine that wasn't a piece of junk and at the time they were highly priced also. So after the 3rd
machine shipped it was the CHARM. I ran that unit 10 years and never looked back but the trouble in the beginning
was a nightmare and paying shipping each time. You call that service? So anyway I had my new go to machine
which will SMOKE the CTX in the Iron which I love to hunt and this machine became my #1 choice. After awhile
the CTX had been around a bit and did research on it and decided to Buy one. I bought it for its waterproof
and coin finding abilities. Never could put my go to machine down, just too comfortable. So I hung my CTX 3030
on the wall and she sits.So right after I bought it I was reading plenty of war stories on this unit with(seals leaking,
$4.00 USB port leaking. A $4.00 leaking usb plug on $2500.00 machine, C'mon man that's just CHEAP on
Minelabs part. Faulty gaskets, half a screen, bubbles in screen, backlight problem, etc, etc.) So tell me is this machine
WORTH $2500.00 dollars? When this machine came out they had to do an update from the get go because this
$2500.00 rig wouldn't perform on Salt Water beaches yet it's a water machine Another strike! Certain computers
wouldn't accept Minelabs software and guys were fuming as there's another headache. Minelab preached there would be
ongoing up-dates to enhance performance thru out time. Haven't seen a one.Had friends that had issues with their 3030's.
Well I know the capabilities of this machine as in the hour I used it and plenty of air testing time at the house that it is
a very good machine and I'm not worried as I still have a warranty and when the time comes I'll put her to use.
So like I said in my Original post Seems like the CTX 3030 is a crap-shoot the words here are SEEMS LIKE, for
a machine that costs plenty, it's like a gamble if your going to get a good one along with not much voice from Minelab
these days. Yeah I know you can get a faulty machine anytime you might buy one but for the money and cheap
parts and issues with this high priced unit, IS IT WORTH $2500.00, let alone their highly priced coils?
Anyway, I'll keep my GREAT CTX 3030 and Eventually see what she can do. HOPEFULLY I GOT A GOOD ONE
RIGHT FROM THE GET GO THIS TIME!!! For the Money dished out these issues should have been dealt in a better way I think!!! JMHO... No hard feelings to you bum rappers. I don't
take it personally, I just LAUGH!!!
silverseeker 2

 

[bklein]

You are doomed if you do and doomed if you don't. Letting the CTX sit is compromising its electronics and seals. The lithium polymer battery has a limited lifetime - even if you don't use it. It will last longer if you cycle it once in a while but not using it in 2 years will compromise it. There are also physics dealing with the lcd display and some electronics components that make it advisable to use the thing once in awhile. You are likely to be one of the posters saying "see I told you this is crap" in 6 months and it will be your fault. Many issues described point out design faults but remedies have been introduced for probably all of them. Like others have said, just sell it and be happy with the detector you like.

I think given the CTX's documented performance the list price is realistic. Of course I bought mine used for $1400 two years ago and can't justify the new price. I don't get out enough and haven't found anything yet that pays off the machine. But if in 3-5 years I have to sell it for 800-1000$ I'd say I got my money's worth of fun for sure. Anything that comes out that would be better will likely still be more than I could justify paying - but many guys here detect every day and it is so important in their life that if they can afford it it is worth it to them to know/feel they have the best.

If you don't think it is better than the goto you are a detector hoarder like many of us.

 

[Champ Ferguson]

.... It is a good machine if you get a good one. If you don't, its no fun at all...

Very true on any consumer product.



Only problem I have ever had with a Minelab was with the Koss30 headphones shorting out at the plug. (Actually they had come with my Safari). Called up ML and Nadia said no problem, give me an address and no, we don't need your old ones. Sent me new Koss30's that day.


(and before you dismiss me as a 'new member', I lost my old Findmall id in a computer crash and registered this one here not long ago. I have been using Champ Ferguson at the other boards for years tho)

I went through three pairs of the Koss30's that were cutting out as well and they kept sending me news ones without questions. That seems to indicate to me that they know they are junk. And I actually liked the tones out of them them, but switched to the Sunray Pro Golds.

My problem was very obviously in the plug and I bet that's the case with the others too. Go to Radio Shack/wherever and get a replacement plug, preferably one with gold contacts. Change out the plug with the shorted out one on your old Koss's and hunt with a solid backup in your vehicle. The replacement set they sent me are still in the bag.

 

[kreagerm]

I think you're better off selling it, sounds like you're not going to be pleased either way. Never had a problem with mine, I used it in all sorts of condition, salt water, CW relic hunting, coin hunting, you name it I use it, before the warranty runs out. So either bitch about and not use it or sell it. It's that easy.

 

[masterjedi]

Kreagerm - You got a good one.... think what your attitude would be if you got a bad one?

 

[PMonday]

and I thought I was abrasive. I've had the CTX for some time now, I still haven't found it's full potential. Been trying some of Sube experiments and it just keeps getting better. Not posting up many finds but they are here in my possession, I also think the CTX is built like a tank, sorta. and what's this about updates??


old military is my holy grail, archeologist are getting funny in my area, think we're looters, I've offered to help, with them keeping the finds also but to no avail

HH everyone

 

[mrwilburino]

First time I've ever heard someone complaining about problems they've never had with a detector they never use.

 

[silverseeker 2]

Well let's see here, out of roughly the last ten threads on the Forum here I believe 6 of them
are about machines that went faulty. So the topic of bad machines overides any other topics lately.
I never said the CTX 3030 wasn't a great machine. I stated I saw its abilities in the HOUR I ran her
and uncovered 2 coins w/Iron in the hole using trace option.. Sure there's guys that have never had
an issue. There's plenty that have though and for this kind of money you don't need these issues
that they seem to have with the screen, leaks,usb port, etc. as all stated before. All I stated was Buying
a CTX is like a crap-shoot and never got down on some of you till you made your negative comments
as I am negative towards Minelab and not the CTX 3030. Yes mine hangs on the wall but not for much longer
here soon like I said as the warranty nears its end I will hunt her heavy and see what the real deal is.
Another reason it hangs on the wall is my go to machine has served me very well and I just can't put
her down as she does what I need it to do. I have plenty of days to use my 3030 in the days ahead
and I will put her through the paces.I have plenty of air test time on this unit and she runs fine whenever
I fire her up and I keep my batteries charged along w/W 10 module. So as of now my machine is new
and runs flawless as far as testing goes. In the field will be the real test and well just see how she holds out.
So Yes, Buying a 3030 is like a Crap-Shoot but just like anything else I guess. I appreciate the Positive comments
from some of you and the ones who have not had problems, you just don't know what the hassles are!!!
After 3 XS's, 2 that were bad in 2000 and the War stories of the 3030,and the money put out I just feel
these are not problems that should have to be dealt with. I do know this is one good unit when functioning right
and for all you greats that chimed in with your negative comments KUDOS to you as I have no hard feelings toward you
as I stated my negative attitude here is towards Minelab. Got it !!! Now go find some LOOT and I'll keep you regular CTX
users updated as I put some hours on my CTX and let you know how she holds up and how she performs.
Who knows this might be the eye opener I've been waiting for as I said in the 1rst hour she unmasked 2 coins
in trace and that was an EYE-OPENING experience!!! No hard feelings towards any of you as isn't this what
the Forum's about is to express your views and experiences!!!
silverseeker 2