Some good advice needed

[Grumps51]

Hi all,
I'm looking to purchase a new Minelab before Christmas, but need some advice on which to buy. It will either be an Explorer SE, X-terra 70 or the Quattro. Price aside which will give the most depth on the beach? Which is a better all rounder? I have heard that the Quattro gets a bit heavy after a long days detecting.
I use a Goldscan as my principle beach machine, but I need a back up.
Any help please.
Mal

 

[willy]

You already have a super deep detector, the Goldscan, which will blow away basically any VLF. Now, the VLF will ID targets.. until it reaches a certain depth (often considerably less than the max. detecting depth), at which point it's no better than the PI for disc. To me, it makes sense to go with an XTerra 70 (w. DD coil) which will still give you decent depth AND allow you to see small targets that are effectively invisible to the FBS and PI detectors. Hit an area with the X70 first, to clear out the more easily found stuff (and you can search faster with it) and, when finished, haul out the PI and get the deep stuff that the VLF's won't ID anyway. I've read an article or two about 'micro-jewellry' (like diamond ear studs) that most detectors miss 'cause they just don't have the sensitivity to find them. The X70, or the MXT, will find these targets. I could almost bet that a BBS/FBS wouldn't have a hope of finding them. If anyone has a different opinion re. small gold I have just one question to ask in reply: How many Explorers (XS,SE, II, etc) do you see in the goldfields nuggethunting, and how many MXT's? The X70 is rather new to the ballgame, but should at least rival the MXT for small gold. ..Willy.

 

[Old California]

Mal,

These are my options on your two questions, (which will give the most depth on the beach) and (which is a better all rounder.)

First, Pass on the Quattro

 

[Farmercal]

If you are going to to use a detector primarily at the beach you need to be more specific. Are you staying on the dry sand? The reason I ask is because the Xterra 70 doesn't like wet sand very much but the Explorer loves the wet sand (as does the Excalibur which is waterproof). If you are not going to get near the wet sand then the XT70 will be a good machine. The EXII gets heavy and I have to use a swingy thingy to take the weight off my shoulder. I own both and like them equally well. I won't give up either, I like the EXII for its depth capability and small coil option, I like the XT70 because it is easy to use and is light and in the the the water I like the Excalibur 1000 because its an Excalibur!