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Sov GT or Xterra 705

inkspotslo

New member
I have a chance to get a used Sov GT or new Xterra 705 for a hundred bucks more. I would need to upgrade to a digi meter for the Sov GT and a Sun Ray probe. I'm not sure if Sun Ray has a probe for the 705.

What should I do?

Robert
 
I'm sure we are slightly biased here in the Sovereign/Excal forum :biggrin:. . First vote in for the GT...
 
I would go for the GT too, especially if its for the beach, the meter and probe are not esential
 
The GT is basically a dry land Excalibur and the Excalibur is one of the most highly sought after detectors on the beach ....So as kered said , if this is primarily a beach machine , I would go with the GT ....Jim
 
Yea, I think of the Xterra line as "old school" in that they function for the most part like any other machine on the market. Well, they do have a unique way in which they process the signal compared to conventional VLF detectors, but you know what I mean. I hear many Explorer/Etrac/Sovereign guys use the Xterra for freshly plowed fields or construction sites, because FBS and BBS machines tend to have trouble with getting max depth in freshly moved soil. I've never really heard much in the way of depth performance of the XTerra compared to other brands, so I couldn't say which would go deeper compared to them, but it for sure isn't going to go as deep as the GT due to it's multifrequency and ability to penetrate varying ground types. I considered the Xterra before buying a GT. Didn't like the fact that they didn't have a 3khz coil in the 12" size range for max depth/best frequency on copper/silver. That was the final straw on it for me.
 
inkspotslo said:
I have a chance to get a used Sov GT or new Xterra 705 for a hundred bucks more. I would need to upgrade to a digi meter for the Sov GT and a Sun Ray probe. I'm not sure if Sun Ray has a probe for the 705.

What should I do?

Robert

You can get a meter used for about $50 buck or so. Many models/makes floating around. Most prefer the meters that go up to 180.

I personaly prefer the Garrett Pro Pointer over the Sun Ray probe. I've owned those on my Explorers and they were much more of a hassle for me than the Garrett Pro Pointer. Besides, it's cheaper, less weight, no cables, no forgetting to flip the switch back, and you can then use the Pro Pointer with other machines or to help friends find a target without lugging your whole detector over. Some like the ability of the Sun Ray to discriminate but the way I look at it so long as I'm bent down I'm digging any and all metal or iron out of that hole. Who's to say there isn't a coin hiding behind a nail or something.

I've got a washer tied to a wire that is zip tied to the back of the probe near the screw on battery cover. When I want more depth I just grab the wire/washer with my thumb and slide the washer down until the Pro Pointer starts to sound off, then back if off a bit from there. Depth just about doubles doing that and lets me find the target to dig out without having to get up and re-sweep the hole. An easy way to tell if the probe is too "super tuned" is to hold the washer where you want it and then touch the tip on the ground here and there. If it falses then back it off a hair more before locating the target. Works like a charm. Another handy feature is to turn it on with the probe near your digger or something. Now it's detuned and will narrow down the spot for you. I like doing that when I've got roots in the way and want to know exactly where that bugger is, as often I'll then use a screwdriver to pry it out of there.
 
Ask your self where are you going to hunt the most if it's mosty dry land then the Xterra 705 would be the ticket but if your going to the beach and will be working a lot of wet sand then the GT would be the pick since it would handle the wet sand better then again the GT will do dry land just fine but unless you get a meter your in for a shock with all the tones you will hear when in disc mode.
 
All i can say is that i have a Sovereign and had a X-Terra 705 sold the X-Terra and still have the Sovereign.....
 
I use the Sovereign inland all the time it is one of the best for the Beach and also the best for inland to me . The X Terra detectors are all just single Frequency detectors .
 
Yea, I mainly use my GT on land for old coin hunting. The Sovereign has a "king of the hill" reputation for beach hunting and that over shadows it's name at times but don't let that fool you. It's also to many the deepest land machine on the market for old coins. It's an amphibious machine. Take the meter off and chest mount it to hunt in the water, and throw the meter on to find coins in worked out parks that other machines can't. Best of both worlds.
 
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