Tesoro Vaquero vs X-70 for deep relics??

[Dirt Poor]

Hello, folks! I have an X-70, and really like it. I wouldn't get rid of it. But if any of y'all have a Vaquero or Tejon, and would give an opinion on those deep, faint signals, which machine would you favor? Thanks!

 

[morelic55]

I have had both the Tejon and the Vaquero and althou they are great machines they fall short in the way I hunt relics. In the field, away from modern trash and at real old sites, the Xterra 70/705 WITH THE 10.5DD coils.... IN MY OPINION will out hunt any of the Tesoros, even with the T&V with the 10x12 coils. I was a Tesoro dealer in the 90's and the old Bandito was the weapon of choice when it first came out. On the other hand, I found nothing with the Tejon that could not of been found with the Bandito. I guess the point I'm trying to make is until you dig a 3 ringer or button out of a hole littered with square nails, at a depth of 12-14 inches, with the Xterra 70/705 With the 10.5DD coil, NO ONE will understand my utmost belief in these machines. The Xterra with the 10.5DD coil is like the Explorer in depth and yes, that coil IS a little heavy. So either mod the detector or use the "Swingy Thingy" that the E guys use. My stock coil is still unused in the box, just because I have found "The" combination for MY hunting style.....Sorry about rambling on, but like I've said before, I've been thru at least $3,000 worth of machines in the last 2 years to finally realize that the Xterra is the machine I've consistently found more relics with than any other machine............MO

 

[Digger]

I've owned the Vaquero in both standard tone and high tone. I've owned the Cibola in both standard tone and high tone. And I've owned a couple of Tejons. A short answer to your question..... if I wanted to dig deep signals, I'd use the X-Terra. If I wanted to hear faint signals, I'd go with the V or T. (it's the X-Terra forum. what did you expect to hear)?

Seriously, the V, C and T are capable detectors for what they have to offer. By that, I mean no disrespect. But you are asking for us to compare a non-metered, single tone, variable discriminating, non-tracking, single frequency detector with one that has all that, and more. The main problem I had was, in order to maximize the depth of detection, you needed to Super-tune them. Hunting in the "standard" setting didn't give me any more depth than the umax series. But when I turned up the Sens and Vol, thedetectors would false when I bumped the coil against a weed, a cornstalk or even on rough ground. I could go back over the spot and realize it was a false signal. But by stopping and rechecking, I had broken my rhythm and wasted that time in the field!

I know there are lots of satisfied V, C and T users out there that wouldn't have anything else. But the question I would ask them is, have you ever tried the X-Terra? I have, and will continue to use it. JMHO HH Randy

 

[BarnacleBill]

Hi DP,

I'm going to make an assumption....that may be wrong....that you would like to try to distinguish deep vs shallow signals via how strong the audio response is. In the Coin & Treasure mode the Terra's for the most part are full saturated audio. Now that has the advantage that you don't overlook any signal and can also help those with not so great hearing. If you find you can work with it, I would suggest switching to Prospecting Mode to check a signal which will give you a variable strength audio to distinguish better deeper or shallower targets.

I did own a Tejon for a year but not the Vaquero, so I can't give an educated opinion on the difference between the two. However in case you are interested, I sold the Tejon for one major shortcoming. I mainly hunt gold jewelry amongst rusty nails in the water. I need a detector that has a very tight filtering system that is able to block the iron response yet allow small gold(pendants, small white gold rings) to be heard. The Tejon suffers from poor iron breakthrough at lower discrimination settings. At the level the Disc is adjusted to eliminate nails then all small gold is gone. It has good sensitivity to gold, but your ears take a beating in the process.

I have the Fisher Excel & Edge also which are excellent in iron, but lack the sensitivity to gold of the Terra's with the High Frequency coils & also lack the coil variety. I also have an Fisher(FT) F70 which likewise suffers from the same poor iron filtering as the Tejon, as well as the build quality of FT product being suspect with the number of DOA's they produce.

HH
BarnacleBill

 

[Shenandoah Digger]

I've owned many Tesoros over the years. Silver, Eldorado, Cibola, Vaquero, and Tejon. Great machines all. But the 70 or 705 or whatever you'd like to call them is much more machine for $140 more than the Tejon. Many many more features. The Tesoros are great beep and dig machines, and they're deep. But after using the 70 with all it's features it's hard to return to the Tesoros on an everyday basis.

 

[Dirt Poor]

Thank each of you for the replies. I have owned many beep-and-digs over the years, as well as metered top-end machines. I have enjoyed both types. I have not owned my 70 all that long, and the weather has been pretty bad, too. I have used the 70 enough to know that it probably will be my favorite machine in the long run, and I've been digging for 30 years. For some reason, every year about this time, I get to "itchin'" for a new machine. It's kinda like guns. When you just want another, you won't be happy until you add one more to the arsenal. I am getting an Eldorado uMax to add to the herd. Heck, I got a 10.5" coil for my 70 a while back and haven't used it yet. Waiting for all this darn snow, mud, and rain to clear out. Then. I'm going digging....

 

[wayne_etc]

I've had a Vaquero and an Eldorado uMax. I liked the Eldorado better. Seemed to me to be a tad deeper, and I thought the tone was a little "smoother". VERY deep machine.


w

 

[Dirt Poor]

I've had a Vaquero and an Eldorado uMax. I liked the Eldorado better. Seemed to me to be a tad deeper, and I thought the tone was a little "smoother". VERY deep machine.


w

Thanks! It's snowing again here. This makes the 3rd Saturday in a row that it's snowing. Can't use the machines I got due to weather...

 

[Shenandoah Digger]

I know the feeling. I always loved the Eldorado, but traded it for a Vaquero. The big coil on the 70 makes it a different machine.

 

[Dirt Poor]

Thanks for the posts! I'm supposed to be off work for 3 days toward the end of next week. Will probably have a blizzard then!! My work schedule usually doubles as my weather forecaster. Works every time.