The 10" D2 coil vs 12" Super coil for the MXT

[Confetrit]

I own the MXT PRO and I am a Relic Hunter. I have the 10" D2 coil and the 4x6 Shooter coil. I really like the 10' D2 coil, but I have been looking for a little larger coil that would possibly give me some more depth. I had about talked myself into the 15" Max coil, but I'm afraid this would be a bit too heavy for my shoulder. I'm 62 years old, but in overall good health. I'm looking for someone who has by chance used these two coils on their MXT and what their thoughts and experience are concerning these two coils. I was thinking that the Super coil was a DD coil, but have just recently learned that it is a concentric coil. My questions would be for anyone who have used these two coils: 1) Would the 12' Super coil hit any deeper than the 10" D2 coil?, and 2) depending on question 1, would it be justifiable to spend the extra money on the Super 12" coil? Any help or feedback would be most appreciated. Thanks in advance, Kevin

 

[Monte]

I own the MXT PRO and I am a Relic Hunter.

I mainly Relic Hunt out in the western USA, concentrating on ghost towns, homesteads, stage stops, pioneer and military encampments, fort sites, and other locations that produce neat old stuff. The bulk of these locations are plagued with a dense amount of nails and other ferrous discards plus ample rusty tin or shards thereof. I used to use the MXT Pro and All-Pro [size=small](exact same detector except for an ALL sticker)[/size] as well as the MX-5 as my main-use detectors until I switched around 3½ years ago. Both are very capable detectors, but there were things about the MX-5 I preferred and actually used it about 60% of the time and the MXT Pro 40%.

I have the 10" D2 coil and the 4x6 Shooter coil.

Curious why those two coils? Maybe you got the MXT Pro with the 10" D2 standard then acquired the 4X6 'Shooter' coil, but was there a reason you selected Double-D coils and no Concentric types?

I really like the 10' D2 coil, ..

This is where we differ because I had a 10" D2 before they were officially released. I didn't like it and it didn't work well so they replaced it. That one worked, but not impressively for me and the sites I hunt. I got a 10" D2 on my MXT All-Pro when it was introduced and it also came with the open-frame 9" Concentric coil. That was the much better performing coil as the 10" D2 wasn't. I had a 10" D2 again that worked on a VX3 and another MXT Pro, and it was also terrible. The guy who bought it from me, cheap, also didn't care for it. I've talked with two avid users of the V3i and one prefers the 9" open Concentric coil and the other, an engineer, uses the 6½" Concentric the most. Both do well working old places finding deeper silver coins.

... but I have been looking for a little larger coil that would possibly give me some more depth.

Depth. The often spoken word so let me ask what kind of targets you are looking for, and what do you consider 'depth' or 'deep' to be based on the primary targets you are after? What types of sites do you Relic Hunt the most?

I had about talked myself into the 15" Max coil, but I'm afraid this would be a bit too heavy for my shoulder. I'm 62 years old, but in overall good health.

As I stated in the subject heading, I'm 69 and in pretty bad health with impaired mobility. I never liked the bungee straps offered with some detectors as they were too cumbersome and annoying. I don't enjoy using heavy, unbalanced detectors and I found the 15" MXT Max coil as well as the 12" Concentric coil to be punishing on my neck, back and shoulder.

I'm looking for someone who has by chance used these two coils on their MXT and what their thoughts and experience are concerning these two coils. I was thinking that the Super coil was a DD coil, but have just recently learned that it is a concentric coil.

I have used all of those search coils and yes, the 12" is a Concentric design.

My questions would be for anyone who have used these two coils: 1) Would the 12' Super coil hit any deeper than the 10" D2 coil?

Yes, it usually will hit deeper than the 10" DD coil. Naturally hitting 'deeper' is relevant to the size and shape of the target you're using for comparison. Generally speaking, the long known, traditional experience is that if two search coils are of a comparable size and shape, the Concentric coils will Discriminate a little better, especially handling iron, and they will also get slightly better depth-of-detection than a Double-D coil. Target ID visual responses are also often tighter than with a DD coil.

and 2) depending on question 1, would it be justifiable to spend the extra money on the Super 12" coil? Any help or feedback would be most appreciated. Thanks in advance, Kevin

It might be justifiable if it is really going to provide the performance edge you want. I have been avidly enjoying this great sport for 53½ years and I have done some side-by-side comparisons with two fellows using the 10" D2 DD coil. One uses it on his V3i and the other on an MXT Pro. The comparison they were doing was a depth test on a couple of targets. Just for fun I offered to use two detectors to give them another thought or two. I used an MX-5 w/9" open spider Concentric coil, and my MX-7 w/950 standard Concentric coil. I won ... twice ... producing the better audio and visual response on their deeper test targets.

My closing thoughts are if you like the 10" DD and feel you want more depth, I'd suggest borrowing and trying a few coils first in side-by-side comparisons, and not 'air test' comparisons. The 12" Concentric I might consider, but the 15" can be a bit much. I know I can't handle it, and it wouldn't be the right tool for me and my hunting needs. I'll also suggest you compare the 9" and 950 Concentric coils against the 10" DD also.

Just my opinions based on some personal experience.

Monte

 

[Confetrit]

Monte, Thank You so much for your thoughts and input concerning the coil comparison. I believe I have about decided against getting the 15' coil. I believe the weight would be a bit too much. The 12' Super cool is real close in weight as the 10"D2 coil so I pretty much know what to expect. I can swing the D2 coil comfortably while hunting just taking normal breaks. Thanks again, you've given me a lot to think about.

 

[Hombre]

The 9 inch concentric "spider" coil that comes stock on the discontinued MX5 is deep and separates fairly well for it's size. Just a great all around lightweight coil that balances well and does not make the rig nose heavy.

 

[Wayfarer]

I totally agree with Hombre (and Monte). I have a V3i and MXT and leave the 9" Spider coil on the V3i almost all the time. The only time I take it off, is to use it on my MXT. The 9" Spider concentric is one of White's most underappreciated coils and one of my all-time favorites.

The 12" concentric will get you a little better depth, but at the cost of worse separation and far greater weight. The slight gain in depth does not outweigh the negatives for me. I'd rather have a little less depth but with better separation - at the end of the day, I'll send up with more keepers with the 9". And it's far easier to swing, of course.

However, the 12" concentric would be a good extra coil for the specialized purpose of rechecking a productive site for deep targets once you've cleaned it out of the shallower stuff, just not as a primary use coil.

Two other larger coils worth considering are the 10x12 SEF butterfly and the Ultimate 13." That's what I put on when I'm looking for extra depth. The SEF separates really well for its size although I think the U13 may be a tad deeper. I have both and can't ever make up my mind which one to use, they are both so close in performance and both good coils. *And* they are lighter than the 12" concentric.

 

[Confetrit]

Good points Wayfarer. This is just where I'm at. Where we hunt has been hunted to death for over 30 years. My MXT PRO with the 10" D2 coil has found relics in areas I couldn't believe. I believe there is still some artifacts that may still be just beyond the 10" coils reach. This area has been hunted to death by many hunters using most every kind of detector made. The D2 coil was like it opened up a new area. I'm curious as to what the 12" super coil would do. I appreciate your feedback on this as well as the others.