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The Best Detector? DFX? Explorer?

A

Anonymous

Guest
Actually, a pogo stick with a magnet on the botton is better than all of them if that is what makes you happy!
I own both the DFX and the Explorer. I enjoy both of them. Do you know why? Because I get out and USE them. I don't worry about the pro's and cons of one over the other, and don't care to continue to comment about them except to say that the differences are minscule.
I'm convinced that everyone who will read this post will be happy with which ever detector they are using when they find the things they hope to find. I'm also convinced that either machine on any given day will perform well enough to help them find nice things. Sometimes it may be preferrable to use one over the other for different circumstances, but not enough to worry over.
What would be wonderful is to learn something on this forum about finding things with a Minelab Explorer. The good news is that there are several on here that provide very good tips about just that. Everything else sounds like tinfoil.
When I was in Vietnam we had a saying about those who only had time to bicker and complain. That saying was "that you owe it to your body to go to nam if that is all that you have to do." We don't have a Vietnam, as such, today, but I think the illustration still applies. If these detector issues upset you so much, then maybe this hobby is not really as beneficial as it should be for you. Think about it.
On the other hand, if you own an Explorer, or if you are planning on getting one, then I hope you have the kind of days that I often have. As soon as I wake up every morning, I'm filled with the anticipation of having an adventurous day and not knowing what kind of treasures the day will bring. And that is why I got into this hobby. Of course, I do have the DFX too. And you know what? It actually makes the hobby better. So my advice is either "get over it", or "get on with it". But, there is no single person who will ever be able to decide which detector is better for you. That will be left up to you, and the effort you put into using the one (or two) that makes you happy.
You know, if you really look for something to be happy about, consider this. Most countries in Europe don't even allow you to keep what you find. Peace and Freedom would be a good place to start.
HH Alton
 
I think what I like best is getting together with the friends I have met on the forums and hunting with them.I drove over 250 miles today and did more talking than hunting.I could have stayed here and found more,but you know what?I wouldn't trade today for a day finding 20 barbers by myself!
 
that most people looking to buy a new top of the line and put out a grand on a detector cant afford both, or maybe not have the time to use them both enough to learn them well to get top performance out of them. Before they shell out that cash that question am I buying the right one for me will always be popping up and the battles will continue.. When these XS vs DFX questions come up they would be better answered by replying with why you prefer one over the other, not by simply down grading the other by stating its faults.. Thats kinda like why we in NY have a new senator, the one running against here ran on a platform of I am not her, instead of what I am... I think most people realize they made the wrong choice now, at least with a detector you can sell it if you dont like it and try the other.. were stuck <IMG SRC="/forums/images/smile.gif" BORDER=0 ALT=":)">
 
I agree with that Senator thing, I feel bad for you NY'ers.
 
I'm originally from Arkansas...
Whew! I moved in 90, and then had to deal with them on a national level.
So you do have my sympathy on that one, and apology...
Alton
 
why did you ultimately make the comparison with The Explorer XS and The DFX. I am very curious to know.
Is it because, on the surface, these two detectors might have similarities that make them much like each other.
I think I have basically seen most of YOUR posts on these comparisons and I think they are all reasonable but does this mean that you have excluded the, say Fisher 1270 or a CZ-5 or even a Garret GTI 2500 or a GTI 1500 or any other later model detectors that lay claim to being the best for the job that these few, I have mentioned can and are it can be assumed, from what one reads, that they are supposed to do and have similar if not better search abilities to each other. Yes thay also have a bumped up advertising hype to boot.
What is it that droves you and made YOU decide that these two detectors needed comparisons to each other?
They are all basically VLF detectors. The Explorer XS, for me seems to outshine the rest and I assure you and others that I am NOT brand fanatic and have kept an open mind about these devices and their abilities.
Would you have pitted a a PI detecor like GP Extreme or an sd2200 D against any one of these "coin shooter' and "relic hunting" detectors if you where looking for depth as the main criteria. I will say to you that I know your assessments have been pretty fair if you compare the DFX and the Explorer XS to EACH other and depth was not the only consideration, but what about the other detectors?
Do you or will you ever know if the DFX was the right detector to pit against the Explorer XS?.
I also realise that you may have limited resurce and are not about to go out and try every single detector around because we also know that old saying that goes "when your on a good thing...stick to it".
Surely the forums that offer the other detectors may have had the same influence and inspiration that drove you to go out and purchase and compare the EX/XS and DFX.
David Di
 
You are completely right. I have not made those comparisons. I don't know if it is totally the case that I bought both the Explorer and the DFX for just comparison purposes. In fact, I think my most honest assessment for buying them was that I just wanted to have them.
Like everyone else, I hoped that one or the other would give me this tremendous advantage at finding deep treasure that was impossible for everyone else to find. Then, I woke up and started detecting. I also admit that I really never thought the detectors would actually do that, but I liked to think that just maybe one would.
I also agree about other detectors that deserve mention. I would very much like to try the new CZ70. I've been paying quite a bit of attention to the CZ forum trying to learn more about it. I'm also planning on getting a cache detector hopefully around the 1st of the year. I do agree that other detectors, and types of detectors are very worthy to be in one's arsenal for metal detecting.
I still say however, that the best one is the one that you are using, if it is the one that makes you happy. Kind of like translations of the Bible. The one that you will pick up and read is probably the best one. Although, it is good to have a second opinion every now and then. <IMG SRC="/forums/images/ohwell.gif" BORDER=0 ALT=":">
HH Alton
 
I had been wondering why the DFX and XS were the most commonly compared machines myself. I think that a little bit (maybe more than a little bit...) comes from some of the friendly intra-forum rivalries here that some folks mistake for a real attack.
Like you, I am watching the Fishers, particularily the 1270. Iron Filtering (reducing sensativity to iron - only allowing the bigger pieces through) sounds very interesting - and it is something that I don't think that an Explorer can pull off. I mean, yeah, I will eventually dig a cannon ball, but I will be digging a lot of other stuff too. The 1270 (and probably the 1266's too) just tune out the little stuff and can concentrate on the larger artifacts while retaining good sensativity to non-ferrous targets.
Now if anyone knows how to emulate a 1270's iron filtering on an Explorer, I would <b>love</b> to hear about that!
Tim
 
the 1270. I am at this computer reading your post 2 hours after I have just purchased another brand new Explorer XS.
I didn't consciously pick up on that possibility with the Iron Filtering, although, in reading about the 1270,it was staring me in the face and when I come to think of it, I do now recall that something about the 1270 drove me to phone the Australian distributor and inquire about the price and availability, about US$820.00 plus freight. There MAY have advantages to getting one , but for know, I will never know.
I was put off when I realized my limitations on seeing or touching and try the 1270. I just wish I had access to the 1270, but the nearest one is on the east cost of Australia and I am 2 thousand miles to the west in Western Australia.
Oh well, I can live with my decision.......I think.
David Di
 
I don't think that Fisher has some of the sales restrictions that Minelab imposes upon it's dealers.
The 1270 is currently $516 here in the States... Even if surface shipping costs around $30-$45, you would still be saving a huge amount of dough if you can endure the 2-4 week wait for the unit <IMG SRC="/forums/images/smile.gif" BORDER=0 ALT=":)">
Sorry to be soooo far off topic...
Tim
 
Who knows, I just might do it and buy one.
Thanks for the info.
DAVID Di
 
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