Peter: I own both machines and have used and like them both. In my mind, and in my hands there is no question that the XS is a deeper machine on coin size targets deeper by half again as measured in the field and in my garden. The XS has the edge in high Iron enviroments running, in Iron Mask it's ability to detect a coin in close proximity to a rusty nail is a destinct advantage. You only have to lay a nail down next to a coin and see the DFX null(as almost all other machines would)and see the XS pick up the coin to wonder how many times this will happen in the field.
The DFX is a much faster machine, faster to sweep, faster to learn, faster to scan a new area for the possabilities it might have. I think the DFX has a better tone I.D. and I know it is a better pinpointer without the Double D coil, but remember it's coil detection patteren cones at depth.
I own them both and wouln't have it any other way. Which one do I use, both for the reasons listed above, but if I had to pick just one it would be the EX with the X1 probe, and a Stelth X-8" coil. I cannot imagine a situation where the DFX would see a coin that the XS could not see, and I don't think the reverse is true.
