thinking about getting a minelab, help me out

[ffman]

Are you saying the x-70 is not Deep? Have read otherwise. Curious

The explorer seemed to find coins /wheats at over 8" that I did not even get a signal on. The operator is a master, so had somethig to do with it I am sure. He has an older model and was picking silver out of the ground walking behind a DFX. The DFX guy was miffed he was loosing coils to an outdated machine. I love the X-70 and dig 8" targets with it, but I think the Explorer is a little more machine. I will take my chances with light machine.
cb

 

[Grant]

This is kind of like comparing a Minelab P.I. GP3500 for $3500 to a whites GMT VLF for $799.00 I owned both Here were pros and cons on both machines GMT great for smaller shallow targets ( most of your prospecting finds) the 3500 Huge depth increase along with a Huge learning curve and carrying around a 6volt battery on your back in the desert. As far as the comparison to the Ace 250/X30 comparison air testing is not a precise test as the machine reads the target as it would stand in the ground. I have the Ace 250 and the X-Terra 70 ( course I do have the 70 not the 30) and I have double to tripled my finds with the X-Terra70 that's in the field side by side same area comparison as I walked right by coins with the ace The 70 would not let me miss those targets. After owning and selling so many detectors I've found as far as cost ( how much time are you going to spend in the hobby) , You always get what you pay for. I've upgraded so many times it's cost me a lot of money rather then just getting the machine I should have. and I really think how comfortable you are with a machine really factors into what you purchase a good dealer will let you check out a used machine if he wants to sell. I've found a machine I'm not comfortable with has a way of not finding anything but trash not because of the machine but my lack of patience and learning the machine. Just my two cents. I'm very happy with my X-Terra70 however I've never owned a Explorer SE. Best of luck in your purchase let us know how you do. And in have the ACE 250 and Xterra70 the X-Terra does blow the the Ace 250 away period ( not to say for the price the ACE 250 isn't a good machine" but there's a $500 price difference HH . Grant

 

[Grant]

One problem I never had with this machine even after using it a couple of times was pinpointing with all 3 of my coils I don't get thie issue I guess. As a new user x ing over a target can easily get me with range to make a small U cut Prove there's the coin put sod back and move on no one know I was ever there. Grant

 

[Goes4ever]

I can pinpoint to within one inch with my ace, but I have put hundreds of hours hunt time on that machine as well, don't get me wrong, I love my ace and have founds a lot of really good stuff with it. But a couple things burn me up with the ace.

#1 my buddy hunts with a DFX and he is constantly finding DEEPER coins in areas I covered, so I want more depth to reach the items I am missing. I use the stock coil (6 x 9) on the ace, so I am positive the stock coil on the X-70 will give me more depth, but how much??

#2 this is a problem that drives me NUTS. I hunt a lot of old homesites and as you know thay all have lots of iron, well if it is a large rusty washer the ace rings off as a coin signal. And if it is deep large iron it will ring off as a deep coin, always says 8+ inches on the meter. I start to dig then the signal goes back to iron. Very irratating. Will the X-70 let me know it is iron or is it fooled by deep iron as well?

#3 when I get a nickel signal on my ace it is almost always can slaw, but when my buddy get a nickel signal on his DFX, it is usually a nickel, how does the x-70 fair in this area?

and why I am at it, how accurate is the depth meter on the X-70?

thank you all so much for your help and opinions, it is HIGHLY appreciated. As for now I am def leaning towards the X-70 as the detector I want. Now just got to save the $$$$.............

 

[Mick in Dubbo]

hit the pinpointing button twice more while over the target, as this will narrow the pinpoint down to an inch and a half even on a shallow target, or use the 12 o'clock position of the receive coil (in pinpoint mode) to locate a target accurately. As I hunt lawn, accuracy is paramount to me. I notice that the pinpoint can be pulled of centre fairly easily though by nearby targets, which can be annoying.
Mick Evans.

 

[Mick in Dubbo]

If you are particularly after accurate ID on deep targets, then the Explorer would be the best choice. You can buy large coils for it as well for extra depth. As for deep iron, I would suggest that you ask questions on the Explorer forum or the classroom for more information. I hunt shallow targets so can't give you much help on that one. Sorry if I'm clouding your decision, just trying to give you the best options.
Mick Evans.

 

[khouse]

I can pinpoint to within one inch with my ace, but I have put hundreds of hours hunt time on that machine as well, don't get me wrong, I love my ace and have founds a lot of really good stuff with it. But a couple things burn me up with the ace.

#1 my buddy hunts with a DFX and he is constantly finding DEEPER coins in areas I covered, so I want more depth to reach the items I am missing. I use the stock coil (6 x 9) on the ace, so I am positive the stock coil on the X-70 will give me more depth, but how much??
It's possible that having a fixed GB on the Ace might hinder some depth in certain soils
#2 this is a problem that drives me NUTS. I hunt a lot of old homesites and as you know thay all have lots of iron, well if it is a large rusty washer the ace rings off as a coin signal. And if it is deep large iron it will ring off as a deep coin, always says 8+ inches on the meter. I start to dig then the signal goes back to iron. Very irratating. Will the X-70 let me know it is iron or is it fooled by deep iron as well?
Although the Xterra's are good at IDing iron digging larger round iron or large iron IDing as a coin can be a problem with most detectors. By sizing your target you can ususally see that's it's larger than a coin.
#3 when I get a nickel signal on my ace it is almost always can slaw, but when my buddy get a nickel signal on his DFX, it is usually a nickel, how does the x-70 fair in this area?
Nickels are right in the middle of trash. Having 12 notches on the ace more trash can be in that notch. Again sizing the target will help. The MXT will hit right at #20 for a nickel and Xterra 70 will be #12. With the latter two having more notches so to speak the nickel range will have a little less trash.
and why I am at it, how accurate is the depth meter on the X-70?

thank you all so much for your help and opinions, it is HIGHLY appreciated. As for now I am def leaning towards the X-70 as the detector I want. Now just got to save the $$$$.............

 

[Grant]

Your response is misleading and after reading they guy wants the 70 not the 30 and I highly doubt your numbers anyway on the ace VS. the 30 I have one. As far as the 70 which was the topic no comparison. Maybe you love your ace but come on give the guy some info thats realistic. Grant

 

[Goes4ever]

Your response is misleading and after reading they guy wants the 70 not the 30 and I highly doubt your numbers anyway on the ace VS. the 30 I have one. As far as the 70 which was the topic no comparison. Maybe you love your ace but come on give the guy some info thats realistic. Grant

yeah I agree I'd like to see comparison of the ace VS the X-70, not the X-30

 

[Digger]

Like I said earlier, the X-70 will blow away the Ace 250. http://www.findmall.com/read.php?55,736454,737212#msg-737212

Not only in countless features and functionality. But in the dirt, where it counts. I will say, with confidence, that my X-70 will find coins at least 50% deeper than any of the three Ace 250's I've owned. But honestly, with the price difference, it should. They are what they are! In some regards, you do get what you pay for. In the case of the X-70, you get more! JMHO Randy

 

[Goes4ever]

I really wish I had a minelab dealer closer to me, so I could check it out in person. I am heavily leaning towards the X-70

 

[Steve(MS)]

You definitely need a detector with GB to get optimum depth if ground conditions warrant especially for a single frequency detector. Lower priced detectors are ok but when in adverse conditions, extra features really help out.

 

[Mick in Dubbo]

I can't help it if you don't like the result. It seems that nobody has given you specific results as yet; only guestemations. Like I said earlier, if somebody will do the honours of actually giving actual specific results on the 70, then you are flying blind. Grant if you question my results, then at least go and do you own so that Goes4ever has something intelligent to make his decision on. You are correct, the 30 isn't the best machine to give him the results he is looking for, so I challenge any 70 user to post actual results of tests that they have done.
Mick Evans.

 

[Goes4ever]

that would be great if someone did that! and would be highly appreciated as well

 

[Digger]

There seems to be no end to this post string. Like your username, it goes4ever. Let me stop it here by saying that a detector is only as good as the operator using it. And results may vary, depending on the site and circumstances. If you can't recognize the functionality differences between the X-Terra, the Explorer and Ace 250, you haven't read the brochures. If you want to dispute those who have been so kind to offer their opinions, use the PM option. HH Randy (the Moderator of this forum)

 

[TomB]

There seems to be no end to this post string. Like your username, it goes4ever. Let me stop it here by saying that a detector is only as good as the operator using it. And results may vary, depending on the site and circumstances. If you can't recognize the functionality differences between the X-Terra, the Explorer and Ace 250, you haven't read the brochures. If you want to dispute those who have been so kind to offer their opinions, use the PM option. HH Randy (th
e Moderator of this forum)

Very well said Randy.....and very much to the point. TomB

 

[ThirdDay_2]

The X70 weighs less than 3lbs. totally assembled with it's batteries (4 AA's). Both machine's are going to make you happy for any type of hunting as long as you get the proper coil. Not to sound like a salesman for KELLYCO (I don't work for or know anyone who works there, but they earned my business), but they have an X-Terra 70 Pro Package which includes a 5X10 17.5kHz DD coil with the standard 9" 7.5 kHz. Also includes a boatload of freebies from factory and KCo.(carrying case/headphones/digging tools/tool pouch/dust/rain cover/etc and a Pinpointer rod to help you ...well..."pinpoint" an item when you start digging and can't quite figure if it's below or to the side of your hole (about 150 dollar item). All this for 728.00 or so (I think that's close to the price....it was seven something....you can see the deal/deals at the website KELLYCO. I think the largest coil offered with the X70 is a 10.5" and the SE Premium Pro they offer with an 11"DD coil (which I believe is the biggest one for it). I am not sure just exactly how heavy the SE is, but it's a heck of a lot more than the 2 lbs. and change that the X70 weighs!! If you have a bad back, weak ankle's/knee's, are lazy or just plain don't want to lug around anymore than you have to, then that half inch diameter coil on the SE isn't going to make enough difference for you (in my humble opinion). There are tons of customer ratings on that website I linked for you as well. Give it a shot and then shop and compare. I know that they had a big Memorial sale that was supposed to end on June 1'st, but they extended it to "until special packages they have left" are all sold....so hit 'em before you lose 'em :O) Best of luck to you.

 

[ThirdDay_2]

All this for 728.00 or so (I think that's close to the price....it was seven something....you can see the deal/deals at the website KELLYCO.

Price for the Pro package is actually 798.97. I thought 728 sounded a bit low



P.S. If you place the order by phone with KellyCo, ask them to take the 15.00 coupon of the magazine they are going to send you with the order and you can save 15 bucks off that price (or price of anything you might buy over 100 dollars). Good luck again.

 

[sport.pilot]

Hello everyone,

I pretty much agree with the points made about the pinpointing ability of the X-terra, or its lack of ability with the concentric coil for shallow targets -- especially if you hunt city parks and need very accurate target narrowing. If out in the dessert or wilderness, and you can use a shovel and dig hell out of the terrain, then it works fine. However, I owned an Explorer XS and hated every minute of the two years I had it. The visual display in my opinion was abysmal and complicated way beyond what was needed, It was the most out of balance detector I ever used except for my Minelab GP Extreme. and in fact, I think the GPX is actually more balanced. And, As far as the Explorer's pinpointing ability was on par with a radio shack detector. It was awful. The X-Terra 70 for me so far has been very accurate as to its coin ID. I have only used it a couple of times for prospecting and meteorite hunting, with moderate success. I may or may not since I have a Gold Bug 2 and a GP Extreme. But, bar none, the White's XLT is by far the most accurate pinpointer I have ever owned. When VCO audio is on, it cannot be beat. In fact, many times when I hunt with my Explorer friends, they call me over to help them center a target, especially if we are in a city park that cannot be dug up at will. Only twice in the last year did they locate a target I could not hear with my XLT. If you know how to adjust it, it is a great detector. It has turn on go features and can save 9 custom programs. It has individual notching capability, can be programed to work in wet beach sand, and is wonderfully balanced. Over the last 15 years, I have hunted extensively and used about 12 detectors. While I agree the Explorer is an excellent detector, if you can stand its poor balance (what little it has) its hideous display, its weight, and its poor pinpointing audio and visual indicator, then more power to anyone that can suffer through it. They will be rewarded with wonderful finds. For a good overall multi-purpose detector, the X-Terra 70 is a good choice. For coin hunting that is a pleasure, nothing beats and Whites XL PRO or a Whites XLT. They also do great jobs for relic hunting. But for prospecting, they are poor at best unless the nugget is the size of a marble. And, if that is the size of the nugget, then any detector will find it. Now, you might not find as many deep coins with the Whites as with the Explorer, but if you hate the detector and therefore do not use it, you might as well have the cheapest Radio Shack detector. Anyway, just my two cents worth. The best detector is the one that you will use a lot. If you choose an X-terra 70, you will not be dissaointed. I suggest you find a friend and try using the detector(s) you are interested in before you buy. Even rent them if you must. Spending a $100 to rent one for a weekend is well worth it since it can save you a lot of heartache. It would be a shame to discover you purhased a detector you dislike, and then end up selling it and losing money. I would definately not buy and Explorer before you swing one for at least a day. They say the new one is lighter and better balanced, but there is much more to detecting than just weight and balance. They are very important elements, but you also want to chose a detector that meets your needs, as well as your style of hunting. Good luck.

Darryl

 

[foot69]

I just bought the Kellyco pro pack and also lucked into the memorial day special which included the 6"dd coil. GREAT buy. They can only ship to a US address tho not sure about Canada..
I also dont work there..