Those Testers that have both the X-Terra 30 and the 50

[Rick(ND)]

I notice something on the 30 tonight and wonder if anyone else has notice it too. On the 50 the nickles are 12, the dimes are 33-36 and the quarters will lock on 42. On the 30 the nickle also will be 12, the dimes 33, but the quarters will read 40. I also notice on my bar floor with all the nails I seem to get better response and better depth with the 30 over the 50 I had. Just wondering if anyone else has notice this in actual hunting.

Rick

 

[John(Tx)]

maybe the reason the 30 is getting better depth than the 50 on your floor is because the 30's GB is fixed. If you can find out what "Minelab" is using to set the GB with on the 30 and if you can get a "specimen ore sample" of the same material they use and set the GB on the 50 with it you might get better results. What do you think? HH John

 

[Monte]

make and model.

 

[Mike Bearden]

Any factory "fixed GB" is going to react differently right out of the box when compared to a manual GB that is being set by the end user.
I know for a fact that "so far" there is no depth advantage between the 50 and 30 in my nasty hot dirt, however, where Daniel and I hunted on his turf in Tennessee where the ground was constantly changing I could see where the factory fixed GB might come into play, be it good or bad results. I do know that Tesoro sets up the Cibola with a tad hot pre-set GB and the Vaquero with a manual GB, other than that they are supposed to be the same detector... just easier to use for some.
I tried both and simply preferred the manual GB of the Vaquero for personal preference.
I was running a Tejon while Daniel was using the 50 and several times I had to stop and reset the GB on the Tejon even when running the GB a tad bit on the HOT side.
We both walked away with a handful of bullets.
I don't recall if Daniel had to re-adjust the 50's GB during his hunt, he might have, just don't know. I do know that he went thru several different settings (all metal) patterns one and two because that's what his test was all about, to see IF the X-Terra 50 would handle the bad dirt where so many others had failed ... I believe he was pleased with the results
There are very few detectors out there that I can stand to hunt with in all metal mode, the X-Terra is one of those on my short list for sure.
H.H.
Mike

 

[Digger]

You can't be reading a 33 on dimes with the X-Terra 30. The reason I say that is because there is not a "33" on the X-Terra 30. Dimes might read a 32 or a 36, but not a 33.
The X-Terra 30 has 12 target ID numbers, set up in increments of 4. They range from -4, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40 and 44. The X-Terra 50 has 18 target ID numbers, in increments of 3. Those numbers are -9, -6, -3, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, 36, 39, 42 and 45. The reason that the quarters read a 42 on the X-Terra 50 is because that is where the target ID information is located for quarters. Since there is no "42" on the X-Terra 30, the target ID for quarters is apparently set on "40".
I am finding some nickels at both 9 and 12 on my X-Terra 50. But on my X-Terra 30, they all come in at 12. I would imagine that since there is no 9 on the X-Terra 30, they will always read 12 on it. An 8 (the next closest target ID number) would be too far out of range. HH Randy

 

[Digger]

I must be one of those "typical" coin shooters you refer to. I like the 3-tone audio of the X-Terra 30 better than the 4-tone audio of the X-Terra 50. Don't misunderstand me. I would prefer 4 tones. But the X-Terra 50 gives a different tone for silver dimes than it does silver quarters. The way it is set up, 27, 30, 33, 36 and 39 are the medium high tone and only 42 & 45 are high tone. If I were able to tweak mine, it would have ferrous remain as low tone; target groups 3, 6, 9, 12 and 15 at medium-low tone; target groups 18, 21, 24, 27 and 30 at medium-high tone; and 33, 36, 39, 42 and 45 at high tone. That would be a more complete audio target ID arrangement for this "typical" coinshooter.

The past few weeks, I have dug old silver dimes at both 36 and 39, (and one near the surface registering a 42) with IH cents primarily coming in at 27 and 33. Having one tone for coins (as with the X-Terra 30) instead of two separate tones for dimes and quarters, would better allow me to "coin hunt by ear" as opposed to referring to target ID numbers for target confirmation. I will continue to dig targets with either tone, and many of them with the medium low tone. I just want people to realize that there are two distinct tones for most common US coins (except nickels) on the X-50. Whereas the X-30 gives those same coins a high tone only. HH Randy

 

[Monte]

preferring the X-Terra 30's 33-tone audio due to the 'grouping' of most higher-conductive coins into the single higher tone. However ...

There are a few sites where quarters are in heavy use and, when time limits are tight, you can use the X-Terra 50 and cruise away listening primarily for the high tone from the shallower quarters. It does provide that measure of "cherry picking" for those times when you might have a high concentration of quarters and/or just too many blasted screwcaps that 'read' similar to the zinc cents and such.

I agree that it would be nice to be able to assign the various tones as we would like them, but that would defeat the benefit of having this much performance in such a handy and affordable package.

Monte

 

[steve herschbach]

Hi,

I much prefer the coin being split into two tones. I am often finding situations where I prefer to pass on pennies, usually when I am jewelry detecting. So for me on the XT50 I pass on low and med/high tones, and dig med/low and high tones.

I end up missing the dimes to not dig the pennies but that is ok since I am really after jewelry. But I'll take the quarters on up if I can get them.

As far as I'm concerned the tone system on the X-Terra 50 is perfect. But if Minelab wants to offer an extra feature someday I'd like to see machines come with programmable tones. Let the user decide what tone to assign to each target segment.

Steve Herschbach

 

[Digger]

If hunting for modern coins in modern day parks qualifies one as a "typical" coinshooter, maybe I am not one afterall! And, not being one who cherry picks parks for quarters, I can't attest to that. (people really do that?) As someone who has spent 33 years hunting for old coins in long-forgotten places, I don't see how reassigning the values for a specific target group's audio / visual relationship would (as you say) "defeat the benefit of having this much performance in such a handy and affordable package". Maybe I misunderstand your point, but I don't believe reassigning a tone value (to correlate with a silver value) wouldn't change any of the technological characteristics at all. It would simply provide a consistent tone for all silver coins. If you notice in my post, I did not put one cent coins in the group with silver. Just dimes in with quarters, halves and silver dollars. Could you please explain how you think this would diminish the performance? Thanks Randy

 

[Digger]

If you are passing on low and med/high tones, and digging only the med/low and high tones, then you will likely be missing some nice gold targets. My larger class rings come in with medium high tones and register either 27 or 30. Both of these catagories would be rejected with your setup.

HH Randy

 

[BuckeyeBrad]

n/t

 

[Rick(ND)]

Randy,

That sounds about right as i see what you mean. Was doing a quick air test to see what it would do. I just notice the quarters more and see where if it was reading 42 on the 50 it may actually be 41 is why it read 42 where as the 30 if it read 41 it would have to read 40 the way it is set up. On the dime it probably was 32 and the 33 stuck in my head from the 50. Now on the nickles I dug only 4 of them while I had my 50 and out of 4 of them 3 of them read 12 and bounced to 9, but 1 was 15 and bounced to 12, but none of these were old or deeper than 3 inches.
Just waiting for more Field test to be done on the 30 by those that have used the 50 as I feel the 30 may be just as popular for those that want a true turn on and go detector or one for competition hunting.

Rick

 

[steve herschbach]

Hi Digger,

Of course I'm leaving stuff behind! I figure I've passed on more good targets than most people since I've been detecting for over 30 years. So I can probably claim to have missed more good stuff than most people have ever found!

Oh well, does not bother me. Unless a person digs everything, which I rarely do, can one be assured of not passing on a good target. For me it is all about playing the odds against my available time. Sometimes I dig it all, sometimes I cherry pick like crazy.

Most class rings are low value rings and so if I miss them so be it. There are plenty of times I am digging those penny/dime range targets so it is not like I'm set on any one method. Just depends on what I'm after and maybe even my mood at the time.

I have found that most higher value rings fall closer to the area between high foil to small tabs and so if I desire to reduce the digging of the more common tabs, screw caps, and yes, pennies and dimes I'll skip on the med/high tones. And no doubt miss some good stuff.

I guess I'm just an oddball guy. I just go detecting and enjoy myself and dig stuff up. I long since resigned myself to the fact that I miss good stuff and so I simply do not worry about it. I sure do not have any lack of targets so I'm not to sure that it matters. I can go out and dig foil and tabs and a few nickels for a couple hours and as far as I am concerned I'm enjoying some real quality time. I've turned up lots of great finds over the years and so I'm sure not complaining in any way about what I am finding.

I guess that if I'm happy with what I am finding that is all I care about. If I'm missing stuff, and I am, then someone else can find it, or maybe I'll go find it myself someday.

Happy Hunting Digger... I enjoy your posts a lot!

Steve Herschbach

 

[Digger]

Thanks for the response Steve. I wasn't "incriminating" you for leaving stuff behind. Like you, I have hunted for over 30 years and have left tons of it in the ground. I like to say it is so I can go back to the same places year after year, but it is mostly because I sweep too fast at times. That is why I didn't get along well with the FBS or BBS units. The purpose of my post was to make sure those reading this forum, and relying on the information we "testers" are putting out there, don't ignore those signals in the medium high range, thinking they may not be gold. I realize most modern class rings are only 10K, but even 10K rings are worth picking up! Thanks again for the posts. HH Randy

 

[Monte]

"Randy, I totally agree ... or at least so far as most 'typical' coinshooters preferring the X-Terra 30's 3-tone audio due to the 'grouping' of most higher-conductive coins into the single higher tone."... I AM a coin hunter, but I like to hit playground and similar high-use sites when I only have a little time and want to get a good deal of 'flash money' as well as have a good chance at gold and silver jewelry.

In 41 years of detecting I've enjoyed all types of "coin hunting" and really prefer to concentrate most of my serious "in-town" detecting in search of silver. You know, seeking out the oldest parks, schools, yards, fairgrounds, etc. and then going after the higher-conductive coins (penny/dime and above) that are 3"-4" deep or deeper.

If I could have my way, most of my "coin hunting" would be done at out-of-town locations, such as ghost towns, homesteads, old resort sites, pioneer & military encampment sites and the like.

But when I used the term "typical coin hunters" I was referring to the average, everyday person who buys a metal detector and only gets out now and then to the local park or school and cruises through the lawn in search of coins. Not researching older-use sites, and not trying to select the deeper and potentially older targets, just those who go anywhere "typically" used by humans where they might find modern money.

For them, most of whom never really learn their detector or want complexity, the X-Terra 30's turn-on-and-go ease of use will be complimented by providing a high tone for most of the desired targets (coins) with the exception of nickels. For them, the high-tone suggests they have discovered a target they are after.
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"However .. there are a few sites where quarters are in heavy use and, when time limits are tight, you can use the X-Terra 50 and cruise away listening primarily for the high tone from the shallower quarters."... Do I regularly do this? Nope! Do I do it on occasion or know of others who do? Most certainly!

Like I said, I am mainly interested in having fun and do that by seeking out potential SILVER or OLDER coins, or if I am going to go after "flash money" then it is in woodchip or sand-filled playgrounds where recovery is very fast and easy.

I have found plenty of coins in over four decades and with my health getting the better of me I like to not make work out of detecting if I can help it. This means I am not going to get down and go after what are most likely pennies and an occasional newer dime if I have to do a lot of probing and or plugging. If it is a newer high-use site that's very likely to have quarters in abundance, then I'd rather spend it going after them. The X-Terra 50's 4-tone audio provides that 'edge' so that I do not have to refer to the TID display all that often.
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"It does provide that measure of "cherry picking" for those times when you might have a high concentration of quarters and/or just too many blasted screwcaps that 'read' similar to the zinc cents and such."... We can't forget to comment, however, that the X-Terra 30 & 50 both have a segmented or notch discrimination design somewhat similar to Garrett's and that allows us to knock out a particular band or range or segment of annoying trash, and for some that could be the pennies.
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"I agree that it would be nice to be able to assign the various tones as we would like them, but that would defeat the benefit of having this much performance in such a handy and affordable package."... My brief post above was done to convey the message that, while it would be nice to have manual control of where be assigned the 'tone break' for the various audio tones, it would also add to the cost of the unit, and I am positive that it would add complexity to it, too, that would defeat the merits of a "turn-on-and-go" detector for many hobbyists.

That said, I find the X-Terra 30 and X-Terra 50 to have an audio tone design best suited for the potential buyer/user. A simpler 3-tone for the ready-to-go model, and a 4-ti=one audio for those who prefer to have a little more manual control and target information to learn and apply.

Now, it's back out for 1

 

[staloch]

I plan to buy my boy a x-50 as it really sounds like a good machine. Sounds like Minelab came out with a couple winners. I think Minelab will sell a ton of these machine because not everyone wants or can afford a $1000.00 machine but i cant wait until they come out with there next high end machine.

 

[alaskaseeker]

Are set with a Ferrite Core, you can get your own at R.S. Don't have the part no. handy but you can get it at there website..Geo

 

[poorman]

Sort of like the QXT except insted of only two tones make it four tones. Yes, I would like that.

 

[Digger]

My initial point was suggesting the audio tone produced by TID 33, 36 and 39 be the same high tone as with TID 42 and 45. I agree that making it "user adjustable" would add to the expense. But, I wonder why, on a four tone detector, they assigned silver dimes and silver quarters two separate tones. I'd have to think it was just a matter of programming the software. Of course, with it working the way it does, it is just a matter of me programming my ears!

HH Randy

 

[John(Tx)]

n/t