I had posted here some time ago about a great deal that I had gotten on a nice used dfx. I have gotten it back with new parts from Whites and it is in excellent shape and works great, except it's a bit complicated to use. I have tried the preloaded programs on it as well as Larry's program and it is still just a bit more button mashing and adjustment than what I want to fool with and I miss the turn on and go like what I get with my tesoros. I have found coins with it as well as a silver ring and of course some trash and I do appreciate what the screen is telling me before I decide to dig as well as the sounds coming from it. I also like the sef 10x12 coil I am using with it, just not too accurate with pin pointing yet. My dilemma is I want something a little less complicated like an mxt pro but wonder if I will be any happier or better off trading someone my dfx for the mxt pro? Anyone have experience with both to understand where I am coming from? What do ya'll think, stick with the dfx or go with the mxt pro or some other suggestion? If it was a perfect world I would have a cross between the mxt pro and the dfx. Something with dual or multiple frequencies, great screen information, backlight, multiple tones but w/o all the complicated adjustments and button mashing.
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Update on DFX, but second thoughts...
- Thread starter Habanero
- Start date
Joel-Winnipeg
New member
I tend to like the simplicity of the MXT turn on and go detector.
I also own and use the XLT less complicated than the DFX
I also own and use the XLT less complicated than the DFX
I started in 2005 with the XLT and in 2006 went to the DFX used Larry program and in July this year went to the V3i I am using the hi-pro program and only changes 3 setting ( RX - ALL METAL - DISC. ) On the DFX you had to changes it all , And on the V3i very little to changes . 
With the V3i I am getting coin in the 12inch ranges and with the DFX around 8 inches ranges .
With the V3i I am getting coin in the 12inch ranges and with the DFX around 8 inches ranges .
Larry (IL)
Well-known member
It took me a year to learn the DFX, a very good programmable detector once you know it, but a programmable detector is not for the faint at heart. It sounds like you might be a good candidate for the VX3 if you want to go the top of line and then the MXT Pro would be a step down from the VX3.
Let me get this straight because I don't have experience with the VX3 or the MXT. The VX3 does or does not have all the many adjustments of the DFX? In other words, is the VX3 essentially a new and improved DFX with the same 1,001 ways to adjust a program or is it more akin to the mxt line with minor adjustments? I want to give the DFX a fair fighting chance, I truly do, but I always wonder if I am using the right program or have made the correct adjustments when I should have used this program or that one and made this adjustment instead of that one or combination thereof. Also, while I am doing all that, I am not actually looking and swinging but running through menus and what did I possibly miss or discount as trash? I know I'm not the first to have these thoughts but now I know where some of these people are coming from. Again, I will likely give the DFX the benefit of the doubt but if I get too frustrated or am just not enjoying the hobby, I will at least have a good idea of what machine may suit me better, the MXT pro or a VX3. Thanks for the replies everyone; perhaps this is just the growing pains of moving on up in detectors and getting used to all new bells and whistles.
Larry (IL)
Well-known member
Widebody, you must have done some lousy research.................... the DFX is White's all time best selling detector and a very good one too, just hard to learn and harder yet to master. For those who took the time to learn the DFX has done very well with it.
Yea I don't want to turn this into a MXT is better than a DFX or vice versa. I'm just trying to see, based on my needs and observations, should I keep trying to learn the dfx or save myself a long learning curve and go right for the mxt pro or others. Please don't turn my questions into mine is better or bigger or whatever. I believe in the right hands, each detector is the best.
Larry (IL)
Well-known member
That is not what I meant at all, both machines are very good detectors, just corrected Widebody's research is all, he insulted DFX users and White's by calling a very good detector a "flop". I used the DFX for 8 years and did very well with it while my wife used her MXT and did just as good...... well .... almost........
but the two machines are as different as night and day operationally. The DFX and V3i are fully programmable so the user can custom design a detector for his ground and hunting style while the MXT Pro and VX3 are more for the user who would rather not spend his time learning how the detector operates, just wants to get out there and find the goodies.
I am the last person to say what detector is better since the machine is only as good as the person using it.
but the two machines are as different as night and day operationally. The DFX and V3i are fully programmable so the user can custom design a detector for his ground and hunting style while the MXT Pro and VX3 are more for the user who would rather not spend his time learning how the detector operates, just wants to get out there and find the goodies. I am the last person to say what detector is better since the machine is only as good as the person using it.
triplehooked
Member
Don't worry, the argument is involving a mod. It won't go too far. 
I would seriously look into a VX3 if I were you. It looks like a better machine than the DFX and has a much more user friendly interface. I've owned a couple of MXT's. They are great units, but the V machines are in a whole other league IMO....
I would seriously look into a VX3 if I were you. It looks like a better machine than the DFX and has a much more user friendly interface. I've owned a couple of MXT's. They are great units, but the V machines are in a whole other league IMO....It's all good Larry, no offense to you or widebody was intended nor had I taken any; we are all friends here . I appreciate everyones input here but it's up to me to decide the course of action I need to take. I'm not itching to dump the DFX tomorrow but it might show up eventually on the classifieds for sale or trade for something else. The MXT pro is a more realistic machine for me to trade into or purchase if I don't keep the DFX whereas the VX3 would be hard to swing if you married fellers know what I'm getting at with that statement. There is nothing wrong with my DFX, I came upon a great deal to get it at the time and in the right hands or with someone who wants to learn to use it, I am sure it is strong medicine for finding the goods. I'll either get it figured out or it will go to someone who wants every bell and whistle and can really make it sing. Thanks and happy hunting! 
. I appreciate everyones input here but it's up to me to decide the course of action I need to take. I'm not itching to dump the DFX tomorrow but it might show up eventually on the classifieds for sale or trade for something else. The MXT pro is a more realistic machine for me to trade into or purchase if I don't keep the DFX whereas the VX3 would be hard to swing if you married fellers know what I'm getting at with that statement. There is nothing wrong with my DFX, I came upon a great deal to get it at the time and in the right hands or with someone who wants to learn to use it, I am sure it is strong medicine for finding the goods. I'll either get it figured out or it will go to someone who wants every bell and whistle and can really make it sing. Thanks and happy hunting! Habanero,
You had the right idea with the simple turn on and go Tesoro detectors. The Tesoro's really perform well in the small iron trash, square nails, rusty blobs, rusty bottle caps etc. that the DFX just 'nulls' out on when hunting small ferrous trashed out hunting spots, like very old house lots, torn down old churches, and torn down old buildings like in a ghost town. My XLT was run side by side with my wife's Tesoro Toltec ll for SIX years and then another Six years against the DFX. The 'ol Toltec ll is the one we kept thru all these years, and the XLT (sadly) and DFX (gladly) are long gone.
I like White's detectors, only I like the older analog ones like the 5900 Di Pro SL (cb) and 6000 Pro XL. These two are in my collection, and are a perfect (full filter) replacement for my old beloved XLT.
Then I also own the IDX Pro with the Mr. Bill mods, a turn on and go two filter design, similar in operating characteristics to my wifes Tesoro Toltec ll. The IDX Pro is a very under rated White's detector and it will out hunt many of the newer digital detectors in the trash. With it's slow sweep, fast response, and fast recovery speed it will make mincemeat out of the newer digital detector designs. Today I am going to hunt an old ghost town down in Oklahoma with a friend from a nearby Kansas town. My hunting buddy will be taking his Minelab E-Trac and I will be using my IDX Pro,, do I feel underguned? Nope! But the proof is in the pudding as they say, so we shall see. I'm hoping that we both can come away with some nice silver & maybe if we are lucky an I.T. or O.T. token.
You had the right idea with the simple turn on and go Tesoro detectors. The Tesoro's really perform well in the small iron trash, square nails, rusty blobs, rusty bottle caps etc. that the DFX just 'nulls' out on when hunting small ferrous trashed out hunting spots, like very old house lots, torn down old churches, and torn down old buildings like in a ghost town. My XLT was run side by side with my wife's Tesoro Toltec ll for SIX years and then another Six years against the DFX. The 'ol Toltec ll is the one we kept thru all these years, and the XLT (sadly) and DFX (gladly) are long gone.
I like White's detectors, only I like the older analog ones like the 5900 Di Pro SL (cb) and 6000 Pro XL. These two are in my collection, and are a perfect (full filter) replacement for my old beloved XLT.
Then I also own the IDX Pro with the Mr. Bill mods, a turn on and go two filter design, similar in operating characteristics to my wifes Tesoro Toltec ll. The IDX Pro is a very under rated White's detector and it will out hunt many of the newer digital detectors in the trash. With it's slow sweep, fast response, and fast recovery speed it will make mincemeat out of the newer digital detector designs. Today I am going to hunt an old ghost town down in Oklahoma with a friend from a nearby Kansas town. My hunting buddy will be taking his Minelab E-Trac and I will be using my IDX Pro,, do I feel underguned? Nope! But the proof is in the pudding as they say, so we shall see. I'm hoping that we both can come away with some nice silver & maybe if we are lucky an I.T. or O.T. token.
[size=large]i love my XLT and like my Minelab and my MXT. liking my AT Pro less. it does get heavy for me. if ya want to degrade or insult any of the machines then go for it. i didn't make em. i just enjoy certain ones and have opinions on others. not their owners. unless i know them personally.
i base my research on word of mouth, what i read and see. not very scientific but works for me. reputation of a product is what counts for me. i'm seeing folks trading and selling. DFX are being traded for E-Tracs and E-Tracs are being traded for V3i's and V3i's for E-Tracs. one machine doesn't show very often. the XLT E-series. nothing wrong with the people. and who knows why they want the other machines. the reputation that comes from all this speaks to me. all the pro's and con's i hear about machines tells me things. so despite hurting feelings," I Won't Own A DFX ".
HH[/size]
i base my research on word of mouth, what i read and see. not very scientific but works for me. reputation of a product is what counts for me. i'm seeing folks trading and selling. DFX are being traded for E-Tracs and E-Tracs are being traded for V3i's and V3i's for E-Tracs. one machine doesn't show very often. the XLT E-series. nothing wrong with the people. and who knows why they want the other machines. the reputation that comes from all this speaks to me. all the pro's and con's i hear about machines tells me things. so despite hurting feelings," I Won't Own A DFX ".
HH[/size]
wishiwasngallup
New member
The dfx is an awsome machine if you can profect it. They all are good. I like the v3i. Imo
The DFX takes time to get to know. Main things are bring your sweep speed down, pre amp at 3 or 4, sens between 70 and 80. I found over 20 seated dimes with that machine, 1877 half, every indian head except the 1909s, reales, 4 half dimes, etc. Took me over 5 years to get her down. It was stolen 2 years ago. I have been water hunting since then and haven't bought a new land machine. DFX is solid, but you have to give it time. Des in Buffalo
Rob in (Ca)
Active member
With My hunting style, hunting for lost jewelry at my Local sports fields And (Dry sand) salt Beach's.......... The DFX & Bigfoot coil, (when set up correctly) is still the best out there, nothing can beat it !!..... Also I have used all manufacturers top end detectors out there...........And The DFX and Bigfoot coil are still the best set up for my type of hunting ............Good luck
jimmy clark
Active member
yo all. i mostley look for gold rings an other gold , for this you need good id. no better det,for iding gold then the dfx, period. an doesnt take a lot of learning for this type of hunting. but for other types of hunting im sure there may be better machines. just my opinion.