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V3 or DFX decision

C

coach c

New member
I am posting here because many of you have previously owned the DFX. I have never used a Whites detector, but am definitely going to purchase one. I have a strong hankering for the V3, but can get DFX's for half the price, which I can afford at this time. Should I wait and buy the V3 and why or why not?.....Coach C
 
If you have never used a Whites I would start out with an MXT. Less to learn, great all round performance.
 
If you have a "Strong Hankering" for the V3 I would say hold off until your pocket book can afford it. Yes the DFX is a very good machine but if your like me, you would have wished you had waited and got the one you really wanted.
I am NOT an expert on the V3 or any other machine, in fact I have had mine for approx 3 weeks now and due to family deaths, work, weather and other issues have not been able to use it like I want too. With that said, If your willing to put in the time with the V3, read the manual, watch the DVD, and read this forum, you can rest assured, you will not find a better machine.
That is just my opinion, The choice is really yours, The V3 is really worth the money and wait.
 
I've had my V3 three days, and am amazed at the depth. I've been using a DFX for several years, and happy with it. But the V3 is finding fish hooks at 6 inches, whereas the DFX would miss them entirely. No real treasures yet, but I'm sure, with a little more practice, it'll find them.
 
Definately hold out for the V3. The price difference will mean absolutely nothing once you've swung and appreciated it for a while. I (like david) couldn't be called an expert with it but...learning it in "chunks" and it is sure a fun process.
 
I have the V3 and used the DFX prior to the V3, the V3 is a better machine with many more options for analyzing the targets. It also has more depth if you understand how to operate it correctly. If you don't want to wait to get out detecting the DFX is a good machine. I would suggest buying the book "Digging Deeper with the DFX" by Jeff Foster, it will help you maximize the DFX for depth and sensitivity. You can also check out the site www.dfxonly.com there is some very good info on this site.
 
I think this question would be better answered if you told us your experience level with other machines, how often you hunt and what your prefered target is (gold jewelry, or deep coins).
 
RacerX......I have been using a metal detector for over 35 years, but never had much time to devote to detecting. I am now retired and don't mind studying and learning about a detector. I never used a detector like the DFX or V3 that required so many settings and adjustments. I have had the top of the line in another brand, so I am used to most of the settings such as ground balancing, sensitivity, threshold, and the different search modes including all metal. Looking forward to becoming a part of the Whites team and forum. Especially looking forward to the many hours I can now spend in the field.....Coach C
 
Hey Coach. The DFX is very friendly for "turn on and go". (It is real stable and gets depth that is only OK to decent without adjusting, but....that is a real safe and unconfused place to start from.) I have ran a DFX for 8 years and enjoyed it immensely but with the V3 under my belt...would pass and go to the V.

Now, If you don't want to cough up that much cash just yet? Woodchip's advice on the MXT is as about as sound as it gets. They are a little noisy (but once you run them for a bit it isn't an issue at all), plus...the "noise" is actually giving you some good info to use in seeing what you are up against. Another good thing is that machine resells quick and holds value very well. I personally think that it is the best 2nd machine to have along with the V3 (as primary) and would not sell.

MXT or V3. Two cents.
 
Hey coach c, since your retired you might enjoy this. A retired fellow was sitting in his chair watching TV when his wife ask him what he was going to do today, His reply was "Nothing". She looked at him and said You did that yesterday. His reply was Yea I know, But I"m not finished.
I would suggest, if you haven't already, go to the Whites web site and down load both manuals and while your sitting around trying to "finish up" compare the 2 models and their features.
I studied the V3 approx 2months before I decided to pull the trigger.
Just a suggestion.
 
Thanks, David.......I find by being retired and doing nothing, you don't know what time to quit. I have read over and over the manuals and the more I do, the more confused I get. I am very sure about which detector has the best features and is the best detector. I'm not so sure as to my learning abilities. I'm not so sure that I don't need to go through the same learning curve as most of you did by learning the DFX and let Whites work out the kinks in the V3 while I work out the kinks in my learning curve.......Coach C
 
I would have to agree with you once again NW. The DFX with the preamp up to 3 or 4 is a very good detector, but to fully understand it is a long process. As many of you know, my better half moderates the MXT forum and Nancy with her MXT holds her own when we are hunting head to head.
 
I wouldn't let the kinks influence your decision Coach. There are thousands of satisfied V3 users and there are some who are having problems. I think this is normal with any model of detector, especially the newer ones on the market.
 
These forums are for learning and troubleshooting. You can't just take "forums" as the end all in developing a well balanced view on anything. The V3 is a huge success and most units perform as designed. Mine is an absolute dream and can weave my way through almost every situation in spades. "Head scratching" moments are becoming more infrequent and in the process I'm getting into situations where I can immediately adjust to compensate for things other detectors have to walk away from.

If I was to come on here and state every "in process" learning curve burp...the "attitude challenged" could quickly see it as a "problem".

Case's in point:
Last night (Afraid I'm still having to do a lot of my hunting in the evenings...dark!) I was having a little erratic behavior in cross sweep and pinpointing. If I was to run and post? Solution: I had put a lot of hours on the headphone batteries and they were on the verge. Attitude challenged response: My God...the headphones eat batteries! (I had at least 6 hours of wire free, comfortable and quick response audio for 54 cents.)

Last night (dark), Went to a trouble spot that had EMI from about 15 to 20 old school, wet and not the best maintained transmission lines. Turned on my machine and man...EMI hell! If I was to run and post? Solution: 5.3 coil, Frequency Offset +1, backed off a bit on sensitivities and messed with Correlate for the first time with an EMI solution in mind. Attitude challenged response: My God...EMI issues! (Hunted the area with little chatter and found 6 wheat's and hope there is silver!) I am going to see if I can get the 10DD to "play" here next time... as two of the pennies were at 6 inches.

Last night: It was dark. Sorry....I just had to turn the Backlight on! It revealed this huge, attractive, colorful, fully appointed, search screen. Attitude challenged: You guys just want to "Look Good"! (True statement off these forums!) I did look GREAT! These 50 year old eyes seen even better!

This V3 IS being well received and no need to wait for "The Bugs" to be worked out.
 
I have had most every Whites detector since 1962 And I feel the V-3 is the BEST detector they have put out to date---If you can afford it Buy It---But expect that you will not learn it in a day, Once you do learn it Expect to find Silver if you live in a area where silver is found
 
The Bugs have been worked out;If I could influence you to buy the V-3 I will---No matter which deter you get there is about the same learning curve, So why not strait with the best (V-3) I take it you were a teacher which means you have some smarts So learning the V-3 will not be any harder for you to learn than we had ! You will Save money by Buying the Right Detector (V-3) the First time and Not have to go through losing money when you would have to get rid of the DFX when you decide you do want the V-3 (And You Will Want To Get It-Mark My Words-As it is the Best out there !
 
Thanks, Men.....I do appreciate all the input and that was the reason my posts were stated the way they were. I have no doubt the V3 is the machine for me. I have done a ton of reading, but today was the first time I actually turned one on to see how it works. Truly amazing machine. I'm not the least bit concerned about the learning curve, and it makes sense that I would be wasting my time learning one machine and still have to learn the other because I would have not been satisfied until I did get the V3. Thanks again for your responses and I will be calling on you for fine tuning help. I believe the key to any search is getting the optimum out of your detector.......Coach (Gary Childress)
 
Just my opinion i would go with the DFX only because you stated that its your first whites detector ,The dfx is a top of the line detector with out a dough!!!!.
When you can afford it Sell the DFX or trade up,As long as you take care of your DFX you will get most of the money back,There or a lot of good dealers here on Finds T .Remember there is a learning curve with any new detector some more than others,Most of my find were with the DFX..All in all make sure your happy with the decision you make!!!!!! Greg...
 
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