Vaquero vs Xterra70

[h2otech]

I am wanting to start detecting. I have been looking at the choices in detectors and am confused a little. I am interested in coins and maybe a little prospecting. I am looking at the Vaquero and the Minelab Xterra 70. Which one ? Or maybe another brand or model ? Any help and ideas would be appreciated. Thanx

 

[SkiWhiz]

I too was kinda in the same boat as you, I was trying to decide between the Tesoro Cibola and the Minelab Xterra 30. After doing much research I went with the Tesoro Cibola. Lots and lots of positive reviews, the Minelab had too many negative reviews for me. But dollar wise the Minelab is the best deal because of the "Christmas" sale they are having. The Minelab has more bells & whistles but who needs them. I haven't received my Cibola yet (any day now) but I know Tesoro stands for quality and gives you a lifetime warranty to boot. The only difference between the Cibola and the Vaquero is a manual ground balance. Here is a good place for detector reviews
http://metaldetectorreviews.net/index.shtml
Here is the Vaquero review http://metaldetectorreviews.net/detectors/40-1-vaquero.html
The Minelab Xterra 70 is here http://metaldetectorreviews.net/detectors/170-1-xterra70.html
Happy hunting! Steve (upstate New York).

 

[h2otech]

Thanx SkiWhiz The sites were very helpful. I think I am leaning toward the Vaquero. Being a greenhorn to the world of detecting the technology and lingo are a bit confusing. Do you thhink the Vaq. will be easy for a greenhorn to learn? Thanx again.....Jim from montana

 

[rentasquid]

To me it depends upon whether you want TID or not. X-70 has it and has some coil flexibility as to whether you want the low, mid or high frequency coils. But it doesnt offer small coils yet, which is a major drawback in my book. The Vaq. would be your basic beep/dig detector. It has many coil options(Size wise). Go try one of each out, if you can.

J.

 

[SkiWhiz]

[quote h2otech]Thanx SkiWhiz The sites were very helpful. I think I am leaning toward the Vaquero. Being a greenhorn to the world of detecting the technology and lingo are a bit confusing. Do you thhink the Vaq. will be easy for a greenhorn to learn? Thanx again.....Jim from montana[/quote] Sure it will be. To coin hunt, I just adjust the discrimination so it will accept a nickel and reject everything else below that. I know I will be missing small jewelery and such but I am a coin hunter. Same principle works with any detector. Enjoy the hobby which ever one you decide to get. Steve.

 

[DavHut]

Great comments, Squid. The Vaq is indeed your basic "beep - dig" instrument. It does offer some rudimentary TID ability by thumbing the DISC knob over targets.

I set it at a notch below nickel and have at it. Thats about as basic as it gets.

 

[rentasquid]

We sometimes get caught up on jargon, and use an anacronym such as TID without much thought. Dave's comment made me think of this, in that when I said TID, I meant Target Identification Display...or meter. Both detectors can discriminate, and both can give you an identification ability without a meter, but only the X-70 actually has a TID...a display that gives you a number that you interpret as a certain target. I hope this explains what I meant, better.

J. Brown

 

[johng]

You may want to look at the Xterra50 vs the Laser Trident (Tesoro Vaquero) field test.

http://www.garysdetecting.co.uk/field_testsnew.htm

However the Xterra70 it

 

[Donny nj]

Its a fine sensitive deep unit, lightweight and is really a great performer in many situations....

Good Luck

 

[SkiWhiz]

[quote Donny nj]Its a fine sensitive deep unit, lightweight and is really a great performer in many situations....

Good Luck[/quote] Sweet,great to hear that. Because I just traded in my Fisher CZ-6a for a Tesoro Cibola. I should have it by this weekend. Only problem is the ground up here (northern New York) is freezing and I might not get a chance to try it out this year. I am hoping we good one more good break in the weather so I can give it a try. So you really like the Cibola? Anything about it you don't like? Thanks Donny! Steve.