Thanks Monte, for your good wishes.
I haven't been detecting nearly as long as you have, and I dont have the technical knowledge that you do, but since I have been detecting I have spent as much time in the field as was/is possible, and used a good number of detectors. I 've also spent countless hours reading books and articles written by those who know more, and have more experience than I do. My second machine, a Tesoro Silver Sabre II is one that I continually regret trading on another machine. It was a machine which I took to like a duck to water, and almost always used the discrimination set very low (about 2/10). I found many coins and good items with it, but that's life. My hearing has deteiorated gradually since I was young, and now, using a machine with good tones is a bonus for me. I really do need to get a good quality set of earphones..with the X Terra, I use plug style phones, and find they are slightly better for picking up nuances in the signal which aren't so apparent with my other headphones.
I have never used a Whites machine, but I know from what I've read that they are good quality and very popular in some quarters. I am now at a stage physically where I need to use a light machine. I've tried some of the heavier ones, but find they just aggravate my injuries and cut down the time I can spend in the field with them. Hence my confinement to the lighter range of detectors.
The Omega has really been an "eye opener" for me. After reading about it, and after reading a short article by Dave Johnson on his perception and aims in designing it, I thought it would be well worth a try, and I haven't been disappointed. Your comments about its fast response are spot on, and I take your point on this difference with the X Terra. I have always tried to keep my swing speed farly slow, so I dont know if this has made a difference with my relationship with the X Terra, but the Omega's response is such that I am conscious that I seem to be missing very little (I hope this makes sense, because I am talking about perception).
I enjoy your posts, and find them interesting always, and helpful often.
Take care and enjoy....