Whats the big difference between the X50 & the X70

[tippyhound]

I have been contemplating buying a X50 for a couple weeks now and bang out of no where here comes the X70.
Seems there is a $200.00 difference between these two machines and the only real difference being is you can add one extra coil.(Which has to be purchased separately) That seems like a lot of extra bucks for so little. I thought Minelab was putting these out to offer a GOOD LOWER PRICED MACHINE.
The X50 sounds like a good machine to me and my son says buy one dad and if you like it I might get me one to. As always put your money out there first dad so I won't waste mine if it's junk.
What do you guys think?

 

[Andy Sabisch]

Joe DeMarco put together a page that shows some of the different features, provides a video of different targets and how they respond and a tabel comapring all three X-Terra's . . . . . have you had a chance to look at that to see of it answers your questions?

There are a number of other tings that are different between the X-50 and the X-50 beyond just the 3 frequencies . . .

http://www.demarcodetectorsales.com/html/minelab/X-terraCompa.html

If you have additional questions, post them and we will see if we can answer them for you . . . a lot of seasoned users on this site.

Andy Sabisch

 

[John(Tx)]

I have found alot of coins with mine as well as gold jewelry and relics. The only big difference that I can see is the addition of been able to use a 3khz coil on the 70 which will give you better depth on silver especially in mineralized ground but how much deeper, I don't know. Is it worth the extra $200? Don't know, guess I'll have to wait and see some field reports by different users. But I do know that the 50 is one good machine and am sure the 70 will be very good also, just more money. John

 

[Nick A]

Plain and simple, I'm hoping for more depth.

But it also has...

The adjustable tone selection feature sounds like it might be the thing people have wanted ever since multiple tone machines came out... a way to turn off the multiple tones, and I can understand that. I think the multiple tones make us a little more lazy and less likely to dig something that might otherwise sound iffy or good on a single tone machine.

More sensitivity is good.

More noise cancel channels is good. I've used the noise cancel to eliminate outside chatter at some sites and it really works!

Another disc pattern is nice to have. You can set it up for 3 different types of sites and still have all metal.

The auto and track GB is a nice feature. I find I need to GB the X50 more often than other detectors and I also notice that it does make a big difference in the quietness of the machine, so I would probably be one to use the track feature.

The addition of threshold tone is a biggie for some people.

Expanded notching is great too, especially for sites that have one type of trash you want/need to disc out.

One thing about the X50 that's awesome is the light weight. I assume the X70 will be the same. I used my CZ after a week of using the X50 and the CZ felt like it was made of lead.

I also found the X50 to be a super coinshooting machine. I see this as it's biggest strength. If this is your primary mode of hunting, I think you'd be super pleased with any of the X-Terras.

You're in a great position having not bought yet. I bet there will be a lot of used X50's up for sale soon, so you can pick one up for less than new, and it being the start of spring, I bet we'll be hearing a lot of feedback about the X70's once we get them in our hands.

I have really high hopes for this machine, I hope it doesn't let me down.

As far as affordability? Minelabs have always been expensive compared to the competition. You just gotta get over that right off the bat.

I've been looking for a detector that suits me, and while my Fisher CZ's produce, it's never been my ideal unit. I tried the XLT, I tried the CoinStrike and the Ace 250. Now I've got the X50 and it's really quite close to what I want, so I'm hoping the X70 is "the one". If it is, it's been well worth the money to fnd it.

 

[tippyhound]

I do agree with you about the multi tones making you lazy. I am from the old school of metal detecting since I got into this hobby back in 1968 when your only discriminator was your ears and if you listened closely you got pretty good at it. My hearing is going by the way side these days so discrimination is very helpful, but I still like single tones as it makes you use your meter and all the info it has to offer, helping you make decisions based on everything your detector has to tell you. You won't pass up as many of good finds if you do.

Joe Demarco pointed out using the auto tracking in the prospecting mode on the X70. Can it be used in all modes and is it effective in all modes?

I to have been a user of the CZ's having owned and used the original CZ6 for several years. Biggest mistake I made was getting rid of that machine to buy a CZ7A Pro. I never dug so many bottle caps and nails in my life as I did with that CZ7A Pro. Live and learn. Thats why I am looking for a replacement right now.

The X70 does seem to be about more then just using three different coils.

Bucks is problem here so I think I will stand on the side awhile longer(my sons philosophy,let someone else experiment with their money before he spends his) and see what you fellas have to say about these machines.
Thanks Guys. Rick

 

[Nick A]

About the auto track GB. I'm gonna make a new post for it. I went to the Minelab site to see the manual, but it's not available. I know the manual would have a lot of the answers to my questions.

 

[Andy Sabisch]

The X-70 can be manually GB's; however, with the expanded range, it might take a while to dial in the right number but it can be done and manual does allow you to "tweak" it if you want to run positive on the GB setting.

The easiest way to GB the X-70 is to press the GB touch pad, lower the coil to the ground (about an inch above it), press the AUTO touch pad and pump it up and down a few times until the AU icon disappears and a number appears - this is the GB setting.

Now, if you want it to track changes in the ground, press the TRACK touch pad and the sine wave icon appears showing it is tracking. Press PINPOINT/DETECT and you are off and running.

If you want to stay in manual, no problem either.

Hope this answers the question.

Andy