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White's DFX or Minelab Explorer Xs

A

Anonymous

Guest
Just purchased both the DFX and Explorer from Kellyco, I purchased the Minelab after the DFX based on research and asked to cancel the DFX order. They will both be arriving with in 3 days and have the right to refuse either one.
I believe I still want the Minelab and am inclinded to refuse the DFX...I realize that it will require a lot of time...but your posts are scaring me a bit..
Any constructive feed back?
 
So every post is going to be from someone with a problem they need help on.There is the main F.B.S. forum where all the finds are posted.
I am not trying to make light of peoples frustrations learning it,but,Most people make it way harder to learn than it really is.But also let me say that almost everyone that is having trouble here right now,have probably less than 20 hours on it.So really,they are doing pretty good.Dan has only been out on 7 hunts with it and already is digging 10" dimes.Alton has a DFX and an Explorer and has most of his time with the DFX and a lot less with the Explorer and just dug an 8" dime and a 10" penny,and he has the periscope probe so he knows exactly how deep it was,no guesstimating there.Rosario just got one,his first detector since the early 80's,even though he is not convinced yet that it is any better than his old detectors were,he did go to his buddies test garden that has been planted since the early 80's and pick up every silver dime in it.Charles just got his in June,I believe and since July has found 150+ silver coins with it,and it was his first detector EVER!!!Carl and Brian are DFX owners and both got their first Minelabs after Charles success with it and they are both finding awesome coins in a short amount of time.Point is,on this forum it looks hard and like there is alot of problems learning it,but it isn't like it appears on the surface.
You really need to go to the FBS forum and set your preferences to a couple of weeks ago and look at the great finds being made with it.Then for a comparison,go to the DFX classroom and set your preference back a couple of weeks and look at the finds being made there with the DFX.No comparison!
There is my 2 corroded zincs worth! <IMG SRC="/forums/images/biggrin.gif" BORDER=0 ALT=":D">
 
If you're leaning towards the <IMG SRC="/forums/images/ml.gif" BORDER=0 ALT="m~">, I think you need to be scared a bit, at least based on what I'm finding and learning.
Unfortunately, I think you're basically looking at two completely different <i>animals</i>, and I think it depends a lot on what you expect from the machine of choice in the short term and the long term. If you don't have the <i>time and the patience of Job</i>, probably the Explorer is not going to be your cup of tea.
Yes, I'm only speaking as a novice with the Explorer, but I am <u>not</u> a novice when it comes to coinhunting and metal detectors in general.
So far, my experiences with the XS in an old worked out and trashy park have been less than glowing... one might go so far as to call it damn disappointing.
Obviously, something is very wrong with my approach, my technique, my settings, my detector or all of the above. I say that because certainly the worked-out parks where we get these daily <i>glowing reports and pictures of "busted" and Barber finds</i>, can't be that much different from the park I'm hunting in --and drawing a blank. Or is it different, or is there something else going on here...??? <IMG SRC="/forums/images/wink.gif" BORDER=0 ALT=";)">
I don't envy you having to make the decision as to which detector to refuse at the door. Too bad you can't give them both a two month try, and then send one of them back (but I realize that's not possible).
Keep us posted as to what you do; your experiences should be interesting. Sorry, I wasn't of more help, but I think both sides of this story need to be told, not just the <font color=red>glowing</font> side.
 
Both have a learning period. So that indeed is not the issue....I remember the first time I read the XLT manual(Oh Boy) well the same is going to happen when you see the DFX or Explorer manual.
My theory is use the preset settings until you get the hang of it. So indeed my finds were made
with preset settings(Quickstart) have to admit I raised the sensitivty and lowered the threshold to
my hearing to see how high I could set it while keeping my unit stable and also ran different targets over the screen to see where they came in.
Have to admit have tried almost all of them, but
the Explorer is a different animal and have a lot
of things to relearn. It seems to me doing what I have done in the quickstart one wonders what awaits me once I get into the advanced mode...My buddy has a DFX...grab the Explorer and never look back...nuff said I guess....
 
Sold the DFX because it was not picking up targets my Explorer was. I tried 3 different "HOT" programs on the DFX and it couldn't see coins my Explorer did. I had 2 or 3 XLT's and a couple of 6000 Di Pro's and had logged quite a few hours with every Eagle and Spectrum made up until the DFX came out. But, it's each to their own, my hunting buddy loves his DFX. I just have found more deep targets in heavily hunted places with my Explorer than with any other machine.
 
Very helpful, Thanks Ric.
What you saying is that I'm in the doctor's office listening and asking about health to sick people...still, it sounds like most "illnesses" are non-terminal and work out with experience gained through committed and consistent use.
Just a side note: I used to see people doing this and think "what a #####..he needs to get a life".
I now see it in a different light..thanks again for your help.
 
I'm glad I have both sides. I would be conserned if I only recieved nothing but praise.
 
Thanks...I think I like the idea of a piece of equipment scaring me..It adds to the excitment or the rollercoaster effect.
 
the Explorer would give you two things the DFX won't which you will not want to live without. One is the 2-D smartfind screen-telling you not only the conductivity but the ferrous content. To put it simply that little square on the screen can tell you twice as much and give you twice the ability to "guess" what the target is. Second is the unparalleled sensitivity you will get used to when the deep coins are under your coil. Don't forget that the double D coil is better for separation and more coverage(not as much overlapping needed). My vote is for the Explorer.
Neal
 
The Explorer is not that difficult to use. It is my first and only machine, and with the help of this forum's "Q & A" you can get tons of help. Also, the Explorer has a tremendous amount of after market products that are available, such as from Sunray and Dixie. For instance, the X-1 probe. Now that I have it I can't remember how I used to find the targets. It is kind of like a fax machine or cell phone, "how did we ever get along without them"?? I can't say much about DFX, but the Explorer is good and easy to use.
Gadgetman
 
The Explorer is not that difficult to use. It is my first and only machine, and with the help of this forum's "Q & A" you can get tons of help. Also, the Explorer has a tremendous amount of after market products that are available, such as from Sunray and Dixie. For instance, the X-1 probe. Now that I have it I can't remember how I used to find the targets. It is kind of like a fax machine or cell phone, "how did we ever get along without them"?? I can't say much about DFX, but the Explorer is good and easy to use.
Gadgetman
 
Thanks. Every one seems very helpful. I've decided to keep the Minelab and refuse the DFX. I'm sure I would be happy with both. I believe it's the mindset more than the particular tool. Then again i'm just a newbie at this so I could be wrong.
The wife's making me wait till Christmas though to open it.....!!!! I've got to atleast convince her to let me read the manuals so I'm up and running to some degree.
P.S. What is the X-1 probe? Why would you want one and where would you purchase one?
 
It is on Minelab's site and you can read it now. It is one the better detector manuals I have ever seen. Most of them wouldn't start a good fire, they are so thin.
The x1... Personally, I regard it as a mandatory item. It is a probe that uses the XS' control box, which means that this wonderful little gizmo has a 2-3 inch range while maintaining discrimination and pinpointing. All you do is throw a switch, your main coil is switched off and the mini coil that is the x1 is powered on. If the Explorer has one undeniable advantage over the DFX, it is that the x1 works with it <IMG SRC="/forums/images/smile.gif" BORDER=0 ALT=":)">
Tim
 
How are you doing Dan? Haven't hunted with the joey I got from you. How about a water unit for trade on the Nautilus if you still got it?
 
When I first got the Explorer last March I did not like it. And for five months I knew I had made a big mistake. I was using it like the fisher and shadow I own, swinging it like a weed eater. Then one day I started to swing it really really slow and short strokes and it came alive. Swinging slow gives it a chance to tell you what all 28 frequencies are seeing.
 
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