White's DFX v Garrett 2500

[Davlin617]

I'm new to metal detecting and am considering either the Garrett GTI 2500 or the White's DFX 300. They both look like awesome machines but was curious what the differences are between the 2.Any input would be greatly appreciated.

 

[B.T]

I have used both, limited use but used them nonetheless. Over here in Australia the Garrett 2500 could not work in our mineralisation and you could not get the coil within 2 feet of the ground without it going nuts. In park areas it was ok but elsewhere The DFX was usable everywhere I took it. From goldfields to farmland. I have been told that the 2500 has now got a chip in it to handle the bad ground but I was told the Infinium did to and didnt see a smidge of difference with its performance over here either. I reckon the DFX is much better balanced too.

 

[Davlin617]

Thank you for the info, I was hoping someone would be able to give me some insight on them.

 

[Eu_citzen]

I have owned both and given them extensive use. Though note that I live in Sweden and my experience might not apply to you.

GTI 2500:
Pros:
Good depth
Target sizing (only efficient when pinpointing is right on)
Easy to use and not to many adjustments

Cons:
Heavy
Sound "quality" is bad (sounds are sounding almost the same)
The headphones that come with sucks
Over priced
Discrimination was not good for Europe (only practical for USA/North America??)
Coils are heavy.(9.5" and 12.5")

Note: it is more suited as a relic machine as it SUCKS for coins.(you almost have to dig everything)

DFX:
Pros:
Light weight
Quite many functions(aka flexible)
Discrimination works almost everywhere
Many coils available
Easy to use (if your not to fast trying to get into programming the machine)
You can use multiple frequencies


Cons:
You have to read books to under stand it better
Headphones are not always included
Depth is not alway very good

Note! The DFX is more of a modern coin shooter as disc is super but depth is not always so.

 

[DFX-Gregg]

n/t

 

[Eu_citzen]

I have given both well over 30 hours of use, I had the GTI for one year and have had the DFX for about 3 or 4 months now.
I might add that batteries will last long for both, when using high quality that is.

 

[Davlin617]

So for an overall good detector I should go with the DFX? I liked the idea of the 2500 because I can pick it up from Kellyco for like $1200 with the treasure hound search coil also as a bonus but if the DFX is better I should just stick with it.

 

[Eu_citzen]

Are you into cache hunting? Else the treasure hound will do you no good.

It really depends on what your after... Coins & jewelry the DFX will be better

Relics mainly the GTI will be better.

The only thing that makes the GTI interesting is the sizing option but for superior discrimination the DFX hands Down.

Please specify what your looking for. (i.e. coins, jewelry, gold(natural), caches etc)

 

[Davlin617]

I really want a detector that I can pick and choose what I want to find whether it be coins, jewely, relics, Etc. An all around machine. I also thought about the Ace 250 and the DFX since the 250 seems pretty popular.

 

[Neil in West Jersey]

I have a DFX, which I bought in March. I also own an Ace 250. I met someone who is using a Garrett 2500. In the few hunts we have done together in May I have had a lot more good finds than him. He found one large Cent and 2 Indians, and a few other modern assorted silvers. I found 2 large cents(an 1801 and an 1839) one half cent (1809) One Connecticut Copper (1787) a WIlliam III Halfpenny (1699) a Walker Half (1942) and a bunch of buttons. The results may be a better machine or just more experience by the user

As far as the Ace 250 goes, it is a nice machine for the money, but there is no comparison between the units. It goes deep, but there are so many advantages with the DFX, including (to name a few) ground balancing control, better discrimination, threshold, volume control (you better have headphones with volume control if you go with the ACE) and so much more. In all there are 44 variable controls on the DFX, but you can use the presets if it is overwhelming.

 

[Davlin617]

Since I can't afford 2 DFX's I was thinking of getting the DFX for myself and the 250 for my wife or daughter when they come along to see if there going to enjoy MD. It sounds like the 250 would be perfect for a part timer like my wife or daughter. Thanks for the info.

 

[Neil in West Jersey]

Since I can't afford 2 DFX's I was thinking of getting the DFX for myself and the 250 for my wife or daughter when they come along to see if there going to enjoy MD. It sounds like the 250 would be perfect for a part timer like my wife or daughter. Thanks for the info.

Dale,


I am not a big fan of the DFX300 setup. I think the 12" coil is a good accessory as an add on, but it is too big for my everyday detecting needs. I detect a lot of old homesites and many times there is a lot of underbrush and thick trees that can hinder my swing. IMO, The big coil is too big for this. My DFX setup came with both the 12" and the 9.5" coil. But I finally tried out the super 12 for the first time yesterday, and it was definitly finding small buttons deeper than the stock.

If most of your detecting is going to be the beach or fields, the DFX300 is a good setup. If you are planning on getting into tight places, go with the DFX & Stock 9.5" coil.


I think the Ace makes a perfect second machine. Sometimes I use it when I just want to get out for a quick hunt at a park or school.

 

[Mick in Dubbo]

Hi Eu citzen.
If you still have the 2500, and are interested, if you keep at least 3 inches between the coil and target, and detune the pinpoint, you will get a much better result out of the imaging. Something else that Garrett's does that is different from most other machines, is that instead of having a modulated audio system, you have to listen too how wide a signal is, to know it's strength. I found that very off putting when I started using their machines, but adjusted to it after a while. Is that why you find the DFX to have better discrimination; or is there something else about it that really stands out to you?
Thanks.
Mick Evans.

 

[Eu_citzen]

Hi Eu citzen.
If you still have the 2500, and are interested, if you keep at least 3 inches between the coil and target, and detune the pinpoint, you will get a much better result out of the imaging. Something else that Garrett's does that is different from most other machines, is that instead of having a modulated audio system, you have to listen too how wide a signal is, to know it's strength. I found that very off putting when I started using their machines, but adjusted to it after a while. Is that why you find the DFX to have better discrimination; or is there something else about it that really stands out to you?
Thanks.
Mick Evans.

If you prefer it short at the end is a "summary".

Hello Mick. Yes I know of the detuning and even without it the sizing is quite reliable as long as the pinpoint is right on.
(I have had correct readings, sizing that is, at 8" for a coin! I measured to be sure)

I did not like the audio system of the GTI, personal preference really. I really like the clear and sharp(?) tones of the DFX.

As far as the disc, yes the signagraph stands out and I do really like it.
It can (and often will) tell you more of whats in the ground better then the VDI's (of the DFX) or notches of the GTI.

Also I did never get to like the notches of the GTI for disc it was way to hard to tell what was good and what was trash; therefore I had to dig it all(or most of it anyways) though note that I mostly coin shoot at modern places here in Sweden.

Remember that we here in Sweden have had many coins and memorizing all (readings) is very hard.

The size/shape I can still tell when in pinpoint mode.(even if it's a rough way it works great)
Oh and not to forget the DC phase of the DFX, while in pinpoint I can get VDI readings excellent when cherry picking.

Or or put it short on what is good on the disc of the DFX:
Clear tones (personal preference)
DC phase (VDI numbers while pinpointing)
Signagraph (excellent info on/about the target)


Hope it helps.

Regards,
Eu

 

[Mick in Dubbo]

Thanks. I think that David will like the detail that you have just gone through in describing these differences as well.
If you could clear something up for me, I'd appreciate it. You commented that the signagraph really stands out and id better than VDI's. What is the difference? I thought that the signagraph was the VDI.
Something that I'm keen to look for in a detector, is what sort of secondary information that you can get out of it over simply using the metre. As I live in Australia, I like to hunt $1 and $2 coins. These targets fall in the upper end of the screw cap range. I've heard that the MXT can tell these targets apart, but I don't know how. I think that a Euro falls in the same area of discrimination. Have you noticed a difference between screw caps and coins on the DFX, and if you have, what are they?
Thanks.
Mick Evans.

 

[Eu_citzen]

Thanks. I think that David will like the detail that you have just gone through in describing these differences as well.
If you could clear something up for me, I'd appreciate it. You commented that the signagraph really stands out and id better than VDI's. What is the difference? I thought that the signagraph was the VDI.
Something that I'm keen to look for in a detector, is what sort of secondary information that you can get out of it over simply using the metre. As I live in Australia, I like to hunt $1 and $2 coins. These targets fall in the upper end of the screw cap range. I've heard that the MXT can tell these targets apart, but I don't know how. I think that a Euro falls in the same area of discrimination. Have you noticed a difference between screw caps and coins on the DFX, and if you have, what are they?
Thanks.
Mick Evans.

The VDI is just a number out of 191 numbers that the DFX assigns a target, this number does not give much info on the nature of the target. (it's just a number based on conductivity if I recall right)

The signagraph will tell you what the machine learns but cannot display with a VDI number.
(i.e conductivity, target signal strength, multiple targets close to each other etc)
The signagraph will tell you much, but you have to know how to "read" the info it really does offer.

The Euro falls in at aobut 70 or so?? We don't have Euro in Sweden, I have found a few though.
The signagraph will display it (the Euro) more to the right towards the +95 then the screw caps.

Another neat thing it the VDI (in DC phase) will more often show in @ 60-70's or higher.
Bottle caps while in pinpoint (in DC phase) will show in @ 00-38 or similar.

I have multiple ways of to get info heres a list with comments:
Tone ID (each VDI gets a special sound, the first indicator of a good target)
Signagraph (see description above, second inducator)
VDI (good to confirm the signagraph readings, they (the bars) can come in close proximity of the VDI number, third indicator)
DC Phase (give you a VDI number while pinpointing, fourth indicator)

 

[Mick in Dubbo]

Thank you.
That's the first time that I've come across an explanation of how the signagraph works and it's is very cool! I can see why you like the DFX so much.
Mick Evans.

 

[Larry (IL)]

Great explanation Eu.

 

[Eu_citzen]

Mick, any more questions?

Larry: I did my best...almost....

 

[Mick in Dubbo]

Since you're asking.....
Actually, I've been reading up on the Signagraph last night on the Whites site, and could help but notice, how closely the signagraph resembles the Explorer's Smart find. It seems that they are both analysing the same information, albeit via slightly different approaches. The Whites seem to be a bit more refined. Is that how you see it, or are they different?
Mick Evans.