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Whites new machine..
- Thread starter robocoin
- Start date
back the disc all the way off and listen and/or watch the meter... that's what I do with the MXT in the relic mode and it works great..get's the deep ones and gives you the added depth that you would have lost with the disc. cranked up... Best to all, Richardntn
The MXT has a suggested retail price only $100 more than the new M6.
I am a user of some White's models, but basically am a user of whatever works for me. I do not like all White's, and regardless of the make I don't make a final decision until I have the unit in MY hand and do actual in-field comparisons.
What I also do, however, is read what is put out by a manufacturer, to get an idea of what a new model might have to offer. In this case, as of 3 minutes ago there is still NOTHING about it on White's Official Homepage. No official announcement. No photo. No specs or specifics or anything! All there have been, so far, are a very few 'leaks' about a pending release, and two goofy-reading "field tests", so to speak, on White's own Forum, by ONE dealer.
I compare that limited information with what I first see in print that might describe the model. Then I look closely to see how many are actually getting into end users hands, in what parts of the country, and how they are used. I want to hear some UNBIASED reporting on how a new model is or isn't performing or the features it has. So far, from the little that has been available to read, I would opt for the MXT or a different detector completely.
It would appear that the M6 is obviously targeted toward the 'typical' Coin & Jewelry hunter. Especially a jewelry hunter, perhaps due the the breakdown in audio tones on the lower-end of the conductivity scale. That, and the fact that they eliminated the Relic mode and the very good Prospecting mode.
What are the trade-off you appear to get (based upon the so-called "field test" on the M6 over on the other forum) or lose between the two models?
For $699.95 suggested retail for the Matrix M6 you get what is reported (by one, and apparently only, "Red Carpet Dealer") to be an "aggressive" autotracking circuitry. A silent search operation model. A unit that uses the MXT "search engine" but is improved upon ... who knows how?? Tone ID with seven (7) different audio tones, but it wasn't really discussed much in the "field test" and looking at the early announcement of the VDI range breakdown on the tones, it appears that all typical US coins other than the 5
I am a user of some White's models, but basically am a user of whatever works for me. I do not like all White's, and regardless of the make I don't make a final decision until I have the unit in MY hand and do actual in-field comparisons.
What I also do, however, is read what is put out by a manufacturer, to get an idea of what a new model might have to offer. In this case, as of 3 minutes ago there is still NOTHING about it on White's Official Homepage. No official announcement. No photo. No specs or specifics or anything! All there have been, so far, are a very few 'leaks' about a pending release, and two goofy-reading "field tests", so to speak, on White's own Forum, by ONE dealer.
I compare that limited information with what I first see in print that might describe the model. Then I look closely to see how many are actually getting into end users hands, in what parts of the country, and how they are used. I want to hear some UNBIASED reporting on how a new model is or isn't performing or the features it has. So far, from the little that has been available to read, I would opt for the MXT or a different detector completely.
It would appear that the M6 is obviously targeted toward the 'typical' Coin & Jewelry hunter. Especially a jewelry hunter, perhaps due the the breakdown in audio tones on the lower-end of the conductivity scale. That, and the fact that they eliminated the Relic mode and the very good Prospecting mode.
What are the trade-off you appear to get (based upon the so-called "field test" on the M6 over on the other forum) or lose between the two models?
For $699.95 suggested retail for the Matrix M6 you get what is reported (by one, and apparently only, "Red Carpet Dealer") to be an "aggressive" autotracking circuitry. A silent search operation model. A unit that uses the MXT "search engine" but is improved upon ... who knows how?? Tone ID with seven (7) different audio tones, but it wasn't really discussed much in the "field test" and looking at the early announcement of the VDI range breakdown on the tones, it appears that all typical US coins other than the 5
Jackpine Savage
Active member
Monte,
Looking at the tone breaks and VDI number range it appears that they have somewhat "normalized the VDI readings to keep it in line with other Whites detectors. Although the tones are set to favor the lower end as has been noted, the VDI spread favors the upper end. It leaves me wondering just how stable the numbers will be on the "deeper ID's" that Red Carpet dealer talked about.
At a price point of only $100.00 less and lacking quite a few of the MXT's features, the "improvements" on the M6 (which are basically software changes) had better result in increased performance for coin & jewelry hunters or Whites is going to have a lot of pizzed off users.
Better ground handling, Better ID at depth, better salt handling and a more useable high gain setting are the claims. Only time will tell if the Reds got it right.
Tom
Looking at the tone breaks and VDI number range it appears that they have somewhat "normalized the VDI readings to keep it in line with other Whites detectors. Although the tones are set to favor the lower end as has been noted, the VDI spread favors the upper end. It leaves me wondering just how stable the numbers will be on the "deeper ID's" that Red Carpet dealer talked about.
At a price point of only $100.00 less and lacking quite a few of the MXT's features, the "improvements" on the M6 (which are basically software changes) had better result in increased performance for coin & jewelry hunters or Whites is going to have a lot of pizzed off users.
Better ground handling, Better ID at depth, better salt handling and a more useable high gain setting are the claims. Only time will tell if the Reds got it right.
Tom
about the new Matrix M6 because I always am interested in performance and function that might have a place in my personal detector battery.
Like most other avid White's users I have been patiently waiting for news to come out about something exciting. When the released the Prizm's I used all three of the first ones and bought a Prizm IV to use afield with my Classic's and others. I didn't care for them at all and felt it was a giant step backward!
But they kept the IDX Pro and XL Pro in the line-up so that was 'OK.' I was hoping they were working on some logical modifications to the IDX Pro, to be honest. Something along the lines of factory designed with the modifications Bill Crabtree does, and maybe a little TID/display change.
I am fine with the TID breakdown of the display and if they had an 8-Tone audio I that matched the IDX's segments, and added a battery test button or click position on the Disc. mode control or something that would show battery strength by using the 8 segments, they would have had a killer detector!
Then we see them drop the IDX Pro as well as the excellent XL Pro, and bring out another higher-frequency model ... for coin hunting!
I think someone misread the reasons why the MXT had been popular. It has been due to the very versatile design that really appeals to those who do, or plan to do, some serious nugget hunting, as well as many relic hunters. For those purposes, especially being able to nugget hunt pretty well, it makes sense to operate at a higher frequency.
But they abandoned the 6.59 kHz line that helped to make White's what they are in the industry! Look at how successful they have been with all the models operating in that frequency range! Now to go to 8.1 kHz on Prizm's and over 14 kHz for everything else (except the XLT) has left me wondering about their future.
For many years we have read about the strengths and benefits derived from using a lower operating frequency, such as better at handling higher mineralization and hotter on higher-conductive coins such as silver. Even their own DFX marketing plugs the use of the low frequency for silver shooting and handling bad ground, while the higher frequency appeals to those looking for nickels and small, thin gold jewelry.
I do like White's customer service. I do like the service departments excellent customer care. I enjoy my visits to the factory because everyone you meet is just plain pleasant! I also will stand my ground that the Classic III, ID and IDX models haven't been replaced in overall performance and versatility by the Prizm's. And I had to add an XL Pro back into my personal battery because I like them. They work and their analog display is just a joy to use with excellent VDI spread and discernible indications.
Believe me, I have been hoping they would get something out that I will take to. For very serious all-purpose performance in a lightweight unit w/o target ID, nothing beats my Shadow X5. It stays. That XL Pro is here to stay until a real winner can bump it (and that was the targeted purpose of the M6!). A modified IDX Pro is invaluable and makes a handy detector for just having fun as well as great performance in iron infested sites. And my 4th unit at present is the mew Minelab X-Terra 50.
It took me very little time to realize I liked the X-Terra 50 because it had ample audio tones (4) and clear num,eric ID to handle most of my 'fun' needs. It has very good depth and after using it and an MXT to hunt an old turn-of-the-century resort park and two other favorites, I quickly found that the X-Terra had coin hunting depth to rival the MXT. It had a less jumpy display, and more accurate lock-on to coins. The 4 tone audio works well, and it operated much quieter than the MXT.
I was comparing performance with the MXT w/950 concentric coil to the X-Terra 50 w/9" concentric coil so they had similar size and type of coils. The MXT was doing better on old pennies and dimes and silver at depth, and that;'s what I was looking for. I like silver coin performance. My XL Pro provides it, as does the IDX Pro, and FOR ME, the X-Terra 50 is just a lot more comfortable and fun to use, and that is complimented by performance.
I was hoping that White's new unit would use the IDX housing an trigger-toggle pod because I prefer a rear-located headphone jack and I like the feel of the trigger better than that of the XL Pro, MXT, XLT, DFX.
Like you said:
"Looking at the tone breaks and VDI number range it appears that they have somewhat "normalized the VDI readings to keep it in line with other Whites detectors."... I hope the VDI readout works well.
"Although the tones are set to favor the lower end as has been noted, the VDI spread favors the upper end."... I haven't seen much in any 'official' print yet, and getting one in my hands will tell me for sure how functional it is for me.
"It leaves me wondering just how stable the numbers will be on the "deeper ID's" that Red Carpet dealer talked about."... Yes, the "field report" I read from who appears to be the ONLY "Red Carpet Dealer" we've heard from left some claims a bit stretched for me to swallow. I know that the Minelab Explorer II is NOT the deepest detecting detector on the market, but I also know that it does have an excellent ability to give a proper or close to proper TID readout on deeper targets than most of the competition. It gives a good TID over a greater % of it's detection range.
But the 'field report' talked about hitting well on a 5
Like most other avid White's users I have been patiently waiting for news to come out about something exciting. When the released the Prizm's I used all three of the first ones and bought a Prizm IV to use afield with my Classic's and others. I didn't care for them at all and felt it was a giant step backward!
But they kept the IDX Pro and XL Pro in the line-up so that was 'OK.' I was hoping they were working on some logical modifications to the IDX Pro, to be honest. Something along the lines of factory designed with the modifications Bill Crabtree does, and maybe a little TID/display change.
I am fine with the TID breakdown of the display and if they had an 8-Tone audio I that matched the IDX's segments, and added a battery test button or click position on the Disc. mode control or something that would show battery strength by using the 8 segments, they would have had a killer detector!
Then we see them drop the IDX Pro as well as the excellent XL Pro, and bring out another higher-frequency model ... for coin hunting!
I think someone misread the reasons why the MXT had been popular. It has been due to the very versatile design that really appeals to those who do, or plan to do, some serious nugget hunting, as well as many relic hunters. For those purposes, especially being able to nugget hunt pretty well, it makes sense to operate at a higher frequency.
But they abandoned the 6.59 kHz line that helped to make White's what they are in the industry! Look at how successful they have been with all the models operating in that frequency range! Now to go to 8.1 kHz on Prizm's and over 14 kHz for everything else (except the XLT) has left me wondering about their future.
For many years we have read about the strengths and benefits derived from using a lower operating frequency, such as better at handling higher mineralization and hotter on higher-conductive coins such as silver. Even their own DFX marketing plugs the use of the low frequency for silver shooting and handling bad ground, while the higher frequency appeals to those looking for nickels and small, thin gold jewelry.
I do like White's customer service. I do like the service departments excellent customer care. I enjoy my visits to the factory because everyone you meet is just plain pleasant! I also will stand my ground that the Classic III, ID and IDX models haven't been replaced in overall performance and versatility by the Prizm's. And I had to add an XL Pro back into my personal battery because I like them. They work and their analog display is just a joy to use with excellent VDI spread and discernible indications.
Believe me, I have been hoping they would get something out that I will take to. For very serious all-purpose performance in a lightweight unit w/o target ID, nothing beats my Shadow X5. It stays. That XL Pro is here to stay until a real winner can bump it (and that was the targeted purpose of the M6!). A modified IDX Pro is invaluable and makes a handy detector for just having fun as well as great performance in iron infested sites. And my 4th unit at present is the mew Minelab X-Terra 50.
It took me very little time to realize I liked the X-Terra 50 because it had ample audio tones (4) and clear num,eric ID to handle most of my 'fun' needs. It has very good depth and after using it and an MXT to hunt an old turn-of-the-century resort park and two other favorites, I quickly found that the X-Terra had coin hunting depth to rival the MXT. It had a less jumpy display, and more accurate lock-on to coins. The 4 tone audio works well, and it operated much quieter than the MXT.
I was comparing performance with the MXT w/950 concentric coil to the X-Terra 50 w/9" concentric coil so they had similar size and type of coils. The MXT was doing better on old pennies and dimes and silver at depth, and that;'s what I was looking for. I like silver coin performance. My XL Pro provides it, as does the IDX Pro, and FOR ME, the X-Terra 50 is just a lot more comfortable and fun to use, and that is complimented by performance.
I was hoping that White's new unit would use the IDX housing an trigger-toggle pod because I prefer a rear-located headphone jack and I like the feel of the trigger better than that of the XL Pro, MXT, XLT, DFX.
Like you said:
"Looking at the tone breaks and VDI number range it appears that they have somewhat "normalized the VDI readings to keep it in line with other Whites detectors."... I hope the VDI readout works well.
"Although the tones are set to favor the lower end as has been noted, the VDI spread favors the upper end."... I haven't seen much in any 'official' print yet, and getting one in my hands will tell me for sure how functional it is for me.
"It leaves me wondering just how stable the numbers will be on the "deeper ID's" that Red Carpet dealer talked about."... Yes, the "field report" I read from who appears to be the ONLY "Red Carpet Dealer" we've heard from left some claims a bit stretched for me to swallow. I know that the Minelab Explorer II is NOT the deepest detecting detector on the market, but I also know that it does have an excellent ability to give a proper or close to proper TID readout on deeper targets than most of the competition. It gives a good TID over a greater % of it's detection range.
But the 'field report' talked about hitting well on a 5
Monte,
If I may interject a few comments here.
[b}If he's using this new M6 with about 15 other avid, knowledgeable, and sometimes 'odd named' detectorists, why didn't we read about more side-by-side comparisons? You would think that if you're out to impress the buddies you invited to get together, as well as a planned plug for the product on White's Forum, there would have been more meat and potatoes to the testing. More specifics about detectors used, settings, side-by-side response and others opinions. There appeared to be very little of that. [/b]
Alas, I was planning on being one of the detectorists, but because of other prior commitments, I was in central California instead. The biggest reason was that the large assembly of detectorists attracted the attention of one of SF finest who threatened to issue tickets if we persisted in doing whar we do when detecting.
If I may interject a few comments here.
[b}If he's using this new M6 with about 15 other avid, knowledgeable, and sometimes 'odd named' detectorists, why didn't we read about more side-by-side comparisons? You would think that if you're out to impress the buddies you invited to get together, as well as a planned plug for the product on White's Forum, there would have been more meat and potatoes to the testing. More specifics about detectors used, settings, side-by-side response and others opinions. There appeared to be very little of that. [/b]
Alas, I was planning on being one of the detectorists, but because of other prior commitments, I was in central California instead. The biggest reason was that the large assembly of detectorists attracted the attention of one of SF finest who threatened to issue tickets if we persisted in doing whar we do when detecting.
the fact still remains that there were about 15 there, and about ten or a dozen at the next location, and then about 8 at the final site.
The fact is, (and remember, I AM fond of White's so this isn't an 'anti-White's slam, just an observation of facts as I see them) there was basically just ONE pre-release "field report" from ONE known White's Dealer and then there was a follow-up "field review" by this same dealer. What had been seen in print never gave all the readers the factory specs in a factory-presented fashion. There was a statement from the ONE dealer about "Red Carpet Dealers" and other claims related to performance coupled with ONE dealer's review.
Looking at all the popular White's Forums, to include White's own forum, your didn't see any other dealers or noteworthy, knowledgeable people relating any hands-on field use of an M6.
We know that any experienced detectorist could take any detector to a site and report that that detector beeped clearly or loudly or soft but solid, and the TID was good ..... but that's not a good comparison of how a particular model, designed to replace a very popular model, performs i-the-field against other models in it's price range. Not unless you do several side-by-side comparisons and get the feedback from others interpretations of its performance.
With that many people who, as it seemed to suggest, gathered to help with a review of the soon to be released product, it sure was lacking in enough valuable side-by-side, model Vs model comparisons that could really be of any serious help to the inquisitive hobbyist in understanding the new model.
Really, that report only had about 2 or 3 references to how the Matrix M6 did against a target or two and against a Tej
The fact is, (and remember, I AM fond of White's so this isn't an 'anti-White's slam, just an observation of facts as I see them) there was basically just ONE pre-release "field report" from ONE known White's Dealer and then there was a follow-up "field review" by this same dealer. What had been seen in print never gave all the readers the factory specs in a factory-presented fashion. There was a statement from the ONE dealer about "Red Carpet Dealers" and other claims related to performance coupled with ONE dealer's review.
Looking at all the popular White's Forums, to include White's own forum, your didn't see any other dealers or noteworthy, knowledgeable people relating any hands-on field use of an M6.
We know that any experienced detectorist could take any detector to a site and report that that detector beeped clearly or loudly or soft but solid, and the TID was good ..... but that's not a good comparison of how a particular model, designed to replace a very popular model, performs i-the-field against other models in it's price range. Not unless you do several side-by-side comparisons and get the feedback from others interpretations of its performance.
With that many people who, as it seemed to suggest, gathered to help with a review of the soon to be released product, it sure was lacking in enough valuable side-by-side, model Vs model comparisons that could really be of any serious help to the inquisitive hobbyist in understanding the new model.
Really, that report only had about 2 or 3 references to how the Matrix M6 did against a target or two and against a Tej
I much prefer the way ML seeded a bunch of XTerras and put the in the hands of users (not just dealers), rather than the release of the M6, where I know of only one person that has one.
With many units in the hands of users, the performance data can more quickly become available, whereas with (apparently) one prototype in existence, the data is harder to come by.
With many units in the hands of users, the performance data can more quickly become available, whereas with (apparently) one prototype in existence, the data is harder to come by.
he was supposed to have an M6 yesterday or possibly on Monday or Tuesday, depending upon shipping time.
I am a bit surprised that the new Matrix M6 is supposed to reach dealers now, just in time for Christams sales before it really gets more reviews from unbiased detector users.
After many years in this great hobby, I have to tell you I was surprised that Minelab took the approach they did to introducing a new model. Obviously they had done enough homework that they new the majority of people who used it couldn't fault the performance much.
Maybe those who get a new M6 and find that it falls short of perfoirmance and expectations will return it. That's the post-Christams thing to do, and if it comes back to a dealer or the factory with a lump of coal, that wouldn't be a good sign.
I hope Richard and some other USER-Dealers get the Matrix M6 soon and will have the opportunity to get out and put it to the dirt and give us an honest report about it.
Monte
I am a bit surprised that the new Matrix M6 is supposed to reach dealers now, just in time for Christams sales before it really gets more reviews from unbiased detector users.
After many years in this great hobby, I have to tell you I was surprised that Minelab took the approach they did to introducing a new model. Obviously they had done enough homework that they new the majority of people who used it couldn't fault the performance much.
Maybe those who get a new M6 and find that it falls short of perfoirmance and expectations will return it. That's the post-Christams thing to do, and if it comes back to a dealer or the factory with a lump of coal, that wouldn't be a good sign.
I hope Richard and some other USER-Dealers get the Matrix M6 soon and will have the opportunity to get out and put it to the dirt and give us an honest report about it.
Monte
n/t