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White's vs. Minelab....Convince me
- Thread starter Mojoman58
- Start date
You are not going to be easy to convince either way..It's not really apples to apples....Minelab is one type of detector with exceptional depth..Whites is another with all kinds of user changable options and a very respectable depth..In todays world of coin hunting you really should have both for all types of hunting.But then theres the money part. Check out both Sir each has it's favorable and not so favorable qualities and no one detector is going to do it all.It will come down to preference on your part..Maybe Digger and Bill can be more precise and advise you, but it will still come down to you and what you want and expect from a detector.They are both good detectors and they both will give you great results.Monte would be able to tell you a lot about both, and he can be very convincing.Up above I said favorable By that I mean balance, weight, price, things like that. Not that one has bad qualities, and the other does not, or vice versa
clondike clad
Member
Whites are eazy on the arm Minelabs are very deeep hunters.
But most finds are less than 7 inch of dirt.
I have a XL PRO and out hunted Minelabs.
It come down to what detector you are willing to learn.
Whites and Minelabs are top ended detectors.
The DFX can find coins over 12 inch or more deep.
How deep are you going to dig......most of my finds 99.9 or more are less than 5 inch deep.You need to play with each detector to find the one you like.
I had a DFX but I like my XL PRO more.
I also have a Minelab 3500 and can hunt to China( But for me it is my XL PRO)ONLY YOU WILL KNOW WHAT DETECTOR YOU WILL LIKE.
Now that M6 is a very nice coin hunter.I also love that detector
But most finds are less than 7 inch of dirt.
I have a XL PRO and out hunted Minelabs.
It come down to what detector you are willing to learn.
Whites and Minelabs are top ended detectors.
The DFX can find coins over 12 inch or more deep.
How deep are you going to dig......most of my finds 99.9 or more are less than 5 inch deep.You need to play with each detector to find the one you like.
I had a DFX but I like my XL PRO more.
I also have a Minelab 3500 and can hunt to China( But for me it is my XL PRO)ONLY YOU WILL KNOW WHAT DETECTOR YOU WILL LIKE.
Now that M6 is a very nice coin hunter.I also love that detector
there is truth in what clondike clad states!..the key is the statement
that most of his finds are around 5 inches deep!.i have been hunting for more than 30 years,and i can state for the record that MOST of MY finds too!..come from 6 inches or less in depth!in MY opinion,every detector on the market right now will certainly give you good enough depth,however what,also in MY opinion is what we really need is the ability to SEPARATE targets in trash without the masking effect!..i am convinced that there is TONS of stuff still in the trash to be found,and MOST of it,i'll bet is buried 6 inches to surface!..i also hunt with the so-called "old fashioned" xl-pro using the 6" coil,and i will put it up against all comers when hunting in trash!
(h.h!)
j.t.
that most of his finds are around 5 inches deep!.i have been hunting for more than 30 years,and i can state for the record that MOST of MY finds too!..come from 6 inches or less in depth!in MY opinion,every detector on the market right now will certainly give you good enough depth,however what,also in MY opinion is what we really need is the ability to SEPARATE targets in trash without the masking effect!..i am convinced that there is TONS of stuff still in the trash to be found,and MOST of it,i'll bet is buried 6 inches to surface!..i also hunt with the so-called "old fashioned" xl-pro using the 6" coil,and i will put it up against all comers when hunting in trash!
(h.h!)
j.t.
It is 9:19 pm on august 27, 2007....read the last 15 posts in the minelab explorer classroom...here you go>
falsing issues...
pinpointing problems...
detector turning off for no reason...
rebooting problems...
and another person complaining about only finding trash...
Good enough...
falsing issues...
pinpointing problems...
detector turning off for no reason...
rebooting problems...
and another person complaining about only finding trash...
Good enough...
Pirate John
New member
The Minelab Explorer SE is without a doubt the deepest turf detector on coins, however the Whites DFX is probably the most versatile detector made today. I prefer the quality of Whites, I have never had a problem with their detectors or customer service. I have had some minor issues with Minelab, nothing major but little things like getting my detector fixed the first time around and trying to get them to understand the problem in the first place but after that all was good. If I were going to just hunt parks for coins and deep silver coins I would grab the SE, but like most of my hunts I like to do a little of everything or especially when traveling I would grab the DFX since it is so versatile and can programmed for any situation. The best thing would be is to buy both, if that's not possible just keep in mind what type of hunting you will be doing and try to fit the best detector into your needs. Just my opinion, HH
jeff & Maria
Active member
I currently use an Explorer II, X-Terra 70, and an XLT. I hunt old homesites, fields etc. Not playgrounds or modern schools. All these detectors have features I like, no one has them all. The XLT will lock on targets the best. The Minelab with it's audio tones let's me know when there is a good target under it. Most all my finds have been pulled out from 6 inches deep or less, including Coppers dating back to 1786 as well as musket balls and everything in between. Things just don't sink that deep here in NJ's clay and shale soil so ANY detector on the market would probably do the job for me. The Explorer is able to find those small barber dimes or indian heads on edge at 6 inches the best. I know because I have hunted areas that were pounded in the past. The drawback to the Explorers is that you need to move SLOW, the XLT you can swing and move quite a bit quicker which is why you will never see me in a large field with the Explorer. However if I am at an old homesite I will put a small coil on the Explorer and do a snails pace search which always results in some good finds. In a post I made here yesterday I showed a Barber Half found at a site that I had been over with the Explorer, the Explorer missed it the XLT didn't. The DFX I owned was a good machine, I just prefered the more simple XLT version that I had many years ago. From what I understand the DFX is very good at the beach. If you choose to buy a Minelab don't buy the SE, look for a used Explorer II or a used XS. They are both as capable as the SE, and in some comparisons between us Minelab users go deeper than the SE.
Wade Patton
New member
XLT vs. E2
I'm relatively green at this (2 or 3 years of casual hunting), but every time I hunt with my friend and his Explorer II, my XLT finds more stuff. Matter o' fact, it's pretty common for me to go over to his excavation and help him pinpoint/ID the target. I let him dig for a while before I "notice" he could use some assistance.
He and I have similar levels of experience, and both are good machines, but it's my opinion that the Minelab has a steeper learning curve and that my buddy is still learning. Heck, I'm still learning. He finds some good stuff, but it seems that he works harder for it.
He has three machines. If I get a second machine it'll be another XLT or 6000. What I really need is another coil--or two. BUT if I were 500 miles closer to the beach, I'd surely have a DFX or Minelab in the quiver.
Convinced?
I'm relatively green at this (2 or 3 years of casual hunting), but every time I hunt with my friend and his Explorer II, my XLT finds more stuff. Matter o' fact, it's pretty common for me to go over to his excavation and help him pinpoint/ID the target. I let him dig for a while before I "notice" he could use some assistance.
He and I have similar levels of experience, and both are good machines, but it's my opinion that the Minelab has a steeper learning curve and that my buddy is still learning. Heck, I'm still learning. He finds some good stuff, but it seems that he works harder for it.
He has three machines. If I get a second machine it'll be another XLT or 6000. What I really need is another coil--or two. BUT if I were 500 miles closer to the beach, I'd surely have a DFX or Minelab in the quiver.
Convinced?
I had a explorer for 7 mo. had to sent it back 3 times and I gave them so mush trouble that they gave me a new one and it was no better. The ID socks in the trash. If you get in any trash the ID freezes and will not work. The ID needs to be as fast as the tones. That is a lot of money for something that will not work, so I sold it.
in one way. That one way is that ALL and I mean all wheaties...mercs..barbers...seated coins..indian heads...etc I've found this year have been in excess of 6" and most have been 6" to 8". I have hunted only sites that I spent years hunting with my whites...then my cz ...and now I am pounding them again with my SE.
My xl pro is probably my favorite machine as it can be swung fast and I can really cruise. The cz is a deep seeker as well but I dig some iron with it. When I want pure depth from a pounded site I reach for my SE. Some say the SE isn't as deep as the ex2 but I have had both and it is every bit as deep to me. The problem is that the stock coil on the SE doesn't seem to be as stable as the stock coil on the ex2. I never use the stock coil anyway on my SE so that doesn't affect me.
Heck I use whatever works and no detector can do it all. One is for pure depth while the other gets good depth...some have superb programming capabilities...and can be swung faster.. therefore covering more ground.
I have had and do still have both an SE and an Xl pro....and oh ya' a fisher cz70pro as well. That's why I agree with all the posts on this matter. As some said they are finding the vast majority of their coins in the 6" or less range...so I completely understand their post. I myself however haven't found a wheatie or silver coin at 6" or less in as long as I can remember because I'm hunting the same pounded sites I have personally pounded for 30 years.
Whites makes a great machine...and so does Minelab. Depending on the conditions you hunt and the depth of the goodies will most probably dictate the machine you swing for that occasion.
If I'm at a site where most of the finds are in the 6" or less range...I'm grabbing my xl pro and cruisin'. If I'm at a pounded park looking for 6" to 8" deep silver coins possibly on edge...I'll grab the SE and creep along....but I will usually pop some deepies out of the ground. Will my xl pro hit a 7" silver dime...you bet it will...but my SE seems to pop out more deepies on edge.
I like BOTH brands...that's why I have one of each. I've had a whites in my arsenal since 1979 and I always will.
My xl pro is probably my favorite machine as it can be swung fast and I can really cruise. The cz is a deep seeker as well but I dig some iron with it. When I want pure depth from a pounded site I reach for my SE. Some say the SE isn't as deep as the ex2 but I have had both and it is every bit as deep to me. The problem is that the stock coil on the SE doesn't seem to be as stable as the stock coil on the ex2. I never use the stock coil anyway on my SE so that doesn't affect me.
Heck I use whatever works and no detector can do it all. One is for pure depth while the other gets good depth...some have superb programming capabilities...and can be swung faster.. therefore covering more ground.
I have had and do still have both an SE and an Xl pro....and oh ya' a fisher cz70pro as well. That's why I agree with all the posts on this matter. As some said they are finding the vast majority of their coins in the 6" or less range...so I completely understand their post. I myself however haven't found a wheatie or silver coin at 6" or less in as long as I can remember because I'm hunting the same pounded sites I have personally pounded for 30 years.
Whites makes a great machine...and so does Minelab. Depending on the conditions you hunt and the depth of the goodies will most probably dictate the machine you swing for that occasion.
If I'm at a site where most of the finds are in the 6" or less range...I'm grabbing my xl pro and cruisin'. If I'm at a pounded park looking for 6" to 8" deep silver coins possibly on edge...I'll grab the SE and creep along....but I will usually pop some deepies out of the ground. Will my xl pro hit a 7" silver dime...you bet it will...but my SE seems to pop out more deepies on edge.
I like BOTH brands...that's why I have one of each. I've had a whites in my arsenal since 1979 and I always will.
jackintexas
New member
I have been a diehard whites hunter for thirty years. Had most of them. My favorite Whites is the XLT. About a year ago I started reading the Minelab forum. I now also have an Explorer. All you really have to do is read the finds on the Whites forum and the finds on the Explorer forum. That is why I also favor my Explorer also. I think the Xlt for crusing and the Explorer for the deeper coins.
I have a Minelab Quattro and a Whited IDX PRO. I have hunted with the EX11 and the DFX as well as the Excal,Surf master and used the XLT for a week. A machine is only as good as the person using it, and you can't find whats not there. I have has the most success with the Quattro and IDX so those are the ones i bought. and have found everything from Movado and Gucci watches to a 1739 king George half cent and most things in between. Including 145 silver coins,56 IH pennies,Shield,V,and Buffalo Nickels as well as 89 silver rings and 32 Gold rings all in the past 3 years.I would choose Minelab for depth but you will cover 10 times the area with Whites
flynndfx40
New member
here what i found with my dfx and love it
flynndfx40
New member
n/t
SgtSki in MI
New member
Is that people spend so much time touting one brand of detector, forsaking (and slamming) all others. What I want to know is where all of you live so that I can go hunt up some coins while you're all getting wrapped around the axle and bickering about whose detector is the best.
You're referencing two very different detectors but trying to compare them as if they are very similar. They are both distinctly different machines with distinctly different learning curves, each requiring distinctly different operating methods and the development on the operator's part of distinctly different individual tricks and techniques. Do you want to cover a lot of area in less time while still being able to devote enough patience and deliberate searching to make good finds? Then get a DFX or XLT. Do you follow several different styles of hunting (beach, homesteads, parks, schoolyards, coin/jewelry/relics, prospecting)? Then get a DFX or XLT (or MXT) . Do you prefer older areas that have seen human activity over the years with relatively minimal disturbance to the soil, and are willing to slowly, deliberately, and PATIENTLY search that respective area? Then get an Explorer. Do you want to make relatively deeper finds or make finds in "hunted out" areas? Then get an Explorer ( although I'm pretty sure that the Explorer's depth advantage can be attributed more to the footprint of a DD coil than to anything else on the machine. I'm sure that an XLT or DFX with a DD coil can get just as deep). Notice that I said simply "Explorer" and not "Explorer SE". I'm convinced that an Explorer II or XS can do just as well as an SE, but they require a little more finesse than the SE does (especially an XS). I confess to being an Explorer XS owner since 2002, but I am by no means bound to that machine and refuse to become a "Brand Snob". I own other machines as well, including an XLT, and which machine I grab on my way out the door depends on what kind of hunting I'm on my way to do. I've used a DFX on a few occasions as well, and have found it to be an excellent machine. I also confess to being primarily a coinshooter who predominately hunts older areas and I just love being told that a place has been "hunted out". (no such animal in my opinion). When I hunt an area for the first time, I'm swinging either a CZ-5 or an XLT. If my initial finds tell me things are looking pretty promising and I should slow down, then whatever I started with goes in the trunk and the Explorer comes out. As far as relic hunting goes, I wouldn't even factor that in your decision of detector choice, since successful relic hunting is done by running with your machine wide open and digging everything you hit. As far as making tweaks to the adjustments and making custom programs, either machine is equally versatile in that regard. One more thing to consider is that the DFX has been around for 5 years now while the Explorer SE just came out. I'd let the SE be out for at least a year before I bought one, and make darn sure that the one I bought was made VERY recently and has ALL of the fixes incorporated to problems encountered since initial production. This is something being experienced by SE owners as I type this post. If you've gotta get out there ASAP, and aren't willing and prepared to deal with possible "bugs" with an SE, then by all means go with the DFX, or even get a good used Explorer II. With either the Whites' or the Minelab, one accessory I highly recommend as a "must have" item would be the inline target probe manufactured by Sun Ray Products. They're a bit pricey ($179), but I feel that they are worth every penny. I swear by mine, anyway. Hit the Sun Ray website and check it out at least. Both the Explorer and DFX have a probe available for them.
Someone on one of these posts mentioned masking and trash separation. The sheer fact of the matter is this: If you're not filling up AT LEAST one 5 gallon bucket with junk each season, then you are leaving an awful lot of good coins in the ground, and it's as simple as that. There is not, nor will there ever be, one single detector that can "see through" trash to the good stuff underneath. Once one comes to terms with the bare-naked truth of this, then he/she can start filling their own trash bucket while also making some great coin finds while they're at it. If you are basing some of your decision on which detector to buy on the trash issue, then you will be sorely disappointed in your choice either way. With either of these machines that you are debating, please be cautioned that they both have a HUGE learning curve that would need to be mastered in order to become truly successful. If you are not willing to devote the time and patience necessary to mastering the learning curve, then you will become frustrated and disappointed with either machine as well, especially when you see posts online of other users' great finds.
Anyway I best close out this post since it's getting long and I'm starting to ramble. I hope my drawn-out opinions are of some assistance to you in making your choice, and whichever machine you decide on, I bid you good luck and Happy Hunting!
HH,
SgtSki in Iraq
You're referencing two very different detectors but trying to compare them as if they are very similar. They are both distinctly different machines with distinctly different learning curves, each requiring distinctly different operating methods and the development on the operator's part of distinctly different individual tricks and techniques. Do you want to cover a lot of area in less time while still being able to devote enough patience and deliberate searching to make good finds? Then get a DFX or XLT. Do you follow several different styles of hunting (beach, homesteads, parks, schoolyards, coin/jewelry/relics, prospecting)? Then get a DFX or XLT (or MXT) . Do you prefer older areas that have seen human activity over the years with relatively minimal disturbance to the soil, and are willing to slowly, deliberately, and PATIENTLY search that respective area? Then get an Explorer. Do you want to make relatively deeper finds or make finds in "hunted out" areas? Then get an Explorer ( although I'm pretty sure that the Explorer's depth advantage can be attributed more to the footprint of a DD coil than to anything else on the machine. I'm sure that an XLT or DFX with a DD coil can get just as deep). Notice that I said simply "Explorer" and not "Explorer SE". I'm convinced that an Explorer II or XS can do just as well as an SE, but they require a little more finesse than the SE does (especially an XS). I confess to being an Explorer XS owner since 2002, but I am by no means bound to that machine and refuse to become a "Brand Snob". I own other machines as well, including an XLT, and which machine I grab on my way out the door depends on what kind of hunting I'm on my way to do. I've used a DFX on a few occasions as well, and have found it to be an excellent machine. I also confess to being primarily a coinshooter who predominately hunts older areas and I just love being told that a place has been "hunted out". (no such animal in my opinion). When I hunt an area for the first time, I'm swinging either a CZ-5 or an XLT. If my initial finds tell me things are looking pretty promising and I should slow down, then whatever I started with goes in the trunk and the Explorer comes out. As far as relic hunting goes, I wouldn't even factor that in your decision of detector choice, since successful relic hunting is done by running with your machine wide open and digging everything you hit. As far as making tweaks to the adjustments and making custom programs, either machine is equally versatile in that regard. One more thing to consider is that the DFX has been around for 5 years now while the Explorer SE just came out. I'd let the SE be out for at least a year before I bought one, and make darn sure that the one I bought was made VERY recently and has ALL of the fixes incorporated to problems encountered since initial production. This is something being experienced by SE owners as I type this post. If you've gotta get out there ASAP, and aren't willing and prepared to deal with possible "bugs" with an SE, then by all means go with the DFX, or even get a good used Explorer II. With either the Whites' or the Minelab, one accessory I highly recommend as a "must have" item would be the inline target probe manufactured by Sun Ray Products. They're a bit pricey ($179), but I feel that they are worth every penny. I swear by mine, anyway. Hit the Sun Ray website and check it out at least. Both the Explorer and DFX have a probe available for them.
Someone on one of these posts mentioned masking and trash separation. The sheer fact of the matter is this: If you're not filling up AT LEAST one 5 gallon bucket with junk each season, then you are leaving an awful lot of good coins in the ground, and it's as simple as that. There is not, nor will there ever be, one single detector that can "see through" trash to the good stuff underneath. Once one comes to terms with the bare-naked truth of this, then he/she can start filling their own trash bucket while also making some great coin finds while they're at it. If you are basing some of your decision on which detector to buy on the trash issue, then you will be sorely disappointed in your choice either way. With either of these machines that you are debating, please be cautioned that they both have a HUGE learning curve that would need to be mastered in order to become truly successful. If you are not willing to devote the time and patience necessary to mastering the learning curve, then you will become frustrated and disappointed with either machine as well, especially when you see posts online of other users' great finds.
Anyway I best close out this post since it's getting long and I'm starting to ramble. I hope my drawn-out opinions are of some assistance to you in making your choice, and whichever machine you decide on, I bid you good luck and Happy Hunting!
HH,
SgtSki in Iraq
i dont disagree with your analogy that you need to be digging trash in order to find coins too!..i agree that you will ALWAYS have to do that
the issue is that a large percentage of us do NOT want to dig a ton of trash every time we hunt,because of time restraints,AND it takes away
from the enjoyment of the hobby!..it is also understood that NO detector will see thru common aluminum junk to get the coins underneath
and even coins lying next to aluminum present a problem too!..unfortunately aluminum in all it's various guises creates masking issues everywhere
this metal is highly conductive,and NY detector will SEE it as the stronger target,and mask the coin next to it,or underneath it!..i am hoping that
at some point we can experience a "breakthrough" in technology to address this MOST perplexing problem!..i do NOT anticipate this will change any time soon
so as the sargent stated,and i agree..."if you want to dig coins,then you gotta dig the crap!"
(h.h!)
j.t.
the issue is that a large percentage of us do NOT want to dig a ton of trash every time we hunt,because of time restraints,AND it takes away
from the enjoyment of the hobby!..it is also understood that NO detector will see thru common aluminum junk to get the coins underneath
and even coins lying next to aluminum present a problem too!..unfortunately aluminum in all it's various guises creates masking issues everywhere
this metal is highly conductive,and NY detector will SEE it as the stronger target,and mask the coin next to it,or underneath it!..i am hoping that
at some point we can experience a "breakthrough" in technology to address this MOST perplexing problem!..i do NOT anticipate this will change any time soon
so as the sargent stated,and i agree..."if you want to dig coins,then you gotta dig the crap!"
(h.h!)
j.t.
Chrisjarvis
New member
[quote Johnny]I had a explorer for 7 mo. had to sent it back 3 times and I gave them so mush trouble that they gave me a new one and it was no better. The ID socks in the trash. If you get in any trash the ID freezes and will not work. The ID needs to be as fast as the tones. That is a lot of money for something that will not work, so I sold it.[/quote]
You sold something that didn't work? The buyer must have been an idiot..
You sold something that didn't work? The buyer must have been an idiot..
Gunnar of bradford MN
New member
when a chickey hatches out of its egg whoever is thear becomes its favorite momma , whatever is thear for you thats your detector