Who else agonizes the details?

[WyomingMedic]

Howdy from Wyoming.

I recently ordered (but have not received yet) a Whites V3i. I like the looks and reviews and think it will be a great machine.

NOW, I am reading more about the 3030 and REALLY like some of those features.

So I get one of those as well and try them both? Or do I get rid of the V3i? The whole debate really seems to be a "Ford v. Chevy" thing.

As I research some decent hunt locations around here, I find a few by lakes and such. While the V3i has a waterproof coil, I do worry about taking a bath. I have been known to get a little stuck while exploring and have to just bail into the water. Of course, I would not do this with the Whites, but could with the 3030.

And although not talked about much, I REALLY like the GPS feature. Some of the areas I search are completely virgin and many hundreds if not a thousand acres. Correlating a find pattern with pieces of the property over many trips would be nice.

What to do, what to do?

Input? Advice? Snide remarks LOL, anything?

 

[nolanation]

I had the V3i and just moved to the CTX. While it just happened recently, I feel already I have made the right move. Minelab technology is second to none. The V3i is fully adjustable, but from my opinion, you eventually get to realizing you don't care for all of these adjustments. They can be overwhelming and a lot of them don't make much of an impact anyway. I DO MISS the 3 frequency pinpoint, as that helped when trying to identify the target further. Other than that the CTX wins in my opinion. More stable ID with depth, great recovery speed, faster processor, it's ability to ID the target with trash/iron literally in the plug, and of course being waterproof. Both are great machines, I am sure you wouldn't be disappointed with either. Just figured I'd share my similar story.

PS. Alot of people brag on White's customer service, it is great and that seems to win a lot of people over, but from what I have read/seen so far Minelab has excellent customer service as well.

Nolan

 

[sparkster]

Before anyone can answer your question they would Need to know your metal detecting experience, your budget and what you plan to do with the machine.

Both the V and the CTX are quality machines. Two separate operating platforms. One is new technology, one is older technology. I have heard the V is a little
More difficult to learn, but I do not know that.

Both machines have turn on and go programs. I personally feel trying to learn both machines at once would be a very, very difficult undertaking.

 

[C&RHunter]

I won't say don't buy that buy this instead. But the GPS can be very helpful in "finding" locations in the field. Once you have researched and found some locations to detect, and have acquired GPS coords from whatever source, thru XChange2 they can be installed in the CTX. By using the GO TO feature in the CTX, you will be guided to the destination. Probably simpler to say that than do it, but not difficult. I live in Missouri and prefer to hunt old areas that are now farm fields, but used to be homes, fairgrounds, etc. With research and the use of the GPS in the CTX, getting to the location desired is much easier. Also, the use of the GPS can get you back the the site of a find if you have created a FindPoint. If you are near a Minelab dealer, actually getting to hold a CTX and just be shown basic things would be very helpful in the decision making............Good luck, whichever way you go...........HH

 

[WyomingMedic]

Thanks for the thoughts and kind words.

A little about my experience. I have metal detected for a few years with a rather "base" model detector. The V3i or 3030 would be a MASSIVE step up on performance from what I have.

My budget is whatever I want it to be I guess. The 3030 would be the upper end, lest my dear wife leave me for dead in a field LOL.

The terrain I hunt/will be hunting is all virign ground which has never been detected before. My family owns a number of ranch lands and cabins that date from the 1860s on to the 1930s. I also have access to old mining camps and cow camps that are all private and to the best of anybody's knowledge, have never been hunted. We even have access to 20 miles of the Oregon/Mormon trail that is all private. Most are very remote and require hours in a truck, then hours on a 4 wheeler.

I asked in the White's forum regarding the "toughness" of the V3i because of the rugged nature of the hunt area. I could ask the same of the 3030. How tough are they? Hold up well to accidental bumps and bangs? I would invest in a hard case for transport. If I roll a wheeler on a $2500 (or $1500 for that matter) machine, I would cry violently.

I am a fairly tech oriented person. I am 30 years old and after 12 years in an ambulance/fire truck (bad back injury), I work for Motorola and maintain digital radio systems. I am doing a lot of online research and understand that there will be a very large learning curve. I am prepaired for the long haul when it comes to making things work correctly. Instant gratification is not in my vocabulary LOL.

Also, I have only been on the community here for a few days. Everybody has been absolutely amazing in offering help and answering my few questions. I'm sure that whatever machine I end up with, I will continue to ask questions and they will continue to get answered.

73,
Brad

 

[WyomingMedic]

-- moved topic --

 

[DirtAngler]

I will just give you this, the V3I will require you to use it exclusively if you really want to understand it and all of its settings. I have no doubt that anyone who dedicates this effort will have a very capable machine. It like almost any machine can be a turn on and go machine but then why get one with all the features and settings if you are not going to put the time in to learn the machine. JMHO.

 

[mudpuppy]

Well, you certainly have an outstanding area to hunt...you know theres the old privys full of bottles and what not, not to mention all the old metal lost out at those places..since you are young, and its all private property, you have plenty of time to try a few machines out throughout the years and really do a good job. So have at it, and have a great time, and post a lot of pics with the story of the hunt for us!
Mud

 

[DonM]

One other factor to consider is Customer Service and as far as I am concerned - Whites is the best in the business. I recall reading last year about a user who had some sort of circuit board failure on their out of warranty etrac...and if recall correctly the repair estimate came in at over $800.00....if a similar problem occured on a V3i, I am pretty sure that Whites would either fix it for free or a minimal charge of less than $100.00. Maybe the 3030 is a better all round detector but I will stick with Whites secure in the knowledge that they stand behind what they make even though it may be out of warranty.

 

[WyomingMedic]

Very interesting comments, thanks folks.

I do worry about trying to learn and tease performance out of 2 vastly different top tier rigs. I believe I would never really get proficient with either.

As for White's customer service, I can already tell that it is legondary within the hobby. Stories abound.

Thanks, and if I find anything neater than .22lr cases, I will certanly post photos. I swear, I think the entire state of Wyoming is littered with those things. Piles and piles EVERYWHERE LOL.

WM

 

[Tom Slick]

Keep the V3i and with the extra $1,000.00 you save, buy a Tesoro Tiger Shark for fresh water or a Sand Shark for saltwater, and a nice GPS you can also use when driving or hiking without your detector.

 

[Robert2300]

I guess you have to be a hard core technology sort of guy.
I never much cared for machines that too high a learning
curve. But if you like the challenge and not afraid to tackle
such a machine, go for it. I for one wouold probably never
buy the Vi3 or any of that series just because I don't like all
those adjustments. I found the MXT just right for me.
Good luck with your decision.
Robert