X-terra 50 vs X-terra 70

[DelawareDetecting]

I bought an x-terra 50 about 6 months ago and like the weight but still prefer my whites XLT. Would like to know from some experienced x-terra users how much better is the x-terra 70 from the 50. I realize I will need to put allot more time into the x-terra in order to make a fair comparison as I have used the whites for years. I need a lighter machine as I have problems with both of my elbows. Thanks in advance, Keith

 

[XLT-user]

For me I still like my XLT best for over all hunting.

I bought a xterra 50...it worked fine. A little more erratic than the XLT, but a nice machine. I found Indian Head pennies at 1-8", 2-9", and several single Silver dimes (Mercs) at the 6" range.

I bought an Xterra 70...In all honesty it was just as erratic, and I never found any coins at 8, or 9 inch range. I did find a few Silver dimes at 6", and one Silver quarter at 5"...tons of clad, and tons of iron. Just my opinion the Xterra 50 once GB'd was a better deeper machine.

I did not care for the Xterra 70 at all. I did like the 50, but I liked the xlt better. Maybe because I had more experience with XLT.I also only used the med frequency coil on both xteras. So for what it's worth that was my experience with the x's

 

[xwyokid]

XLT-user, not trying to be a knucklehead but can you please explain what you mean by erratic. I have an X-70 and I don't believe it's erratic at least not around here in New Mexico. As you state, your confidence is in the XLT. My X-70 is very stable and even though I've only had it for about 5 months I have found several deep coins and like the machine very much. That's what is fun, we can pick and use any machinne we want!!! Good luck in 2009.

 

[XLT-user]

Here's what I meant. My XLT is much more stable here in my area of the upper Midwest. I hunt a lot of old farm areas, and the iron is aplenty.
The xterras both were erratic in the display, and sounds emitted. Numbers constantly jumped around when observing a target..That's all. They both did, and would lock on targets. But my XLT did not jump around while hunting. (Stable) maybe I am not using the right word to describe what I mean.
If I found a dime on the XLT it locked on a dime. With both xterras they jumped between 32 and 38 and then locked on as I wiggled over the initial signal.The Xterra 70 was hard on iron targets. I found it very hard to hunt a lot of places because of it sounding off and displaying good numbers on iron.
Again I have 15 years experience with an XLt, and had only a few months experience with the xterras, so as stated ,it was most likely me.I would have another exterra... the 50..I liked it better, and here, it was deeper more consistently. All I did was post my experience and stated that.I meant no ill will toward the xterra line.
They work well, and for anyone considering a good light weight machine..do not rule one out because of my post.That wasn't my intention to back door the product.

 

[nero_design]

There's no difference between the depth of the X-Terra 50 and the X-Terra 70 so I suspect it might (yet again) be a case of user based limitations. The 70 has a whole slew of features that the X-Terra 50 missed out on. More modes, more tonal values, Tracking mode, Beach Mode, Prospecting Mode etc.

The Whites XLTs were being outperformed by various Minelab models back in 2004. Whilst the Whites users are strangely defensive of their choice of detector, the X-Terra 70 was designed for use in harsher soils than the Whites XLT and as a result, the X-70 is the best choice for tougher, more mineralized soil. Even up in Gaines Creek, the X-Terra 70 outperformed the XLTs on the Goldfields there and that was on fairly neutral soil.

 

[xwyokid]

No ill will taken friend.

 

[OzarkTom]

I have been an XLT user for over 12 years. I will take the Fisher F70 or Minelab X-70 over XLT any day of the week.

 

[David]

Nero, you may mean the MXT not the XLT on Gains Creek that the X-70 beat.

XLT-user, some X-70 users seem have good performance out of their units in iron infested homesteads. They might be able to give you some advice on this. Maybe the irratic sounds and numbers over iron was the sensitivity was too high. Also you could use a discrimination pattern to elimate all ferrous-negitive numbers. Then it would have helped to use the round 9" 3kHz(LF) coil Concentric on top of that. DD's are more stable over iron and tough iron mineralization as well and many use the round 10.5" MF DD. I wish Minelab would make a round 10.5" LF DD.

Also experiment and try the Prospecting Mode with the Iron Mask turned up very high to the maximum while still getting good signals copper and silver coins.

Can anybody else can help and recommend to XLT-user what he did wrong to stop the erratic responses?

 

[Goes4ever]

I used an MXT and I found it very difficult to use compared to the X-70. The x-70 was an actual take out of the box and go machine, the first day I used the x-70 I found my deepest coin ever and that was a seated dime at 8-9 inches. The machine surprises me all the time.

 

[ccfl]

Good reply David! No need to beat somebody up because they asked a question.

 

[Mark in S.E. IA]

Hi Keith, I have been using the X-50 for 3 years now and the 10.5 MF DD coil for two years. I have never used the X-70 or the whites XLT so I can't tell you if one MD'er is better then the other. What I maybe able to help you out with is your bad elbows. I use a swingy thingy now. if not for using it I would not be able to MD anymore since I injured my back a year ago and I also have bad arthritis in my right wrist. I don't like the one that hooks on to your belt. I like the one that goes around your chest. their only 20 bucks at kellyco and I think it might help you out with what ever MD'er you use.

Mark

 

[XLT-user]

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