XP Deus or CTX 3030

[DaleM]

Hi Guys
Heres a question for people that have both the Deus and the CTX 3030
If you could only keep 1 of them what would it be?
Im Torn Between getting the Deus or the CTX. I Like the light weight of the Deus but I like
alot of the features of the 3030.
Already have a Minelab Xterra 705 with a couple of coils, Also have the AT Pro with a couple of coils.
I live in Calgary Alberta Canada and want the detector to do Good with our Canadian Clad, Im Not buying it
as a clad machine but if Im swinging it I dont want to pass over our clad..
What do you think?
DaleM

 

[foreign object]

I had both and kept the CTX. The Deus is a joy to hunt with because of its weight but after testing and testing I found the CTX would Id at depth when the Deus would not.

Also I wanted the machine to be water proof. A little story.
When I sold the Deus the buyer asked why I was selling it and I told him the same two reasons as above. In less than two weeks while crossing a creek he fell down and rounded the Deus. 700.00 for a new control box. I sure hated to hear it and felt for him.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[Southwind]

I had both and got rid of both. It really depends on what type of hunting you do most as to which detector I would keep. If I hunted mainly deep coins in parks and such I'd go with the CTX, for everything else I'd go with the Deus. Both do great on all types of hunting but each has a strength over the other.

 

[lytle78]

Unless you are under 50 or Popeye, the Deus feels like it is filled with Helium. Your Orthopedist/Chiropractor would vote for the CTX, they have families to feed and boat payments to mAke.

I'm done with wrecking my elbow, shoulder, etc. with heavy detectors. Yes, I have the latest and greatest Minelab Pro Swing harness, bit the freedom of a featherlight, totally wireless detector is as liberating as (OK, it' stone 4th of July) - The Declaration of Independence!!

It Isn't called "Deus" for nothing! It's heavenly! (Look it up).

Happy 4th and good hunting!

 

[D&P-OR]

That's a VERY impressive list of (excellent) detectors you have tried.-----You are mainly into park coin/jewelry hunting aren't you?------Just curious, which detector(s)/coil combos have you settled on?-----BTW, I always enjoy your posts Terry. -------Sorry for getting a bit off topic from the original question.--------Del

I had both and got rid of both. It really depends on what type of hunting you do most as to which detector I would keep. If I hunted mainly deep coins in parks and such I'd go with the CTX, for everything else I'd go with the Deus. Both do great on all types of hunting but each has a strength over the other.

 

[D&P-OR]

To answer the original question-----I have owned/used all four of the detectors you mentioned in your post.----Between the Deus or CTX (or any of the four mentioned for that matter), my pick would be the CTX.------It is such a much more versatile (all around usage) detector IMO--just excellent.-----True, it is a lot heavier than the Deus----but the balance (especially with the stock coil on board) is excellent making it seem much lighter than it really is.-----I have owned/used many top end & mid-range detectors since 1975 and at least for me, the CTX is one I plan on keeping one of in my arsenal.------------Del

 

[Southwind]

You are mainly into park coin/jewelry hunting aren't you?------Just curious, which detector(s)/coil combos have you settled on?

Yes I am now. Back in the 80's I did a lot of relic hunting and would hunt anywhere I could get permission. Age has made me a bit more selective on where and what I hunt. My job keeps me close to home (Dodge City) and nothing beats the feel of a nice piece of shiny yellow stuff coming out of the ground. Now I know how the old prospector's must have felt LOL. No more 8 hour hunting trips for me. I generally spend less than 2 hours even on my longest hunts so I have to make my time count.

Right now I mainly use an E-Trac for just a few places like our city park where the coins are extremely deep, the AT Pro for tot lots and my trusty old DFX for yards and other parks. I hope someday someone will make a detector that will replace them all because I know it is best if you can use a single detector for all your hunting. That way you will get very very proficient with that one machine. I used the DFX exclusively for 8 years and can say I know that detector inside and out. I can make it do things most people have no idea it can do. I still say the DFX is one of the best buys on the market today but that is because I know what I can do with it. I was really hoping the Deus was my one detector cure and it is darn close. Problem is, I'm not satisfied with just being darn close.

 

[HaroldILL.]

I had a DFX when they first came out and used it for a year as my only detector and found some nice coins with it. I never could get much depth with it. I see now they are going for a steal some as low as 350.00! I was thinking at that price I should get another. Southwind what are the most common adjustments for depth with out a long list? I know this is a little of topic,But I am curious as may get another for the rite price .

 

[Excalibur_2000]

Glad to be here on this site ,




The most important thing is to compare the results of the conductivity scale of the Deus and the two - discrimination technology

(conductivity, CO and Iron, FE) on the Minelab CTX. In fact these two dimensions are looking the same.




I think that the Minelab CTX , which is a follow up of the Minelab E-trac, is not so precise as the Minelab Excalibur or
the Minelab Explorer , which both I own.



The lesson is : Do not invest a lot of money in a detector !



Regards from Holland ,



Robert - Jan


______________________________________-

 

[skookum]

Hi,
Truly spoken.
Many people think that an expensive new fangled detector will up their score.
Well, think again.
I´was given a CTX 3030 to try out for a weekend.
After 3 hours I called it a day.
I´ve had many a detector in my lifetime that could have qualified in the "heavy pig" category.
The CTX beat them all - hands down.
This unit is for army grunts that have to obey orders : "go seek and find" - but not for civilians that are not pumped up to prime physical condition.
I don´t really care what anybody argues as to pros on this unit - the weight SUCKS.
And it had better be waterproof - ´cause after about an hour of searching with it, you want to chuck this "anchor" as far as you can into the next puddle/lake, just to get rid of the weight.
I would classify this detector as a dud in a barrell - it just plain sucks and isn´t even worth half the price they are calling for.
You don´t believe me - go rent one for a day before you buy it - most likely you will look for another detector and not waste your coin.
Thank god for friends that have more money than I do - checking out their newest toys can save from making own big monetary bad investments.
This is however just my personal opinion/experience - it will surely be contradicted by some "fail-investment" detectorists very shortly so thay don´t feeel so bad having sunk their coin into an inferior gadget.
hh
skookum

 

[mrwilburino]

Wow! My experience with the CTX could not have been more different. Actually, I've had a very positive experience with both the CTX (1&1/2yrs) and Deus (4+yrs), and since the OP asked for the opinon of those who "have both the Deus and the CTX 3030," I guess that qualifies me to add my 2 wheats.

My advice would depend on what your hunting for, what types of sites you're hunting, and what type of trash is involved. To put it in a nut shell:

CTX for old coin/silver hunting, especially in areas that contain modern, non-ferrous trash. Strengths are ID accuracy, particularly on the deep ones. Can't compete with the Deus for target separation and iron handling abilities.

Deus for pulling non-ferrous targets from older, iron infested sites. Strengths are target separation and the ability to handle iron well. Takes a back seat to the CTX for ID accuracy, especially on the deep stuff.

Deus also for gold jewelry hunting unless you're on a salt beach in which case the CTX gets the nod.

Deus is lite as a feather, especially with the stock 9" coil. CTX is the heaviest machine I have used, yet unlike its nose-heavy FBS predecessors (and many other machines), it's perfectly balanced, with much of the weight shifted to the rear of the machine where it is supported by the stronger shoulder muscles rather than the biceps and forearms, which bear the brunt when swinging front heavy units. I usually don't notice the weight, but it can add to my overall fatigue level during longer hunts.

One more thing-

These machines can be simple, turn on and go units once you get to know them, but definitely NOT right out of the box. You can't just plug in somebody else's settings and expect them to light up your hard-hunted sites right off the bat...... which is what some do, and I've seen it lead to a lot of frustration with both of these units. Whichever you get, spend some time researching it and more time hunting with it.

 

[rcomm13]

All,

I have owned both as well. I chucked that CTX 3030 a month after I bought it. Deus can be manipulated to read deeper...Broke even on it. Personally, I like Minelab, but I think that is definetly a pig...I have owned the Deus since 2012...Love it. You can program that machine DEEP.....great machine.

Anyone own a NEXUS Standard MP??I heard good things about that...Looking for a review on it.

Additionally, Looiing for opinions on Minelab's GPZ 7000. Heard that was a deep seeking machine as well.

R-

 

[squirrel1]

Well a good question.

And my answer is.
It all depends.

For water hunting a no brainer= CTX
For selective digging of targets again a no brainer= CTX

Overall weight a concerns= Deus

For relic hunting= Deus

For hunting areas laced with iron= Deus

For covering more,square footage in shorter periods of time with somewhat great efficiency= Deus

Cost is a factor= Deus

Warramty period is a factor= Deus

Which unit likely to have the longer manufacturer support down the road= Deus

Which detector more likely to be provided an update to enhance performance= Deus

For the smaller gold jewelry= Deus

Learning curve if a person has never run a previous Minelab or xp detector='a tie