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XS or DFX(again) or MXT - purchase recommendations

A

Anonymous

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Hi. I hate to ask this question when it's been asked so many times... But what's the REAL SCOOP? I want to purchase another hi power machine. I had the DFX last spring/summer and then sold it on eBay because everyone swore by the Explorer XS as the deepest machine and said I got ripped as far as investing the money for machines goes. I liked the DFX as far as being a user friendier unit compared to the Explorer from what I heard. I did dig coins in worked out areas including 2 nice Mercury dimes @ 6-1/2" - 7" deep (which is the deepest I've ever recovered using a Whites -ie- 6000 Di Pro and Quantum XT) where usually I'd dig coins at 5.5 inches. I'm after Barbers and Seated coins and other earlier type coins that I hear you find at 7"+ depth level. I never found any Barber coins yet. Standing Liberty Quarters as well(I mean a Barber and STL Quarters lost in the period that they were circulated) I've found worn ones lost in the 40's and 50's. I've had a nice share of early Merc's at the 5.5" level that look to have been lost within a year or two since they were minted due to the high detail on the coin relief plus a few Indians as well.
Now my current unit is the Whites Quantum XT version 1.20 made in 1996. I use the Mixed-Mode and All Metal mode and have dug silver at the 6" mark with good audio and fairly reliable Target ID. Last week I found a 1918 Mercury Dime @ 6" that grades a good Extra Fine condition with little wear on it. I've read the posts about the new MXT which users have claimed to give XS users a run for their money as far as depth, ID etc.. So, should I give the MXT a shot? The Explorer? or go back to the DFX? I live in Cleveland Ohio but travel all over the state of Ohio. I keep my unit in the trunk and hunt any interesting places I find on my way. Mostly boarded up homes from 1830's to 1900 I find when driving. Some parks and school yards (Trashy) as well. Mostly coins is what I'm after. I would like to try for cache hunting and maybe a little relic hunting from time to time. I could save my money and continue to learn the Quantum XT using ALL metal or spend the bucks on another one of these units. I know that some of you Explorer users are Whites converts. I would appreciate any unbiased feedback especially if you have used various machines prior/with the Explorer including field use and recoveries. Thanks for giving me your input.
HH
 
Really cant help you as I never tyried any of those other machines.. I can say you will get coins deeper than any you mentioned with the explorer.. Of course you will get different responses depending on what forum you ask.. so these type questions can only be answered by trying things for yourself.. I dont feel the need as I am very happy with the results I get from the explorer and I hace yet to have someone show me a good target with another machine that the explorer coldnt see.. I have had them show me a targets few that the explorer didnt see though, so if you want iron you might want to pik one of those up <IMG SRC="/forums/images/smile.gif" BORDER=0 ALT=":)">
 
JimZ,
One man's floor is another man's ceiling. For my money it's Explorer XS, it's just that simple.
Just my opinion. <IMG SRC="/forums/images/smile.gif" BORDER=0 ALT=":)">
 
take your time before you make your choice, winter is closing in on us so take the winter to do your research. Check out all of the forums and just read, make the right choice that works for you and don't second guess yourself. I waited last winter before I made my choice, that gave me months to watch the forums and compare machines, it came down to two machines and I decided on the Explorer and have never looked back, but with that being said the Explorer may not be your cup of tea since you had a DFX. I have never used either machine you talked about but untill somebody can find a coin that my machine can't pick up I'm very happy with my choice. Just take your time and be happy with what ever machine you decide to go with, hh
Ray ~
 
if depth is your criterion, there is no clear choice until the units have been tried extensively in your local soil. simple as that. multi-frequency minelabs tend to do real well in any bad ground, but other units may match them, maybe even beat them in certain conditions. if your ground is mild, lots of units may be close on depth in which case using the one you enjoy the features is worth alot.
 
I don't know what to tell you DFX MXT EXP-XS. I think the deepest dimes reported have been about 10" with all three. Then there is that new competitor the Shadow X-5, again 10" deep dimes. Of course these detectors won't get this depth in all soils, but they all have somewhere. I have seen people say the DFX goes deeper than the MXT, & have seen people say the MXT goes deeper than the DFX. I've seen reports of coins at 12" with all these detectors, so it is hard to say there is only one right choice. Even Minelab Sovereigns & Musketeers have found coins 12" deep. I guess it could be helpful to make up a features list as part of the decision. There is another place you might want to ask your question. That is the Metal Detecting Equipment forum, they don't allow ads (mfrs or dealers) so there may be less bias http://members5.boardhost.com/metaldetecting HH, George (MN)
 
Made a mistake, it's case sensitive, should be http://members5.boardhost.com/MetalDetecting HH, George (MN)
 
Thanks Ray. I think I'll go with the Explorer this time around. Even though I had the DFX I'll master the learning curve with this unit.
 
The Explorer XS. And I won't look back. I appreciate everyones feedback. I think I'll do all right with this machine. I am pretty excited at the prospect of the depth. I know it has a learning curve but I can be patient. I know that if I dig a Mercury dime at 6" now with the Whites that the older coins have to be deeper than that. I'm sure they are far and few in between but quality. Thanks again everyone!! Happy Hunting!
 
buy yourself a copy of Andy Sabisch's book "Mastering the Minelab Explorer". It's only $15 or so. With this book and the manual you won't have trouble learning the Explorer.
Good Hunting, ArtWI
 
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