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XS vs DFX comparision

A

Anonymous

Guest
I am struggling with a decision to buy either a Explorer XS or a White DFX.
Can anyone lend an opinion or help me out? I will mostly be relic hunting in the woods or coin shooting in parks.
Thanks
 
I tried both before I bought my Explorer, the Explorer has better seperation than the DFX. I didn't find the DFX to be much better than the XLT when it came to seperaton. The XLT, DFX and Explorer all have great depth when programed right but the Explorer can seperate better than the other 2 without changing coils and covers more ground. If you want to dig more nails and small iron then buy the DFX. Thats my 2 cents for what it's worth. If I were you I would try them out at a local dealer before you decide what you want.
Old Ran
 
Just look at the finds posted by Explorer XS users, they seem to get more old coins than most users of other detectors. I bought my Explorer XS used on eBay for a lot less than the new price. In my first ten times out I have already found deeper coins than I ever did in 5 years of using a XLT. HH, George (MN)
 
The DFX is easier to learn in the beginning but much more difficult to crank up. The E has a bit of a learning curve and can take time to learn but is very easy to crank up. As far as hunting in very trashy areas the DFX in my opinion is a little easier to handle. With the cone signal of its coil vs the U shaped signal of the DD on the E make it navigate around close objects easier. Depth, people can all say what they wish, but again in my opinion the E simply goes deeper. And not by a little. I have a dime at 10.5" in my test garden and have never been able to get the DFX to give me a signal that I consider diggable, the E on the other hand easily gets it even lifting the coil off of the ground a couple of inches. Also the DFX likes a fast sweep speed (adjustable) as for the E you must go slower (not adjustable). And last but not least the DFX is a much more customizable machine, you can modify just about anything you would ever want to and even things you would probably never think of. The E does not have as many options, not even close. This can be a good and a bad thing. Feel free to email me if you like!
 
Terry I had a DFX and now I have an Explorer. I was never happy with the depth I got with the DFX, I could barely pick up a 6.5" dime buried in my test garden with the DFX, and I tweeked every adjustment I could to increase performance. The Explorer has no problem with the dime, in fact I have a copper penny buried at 12" and the Explorer will git this penny with very careful sweeping, and with the sensitivity set near max. in manual mode. Also I think the Explorer does better in trash than the DFX because of the DD coil, I also had the DD for the DFX, and it definitely helped the DFX. But to sum it up,there is no way I would go back to the DFX. Best of luck with your decision.
Jerry Murphy
 
I have used the XLT with a great deal of success and found the depth very good, and the ability to find small items excellent, but I have also used, [ and still using ] the Explorer S. I find the depth on the machine is superb, well over that of the XLT and the sensitivity to small artifacts equal if not better than the XLT. I also find the pinpoint mode very good and accurate. Another advantage the Explorer has is the ability to pick-up signals from electric cow fenses is much much less than with the XLT thereby enabling you to detect where XLTs cannot
 
I read your post ref. the Explorer S and your comment about the electric fences. I hunted a 1840s home place about 2 years ago that was surrounded by an electric fence for cattle I was using an XLT and the fence drove the XLT crazy, I finally gave up. From your comment about the Explorer I think I may try this site again.
Jerry Murphy
 
Actually I would get a MXT before a DFX.
Sure the DFX is more customizable than the MXT, but most people invariably spend their hunting time farting around with the settings on a DFX or XLT, rather than actual hunting.
The MXT can be setup REAL quick, and CHANGED fast as well.
As for the Explorer, I've owned 2 of them at different times, and spent MOST of my time hitting the NOISE cancel button in a futile attempt to be able to hunt in areas that all of my other detectors could be run nearly wide open at.
( For those who may ask, I had both Explorers and all the coils checked out and they all were fine)
I will say one thing for the Explorer, it is absolutely GREAT at wetsand hunting , and right on into the water as well <IMG SRC="/forums/images/smile.gif" BORDER=0 ALT=":)">
Can't fault it there at all, and I didn't have any interference problems at the beach either. <IMG SRC="/forums/images/smile.gif" BORDER=0 ALT=":)">
Dan
 
Did the DD coil increase your depth over the 9.5 on the DFX? If so, how much?
I am in the same boat. I use the XS for it's superior depth in bad ground, but from a user perspective I still prefer the DFX. I just ordered the DD Eclipse, hoping to get another inch out of the DFX over the stock. Some users in the forums have said that the DFX 9.5 is normally deeper - however in bad ground the DD is actually deeper. Any thoughts?
Thanks,
Bark
P.S. I have logged many hours on both DFX and XS in the same parks. My deepest coin on the DFX is 6.5 inches (weak signal). Deepest on the XS is about 7 inches. The big difference is that the XS consistently gets fat, repeatable signals on the 6 inchers where the DFX was iffy after 5 or 5 1/2. I get many more 6 inchers with the XS, which is why I use it. Local ground seems to put up an iron curtain (literally, ha) at 6 or 7 inches that all detectors to my knowledge have a hard time getting past. However, I am thinking the DD Eclipse may give the DFX an equal footing with the Explorer in this ground. XS has never gotten me a coin past 7" and surely has passed over some 8,9,10+" coins in all those hours of use. Appreciate anyone's insights.....
 
i have owned the ex2 for 3 weeks and can say it will pull a dime at 10 inches i never could get that type of performance from my whites MXT. ex2 is a great machine just alittle slow on sweep speed but depth makes all the difference! JIM P MI
 
Bury a coin in a stack of encyclopedias ( maybe start 4 deep ) and try both detectors. Use similar sensitivity settings. Keep adding books on top of the pile until you lose the Coin and you can get a fair idea of the depth of the two side by side. I had the DFX and it would not go as deep as my Garrett 1250 so I dumped the DFX and got the Explorer which smoked 'em both. I did keep the Garrett as I am in law enforcement. The Garrett is by far the easiest to use to search for surface bullets and shell casings etc at a crime scene in the dark. I was greatly disappointed with the DFX for all of its hype...then it hit me, I never did find any really deep coins in the summer I had it. Even got embarrassing when my hunting friend asked me to confirm his Fisher CZ6 hit on a deep coin and I could not even get a showing. Go with the Explorer!!!!! ( although the CZ6 is one deep machine too! )
Bill
Matt 6:33
 
tony how would you pinpoint with the ex2 in very trashy areas? Im having problems with the junk any suggestions? thanks Jim P MI.
 
i never had a real problem with it, it has been a great machine, and even if i did have a little interference i knew any other machine would be alot worse, the only thing i dont like about is the pinpointing of this machine my xlt would always pinpoint perfectly while my explore would be alot more difficult to do, but overall the explore xs is a great machine i just wished i could waterproof it for water so i can bury my excailbur along with my xlt
 
<STRONG>I switched over from an XLT and the XLT was incredible at pinpointing and I.D.ing the target correctly...however, when I go over areas that I cleaned out with the XLT, I find more DEEP stuff that the XLT never even smelled.
HH
Brillo</STRONG>
 
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