XT-70 and MXT discrimination segments?

[David]

One important thing I would like to know from someone is, the XT-70 has 28 segments in steps of 2 and the MXT has about -98 to +98 segments. Does the MXT have more discrimination "I D" notches-segments than the XT-70 to be more surgical in discrimination or not in reality and both about the same??

 

[khouse]

The MXT is not a notch detector. The notch system like on the Xterra's can eliminate say just the pull tabs but it will still hit on nickels and smaller gold. On the MXT if you turn your sensitivity up to reject pull tabs you will not get a beep on nickels. There are more target ID numbers on the MXT but just how many is too much? The more numbers you have the more jumpy the TID. 28 notches on the 70 is plenty. On the MXT are you not going to dig a target that jumps from 70 to 78? Sure you are. And everything in between. The Xterra basically lumps some of those numbers together. Plus the Xterra is a pound lighter. Not to mention 3 frequencies depending on your coils. Try to get your hands on a Xterra and swing it. Then you can make up your mind. Good luck and great finds to you..

 

[HighPlainsHunter]

Actually, it's the discrimination control that you increase, not the sensitivity (gain). The MXT has a linear discrimination control that eliminates everything below the control setting, and accepts everything above the control setting. As far as the jumping from 70 to 78 goes, it depends on your experience with what has been found when you dig those. Usually, the MXT will lock fairly well on a number, or a smaller range of numbers, when it is a desirable target. Trash is what usually jumps around more. The X-Terra numbers will jump around as well. The XL Pro/6000 Di Pro/5900 Di Pro series of Whites units had one of the best meters ever produced. Those units would lock on without jumping like most all machines that use a digital meter do. The MXT is an excellent unit, and in the right hands can hunt with most. It does tend to get heavy after swinging it for a while depending on you tolerance to weight. For me, it's just too heavy anymore much like most of the units out there, and especially the ones from 10-30 years ago. I'm getting too old to handle it any longer. That's one of the reasons I now use the X-Terra units. That, and their excellent performance. All detectors will miss targets under certain conditions. To find it all, you have to dig it all.

HighPlainsHunter

 

[khouse]

Yes, I made an error saying "sensitivity" instead of "discrimination" My bad.. Anyway like you said HighPlains the big black and blue box detectors get heavy. They are very balanced but your still supporting all the weight. The trend is lite and powerful machines and the Xterra delivers that.

 

[David]

I pressed "Post message" twice and posed the same message twice so I tried to delete one of them but cannot do it?? So now I am writing this here instead on a doubled up post I cannot delete.

How can a person delete a post on here??

 

[David]

Thank You! My dad has very bad eyesight and I was thinking of getting us a MXT as manual turn analog dials are easier to see for him than the push pad on the XT-70. Otherwise the XT-70 is much lighter.

 

[Digger]

Forum members do not have the ability to delete posts. You can edit your post for up to 15 minutes after posting. But deletion can only be done by Moderators and site managers. If you want me to delete your post (that I am responding to), let me know via PM. Thanks. HH Randy

 

[khouse]

Once the 70 is set up you really don't need to mess with the push pads. Put the 70 in what ever disc mode you want and turn on the auto track. This way he's set up every time he powers it up. Plus the display numbers is about 4 times larger.

 

[David]

That is very true khouse and I will be with him when he is using the X-Terra 70 as it is easy to set up. The numbers are much larger than the MXT for him to see. So now I think the XT-70 is the best choice. I have already ordered a Pro Package XT-70 from a dealer already but could change my mind, but I won't now. Another thing I was told for someone (like my dad at 77 with macular degeration) with bad eyesight is to (spray) paint the open spider coil (or solid coil) with (floresent blaze orange) paint to make it much easier to see. I want to get us the 10.5" Round DD as well. We will have 2 detectors for each of us to use. Thanks for your help!

My personal opinion is the XT-70 is the best all-round metal detector on the market...much lighter than the MXT which is good too...a better choice than the Exp. SE...better than the Fisher F75...forget the Garrett 2500 I had and hated...the DFX is excellent but complicated and would be a second choice as it has a prospecting mode but heavy to haul around the bush and the XT-70 is so very light...Tesoro is very good as well but the XT-70 is better...I do not know much about Troy but I heard it is deep but simple with manual GB I think...

 

[BarnacleBill]

In order to make it easier for him to only recover the desired targets, you might want to set up the patterns for him. Depending on the coinage in your area, you could preset the three patterns and laminate a little card that could be hung from the coil rod for reference as to when to select which pattern for the chosen targets. This would make the detector even easier to use initially while he becomes more familiar with it.

HH
BarnacleBill

 

[Mick in Dubbo]

David
Something that can help your father to locate targets, is an electronic pinpointer.The DD coils are easier to pinpoint with and may be enough on it's own. You will be surprised at how little you use your eyes when detecting. I was surprised myself on a few occasions, when I continued to hunt after sundown. In full darkness, it only had a minor impact on the hunt (not being able to read the meter). That is where the notch system of the 70 will really come into it's own. You can select which notches you want recover targets from and leave the rest. I use a screw driver, and feeling for a target, eliminates the need to use your eyes as well.
Mick Evans.

 

[khouse]

I wonder if you should use some bright tape instead of painting the coil. This way if you want to sell or trade a coil it will peal off?