Xt 705 or Safari

[Mikeconley]

Hello, buying my first detector and narrowed it down to the Safari or xt 705. I was leaning toward the Safari before I read a post on another review that mentioned people on the Minelab forum were not fans of the Safari. I really didn't want to spend the additional $270 but thought the added features were worth the additional cost. I would enjoy hearing opinions to help with my decision. I will hunt mainly coins and jewelry.
I have read a few posts in this forum comparing the two but continue to go back and forth. I know I have to make the decision on my own, hoping there might be a few more comparisons since the last threads.
Is the FBS technology better than the VLS?


Thanks!

 

[Old Longhair]

Welcome Mike!

I personally don't think that FBS is any better than V-Flex. They are simply different.
The CTX is actually a melding of the two technologies.

As far as choosing between a 705 and a Safari goes, I'd either spend more $ on an Explorer SE or E-Trac, or go with the 705.
I wouldn't bother with the Safari, because it really doesn't deliver any more information to the user than the 705, and it actually limits flexibility unlike the 705, which is truly an amazing machine. You'll probably not find much in the way of direct comparisons, in part do to the very different nature of the two technologies, but also because it would be comparing the top of one line vs the bottom of another line.

 

[Mikeconley]

Thanks, I appreciate the feedback!

 

[Digger]

As Old Longhair pointed out, the target information you get on the Safari display is very similar to the X-TERRA 705......Conductive target values. But if money isn't the deciding factor, before I spent the extra cash on the Safari, I'd be putting my money on the X-705 and maybe an extra coil. Like all Minelab's they are excellent detectors. But there are some differences in the technology. The X-TERRA offers VFLEX, a digital link to the "smart" coils. The Safari does not use "smart" coil. The X-TERRA offers a backlight for those times you just aren't ready to call it a day.... the Safari does not. You have more aftermarket choices for coils on the Safari than you do the X-TERRA. But the X-TERRA has a dozen coils, between Minelab and Coiltek. The X-TERRA remembers the user's settings, even when the batteries are removed. The Safari advertises 4 preset detect modes and 4 programmable. Nowadays, they call them Patterns. Although the brochure says the X-TERRA has two, Coin/Treasure and Prospecting, it is overlooking the Coin/Treasure mode offers All Metal, Iron Mask and 4 programmable discrimination Patterns. The Safari weighs about 1/3 again more, when you get the batteries installed. Speaking of which, the X-TERRA takes half as many AA cells as the Safari. When the batteries get low, the X-TERRA provides an audio and visual alert. The Safari only provides a visual alert. So unless you're a screen watcher, you won't know you're running out of power until it is too late. The Safari offers the ability to ignore the effects of the ground, without using ground balance. The X-TERRA 705 also offers Tracking, in addition to Auto GB, Manual GB, Beach mode and Tracking GB offset. If you are not familiar with some of these terms, you might take a look at the book I wrote, "Understanding your X-TERRA". It is available free from Minelab's website. While you are on their website, you can do a product comparison between these two models. I could list half a dozen more reasons that I prefer the X-TERRA. But the number one reason would have to be balance! As I said, they are both good performers. But if you have ever used a Safari, Explorer or ETrac for any extended period of time, you know how it can be tiring on your arm. But the X-TERRA is balanced very well, and can be used all day without fatigue. If you have any specific questions, don't hesitate to ask. HH Randy

 

[therover]

In my opinion, for coin and gold/silver jewelry hunting in parks and trashier sites, the 705 wins.

Get the 5x10 or 6 inch HF DD for it and it will find lots of gold if it's there to find. The Coiltek LF 'Digger' coil is super sweet for finding old silver and copper coins.

Lighter, easier, faster...705 unless you plan on hitting wet, salt sand beaches. And the 705 can hunt wet salt sand with the 9 inch LF waterproof coil. I have used it in that application and it's no slouch. Not as deep as a multi frequency unit, but it can do the job in a pinch.

I have an E-Trac and use my 705 more due to being able to swing it a lot longer without getting arm fatigue. Even with the Sunray X-5 coil on the E-Trac, I still can't use it as long as the 705.

The 705 with a 6 inch LF or HF coil is an awesome old coin and jewelry hunter.

 

[Mick in Dubbo]

Hi Mike.
if you are doing a lot of beach hunting or in mineralised ground, I'd go with the safari (I've actually seen a Safari in the hands of the local police force (NSW) on a news story a while back). For general detecting, I prefer the X-Terra in the all metal mode as I find that I get better target separation in trashy ground than my SE Explorer, which is very similar to the Safari. The Safari does give better tone information like the Explorer, but it is also heavier. If I were interested in going after really deep targets, then that would be another reason Id go with the Safari, but its not the sort of detecting that I generally do.
The tones on the X-Terra are pretty good, just not as expressive as the FBS detectors. Also, apart from being light, the X-terras break down into one of the most compact detectors that I've come across. I've carried one in a standard back back on more than one occasion.
Mick Evans.

 

[Mikeconley]

Thank you all for the extremely valuable feedback! I ordered the 705 and look forward to sharing my future finds.
Digger - I did download and read the e-book you wrote, excellent job!. Great information!
I also viewed many 705 and Safari reviews on You Tube. The culmination of information lead me to the decision to go with the 705.

Thanks
Mike

 

[Nuke em]

I think I saw your post on MLO and posted I think , I have the ET and the Terra 70/705 and they are the combination that beats all else.
The Safari may well be a great machine but head to head with a properly set up ET/Explorer then theres no contest. Even when I use my 70 or 705 I feel that I out perform most other machines on the beach and that includes the ET in some places. I cant comment much on land use but on a stony or airy beach or land then the Terra is lethal .
My Terra's have paid for them selves several times over , in fact on the beach the ET has too.
I am sure you will find the 705 a great machine , just make sure you set it up right and get to know the machine, plenty of coils about , one I think is missing though is a 3khts 10.5in !