M6 vs Xterra705 vs F70 vs ATPRO

[Viddy]

OK... here is: #1 the criteria & #2 the detectors. Tell me what you think...

Criteria:
this will be my first detector,
I am very tech savy
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (soil type)
decided on a $700 budget
use for coins/relics
may take to beach when I go
I want a screen (sorry Tesoro)
Will have time daily, since I am done with ice hockey.

Here's my choices I have come down to after researching:
Garrett ATPro, White's Matrix M6, Fisher F70, Minelab Xterra 705

The four I listed are the four that were recommended to me after speaking to salespeople and asking THEM based on my criteria. I'd like to get an opinion that might not be related to sales goals...
I am sure there are a lot more machines in that price range, and they are all good machines... but based on MY criteria, WHICH would you choose and WHY?

Thanks, in advance, for the input.
Viddy

[Bart@Big Boys Hobbies]

Viddy,
All great choices there. In that price range and considering depth and iron masking abilities the AT Pro would be my choice. The iron audio Function is very cool. It's also waterproof which is nice when around water. Feel free to call me and I can explain in more detail about each machine. Thanks, bart

[cosmic]

Out of your choices the only one I have not used extensively is the F70 which from what I read is a capable machine.. My first choice would be the M6.. Excellent VDI, much better than the rest.. But no notch feature.. Least likely to have trouble with and armed with a 5.3 coil a killer in the trash.. 7 tones and listen for a slight static in the sound will tip you off it's a trash target.. My next would be the Xterra.. Watch the VDI and if it varies more that 2 it's probably trash.. F70 would also get a nod from me from what I understand..I wouldn't wish the ATpro on anyone that wants to hunt instead of sending it in constantly!! Way over hyped!!

[njnydigger]

Here's my two cents, and it's just that...MY two cents - personal opinion, not fact.

Garrett AT Pro is truly a revolutionary machine, but, too many problems with leaks, coil issues, etc. I'd stay away for now.

Minelab Xterra's are supposed to be very good machines, but, for what they cost you'd be MUCH better off spending a few hundred more and getting a Safari or Explorer. Not a depth monster, but, capable.

The F70 is really a great machine. Terrific depth, quick recovery time, etc.

Last but not least is the M6 - which would be my recommendation to you. White's machines are built like tanks (a bit heavy though), very quick processors, easy to use & learn, deeper than most, EXCELLENT customer service (maybe the best out there), and I believe the M6 has SEVERAL coil options available as well (try the 6X10 DD it can't be beat). Super on coins, jewelry & relics. They hold their value well too

[George (MN)]

I haven't used my AT Pro in the water, but just like the idea I don't need to panic if it starts raining. Also if I got mud into the arm grip, could just wash it off with hose. I Know many units made prior to March did have problems & many say don't buy based on that.

I mostly use it in the super easy (nothing to learn) STD mode. It got me a 4" deep quarter that was very tilted but IDed correctly & a 7" deep dime that also gave the correct visual ID. Sens at 7 out of 8. I'm told even more expensive Minelabs visual ID isn't good beyond 7". Air tests about 15" on nickel, 11"+ on dime & about same on penny. Pro mode can improve already good separation.

I don't like to dig lots of junk so for the above I adjusted it to reject nearly everything but coins. Used manual GB & really stable & quiet in between the accepted metal targets. 1970's park that's been detected hundreds of times, but these were likely missed for decades (hard ground with mineralization).

The F70 does make some noises not coins when turned up above presets & in a few places even at preset.

XT-705 slightly improved over XT-70 I had which didn't find me anything beyond 5" & did'nt ID correctly beyond 4" & a nickel in the ground rarely IDed correctly at 1". Could detect deeper but goes crazy if really turned up. You have to take off very tight-fitting environmental cover & unscrew coil connector to change batteries. But the control box pulls out very easily.

M6 IDed correctly to 4" & in some places 5" & 6" on dime vs 7" on AT Pro. M6 easy to use but ID bounces on deeper. Got a couple pieces small gold jewelry & correct ID on tilted quarter using 12.5" concentric Hot Shot coil by Jimmy Sierra.
This coil is no longer made, but many other choices. Best wishes, George (MN)

[Del-Bill]

Can comment on the Minelab Xterra 70 and Whites M6, both good machines, if I could have only one detector it would be the M6. The Minelab Xterra 70 is light and fairly simple to use and a much deeper detector than most people think. With the stock coil I have found Indian Heads to about 9 inches, using the 10.5 DD MF coil I have found large cents at more than 12 inches. The only drawback is that the response time is a little slow.I have heard that the Xterra 705 has a faster processor so it has a quicker response and also it is supposed to be 1 to 2 inches deeper than the Xterra 70. The Whites M6 is simple and deep, I hunt with no discrimination and set the sensitivity as high as it will go. It is quick with the response, and the tones and the large display are a plus. I have found half reales and half dimes down to 8 inches with this machine and it is a killer on gold jewelry. It's only drawerback is that it can get heavy after a while. One nice thing about both the M6 and the Xterra 70 (705) is that they have good ground tracking.The only experience I have with the Fisher F series is that I had a F4, could not use it anywhere near electrial lines, cell towers or moving cars it would go nuts, had to sell it. Hope this helps.

[RL OH]

Viddy, I have used all three of the detectors you are considering extensively. All three are very good detectors and any will serve you well. In alphabetical order: Garrett-super seperation, great depth, but nose heavy. The heavy part will be slightly better with the updated mode. Minelab 705- average depth in bad ground, needs 7.5 htz medium freq. dd coil and it makes a world of difference, but costs 170 extra bucks. Light weight, but costs the most. Whites M6-heaviest, but well balanced, depth equal to all of above, many coil options with used ones being cheap and available. I had to send the AT pro back for service within a couple of hours of purchasing, but great service. I had to send the Minelab back in the first 10 hours of using and it took forever to get it back. M6 is built like a tank and I have never sent one of the 12 Whites detectors I have owned back for service. Now for my choices. First tie between the M6 and AT Pro. Whites better built with the At just slighty better performing. Last Minelab 705. The M6 is the easiest to use and with that said, it would be my choice.

[Keppy]

Viddy, I have used all three of the detectors you are considering extensively. All three are very good detectors and any will serve you well. In alphabetical order: Garrett-super seperation, great depth, but nose heavy. The heavy part will be slightly better with the updated mode. Minelab 705- average depth in bad ground, needs 7.5 htz medium freq. dd coil and it makes a world of difference, but costs 170 extra bucks. Light weight, but costs the most. Whites M6-heaviest, but well balanced, depth equal to all of above, many coil options with used ones being cheap and available. I had to send the AT pro back for service within a couple of hours of purchasing, but great service. I had to send the Minelab back in the first 10 hours of using and it took forever to get it back. M6 is built like a tank and I have never sent one of the 12 Whites detectors I have owned back for service. Now for my choices. First tie between the M6 and AT Pro. Whites better built with the At just slighty better performing. Last Minelab 705. The M6 is the easiest to use and with that said, it would be my choice.

He is right about Minelab you send one in for repairs........... It takes a long time before you will see it again...... And Minelab has been haveing more problems with breaking down brand new a lot of there models don't work right out of the box........... Garrett has only had problems with one of there models that is the AT Pro................. But Garretts service is great they get right on it and you have it back really fast........

[gleaner1]

RL OH I like your assessment immensely. I love M6, I think it feels super light. The atpro feels horribly heavy. But I feel that the atpro's raw performance outweighs the M6 lightness. By a frog hair. It's a maddening choice. Next machine I buy will be F70.

[worldtalker]

After using the M-6 for over a year it would be very difficult to go to another machine.I'm still learning!!!

[liftloop]

White's 6 T it can tell you if you found a horse shoe...or a nail kind of like iron I.D and has the highly sot after vdi that every buddy wants and it's light..but sturdy good on battery ask an atpro or an ace to fiddy owners about battery life...I'm sure they'll tell.

[Phillip_in_NM]

I'd have to give my nod to the M6. It was my only detector until the AT Pro came out and the only reason I got the AT Pro was to get it wet. I've used the AT Pro enough to get pretty familiar with it, but the M6 will ALWAYS be my "grab and go" detector. If you haven't already, read the Brand specific comments on the M6.

If you do get the M6, always dig the VDI of 74, you will never be disappointed!

Let us know what you decide.