Pointman
Silver Member
The following question was emailed to me and my explanation was WAY to long to PM back. I have been asked this before, even though I head scratch a little because of the sheer number of times this has been asked. I can respect the question because I feel that both machines fill the higher end machine niche for a "multipurpose machine", even though I would also recommend the White's V3I, F75 or T2 even though I don't have as much experience with them.
I have 3 years with the CTX and 18+ months with the Deus. I don't consider myself and "expert", but I am fairly well versed in both machines. I know some folks will have a different opinion which I can respect, but I think my observations will be fairly close to everyone else's. Anyway, I hope this answer the question and may help someone considering both machines.
QUOTE:
I noticed you have a 3030, I just bought an E-trac for some reason, not really sure why, guess I wanted a new toy.....anyway my question is, since the 3030 and E-trac are somewhat similar from what I've read, what do like more or how does / under what circumstances / what specific sites (other than the salt beaches) does the Minelab get the nod over the Deus?[/QUOTE]
My reply:
I am going to try and lean toward the obscure technical end, versus the obvious such as weight.After reading this it probably is apparent that I like the CTX more than the Deus, but I think someone needs both for different reasons. If you are coming off of the Etrac, you will find the CTX speaks a very similar language, although you should like it much better. If you were going to keep the Etrac and you were sure you wanted the Deus at a later date, I would get the Deus first, but I always recommend to someone to get the highest end/most expensive machine up front rather than settle for less and spend more money in the long run later and then also feel they have to go back to their same "picked" places and pick it again. I believe in detecting a place once, perhaps twice at the most and move to another. Do it thorough and correct the first time. I think it always wise to swing a machine a few times and see if you like it first if you can. If you like the Etrac, I feel you will also like the CTX. I am actually on my second machine for both the CTX and Deus. The second CTX cause I got a good deal on a used CTX and second on the Deus simply because after 10 months of using it, I just didn't quite "click" with it. I decided to purchase another Deus after wanting a machine that I could easier carry and use when I was detecting mounds of back fill and I felt like I had "unfinished" business with the Deus. What helped me to click more with the Deus the second time was watching a lot of videos (XP website), going back to the basics rather than experimenting, and adjusting the settings on the "fly".
"Advantages" of the 3030 versus the XP Deus:
1. Deeper. I've routinely dug dimes in the 9" range. I dug a silver quarter past the Lesche handle. With the 17" coil, I've found coins at 12 inches.
2. Seems to "sniff" out higher conductive targets better (I am not sure why). Thus it seems to pick out silver in hard hit places better.
3. Readings are very accurate. You can pretty much take a readings chart and go off of that. For example, 90% of the time 12:42 in ferrous coin will always be a copper penny (I never adjust my settings so I am pretty sure it is in Ferrous-coin mode). Even if it hits for a few swings it will always be a copper penny. Silver will almost always read 12:44-12:46 (ALWAYS, dig anything in the 12:30 readings or higher or you will miss things)
4. The CTX is designed to find/read multiple targets at once.
5. Easier to adjust/read than the Deus. What I mean by adjust is the in the Deus you scroll through the menu and you cannot back up. Also some of the menus are a bit hidden and you have to know how to reach them. I feel most people could probably take the CTX and intuitively cycle through the settings much faster than the same person could do so in the Deus.
6. Waterproof and more rugged
7. Easier to find aftermarket accessories such as covers
8. Readings are more stable. The Deus' readings jump up a lot more.
9. The tones are easier for me to pick out from the Deus tones. The Deus tones (unless you change them) seems to sound all kind of high to me. I mostly just know the Deus' "language" when it is over a desirable target.
10. Very stable machine. I have owned 40+ machines, and gotten extensive use out of at least 12 and the CTX ranks as one of the best for stability.
"Disadvantages" of the CTX:
1. Obviously the weight, but it is well balanced.
2. Everything Minelab is expensive, especially with this machine.
3. The screen is hard to read in full light, but not anymore than the B & W display of the Deus. The V3I is tops when it comes to screen resolution of all the machines I have used.
4. Probably the most sensitive detector I have used. I have found some really small targets (under BB size) that sounded like a deep dime. This is good and bad. Good because you don't miss anything (if there are things that small that you desire to find), but a disadvantage because you can be fooled into digging that BB thinking it is a small coin.
5. The Deus seems to run neck and neck or better as a relic machine compared to the CTX. If I were to strictly relic hunt in an open area and I had to choose between the two machines, it would really be a toss up for me.
XP Deus "advantages":
1. Very fast and seems easier to adjust on the fly.
2. Seems to like lower conductors better. I have dug a ton of nickels with mine. It could simply be because I have a hard time telling high conductors from lower ones from this machine. I dig a lot more junk with the Deus BUT a lot more lower conductor "keepers" as well. Right after I got the Deus the second time, I went to a lot that I had hit 6-8 times with the CTX. In this lot I had found a silver spoon, two silver dimes (Mercury and Barber), my first "V" nickel and a few older Jefferson nickles. I was able to pull 3 targets that I had missed with the CTX; another "V" nickel, Buffalo and token. The spot was covered over and the 3 coins were 8-9 inches deep. I think that more than likely didn't get a real clear signal with the CTX and they were lower readings so I didn't dig. The same day I found a wheat penny spill at 7 inches that was missed by the CTX at another spot. Some could say that I walked past them, but I know swung the CTX coil over them and more than likely I had discriminated them out in my head because the CTX didn't sound as loud or as hard on them compared to the Deus.
3. The smaller coil is fairly deep for it's size.
4. You can carry the Deus discretely. I will walk down sidewalks sometimes in residential areas and it is a pleasure to carry tucked under my arm.
5. If earbuds are your thing, you can get the adapter and use it on the WS-4. Get a small pouch to carry the WS4 adapter in if you do this or you will scratch it in your pocket like I did next to my keys.
"Disadvantages" of the Deus:
1. BIG ONE: the XP Deus is the most unstable machine when it comes to EMI that I have used. The CTX is probably one of the most stable. It also seems to get feedback out of every brand of pinpointer that I have used. The Deus seems to run "hot" so it is by nature a little unstable to start with.
2. Fragile compared to most machines I have used. I have scratched mine up and the machine's parts are all glossy black. They need to make the finish in a flat black color in my opinion.
3. Difficult to determine the exact depth compared to most machines. Sometimes you cannot tell if a target is deep or just sounding deep because it is small. The "horseshoe" icon helps, but it is a far cry from a depth meter.
4. Compared the CTX, the Deus seems to need to be over the target more to sound. I have detected coins with the CTX that were not under the coil exactly. This can act as a strength to the Deus when it comes to getting close to metal buildings, fences, etc.
5. Not many aftermarket accessories in the US. If you research, more stuff is found in Europe for the Deus than in the US. Few months ago, I bought a nylon cover for the Deus from the UK. I spent almost $30 for it, but I could not find a cover that I could use with the Deus and still keep it attached to the machine. I tried about everything including the waterproof Iphone case, but nothing suited me. I wanted a stand to keep the Deus from rolling down slopes (this is another disadvantage) because the back of the coil is round and the "stand" behind the arm cuff is minuscule. I ended up making an excellent snap on stand from PVC to suit my own needs cause there wasn't anything available that I could find.
6. I've not had a problem with this because I don't water hunt, but the Deus will loose wireless connectivity when the coil is under water. The remedy is to PURCHASE and install the additional antenna.
7. This is another disadvantage for the aftermarket equipment side that I wanted to list separate from the rest. I have hearing damage which is unequal between one side and the other. I purchased the Grey Ghost XP headphones recently. In using the Grey Ghost XP headphones, you do not have separate volume controls outside of the XP headphone controls, so one side sounds lower to me than the other. Also, in adjusting the volume control, it is either too loud or it is too low and I cannot find the balance because the WS4 volume controls are limited. The headphones are also more muffled compared to what I normally use which are the Nugget Buster NDTs' with the 1/8" cord.
8. Really likes iron. Large iron or iron that is round will read in the 90s' and sound good. I can tell SOMETIMES the difference, but I will still come away with a lot of bottle caps and large washers.
-John
I have 3 years with the CTX and 18+ months with the Deus. I don't consider myself and "expert", but I am fairly well versed in both machines. I know some folks will have a different opinion which I can respect, but I think my observations will be fairly close to everyone else's. Anyway, I hope this answer the question and may help someone considering both machines.
QUOTE:
I noticed you have a 3030, I just bought an E-trac for some reason, not really sure why, guess I wanted a new toy.....anyway my question is, since the 3030 and E-trac are somewhat similar from what I've read, what do like more or how does / under what circumstances / what specific sites (other than the salt beaches) does the Minelab get the nod over the Deus?[/QUOTE]
My reply:
I am going to try and lean toward the obscure technical end, versus the obvious such as weight.After reading this it probably is apparent that I like the CTX more than the Deus, but I think someone needs both for different reasons. If you are coming off of the Etrac, you will find the CTX speaks a very similar language, although you should like it much better. If you were going to keep the Etrac and you were sure you wanted the Deus at a later date, I would get the Deus first, but I always recommend to someone to get the highest end/most expensive machine up front rather than settle for less and spend more money in the long run later and then also feel they have to go back to their same "picked" places and pick it again. I believe in detecting a place once, perhaps twice at the most and move to another. Do it thorough and correct the first time. I think it always wise to swing a machine a few times and see if you like it first if you can. If you like the Etrac, I feel you will also like the CTX. I am actually on my second machine for both the CTX and Deus. The second CTX cause I got a good deal on a used CTX and second on the Deus simply because after 10 months of using it, I just didn't quite "click" with it. I decided to purchase another Deus after wanting a machine that I could easier carry and use when I was detecting mounds of back fill and I felt like I had "unfinished" business with the Deus. What helped me to click more with the Deus the second time was watching a lot of videos (XP website), going back to the basics rather than experimenting, and adjusting the settings on the "fly".
"Advantages" of the 3030 versus the XP Deus:
1. Deeper. I've routinely dug dimes in the 9" range. I dug a silver quarter past the Lesche handle. With the 17" coil, I've found coins at 12 inches.
2. Seems to "sniff" out higher conductive targets better (I am not sure why). Thus it seems to pick out silver in hard hit places better.
3. Readings are very accurate. You can pretty much take a readings chart and go off of that. For example, 90% of the time 12:42 in ferrous coin will always be a copper penny (I never adjust my settings so I am pretty sure it is in Ferrous-coin mode). Even if it hits for a few swings it will always be a copper penny. Silver will almost always read 12:44-12:46 (ALWAYS, dig anything in the 12:30 readings or higher or you will miss things)
4. The CTX is designed to find/read multiple targets at once.
5. Easier to adjust/read than the Deus. What I mean by adjust is the in the Deus you scroll through the menu and you cannot back up. Also some of the menus are a bit hidden and you have to know how to reach them. I feel most people could probably take the CTX and intuitively cycle through the settings much faster than the same person could do so in the Deus.
6. Waterproof and more rugged
7. Easier to find aftermarket accessories such as covers
8. Readings are more stable. The Deus' readings jump up a lot more.
9. The tones are easier for me to pick out from the Deus tones. The Deus tones (unless you change them) seems to sound all kind of high to me. I mostly just know the Deus' "language" when it is over a desirable target.
10. Very stable machine. I have owned 40+ machines, and gotten extensive use out of at least 12 and the CTX ranks as one of the best for stability.
"Disadvantages" of the CTX:
1. Obviously the weight, but it is well balanced.
2. Everything Minelab is expensive, especially with this machine.
3. The screen is hard to read in full light, but not anymore than the B & W display of the Deus. The V3I is tops when it comes to screen resolution of all the machines I have used.
4. Probably the most sensitive detector I have used. I have found some really small targets (under BB size) that sounded like a deep dime. This is good and bad. Good because you don't miss anything (if there are things that small that you desire to find), but a disadvantage because you can be fooled into digging that BB thinking it is a small coin.
5. The Deus seems to run neck and neck or better as a relic machine compared to the CTX. If I were to strictly relic hunt in an open area and I had to choose between the two machines, it would really be a toss up for me.
XP Deus "advantages":
1. Very fast and seems easier to adjust on the fly.
2. Seems to like lower conductors better. I have dug a ton of nickels with mine. It could simply be because I have a hard time telling high conductors from lower ones from this machine. I dig a lot more junk with the Deus BUT a lot more lower conductor "keepers" as well. Right after I got the Deus the second time, I went to a lot that I had hit 6-8 times with the CTX. In this lot I had found a silver spoon, two silver dimes (Mercury and Barber), my first "V" nickel and a few older Jefferson nickles. I was able to pull 3 targets that I had missed with the CTX; another "V" nickel, Buffalo and token. The spot was covered over and the 3 coins were 8-9 inches deep. I think that more than likely didn't get a real clear signal with the CTX and they were lower readings so I didn't dig. The same day I found a wheat penny spill at 7 inches that was missed by the CTX at another spot. Some could say that I walked past them, but I know swung the CTX coil over them and more than likely I had discriminated them out in my head because the CTX didn't sound as loud or as hard on them compared to the Deus.
3. The smaller coil is fairly deep for it's size.
4. You can carry the Deus discretely. I will walk down sidewalks sometimes in residential areas and it is a pleasure to carry tucked under my arm.
5. If earbuds are your thing, you can get the adapter and use it on the WS-4. Get a small pouch to carry the WS4 adapter in if you do this or you will scratch it in your pocket like I did next to my keys.
"Disadvantages" of the Deus:
1. BIG ONE: the XP Deus is the most unstable machine when it comes to EMI that I have used. The CTX is probably one of the most stable. It also seems to get feedback out of every brand of pinpointer that I have used. The Deus seems to run "hot" so it is by nature a little unstable to start with.
2. Fragile compared to most machines I have used. I have scratched mine up and the machine's parts are all glossy black. They need to make the finish in a flat black color in my opinion.
3. Difficult to determine the exact depth compared to most machines. Sometimes you cannot tell if a target is deep or just sounding deep because it is small. The "horseshoe" icon helps, but it is a far cry from a depth meter.
4. Compared the CTX, the Deus seems to need to be over the target more to sound. I have detected coins with the CTX that were not under the coil exactly. This can act as a strength to the Deus when it comes to getting close to metal buildings, fences, etc.
5. Not many aftermarket accessories in the US. If you research, more stuff is found in Europe for the Deus than in the US. Few months ago, I bought a nylon cover for the Deus from the UK. I spent almost $30 for it, but I could not find a cover that I could use with the Deus and still keep it attached to the machine. I tried about everything including the waterproof Iphone case, but nothing suited me. I wanted a stand to keep the Deus from rolling down slopes (this is another disadvantage) because the back of the coil is round and the "stand" behind the arm cuff is minuscule. I ended up making an excellent snap on stand from PVC to suit my own needs cause there wasn't anything available that I could find.
6. I've not had a problem with this because I don't water hunt, but the Deus will loose wireless connectivity when the coil is under water. The remedy is to PURCHASE and install the additional antenna.
7. This is another disadvantage for the aftermarket equipment side that I wanted to list separate from the rest. I have hearing damage which is unequal between one side and the other. I purchased the Grey Ghost XP headphones recently. In using the Grey Ghost XP headphones, you do not have separate volume controls outside of the XP headphone controls, so one side sounds lower to me than the other. Also, in adjusting the volume control, it is either too loud or it is too low and I cannot find the balance because the WS4 volume controls are limited. The headphones are also more muffled compared to what I normally use which are the Nugget Buster NDTs' with the 1/8" cord.
8. Really likes iron. Large iron or iron that is round will read in the 90s' and sound good. I can tell SOMETIMES the difference, but I will still come away with a lot of bottle caps and large washers.
-John
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