Thoughts on CTX3030

parkgt

Full Member
Feb 19, 2013
183
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Western AR
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I no this tread was for CTX user which I'm no,but was thinking of getting one.It does have nice features, I just don't like that people are changing the coils already, but think I'm going with the etrac, and people comparing the atpro to the CTX shut up. And I'm a atpro user 3yrs to be exact.

What is not to like about people using different coils. The two additional coils have specific strengths that help in certain situations. There is nothing wrong with the 11" stock coil and it does most things well, but the 6" and 17" have their places.
 

Pointman

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Feb 18, 2013
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I’ve used about all modern ones but right now: CTX 3030, White’s MXT Pro, XP Deus, Vaquero, White’s TRX
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Couple of threads back people were talking about only digging the deeper targets and they wished there was a to discriminate shallow targets out. The problem will be that the depth readings are not too accurate. I would estimate 80% at best. Very shallow targets will read 2" down and larger targets read 3-4 inches higher then what they are.

I just bought a 17" coil for the CTX but haven't received it. I heard that it was a good coil for open areas. So far I am happy with the stock and 6" coil and sometimes it is a toss up for me on which one to use, because I like them both.

It does take a while to learn the CTX. Right now, I am tweaking and learning the different programs. Until recently, I wasn't aware of the "previous mode" feature on the detector, so I will switch between the program that I know and other programs to verify targets and see how the programs responds. Minelab packs a lot of features in a small number of buttons, which creates a learning curve in itself. One minute you push a button and it means one thing and when you hold it down, it does something totally different. In the case of the "previous mode" button you have to set it up between programs and it will not save the setting once you turn the detector off.
 

Fletch88

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Mar 7, 2013
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Minelab Excalibur ll- 10" Tornado
Minelab CTX 3030
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It's a beast of a coil. I can use it with lower rod sucked in pretty tight a couple hours if targets are numerous. On the beach where I extend it out all the way I have to have a harness on to use it. It's very sensitive to small targets and pinpoints surprisingly well.
 

dirtfishingdave

Full Member
May 2, 2012
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Excellent point about using different coils at the same time, I think the coil manufacturers or minelab need to develop a larger coil with a smaller one inside of it. With a switch on or switch off the size coil you need at the particular site. No need to switch coils on and off just flick the switch and voila.

Sent from my SGH-T889 using Tapatalk
 

recondigger

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Jul 12, 2012
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Excellent point about using different coils at the same time, I think the coil manufacturers or minelab need to develop a larger coil with a smaller one inside of it. With a switch on or switch off the size coil you need at the particular site. No need to switch coils on and off just flick the switch and voila. Sent from my SGH-T889 using Tapatalk
That is a goo idea if they could keep the weight down on it I would buy that in a heartbeat! The only draw back I have found with the CTX is the lack of a 8"coil. Some places are to trashy for a stock coil and to big for the 6" both coils work great but having a 8" coil would be great.

Dig until your arm falls off
 

Fletch88

Silver Member
Mar 7, 2013
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Minelab Excalibur ll- 10" Tornado
Minelab CTX 3030
Minelab Xterra 305
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That is a goo idea if they could keep the weight down on it I would buy that in a heartbeat! The only draw back I have found with the CTX is the lack of a 8"coil. Some places are to trashy for a stock coil and to big for the 6" both coils work great but having a 8" coil would be great. Dig until your arm falls off
Word on the street is Coiltek is coming out with CTX coils soon!!! An 8" would be awesome.
 

recondigger

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Word on the street is Coiltek is coming out with CTX coils soon!!! An 8" would be awesome.
I hope so I'll be the first one to buy it. Between my brother and I one of us end up saying " man I wish I had a 8" coil" every time we go out

Dig until your arm falls off
 

sask hunter

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Aug 26, 2013
413
111
yorkton saskatchewan
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bounty hunter tro/bfo
ace 250
teknetics 4000
atp pro
minelab ctx 3030
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Guys will the stock11" coil be a good all around coil for me? Can't see affording any other ones in near future so will be hunting. Beach, water, pasture, some fields .

D.A.D.D.-Dads against daughters dating
 

parkgt

Full Member
Feb 19, 2013
183
63
Western AR
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NOX 800, XP Deus, previous CTX and 705
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Yes the 11" is fine for what you describe. 6" is great for parks and other tight spots with a lot of targets close together, doesn't sound like you need it right off.
 

Fletch88

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Mar 7, 2013
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Minelab Excalibur ll- 10" Tornado
Minelab CTX 3030
Minelab Xterra 305
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Guys will the stock11" coil be a good all around coil for me? Can't see affording any other ones in near future so will be hunting. Beach, water, pasture, some fields . D.A.D.D.-Dads against daughters dating

Yes it will be fine. The 17" just came with mine during ML promotion and I'm trading in 2 machines I don't use towards a 6". The 11" is my favorite coil over the 17" and very deep. Has the snow even cleared up any where you can use iit yet? That has to be hard to have a CTX in hand and not use it for 3 months.
 

sask hunter

Sr. Member
Aug 26, 2013
413
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yorkton saskatchewan
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ace 250
teknetics 4000
atp pro
minelab ctx 3030
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Fletch won't be till end of April we are getting hit hard right this minute with a bad storm and iam suppose to drive 2 hours today to see knee surgeon today :(

D.A.D.D.-Dads against daughters dating
 

Pointman

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I’ve used about all modern ones but right now: CTX 3030, White’s MXT Pro, XP Deus, Vaquero, White’s TRX
Primary Interest:
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I would say that the stock coil does 80% of what I need. I have mainly needed the 6 inch for in the woods and on uneven terrain. It does make it easier to find targets in trashy areas, but I can do quite a bit with the 11 inch coil. I recently started to wiggle and barely move the stock coil and I can get around a lot of the trash most of the time.

I agree with a 8 inch coil. Seems almost too big a jump to go from a 6 to an 11. I wouldn't even attempt to use anything bigger then the 11 inch coil if I didn't have a Pro Swing to wear.
 

Fletch88

Silver Member
Mar 7, 2013
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Valdosta, GA
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Minelab Excalibur ll- 10" Tornado
Minelab CTX 3030
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Primary Interest:
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I'm patiently awaiting an 8" Coiltek.
 

hogground

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Feb 28, 2014
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I wasn't knocking the CTX its just I noticed that people where using different coils and some time that means that people are having issues that's all or it could mean that the coils where made readily which isn't always the case. So was just a observation that is all its a bit of coin to not look at everything, but still thinking of getting one.
 

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recondigger

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I wasn't knocking the CTX its just I noticed that people where using different coils and some time that means that people are having issues that's all or it could mean that the coils where made readily which isn't always the case. So was just a observation that is all its a bit of coin to not look at everything, but still thinking of getting one.

It's not a problem with the machine it's a fast deep machine but the problem is some places I hunt and others hunt even the small 6" is to big, because we hunt 200+ year old homes and a ton of trash and nails. Or the "hunted out" old parks you can hit with a 17" and come out with a bag of stuff. The stock coil isa great all around but if your doing it right you should need different sizes coils for different sites or conditions.

Dig until your arm falls off
 

Dirtydog

Newbie
Apr 2, 2014
4
0
Detector(s) used
Minelab CTX 3030
Garrett AT PRO
Primary Interest:
Beach & Shallow Water Hunting
I'm just learning the 3030. But man do I love this machine. I have the 6-11 and 17 inch coil. and while the 3030 is not cheap and the coils are not cheap, IMHO it is the one to have for the beach and for trashy areas.
 

gwdigger

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Dec 3, 2006
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I've never used an etrac but just upgraded from an explorer se to the ctx3030. To me, the ctx is a great improvement and yet VERY familiar. But the weight is prohibitively burdensome. The engineers at minelab are either giant strongmen or they never use their own detectors.
 

Jason in Enid

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Oct 10, 2009
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I've never used an etrac but just upgraded from an explorer se to the ctx3030. To me, the ctx is a great improvement and yet VERY familiar. But the weight is prohibitively burdensome. The engineers at minelab are either giant strongmen or they never use their own detectors.

Really? I can swing my 3030 all day long without problem. My E-Trac was different, I had to use a small coil or else use a harness with it. It's not the weight of the detector, it's the balance and the engineers finally got it right with the 3030.
 

gwdigger

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Really? I can swing my 3030 all day long without problem. My E-Trac was different, I had to use a small coil or else use a harness with it. It's not the weight of the detector, it's the balance and the engineers finally got it right with the 3030.
I wish I could. 3 hrs in and my arm cant take it. Its not pain just outright fatigue. So I made a shoulder mount yesterday and plan to try it out next week. The machine however is incredible so I have to make it work.
 

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