MXT 300 - Coil Question

[davidtn]

It is my understanding that the 12" coil that comes with the MXT 300 will go deeper (relic hunting) than say the 9.5" coil that comes on the MXT. Is this true?

Also, for those of you who have the MXT 300, what would be the next coil that you would buy? Something to help weed out trash I assume? I'd like to be able to hunt the trashy sites but not give up much depth.

Thanks for all your help. You guys know your stuff!

[LVSPARKY]

BROTHER,
I TO HAVE A MXT , MY YOUNGER BROTHER HAS THE 300, I THINK THERE BOTH THE SAME , SO FAR FROM WHAT IVE SEEN FROM BOTH MD'S. NEXT I WOULD BUY THE DD 6X10 COIL FOR WEEDING OUT THE TRASH IN THE PARKS,

SPARKY

[Steve G.]

I have the MXT 300. It is just the same as the regular MXT. The 12" 300 coil is basically the same coil at the Super 12 coil. The difference in the price of the detectors is usually about $100 so it is a good buy for the 12" coil. I agree that the DD 6X10 coil is your best bet for you next coil (if you want to separate out trash). An extra $100 will go a long way toward paying for a DD 6X10, but it is also nice to have the 12" for depth. You aren't going to see any difference in preformance if you decide to go with the plain MXT. It really is just different paint and decals. For relics 12" is a little better bet. It all depends on your pocket book and your needs.

[davidtn]

Thanks so much for your advice Steve and Sparky.

[Tin Nugget]

True, same detector, just different paint and different coil. The 6X10DD has become my most used coil. It does lose some depth over the 9.5 and Super 12 but not allot. Reports are from what I have read is the new D2 10" coil goes deeper than the 6X10 but the round shape means I can't get as close to trees, walkways etc. and it is an open design which means snags when hunting in the woods. I also have the Super 12 which so far I have not seen better depth than the 9.5 although I have only used it about 5 or 6 times. Usually to much trash for it to be effective. I also use the 4X6. It doesn't cover allot of ground but will save your sanity in a very trashy spot such as a demolished old home site, sports field sidelines, spectator areas etc.

[davidtn]

Great information Tin Nugget. I'll probably go with the 6X10 DD for my secondary coil. How much depth do you think you lose with the 6X10DD verses the Super 12? Of course if you're digging a lot of trash with the Super 12 then the depth issue becomes secondary.

Thanks for your reply.

David

[Tin Nugget]

I have dug enough coins and buttons at 9-10 inches with the 9.5 to know it's pretty dependable at those depths even though the signals are weaker, of course it will pick up larger items deeper. I get coins with the 6X10 at 7-8 inches fairly regular. The 4X6 is the ultimate target separator in my book but rarely picks up a coin past 5 inches, but in a super trashy area, that's pretty good. I did however dig a dime with it at a full 7 inches and I mean from the dirt line. It also gave a good signal. Beats me? but it has not happened again, yet. The super 12, I may need more time with because I haven't found anything past 8" with it yet. As far as the 9.5 that came with my MXT, you will notice it looks different than the newer ones. That's because I have had my MXT over 6 years now. I have not used one but many have said the new 9.5 is not as good as the old style. I have to believe the Super 12 will go deeper than my 9.5 so I will keep using it when I am in spots that it will work for me. If it doesn't show me something by the end of this summer then I will dump it and go back to the 9.5 for my wide open hunting. Oh, one more thing, I usually run the Disc at 3 and the gain at 10. If I get a weak signal I will crank up the gain to +3 and maybe drop the Disc. The soil around here is fairly mild so I could probably run it hot all the time without it sounding to erratic but I prefer to keep a nice even threshold. Much easier on the ears.

[davidtn]

In looking at Kellyco's website, they show the "White's Eclipse DD 6 x 10" Search Coil (for DFX/MXT/M6) but in the description it only mentions it for gold prospecting, so is this the coil you refer to in your above post?

Thanks for your help. Just trying to gain as much information on coil choices as possible.

[Tin Nugget]

That's the one, the Eclipse DD. It lists it for prospecting because it does a great job of silencing high ground mineralization which is usually high in gold areas. The benefit we get is target separation. When I lived in Virginia I had some highly mineralized ground to deal with and the coil worked great. About 153.00 is what you can find a new one for, although somebody that has bought the new D2 might let thiers go cheap.

[a4wdguy]

Tin Nugget has really nailed this down for you.
I'd like to add that the 12'' is not necessarily going to get you more depth than a 950. It really depends on your environment and your target.
In a mineralized environment, a DD1400 will probably get better depth than a 12'' concentric.
When considering your target, a 950 concentric or 6x10 DD will probably match the performance of the 12" concentric coil for coin sized objects, because the strength of the magnetic field is reduced as it gets larger. For larger objects, the larger coil comes into its own, which makes it popular for relic hunting.
I have been using the 10" D2 for a while now, and have decided not to get rid of my 6x10DD, mostly for the reasons Tin Nugget listed for not switching to the D2. All the White's coils are great coils when used for the proper application. If, for example, you try to find deep targets with the 4x6DD you are going to be disappointed. I once found a 2 cent copper at 9 inches with the 4x6, but that is the exception rather than the rule.
Take a look at what your intended targets are and the environment you are going to be hunting in to determine the coils best suited to your needs.

[davidtn]

Great replies. You guys are very helpful and I appreciate that.