Getting Ready to Order, Final Thoughts?

[redlined]

Well everyone, after months of waiting, talking to different people, and tons of reading I've rounded up the money for a major upgrade. At first I thought I wanted a Minelab, but after much thought, have decided I can't justify the price difference between an SE and top of the line White's.

With that being said, I have narrowed my choices to a DFX or an MXT. I will primarily be hunting old homesites and wooded areas well off the beaten path(except in pioneer days ) I can say at this point I am leaning more toward an MXT as a buddy has one and seems to like it very well. I've heard nothing but good about the DFX, but have zero experience with one. Any last thoughts? At this point my three year career in MD'ing has been with a BH 202 and an Ace 250, so either choice will be quite an upgrade for me. Just looking for any sage advice to solidify my decision, as I'm wanting to finally get a top of the line machine I'll be happy with for quite a few years. So bring it on, help a guy out. Thanks everyone and HH.

[Sarge]

Red,

I'd try to convince you to get a DFX. Not that the MXT isn't a fine machine but I feel the DFX is more versatile. The only trouble with that is you'd have nobody to start you out. If you decide to get one then I can advise looking at www.dfxonly.com. Obviously that site discusses only the DFX & it has a newbie page. No question is considered a dumb one except those that go unasked. Not to get you off of this site because there's many knowledeable people here. It's just another resource. Come to think of it that site also has an MXT only page.

There's also the Whites DFX classroom forum. I don't have the URL handy but you can google it.

On both of those sites & on this one there are guys who own both so you might want to push the search button & see what they have to say.

Research is the key for detecting & also for buying a detector.

There may be some used DFXs & MXTs around as Whites has come out with a DFX 300 & MXT 300. From all accounts they're the same machines as their predecesors except they come equipped with a 12" spider coil & there's a different more hardy paint job on them.

Good luck in making your decision. You won't go wrong with either. I've had my DFX for 6 years & I love it.
I also own an XLT which is a great machine, too.

[Tin Nugget]

I don't believe you can go wrong either way. Since they are controlled completely different you just have to figure out which one you would enjoy using more. Six years ago I wanted to update my detector and did allot of research. I was down to the Explorer and DFX. I went and checked out the Explorer first. Other than good depth I didn't like anything else about it. Went to check out the DFX. Air tested it, took it out to the test plot. I was like man, I don't know. I really don't have the patience for it. He went inside and brought out an MXT and said try this, just got them in. Quick adjustments on the knobs and switches, I was like, oh yeah. Air tested it and tried it out in the test plot, that was it. Been swinging it ever since and belonging to a club, have tried many others but nothing yet that could get the MXT out of my hands. So, are we making your decision any easier?

[FCCDFEd]

Redlined,

I was a rookie newbie and knew very (I mean very little) about MDing when I bought my first and only detector (I have had mine about a year now). I wasn't even sure what type of hunting I would be doing. Don't be afraid of the DFX if you have previous detector experience. I love mine and love the versatility that it gives. There are so may ways to set it up and it is easy to use. I still don't know everything about it but I have been reading some of the "other" books, surfing other MDing sites, and trying out the different settings. My opinion is for the difference in cash get the DFX.... ..the only con about the DFX is that it is not a "gold machine MD", it does detect gold but the nugget/flake/bits must be "bigger than 6 microns". Hey enjoy which ever machine you buy I'm sure you'll have a great time. Good Luck and HH

fccdfed

[johnnycat]

IMO you will be detecting at full speed a lot faster with the MXT. But, of course I am 100% biased toward the MXT. Good Luck.

[Sandman]

Sarge gave you good advice. I too think the DFX would be more versatile but with the MXT you would have a buddy to help. I had my DFX taken from my truck and I never did replace it since I mainly do water now.

[redlined]

Thanks for the replies guys. I'm seriously thinking now about ordering the MXT and since it will be a little cheaper than the DFX, getting an Excellerator 4.5 x 7" DD coil to go along with it. The other coil I had in mind would be the Eclipse 4 x 6" this is a DD also. Would one be any better than the other? I've got a few very old spots I'd like to go over with a smaller coil because they are absolutely eat up with trash. Any thoughts? If I go this route I plan on getting the two(aftermarket) MXT books to supplement anything not covered in the owners manual.

I guess the idea of having someone I know with a similar detector is what is influencing my decision the most. The other big thing is I'd much rather be able to adjust mostly by knob controls than a keypad. Somthing about thumbing through programs on a keypad while I'm digging in wet/moist dirt that starts my thinking on muddy/damaged controls...........

[diamondjim]

My 2 cents:

I run IDX in the woods, same type sites you seem to work. I tried XLT for awhile but went back to IDX...

When you're stuck in the middle of the jungle here, can't see ten feet in front of you, bugs going nuts on your back, getting poked and stabbed by thorns on all sides last thing you want to worry about is PROGRAMS. I VASTLY prefer KNOBS.

Old home site in the woods can be highly variable terrain, unlike say clad hunting in the nice flat, mowed park...you'll want to adjust your machine for conditions on the fly. When I'm searching wide open woods to locate areas of human activity I run that puppy wide open, black sand on, discrim at 0. Get into a trashy foundation area, make adjustments for various parts of the site as I'm walking along, without having to stop and stare at the display to find the other programs...just turn a knob and keep swinging.

I'm not saying anything about DFX over MXT or whatever...just that when the path to treasures leads in the deepest, darkest jungles, gimme KNOBS any day over programs. The less you have to think about the machine, the easier it is to use in harsh conditions, the more you'll be able to focus on figuring out the site itself.

[redlined]

Well, I did it. I ordered an MXT this morning with an Excellerator 4.5"x7" additional coil for the trashy spots. Guess I'll be trying it out before too long. Thanks for all the help guys, I'm sure once it gets here I'll be needing some more............

[Sarge]

The nice thing about the DD coils is they're very stable although they won't go as deep as the 950. But by being more stable & seeing less ground at any time you're able to boost the sensitivity with few problems.

Good choices all around. (How could you go wrong??)