Anyone gone from an xlt to a dfx

[norcalrider]

Hi all,
After a several year layoff i am getting back into metal detecting. I started in the early 70's with a non-disc tr detector and found tons and had a blast. Then i bought an eagle spectrum and discovered a new level of success and a lot less trash. Now i am debating between an xlt and a dfx. Is there really that much difference between them. I live in redding, ca so i am not looking at a salt water issue. when i do hit the beach i will stay in the dry sand. Just curious if someone out there has used the xlt and the dfx. I know from experience that time is an awesome teacher, i remember being able to do some discrimination with that old 50 dollar tr detector just by sound. I am wondering if i get the xlt and really learn it well... will i question my decision and say that i need a little more machine. When i read about people digging 11" i think back on all the great finds i had at just 4-6". Thanks in advance for your responses. this forum has been a real information gold mine for me and it sure has got my heart beating.

thanks,
doug in redding, ca

 

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[2country]

I'm wondering about the same thing . I've used an xlt since November . Loved it at first , then about April I started having stability problems with it . I sent it back to Whites and they worked on it , but it still is not nearly as stable as it was when it was new . I'm also thinking about trying a dfx . I just don't know if it would be worth it . I mostly hunt old farm (plantation) sites in eastern Va.

 

[midas777gold]

There is a world of difference between the XLT and the DFX. The DFX is unaffected by wet salt sand and salt water, the display is super fast, you have dual frequency, more programs, etc. etc. When I have a customer going for an XLT, I steer them towards the DFX. For an extra $100 cost, it's well worth it. and most customers who buy an XLT, come back and upgrade to the DFX. Hope this helps.

 

[norcalrider]

thanks midas for the info. I downloaded the manual and am just starting to go through it but i am sure that i will go with the dfx. I am kind of suprised about 1 thing. I called a local dealer and talked to him about what to go with and the cost of the two machines. Then i went on ebay and popped a couple of bids in on used detectors. I didn't get them but amazingly.. the dealer can get me a brand new machine for about the same as the used ones are going for on ebay. Makes you wonder why people don't go through the local dealer and assure themselves of a new, sound machine. Just one more question. I couldn't quite understand it but the dealer said something about the dfx being a little more difficult to lock on a target and get a reading than the xlt. anybody out there know what he means? thanks again for the advice.

 

[GreenMeanie]

They are two different style machines. DFX is multi Frequency XLT is single. DFX can also use the double D coil the Xlt is concentric.

I have heard some people that have owned the XLT wish they never went DFX and also heard it the other way. If you are going to do any kind of Salt water hunting then go DFX because it can handle the wet salt sand. It will be harder to pinpoint on the double D coils so be prepared. On my minelab I do a wiggle trick and the target end up off the tip of the coil. If I was going to buy a whites I would go DFX and really learn the detector.

 

[norcalrider]

thanks green meanie. From checking out the dfxonly forum it seems like it is not a problem to pinpoint but as you said it does take learning. appreciate the info...thanks

 

[Jason in TN]

I made the switch and would never give up my DFX for the XLT again. You can hunt in two Freq or one Freq modes.
The DFX does not come factory with a DD coil but you can Buy DD coils for it. It works awesome at the beach.
Get one learn it and you will like it.

 

[U.K. Brian]

I switched from XLT to DFX and regreted it. Sold the machine after a few months and promptly won another which also got sold on.
I must say that I'm in an area that didn't suit the machine. A detectorist a few miles away had his money refunded on his DFX. A Whites 'expert' was going to sort his problems out but ended up suggesting that he should only use twin frequency on the beach and stick to a single frequency for the land. The problem with that suggestion is that there is a distinct performance advantage if you use the right frequency to suit the size/type of metal your looking for. Unfortunately in the U.K. the coins are of all metal types and degrees of purity, foil thick to a quarter of an inch and all types and periods can be found on the same site. A DFX can be set up to go deeper than the XLT (which leads to people saying the DFX display lock on isn't as good but then its most likely trying to I.D. a deeper find) but by the time I've moved forward a few dozen yards it will need re adjusting to regain its edge over the XLT. On the average local site the XLT can be maximised in performance once and it will maintain it over a huge area.
Needless to say on the wet sand, though the XLT can be desensitised to work it, will never be anywhere near as good as any twin or multifrequency machine.