Are the new $200-$400 detectors really running circles around the older detectors?

[vincevg]

Are the new $200-$400 detectors really running circles around the older higher end detectors?

For instance, how do they compare to a Tesoro Tejon or Vaquero, or a Fisher F70 when relic hunting? I understand beach is a different ballgame, but I'm looking at relic hunting). I also understand the newer ones pretty much all have screens now, but what about unmasking, recovery speed, depth, working in difficult or heavy trash laden soil?

 

[l.cutler]

I have used both of those detectors here in my area of Colorado. I can assure you that they were not deep detectors here.

At least from my experience, the main factors that determine actual depth are the soil/sand mineralization levels and does the detector being used have the tech to maximize depth in various soil/sand mineralization levels or is it strictly a mild soil only detector.

I'm sure it has to do with the soil in different areas but Indian cents at a foot deep were not unusual with these two detectors. I suppose it's possible I just never passed over any that deep with the newer ones, but I never found any at that depth.

 

[Carl-NC]

TX "power" is limited by the physics of hunting in bad ground, not by the FCC. Most detectors have been running at a reasonable max power since the 1980s, anything higher will overload in bad ground and that's what you have to design for. Recently, some detectors have been designed with variable TX power so that they crank up the power in light ground and turn it down in bad ground. The Equinox and Manticore are examples. These detectors will seem to have a little more hots in air testing but maybe nothing more in the ground. Also keep in mind that even the Manticore's claim of "50% more power" yields only about 1/2" more depth.

The better improvements made over the years are in lower noise receivers -- which means the detector can see fainter targets -- and things like reactivity speed which helps in high trash. Every little bit helps. The result is, some of the better old-school detectors (MXT, F75, Tejon) are still good hunters in some places, but the newer detectors are good hunters in a lot more varied places.

 

[guest]

I like what he's sayin' ...👍😊... listen carefully ...

 

[jmc24]

Are the new $200-$400 detectors really running circles around the older higher end detectors?

For instance, how do they compare to a Tesoro Tejon or Vaquero, or a Fisher F70 when relic hunting? I understand beach is a different ballgame, but I'm looking at relic hunting). I also understand the newer ones pretty much all have screens now, but what about unmasking, recovery speed, depth, working in difficult or heavy trash laden soil?

Read the OP’s original post very carefully.

He gives some very specific conditions for comparing the performance of $200 to $400 detectors compared to older higher end detectors.

Some of those $200 to $400 US detectors have simultaneous multi frequency and selectable single frequency operation that is very effective in the conditions laid out in the OP’s question.

Carl NC is dead on with his statement: “The result is, some of the better old-school detectors (MXT, F75, Tejon) are still good hunters in some places, but the newer detectors are good hunters in a lot more varied places.”

I will echo that statement with a clarification, “but the newer simultaneous multi frequency detectors are good hunters in a lot more varied places”

I hunt roughly 1,000 hours per year for coins, jewerly and relics and have been doing that since the Equinox 600/800 was released back in early 2018 so roughly 8,000 hours total. I can only remember one 2 hour session when I was near an electric cattle fence that I had to switch to 20 kHz selectable single frequency or just quit and go home due to high EMI from that electric fence. All the other 7,998 hours using these newer SMF detectors, I was using them with the Multi settings. The accuracy of the detectors I use for the most part when in Multi is really astonishing even on deep targets. There are a couple of exceptions from my experience (Minelab X-Terra Elite and Equinox 700/900). That accuracy and depth is gone as soon as I switch them to one of their selectable single frequency settings.

BigTim is producing some very good YouTube videos about these low to mid range SMF detectors at the moment. Just have a look especially at his Deus 1 versus Legend 2 video for a good example of single versus SMF for target ID and target tone accuracy.

I don’t have an issue with the MXT, F75, Tejon or any other higher end single frequency detector along with the Fisher CZs, Whites DFX, V3i, Minelab BBS/FBS as far as how well they detect in very mild to light mineralization. If those are your conditions, good for you, you may not need to consider a possible upgrade. If those are not your ground conditions you should consider an upgrade.

Also, I think BigTim would agree that the new XP Icon series is a very viable choice for a budget minded, newer tech SMF/selectable single frequency detector, if you hunt in some of the more difficult conditions that the OP laid out in his original post.