F5 to V3i Is it worth it?

yankeetom57 · Mar 13, 2014

I am thinking of upgrading to a V3i but am unsure if the extra $5-700 for a used one is worth it or not. I mostly hunt coins/jewelry but with an occassional opportunity to gold and beach hunt. I live in the Texas panhandle so dont get to do much of the latter at all. I am pretty happy with my F5 but know that it has its limitations ie depth, mineralized soil, trashy areas. I have read some threads on the V3i that sound impressive, and increase the opportunities for finds. Since im not made of money, but have a chance to add enough to get a used one would it be worth it. Thx for everyones input

Metal Detecting Stuff · Mar 18, 2014

The F75 works well in mineralized soil. Be sure and get the F75 LTD/SE version, it adds a lot of horsepower to the standard F75. It is a good machine for gold, coins and relics. It is extremely sensitive and can be a little noisy in an urban setting if run too hot. It has a very fast processor, so it can take a fast swing.

Wayne

www.metaldetectingstuff.com

scotty544 · Mar 18, 2014

McKinney_5900 said:
you can change the settings so that you are actually harming your hunting abilities.

You pointed out a key limitation in the V3i in my opinion.

Yes you can adjust every possible function of the V3i, it can be adjusted out of wack if you are not careful, that being said you can adjust it for maximum performance in the ground conditions that you have at any given time. It is definitely a steep learning curve. I carry a copper penny and usually a dime with me to check with my detector to make sure that I haven't tweaked something out of wack.

I am beginning my second season with it and in the first month I have found more good finds with it then I did in the three months that I used it last year.

I have been looking hard at other flagship detectors really hard the last two weeks, and I personally think that the V3i and all of it's capabilities is the top machine out there right now. From what I can see it is equal or greater than the ctx 3030 for a full thousand dollars less.

The ctx 3030 is waterproof and has a gps, but for an extra thousand?! If you look on you tube and see the depth test you will not be impressed with the ctx 3030. The maximum depth they are air testing is around 8 to 9 inches. I can air test up to 14 inches with the V3i.

Supposedly the Deus isnt as deep as the ctx 3030. Just some thoughts.

norbyx · Mar 18, 2014

scotty544 said:
Yes you can adjust every possible function of the V3i, it can be adjusted out of wack if you are not careful, that being said you can adjust it for maximum performance in the ground conditions that you have at any given time. It is definitely a steep learning curve. I carry a copper penny and usually a dime with me to check with my detector to make sure that I haven't tweaked something out of wack.

I am beginning my second season with it and in the first month I have found more good finds with it then I did in the three months that I used it last year.

I have been looking hard at other flagship detectors really hard the last two weeks, and I personally think that the V3i and all of it's capabilities is the top machine out there right now. From what I can see it is equal or greater than the ctx 3030 for a full thousand dollars less.

The ctx 3030 is waterproof and has a gps, but for an extra thousand?! If you look on you tube and see the depth test you will not be impressed with the ctx 3030. The maximum depth they are air testing is around 8 to 9 inches. I can air test up to 14 inches with the V3i.

Supposedly the Deus isnt as deep as the ctx 3030. Just some thoughts.

I am no minelab fan, actually I love whites, but minelabs don't do any good on air tests, they need to be placed in ground tests. The 3030 can do much more that 8 in in the ground... In those type of detectors air tests don't mean much....

RobRieman · Mar 18, 2014

scotty544 said:
Yes you can adjust every possible function of the V3i, it can be adjusted out of wack if you are not careful, that being said you can adjust it for maximum performance in the ground conditions that you have at any given time. It is definitely a steep learning curve. I carry a copper penny and usually a dime with me to check with my detector to make sure that I haven't tweaked something out of wack. I am beginning my second season with it and in the first month I have found more good finds with it then I did in the three months that I used it last year. I have been looking hard at other flagship detectors really hard the last two weeks, and I personally think that the V3i and all of it's capabilities is the top machine out there right now. From what I can see it is equal or greater than the ctx 3030 for a full thousand dollars less. The ctx 3030 is waterproof and has a gps, but for an extra thousand?! If you look on you tube and see the depth test you will not be impressed with the ctx 3030. The maximum depth they are air testing is around 8 to 9 inches. I can air test up to 14 inches with the V3i. Supposedly the Deus isnt as deep as the ctx 3030. Just some thoughts.

I would love to try a 3030 but I have a buddy of mine that compares his signals on his V3i with his friends 3030 while they hunt and so far neither detector has been able to see a target that the other one could not. I still would love to give one a spin for a day.

scotty544 · Mar 18, 2014

RobRieman said:
I would love to try a 3030 but I have a buddy of mine that compares his signals on his V3i with his friends 3030 while they hunt and so far neither detector has been able to see a target that the other one could not. I still would love to give one a spin for a day.

Kinda what I mean, for a thousand less the V3i seems to be equal or better than the ctx 3030. Also the mixed mode pro program is touted as being the ultimate deep seeker program and I have only began to experiment with it.

yankeetom57 · Mar 19, 2014

Well thx everyone I kind of changed course and went with the F75ltd. Not near the investment but still a very comparable machine. Now the fun of learning a new machine. I'm really looking forward to hitting some spots that haven't given up much lately and going deeper for items I couldn't see before with my f5. I'm drooling just thinking about it.

christo000 · Mar 20, 2014

You won't be disappointed, I had a v3i I did also know the machine very well & its options, with that I had all the coils available ect, great great detector that you can adjust to any place you want to go, on the other hand it does take a while to actually figure out what u need to do when coming to a different site, you could just use it out the box very good aswell, I just got the f75ltd only had it out a couple of times couple hrs at those times & I really like it, it has the right amount of options doesn't take long at all to throw some settings on that suit ur spot also seems very powerful. You will notice as I did around powerlines hmm very chatty pics up EMI pretty fast but if ubcan detect away from them ur gonna get great results. I'd also recommend getting a 5"dd coil

yankeetom57 · Mar 20, 2014

Have you noticed if the vdi locks in pretty solid or if it bounces around alot? I noticed it seemed to on some you tube videos I've watched.

christo000 · Mar 20, 2014

The v3i does seem a bit more stable, on the f75 it can be pretty jumpy the further the target gets into the ground, smaller coil will get more stable verse the 11". My suggestion would be use & go by tones & don't rely on the tid or vdi of the detectors sometimes yes they are right on what it is but if u only go by that you will lose some great targets repeatable tones dig em