I called Minelab (Vegas) and got some info on the new X-terra 705

[snyper77]

I'm planning to upgrade from the Ace 250 and the Xterra 705 is my choice. I called Minelab in Las Vegas and drilled a technician with lots of questions, from air testing to which coils to use and why.

I told him I could get 7" on a quarter, while performing an air test with my ace 250. He laughed, and said "I can get 14" on an Xterra 70 (he hasn't been able to personally test the 705 yet). I 'bout fell on the floor! Do you all believe that? 14" air test on a quarter using the stock coil? Geesh!

I then asked him the differences in coils. He said:
"Lower frequencies punch deeper, but are not as sensitive. Good for silver coins. Higher frequencies don't go as deep as the low frequencies, but they are much more sensitive. Good for gold. Even the smallest nugget, or thin gold necklace will make the 18khz coil sing a tune!"
I asked him how much deeper the 3khz was over the 18khz.... he said "maybe an inch".

Now, if all that info is accurate, then I'm definitely buying the X705 + 18khz coil.

I welcome everyone's critique to this post. Thanks!

 

[Iron Patch]

How well a detector airtests doesn't mean a whole lot, the ground could easily kill a good part of that range. I'm sure if you make the change you'll find it better, but not that much better.

 

[Shenandoah Digger]

I've found that the 70 loses less depth in the ground compared to an air test than any detector I've used. With the 10.5 DD 7.5 khz coil, I've dug many coins and buttons in the 10 inch range in fairly mineralized soil. And the 705 has some really nice features over the 70, but it shouldn't be any deeper. If it was I'd buy one in a minute. But if Minelab ever makes a 3 khz DD, I'll be the first in line.

 

[Digger82]

I can get about 14" on a 1 euro coin with stock coil,while performing an air test with my x-terra 70 and it aint silver.

 

[Gary in Pennsylvania]

I then asked him the differences in coils. He said:
"Lower frequencies punch deeper, but are not as sensitive. Good for silver coins. Higher frequencies don't go as deep as the low frequencies, but they are much more sensitive. Good for gold. Even the smallest nugget, or thin gold necklace will make the 18khz coil sing a tune!"
I asked him how much deeper the 3khz was over the 18khz.... he said "maybe an inch".

Now, if all that info is accurate, then I'm definitely buying the X705 + 18khz coil.

OK.

But will the 7.5kHz coil or even the 3kHz coil see the gold ring as well? Will it just sing a different tune?


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[Digger82]

7.5kHz coil will find gold rings and depending on your x-terra settings,gold will sing different sound than silver or copper. I dont have any experience about 3kHz coil,so i cannot say anything about it.

 

[vondrewvious]

The Xterra by nature loves round objects. If you get your coil over a ring. no matter which coil you have on. It will signal.

 

[Gary in Pennsylvania]

My goodness.

Great info - but it still leaves me wondering.....If the 7.5kHz coil is such a good all-arounder......for what purpose does Minelab even offer the 3kHz coil?
Don't let anyone tell ya otherwise.......granted, Minelab likely cares about its customers......but a business is in business to make money. Minelab would not continue to offer the 3kHz coil if there wasn't a market for it. SOMEBODY is buying it. Who? And for what purpose?

What advantages do those 3kHz owner have ovr the 7.5kHz folks

I ask because I am likely just 2 weeks away from ordering an X-Terra 705. While I'm at it......I'd bundle a 3khz coil into the purchase IF it's purchase can be justified.


It is my understanding that Minelab does an pretty good job of discriminating out iron......and a 3kHz coil will only improve that ability? If that's the case.......why am I not hearing about more folks owning the 3kHz?

What am I gonna GAIN in advantage with the 3kHz over the 7.5 and the 18 kHz and what capability will I LOOSE?


Thanks!

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[Gary in Pennsylvania]

also, lower khz penetrate deeper into the soil but is less sensitive to gold and smaller targets such as bb's. the higher khz are more sensitive to smaller targets and gold but may not penetrate as deeply. (theoretically) that's why some gold machines operate at 15 khz or higher and most general use detectors for coin and relic hunting operate somewhere between 4 and 10 kilohertz.

Oops! Thanks RigDean!

Well, I'm not looking for gold nuggets at all.
I wouldn't mind finding gold rings, pendants, brooches, or coins.........but they're larger that bb's or earring studs.

I'm mostly shooting for all types of coins, tokens, and relics (Indian artifacts are neat....but not my intended target)

That's why I'm ruling out the 18kHz coil.


So I'm left with wondering if I should be ADDING the 3kHz coil to the stock 7.5kHz that comes with the X-Terra.......


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[Digger82]

I think X-Terra 6' Concentric 7.5khz Round Coil would be better choice over 3kHz coil,for home sites and iron/trash infested places.

 

[vondrewvious]

The 3KHz is one of my top 2 coils I use. I like it in the iron infested areas.

 

[X-Terra70_TreasureHunter]

Air Test = Hum Bug

Stick the item in the ground, where you will get a more accurit
reading, air test do not take mineralization into consideration &
the biggest thing you ever will detect is the EARTH.

Dave

 

[johnnycat]

The 3KHZ is the only coil I use on old homesteads. I feel that it has a certain drop-off on iron. Can't really explain it tech wise. I use it with either 4 or 99 tones and iron, (I think) has a different kind of warble to it. How much different than the 7.5, I don't know, I don't use it. In public parks I use the 18.75.

 

[Brett]

An air test is a good way to compare detectors in different areas with different soils. Air is air... unless one person is under power lines and the other is not... it should be a pretty good comparison to show relative depth differences between two different detectors. When you compare items in the ground in one location vs. another (and with another detector), all bets are off. Different soils can dramatically affect depth penetration. If the Xterra 70 and 705 gets a quarter at 14", you should be impressed. It could be less in the ground, but not necessarily so. I can get a quarter at 12" fairly easily with my E-Trac and Vision, in the ground... and disturbed ground for that matter. It would only get better in time, and with some moisture.