MINELAB SE VS WHITES DFX

[vpone]

MINELAB SE VS WHITE'S DFX

Hello All,

My first post but i hope to be a regular contributor (i've been reading posts here for months)

Been metal detecting for years just got serious with it when I bought my DFX about 3 years ago. I recently sold my DFX though and purchased an Explorer SE and thought some users might find the comparison useful.

So for what it's worth :

DFX is a solid machine, White's is a great company (i've owned several) - but I got rid of it because I felt I needed a change and honestly the advertising for the Minelab's multi frequency technology interested me. I was really hoping it would help me ID the targets a little better and maybe go deeper - and i wasn't disappointed

DFX good points :
Pin pointing is near perfect and easy, depth read out is very accurate (if the target id is correct)
Well balanced, actually feels perfect when using it (even with heavier coils)
Solid built machine and solid company, made in usa

Used with the right coil it performed well, I had the Hot Shot 12" for decent depth (maybe 8"-10" max depending on circumstances) and the 4x6 DD or 5.3" for seperation (I really didn't care for either though) as the depth really suffered - standard coil was a happy compromise


DFX Bad points :
Too many options and settings, I know that's what the dfx is all about BUT you almost second guess yourself with all of the different stuff you can do, and of course given the options anyone would start tweaking them. But for me, I started second guessing the settings and would tweak them to death and honestly with whatever i tried, it really didn't help that much - it definately didn't help with identifying targets any better.

Target ID was missleading at times - a dime would come up as a dime, and a quarter a quarter if that's what was truly there BUT so would certain pieces of foil, caps and other misc metal pieces - they would show EXACTLY like the dime/quarter and more importantly SOUNDED exactly like a dime or quarter - became a little frustrating, even with the smaller coils


SE Good points :
much simpler to use, there are some settings but no overtweaking here, in my opinion it definately goes deeper than the DFX, distinguishes better between targets - so it's not just a dime or quarter anymore it gives you the ferrous and conductivity readings, so a piece of foil or other junk does read differently than a true dime/quarter etc - BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY the sounds are very distinguishable between a piece of foil and a coin, so i find myself just listening and not display checking so much - it really is almost dead on - i found VERY few items that can fool it which for me is very impressive

SE Bad Points :
definately physcially not balanced right, feels a little clunky in your hand and def makes my shoulder hurt at times when swinging it, pinpointing is not even close to the DFX and same with the depth - not even close to the accuracy of the DFX - i definately miss the accuracy of the depth reading - this might sound funny but i definately miss the trigger too for some reason - just got used to it over the years - the learning curve is steeper, it is very different from the DFX - you really need to learn the sounds and then it really starts clicking

overall i have to say the DFX really is a good machine i found alot of coins with it, BUT i really feel the SE is more of a "coin hawk" if you will, and i'm not just saying that because i now own just that machine
it definately gives more info to distinguish targets (the sounds most of all), and in my opinion with similar settings definately goes deeper - it just detects different from the DFX

i went to sites that i personally "hunted out" with my DFX and had some nice finds - i know that doesn't really mean much nothing is ever hunted out but i did find some good "keepers" in spots i had given up on

i hope this is useful - again these are only my opinions from my experience of owning both machines

here's some other equipment i've used that in my mind really stand out
1) sunray pinpointer - easy to use, acts just like a search coil and i've had NO falsing at all - when you are digging deeper, i couldn't imagine being without it - it saves so much time

2) Excelerator 16.5" coil - this coil goes DEEP - already have found a silver dime pushing almost 20 inches (could have dropped over) - now it was right after a heavy rain and the soil/coin position must have been perfect - i'm not saying this is typical but yeah it happened for me


hope this helps someone out, again just my honest opinion !

Take care -

VP

 

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[gold fish]

Re: MINELAB SE VS WHITE'S DFX

Good to know, thanx.

 

[DFX-SE Gregg]

Re: MINELAB SE VS WHITE'S DFX

Hello All,

My first post but i hope to be a regular contributor (i've been reading posts here for months)

Been metal detecting for years just got serious with it when I bought my DFX about 3 years ago. I recently sold my DFX though and purchased an Explorer SE and thought some users might find the comparison useful.

So for what it's worth :

DFX is a solid machine, White's is a great company (i've owned several) - but I got rid of it because I felt I needed a change and honestly the advertising for the Minelab's multi frequency technology interested me. I was really hoping it would help me ID the targets a little better and maybe go deeper - and i wasn't disappointed

DFX good points :
Pin pointing is near perfect and easy, depth read out is very accurate (if the target id is correct)
Well balanced, actually feels perfect when using it (even with heavier coils)
Solid built machine and solid company, made in usa

Used with the right coil it performed well, I had the Hot Shot 12" for decent depth (maybe 8"-10" max depending on circumstances) and the 4x6 DD or 5.3" for seperation (I really didn't care for either though) as the depth really suffered - standard coil was a happy compromise

The 4x6 and 5.3 coils are for trash and separation of targets, I can easily get 6-7 inches with the small coil. The stock coil should not have been used in these trashy areas due to masking.


DFX Bad points :
Too many options and settings, I know that's what the dfx is all about BUT you almost second guess yourself with all of the different stuff you can do, and of course given the options anyone would start tweaking them. But for me, I started second guessing the settings and would tweak them to death and honestly with whatever i tried, it really didn't help that much - it definately didn't help with identifying targets any better.

I think the option and settings allow you the versatility to adjust to each condition separately. And the settings do help with target id.


Target ID was missleading at times - a dime would come up as a dime, and a quarter a quarter if that's what was truly there BUT so would certain pieces of foil, caps and other misc metal pieces - they would show EXACTLY like the dime/quarter and more importantly SOUNDED exactly like a dime or quarter - became a little frustrating, even with the smaller coils

Were you using tone id on?? There are 191 different tones for each vdi number, when used the sounds would not be the same for foil, caps etc, due to the assignment of different vdi numbers with tone id on, a few might hit close, but they would not all be the same. That is what the tone id is for!
Also even if you failed to use tone id on....you could have easily used more disc.

Also how about accept/reject>> block/edit you could have waved these troublesome items under coil and chose to reject them out....


If you were using some of these options listed problems above could have been avoided...


SE Good points :
much simpler to use, there are some settings but no overtweaking here, in my opinion it definately goes deeper than the DFX, distinguishes better between targets - so it's not just a dime or quarter anymore it gives you the ferrous and conductivity readings, so a piece of foil or other junk does read differently than a true dime/quarter etc - BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY the sounds are very distinguishable between a piece of foil and a coin, so i find myself just listening and not display checking so much - it really is almost dead on - i found VERY few items that can fool it which for me is very impressive


With the dfx I hate to tell you it gives ferrous and non ferrous readings too! Your readings that were negative would be your ferrrous, above 0 non ferrous.


SE Bad Points :
definately physcially not balanced right, feels a little clunky in your hand and def makes my shoulder hurt at times when swinging it, pinpointing is not even close to the DFX and same with the depth - not even close to the accuracy of the DFX - i definately miss the accuracy of the depth reading - this might sound funny but i definately miss the trigger too for some reason - just got used to it over the years - the learning curve is steeper, it is very different from the DFX - you really need to learn the sounds and then it really starts clicking

This is what a lot of people complain about with the explorers, the balancing, the heavy feeling in your hand, the pinpointing problems (which I know some say they have mastered)


overall i have to say the DFX really is a good machine i found alot of coins with it, BUT i really feel the SE is more of a "coin hawk" if you will, and i'm not just saying that because i now own just that machine
it definately gives more info to distinguish targets (the sounds most of all), and in my opinion with similar settings definately goes deeper - it just detects different from the DFX

Well in conclusion you said the explorer is clunky, hard to pinpoint, hurts your shoulder, not even close to as accurate as the dfx, but it goes deeper. These are your words...I will stick with my dfx...

 

[vpone]

Re: MINELAB SE VS WHITE'S DFX

DFXGreg

i am not knocking the DFX my point of the post was only to inform and offer my opinion and that's what i did - i've owned and used each machine extensively (have you ?)

each machine does have it's good and bad points, nicely put, i feel the explorer se is an entirely different beast

to clarify your points :

---- "If you were using some of these options listed problems above could have been avoided..."

i am a programmer by trade - i am VERY into testing every possible scenario (comes with my job), believe me when i tell you i played with these settings to the N'th degree

--- "With the dfx I hate to tell you it gives ferrous and non ferrous readings too! Your readings that were negative would be your ferrrous, above 0 non ferrous."

dfx has non ferrous and ferrous reading in the form of a plus or minus scale but is a one dimensional scale showing the average between conductivity and ferrous content to come up with one VDI #

the explorer se does it with two seperate variables for each target showing how much ferrous and how much conductivity for EACH target and then produces feedback (a sound or point on the graph) based on the 2 variables

i believe they use the 27 frequencies at one time (over a range of 1khz-100khz) to accomplish this where the dfx has only the 2 frequencies (3khz and 15khz)

--- "Also how about accept/reject>> block/edit you could have waved these troublesome items under coil and chose to reject them out...."

very hard to use accept/reject when a piece of foil or other item comes up to a dime or quarter, 70's range for a dime and 80's for a quarter, it's fine for odd items like bottlecaps, pulltabs etc and of course pieces of iron well below the range of dimes and quarters - never did understand this

--- "Well in conclusion you said the explorer is clunky, hard to pinpoint, hurts your shoulder, not even close to as accurate as the dfx, but it goes deeper. These are your words...I will stick with my dfx..."

again my post was not to offend but to inform there are some feature i truly miss with the dfx but in my opinion the se again saying it very nicely "is a different beast" - so please use whatever detctor you want and good luck to you and to all !



VP

 

[DFX-SE Gregg]

Re: MINELAB SE VS WHITE'S DFX

I wrote what you said...not me!

 

[fd3615]

Re: MINELAB SE VS WHITE'S DFX

i appreciate the post. thank you for your opinion... i am looking to buy something new, and the more informed i am the better... funny how there is so much product loyalty in this hobby..

 

[Sandman]

Re: MINELAB SE VS WHITE'S DFX

Vpone, very nice post on one detector verses another. Well thought out and presented. I can tell you did your homework.

Some people don't like either of them and that's good too. We're just here to have fun and I have fun playing with menus.

 

[vpone]

Re: MINELAB SE VS WHITE'S DFX

thanks guys (fd3615 & sandman)

just information - that's it, not knocking any detector - hope it's helpful to someone
it's all fun and man what a GREAT hobby (with any detector you use)

take care

VP

 

[hollowpointred]

Re: MINELAB SE VS WHITE'S DFX

one is a chevy and the other is a ford! both are great top of the line machines. it all just depends on your personal preferances.

 

[gold fish]

Re: MINELAB SE VS WHITE'S DFX

Eeeewwwww, no I HAVE to disagree............on the ford thing.

 

[dewcon4414]

Re: MINELAB SE VS WHITE'S DFX

I own a DFX and ive been impressed with the minelabs especially the SE. That should be a wakeup call to whites to put out an improved DFX. Put the MXT/M6 tracking on the DFX, improve the VDI reading accuracy beyond 7", pick freq that arent as affected by EMI, oh and id like to have a switch that lets me detect closely with someone... hum how about in place of pushing the switch forward for pinpointing. I know the SE goes deeper... however, with all the outstanding qualities of the DFX why settle and not give it that needed upgrade to equal the SE's depth... why not be the best. Id be more than willing to pay the extra $200s or so for that upgrade.

 

[gold fish]

Re: MINELAB SE VS WHITE'S DFX

No, really, fords are pretty much junk. I know, I've owned like 10 of 'em.

 

[Chris Clark MO]

Vpone, I have to agree with you.

I hated Explorers when I first used them. I've had 3 or 4 DFX's thinking I would get the hang of all the options in programming. It use to be that Explorers were junk because they were plastic and broke. (According to Whites owners that were die hard DFX users) Now that is fixed.

You are exactly right about the Ferrous/Non Ferrous numbers. I was thinking what you said when I was reading Greg's post. Not the same thing.

I really hope all the DFX people enjoy them and keep them. I have found old, deep stuff in places that I have hunted with a DFX and tuned it 100 ways from Sunday with all of the different coils offered. The DFX is a good detector, but from personal experience, it is not in the same leage as the Explorers...period. I've been doing this 30+ years so it's not my first day on the big job as far as understanding what MD's do.

Another point I'd like to mention that you don't hear very often is...I've hit my Explorers a number of times hard enough to make a dent and you couldn't even see a mark. On a Whites machine, there would be a dent or scratch there forever. It doesn't take near the technology to fold metal into a box as it does to vacuum form the streamlined bodies of the Explorers with impact resistant, modern plastics. I don't want to start a war. Like I said...DFX guys "Keep them and hunt with them. DON"T BUY AN EXPLORER." Good hunting to you all.

Chris

 

[erikk]

Re: MINELAB SE VS WHITE'S DFX

Chris- I couldn't have said it better.............
HH

 

[DFX-SE Gregg]

Here are my finds from yesterday...you stick with you explorer too!

I hated Explorers when I first used them. I've had 3 or 4 DFX's thinking I would get the hang of all the options in programming. It use to be that Explorers were junk because they were plastic and broke. (According to Whites owners that were die hard DFX users) Now that is fixed.

You are exactly right about the Ferrous/Non Ferrous numbers. I was thinking what you said when I was reading Greg's post. Not the same thing.

I really hope all the DFX people enjoy them and keep them. I have found old, deep stuff in places that I have hunted with a DFX and tuned it 100 ways from Sunday with all of the different coils offered. The DFX is a good detector, but from personal experience, it is not in the same leage as the Explorers...period. I've been doing this 30+ years so it's not my first day on the big job as far as understanding what MD's do.

Another point I'd like to mention that you don't hear very often is...I've hit my Explorers a number of times hard enough to make a dent and you couldn't even see a mark. On a Whites machine, there would be a dent or scratch there forever. It doesn't take near the technology to fold metal into a box as it does to vacuum form the streamlined bodies of the Explorers with impact resistant, modern plastics. I don't want to start a war. Like I said...DFX guys "Keep them and hunt with them. DON"T BUY AN EXPLORER." Good hunting to you all.

Chris

Keep your explorer too....6 hours with the dfx yesterday>>>>

 

[erikk]

Re: MINELAB SE VS WHITE'S DFX

Sure will-4 months with the EX-2 $485.00 and that doesn't count dimes, nicks & pennies

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

Re: MINELAB SE VS WHITE'S DFX

LOL

 

[DFX-SE Gregg]

Re: MINELAB SE VS WHITE'S DFX

Sure will-4 months with the EX-2 $485.00 and that doesn't count dimes, nicks & pennies

amazing that you have not posted a single pic of your finds this year...or did I miss the one or two you posted?

 

[vpone]

Re: MINELAB SE VS WHITE'S DFX

DFX-Greg,

great finds, i am very curious here though as to why you feel the NEED to prove to everyone the quality of the DFX ? again it's a fine machine ... no one is bashing it, if you remember the original post was to point out the differences between the machines - that's all

also, you own a White's DFX, it's very clear from your posts that you don't want an Explorer SE, you don't care for the Minelabs and you are completely happy with your DFX -

the question then is why are you posting in the Minelab forum ?
am I missing something here ?



VP

 

[cryptodave]

Re: MINELAB SE VS WHITE'S DFX

DFX-Greg,

great finds, i am very curious here though as to why you feel the NEED to prove to everyone the quality of the DFX ? again it's a fine machine ... no one is bashing it, if you remember the original post was to point out the differences between the machines - that's all

also, you own a White's DFX, it's very clear from your posts that you don't want an Explorer SE, you don't care for the Minelabs and you are completely happy with your DFX -

the question then is why are you posting in the Minelab forum ?
am I missing something here ?



VP

He likes to stir the pot. I feel the same way about Whites products but don't voice my opinion because of censorship reasons.

Sure will-4 months with the EX-2 $485.00 and that doesn't count dimes, nicks & pennies

amazing that you have not posted a single pic of your finds this year...or did I miss the one or two you posted?

Greg, I stopped posting my finds after the change of wording in the TOS agreement. I think what my little ol' Explorer finds might just surprise you.