SDC-2300 versus XTerra 705

[gollum]

I have seen a ton of ATX vs SDC2300 and ATX vs GPX5000, and a lot more. What I have not seen is a comparison of the SDC2300 and the XTerra 705 Gold Pack.

I had an XTerra 70 Gold Pack that I just sold. I was planning on getting the SDC2300, but when I consider all things, I wonder if the SDC2300 is worth the extra money? I know the XTerra will have an edge in a few areas:

• Versatility: Xterra can use multiple coils for different types of hunting and varying depths (with different frequencies)
• Price: Depending on performance of SDC2300, does it REALLY warrant a $3000 price difference?
• Weight: XTerra= 2.5lbs vs SDC= 5.1lbs

The reason for this thread is that I have a couple of SD2000 Gold Machines. I love them, and have learned all their little idiosyncrasies over the years. The XTerra with Gold Pack was designed for prospecting small gold at shallow depths. This seems like the same thing the SDC2300 is designed for. I know all about the differences between PI and VLF. I am even willing to accept the SDC2300 as superior in performance, but would I REALLY be better off spending almost $4000 for a machine that seems to be designed for the same purpose as a $1000 machine?

HELP!

Thanks - Mike

 

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[penzfan]

After testing the SDC recently I'm considering the ATX

 

[gollum]

Thing is, if all I was going to use the other detector for was prospecting, it might swing things more towards the SDC2300. Even then, I want to know if the SDC is $3000 better at prospecting than the XTerra? HAHAHA

Mike

 

[Terry Soloman]

Save your money Mike. The new Minelab is more of a marketing response than anything actually cutting edge. I've seen it in hot ground vs the ATX, Goldbug Pro, Lobo Super Traq, and the old GPX 4000. The new SDC's only real claim to fame is that it fits in a backpack and is waterproof. If that means something to you then spend the extra dough.

 

[gollum]

My thoughts exactly!

When you read the press on the XTerra 705 Gold Pac, it goes for the small stuff at shallower depths that the SDs all miss. Okay, I'm on board for that. That's exactly what my XTerra 70 Gold Pack did. It found the small shallow stuff my SD2000 didn't look for. The SDC2300 seems to use PI Tech to do the same thing my VLF did for $3000 less. On my XTerra, I could change the coil and have a nice beach hunter or relic machine. Now, I understand that the more things a machine does, the less good it usually is at doing any one thing, but $3000 better?

.............. and except for the control box, the XTerra is waterproof as well.

Mike

 

[Pointman]

I've been thinking along these lines lately. My friend mentioned that "are we really finding more" in response to the 1,000 in equipment we both have. I said yes and no. 'Yes' because I am detecting more than ever before, but 'No' because I am probably not finding a whole lot more with more expensive equipment. I think that it sometimes boils down to whatever works and what you are willing to spend. For example if you are comfortable with a 705, will it truly find more than a $3750 designed to find the exact same things?

 

[Steve Herschbach]

Any conditions that offer low mineralization would imply that a VLF detector like the X-Terra would be a more cost effective solution compared to more expensive PI options like the SDC 2300. The only reason anyone needs a PI is to handle ground conditions that severely impede the performance of a VLF detector. That said, I am never going to tell you one detector is $3000 better than another detector. Honestly, I am not even sure what that means. Detectors either do the job or they do not. Whether you can afford one or not and whether the price is agreeable to you only you can answer.

Personally, if I did not have a PI for prospecting and needed one I would get a GPX 5000 and either the 8" Commander coil or 8" x 6" Nugget Finder coil instead of the SDC 2300. The GPX 5000 is still the best option for the serious prospector. The question for you then would be is that combination $5000 better than an X-Terra?