Whites DFX / Wet Sand

[LJ]

I am strongly considering purchasing a Whites DFX, but would like to know if anyone has any knowlwedge/experience as to how they perform on the wet sand. I live fairly close to several beach areas and I am just trying to nail down the best unit for beach and regular ground. Any information would greatly be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[dewcon4414]

It should be noted that beach machines do well on dry land also... like the minelab excal. Yes the DFX works great and you can work the water as long as you remember DONT get the box wet. I found 16 rings in 3 weeks at St Augustine with the DFX at an average depth of 9". Its the single frez (5-7 kHz) that have the trouble transitioning from dry to wet. Some are programed to eliminate salt, but that disc out those numbers where gold (especially chains) falls around 0 - 7 VDI.

 

[kd8hf]

Well, I've had mine for about 4 years or so now and just LOVE it.

It's done well where ever I have used it including the Salt water beaches (East Coast).

I like that I can make almost any adjustment necessary to have the machine function as
it was apparently designed to do.

I don't believe that you can go wrong in the purchase of the DFX as long as you are willing
to take the time to really learn the machine. It does have a learning curve just as all detectors do.

HH

Gary

 

[Sandman]

The DFX will work in the wet sand with proper set up. It may bug you some to move back and forth from wet to dry, but staying in one or the other helps. Waves washing over the coil will make noise too on some units. As was noted, the Excals are the detector of choice for many of us beach hunters because it is built for taking the harsh envirement better. Plus you can get the whole thing wet. The biggest advantage of the Excal over the DFX is the lack of the Excal to see iron while the DFX discriminates it out. This means the Excal will report on a gold ring under a railroad spike. DFX will null out or report on the iron spike but not know the ring was there.

The DFX is heavier than a Excal hip mounted. If you like to watch a view screen or hunt lots of parks and woods where VDI numbers are important to you, use the DFX.

HH,
Sandman

 

[LJ]

Sandman,

Thanks for that information. It sounds like you have plenty of experience with both. Do you own or owned each? I plan to use it both at the beach and parks/woods. In your opinion, which is the better all around unit for both?

LeJeuene

 

[Sandman]

Since you asked, I have both these an a few others. I have resigned the DFX to dry land and the Excal to the water environment as I always seem to walk out into the water anyway. The only gripe I have with the DFX is it's weight for me. I prefer something hip mounted to save the arm since I am usually out for more than a few hours. Lately I have used the Minelab Sov. GT more for land because of it's depth and better id features.

I believe all detectors are a trade off as there is no one detector that does all jobs equally, same as cars. Limiting yourself to just one is fine if you only do one type of hunting.

 

[LJ]

I appreciate your reply sandman. Your knowledge is greatly valued. Have a nice one. Good luck on future MD trips.

 

[wolfmanjoe3]

Good info. I ordered my DFX before I discovered this website and forum. I don't regret the decision, but I have a feeling I'll be purchasing another MD or 2 before too long... Oh, what a shame

Joe

 

[kd8hf]

Sandman,

The DFX does have a hipmount which is available for the machine just in case you were interested.

I've got it but have not yet figured out how to make changes to the settings easily when using the hipmount.

Check with White's but even with the hipmount I would not be going out too far in the H2O with it.

Gary

 

[Jason in TN]

The DFX is a awesome Beach machine. I found over 3oz of gold with it last year at the beach. There are a few tricks and adjustments to make it work even better at the beach. Be sure to keep the Freq set to best data when beach hunting.

 

[LJ]

swingingmydfx - I think I am convinced. I hope this is the right machine for me. I undertsand it weighs about 4 pounds too. That has been on my mind as well. It should be a good workout any way....ha. Thanks for your information.

LeJeuene

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

Your swinging arm may end up looking like one of popeye's.

 

[Con]

U use mine on the neach and freaking love it, max it out and you'll be finding things that will blow your mind

 

[kd8hf]

You just go out and enjoy that new DFX. It's a great machine and a lot of fun, I get a little workout as well.

HH

 

[TammyNC123]

gratz on the DFX girl enjoy it want to see some of the great finds soon!


Tammy

 

[patpall22]

Since I moved to San Diego, I have only been beach hunting with my DFX And it is a great beach machine. The stock coil is pretty large, and it is allot more sensitive than I give it credit for. The DFX is also a quarter rake.

 

[fishnmaine]

No problem in the wet sand.............

 

[Mike Silver -gold]

swingingmydfx - I think I am convinced. I hope this is the right machine for me. I undertsand it weighs about 4 pounds too. That has been on my mind as well. It should be a good workout any way....ha. Thanks for your information.
..
LeJeuene Hi my nameis Mike I live in the Buffalo NY . I have been detecting for 25 years. I hunt on land and in the water. All my dectors are hip mounted. I would have quit a long time ago if I had to swing 4 lbs for up to 4 hrs. Get a hip mount kit from whites. I have a leather case box realy with a camera strap over my shoulder and a wide belt around my waist. I don't care how strong a person is you can and will do better swinging a aulimun rod ang coil. Another good point is if you want to find gold rings. Go to the beach . Camp grounds swimming holes any place people swim and you will find more rings than you can handle. Fast. I found enough that I started a small business at a local flea market. Great part time job. i will be updateing my whites spectrum soon and getting a DFX. I will get the 14 in excelator coil with it. It is said to double the depth. That is where the seated coins are. Good luck I hope you get a hip mount. Mike P