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richbat
Been doing alot of research on different types of MD'S, can't really afford the newer machines so i been looking at some older ones.
I have owned and/or used most of the newer models, from most manufacturers and, in
my opinions, some are good, some are so-so, and some I just don't like.
While there are some very good currently-produced models that can suit most typical hobbyists just fine, I am a bit more demanding for the types of site and hunting I do. For
me, I have some very preferred discontinued models that I own and use, and there's one I am still looking for. Just use some caution because at a point you can get into models that are simple 'too old' to have some better performance for modern-day challenges. There's nothing wrong with shopping for a used detector that works well, but I wouldn't shop for 'cheap' or 'inferior' models just due to their price.
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richbat
I had a couple of whites years ago Prizm, think one was called the Classic ID and a 4900/DL Max loved that machine,found my first gold ring with that one.
Briefly, of the three you mentioned, there are quite a few differences. The Prizm series (with the exception of the Prizm 6T which is a totally different detector) and now the current Coinmaster models, have separate GB trimmers for the All Metal mode and Discriminate mode. I have handled so where one mode was too negative, or the other mode was GB'ed too negative, or both modes were set too negative, and when too negative you can, and will, experience some falsing issues, especially in the motion Disc. mode.
All of the Prizm and Coinmaster series (current Coinmaster's) also have a delayed response time (except for the 6T) so when hunting in the motion Discriminate mode you don't get an audio response from a located target until well after the search coil s past the target. That can be annoying in general, but frustrating as well when hunting in trashier sites. These models also offer only an accept/reject segment type of Discrimination and the other two provide a very nice variable Discriminate control for a more precise setting to accommodate the site challenges.
The 4900 /DL Max was a good model for its day, but by comparison it suffered from not allowing a slow-motion sweep or a quick-response and fast-recovery due to the 4-filter type of operation. It required a faster sweep speed, and it also lacked any visual TID. It is quite 'old', but today's standards, and it is very difficult to find the proper search coils for it. It might have been used to find your first gold ring, but I found my first Indian Head 1¢ with my White's yest wouldn't recommend it to anyone today. It was a beautiful condition IH, too, but the Ghost Towner BFO is definitely not what I would suggest anyone one on their 'want list.'
Of the three models you have mentioned, and I have had/used all of them, the Classic ID is the one I would take in a heartbeat! Slow-motion sweep speed with a quick-response and fast-recovery time. A good selection of coils can be found from 4" to 6½" to 8" and 950, or even a 15" coil, although not the best pick for most applications. The Classic series have a variable Discriminate control so you can best set them for the site's demands, and while it is a factory Preset GB model, the GB trimmer is easily accessible under the US Flag. One tweak over some more mineralized ground in your area and it is good-to-go in both modes for all hunting needs.
I have used the Coinmaster Classic III- Plus (those early-version Classic's), and the Classic II SL, III SL, ID, IDX and IDX Pro models since 1994/95 and they have accounted for more gold rings and other gold and silver jewelry for me than any other brand or model. Until an on-the-job injury in June of 2010 slowed me down and cut into my detecting time, I was averaging 12 gold rings a year just from woodchip and sand-filled playgrounds, plus gold pendants, chains, and other nice items, not to mention many, many more sterling silver jewelry items, all found using the Classic series models.
I currently have a Classic II w/stock 8" coil, and a 'modified' IDX Pro (done by 'Mr. Bill') as well as an XLT and four competitor brand models. Of them all, my XLT is the 'back-up' unit because my modified IDX Pro is the #1 pick when I want to find stuff and get serious. My best Hunting Buddy in Utah has a Classic II in her detector arsenal, and she uses it a lot. She only hunts older, out-of-the-way sites such as ghost towns, homesteads, etc. My #1 Detecting Buddy, who lives here in Oregon, has a Classic ID to compliment her XLT. Like me, she keeps a 6½" coil on her Classic and 8" on her XLT, and does most of her detecting with the Classic ID. She's also been quite successful with it, as well.
In the group who participate in our free-to-the-public
Detector Owner Rendezvous meetings we host each month, we have a growing number of attendees who have added a Classic model to their personal detector battery in the past year. A few already had a Classic III SL or an IDX Pro, but I can think of maybe a half-dozen (or more) who have seen the light of the performance potential of the various Classic models.
Don and Kathy just bought a very clean Classic ID for $175, and I can think of four who bought IDX Pro's. Some already modified and a couple in the 'fix' state right now or ready to be sent off. One avid newcomer to the hobby, who I hunt with personally due to his enthusiasm for this sport, bought his first metal detector, ever, in July of 2010. He ended 17 months of detecting on December 31st of 2011 having found 7,380 coins, and a lot of other neat stuff. He started with a new DFX 300 that came with a 12" coil, and he has spent a lot of time covering the grassy parks and schools in his little town with a population of maybe ± 5,000 people, or used it if he traveled elsewhere.
He has not learned any of the adjustments of the DFX and has only used it in the Coin & Jewelry mode. He also listens and heard the strong hint to obtain a smaller-than-stock coil, and he heard/saw what a good Classic model can do when hunting around iron nails or in other site challenges. I sold him a 6½" diameter 5.3 BullsEye coil in early January, and I think it was about January 6th that he received a modified IDX Pro from 'Mr. Bill.' Remember, that this only mid-February so January and half of this month have been provided us with many days of too-wet-to-hunt rain, a day of snow, wind events, and typical wintry weather with some breaks in it now and then.
Why mention this? Because in 17 months, with an expensive, multi-function adjustable detector, a newcomer to the hobby found 7,380 coins. Working on his 2012 Coin-Count tally, from January 6th thru February 16th, he has used ONLY his modified IDX Pro w/6½" coil and has found 1336 coins and that's 18.1% ( almost a fifth) of what he harvested in 17 long months. If his current coin-count trend were to continue for 17 months, he could have a total of 15,141 coins! The better months are still to come, too, and his days look brighter. Yes, he still likes his DFX, however I believe he is quickly becoming a believer in the performance potential on his modified IDX Pro. Enough that his DFX, like my XLT, will be considered a 'back-up' unit.
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richbat
So what i'm wanting to know in your opinion what other older Whites are pretty good?
"Pretty Good" for some casual coin hunting, jewelry hunting, and even working ghost towns and other relic hunting sites could be the Classic ID w/6½" coil (to better handle working in and around brush, building rubble and trash). A somewhat more versatile model would be the Classic III SL, for a non-display choice, or either the Classic IDX or the IDX Pro. An "Excellent Choice", in my very biased but very experienced opinion, would be a Classic III SL (non-TID display) or the Classic IDX or IDX Pro that have 'Mr. Bill' modifications done. That makes them more versatile and fully functional in case you need to use the Frequency Shift control.
If you want to move a step up the line, I would stay away from anything older than the XLT or the 6000 Pro XL/XL Pro (same detector, just renamed). Other models would be older, maybe heavier (like the 5900/6000 Di Pro SL or other 'C' cell powered models), and some a bit 'quirky' in operation (the Quantum series).
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richbat
I know each metal detector company has at least one sleeper model that never got the justice it deserved.so let's here some suggestions.
There are my suggestions from former (now discontinued) White's models that continue to provide very serious performance.
Okay, not
real brief, but not too bad for me.
Monte
"Your Eyes, the ONLY 100% accurate form of Discrimination!"Stinkwater WellsMonte V. Berry Sr.
monte@stinkwaterwells.com(503)481-8147
My main use favorites in order by brand:
White'sMXT Pro w/6½",
VX3 w/950
Tesoro.. Replacement coming ..
TekneticsOmega w/5½x9¾
G2 w/5" DD
I owned a few. However, I defer to Monte when it comes to White's machines and his 48 yr's of detecting experience. Don't know anyone on the Mall (there may be a few I am not aware of) who have used as many machines from different mfg's as he has over the years.