White's Main Detecting Forum

I recently received an XLT Series E in a trade and was wondering whether I should hang onto it or use it toward trading for a Tesoro Cortes. I haven't used a Whites detector in sometime and really wasn't looking for one when along came this XLT. I like the display on the detector and it seems to have a lot of programming adjustments that can be made for a variety of hunting conditions. But how does it measure up? Will the XLT out perform the Cortes. I've never had the opportunity to use or even see a cortes in action, so I have no firsthand experience with it's capabilities. So what do you think?

no you probably shouldn't keep it, you should sell it to me but if you do keep it i don't think you will be disappointed. the xlt-e series I beleive is one of the best all around detectors out there.

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whites XLT 9.5" coil

nailfinder, thanks for the reply. I have other machines that I currently use, so at this point I'm not sure what I'll do with the XLT-e. Although I must say that I've had whites detectors in the past and I know they make a quality product.. However, because I haven't been following the whites' line I'm a little out of touch as to how current the xlt-e is or how it would measure up to some of the other more current machines. I was considering a tesoro cortes, but I know about as much about it as I do the xlt, which isn't much. I suppose that when in doubt, it's better to do nothing than make the mistake of trading off the better machine for something less.

Jimz49,
the XLT came out in 1994 as a spectrum. in 2004 whites change the name to the XLT e-series. the only differance was the decals. that's how old the science is in the XLT. whites dicontinued the modal in 2010. it is concidered the best detector whites made by quite a few mders. it is highly sought after.

HH

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Garrett AT Pr o
Garrett Pro pin pointer.x2
Whites V3i

AIN'T THIS HOBBY GREAT?

THE ONLY DUMB QUESTION IS THE ONE YOU DON'T ASK.
Kelso, Wa.
where the sun don't shine most of the time.

I've had mine for about 10 years and done quite well with it, learn it , it a fun machine

I dont know anything about the Tesoro machines but i do know that i wouldnt part with my e-series xlt. i just love it. been a great machine, i had it about ten years. keep that machine and enjoy alot of fun hunting and rewarding finds with it.

Have the XLT for three years excellent detector still have it.
Aquired the Cortes a few months ago snow on the ground
and frozen so not able to use it till April.

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We act as though comfort and luxury
were the chief requirements of life
when all we need to make us really happy
is something to be enthusiastic about.
___ Charles Kingsley___

With the 950 coil its very good, with the 8in concentric(if you can find one) it's an absolute coin killer. There is a rather large number of coils available,

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mxt with 3x9 hotfoot,ace250,atpro

The different whites coils confuse me. I've notices eclipse, blue max, royal and so on, and I'm never sure which one will work with the xlt. How do you know? You can't tell by looking at the coil, or least I don't think you can. Set me straight on this one. I just might want to get an 8" coil provided it has a slim profile.

Coils for the 6.59 kHz frequency will work on the XLT...... or on the White's coil site, it will say for the XLT. http://whiteselectronics.com/products/accessories/search-coils.html

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Bells and whistles are nice, but nothing will substitute for the basic understanding of the hobby.

CTX 3030, V3i, Pro XL M6 W/Bigfoot coil, Cibola/modified

I am a bit biased as I got another one, #22, last year after the last one left the factory (about March of 2011). Yes, 22 XLT's, but I work with a lot of detectors and knew I could always get another when I sold one or traded it to try something or to take care of some medical bills. I got my first one after they came out, and it was early '94 and I quickly found it to be a top-quality, top-performing detector for many of my open-area searches. I refer to them as 'cruising detectors' because that's the purpose they fill in my detector battery.

As mentioned below, find a good thin-profile 8" coil (I use the Royal 800) and just enjoy the hunt! The 8" coils balance much better than the 9½" coils, get about the same depth, handle better in moderate trash, and it takes very little custom programming to have a versatile XLT in your hands.

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jimz49
I recently received an XLT Series E in a trade

"Good --Trade."

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jimz49
... and was wondering whether I should hang onto it or use it toward trading for a Tesoro Cortes.

Hang onto the XLT. It is, by far, the more versatile of the two.

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jimz49
I haven't used a Whites detector in sometime and really wasn't looking for one when along came this XLT. I like the display on the detector

The VDI numbers and the excellent Signagraph provide all the info you really need. I seldom use the TID Icons, but they are there for those who like them.

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jimz49
...and it seems to have a lot of programming adjustments that can be made for a variety of hunting conditions.

Honestly, I feel it has too many adjustment features. More of an "engineer's dream" project, or that's how it feels to me. There are a few adjustments you can make that can help you when afield. I have three Custom Programs. They do NOT use a lot of adjustments! My main-use program is the one I fire up 95% to 98% of the time, closer to 98%, and once I start hunting I can tweak just one or two settings, as needed, to get the best performance from the site I am working.

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jimz49
But how does it measure up? Will the XLT out perform the Cortes.

The XLT does weigh slightly more, but it is still quite comfortable and well balanced. It has an automated Ground Balance to establish a working start, FOR BOTH MODES, and I prefer to have GEB (Ground Exclusion Balance of=r Ground Balance) turned 'Off', then IK make a quick adjustment if necessary, and it seldom is. The Cortés does have manual GB adjustment, but it is for ONLY the All Metal mode. The Discriminate mode relies on a fixed GB setting and, for me and the sites I hunt which are rather mineralized, it usually didn't work well.

I am also on the older side now, my eyes aren't so good, so the big and bold XLT display doesn't just provide a lot of info, but it is easy for me to view it while hunting. The Cortés display is small and more difficult for me to see, but that's certainly a personal thing.

The XLT provides a Sensitivity control for both the All Metal mode and Discriminate mode, plus Pre-Amp gain which is essentially what the Cortés Sensitivity control helps with. The XLT has a Tone ID option with a wide-range of audio responses, a more precise range of VDI numbers and TID info for higher-conductive targets rather than lump a lot of them in with one high-end number. There are more differences, but for me the XLT is the better choice. Some might feel intimidated by the array of adjustments, but you definitely don't need to or want to use them all.

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jimz49
I've never had the opportunity to use or even see a cortes in action, so I have no firsthand experience with it's capabilities. So what do you think?

I think you need to read the XLT Owner's Manual and then hunt with it. Don't tinker with it, just use a factory Relic program to learn it. Once you get a good understanding of the XLT, then you would be able to compare the Cortés to it. Right now you can't because you don't know either of them.

Monte

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"Your Eyes, the ONLY 100% accurate form of Discrimination!"

Stinkwater Wells
Monte V. Berry Sr.
monte@stinkwaterwells.com
(503)481-8147
My "get serious" Detector Arsenal:
White's
MXT Pro w/6½"
XL Pro w/8" and 950
IDX Pro (modified) w/6½"
VX3 w/950
Tesoro
Outlaw, coming, will use 5¾"
Teknetics
Omega w/8" and 5" DD
Gold Mountain
VIP w/7"

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jimz49
I recently received an XLT Series E in a trade and was wondering whether I should hang onto it or use it toward trading for a Tesoro Cortes. I haven't used a Whites detector in sometime and really wasn't looking for one when along came this XLT. I like the display on the detector and it seems to have a lot of programming adjustments that can be made for a variety of hunting conditions. But how does it measure up? Will the XLT out perform the Cortes. I've never had the opportunity to use or even see a cortes in action, so I have no firsthand experience with it's capabilities. So what do you think?

KEEP IT,,,and buy something else,,,,XLT is iconic,,,will perform as good as ANYTHING out there,,,wish they would make it again instead of the some of their other machines,,,its a far better piece of kit ,even though it is 18 years old ..it doesnt matter ,,the technology was years ahead anyway,,,,yeah, just buy a cortez in the future ,,thats also a piece of kit,,,best o lock,,,rgds

hello ive used both the spectrum xlt and e series xlt same machine different decals anyway for 10 years and its a great machine I'm not familiar with the cortez really so i cant atleast to it. but the xlt is a good detector although whites stoped making them they will continue to service them so atleast for now that shouldn't be an issue if your wanting an upgrade machine i hear the etrack is a great machine alot of people went from the xlt to the e machine and Ive read great reviews on it.the xlt is 6.59 kHz's so any coil running that frequency will work on it and there are a bunch of them another reason it was so popular i guess.i prefer using the bulls-eye 5.3 for general parks and yard searches as it sorts threw the trash better than some of the bigger coils another great addition you might consider is the sunray pinpointing probe XL-1 its a valuable asset to have with the xlt you can find them on surays website or used ones on the forum good luck and happy hunting