Minelab X-TERRA Forum

Let me start out by saying that I realize that VDI numbers are only a reference point and should not be exclusively counted on for reliability. With that being said, wanted some feedback from other X-terra users. I have a chart of VDI reference numbers for different US coins. In air tests I find the chart to be accurate especially with lowered sensitivity. In the field though it is a whole different situation. On the chart a quarter is a 42 but in the field it is almost always a 44 and even can go to a 46. In the field a dime is usually a 40 with a copper penny being a 38/40. On the chart a nickel is 10/12 and in the field that is always a tab but 12/14 is usually a nickel if the tone is good. The silver half I dug recently was a 44/46 not completely unlike a quarter. Is this about what everyone else is seeing. I use the 5x10 HF DD coil usually maxed out in sensitivity or as high as stability allows. Thanks for your help !!

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XP Deus w/WS5 and WS4 phones, Technetics Eurotek Pro w/11" DD coil. Propointer. Lesche Groundshark and hand digger.
Oldest coin 1700's Chinese coin, Oldest US Coin 1892 Barber Quarter, Dime and V nickel

Your are doing everything right. Mine reads about the samething. Different ground conditions will give you different readings

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Tom Virginia

thanks

Target readings are going to be different than air tests due to numerous factors, ground mineralization, proximity to other targets, ground moisture, corrosion, to name a few. Also coil frequency can change them slightly. It is for this reason that if you're coin and jewelry hunting you almost have to dig anything above iron if you don't want to miss potentially good targets. If you're relic hunting, dig everything. And this isn't for just Xterra users, this is "all" detectors. I bought into the hype of the top end detectors and after using it exclusively for 5 months, which I know isn't a long time but long enough, I found it not much different than the Xterra except heavier and slower. I sold it and bought another Xterra 705 and don't feel I'm missing much if anything. JMHO.

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Lebanon County, Pa.
XP Deus, M6, Garrett propointer
Please learn and follow the metal detecting code of ethics for all of us

I have dug nickels that gave an 8 and I have dug several wheaties that gave 42 and 44.

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Christian Ky Boy
Minelab x-terra 70

I was spoiled by my Whites for close to 30 years with a very accurate VDI, depth and pinpointing.

I'm really taking my time on each target with this 705. Different angles, slow & fast passes, AM & dics modes, target +, changing sensitivity etc etc.

Not really pleased with the VDI. Tones yeah but not the target ID.

Plenty of copper cents reading 40-44. Plenty of dimes reading the same. The 1 silver merc I found bounced from 36-44. 3 inches down laying flat. Good tone on that one. But I experimented for 3-5 minutes before I dug.

705 has a lot of extra capabilities. Nice and light-works better than analogs around electrical interference BUT it hasn't come even close to the accuracy of my analog in regards to the VDI,depth or pinpointing.

I'll keep working at it it-but after my first two moths of using it IMO-the VDI,depth & pinpointing are general indicators-learn to listen to the tones.

I have been using Whites detectors also and the VDI's are different to say the least. I really like the X-terra 705 because it is so light and I still get great performance. I was a long time Minelab Explorer user prior to having health issues that made me give it up for a while and I wanted to come back to Minelab when I was upgrading from the Prizm 6T. I got a good deal on the 705 and I am very pleased with it. I hunt primarily by tone anyway and the VDI variations don't really bother me that much. I am just glad that I am able to hunt with a Minelab again without my RA bothering me due to the weight of the detector. I have dug deeper targets with the 705 that I don't think that I would have hit with the 6T so depth doesn't seem to be an issue at all for the 705. I really need a 6" coil for trashy areas though and I am hopefully ordering one next week. I used the 4X6 DD Shooter coil on my 6T more than any other coil. I am sure I will put the 6" HF DD coil to the test with some of the areas I hunt.

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XP Deus w/WS5 and WS4 phones, Technetics Eurotek Pro w/11" DD coil. Propointer. Lesche Groundshark and hand digger.
Oldest coin 1700's Chinese coin, Oldest US Coin 1892 Barber Quarter, Dime and V nickel