Minelab X-TERRA Forum

OK so I'm pretty new to the Hobby. I purchased a Minelab X-Terra 505 about three weeks ago. I have had some success in finding coins and junk. The reason I think I made a mistake is,I live near the Ocean. So to detect I must go to the beach or just hit the parks. And since I'm near the Ocean no sense in not going where the people hang out. When i get near the Ocean I'm find in the dry sand but as soon as I get into the wet stuff I can't GB to save my life. I wish now I would have gone with the 705 and maybe I wouldn't be writing this. It's totally on me. I will say I did do research on detectors but not near enough. i went to the dealer and of course I wanted and had to have then. The dealer did try and explain that 705 was better and me trying to save a little bit of money didn't think it all over. I'm all about saving money,but sometimes it does pay to spend a little more to get what is best. If I was trying to sell the 505 what is an amount I can expect to get for it? I think the 705 is the one I will get and should have purchased at the beginning,or maybe a different brand altogether. Maybe a waterproof one would have been what I need,I'm not sure what I'm saying here really lol. Pretty much if you are new to the Hobby don't buy because you just wanna do what you seen on youtube or something.Do your research and make sure you get the right detector for your needs. If you don't you may be posting something like this.

Contact your dealer ASAP. You might be suprised at what he can do for you.

I know it is tough to swallow your pride, but you did it here.
Trading it in/up to a 705 might not be as painful as you imagine.....especially since the warranty is transferrable (if you've even registered it yet).

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>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>The Only Difference Between A Rut And A Grave........Is Depth!<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Ingham County, Michigan

The salt in the water is making it impossible to ground balance your detector.
The 705 has a salt mode that you operate in for the wet sand and makes it capable of using there.
I have an X-Terra 50 which is somewhat similar to you 505 but it has its limits too.
On dry inland hunting I have had great success with mine, but I don't use it at the beach.
Old longhair gave you some great advice.. talk to your dealer and see what you can work out.
Good luck,
Felix

Where are you located? Up here in the northwest people do not get in the water much at all, just to cold. So you may not even need to hit the wet areas at some beaches.

Ground balance beach mode...got it on my 705 and never use it...but I MD mostly in the mountains and nowhere near a salt water beach. I've had a 305, then bought a 505 and kept the 305 as a backup. Then, I traded the 305 for a 705 with one of the forum sponsors. He gave me a more than fair value on the 305 and I shipped him the 305 and he shipped me a 705. Very easy transaction and I am extremely pleased with my 705. Take Old Longhair's advice and contact your dealer, or contact some of the forum sponsors to see what kind of a trade arrangement you can work out.

I like the added flexibility and ease of use (auto GB & NC) of the 705. Also, GB tracking is great. But upon reflection, I'm glad I learned the basics on the 305 and I think I'm more knowledgeable and better at MDing than I would be otherwise. So I look at my time (and cost) with the 305 as paying for my MD education...not as a mistake.

Good luck with you decision and with your hunting!

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X-Terra 705
10.5 MF DD
6" HF DD
9" MF CC
Garrett ProPointer

I will talk to my dealer on monday. Thanks for the help and advice. What dealers on here offer trades? Also I did my warranty online. Does me registering make it difficult to trade?

The 705 will be better but if you're doing wet salt sand, you'd be better going for a Safari. 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'll look at the Safari. The only way I can get either is by trading and maybe add a little money.

The Safari is going to be a little more than the little more that the 705 will be. And I don't know that it would be enough better than the 705 to justify the difference. Beach Mode with tracking on and Sensitivity turned down some should be stable enough. Just don't work the transition line where wet turns to dry (or vise versa).
Really, to get into a better salt speciffic machine you're looking at a pretty hefty difference in cost above what you'll get out of the 505.....like easily double unless you go used.


And as far as the warranty goes, MineLab started allowing warranty transfers on all machines sold after July last year. It's only a process, not a big deal.

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>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>The Only Difference Between A Rut And A Grave........Is Depth!<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Ingham County, Michigan

I just need to get something that doesn't go nuts when I get in wet sand. I'm not going to go no deeper than my waist in water. I'm short so that's not very deep. If I wasn't near the beach I wouldn't eeven have this thread. The 505 deffinately finds the coins in the parks. Oh to answer the question I'm down in South Mississippi. Near the casinos so it would be beneficial to have one I can use on the beach. I wish I would have bought the 705.