I currently own a minelab explorer xs, it is giving problems. So im considering a legend. I guess i need some convincing. How good is it, how deep are finds being made? Is the learning curve difficult? I see some good saves here. I have watched many videos . But i am still pondering the purchase.

I'm definitely a fan. I've pulled dimes and pennies from up to 8" deep with the small 6" coil (I was impressed). I didn't have a hard time learning it except for trying to remember what the icons mean, but like any of the newer detectors, there is a learning curve. I had an easier time with it than I did the ML Xterra 70 I used prior. I think you'll like it.

I still have my xs.
I don't believe you'll find anything new that'll do what the Explorer's do.

I have both the Legend and Manticore.
Being disabled recently.
I haven't been past the front yard much.
Both are sharp quick machines.
You'll love speed of recovery on most machines today.
Separate very well .
Great deal of adjustments.
Much more than the xs.
Though I can't say much for depth.
Nothing over 6" here.


I here the Garrett VX series are pretty good.

And the Minelab Exterras are showing promise.

I believe John Edomton has run both.
Here's one of his adventures.
Search on this forum bit of pros and cons on both.

Good Luck with your decision and adventures.

The Legend is a very capable machine. As far as depth, here in Pa. have no problem hitting 8-9 inch coins with the LG24 coil. In Colorado it may be different. I have read you guys have some pretty tough ground. Learning curve is not bad but some have complained about the in-depth user interface. I consider myself a techno dummy but had no problem learning it. I use a Manticore now and the Legend /with a little over a 100 hrs sits. If your interested let me know I'll give you a good price on it. Good luck. Mark

etrac and CTX fan here but using the Legend since its introduction when the others quit. It doesn't have the Minelab tones but has its own language and I have never felt like I have given up any depth or disc. Certainly more ergonomic and you can afford the extra coils , I like the 8 x 12 for everyday use. Most of my dirt is nasty alkaline Western soil. There are a lot of little things in the design that make it very usable although too many settings for my feeble mind to remember so I carry a laminated cheat sheet in my wallet. I had an early NOX 600 , it doesn't even come close to the Legend. All things considered , from a view point of value , I haven't used anything that beats it.

stan in colo said:

I currently own a minelab explorer xs, it is giving problems. So im considering a legend. I guess i need some convincing. How good is it, how deep are finds being made? Is the learning curve difficult? I see some good saves here. I have watched many videos . But i am still pondering the purchase.

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I have owned 17, now 18 different detectors all but a few were used in water hunting. I do not do much land hunting. Each of the detectors I have shine in a certain environment more that the others. From the Whites 5900 to on of the newest Vortex V9 I have never been so impressed as with the Vortex V9 with the firmware update V9.11. The Excalibur still rules the ocean, The Manticore had nice features that Excalibur and ATPro did. When my Manticore went missing, funds were tight and the $600 Vortex V9 tempted me and I bit the bullet. I will never look back. I have about 30 hours in the salt water but I am going to have a difficult time going back using another detector I own unless a specific condition/terrain would be better suited for another detector. I can not say as I have never "measured" target depth in the water as the V9's depth, but ID, targets separation and rejection capabilities are beginning to impress me. With many more hours of use it may become my "go to detector.*