Ace 250 vs White's XLT

[Dirt Poor]

The Sniper for the 250 will get down seven inches which is remarkable for a coil only 4.5 inches in diameter..

Bill

Thanks, Bill! One thing is fairly sure. I can swing the Ace 250 for a couple of hours without many aches and pains(and without the harness)...on a good day, that is.

 

[Alan Applegate]

I'm a new comer to these forums, but they echo what's often said in amateur radio circles (my other main hobby). It seems, after all, that price is the only comparison which counts. In other words, the more it costs, the better it has to be. Well, that's not always the case.

While some might argue that the Ace 250 is an entry level machine, and the XLT a near-top-line graphics machine, the fact remains, the performance level between them is very close, especially if you're into coin shooting. When coin shooting, simplicity is typically better, and the ACE 250 is about as simple to operate (and learn) as any detector on the market.

 

[Dirt Poor]

I'm a new comer to these forums, but they echo what's often said in amateur radio circles (my other main hobby). It seems, after all, that price is the only comparison which counts. In other words, the more it costs, the better it has to be. Well, that's not always the case.

While some might argue that the Ace 250 is an entry level machine, and the XLT a near-top-line graphics machine, the fact remains, the performance level between them is very close, especially if you're into coin shooting. When coin shooting, simplicity is typically better, and the ACE 250 is about as simple to operate (and learn) as any detector on the market.

Thanks, Alan! Price isn't everything, and I know alot of old-time diggers that use the Ace 250 today, when they could hunt with any machine on the market. That says alot for the Ace.

 

[dahut]

I'm a new comer to these forums, but they echo what's often said in amateur radio circles (my other main hobby). It seems, after all, that price is the only comparison which counts. In other words, the more it costs, the better it has to be. Well, that's not always the case.

While some might argue that the Ace 250 is an entry level machine, and the XLT a near-top-line graphics machine, the fact remains, the performance level between them is very close, especially if you're into coin shooting. When coin shooting, simplicity is typically better, and the ACE 250 is about as simple to operate (and learn) as any detector on the market.

Fortunately you can let the XLT set itself up - it can be as simple as you want it to be. We assume that because it has a gazillion adjustments, you MUST use them all the time.
But, it has fully functional presets and can be gotten into action with as few keystrokes as the Ace.

You'll also hear someone moaning now and then that all those features only get you in trouble. This is usually from someone who either hasn't used them well, or who doesn't understand them. The Ace doesn't have them, by design, just as the XLT does.
There are reasons behind all of this.

Up thread, this comment was made: "I know a lot of old-time diggers that use the Ace 250 today, when they could hunt with any machine on the market. That says a lot for the Ace."

Much the same can be said of the XLT. It has been a stalwart of the detecting world since before Charles Garrett dreamed up his little detector. I'm sure it has given Charles, himself, a few sleepless nights.
I'd be willing to bet there have been more significant finds made with that one model than the Ace will ever see. So let's give credit where it is due, folks.

I'm proud to be an 'old timer', working into my third decade of detecting. I have an Ace and respect it for what it is. I am also not ashamed to say the same for the XLT. Personally, I will opt for features, when I can get them.
It's not about price, although that must be factored in at some point. No, it's more about options. If I choose not to use all the features a detector may possess, all of the time, great. But, I'd like that to be my choice, my option.

However, if I need them, well.... you cant use what isn't there.

 

[Dirt Poor]

I'm a new comer to these forums, but they echo what's often said in amateur radio circles (my other main hobby). It seems, after all, that price is the only comparison which counts. In other words, the more it costs, the better it has to be. Well, that's not always the case.

While some might argue that the Ace 250 is an entry level machine, and the XLT a near-top-line graphics machine, the fact remains, the performance level between them is very close, especially if you're into coin shooting. When coin shooting, simplicity is typically better, and the ACE 250 is about as simple to operate (and learn) as any detector on the market.

Fortunately you can let the XLT set itself up - it can be as simple as you want it to be. We assume that because it has a gazillion adjustments, you MUST use them all the time.
But, it has fully functional presets and can be gotten into action with as few keystrokes as the Ace.

You'll also hear someone moaning now and then that all those features only get you in trouble. This is usually from someone who either hasn't used them well, or who doesn't understand them. The Ace doesn't have them, by design, just as the XLT does.
There are reasons behind all of this.

Up thread, this comment was made: "I know a lot of old-time diggers that use the Ace 250 today, when they could hunt with any machine on the market. That says a lot for the Ace."

Much the same can be said of the XLT. It has been a stalwart of the detecting world since before Charles Garrett dreamed up his little detector. I'm sure it has given Charles, himself, a few sleepless nights.
I'd be willing to bet there have been more significant finds made with that one model than the Ace will ever see. So let's give credit where it is due, folks.

I'm proud to be an 'old timer', working into my third decade of detecting. I have an Ace and respect it for what it is. I am also not ashamed to say the same for the XLT. Personally, I will opt for features, when I can get them.
It's not about price, although that must be factored in at some point. No, it's more about options. If I choose not to use all the features a detector may possess, all of the time, great. But, I'd like that to be my choice, my option.

However, if I need them, well.... you cant use what isn't there.

10-4 on that! I started out on White's machines back in 1980. I've owned and operated a coinmaster 6000(I believe it was), a 6000 di Series 3, an Eagle Spectrum(which was my favorite...used it for about 12 years), an MXT for a short while, and then my arthritis got so bad I went to lighter machines. Couldn't pass-up this XLT for 150.00, so I bought the harness for it. I am well aware of those factory pre-set programs, as my old Spectrum had them, and I really enjoyed using them. I "tweaked" the settings very little when I used it. That machine was kinda heavy, and my arthritis didn't like swinging it any more, so I sold it. But, all that aside, the Ace 250 has impressed me. It's now in the classifieds, however.

 

[blake_mulder]

uh oh, sounds like this thread is turning into "my detector is better than your detector" .....

 

[Dirt Poor]

uh oh, sounds like this thread is turning into "my detector is better than your detector" .....

Well, My detector is better than your detector Serously, though....I don't know how you came to that conclusion. All posts on these forums are about all kinds of machines. Any machine that works and finds stuff is just as good as another machine that works and finds stuff. Detectors are different, as well as opinions.........

 

[Rich1329]

Hi guys I am looking to get in to this great hobby. I live in eastern Pennsylvania next to the Delaware river so I am hoping there are some great finds around there. I have been to a couple different places locally that sell metal detectors. I have played around with the Whites Spectrum XLT and I seem to like that the most. The representative at the store said that was one of their most popular models they sell but you knows sales people anything to make a sale. Right now I can not afford that kind of money on a new whites because I am getting married next year and I dont think the soon to be Mrs. will like that coming out of the wedding budget. Does anyone here know where I could pick up a used Whites Spectrum XLT for around 200-250 at the most? Hey Dirt Poor if you happen to get rid of your XLT let me know how much you want for it. I would definitely be interested.

Thanks,

-Rich
Beginner that hopes to go pro
rkotch@fast.net

 

[dahut]

... Right now I can not afford that kind of money on a new whites because I am getting married next year and I don't think the soon to be Mrs. will like that coming out of the wedding budget.

Might as well shake things up and get her used to it, now. Otherwise, you're gonna be 'wrassling with her over your "toys" forever.

Does anyone here know where I could pick up a used Whites Spectrum XLT for around 200-250 at the most?

A Spectrum XLT for $200? Maybe on Craigslist - maybe. You could get lucky on one of the older ones, I suppose.
Recently I was offered several older XLT's in really ratty shape for prices much higher than $250. I don't think I would have gotten them down to your price range - and I would have had a real scruffy beater, if I had. These things really hold their value well.

It pays to shop around, though, and be patient. My buddy just got an XLT on Craiglist, an E-series v.1.1, for $350, a very good price. And Monte got one recently for $175, I think. It does occasionally happen. But, Monte is in a class by himself and $250 is generally a tad low for we, mere mortals.

Heck, I'm paying $425 to get a mint E-series myself, with an extra coil and few goodies. That is normal.

Beginner that hopes to go pro

May I make a minor suggestion, here? Change that to, "Beginner that hopes to have fun." Who needs the pressure of going pro?
Just food for thought.

 

[slingshot]

I've owned over 100 detectors and I beat the best many times by overlapping my coil, using the correct swing speed for the particular brand of detector, setting my discrimination low enough, and using my eyes to find things missed by even the best metal detector. Also is the user factor. My friends would go out for an hour or two-I'd be gone all day. Love for the hobby means a lot. I'd get a schematic and build a BFO or TR if I woke up one day without mine. I couldn't stand it.

 

[steamer70]

As a owner of both machines(now)...I see the Ace as a Camaro with a V6 and a XLT as a Camaro Z28 with a V8....both look great and have some of the same features...but not many try to over tune a V6,with the XLT you can fine tune for your enviroment and your prefrences...I scan my whole yard with the Ace and found alot of clad and trash,I went over the same yard with the XLT when I got it yesterday and found almost $2 more dollars worth of change,and a wheatie....I like them both...its a one two punch,weight wise the XLT is a bit heavier,but it doesnt really bother me ,I am 39 so I do have minor aches and pains first thing in the morning,but at 6ft 230 lbs...I workout 4 times a week so my body can take it

 

[Old Katz]

I have never used the XLT but I do have the MXT and like the XLT, is a high end
machine. I also have the Ace 250.

I did an experiment last year with the two. With the Ace I went over an area in
one direction and then criss-crossed it again getting as much of the clad out of the
ground as possible. I then went back over it with the MXT and found still more clad,
mostly nickels that the Ace missed.

Now I admit the MXT coil is 9.5 vs. the Ace 6x9 but keep in mind that none of the
coins I dug were greater than 3-4 inches deep with both coils.

There is NO comparision with the two machines, not really. Its like apples and oranges.

The Ace has factory pre-set ground balance. The MXT allows you to ground balance
for hostile ground. The MXT can hunt gold nuggets. You can't do that with the Ace 250.
HOWEVER the Ace will fine gold nuggets if large enough to be detected by its coil.
An article in the Garrett News Letter from last year bears this out, but its NOT a gold machine.
It wasn't made for that.

If your just interested in casual hunting in parks and sports fields, then the Ace is as good
or better than most machines for that purpose. It will relic detect too, and there are three coil
options plus the standard coil. And besides, it had a VID to identify your target

The Ace is good for what it does and at a good price. If you shop around and see some of the
other machines out there, they are OVER priced in my opinion and not nearly as good.

If your wanting to be a DIE HARD metal detectionist, then get a more expensive machine like
The MXT or even a Garretts 1350. They stand up well in the field. Of courase Garretts Ace is also well built as well.

Its just my opinion but I would say Whites and Garretts put out not just the best detectors but have
the best customer service. MineLab I don't know about. I've heard they are excellent machines.
Customer service? I don't know.

Katz