Bobdylan.....did you or not?

[Krazyglue]

Just curious to know if you decided on going for an MXT. I saw your post on the MXT forum. Seems like most of the people on that forum favored the MXT over the X-Terra 70,( but that would be expected since its the MXT forum). Be interesting to see the responses from the people here on the X-Terra forum. I ask you this, because i'm trying to decide myself if I want to purchase an X-70. I know the capabilities of the MXT having owned three of them. I currently own the XLT, but there's this nagging, persistant, thought of trading for a X-70. I know you said you struggled with a decision whether to keep your X-70, and I find myself wrestling with my choices. Can any X-70 users give some input? How bout you Digger, didn't you own an mxt for awhile?
Thanks

 

[Digger]

Actually, I've owned several MXT's over the years. And, still have one. Comparing the X-70 with the MXT........... once you get past the knobs vs buttons, big box vs small box, there are lots of similarities. With both the White's and Minelab, I appreciate the excellent build quality, product reliabillity, good weight and balance, versatility, large TID and "turn and go" performance. I like them both for what they are. And, I've made some nice finds with each. (the only reason I mention that is because I am a firm believer that when someone makes a few nice finds with a specific detector, they learn it better and use it more. And when they use it more, they find more. etc. etc. etc. ) With that said, I have particular places I like each. For the sites I generally hunt, I like the X-70 due to the audio tone choices, notch discrimination and coil selection. For old coins at old sites, I don't think you can beat the 9-inch concentric with the 3 kHz coil, running all metal and multiple tones. However, when I feel the need to hit the local park or school yard, with tons of can slaw, I like the performance of the MXT with my narrow little HotFoot coil. The 14 kHz of the MXT, while using the narrow DD HotFoot is the best TID detector/coil combination I've found for target separation. Not that the X-70 with the 6-inch round DD isn't pretty good. But in my opinion, I dig a less aluminum scrap with the 14 kHz than I do the 18.75. Now, if Minelab would come out with a 6" DD at 3 kHz........................... well, I ain't holding my breath. And until they do, I'll keep doin' what I'm doin'. JMHO HH Randy

 

[Anonymous]

Hello KrazyGlue,
I decided to keep the X-Terra 70. I did however purchase a DFX that will be here on Thursday. I have to say the X-Terra really shined on an old lot hunt I did over the last few days. Once I better learned the numerical ID, and got a great set of headphones, I feel like I better understand my machine, and am really impressed with it. I plan to use the DFX for park areas with heavy trash, and the X-Terra around where old homesteads use to be. The depth of the 70 with a 10.5" 7.5 kHz REALLY impressed me. Just my opinion, but I feel it could hang depth wise to an SE or E-trac (though I have not used either). But I can tell you I have dug a Wheat at 14", and that is NO exaggeration. I think that was the deciding point on keeping it. Also, the weight is wonderful. I think you would really like an X-Terra. They are very versatile, and well made. I like the fact it performs well on a salt water beach, and was turned off by the fact the MXT is notorious for performing bad in the same area. I am getting a 6" 7.5 kHz for the 70 this week, so I can't wait to see how it handles trashy areas. Hope this helps.

 

[Krazyglue]

Thanks to the both of yaz'. I had a DFX a few years ago. Nice machine, but too complicated for me. I'd like to be able to have a few different detectors for different situations, but can only afford one at a time for now. That's why I think it's great when other people give their opinions, it makes it a little easier to make a decision. I like the MXT alot, but that 70 is gnawing at me!!!!!!!!! My friend has the X-50 and uses that rather than his GTI 2500. I suppose the only way to see if I'll like the X-70 is to make the plunge. Thanks again fellows.

 

[BarnacleBill]

In making your decision, a good starting point is that the MXT is a very old design. And that when the X-Terra line was conceived, the X70 was specifically designed to compete against the the MXT.

So with the feature set of the MXT in mind, what is it that could be improved on, added, or refined? Taking a sheet of paper and listing out a feature by feature comparison will show that the MXT is a dinosaur when compared to the feature set of several mid-line recent TID units. GB modes, tone modes, programmable target patterns, notching etc etc. Yet at the same time it is quite easy to learn, especially if you've had other detectors. White's has taken several bites at the apple to compete with the X-Terras ....Prizms, the dumbed down MXT the Matrix M6, another Prizm 6T, and word of possibly one or two DFX replacements.

If you can try both see how either fits your needs, one may connect better with you. Heck I try all sorts and keep the ones I like, and six or seven the boss thinks I should part with.

HH
BarnacleBill