EXII and the DFX

[AgileMJOLNIR]

Hey guys,
I am over here from the Sovereign section of the forum. I love my Elite but am looking to upgrade. I actually use to use an EXII but had to sell it prematurely for some quick cash at the time when I got laid off, so I never really got a chance to get past the learning curve to see what the machine could do.

I did have a DFX in the past and made my first finds with that machine, I still think its a great machine, I like the tones and pinpointing is a snap. I am really just curious what people here thought were the pro's and cons between the DFX and EXII or EXI for that matter. Any opinions are appreciated. Thanks!........Joey

 

[Buzzz (Southern Tier NY)]

My opinion : I bought the DFX when it first came out Display went bad on the second day, White's replaced it. DFX #2 display went bad first day, White's replaced it. DFX #3 display went bad second day, White's wanted to replace it.............No way !!!!!!!!!! Maybe they fixed those problems but I will stick with the MineLab as my main machine. I do own a XLT which was White's top of the line for years, no problems. I believe White's in an effort to compete with MineLabs multi freq. machines came out with the DFX before all the "bugs were out. Anyway, all I can say is go Minelab.

 

[Ray]

I Agree with you there Buzz. I been a White user for well over 20 years.6000Di series3,Eagle,XLT
And now just like you switched to Minelab EXP2
And my opinion is the EXP2 is less complicated then the XLT.
All is on the main page. Or maybe one or two menue away.The only thing I wish the EXP2 would have is a pinpoint trigger like the White.
The XLT you had to scroll through so many menues to program it.
Depending on the groung I went I had to dig through many menues to increase or decrese the gain.And many more to tune it the way I wanted it. The DFX looks like a glorified XLT to me.
Buzzz (Southern Tier NY) Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> My opinion : I bought the DFX when it first came
> out Display went bad on the second day, White's
> replaced it. DFX #2 display went bad first day,
> White's replaced it. DFX #3 display went bad
> second day, White's wanted to replace
> it.............No way !!!!!!!!!! Maybe they fixed
> those problems but I will stick with the MineLab
> as my main machine. I do own a XLT which was
> White's top of the line for years, no problems. I
> believe White's in an effort to compete with
> MineLabs multi freq. machines came out with the
> DFX before all the "bugs were out. Anyway, all I
> can say is go Minelab.

 

[AgileMJOLNIR]

Thanks for the comments...BUZZ....the thigns you mentioned seem more of an inconvienence or annoyance. How about head to head operation in your opinion seeing how you used Whites for so long. Thanks!

 

[Buzzz (Southern Tier NY)]

My opinion: First, How serious and how involved do you want to get into the Detecting hobby ? That said, if you want a Single Freq.,good machine, lightweight, big Display and rather easy operation go with a White's XLT (White's best for years), I personally would not go with the DFX 2 Freq. ( only because of my three bad experiences with them)...........That said, If you want the best and are going to use it often and take Detecting serious, go with Minelab a 28 Freq. machine, a tough built, rather heavy, smaller Display, a learning curve, but a very Great performer (The best in my opinion). Most forum members here use the Explorer very, very often hence they want the best and pratice at it. Those that don't end up selling the machine to get something less demanding. The Minelab guys will end up getting what others missed !!! Therefore, thats my opinion and I am sticking to it !!!! I do not know your Detecting desires or experience hence you have to ask yourself all the questions........I am sure you know that you are looking at top of the line Detectors, Maybe a lesser model will suit your needs ???? Test drive some at a dealer with a coin garden, Visit or call a dealer who carries alot of models..............I don't know if you want an apple or an orange. I don't know what your Detecting needs are, but you sure got my opinion as you requested !!!!!!!!! Happy Hunting !!!!

 

[Bill_in_MA]

Joey,

Cody is one of the most knowledgeable and experienced detectorists out there and I trust his opinion greatly - I even bought a detector from him once.
Anyway here's what he had to say re: the Explorer vs. DFX question -


Re: pondering
Posted by: Cody (---.dsl.tulsok.swbell.net)
Date: April 2, 2005 09:12AM

I have both and think they are the two best I have used and over time have done as well with one as the other. The primary advantages of the DFX is comes if the user masters the number and range of adjustments. This is a very solid designed detector and as you know. The DFX is a frequency domain detector while the Explorer is a time domain detector.
The Explorer has an edge over my DFX in discrimination due to the 28 frequencies vs 2 primary for the DFX. The conductive and ferrous axis can really be used to work trashy ground and with the 8" coil is the best I have seen of any detector to date. While the DFX has 180 VDI notches the Explorer has 1024. The DFX has a tone for each notch while the Explorer has 31 that can be selected for the conductivity or ferrous content of a target. If you are comfortable with the DFX then you will find the Explorer well worth the money.
I would be comfortable with these two detector to go after just about any land type hunting. I would suggest the Explorer as a very valuable addition to your lineup of machines. I have used Whites for over 40 years and Minelabs since they first invaded the US and both are really great detectors.
With experience on the DFX you should be able to quickly translate this to the operation of the Explorer. My son and I both have a DFX and Explorer and more and more we end up swinging the Explorers.
HH, Cody

 

[AgileMJOLNIR]

Thanks for the responses. I am seriously into detecting and have been doing it for a number of years now. I believe I will tkae the plunge and get the EXII. I currently use a Sovereig Elite which by the way is a great performer.....BUT......I would really like to have the bells and whistles that the EXII offeres. It makes it alot easier. Thanks for the advice. I'll be on this forum as a regular poster soon!! HH Joseph