Garrett Ace 250 vs Minelab X Terra 705

[Coinguy56]

I am fixing to buy a new detector since I am really getting into MD'ing and plus my skills have gotten alot better from when I first started. I am selling my Ace 250 in the Garrett forum section and I just want some advice about the Minelab X-705, how it eliminates trash, what most people are getting when a penny, nickel, dime, quarter, half dollar and dollars come up. Like I noticed that the X Terra series uses a number feature to determine what it is. Now I do know that all detectors are not perfect all around. Any tips to help get started with the X-705? My taste is coin hunting and somtimes relic hunting but mostly coin. About everything around here is a very trashy area as in bottle caps, pulltabs and all of that bs. For easier hunting I will be getting a Garrett Pro pointer so no worries about not finding the target. I heard someone saying that on a 705 trash is like a bouncey signal and a coin is real nice and smooth, wondering if this is like it on all detectors? If it is that would help me so much
thanks,
-Coby

 

[Mick in Dubbo]

You might be a bit surprised to learn that the X-Terra's notch discrimination works exactly the same as the Ace's (actually bought another second hand Ace yesterday).
You'll find that the numbers are easier to see than the notches on the Ace. The audio set is completely different to the Ace as well. Most manufacturers use a modulated tone system; including the X-Terra's. What this means is, that larger or shallower targets will give a stronger tone than a smaller or deeper target. Garrett set their machines up to make the deep targets easy to hear, so all targets sound the same. What you listen for on the Ace, is the width of the tone for it's signal strength. Adjusting will take a bit of time, but it is easier on the ear. The X-Terra's also have a volume adjustment, something that the Ace doesn't. I put a couple of layers of electrical tape over the speaker hole to make it palatable to the ear.
I own the 70 so I'm not familiar with the sizing pinpoint of the 705, however I DO like pinpointing with the prospecting mode as I find that you can accurately tell the size of a target after some experimenting and practice. Having the back light is also a nice little extra to have as well for those night beach hunts eta.
In a lot of ways the Ace and the X-Terra's are similar set ups. hey are both also quite light which is a big advantage. The 705 has few more bells and whistles. OK the Ace has a bell (tone) It also has ground tracking and adjustment. The Ace is considered to have a fixed ground balance. There is some comment on the Garrett website about the Ace adjusting to the ground conditions when you first tun it on, but I don't know what that's about.
Oh yeah, the 705 numeric display goes up in lot's of 2. It has 28 or 29 notches as opposed to the Ace's 12 notches, which some find to be more helpful.
Good luck with it, you'll have a lot of fun.
Mick Evans.

 

[Coinguy56]

In everyone's opinion, what do you guys think I should stick with, Minelab X Terra 705 or Ace 250?

So far the score is 0-0 as far as I see

First one to 10 will be the one I choose,
who do you got?

 

[7centsworth]

I have never used a ace , but I had a friend that rented one to try it out and did not like it as much . I have a 70 also and like the 705 it has manual or automatic ground balance. And it also has tracking which continually adjust for the I ground you are hunting. I have a small 6inch dd coil for mine also and I can tell you for fact that it air test and a little over 9 inches that is alot for such a small coil. I know it is not as much in the ground. I first had the xterra 50 then bought the 70 . I really like mine and think you will like a 705. You can also adjust the tones 1, 2,3,4 or 28 tones I like that feature , but usually use the 4 tone. I hope this helps a little , know matter your choice the both are good in there own way. Happy hunting.

 

[Pyledriver]

The 705 has a prospecting mode and a seperate ground balance for beaches. The 705 CAN BE ground balanced whereas the ACE cannot do either of the aforementioned things. More notches, more tones, threshold, noise canceling..I'm not sure of what else right off. I owned an ACE and really liked it, but the Xterra does MORE and does it better. It really boils down to what you intend to do with the detector. If you hunt tot lots, parks, and yards that have moderate soil, the ACE is likely all you'll ever need. When I was in Colorado this last summer, I saw firsthand how much better an adjustable ground balance was compared to a fixed ground balance. It literally was the difference between making a find or not in some areas I hunted! Now I was running side by side with a lower end White's unit, but I suspect the ground balance issue would apply to any fixed balance detector. Depth-wise it seems the Xterra has an edge on the ACE, but I'm not sure how much since I've dug holes that I could sink my digger into with both units and on similar targets.

So for ME, the switch was easy because I want to prospect, beach hunt, jewelry hunt, tot lot hunt, shake down old farmsites and have the ability to tailor the detector to my desires. I knew I could have ONE detector so I picked the ONE that would do everything.

 

[Coinguy56]

Thank you 7cents and Pyledriver for the advice , I will be buying the X Terra 705 when cash comes, just wanting to see how people compare the Ace and X-705. I read over a copy of the X-705 manual and I was blown away with all the features it had. Its almost like you don't have to do a thing, I have a feeling that this thing is going to be so much easier to use than the Ace. And trust me, I have already had people say that the X-705 eliminates trash like you would picking it up and putting it in the trash-can.

2-0 X Terra leads

 

[Goes4ever]

u know my opinion, the ace cannot hold a candle against the xterra.........not even close. If you buy a x-70 or 705, you will be pleased at how nice it is. I cannot even imagine hunting w/o my minelab.

 

[Donut]

Very simple question? 705

 

[Furious T]

It would seem to me (and I make it quite clear now that I have never had or used an Ace 250) that to compare the two machines is very difficult. Sure, they both have target ID on a screen, they both discriminate in tones and they both have notch. I have the X Terra 70, not the 705. My 70 has manual and automatic ground balance; it has a tracking mode that adjusts the ground balance as you detect; it has a coin/jewellery mode and a prospecting mode; it has a mode just for beach hunting; it has the capability to detect in three (3) different frequencies, merely by changing coils and it has a range of coils to cover any detecting conditions I think I'll ever run into. The 705 also has a backlight for the screen display and another feature I dont know anything about because I dont have it on my machine. The choice is yours.

 

[TURNMASTER]

Thought about the Ace when I bought my 705. The Minelab won out because of the feature set. I was lookng for a upper mid range machine, that I could grow with.

If I already had the Ace I would hang onto it for a while for a friend or wife and to have for a backup. I kept my BH Landstar for that reason. I have found that it has been used only once since I got the Xterra though. Will likely sell it if it doesn't get used next summer.

Don't shy away from the 505 unless you believe you need the feature set of the 705. Several very succesfull hunters here run 505s.

I would now buy a 305 before an Ace because I have extra coils for the Xterras.

Which brings up the point that you can taylor the Xterras with very different frequencies for different hunting styles or target profiles; 3khz, 7.5khz and 18.75khz.

The Xterra 70 and 705 are also prospectors. I have a friend who has found 8 (ish) ounces of gold in Montana with his 70 over several years of playing and spare time.

Good Luck
Jeff

 

[Trackerman]

I own an xterra50 and an Ace 250. Also owned an xterra 70. The Ace is way easier to identify nickels and gold with.Its id system is easier to read than the numeric that xterras have. It aslo jumps around a bit less than the xterras a bit more acurate. Its also excelent on quarters dimes pennys too. Now the xterras are very good machines too . hunt alot with my Ace and have found more gold with it than the xterras. I also have used the Ace at the beach and it does well there too. Now if your gona do prospecting then the 705 would be nice. Also for coins the xterras are good too. But for jewlry and coins for the money its dam near imposible to beat the Ace.

 

[Coinguy56]

6-1 X Terra leads. Made up my decision, I am selling my Ace 250 and joining the Minelab family if anyone is interested in a decent detector but doesn't quite have the budget of a real expensive detector, Fisher F75, X Terra 505, 70, 705, etc, etc

Ace comes with itself of course, carry case, coil cover, instruction booklet and how-to-use dvd
Bought new in October for $357.96 and only used for about 3-4-5-6 hours maybe longer, would like to get or come close to $220

 

[Goes4ever]

unless u need the money, I would keep it for an extra detector

 

[7centsworth]

Like Turnmaster said I would look at the 305 and 505 also.

 

[upnorth]

I have used an ACE 250 (a lot) for a couple of years now and installed the largest factory coil (9x12) this year. I run one notch below max. sensitivity and I've done well on silver/copper coins and relics. I'm happy with it but I've never fooled myself into thinking that it's more than a good beginner machine. So, honestly and realisticly, how much more depth should I get from the X terra series with original factory coil? I'm primarily a coin/relic hunter and I'm considering a TesoroTejon also, but dislike the single tone. Any opinions or experiences are appreciated.

 

[Trackerman]

Xterras and the Ace prety close in depth. I Kinda wish Minelab would have made the higher frequency coil 15klhz and not 18.75klhz wich is good for prospecting and jelwlry but not as good for coins for depth

 

[7centsworth]

Xterras and the Ace prety close in depth. I Kinda wish Minelab would have made the higher frequency coil 15klhz and not 18.75klhz wich is good for prospecting and jelwlry but not as good for coins for depth

II know you do good with both,but How many pennies have you dug at eight inches with the 250. Also you always say they id nickels better , but there are alot of other coins. I know both are good machines but I just air tested my 6 inch coil and it was going a little over 9 inches . I know not as deep in ground , but I regularly dig them 6 plus inches with that little coil . The stock is deeper than that. I know these are only opinions , but I know the minelabs are deep. I think he will like both , but 705 a little better. I purchased my 70 for 375 used.

 

[Coinguy56]

Well I already have a Ace 250 and I'm not really that big of a fan with it, just not my tastes and after looking at the manual for the X-705, I knew it would be the one. I shouldv'e went with the X-705 before even buying my first detector

 

[BarnacleBill]

C56,

Don't beat yourself up over buying the ACE 250, it is a good starter detector that addresses the needs of many users. For the first time user it is a good TID/VDI machine to learn on. Not only becoming familiar with how to use a detector in the field, but also terminology, and how the controls affect operation. And for some users it provides a comfort level which they find amenable enough that they don't feel the need to upgrade. You'll also find many users don't upgrade because for their detecting habits it fills the bill or they don't want to spend more than what they already have.

But it is what it is, and as soon as the going gets rough, EMI or mineralised ground, then some warts begin to show. It's at that point any of the Terras will leave it in the dust as far as depth & stability. Once you learn the care & feeding of the 705 you'll have at your disposal a stable detector that challenges even some of the $1K units. This forum is filled with the results from individuals that have learned to use the Terras, as they say the "Finds" speak for themselves!

Lot's of very good, helpful, & skilled users here to help you out, welcome to the neighborhood!

HH
BarnacleBill

 

[Mick in Dubbo]

It sounds like buying the 705 is the way to go for you if that's your feeling on it. If you are not a big fan of the Ace, then dumping it is sensible. I hated the audio on the Ace and sold it back in April because of it. Totally happy with my decision. I actually bout my X-terra 70 around the same time, only a couple of weeks before the 705 came out. I bought another Ace only a couple of days back and covered up the speaker and notch out pull tabs to address the peeve that I had with it. Again happy with the decision.
As a hobby, the whole point is to have fun and operate a detector that both fits our hunting needs and we actually enjoy using. Barnacle Bill and others have brought up some great points. Each detector and brand has it's fans, so whatever you use; enjoy. There is a lot a helpful folks on each of the findmall forums from the different brands, that you can share the hobby with as well as learn from, so all the best, which ever detector you enjoy to use. Who knows, you might become as indecisive as some of us and end up with a whole bunch of detectors.
Mick Evans.