GTI 2500 vs DFX

[Reggie]

I wonder how many of you have both extensive DFX and extensive 2500 experience, sufficient for you to give an informed OBJECTIVE opinion as to which one is best for (1) coin shooting and (2) relic hunting, both in all metal and in discriminate modes? It's important to compare apples to apples and oranges to oranges-i.e., all metal to all metal, discriminate to discriminate, etc, relic hunting to relic hunting, etc. I am trying to find answers from experienced, qualified users of both machines in order to have accurate comparisons to answer these questions.

I have both machines, and I'd really like to know what the experienced folks on this site have to say about it. Thank you!

 

[Terry in PA]

I had both detectors.From what I experienced with the dfx is that it is a well built detector as is the 2500. One of the biggest differences I found is the 2500 has good preset programs with good depth. The DFX on the other hand had very poor depth in the presets which made me wonder why Whites would build it like that ? And alot of people were upset over that.The XLT came out of the box with good depth in the presets. I bought a book for the DFX to set the detector to hunt deeper. That being said I never found anything deeper with it then with the 2500. The DFX has page after page of programing which a person could spend alot of time in trying to find where they were the last time and also I learned that if you turn one thing up you very well could mess something else up. Also the ID could be effected by the changes.(from the book) The 2500 has a very simple interface and programing. Changing any of the programs is simple and if you think you got it wrong hold down the power button and go back to factory presets. As far as hunting with both detectors. I would say the 2500 would have the edge on coins because of the imaging and the bell tone which I love to hear. On the beach I would give the edge to the DFX because of the two frequencies it runs on which would handle the wet sand and salt much better. As far as relic hunting I would say it would be to close to call. Depending on what you were hunting for you could change the frequency on the DFX to try to go deeper.I didn't run it in all metal. The 2500 can run with any detector in the true all metal mode as far as depth is concerned.As far as discriminate mode goes. Hands down goes to the 2500! you can't get much easier then hitting accept/reject to keep or get rid of a target.The DFX takes some changing in the programming on the ID numbers then you have to save them. The one thing I think I didn't like about the DFX was you had to watch your swing speed which isn't that big of a deal but it was enough to make me think about it while I was detecting. The 2500 you don't have to worry about that just go hunt. I liked both units but the 2500 won me over in the end. I will also say that I had a Fisher coin strike also. It to was a good detector but took a while to learn it. You have a good one,two punch with the DFX and the 2500!

 

[John-Edmonton]

Both detectors have a lot of similarities and can be programmed many different ways. However, the GTI has the Imaging feature which allows one to size an object in the first 6-7 inches. The DFX does not. So, I can only conclude that the GTI 2500 is probably much better suited for coin hunting. It also has a true all metal mode for extra depth (relic hunting and coin hunting) and still shows a probable target on the screen.

Link To Garrett Website - http://www.garrett.com/hobby/products/gtiseries.htm

Link To Andy Sabisch Field Test - http://losttreasure.com/fieldtests/ArchiveView07.cfm?ID=LT19991110

 

[Uncle Willy]

Yeah that's one thing I never liked about the later model Whites - to much fiddling around with controls and programming. The 2500 is basically a turn-on-and-go. One thing about the sweep on the 2500 is that it is automatically monitored ( ScanTrack ) and adjusted to however you want to swing it plus it has automatic ground tracking The 2500 just has more features and goodies than most other machines out there. Then you have Fast Track which makes hunting in all metal a snap.

Years ago I field tested the top model of C-Scope and it reminded me of a White as it required more fiddling than the Philharmonic Orchestra just to get going. The owner of the company ( in England ) happened to be here in Oregon and paid me a visit. I showed him a copy of the 2500 and told him if his C-Scope was more like it he would probably sell a lot more. He sorta agreed with me.

Bill.

 

[Eu_citzen]

I have used both for quite a bit and also tested them side-by-side.

For coin shooting I prefer the DFX as I can adjust it suit my preferences and I have quite a few things to tell me if it could be worth digging. (Signagraph, Tone ID, VDI, DC Phase, pinpointing)

John said that the DFX has no sizing option that is true but you can use pinpointing to tell the approx size of the target. (with VCO on and Ratchet pinpointing Off)

I have hit coins at around the 7-8 inches when adjusted it to the site conditions, this of course takes time but can be worth it.
About the same with the GTI pulled up to max, both in discriminate.

For me the disc of the GTI is a bit limited and not very informative in comparison to the DFX, but there is also a bit personal preference mixed in here.

I think for relic hunting where you dig most of everything that is not small iron they are about the same, the DFX has an edge on disc and the GTI on depth, now it's up to you what you prefer.

And the sizing is correct to about 8" according to my tests, measured it.

As for why they made the presets on the DFX kinda weak, maybe to make it easier on the newbies I would think.

As for all metal, well I don't use that on either to often except that I run my DFX in Mixed Mode. (aka Discriminate and All metal at the same time)

You don't have to save every setting on the DFX, the adjustments you made are in some sort of temporary memory and kept until you change the batteries or reload the saved program.

Of course ID will be affected by some settings, try to change frequency without getting changes to the ID...
This can as much other settings be set to suit your preference and what your hunting for i.e 3Khz is better for high conductive coins. (i.e silver, copper etc)

Maybe I should write more on the gti now?

I think the balance of the GTI is ok, not super but ok.
Depth is excellent
I did like the sizing
I did not like disc, not suited for Sweden if you ask me.
I think it does have and edge with the true all metal mode though, in depth that is

I also wounder why a copper & nickel alloy read as a pure nickel? (did they screw up with the programming part?)

I like to be able to adjust the DFX to how I want it to act and squeeze out that little extra that makes hunting fun.
I never really had fun hunting with the GTI, but thats me of course I like to tinker with controls and have a guess what the next target it going to be. (before I dig it)

My friend does not want to go side by side anymore, maybe I kicked his back part to hard on the coins, rings etc..

I hope this helps, I must though say that much is personal preference in detecting I think.

Good Hunting!
Eu