Hopefully this isn't a sign of things to come...

[diggindowndeep]

Well I took my brand new XP Deus out in the yard for a short test run today & the main RC box lasted all of about 15 minutes before the screen went blank & turned itself off. NOT GOOD! Everything has had a full charge so this isn't the problem. The unit turns on with a white screen, then blips, goes blank/dark for a few seconds & then a white screens reappears. After about a minute it then goes blank/dark again for good. During this period, the coil remains synced up with the remote control box even after it's screen goes blank/dark & the coil to control box audio connection is still there(it signals/chirps).

Besides this, here's a couple other things that I've observed with the Deus in the short time that I have had it in hand. Which in turn has me second guessing my purchase.

The remote control box power button is very hard to depress. It's a hit or miss thing, either it works or it doesn't work. It seems as though a pencil eraser tip would probably work best vs. a finger tip when trying to find the one sweet spot that's needed in order to make any contact with this push button switch. I was also a bit confused when the battery indicator on the WS4 headphones would show the coil as having only 1-2 bars fluctuating out of 3 bars right after all of the components were just fully charged.

I also heard a few plastic crackling/popping sounds when I was attaching the lower shaft onto the coil & while attaching/detaching the remote control box from it's plastic holder on the upper shaft/handle area. I actually winced when I heard these sounds. I immediately looked for cracks & questioned this units durability/ build integrity long term. I'm trying very hard to keep an open mind here, having come from Minelabs(X-705, Safari, E-trac) & being that the Deus is a total night & day difference across the board by in comparison.

Based on all of the hype & build up, so far I must admit that I'm not very impressed or happy with all of the coin that I just dropped on this unit. Everything has a "on the cheap" feel to it for a detector at this price point & the fact that it only worked for 15 minutes didn't help matters in the least. Time will only tell I guess...in the end I want to be happy with my Deus & not regretting my choice. Any input will be greatly appreciated...

Thanks for your time!
JT

 

[jspeedy]

Sounds like you got a bad control box or maybe the usb wasn't plugged tight enough during the charge. The coil is most likely fully charged, you probably had it on the floor when you looked at the battery level bar. Lift the coil away from the floor and look at the battery bar again (this happened to me).
It is a very durable machine, there is a video you need to watch that shows the machine taking a beating. I believe it is at the top of this Deus page. A beating none of your minelabs would have survived. Go through the posts, I don't think anyone but yourself have had issues with the Deus right out of the box (I guess there is always a first).
I have owned the Xterra 70, safari, SE pro, E-trac and now the CTX (I've seen more problems with the CTX than any other machine), and yes the Deus is a whole different animal. It's faster, deeper, lighter and more customizable than any of the machines aforementioned. There is nothing not to be impressed about. IMHO

 

[diggindowndeep]

While just stating the facts w/ no B.S. or any agendas attached... My intent here was to seek some help & not get caught up in any product loyalty talk based on assumptions...because that mindset has a rather limited viewpoint.

FYI The usb connections were all tight during the charging process, so I'm sure that everything is now pointing towards a faulty control box here. I was hoping for a possible quick fix, such as a micro processor re-boot/factory reset before having to send this unit in for a repair fresh out of the box. NOT GOOD, IF IT'S YOU! Something I was lucky enough with never having to do with any of my new or old Minelabs. Although having been an appliance service tech for a number of years, I know that even the best can have their moments/issues. In regards to the Deus's build quality being durable, the jury is still out on that one for me. The plastic made some awful cracking/popping sounds during the coil/shaft assembly & during the removal of the main RC box from the plastic mount. These sounds are normally associated with micro fissures/fracturing in plastic, which then can be perceived as being cheap/not of quality. I'm well versed with molded plastic parts & I know what I heard. NEVER GOOD TO HEAR THESE SOUNDS PERIOD!

Actually I had the coil in the air & away from any metal on start up, per the instructions. When I checked the WS4's battery level bar, for some strange reason the coils battery level was flipping between 1-2 bars out of the 3, when it should be a constant 3 right after the charge. This is after a solid connection/full duration charge & the coil showed me that the charge was complete after 4+ hours with the LED flashing 3 on & 3 off. So I thought..maybe more than one issue here? .

As for me being the only person that has had a major problem with a Deus right out of the box, I highly doubt that's the case outside of the posts located here. The majority of the members on these forums just lurk/read & never post anything anyways. Besides just this sub forum alone isn't a very good gauge for the XP Deus's overall failure rate NIB(new in box) or otherwise. Unfortunately for me, your perception & reality has been an entirely different experience than mine has been with the Deus so far.

It normally doesn't help matters when you're having some major issues while trying to learn the nuances of something like the Deus, however one thing that I don't lack in is common sense. Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to be a nit or a jerk here. I want to be happy & impressed with my purchase. So far disappointment has been the only thing that comes to my mind based on my experience & the price paid for admission to boot. If there isn't a quick fix that anyone is aware of for the major problem I'm having, then I'll just have to call XP & go from there. Once again, time will tell...Funny thing is I was hoping to only post my new finds on here & not this type of stuff.

 

[Paul (IL)]

Andy knows all about the Deus and if there is something to try and make it work he will know what to do. My experience with almost any electronic gadget is if something is wrong it will show up pretty quick. If I had this machine I would either take it back to the dealer and maybe he would replace it or my next step would be contacting XP Deus with the problem. I would think they would jump on the problem and get you taken care of.
I know it is frustrating but hopefully, your problem gets fixed quickly.

 

[samandnoah]

Hey diggindowndeep, that really is a bummer. I have no sage advice regarding the control box. You may in fact have a dud.

Some comments on your other concerns:
1) When putting the control box on the shaft, I also hear that "cracking' sound, and after 15 months of ownership, it shows no damage or actual cracking. It's a pretty tight fit, and I think that instead of the "click" sound you expect, it does have some of that cracking. My only observation there has been that if I am extra careful, and make sure that it is truly flat & aligned when sliding in that I don't get as much of that cracking sound.
2) I'm not sure I understand the comment about the coil still being connected? The light on the coil will *always* flash. Yup, even when totally idle. It's a bit disconcerting at first, I agree. But how frequently it flashes distinguishes whether it is registered with the control box.

Hope that helps at least a little. I can understand your disappointment. I can say that this is the first time I recall of someone having a DOA unit, so it hasn't been common. But that's no solace to you. Call the Deus folks, and they will take good care of you, that I know.
Rich

 

[Hobo lobo]

Take a look at this
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fsNaymy78M&feature=youtu.be

 

[jspeedy]

"Actually I had the coil in the air & away from any metal on start up, per the instructions."
Perhaps, I did a poor job explaining. I was not referring to start up. After charging the coil (solid light to blinking) hold the coil away from the floor (many nails) and then check the battery level indicator. The high concentration of metal near the coil will give an incorrect battery level reading on the control box and or WS4. I hope this has been clearer.

As to the jury being out, have you watched the video? I think one would be impressed. No perception there just good raw facts.


"I immediately looked for cracks & questioned this units durability/ build integrity long term. I'm trying very hard to keep an open mind here, having come from Minelabs(X-705, Safari, E-trac) & being that the Deus is a total night & day difference across the board by in comparison."

"Something I was lucky enough with never having to do with any of my new or old Minelabs."

"While just stating the facts w/ no B.S. or any agendas attached... My intent here was to seek some help & not get caught up in any product loyalty talk based on assumptions...because that mindset has a rather limited viewpoint."-Really?


I'm not looking for a fight, I was just trying to help...

 

[diggindowndeep]

I'm not sure I understand the comment about the coil still being connected? The light on the coil will *always* flash. Yup, even when totally idle. It's a bit disconcerting at first, I agree. But how frequently it flashes distinguishes whether it is registered with the control box.

I understand the light pulse signal patterns & the fact that the led light is always on in some capacity. As for the coil still being connected to the main control box. I'm still getting audio from the coil through the control box/speaker while it has the white screen & up until the point it blanks/cuts out for good. Hopefully this is more clear now.

In regards to the coils battery level being at 1-2 after the full charging period, I stood out in the middle of my field with it pointed in the air & it's still showing me the same thing @ 1-2 fluctuating bars(no metal near the coil or EMI present).

"While just stating the facts w/ no B.S. or any agendas attached... My intent here was to seek some help & not get caught up in any product loyalty talk based on assumptions...because that mindset has a rather limited viewpoint."-Really?

I'm not looking for a fight, I was just trying to help...

Yes, really. Although having only owned Minelabs up to this point, I chose to no longer go that route. I was just stating the facts that I never had any major Q/C issues with them both new or old. For numerous reasons after the fact, I'm not a big fan of theirs any longer & that's why I went with the XP Deus this time around.

Also, I don't discount the video or how you personally feel about the Deus. Plain & simple, I expected more from it right out of the box & it just didn't deliver. We already know this thing has a hefty price tag attached it & what is expected at this price point. That is my perception & my reality, not yours. I'm glad that you're happy with yours & that's the direction that I want to be heading into. It is what it is...

I thought there might be a quick fix w/ an mp system reset/restore, but that doesn't look like the case here. In regards to the coil charge level reading issue, I was going to do a wait & see how long the charge actually lasts out in the field & whether or not this is just an inaccurate level reading in the WS4's. I still feel as though the power button on this RC box is a bit wonky.

I'm not looking for a fight either, just some help. Yes, I probably read into some key points in your reply more than I should have from a defensive standpoint. My intent is to always have an open mind & to be agenda free. After coming from the Minelab forums where attacking & jabbing is the norm whenever a question/concern is asked, I was expecting the same thing to happen here. I'll stand down...this forum is like night & day when compared to those forums. It's much more laid back, friendly & helpful. Maybe this is because Andy S. runs the show here, so to speak. I don't want to muddy the water any further with this matter. I've already contacted my dealer just for a heads up, even though it's not his problem per say. It's actually XP's problem to remedy.

FYI There were many factors that led up to me posting this. It was very late/long day & I should have just slept on it instead. It's been a very long brutal winter up in the Northwoods & a long wait just to use a glitchy DOA Deus for only 15 minutes, along with no apparent easy fix. However, this doesn't excuse me from being either punchy or snarky, I just happened to put all of my eggs in one basket with the Deus & I'm a bit frustrated that's all. It's sucks when this happens to us, but such is life & things do happen. I own the choices that I make... I've put things into perspective & I'm moving on now.

Good day!
JT

 

[DukeOBass]

Please let us know how you make out and what your experience is with XP customer service.

 

[The Wolf]

Hey diggindowndeep,

That stinks if you got a DOA control box. Just to add a bit on this...

Did you purchase this unit new or used? Is it a brand new model or a demo? Just asking because the software may need to be re-installed.
The buttons are hard to depress depending on what case/cover you are using. I have noticed with the hip mounted case that comes with it, the buttons are harder to press than without it. I ended up getting the XP arm case and the buttons aren't quite as hard to depress. Now if you aren't using a case at all and the buttons are still hard to press, that doesn't sound right.
The coil light still flashes because it is still sinked up to your headphones. It will continue to work without the control box on.
Most of the coil battery charge issues I've read about and experienced, have been remedied by a reload in the 3.2 software. Maybe this will reset the control box and fix that issue as well.
As for the quality, craftsmanship and durability of the shaft.....It's top notch, and I feel IMHO that it would be tough to find it's equal.
You now have a far more superior machine versus all the others that you listed, not just a more expensive one.

"The majority of the members on these forums just lurk/read & never post anything anyways"

I have to disagree with the above statement. I've learned so much from these guys on here that share their experiences with the machine. I've found quite a bit of very helpful info, as well as similar concerns as yours just from reading the forums. You may be correct that everyone that joins here to read the reviews, etc, will not post, however I believe that if someone has a problem, like yourself, the first thing they will do is ask for help from experienced users. Sometimes it takes a bad experience to voice a concern.

I hope some of the info helps you out. I'm just a beginner on the Deus myself, but I feel I made a great investment on a state of the art machine that is lite-years beyond what other folks are doing. I made my decision on the Deus from the posts on this forum, and from word of mouth from actual users. Just give it a chance & don't get discouraged. You made a wise decision & once you get the kinks worked out, and get comfortable with it, you will be glad you purchased it.

Again I hope this helps, and you get the issues taken care of so you can start enjoying your new machine. Happy hunting,
-Mike

 

[samandnoah]

Hey diggindowndeep,

Now I understand the "still connected" comment. Thanks for explaining. Got it.

And thanks for coming back to the forum to explain your original responses. I appreciate anyone who can step back, reassess the situation, and own their actions. It really is a pretty friendly forum with folks who mostly want to help. Some exchanges have gotten heated, but for the most part, the intent is positive, and focused on sharing what we all know about the XP Deus. I think we can all shake the etch-a-sketch (ooh, that's 2 references to etch-a-sketch for me in one week!) and start with a clean slate.

Good luck getting your issue taken care of. Hope it's quick!
Rich

 

[shadowman]

I think the first step is you should contact the Dealer you purchased if no help there call the Distributor I am sure it will come to a happy ending. Good Luck. The XP will open up a new world of metal detecting. Happy hunting.

 

[Andy Sabisch]

First, sorry to hear about your issues especially with it being brand new. Based on a considerable amount of experience with the Deus and talking to owners around the world, your experience is in a very small minority if not unique. The build quality on the Deus (and in fact all of the XP models) has been recognized as being first rate and Alain takes it as a personal challenge to ensure the equipment that leaves the factory meets his standards and expectations.

With that being said, there is always the change that something slipped by.

First, I would be contacting the dealer that sold it to you and ask for an immediate replacement . . . . . expecting a dealer to take care of a customer that just spent a large chunk of cash on a detector that died right after taking it out of the box or at the very least walking you through some basic checks to see what the issue(s) might be is hard to believe.

As far as things to check, some have been touched on already but you need to start with the basic because I have seen several units that the owner thought was dead and it turned out o be perfectly fine (again, not saying yours is but we can check). Try the following and let us know what you find:

1) Ensure the coil and the controller are fully charged. When you plug in the controller you should see the indication that it is charging. If you do not see that, then there may in fact me something amiss with the internals. Let it charge for 2 hours to ensure it is fully charged.

2) You mentioned noises form the control unit . . . was it loose in the box when you received it or secured in the holder it is packed in? Do you hear any noises when you shake the controller?

3) Was the unit new or a used unit that you received from a dealer / private owner?

If you are sure it is fully charged and the screen does not come on as soon as you press the power touchpad, it will likely require a visit to the US Service Center. They will do either an immediate replacement or repair it with a new board but in any case, it is something they would want to see due to the unusual nature of what you are describing.

I would contact the dealer that you bought it from first if that is where it came from and see what he / she is willing to do. If there is any hesitation on a direct replacement, contact the distributor in the US and 1) let them know what you are experiencing and 2) what happened when you got in touch with the dealer that sold it (again, if it came from a dealer). They are very customer focused and will ensure that you are taken care of.

When it is working correctly you will find the build quality is first rate and the performance at the same level.

Let us know what information you have on the suggestions and what the outcome is.

Andy

 

[targets]

could be a dodgy battery but thats not a common problem at all .mine are 4 years old and going strong

 

[diggindowndeep]

In regards to my "brand new" Deus that arrived DOA.

I will end my OP with saying that both my dealer & XP's tech. support have determined that unfortunately I have multiple issues here/a defective unit & that a replacement unit is now in order.

Hopefully the 2nd time will be the charm here...since my first impressions haven't been very favorable.

Thanks much for your time & input with this matter!

 

[diggindowndeep]

In all fairness to the dedicated people at XP, the Deus & it's loyal users, I wanted to post this update regarding my unfortunate DOA Deus experience.

Let me just say that Michael at XP was extremely courteous & efficient with the handling of my concerns/dilemma. He was very forthright & sincere during our conversations, which I appreciated immensely. I spoke & he listened... I told him that I would give the Deus one more shot. I was immediately reassured that this defective unit was indeed a rarity & not the norm here. I must admit that his upbeat personality, passion & excitement for the Deus was more than just a sales pitch, it was believable. I know the difference...

The remedy was both swift & painless... A UPS call tag was issued yesterday & it was picked up this morning. The new unit departed the east coast yesterday & it will arrive here before the weekend.

I was going to wait until I received & fired up my next Deus before I posted anything further regarding this matter. However based on my positive experience with XP after the fact, I didn't want to wait & leave this hanging out there blowing in the wind any longer. I would like to give XP the benefit of the doubt here. I'm now very confident that this was more of a fluke thing than it was a Q/C issue, aka "Monday or Friday" built unit.

Bottom line things happen to the best as well, the biggie here is how well they react to & handle the situation, should a problem arise. The proof is in the pudding folks...this goes a long ways for me.

Looking forward to it's arrival...

Good day & HH!
JT

 

[rarysgaard]

Sorry for your issues. It sounds like you did get the lemon, but it is under warranty & it sounds like a new one is on the way. I haven's had any issues with mine in the almost 2 years I've owned it. I've had Whites, Minelabs, Tesoros & been lucky where the only one I had an issue with was the E-trac, but they fixed in short order. I wouldn't pre-judge. Once you get your new machine & get some time with it I think your opinion will change. Good luck!