More thoughts on the 'new' White's MX5

[SilverFinger]

I've had some time to spend with my new MX5. So far, so good except for the 'common' gripe of the right-hand headphone jack (Whites - maybe put a jack on BOTH sides of the machine to make lefties and righties happy). It's really not a big deal as I use headphones with a thin cable and it's not been a problem.

My biggest complaint is how 'chatty' this detector is, but I understand it comes from the MXT pedigree, which are chatty machines. I toyed with the sensitivity settings and it seemed a good balance of chatty/well behaved 2 steps down from max.

I found 4 DEEP wheat pennies where I covered the ground with my previous Fisher F4 & F5 machines. I had to listen closely, but once the MX5 locked on, it was evident the signal was worth digging.

I wish it could separate clad dimes from copper pennies better. They both ID in the 76-78 range. I'll only dig the deeper (2.5-5") range I guess to avoid jacking up my back and knees for a lowly memorial cent. Wheaties are a-ok though. Indians even better. My F4 & F5 had coppers at 68, clad dimes at 74-76 with almost 100% certainty.

The MX5 is durable, despite the plastic construction. The shaft lock collars are solid (much better IMHO than the Fishers), the coil cable is thick and heavy duty and having a cable connector that's screwed in vs. a push in type is much more reliable.

Pinpointing with the standard 9" coil is laser-precision.

LOVE the VCO pinpointing. Didn't think I'd use the option but now it's a must have!

LOVE the backlight. It's invaluable when detecting at dusk. Great feature, and a nice, even, bright backlight (unlike my old Eagle Spectrum)

Crazy deep air tests using VCO All-Metal ID mode. Probably not a practical mode, but no BS, I was hitting 16" on a quarter (83-85 on the VDI). (Might work for super-virgin land only found in heaven.)

Word of advise - Give this detector some time and play with it until you find it's 'happy place'

Hints and tips:

Back it off to a low threshold (mine's usually set at 9 to 15) until it becomes (close to) stable. It will never be smooth as silk. Threshold will pop and sputter but it's like a car with a hot cam - it's ready to show off some horsepower.

GROUND BALANCE! Find a clean spot, sweep in pinpoint mode a few times before switching it to coin/beach then bob the coil up and down a few times 'til the threshold is audible again.

Don't go crazy with the sensitivity. Mine seems to be happy 2-3 bars under max.

Move the search coil moderately SLOWLY - relax and LISTEN for the tones and separation within the cacophony of grunts, blips and bleeps of all the glop 'n slop that's beneath the surface of mother earth.

I think the MX5 is a big win for Whites. I couldn't find anything in its price range that offers the kind of features and tweakability that the MX5 has.

In an ideal world, a machine like this would be software upgradable via USB connection to address issues like the ID and such, but that's a different story, and a different detector.

 

[dirtmaster]

Good Post!!

 

[John (Ma)]

Nice, I have been curious on this detector, thanks!

 

[MattBullSummerville]

First day testing the MX5 and you are correct on all points. Thanks for the post SilverFinder. Your post was part of the reason I order this detector.

 

[Celtic Dragon]

I bought one as a backup to my V3i and I am going to test drive it this weekend.

 

[MattBullSummerville]

Curious, Silverfinger which tone do you like most? I tried the 8 tones, but changed to the 2 tone until I get more practice with the MX5.

 

[Earth fisher]

I have a Whites MX5 and concur on its depth and aggressive setup. But I am also interested in the Fisher F5 because of its highly accessible and flexible user interface. I see you have experience with both.

What, in your opinion, would the F5 be better at doing than the MX5? What would its favorite "niche" be? You mentioned great discrimination between coppers and clad. What else? Is there enough of a difference in the strengths and uses of these machines to justify a $400+ purchase? Do they make good, complimentary partners? The big difference, aside from the user interface, has to be the operating frequencies: 7.8 kHz vs 14 kHz. Does this make much difference in what each machine is good at?

 

[Earth fisher]

I've had some time to spend with my new MX5. I found 4 DEEP wheat pennies where I covered the ground with my previous Fisher F4 & F5 machines. I had to listen closely, but once the MX5 locked on, it was evident the signal was worth digging.

LOVE the VCO pinpointing. Didn't think I'd use the option but now it's a must have! LOVE the backlight. It's invaluable when detecting at dusk. Great feature, and a nice, even, bright backlight (unlike my old Eagle Spectrum) Crazy deep air tests using VCO All-Metal ID mode. Probably not a practical mode, but no BS, I was hitting 16" on a quarter (83-85 on the VDI). (Might work for super-virgin land only found in heaven.)

Silverfinger: Since you have experience with both the MX5 and the F5, can you give me some pros, cons, and differences between the two units? The MX5 seems to get deeper. But other differences may be noteworthy. Are they machines complementary to one another (does one offset the weaknesses of the other) or are they too similar (redundant) to own both? I really like the user interface on the F5 and wonder if it would complement my MX5. Or is the MX5 just an all around superior machine and I should forget about wanting an F5 and save my money for a ....

 

[3bet]

I am EXTREMELY curious about what the above 2 posters have asked as well. thank you very much.

 

[ROBOCOP]

I have been using the MX5 for about 4 months. I primarily due Beach hunting with a PI on the Florida Treasure coast. With the current sanded in conditions I wanted to try a discriminating machine on the dry sand at public beaches. So I was a beep and dig kind of person. I didn't think too much of a 8 tone option, seemed like overkill to me but after using it NOW I get it.

When you're walking down the beach and your mind starts to wander you don't have to worry because your subconscious will take over. Your subconscious will hear that unique tone and grab your attention. It creates a very relaxing hunt. The unique tone and very quick response is a real confidence builder. I put a 13 inch Ultimate coil on mine. I tried going back to the 9 inch but I immediately went back to the 13. I can't say that I can recognize each of the 8 tones, like trying to name a musical note but my subconscious can recognize that unique tone. Than look at the VDI # and pinpoint, scoop easy peasy.

 

[Mega]

Some good feedback on the MX5,must admit i am not aware of anyone that has bought one of these detectors over here in the UK,the most popular VLF machine that Whites currently produce still appears to be the MXT range.

Good luck with your MX5.

 

[leslie]

I have one Mega B,it's a very nice detector and works very well in our U K soil, not used it on the beach ( 60 miles to the nearest one }

Has some very good useful features like 1, 2, or 8 tones,nice..Volume Range is 1-99 Threshold Range is 0-99 Disc has a 20 segment

Discrimination control accept or reject, Backlight and a very good Pinpoint button, only used it for about 9 hours but I cannot fault it.

The main thing I have noticed is you don't dig any iron with the MX5, all VDI numbers with a -- minus sign in front of them are iron.

Not a depth magnet but hits very hard on coin sized targets at 6"deep. I will be keeping the MX5 a fun machine to use

My other machine is the XP Deus.

Good Luck and H H

Les

 

[Monte]

I own and use and sell detectors. I own and use an MX5. I wouldn't own it, if it wasn't a versatile enough model. I wouldn't use it, if I was dissatisfied with its in-the-field performance.

My MX5 rides along with my MXT All-Pro and modified IDX Pro as all three comprise my main-use detector battery, and the MX5 w/6

 

[Dan-Pa.]

Relative those penny and dime problems....on any unit pre 1983 pennies will read close to a clad dime...just a fact of life...newer zinc should read much lower...

Its surprising depending on location how many pre 1983 pennies are in the ground depending a lot on location...

 

[ROBOCOP]

Also when I use my MX5 on the beach with the Ultimate 13 I use all metal mode with the 8 tones.

 

[MattBullSummerville]

Thanks RoboCop for the post on the Ulimate 13. I have been looking at that coil for the Charleston beaches.