MXT, M6, Prizm 6T- Deepest Coin Shooter?

[Critterhunter]

I'm still hanging on to my trusty old QXT Pro but the lack of larger coils for it and no VDI#'s has me curious what everybody considers the deepst of these 3 detectors for coin shooting these days. I'm not impressed with what I saw the DFX do in the field for it's price compared to the Minelabs I've owned, so that's out. Based on my experience with the cheaper Prizms I wouldn't even consider them, but this new 6T unit's features make it look interesting. Mainly what has my interest is the low 8khz operating frequency compared to the 14khz of the MXT and M6. In general a lower frequency will tend to hit harder on silver/copper, while 14khz does better on gold. But, with the range of larger coils for the MXT/M6 you might really push the coin depths on those machines down there.

Other than the obvious features listed for relic hunting and prospecting on the MXT, is there any reason you'd own an MXT over an M6 for coin shooting? Does one seem to get any better depth over the other on coins from your experience, or are there any other reasons you'd want an MXT over the M6 for coin hunting only. They both look pretty much to be the same machine with some minor changes, and I don't need the prospecting/relic modes. Relic looks to be just a relabel of targets on the screen, anyway.

I've got the Sovereign GT and QXT Pro in my line up for various hunting conditions. What interests me about these newer Whites models is the VDI #s that the QXT doesn't offer when I really want to split hairs on rings (it can be done but is harder without a numeric target value), along with more tones than the two or three you can do on the QXT. Variable discrimination is also a plus. I'm happy with the GT for extreme depth on coins and it's VDI display to split hairs on rings, but primarily I'd consider one of the above Whites as a third backup unit to have mainly because of the above reasons and the ease of use (weight) that Whites offer. The GT is decent hipmounted but I still get more tired after 7 hours hunting than I do with my QXT. One of the above machines might prove to be my scouting machine to go back to later with the GT, or used for splitting hairs on rings (easier to do with the VDI#s compared to the QXT's 8 zones) in heavy trash when I don't want to break out the GT.

Lacking a side by side comparison of the three Whites in the field I need to get some input on them. Also, which of the add on coils do you consider to give the best depth on coins for these machines?

 

[Tom Slick]

I've had/have all 3 and for coin shooting I think the M6 is the best. If you don't really need the Relic & Prospecting modes of the MXT, then that just about eliminates it from mix as the M6 has the same ground tracking, Tone ID on/off, and it's a litter quieter than the MXT. I also think it has the same depth as the MXT, at least in my soil. The 6T doesn't get quite the depth of the M6 or the MXT and the selection of coils can't compare with the other two.
Best coil for depth on the M6 & MXT would be the Super 12". If you have high mineralization then the standard 950 will do better. I don't have any experience with the excellerator coils as I've been very happy with the selection of coils available from White's with their 4x6 Eclipse shooter, 5.3 Eclipse, 950, 10"DD, 6x10 DD, Super 12", 8x14" DD, and Applied Creativity's HotFoot & BigFoot coils. The 6T on the other hand, only has four available coils - 4x6 shooter, 8", 9.5", and the BigFoot. The BigFoot at 18" covers a lot of ground but for depth on the 6T you're at about 4 - 5".
That's my 2 cents worth.
Tom

 

[BarberBill]

If weight is a serious concern, the 6T is a fair bit lighter than the MXT or M6. The M6 and the 6T offer tone ID/discrimination and the 6T has a back light for the display if you crowd the daylight often. I've only used the MXT so can't compare the capabilities, but as posted by others the M6 for coins should be essentially identical with the same coils. I've been tempted to try the 6T as a lighter, leaner, park and tot lot machine when my budget allows.
Dig often, Dig deep,
BB

 

[Nauti]

Hi Critterhunter,i've owned the M6 but not the mxt so i can only give my opinion on the M6.I think when Whites designed this detector they came up with the best performing "simple" detector on the market today.It's easy to use,rugged,reliable and has a performance to match most machines out there.The ground tracking feature works a treat and even the beach mode will do a good job in the wet sand.The machine also performs really well in the trashy areas.More people should take a look at this machine....it's one of the unsung heroes of metal detecting......simple and effective what more do you need.

 

[larryk56]

Since I got into this hobby I purchased a several machines.

I owned the MXT, the M6 and the new Spectra V3.

One off the machines that I current own, I like the M6 the best.
It's truly a "turn on and go" machine as advertisied. I have not been able to
use the M6 on the beach however I scoured many forums and those who
use it on the beach give it "great reviews" !!

I think the M6 with a Eclipse DD coil runs a good race against some of the
high end machines. You will have fun "right out of the box" and find this
hobby most enjoyable because of the ease of use with the M6.

I also noticed that the M6 and the MXT both seem to hold their value
very well.

In the end, you simply can't go wrong with a Whites product.
Just remember that the more bells and whistles comes more frustration
especially for the beginner, like me!

I love the M6 !!

 

[Critterhunter]

I've owned many of the machines out there over the years and always liked the Whites in terms of construction, light weight, and the audio/VDI systems. Just something about them. Smooth machines. I've owned a few Explorers but they are too heavy for the amount of time I hunt. Also didn't care for the ID being a bit floaty, and it's a machine that requires you to stay on top of it at all times to insure best performance. Was always tweaking sensitivity because it gets picky in certain areas. Made a lot of good finds with it but didn't feel it really went deeper on silver/copper as than the QXT. Pretty much a match, but the Explorer will hit deeper on nickles and other metals. By the end of the day I found myself exhausted both physically and mentally with it, not really enjoying the hunt. I don't mind having to tweak programs but I just always felt the machine kept bothering me with this adjustment or the other. Mainly, though, the weight with no way to hipmount it did it in for me.

The Sovereign GT seems to go just as deep, has what I feel is a more realistic vdi system to split hairs on rings while avoiding tabs, and can be hipmounted to lighten it up. Seems to run smoother in iron and highly mineralized ground as well. I also like the drawn out audio to give me more information about a target, unlike the shorter Explorer response that seems to lack detail. The range of larger coils for it will put it as deep as you can get on coins.

While the GT is one deep machine and will split hairs on rings, I'd still like to have a Whites to pick out rings in the trash when I want something a little less heavy and just plain different on days I'm in the mood to use a Whites. It isn't going to replace my GT but there are just those days when I'd rather hunt with my QXT than the GT due to weight and other issues. Like I said, the QXT is a very deep coin machine but no VDI# for rings and the lack of larger coils limits what I can do with it in certain situations. I can't see myself parting with it but I can see the M6 complimenting my current line up.

Sounds like the MXT doesn't offer any better depth, nor do I need the extra features for relic/prospecting mods. I figured the 6T would still be a dog like the other Prizms but the low frequency and extra features peaked my interest. Lack of coils for it would also be a major turn off. Of all the current Whites being made the M6 is the only one I'd consider these days. Didn't care for the DFX. Not heard enough good things about the Spectra Vision to make me interested in one over a Minelab. But like I said, I miss my Whites in certain situations. The M6 will fill the gaps the QXT has in certain situations. I'm reasonably confident in the deep coin shooting and trash hunting coins with the QXT, but for heavy trash/rings the M6 should do better with the VDI#s. I'd also like to compare it's depth on coins using a larger coil than the QXT's 9.5", which is the biggest available for it. Still interested in which of the larger coils (including Excelerators) anybody thinks is the deepest on coins for the M6.

 

[BarberBill]

The 6T is definitely a different critter compared to the rest of the Prizm lineup according to post I've read by several serious Whites users. Auto ground tracking, very quick response/retune etc.
BB

 

[Critterhunter]

Yea, but from what I've heard the 6T isn't as deep as the MXT/M6, the ID is a bit floaty, and it of course doesn't have the same coil selection. A friend was just comparing it, the M6, and the Vision at a Whites dealer. He's already owned and sold a DFX and, despite the extra bells and whistles, he felt the V was just a dressed up DFX. Dealer told him the same thing about the 6T we've been hearing, so that was out. He ended up coming home with a M6.

Now he needs to figure out which Whites coil (either the big 12" Spider or one of the smallest ones...5.3 or 4x6?) to get with it because he's got a coupon for $99 for the Bullseye Probe, Bag, and a second coil. Anybody have any suggestions here. He's thinking he'd rather pick either the big 12" or one of the small ones if they do as well as the Excelerators that are comparible in size, because later on he plans to buy an Excelerator as well and doesn't want a duplicate for the most part. We've heard the Whites 10"DD doesn't get near the depth as the Excelerator 10"DD so that's probably out. Wondering if the 12" Spider Concentric is as deep as the larger Excelerators in at least non-mineralized ground? I'd expect a DD of that size to go deeper if the minerals are high. Like I said, he's also curious about the 5.3 concentric and 4x6 DD Whites. Which of those has the best seperation and how do they compare to the Excelerators of similar size. He just mainly needs to find a Whites coil that offers as good of performance to it's Excelerator counterpart since he's forced to use that coupon on a Whites coil. Later he'll buy a big or small Excelerator based on which Whites he bought to complete the lineup. Mostly he's looking at a coil for max trash seperation and then one for max depth on coins.

 

[LaDigger]

I would recommend the eclipse 6x10 as your first accessory coil for the M6. That will allow you to see how the DD coil performs compared to the concentric stock coil . Then that comparison can be used to learn what kind of performance to expect from the 5.3 and 4x6. Plus for depth and separation the 6x10 is the best of both worlds. If you use the super 12 on the M6, I recommend running it with the G/B locked off. I had that coil and it will washed out deep coins on the edge of depth range in auto G/B when trying to work up your target. The M6 is a sleeper, when I got mine I said "this thing should be illegal" its that good and that much fun to use. HH