Whites MX5 for relics and in nail ridden sites?

[Fish N Chips]

Hello, I was planning on possibly getting a MXT soon to add to my arsenal. I currently use Tesoros and am wanting to add a VDI detector. I am mainly intrested in relics and old coins but enjoy hitting the park and beach sometimes. I came across some information on the MX5 and like some of the features it offers in a lighter package.

I was reading Monte's reviews on the MXTs and their performance in nails and at ghost towns and he speaks highly of them. Most the sites I hunt are just littered with round and cut nails and iron trash left from the gold miners. I was curious how the MX5 compares in sites like these. I know the MXT has a lockable ground balance for iron ridden sites. I read the MX5 ground balance can not be locked? If so, how well does the autotrack ground balance perform in the nails, especially when hunting slow with a small coil to really pick through the trash?

Thanks. I am wracking my brain and appreciate any comparisons for relic hunting. I am considering trying some prospecting as well, but old sites are really my passion.

 

[berryman]

You might want to send Monte an email. I'm sure he'll answer your questions.

 

[hannibal31]

MXT sounds like a detector for you. It has a prospecting mode, and a relic hunting mode as well as coin and jewelry. Plus a variety of awesome coils to go with it.

 

[Fish N Chips]

Thanks. I am leaning toward the MXT. I did send Monte an email but have not heard back. He is probably out detecting at some desert ghost town finding silvers and relics. I know he has used both detectors out at his ghost towns, so I look forward to his input. I like my Tesoros but have been wanting to try something different and see how I like it. I have been keeping my eye out for a used MXT but they auction off for almost the price of a new unit! I may just have to break down and order an MXT all pro and get a small coil to go with it. The one advantage of buying new is having a warranty.

 

[BarberBill]

I'm heavily invested in Tesoros, but I do have an original model MXT with most of the additional coils. Very good, capable machine. My only negative comment is at 73 years old it's pretty heavy to swing for very long. If the MX5 weighs about the same as the Pizm 6T, which I also have, and gives MXT like performance, I would consider trading up to that.
BB

 

[Fish N Chips]

I do love my Tesoros and really like the light weight. I can swing them all day and they are easy to pack into out of the way spots. I just want to try something else and see how it works for me and add a bit of variety. I would have just gone to an MXT but I stopped by the local shop and noticed the weight was higher than I am used to, although the balance was ok. I liked the weight and balance of the MX5 better, so figured I would ask. I really like a light detector but would take capability over weight. I am only 40 years old, but I was taught to work smarter not harder, LOL.

 

[Monte]

ahrps.org forums, but I'll through in a quick response here.

Yes, I have been gone hunting, but my oldest son & I were hunting deer then upland birds so I was out of Internet range most of the time. Did locate a few homesteads and old school sites to research and get the OK to hunt, so my game hunting is always rewarding for my coin and relic hunting as well.

Note, below, that I have a Tesoro Bandido II µMAX and White's Classic ID in my travel detector battery. They both sport smaller-size coils because I am usually hunting trashier sites, especially with iron nails. The caution I remind folks to keep in mind it that while these models are lighter weight, they are also 2-filter circuitry designs and you can easily get into a bad habit of sweeping the coil too fast. In higher mineralized sites, especially in places like black sand volleyball courts or pea gravel and small rock places, you can easily loose performance and not get a good target response.

The MX5 and MXT All-Pro are also both in my regular-use arsenal and are the models I rely on the most. The MXT All-Pro is my #1 all-purpose detector, and since it is a 3-frequency circuitry design, it is a lot more functional at varying sweep speeds and doesn't suffer good target loss with faster sweeps or in nasty ground like the other two I mentioned. I often grab my MX5 first at a site to just do a quick search or to check out the conditions, but while it is a great detector, it isn't a replacement for my MXT All-Pro.

Anyway, you're considering a great detector and you can read more either in an e-mail, if I sent one, or on the forum reply I made.

Best of success in your detector selection, as well as results when you're afield.

Monte

 

[Fish N Chips]

Thanks Monte.