X-Terra 705, Garett AT Pro, Whites MXT new baby due in December

[T.A.L.LasVegas]

I live in Las Vegas Nevada
Fifty years young male
I am going to be a father for the first time in December and was thinking what better way to spend my spare time getting into shape and looking for burried treasures, okay well probably mostly clad coins and jewelry and nugget hunting in the desert a couple times a year.

I am looking forward to many outings with my son after he is born, yes even as a newborn we can both enjoy each other company and I am sure he will notice my excitement as I am digging the days treasures. Maybe he will grow up loving it and I will have a detecting partner and if not we will always have the early memories.

I have used metal detectors on and off for many years My last one was the Garrett GTP 1350 but sold it to pay specialist to help my wife get pregnant and now she is pregnant and it is time for a new metal detector

NOW MY QUESTION;
What to buy?
I have around $700.00 and have been researching the Minelab X-Terra 705 gold package, Garett AT Pro and Whites MXT.
Any input would be appreciated, I am sure this question has been asked many times and my searches give conflicting answers lol. This will be the only detector I am allowed to buy for a few years because of the new baby, his needs will come first.
It will basically be used in local parks with a couple journeys to the surrounding desert nugget hunting yearly and used at beaches in Florida every couple of years during vacation and in the Philippines every three years.
I want a nickel and Jewelry hog that will not only find rings I have done that many times with my garetts but they have never found me necklaces, bracelets, earrings or nuggets (the nuggets would only be couple trips a year just for fun)

Thank you for your time and have a great day.
Todd

 

[leroy1937]

I would go with the 705 gold
I believe you get 2 coils

 

[amberjack]

being the xterra forum i better say a 705 but i have both 705 and gold bug pro just to make it a bit harder for you ? both will do what you want .....and about the same price, xterra has more coil options but stock i recon flip a coin

what ever you buy it will find stuff thats what there made for the finding more stuff is practice and hard work

 

[DirtAngler]

I have both the Xterra 705 and a MXT Pro and in my opinion, both are very good machines and comparable in performance. Never tried the MXT on the beach but have tried the 705 there. While not a great wet salt sand detector, for occasional use it's ok but make sure you use a waterproof coil which of there aren't many. The Xterra has some features the MXT doesn't but the MXT knobs make it an easy switch and go machine. The Xterra allows frequency change but you need to buy coils to do it. Either of these 2 will serve you well for a long time.

 

[T.A.L.LasVegas]

Yes lots of work and practice, just like before lol

 

[kirk01]

I own a XT-70, XT-705 and an AT-Pro.

Between those go with the XT-705 gold.

Can't comment on the Whites.

See my past posts for AT-Pro problems.

Good Hunting

Denny

 

[DesertNuggets]

705. It's the bees knees.

 

[amberjack]

all part of the experience learning a new machine best to be good with one than average with many?

Yes lots of work and practice, just like before lol

 

[T.A.L.LasVegas]

Thank you for the reply.
I am sure it will be the X-Terra 705 gold package because i am tired of missing the gold chains, bracelets and earings. I am sure they are passing under the coil at least once per year when i was detecting with my garett detectors but i always found the rings.
Within the next month or two i will have my new Minelab X-Terra 705 and can start practicing for my longer winter hunts in the early mornings because 110 plus degrees is just to hot during the day.
If you ever find yourself coming to Las Vegas i can show you some parks to hunt, they are not that old but i have pulled silver dimes and quarters along with some wheat penny's, jewelry, clad coins and pull tabs lol.

 

[amberjack]

cheers and good luck with the new machine may your ears hear the good stuff often

 

[DirtAngler]

Do yourself a favor and while you're waiting for your new machine, download the manual and study it and also download Digger's E-book on the Xterra. A great deal of info and tips that he put alot of work and detail into making it easier to understand the Xterras.

 

[T.A.L.LasVegas]

Thank you for the excelent advice I will down load both tonight after work.
Todd

 

[ajrobbs]

Being a beginner I can't comment on the other brands. All I know is my 705 will do all you have mentioned with a smile on your face. Good luck on the new bub, I have a 3 year old boy and a 6 year old girl and life is great down under.

 

[T.A.L.LasVegas]

Thank you for your reply.
Do you take your boy with you on any of your adventures detecting?
I plan to take my son at least once a month after he turns one month old, just for the bonding experience, I'm sure I will not get much detecting done because I will have to take care of his needs but I am positive we will enjoy the walks through local parks.
Todd

 

[RickIowa2009]

I have the 705 gold pack, but I would use a different coil for coin shooting.

 

[ajrobbs]

Yes mate I take him and my little girl on occasion mostly beach hunting as when they loose interest in digging for dad, and they do, there is always a sand castle waiting to be made. Good luck, you will love being a dad. Not always easy, but always worth it! Aaron