XP Deus, what's the skinny.

[Dan(NM)]

I've been out of the loop for 5 years and just got back on the forums again. Looks like a few have changed since I left. I talked with Jimmy from Chicago about this machine, he seems rather impressed. I'm a bit leary considering the price, but, very interested in what he had to say. I need a deep seeker with a fast recovery speed that's sensitive as well. Am I looking at the right machine. I've used just about every top of the line machine in the last 20 years, and realize there is a learning curved involved with any machine. In experienced operators opinions, is this machine worth the time ?

 

[beepsilver]

Welcome back to the hobby Dan--this forum is loaded with A-Z about the Deus--a bit of reading through the Deus pages here will give you all the info you're looking for, but from my point of view you can't go wrong with the Deus. If you're in NM as you're username suggests, you might poll the Deus users from the southwest who've got time with the Deus in similar soil. Good luck~

 

[XP-Man]

look at my posts. I came from a etrac and love this machine. Im from the chicago area aswell.

 

[sprchng]

It's light , fast , innovative and versatile but it's also a diggers machine.
Not nearly the discing info you get from the FBS machines or the flagship White's detectors.
Closest machine I can compare it to that I've used would be the F75ltd but the upgraded version of that machine may match it for speed --- haven't used one yet. More stable than the F75ltd and gives you 4 frequencies to play with but the same type of tones in disc mode. The gold program on the Deus is very nice and to me better than the F75 AM mode with really crisp tones but that may be different on the new 75 as well.
Lot's of lightly used Deus' coming up for sale at just over a grand which is about the same as the new ltd2(might be one of the reasons).
Lot's of coils for the 75 , 3 for the Deus.
Tough choice--get a CTX.

 

[squirrel1]

Well since you been out of the loop for 5 years I take it you haven't run Minelab CTX 3030, White's V3i, XP deus or the latest F75ltd2.
I own all the above machines except the F75ltd2. I do have the F75LTD. You ask about is the deus worth the time. Most ask if it worth the money lol. I can tell you from personal experience the deus is the most enjoyable to use of all the flagships. No wires, light weight, compact, and software upgradeable. The deus with 11" coil will hang with all the machines above in the depth dept. Stick the 9" coil on and never be afraid of the iron pits. The menus on the deus are simple and effective. It handles EMI very well and can be set real fast in recovery. Multiple freq selection is a big bonus. I consider it the most versatile land machine at the present time.

On a scale of 1-5 with 5 being the highest rating I rate deus as follows:
relics 5
jewelry 5
coins 4
heavy iron 5

Minelab ctx3030
relics 3
jewelry 3
coins 5
heavy iron 4 with small coil
3 with stock coil

White's V3i
relics 4
jewelry 4
coins 4
heavy iron 4

As far as which detector will rid an area of the highest percentage of nonferrous material=deus
You will have to make up your mind on which headset configuration to go with if ypu decide deus. I have 2 deus, onr with 11" coil the other 9". And I have the backphones and the full headsets supplied by XP. There are other alternatives I think using part of the backphones and other manufaturers phones. I'm not real up to date on those.
I actually used my CTX and deus with 11" coil today for around 7 hours. The CTX is a real haul after you get used to the deus.

 

[mtsheron]

I have not been in the hobby that long but I can tell you the things that finally sold me on the machine were as follows:

-Multiple frequency modes
-User programmable for custom search needs
-5 year warranty and fact they have a great feedback on customer service
-Lightweight system
-Lightning fast recovery time
-WIRELESS!!!! Did i mention it was WIRELESS!!!!!
-And the Grey Ghost or Vance headset is a big plus! I got the WS4 configuration for when I go to the beach for lighter weight but bought the GG headset and very impressed. I hear the Vance may be better!!!

So does it work and live up to all the hype...............yes, once you understand the tones and slight offsets of sound. I still dig a very solid signal that falls in the numerical range of a potential good target. Do I strike out..............mainly. But until I can discern the slight tone differences for now that is how I roll. I would hate to miss something of value!

So is this machine for you??? Not sure myself because budgets do dictate what one gets. But when you consider a Minelab 3030 at $2400 I believe to be the price most often which is a great machine I hear.............the Deus is not badly priced then!

Check like one poster stated in your area if any Deus owners feel they did well by getting one. That will be the proof in the pudding I guess. Good Luck!

 

[CZconnoisseur]

Dan,

I agree with the other posters on this thread- the Deus is hard to beat for relics, nugget hunting, and iron-infested sites. From everything I've read and watched, the Etrac and CTX3030 will give you better info on deeper targets in moderately clean ground; but like any detector there is going to be a learning curve. I came from an analog Fisher CZ6 that I used for a LONG time before upgrading, and started with the factory programs on the Deus.

If you start out with a "Deus Lite" setup you can learn the machine by audio while still having 2/3rds of the programming flexibility vs having the wireless controller. This "Lite" setup uses the coil and headphones...IMHO it is easier to start out WITHOUT a VDI screen because I think this confuses a lot of people getting started. VDIs on this machine tend to be jumpy, and if you are hunting a trashy place it's almost unreliable. However, the AUDIO component will convey more information about a target, and at much greater depth. Fairly often I will get a deep target that registers nothing on the VDI but has a repeatable tone - those targets are the ones that the Minelab machines will ID better at depth.

Depends on your style of hunting, but I've had a lot of success by going into the worst trashy areas that other detectorists have avoided and continue to pull keepers from the chaff!

 

[TexanWest]

Dan, what part of NM? I can meet you midway between there and Phoenix so that you can hunt with my detector. Once you make the move to a lightweight, wireless, and fast recovering machine, there is no going back.

Call me if you want to hunt.

Jim 760-218-8762

 

[Southwind]

I would say squirrel's ratings are pretty dead on from my experience.

I've been looking a long time trying to find one detector that could replace all my others and the Deus is as close as I think I can get. For now anyway.

 

[BerntOut]

From one New Mexican to the another, just get one. You'll love it! Great prices on used ones on this forum almost daily. It's where I got mine and to get it away from me you'll have to pry it out of my hands!

-Multiple frequency modes
-User programmable for custom search needs
-5 year warranty and fact they have a great feedback on customer service
-Lightweight system
-Lightning fast recovery time
-WIRELESS!!!! Did i mention it was WIRELESS!!!!!
I an surprised in the fact that I LOVE THE BACKPHONES! Light weight and perfect for our rattle snake infested sites!

 

[squirrel1]

Yep backphones are good for the rattler territory and the HOOOOT weather. The only time they stink is when its real cold or real windy or both. One can plug in if they wish, just get the adapter or use a set of the walkman type. The impedance differences may change the quality and sound of the tones some.

 

[BerntOut]

Oh yes. I have yet to use mine in hot weather....only had it a few weeks and I LOVE IT! But I know from expweience that backphones will be a welcome change to the hot over ear style I have a love hate relationshipwith!
My Deus came with a set of ChefPhones and I use those in windy, noisy or cold conditions.
I look forward to more of your insightful posts Squirrel.

 

[squirrel1]

I lived in Tuscon AZ for 7 years with USAF. I will never forget my first visit in 1985 I believe. I was driving the golf cart it was in April and the golf cart had a radio in it. The radio announcer said current temperature in Tuscon is 100 degrees. I looked around and looked down at my arms-no sweat . I didn't even feel hot. Well I discovered real fast what the locals meant by the term "dry heat". Where I come from was MS. When it was 90 down there on the coast the sweat poured. Deus plus desert southwest=backphones no question.

 

[Sleepyjim]

I am in the desert of Arizona and love my Vance phones, never use backphones......


Jim