After watching your videos around the clock for about two months, I finally ordered my own Legend from Kelly Co using code NYC. Thanks a bunch for all you do. I can hardly wait for it to get here.
Thanks Merrill, you are great at explaining ,from a woman's point of view.And to Gary, if he read this.Merril is the sweetest most gentle person to listen too.He is so knowledgeable in metal detectors.And in finding things at the beach.
I think your comparing older technology to newer is off base. There are plenty of people not just myself who use older models I don’t mean BFO Machines that are wall hangers. Just because it’s new shinny selling points GPS or supposedly faster processing times. Or offf better target separation An older machine that works as it should will find lost items! I don’t knock people’s equipment or make downward comments. There is a guy who hunts with in your words an OLDER SURPASSED detector but he has made finds that are astonishing I think close to a DOZEN GW buttons, every video is excellent. It’s not a full thing of planted finds. Man is genuine and not out there pushing to but next detector that scratches your balls. Ive been doing this a long time and have made my share of not only very valuable but historical finds as well.
I agree the Xterra pro punches above its weight class, but if you're looking at that you certainly have to look at the simplex ultra also. It's got better vdi more recovery speeds, it's lighter and has more tone options then the Xterra pro. But it's also better at pulling coins from iron better than the Xterra when out hunting. But you be the judge.
I agree, if I was looking for a firstmachine it would be between the xterra and ultra, because the vanquish isnt water tight, and I'd probably choose the ultra, in actuality I started with the simple plus last April and it was great, by June I wanted to upgrade though and got a legend, with the legend I'm not really interested in the ultra or score, as they are both designed to not outcompete the legend
The X-Terra Pro has more Tone options than the Simplex Ultra and it only has 2 options of 4 and 99 Tone per Notka's Website and the X-Terra Pro has 1 2 5 Tone's and All Tone's And Depth Tone...
*Wow, literally a month ago I was at this exact dilemma, either buy an used ETrac Combo or a new Legend LG30 with headphones combo.* I went with the Legend and NOW I LOVE IT! And it’s great to see that you would’ve chosen the same machine if the opportunity presents.. Also, great story: Had our first big event last Saturday at our local beach and I won tons of prices and the Legend did really well on a tight beach with 35 machines swinging in competition to hunt for keys, tokens and special foreign coins etc.. The event organizer had 3 big “treasure chests” with an Ace200 being the top price in the biggest chest, then he hid 30+ keys in the beach and unleashed 35 machines into the sand. There were multiple rounds, and at the end of the day I ended up winning a nice Pinpointer, a beach wagon, a pouch(as a gift), a bunch of foreign coins and one silver!! I had all 4 of my young girls there “helping” me and my Legend performed amazing! In hindsight, the thing that stuck out to me was just how the new modern machines were being swung twice the speed as the older machines. It blew my mind how the guys that did well were the ones that had newer and faster machines, which probably equals to more experience also. Either way, you pay to play and that was obvious. However, I think everyone found good treasure and everyone had a great time and really enjoyed it. There were over 50 ppl there, we had lunch, we laughed, super friendly competition, we had new folks that had never ever detected before, they bought an Ace250 and came out, we had folks teaching the new hobbyist their tricks, and how to efficiently recover treasure using a scoop and or pinpointer etc, all and all, just such a great atmosphere and experience. I am super proud of the Metal Detectorists of our city, and am already looking forward to next years spring event, bigger and better…
I'm so glad everyone thinks so highly of the XTerra, I have one, it's my first real detector, I love it, I don't know why I would buy another. I paid 265 for mine from Big Boys Hobbies, no tax or shipping. Very happy.
I still run an Etrac I’ve loved everything about this machine, I don’t carry a digger anymore cuz my right arm is so big I can just punch holes out now! I’m in the market for D2 or Manti-screen, Either one will help with my separation anxiety 😜 great vid M.
As far as depth; I have older detectors that have no discrimination, not even iron. The "newer" ones I acquired after that were really only good at showing iron. Those machines went deep! Really deep. I located moderately sized targets at 24+ inches! You had to know how to listen, and you had to dig everything. New detectors are great at unmasking, but you give up a lot of depth. They're still capable of going really deep, but only if you're willing to dig every signal. If you stop focusing on target ID, and just dig everything, you would be amazed.
Hey Merrill, yes, buying a new metal detector I think would be a better idea over buying a used one. Doing this, you'll be buying something with the latest technology and sometimes buying something used with older technology plus the used and sometimes the abused isn't all that cracked up! Plus, on the brand-new metal detectors you would receive some kind of warranty or guarantee, or whatever, new to me is the way to go! Thank you Merrill once again for the insight big guy, your efforts are greatly appreciated, love those tips and keep them coming!!! catch you on the rebound, signed, Greg the Egg.
I may be wrong . Back then detecting was learning the target sounds as coming back to the speaker. Now you got to learn your detector tones which are many and coming super fast at you. Tesoro Lobo super trac was unique in discrimination mode ,like the sovereign in all metal mode also raw power hitting the target.
Swing some detectors across that gold ore! I want to know if any of them can discriminate the gold from the iron that is present. Probably not, but would be fun to try.
Hi Merrill, Instead of hoarding rings, why don't you cash them in, and invest that money, or at least be collecting interest on it. Also, its safer in a bank, where you can't lose it from fire or theft. I love your videos. Good luck.
Sorry, I got distracted by the "Man who ate garbage leaves fortune" story. Seriously, Merrill I am a big fan of your videos, and they will help me to upgrade from my Garrett Ace 150!
I flooded my Legend and got a nox 800 while in florida. I already sold the nox😢. Wasn't in the budget. Got my replacement legend and a xterra for back up. My issue is I drop big money on detectors I need that warranty! The nox was nice to play with. Really wanted to keep it. Maybe manticore in my future. Going to see what's hot come spring!
I grabbed the simplex this month. Having a hard time learning it. I swung the Ace 250 since 2007. All I've learned this far is that it's easy to pull silver. Too much rain to really dig in as well. . Will find out and learn more this week ain't the old back yard. New sounds are kinda hard to learn
I am not sure what I would buy. As Like you I have more then enough detectors. Not even sure if I would want to buy a new detector, as too many have been released. The Equinox 700 might have a little less the what the 600 and 800 have for options but I think it has better separation and recovery. I did not buy the 700 but would I have? No I would have used the 600 and Vanquish then might break the wallet on the Manticore. Thanks for sharing. I would always buy new over used. Warranty is a big thing for this hobby.
When it comes to beach hunting you really don't have worry Target separation to much. So yeah the old machines would definitely get the job done. With that said the Sovereigns are still great beach machines!!! While other guys are digging 20-40 bottle caps the Sovereigns can easily discriminate them out. Everytime you go over a Bottle cap you know it's a bottle cap. Every machine has it place even the Sovereigns.
Love my Sovereign Gt.Bought it new.Has paid for itself and accessories many times over.Just ordered a new Detech Ultimate coil for it.OldTornado coil wire has finally fell apart to much for me to fix.If a particular detector speaks to you,stay with it and master it.Anyone know someone that can reward the old coil?
@@clamdiggerdan8581 I have the 13 ultimate coil on my Sovereign Elite love those coils....I love hunting in reverse hunting basically hunting in pinpoint and checking the targets in discrimination if nothing coming in on discrimination then I still dig that target. Found deep gold rings hunting this method.
I found my Equinox 600 for 275.00 with shipping on ebay... It was a poorly made ad, and buyers shy'd away from it. I took the chance and it was like brand new.. Until I got ahold of it.! Another thought. The FISHER F19 I had, was a DUEL FEQUENCY? It seemed good... .
I like that the Legend is ranked #1. I won a legend on RUclips and had to put down the nox to learn the Legend . So far I'm impressed. Great video! keep them coming.
Another great video Merrill! I like the way you explain your reasoning! In addition to recovery speed, i think The other big difference in detectors is that most are waterproof (can get the control box wet) - the ones that are not are usually entry level. Let me know if I'm correct about that.☺️ Back in the day, I bought Whites DFX & was so impressed by it, i bought the Beach Hunter ID which is DFX tech in a "beach-proof" housing. I had tried using other Whites land detectors on the beach at the time & it was a headache keeping them from getting wet. Stay safe!
♥♥♥ Again my primary detector is an Xp Deus but my secondary and just as enjoyable to swing detector has been the X-terra Pro. I have found a 1789 half reale with it already(In the same hole as a square nail), and a 10kt diamond ring in the water. I have owned an etrac in the past but the weight of it limited my hunts to 2 hours max!
I would just pick up an old Minelab Explorer (or Explorer II ) for cheap....old tech - still works great - and ....in my case - when you have used the same model for 25 years - you get to know it like the back of your hand....
Loved the video! I have a X-Terra Pro and a way older White's 6000 Di Pro I picked up for $125, ($700 new) I have 3 coil sizes, including the 950 for it. For it's age it goes pretty deep and is my loaner if a friend joins me. Yeah, it's heavy too, but still fun, analog target id meter is rock solid. Do you think the X-Terra will ever get a software update addressing target id? 😅
I started with a whites 6000 DI Pro in 1982-83. Loved that machine. With the analog meter I could ID a nickel from a beaver tail pull tab based on how the needle bounced and where it landed. Good luck with it!
@@MetalDetectingNYC yes! I had a hard time initially adjusting to my 1st digital machine, whites XLT, for that reason. I could glance at the meter & assess needle location / behavior + target sound. Although digital machines have their own "bounce" across numbers, it's not quite the same as watching the needle. I might disagree if I had to work with an analog detector today based on current experience
You are an awesome teacher. You once said your students know you are crazy, I'm sure that's why they love You and your style. Thanks for letting us know You.
One interesting note about recovery speed. When hunting artillery, a slower recovery speed is preferable as it emphasizes the size of the target with large iron. I know it sounds counterintuitive but when hunting artillery I either use a slower machine or reduce the recovery speed to the lowest setting. I would also note the average weight on the modern detector side doesn’t include a pulse machine in the average ( I know only a certain demographic uses them, but my point being that with the exception of the gpx 6000(weighing in at 4.6lb) no one has been working on pushing pulse technology lately)
Im going to make it down to Tennessee BirdDogg and I would love to hunt with you. My email is kazanjianm@gmail.com . I have no clue when. but hopefully within the next year.
Great video Merrill , thanks for sharing. It’s definitely something to think about. I have an unrelated question, have you heard anything about an upcoming update for the Nokta Legend ? Supposedly it enhances relic settings.
But if you try even a older detector that I have still beats that one in items close together like mine the El Dorado tell Sauro it’s there fastes detector they ever made bar none I think it’s a 1979 model I have 2 coils for it a spider 🕷 coil which works really good and you don’t need a pin point because it has a little hole in the middle and that’s where ya coin or object is
Thanks for the great info. I’ve tried the xterra pro 2 times at the beach A found 3 rings. I need to get used to the vdi. It’s very light weight and easy to use. The rings were 2 in water and one on the beach. The 10k gold ring in the water rang up around 20
Just lower the Sensitivity down Below 20 and I have started with 12 Sensitivity but now I'm at 18 Sensitivity and the Jumpy VDI only occurs when It's Not a Coin Target And I'm not Carrying around more Iron Quarter's Tone Targets that when I was using the Simplex and I'm not Relic Hunting but that's all the Simplex + is good for and Notka Macro Product's Lineup but I Coin Shoot with the X-Terra Pro and I love ❤️ it..... But just lower the Sensitivity down and get to know what it's trying to tell you about the target.... and then if you haven't already done this is to put some Coins on the ground and swing over them to get the target numbers in your head and only Dig those numbers and A number Or two jump is a totally Normal Response from Any Detector Made Today but when it's not even close -4 to 89 jump then it's going to be a Junk Target And I have dug a few up just to see if it was right and it was 👍 and Full Sensitivity isn't needed for the X-Terra Pro to work it's Magic......
@@garymartin6066 And if you haven't already turned on the Horseshoe Button On, then setup the X-Terra Pro your normal way and then push it on Horseshoe Button and you will really know what it's trying to tell you about the target and then I will pull back the X-Terra Coil to the edge of the target and then if it's a JUNK Steel Iron target then you will hear the Iron Grunts and Calabash Digging Adventure's did a good video of it with a Bottle Cap and I have found some Quarter's that was in the iron mix and Actual 25 cent's stood right up to let me know they were there and I only Coin Shoot...
I have had the E.Trac since it came out in late 2008. And its always the machine i rate others up against. Even new models. Over the years i have used the ET and come up with programs that have made the machine a real true "Beast" and i dont care what other machines others use. I have had most other Minelab machines though not all the lower models in the same types. Had the Explorers, ET and CTX but not the Quattro , Safari . When i bought the CTX in 2012 i found it unnecessarily complicated and heavy , cumbersome and there is no difference in capability other than target trace and thats not an absolute necessity. This year i have had Gold and a number of Silvers with my ET and it always pays. Comparing with the Vanquish? I have had the 540 Pro and its gone. Not enough capability and too few functions. Sounds off on seaweed . The Safari is fine as a basic ET but its not as good. The old X.Terra 705 was another machine that was very good and the target numbers are stable compared to the new Terra Pro. The Terra Pro though is very good and like the 900 for tones. I find the Legend a good machine but i dont like the menu but i dont want to sell mine. The Deus 11 i use for land as its too expensive to risk on the beaches. The Nox 900 is the closest i have found to the ET in target tones to the ET and i always use the 900 in full tones. The 800 was best in 5 tones. Why do i feel the ET is my best machine? Its cheap metal detecting. Can be repaired if faulty when most new lighter waterproof machines cannot be fixed. Speed is not always necessary and the bit that you show with the row of coins you can get the different sounds of the coins if you use the machine in normal sweep speed . I have 2 programs for you to use on your ET. But do you have the old speaker Gray Ghost NDT phones or the MAZ Super Red headphones. Sounds in ear make all the difference. Also the battery power of the Minelab pack is rubbish. 9.6 volts and doesn't last long. If you have the RNB battery 2900 or 3100 or 3400 then you get 12.5 volts and the battery takes 2 hours to charge for around 30 to 45 hours use. I have them. Here are my programmes i use on my beaches . I know all beaches are different but i think yours are pretty similar to mine here in the UK South Coast. I'm afraid i can only say that this will have to be manually put into your machine. Main beach mode . Dry beach and some iron discriminated . Screen pixels to black out from a clear screen. From top line number 1. Black out the following pixels. 1 to 25 1 and 7 to 18 1 1 Lines 5 to 17 clear 50 50 50 49 and 50 49 and 50 49 and 50 48 to 50 46 to 50 46 to 50 43 to 50 40 to 50 40 to 50 40 to 50 37 to 50 37 to 50 33 to 50 33 to 50 28 to 50 Settings Sensitivity = 25 to 28 Manual setting at + 3 Auto BE WARNED when you switch on the ET it will always start at 19 if in AUTO and work its way up. Us manual for a while . Threshold Level 1 above deaf Volume Limit = 30 Volume Gain = 29 Response = NORMAL Threshold Pitch = 1 Number of Tones = Multi Sounds = Conduct Variability = 30 Limits = 30 Recovery 3 DEEP ON clear ground or FAST ON in trash. NOT IRON Trash density = LOW Ground = Difficult Noise Cancel = 1 to 4 max unless near another machine causing disturbance This is my program for IRON . Similar to 2 Tone Ferrous . I find it works. Screen from a clear with blacked out area . From line 1. 1 to 25 1 . 9 to 18 1 All other lines are clear. Settings . These are the changes from the above programme. Tones = 2 Sounds = Ferrous Recovery = DEEP OFF , FAST ON Trash = HIGH Dont use any of the screens that Minelab provide. They are learner modes. The ET isn't water proof and is heavier. But i dont care. My ET or 1 of them will be the only machine that i have out of my current 6 that i will have by the end of this decade. Even if i bought the Manticore i would not keep it longer. Its a throwaway machine. If it cant be fixed it goes before the warranty runs out. Though the Terra Pro might be an exception due to cheap price. The ET is still better than most . Even if its a bit slower on recovery. Just slow your sweep. My ET has had 1 2.4 g 22k Gold Pendent , 1x 10k 11g Gold ring and 1x 14k 5.7g Gold ring and around 10 Silver rings and around £90 in coinage in about 10 hunts. Coinage is dying !
Richard, What a detailed and interesting post on the reliable old Etrac. Like you, I have owned one since the detector first came out. It is the only detector that has a sweet, unmistakable silver tone. Why Minelab eliminated it in subsequent detectors is beyond me. While I agree with you on just about everything, I will tell you that I reluctantly have put my Etrac aside and use an 800 most of the time. The Etrac simply cannot, in my my opinion, handle the trash as well as my 800. And as much as I love the Etrac, it does tease you with partial high tones that almost always turn out to be iron. We always called that "trying to force silver." If the 800 had that sweet high silver tone it would be the perfect detector. Also, in terms of the beach, I personally never found the Etrac to be all that great on the beach. I totally agree with you on the CTX. it's a barge. My detector of choice until the 800 was an Explorer II with the Pro Coil. It would beat just about anything on the beach in its day. Last point, at 66 years of age, weight of a detector is becoming an issue. The older detectors are just too heavy. That's why I use my 800 and occasionally a Legend (not a bad detector but terrible menu structure). I may opt for a Deus II at some point. All of my buddies use them both inland and at the beach and their results are astonishing. Bill (S. CA)
Great video Merrill, Kathy keeps pulling gold out from under my nose with her Xterra. So I am impressed with it, although I don’t get to swing it as that is her go to detector now😂
The older detectors used disposable batteries the ones now use rechargeable ones , I have a gold plus pro and it uses disposable batteries and my simplex and exterra pro use rechargeable batteries
Thank you, Merrill (sp?)! I am a wanna-be detector it’s and am trying to decide whether I should double my budget (fixed income, SS disability = always broke) or not. I wanted to stay in the $200 range, but I think you’ve changed my mind! Wish I had had you as a teacher in school…I would have learned a lot! ~~donna
Fantastic video as always. You’ve always been my source for detecting news - you know your sh*t 😊. 23 detectors #goals. Gary is awesome for sending that to you. That’s a huge gesture from a miner. I wish somebody would send me rocks, I don’t even care if there’s gold in them 😂 I’ve been Rockhounding since I learned to walk. Anywho, I got off topic. Keep killing it with your wisdom. From one teacher to another, your students are blessed to have you along their path. Well done!
I have a bounty hunter landstar, and the bounty hunter pl time ranger. They are old, and nobody uses them on youtube. But i got em cheap. I do feel like the kid with a huffy at the dirt track when i see other detectors.
I use a Bounty Hunter Tracker IV . That being said I've cleaned up tot lots and near bleachers and have about 4 plastic soup containers filled with coins.
I have not metal detected at all but am trying to figure out what to start with. Your channel is very informative. I’m not real close to salt water but would like to be able to use it in salt water. Price is not a critical factor but I don’t know how often I’ll go to start. I think a NOKTA or Minelab is where I’m leaning. Any help would be greatly welcomed.
Great job Merle , Definitely Nokta and Minelab slugging it out . For the best value metal detector but wait there's some new contenders on the way from Nokta. Can you say Score lol thanks for everything you do. PPO out 😎
There are so many detectors that were dream machines for me back then but couldn’t afford at the time. It makes me sad kind of because I can’t justify using them even though I’d love to play with them all.
Thanks for your videos! Bought a Simplex with 2 coils about 2 years ago. Really regret not waiting for the Legend. From what I have seen, it's so much better. If the Simplex was better ont the salt beach, I'd be happy.
I have a white's prism 4 rather slow machine. with standard probe 8 completely blind in polluted terrain must be searched slowly. Interestingly, I found the most expensive ones with Prizm! When he mentions old machines, maybe the difference is in the manufacturers. Teknetics Alpha is a machine produced in 2008. as well as the entire Greek series. and they have a superior recovery speed! Like the most expensive machines. Faster than any old minelab, and much, much cheaper. The recovery speed of Teknetics detectors is like that of the most expensive brands on the market. maybe their depth is a problem
My Etrac was probably the deepest detector I've used. I also have the prior Explorer XS and the newer Equinox 800. None of them give stable numbers consistently - they're all equally frustrating if you watch the numbers on the screen - regardless of swing speed.
I am looking forward to the full review/thoughts video of the XTerra. I have it and I feel as a new detectorist, the VDI is way more important than to a veteran that knows the tones and what to listen for. Being able to check the VDI when you hear what you think is a good tone would be very helpful in determining what to dig. I know in time I will learn the tones but the learning process would be way faster with a more accurate VDI than this machine has. The "Dig Everything" idea is exhausting lol and results in a lot of can slaw. If Minelab would just fix the erratic VDI, it could possibly be the best sub $500 detector. However it has been what 6 months now and despite everyone talking about how bad the VDI is they have done nothing. will love to hear your thoughts on that as well.
Just because a detector is faster, more sensitive with a ton of adjustments, doesn't always make it better. I've found THOUSANDS of Dollars gold, silver, and platinum in shallow surf, using ML Excaliburs! I've tried many others. Technically better machines, yet I simply find more gold with Excals. Far more! My ML Safari is Killer on wet salt sand and loves big gold and platinum while being so simple to use! These newer detectors find every tiny piece of scrap, wasting valuable detecting coverage for big gold! To think I couldn't get $300 for my Safari is nuts! Consumers have been brainwashed! I've lost track of how many multiple times my simple BBS and FBS machines have paid for themselves! It comes down to where you detect and what you're expecting to find. Does your chosen machine, regardless of its abilities, find for you? Show me the treasure and not a nail board test!
Hey, QUESTION Is the X Terra Pro worth buying different coils worth it??? I hear it really makes a good difference but after the price of a new coil you Basically have the price of a Legend. Great video.💯💯💯💯
You dont have to. But when you are in a sea of signals in close proximity you will need a sniper coil. And when there is a deeper layer the 15 inch coil is magic.
100% also I am interested in ur thoughts is it worth the move to the legend instead of spending for a coil on the X terra? I am trying to decide what to do. Thanks@@MetalDetectingNYC
Hey Merril do you ever hear the beeping of your detector in your head hours after you are done detecting? Do you hear the beeps in your sleep? I only ask is because I need a super sophisticated vibration detector. The beeps and tones just make me fuk’n CRAZY!! I’m in the store and it’s beep beep beep..... I’m driving, I’m at work, sleeping, listening to music, fishing, etc..... and it’s beep beep beep! Damn!
I think Metal Detecting companies need to hire Taylor Swift to sing “ITS A GOLD COIN” on the rare instances we go over one! The beeping is fine for trash. But maybe once I’d are less phase shift math and more certainty, we could get creative! 🤣🤣🤣
@scarsprospecting here in western New york.. ive put in many days of gold prospecting only to find specs of glacier and or fine flour gold .A good outing would fetch me10 or so micro specs of gold working deeper pools with a 5 hp Honda dredge with a 4" in vacuum while scraping and cleaning out fissures going across the creek. I would suck up an old silver coin on occasion and even a 1894 NYS dog tax tag in nice condition with the dogs name stamped in the back of the tag " Moors
FCC needs to allow these companies to allow more output like they did the phone companies. Also you don't have the Etrac setup right because it will separate as fast as any out there
So, Merrill. Did you swing over the rock? What detectors found it? You left us mining geophysicists/hobby detectorists hanging! The only currently popular non-gold specific detector I found to be decent for prospecting is the Equinox 800. Then again, it is the only one I've used. 😉The 800 has that gold setting and like I said it's decent but it's not a prospecting detector. Poking around in waste piles can be rewarding, though. So the only hobby detector I've ever owned myself is that 800. It is still good as new but now I have an itch to get a new one and I've narrowed it down to 2… Need help. I detect roughly 40 percent old yards and such, 30 percent parks and 30 percent beach. Pretty even but mostly yards, churches, and businesses. Which one… Manticore Deus II On your mark. Get set. …Yards, parks, the beach… I probably already know but… GO! lol
Unique. It’s like the elite athlete who struggles at sports. It sure could go deep (at times) but I struggled with it. It had the kitchen sink for controls but it came out at the same time as the equinox. The equinox made me put the Anfibio down.
0:39 Hello Merril, congratulations on the xp deus ? Togetherness, you will be awesome in my opinion albeit, I don’t know much about it so my opinion really doesn’t matter! Anyways all I know is that I enjoy your videos and you are my knowledge book on my metal detecting! As you know I own the xp deus 2 and the ledgand and the 800 etc. this problem came from you! So, 😂I NEED to start paying for my mistakes. I just bought the hf coil for the deus 2 and couldn’t get it to pair? I’ll try again. I have questions about the Great Salt lake here in Utah hoping you would share your wisdom with me? I’m struggling finding the 1800s gold I know is there, somewhere? Maybe it’s sunk to far in the last 100 years to be detectable?
@@MetalDetectingNYC I just figured that out! I should have checked before I bought it! I just figured that the deus 2 would have something like that? So I'll return it and buy something that will better my metal detecting? Thanks Merrill keep swinging
@@MetalDetectingNYC so again Merrill what do you mean when you say that? Give up on it? Or maybe or? It has to be there man! Think of all the 100,000 people every year in the late 1800s and early 19th they all thought it was good for you to emerge yourself in that lake!!!
Also one more thing, the black sand and all magnetic and salt there is so much of it! It's like putting ten Pacific oceans together and letting them condense and metal detecting in the leftovers?
Hi Merrill, you deserve all the presents you get! love the channel...and as Gary said you’re an excellent teacher and your videos are fun to watch keep up the good work mate🙏 P.S thank you on your advice between the Equinox 900 and the legend I ended up going legend for budgetary reasons but also knowing the legend is bullet-proof, I hope I made the right decision🙈 Thank you again! Steve.
Shouldn't the xp deus 2 now be number 1 on your list since you can get the master version for $799 which should boost its overall rating well past the legend and 700/900 detectors you have rated about it?
Hi Meryl, regarding the V 80 quest metal detector. I noticed there is a seller in the US it is selling them. Have you any more information on the performance of them thanks Bruc
Gary is right. You have one of the best metal detecting channels on RUclips. You have taught me a lot and I appreciate what you do. You are a very good teacher. If this metal detecting thing doesn't work out maybe you could take a crack at education. Lol. Take care.
I wonder how the internal batteries fare during sporadic use. I mean charged only 4-5 times per year. Or if you run it flat and forget to charge it if it's ruined?
With all of the detectors I own and use that is the exact scenario that i face. Sporadic charging doesn’t affect the battery life. If anything it preserves it.
Xterra Pro: shrsl.com/48mix
Nokta Legend: shrsl.com/48miy
Just to add one detector to your 2010 list... Fisher f75. Looking back it if my memory is correct, it was a deep machine that could separate well
After watching your videos around the clock for about two months, I finally ordered my own Legend from Kelly Co using code NYC. Thanks a bunch for all you do. I can hardly wait for it to get here.
Thanks Merrill, you are great at explaining ,from a woman's point of view.And to Gary, if he read this.Merril is the sweetest most gentle person to listen too.He is so knowledgeable in metal detectors.And in finding things at the beach.
Honored Gloria! Thank you!
I think your comparing older technology to newer is off base. There are plenty of people not just myself who use older models I don’t mean BFO Machines that are wall hangers.
Just because it’s new shinny selling points GPS or supposedly faster processing times. Or offf better target separation An older machine that works as it should will find lost items!
I don’t knock people’s equipment or make downward comments. There is a guy who hunts with in your words an OLDER SURPASSED detector but he has made finds that are astonishing I think close to a DOZEN GW buttons, every video is excellent. It’s not a full thing of planted finds. Man is genuine and not out there pushing to but next detector that scratches your balls.
Ive been doing this a long time and have made my share of not only very valuable but historical finds as well.
When you said older detector, I was thinking something from Tesoro, or Whites. Possibly a vintage Bounty Hunter
I agree the Xterra pro punches above its weight class, but if you're looking at that you certainly have to look at the simplex ultra also. It's got better vdi more recovery speeds, it's lighter and has more tone options then the Xterra pro. But it's also better at pulling coins from iron better than the Xterra when out hunting. But you be the judge.
I agree, if I was looking for a firstmachine it would be between the xterra and ultra, because the vanquish isnt water tight, and I'd probably choose the ultra, in actuality I started with the simple plus last April and it was great, by June I wanted to upgrade though and got a legend, with the legend I'm not really interested in the ultra or score, as they are both designed to not outcompete the legend
The X-Terra Pro has more Tone options than the Simplex Ultra and it only has 2 options of 4 and 99 Tone per Notka's Website and the X-Terra Pro has 1 2 5 Tone's and All Tone's And Depth Tone...
*Wow, literally a month ago I was at this exact dilemma, either buy an used ETrac Combo or a new Legend LG30 with headphones combo.*
I went with the Legend and NOW I LOVE IT!
And it’s great to see that you would’ve chosen the same machine if the opportunity presents..
Also, great story:
Had our first big event last Saturday at our local beach and I won tons of prices and the Legend did really well on a tight beach with 35 machines swinging in competition to hunt for keys, tokens and special foreign coins etc..
The event organizer had 3 big “treasure chests” with an Ace200 being the top price in the biggest chest, then he hid 30+ keys in the beach and unleashed 35 machines into the sand.
There were multiple rounds, and at the end of the day I ended up winning a nice Pinpointer, a beach wagon, a pouch(as a gift), a bunch of foreign coins and one silver!!
I had all 4 of my young girls there “helping” me and my Legend performed amazing!
In hindsight, the thing that stuck out to me was just how the new modern machines were being swung twice the speed as the older machines. It blew my mind how the guys that did well were the ones that had newer and faster machines, which probably equals to more experience also.
Either way, you pay to play and that was obvious. However, I think everyone found good treasure and everyone had a great time and really enjoyed it.
There were over 50 ppl there, we had lunch, we laughed, super friendly competition, we had new folks that had never ever detected before, they bought an Ace250 and came out, we had folks teaching the new hobbyist their tricks, and how to efficiently recover treasure using a scoop and or pinpointer etc, all and all, just such a great atmosphere and experience.
I am super proud of the Metal Detectorists of our city, and am already looking forward to next years spring event, bigger and better…
I just bought the ledgen a few months back and I love it.
I'm so glad everyone thinks so highly of the XTerra, I have one, it's my first real detector, I love it, I don't know why I would buy another. I paid 265 for mine from Big Boys Hobbies, no tax or shipping. Very happy.
Legend and Orx are very good for the money
Thanks Merrill, you are the Detector Professor!! You have taught us well.
Great video Merrill! The seperation improvements are definitely a deciding factor.
I still run an Etrac I’ve loved everything about this machine, I don’t carry a digger anymore cuz my right arm is so big I can just punch holes out now! I’m in the market for D2 or Manti-screen, Either one will help with my separation anxiety 😜 great vid M.
lol I loved my silver slayer; the ETRAC.
Haha this is great comment 🤣👏🙌
As far as depth; I have older detectors that have no discrimination, not even iron. The "newer" ones I acquired after that were really only good at showing iron. Those machines went deep! Really deep. I located moderately sized targets at 24+ inches! You had to know how to listen, and you had to dig everything.
New detectors are great at unmasking, but you give up a lot of depth. They're still capable of going really deep, but only if you're willing to dig every signal. If you stop focusing on target ID, and just dig everything, you would be amazed.
Hey Merrill, yes, buying a new metal detector I think would be a better idea over buying a used one. Doing this, you'll be buying something with the latest technology and sometimes buying something used with older technology plus the used and sometimes the abused isn't all that cracked up! Plus, on the brand-new metal detectors you would receive some kind of warranty or guarantee, or whatever, new to me is the way to go! Thank you Merrill once again for the insight big guy, your efforts are greatly appreciated, love those tips and keep them coming!!! catch you on the rebound, signed, Greg the Egg.
After watching his videos, I bought a newer model minelab so I wouldn't have to worry about salt water
I watch every video. And thanks to your I've found my first beach good ring this year.
CONGRATULATIONS! And thank you!!!!
I may be wrong . Back then detecting was learning the target sounds as coming back to the speaker. Now you got to learn your detector tones which are many and coming super fast at you. Tesoro Lobo super trac was unique in discrimination mode ,like the sovereign in all metal mode also raw power hitting the target.
I liked the lobo
I have a GTI 2500 love that green machine.
Swing some detectors across that gold ore! I want to know if any of them can discriminate the gold from the iron that is present. Probably not, but would be fun to try.
The Falcon MD 20 does that.
I'd like to see this too
Hi Merrill, Instead of hoarding rings, why don't you cash them in, and invest that money, or at least be collecting interest on it. Also, its safer in a bank, where you can't lose it from fire or theft. I love your videos. Good luck.
Sorry, I got distracted by the "Man who ate garbage leaves fortune" story. Seriously, Merrill I am a big fan of your videos, and they will help me to upgrade from my Garrett Ace 150!
I flooded my Legend and got a nox 800 while in florida. I already sold the nox😢. Wasn't in the budget. Got my replacement legend and a xterra for back up. My issue is I drop big money on detectors I need that warranty! The nox was nice to play with. Really wanted to keep it. Maybe manticore in my future. Going to see what's hot come spring!
the explorer SE was the best silver ID unit. Not comparable to reactivity of modern day detectors though. And heavy as hell
I just sold my Explorer 2 not long ago. It was my favorite machine for a number of years. Now I swing a Nox 600 and X terra Pro.
I grabbed the simplex this month. Having a hard time learning it. I swung the Ace 250 since 2007. All I've learned this far is that it's easy to pull silver. Too much rain to really dig in as well. . Will find out and learn more this week ain't the old back yard. New sounds are kinda hard to learn
Hopefully the fix the vdi on the xterra pro but I can go off sound with the x pro thanks for your content it’s awesome
If you get the xterra pro then you can afford a good pin pointer, shovel/scoop, bag, etc. When I first started I undervalued the accessories.
I really enjoyed you're video' thank you for sharing with us.I hope you have a great week.
I am not sure what I would buy. As Like you I have more then enough detectors. Not even sure if I would want to buy a new detector, as too many have been released. The Equinox 700 might have a little less the what the 600 and 800 have for options but I think it has better separation and recovery. I did not buy the 700 but would I have? No I would have used the 600 and Vanquish then might break the wallet on the Manticore. Thanks for sharing. I would always buy new over used. Warranty is a big thing for this hobby.
WOW! That separation demo is amazing.
you should do a dectector ranking for beaches and for land and for both
When it comes to beach hunting you really don't have worry Target separation to much. So yeah the old machines would definitely get the job done. With that said the Sovereigns are still great beach machines!!! While other guys are digging 20-40 bottle caps the Sovereigns can easily discriminate them out. Everytime you go over a Bottle cap you know it's a bottle cap. Every machine has it place even the Sovereigns.
I have heard that
Love my Sovereign Gt.Bought it new.Has paid for itself and accessories many times over.Just ordered a new Detech Ultimate coil for it.OldTornado coil wire has finally fell apart to much for me to fix.If a particular detector speaks to you,stay with it and master it.Anyone know someone that can reward the old coil?
@@clamdiggerdan8581 I have the 13 ultimate coil on my Sovereign Elite love those coils....I love hunting in reverse hunting basically hunting in pinpoint and checking the targets in discrimination if nothing coming in on discrimination then I still dig that target. Found deep gold rings hunting this method.
I found my Equinox 600 for 275.00 with shipping on ebay... It was a poorly made ad, and buyers shy'd away from it. I took the chance and it was like brand new.. Until I got ahold of it.!
Another thought. The
FISHER F19 I had, was a DUEL FEQUENCY?
It seemed good...
.
I like that the Legend is ranked #1. I won a legend on RUclips and had to put down the nox to learn the Legend . So far I'm impressed. Great video! keep them coming.
Another great video Merrill!
I like the way you explain your reasoning!
In addition to recovery speed, i think The other big difference in detectors is that most are waterproof (can get the control box wet) - the ones that are not are usually entry level. Let me know if I'm correct about that.☺️
Back in the day, I bought Whites DFX & was so impressed by it, i bought the Beach Hunter ID which is DFX tech in a "beach-proof" housing. I had tried using other Whites land detectors on the beach at the time & it was a headache keeping them from getting wet.
Stay safe!
♥♥♥ Again my primary detector is an Xp Deus but my secondary and just as enjoyable to swing detector has been the X-terra Pro. I have found a 1789 half reale with it already(In the same hole as a square nail), and a 10kt diamond ring in the water. I have owned an etrac in the past but the weight of it limited my hunts to 2 hours max!
That is amazing. "Just as enjoyable". That speaks volumes!
I would just pick up an old Minelab Explorer (or Explorer II ) for cheap....old tech - still works great - and ....in my case - when you have used the same model for 25 years - you get to know it like the back of your hand....
Loved the video! I have a X-Terra Pro and a way older White's 6000 Di Pro I picked up for $125, ($700 new) I have 3 coil sizes, including the 950 for it. For it's age it goes pretty deep and is my loaner if a friend joins me. Yeah, it's heavy too, but still fun, analog target id meter is rock solid. Do you think the X-Terra will ever get a software update addressing target id? 😅
I started with a whites 6000 DI Pro in 1982-83.
Loved that machine. With the analog meter I could ID a nickel from a beaver tail pull tab based on how the needle bounced and where it landed.
Good luck with it!
Wow! That is what is missing with digital!
@@MetalDetectingNYC yes! I had a hard time initially adjusting to my 1st digital machine, whites XLT, for that reason. I could glance at the meter & assess needle location / behavior + target sound.
Although digital machines have their own "bounce" across numbers, it's not quite the same as watching the needle.
I might disagree if I had to work with an analog detector today based on current experience
You are an awesome teacher. You once said your students know you are crazy, I'm sure that's why they love You and your style. Thanks for letting us know You.
One interesting note about recovery speed. When hunting artillery, a slower recovery speed is preferable as it emphasizes the size of the target with large iron. I know it sounds counterintuitive but when hunting artillery I either use a slower machine or reduce the recovery speed to the lowest setting. I would also note the average weight on the modern detector side doesn’t include a pulse machine in the average ( I know only a certain demographic uses them, but my point being that with the exception of the gpx 6000(weighing in at 4.6lb) no one has been working on pushing pulse technology lately)
Im going to make it down to Tennessee BirdDogg and I would love to hunt with you. My email is kazanjianm@gmail.com . I have no clue when. but hopefully within the next year.
@@MetalDetectingNYC Sounds good, I’ll shoot you an email with my contact info
Excellent comparison and sound reasoning. Spot on Merrill... again.
Great Video! Thank you 🔥👏💪🫶
Great video Merrill , thanks for sharing. It’s definitely something to think about.
I have an unrelated question, have you heard anything about an upcoming update for the Nokta Legend ? Supposedly it enhances relic settings.
I haven’t but I can look in to it
But if you try even a older detector that I have still beats that one in items close together like mine the El Dorado tell Sauro it’s there fastes detector they ever made bar none I think it’s a 1979 model I have 2 coils for it a spider 🕷 coil which works really good and you don’t need a pin point because it has a little hole in the middle and that’s where ya coin or object is
Thanks for the great info. I’ve tried the xterra pro 2 times at the beach
A found 3 rings. I need to get used to the vdi. It’s very light weight and easy to use. The rings were 2 in water and one on the beach. The 10k gold ring in the water rang up around 20
Just lower the Sensitivity down Below 20 and I have started with 12 Sensitivity but now I'm at 18 Sensitivity and the Jumpy VDI only occurs when It's Not a Coin Target And I'm not Carrying around more Iron Quarter's Tone Targets that when I was using the Simplex and I'm not Relic Hunting but that's all the Simplex + is good for and Notka Macro Product's Lineup but I Coin Shoot with the X-Terra Pro and I love ❤️ it..... But just lower the Sensitivity down and get to know what it's trying to tell you about the target.... and then if you haven't already done this is to put some Coins on the ground and swing over them to get the target numbers in your head and only Dig those numbers and A number Or two jump is a totally Normal Response from Any Detector Made Today but when it's not even close -4 to 89 jump then it's going to be a Junk Target And I have dug a few up just to see if it was right and it was 👍 and Full Sensitivity isn't needed for the X-Terra Pro to work it's Magic......
@@carolrice2063 thanks for the info
@@garymartin6066 And if you haven't already turned on the Horseshoe Button On, then setup the X-Terra Pro your normal way and then push it on Horseshoe Button and you will really know what it's trying to tell you about the target and then I will pull back the X-Terra Coil to the edge of the target and then if it's a JUNK Steel Iron target then you will hear the Iron Grunts and Calabash Digging Adventure's did a good video of it with a Bottle Cap and I have found some Quarter's that was in the iron mix and Actual 25 cent's stood right up to let me know they were there and I only Coin Shoot...
Always enjoy your videos Merrill. Made both of my detector purchases based on your reviews. Thanks for all you do.
Thank you!
good example of separation...on a budget? Nokta.10Q for the vid
I still have my x-terra 705 and my equinox 800 can't keep up with it on coins and small gold.
I have had the E.Trac since it came out in late 2008. And its always the machine i rate others up against. Even new models.
Over the years i have used the ET and come up with programs that have made the machine a real true "Beast" and i dont care what other machines others use.
I have had most other Minelab machines though not all the lower models in the same types. Had the Explorers, ET and CTX but not the Quattro , Safari .
When i bought the CTX in 2012 i found it unnecessarily complicated and heavy , cumbersome and there is no difference in capability other than target trace and thats not an absolute necessity.
This year i have had Gold and a number of Silvers with my ET and it always pays.
Comparing with the Vanquish? I have had the 540 Pro and its gone. Not enough capability and too few functions. Sounds off on seaweed .
The Safari is fine as a basic ET but its not as good.
The old X.Terra 705 was another machine that was very good and the target numbers are stable compared to the new Terra Pro. The Terra Pro though is very good and like the 900 for tones.
I find the Legend a good machine but i dont like the menu but i dont want to sell mine.
The Deus 11 i use for land as its too expensive to risk on the beaches.
The Nox 900 is the closest i have found to the ET in target tones to the ET and i always use the 900 in full tones.
The 800 was best in 5 tones.
Why do i feel the ET is my best machine?
Its cheap metal detecting. Can be repaired if faulty when most new lighter waterproof machines cannot be fixed.
Speed is not always necessary and the bit that you show with the row of coins you can get the different sounds of the coins if you use the machine in normal sweep speed .
I have 2 programs for you to use on your ET.
But do you have the old speaker Gray Ghost NDT phones or the MAZ Super Red headphones. Sounds in ear make all the difference.
Also the battery power of the Minelab pack is rubbish. 9.6 volts and doesn't last long.
If you have the RNB battery 2900 or 3100 or 3400 then you get 12.5 volts and the battery takes 2 hours to charge for around 30 to 45 hours use. I have them.
Here are my programmes i use on my beaches . I know all beaches are different but i think yours are pretty similar to mine here in the UK South Coast.
I'm afraid i can only say that this will have to be manually put into your machine.
Main beach mode . Dry beach and some iron discriminated .
Screen pixels to black out from a clear screen. From top line number 1.
Black out the following pixels.
1 to 25
1 and 7 to 18
1
1
Lines 5 to 17 clear
50
50
50
49 and 50
49 and 50
49 and 50
48 to 50
46 to 50
46 to 50
43 to 50
40 to 50
40 to 50
40 to 50
37 to 50
37 to 50
33 to 50
33 to 50
28 to 50
Settings
Sensitivity = 25 to 28 Manual setting at + 3 Auto
BE WARNED when you switch on the ET it will always start at 19 if in AUTO and work its way up. Us manual for a while .
Threshold Level
1 above deaf
Volume Limit = 30
Volume Gain = 29
Response = NORMAL
Threshold Pitch = 1
Number of Tones = Multi
Sounds = Conduct
Variability = 30
Limits = 30
Recovery 3 DEEP ON clear ground or FAST ON in trash. NOT IRON
Trash density = LOW
Ground = Difficult
Noise Cancel = 1 to 4 max unless near another machine causing disturbance
This is my program for IRON . Similar to 2 Tone Ferrous .
I find it works.
Screen from a clear with blacked out area . From line 1.
1 to 25
1 . 9 to 18
1
All other lines are clear.
Settings . These are the changes from the above programme.
Tones = 2
Sounds = Ferrous
Recovery = DEEP OFF , FAST ON
Trash = HIGH
Dont use any of the screens that Minelab provide. They are learner modes.
The ET isn't water proof and is heavier. But i dont care.
My ET or 1 of them will be the only machine that i have out of my current 6 that i will have by the end of this decade.
Even if i bought the Manticore i would not keep it longer. Its a throwaway machine. If it cant be fixed it goes before the warranty runs out. Though the Terra Pro might be an exception due to cheap price.
The ET is still better than most . Even if its a bit slower on recovery. Just slow your sweep.
My ET has had 1 2.4 g 22k Gold Pendent , 1x 10k 11g Gold ring and 1x 14k 5.7g Gold ring and around 10 Silver rings and around £90 in coinage in about 10 hunts.
Coinage is dying !
Thank you for the incredibly detailed explanation! I will try that.
Richard,
What a detailed and interesting post on the reliable old Etrac. Like you, I have owned one since the detector first came out. It is the only detector that has a sweet, unmistakable silver tone. Why Minelab eliminated it in subsequent detectors is beyond me. While I agree with you on just about everything, I will tell you that I reluctantly have put my Etrac aside and use an 800 most of the time. The Etrac simply cannot, in my my opinion, handle the trash as well as my 800. And as much as I love the Etrac, it does tease you with partial high tones that almost always turn out to be iron. We always called that "trying to force silver." If the 800 had that sweet high silver tone it would be the perfect detector.
Also, in terms of the beach, I personally never found the Etrac to be all that great on the beach. I totally agree with you on the CTX. it's a barge. My detector of choice until the 800 was an Explorer II with the Pro Coil. It would beat just about anything on the beach in its day.
Last point, at 66 years of age, weight of a detector is becoming an issue. The older detectors are just too heavy. That's why I use my 800 and occasionally a Legend (not a bad detector but terrible menu structure). I may opt for a Deus II at some point. All of my buddies use them both inland and at the beach and their results are astonishing.
Bill (S. CA)
Great video Merrill, Kathy keeps pulling gold out from under my nose with her Xterra. So I am impressed with it, although I don’t get to swing it as that is her go to detector now😂
I check Marketplace several times a day and there is an E Trac for $550.00. Same price as paid by your sub. I'd rather have a new one also!
My father has a whites 600 coin master/d it has out preformed every metal detector i have purchased. Note he digs everything
The older detectors used disposable batteries the ones now use rechargeable ones , I have a gold plus pro and it uses disposable batteries and my simplex and exterra pro use rechargeable batteries
Thank you, Merrill (sp?)! I am a wanna-be detector it’s and am trying to decide whether I should double my budget (fixed income, SS disability = always broke) or not. I wanted to stay in the $200 range, but I think you’ve changed my mind! Wish I had had you as a teacher in school…I would have learned a lot! ~~donna
Always appreciate your input Merrill. Great advice
Fantastic video as always. You’ve always been my source for detecting news - you know your sh*t 😊. 23 detectors #goals. Gary is awesome for sending that to you. That’s a huge gesture from a miner. I wish somebody would send me rocks, I don’t even care if there’s gold in them 😂 I’ve been Rockhounding since I learned to walk. Anywho, I got off topic. Keep killing it with your wisdom. From one teacher to another, your students are blessed to have you along their path. Well done!
Get a mine lab Vanquish 540 for about the same money target ID and multi frequency.
Xterra Pro here but I still like my Tesoro DeLeon (2.98 lbs.). Like the video.
Thank you
Thanks.
Thank you!!!
I have a bounty hunter landstar, and the bounty hunter pl time ranger. They are old, and nobody uses them on youtube. But i got em cheap. I do feel like the kid with a huffy at the dirt track when i see other detectors.
I use a Bounty Hunter Tracker IV . That being said I've cleaned up tot lots and near bleachers and have about 4 plastic soup containers filled with coins.
I would run a Simplex over an E-trac any day. Target separation is still way better. And you could buy 2 extra coils if you spent $550
I have not metal detected at all but am trying to figure out what to start with. Your channel is very informative. I’m not real close to salt water but would like to be able to use it in salt water. Price is not a critical factor but I don’t know how often I’ll go to start.
I think a NOKTA or Minelab is where I’m leaning. Any help would be greatly welcomed.
All my thoughts are here www.iratemetaldetectors.com/
Only 23? Let see! I tested over 200 for the OEM's. Keep at it. You're very entertaining.
Great job Merle , Definitely Nokta and Minelab slugging it out . For the best value metal detector but wait there's some new contenders on the way from Nokta. Can you say Score lol thanks for everything you do. PPO out 😎
I’ll be getting my score as soon as it becomes available.
I think you should have the XP ORX on your list which is in the $550 price range and is better then both the etrac and xterra.
Love my Legend no problems here
There are so many detectors that were dream machines for me back then but couldn’t afford at the time. It makes me sad kind of because I can’t justify using them even though I’d love to play with them all.
I hear you my friend 🤣🙌
Thanks for your videos! Bought a Simplex with 2 coils about 2 years ago. Really regret not waiting for the Legend. From what I have seen, it's so much better. If the Simplex was better ont the salt beach, I'd be happy.
I have a white's prism 4 rather slow machine. with standard probe 8 completely blind in polluted terrain must be searched slowly. Interestingly, I found the most expensive ones with Prizm! When he mentions old machines, maybe the difference is in the manufacturers. Teknetics Alpha is a machine produced in 2008. as well as the entire Greek series. and they have a superior recovery speed! Like the most expensive machines. Faster than any old minelab, and much, much cheaper. The recovery speed of Teknetics detectors is like that of the most expensive brands on the market. maybe their depth is a problem
My Etrac was probably the deepest detector I've used. I also have the prior Explorer XS and the newer Equinox
800. None of them give stable numbers consistently - they're all equally frustrating if you watch the numbers on the screen - regardless of swing speed.
I am looking forward to the full review/thoughts video of the XTerra. I have it and I feel as a new detectorist, the VDI is way more important than to a veteran that knows the tones and what to listen for. Being able to check the VDI when you hear what you think is a good tone would be very helpful in determining what to dig. I know in time I will learn the tones but the learning process would be way faster with a more accurate VDI than this machine has. The "Dig Everything" idea is exhausting lol and results in a lot of can slaw. If Minelab would just fix the erratic VDI, it could possibly be the best sub $500 detector. However it has been what 6 months now and despite everyone talking about how bad the VDI is they have done nothing. will love to hear your thoughts on that as well.
The Shadow Knows!!
Always!
As always great information, succinctly stated and well presented.
Thanks for sharing!!!!!!
I’m gonna have to say that ETRAC was way better than the 3030 but that’s just me
Just because a detector is faster, more sensitive with a ton of adjustments, doesn't always make it better. I've found THOUSANDS of Dollars gold, silver, and platinum in shallow surf, using ML Excaliburs! I've tried many others. Technically better machines, yet I simply find more gold with Excals. Far more! My ML Safari is Killer on wet salt sand and loves big gold and platinum while being so simple to use! These newer detectors find every tiny piece of scrap, wasting valuable detecting coverage for big gold! To think I couldn't get $300 for my Safari is nuts! Consumers have been brainwashed! I've lost track of how many multiple times my simple BBS and FBS machines have paid for themselves! It comes down to where you detect and what you're expecting to find. Does your chosen machine, regardless of its abilities, find for you? Show me the treasure and not a nail board test!
Hey, QUESTION Is the X Terra Pro worth buying different coils worth it??? I hear it really makes a good difference but after the price of a new coil you Basically have the price of a Legend. Great video.💯💯💯💯
You dont have to. But when you are in a sea of signals in close proximity you will need a sniper coil. And when there is a deeper layer the 15 inch coil is magic.
100% also I am interested in ur thoughts is it worth the move to the legend instead of spending for a coil on the X terra? I am trying to decide what to do. Thanks@@MetalDetectingNYC
@@dispatched. too early for me to say. I have to test more. I would say yes at the moment though. The big void the Xterra does NOT fill is target id.
Awesome stuff Merril... greetings from Brazil 🇧🇷
lol 😂 “bunch of coins” after getting frustrated calling them
The Minelab Safari and it's predecessor the Quattro had a very slow recovery speed of all the FBS units.
Thanks for all the great info and advice. Got the X Terra Pro, But have to learn the machine.
I gather your prices are USD. Here in Australia prices are a lot more than that. Great vid again Merrill.
Merril, question. If a beach you have detected a week ago was weak for targets , a week later could it produce much better targets ?
It sure can! Sand is moving all the time!
@@MetalDetectingNYC thank you for the reply merril , appreciate the help 👍🏼😁
Have fun. I don't get out that much. Sleep much of the day.
I hear that! When you work nights you have to rest during the day,
Hey Merril do you ever hear the beeping of your detector in your head hours after you are done detecting? Do you hear the beeps in your sleep? I only ask is because I need a super sophisticated vibration detector. The beeps and tones just make me fuk’n CRAZY!! I’m in the store and it’s beep beep beep..... I’m driving, I’m at work, sleeping, listening to music, fishing, etc..... and it’s beep beep beep! Damn!
I think Metal Detecting companies need to hire Taylor Swift to sing “ITS A GOLD COIN” on the rare instances we go over one! The beeping is fine for trash. But maybe once I’d are less phase shift math and more certainty, we could get creative! 🤣🤣🤣
@@MetalDetectingNYC get David Bowie to sing “space peanuts “
“I am detecting a tin can” 🎶
“All across the shore” 🎶
@@MetalDetectingNYC hey I was also wondering how your ol’ larking rival (Gloria) doing?
Good video
But I think the best detector for me is the equinox 800 for park and the Deus 2 for the beach
Good luck 👍 at the beach my friend
best allround detector on the market today is the deus 2. Best unmasker in the world.
Yes I agree. That is the detector with the highest capability rank on my website.
Very nice video! I'm searching for my next good number 1, so I'm holding off till you qualify these final detectors and rank them. Thank you,
Smash that rock up crush it amd then pan it out and you’ll see how much gold there is .
It’s been a minute but I LOVE panning for gold.
@@MetalDetectingNYC Heckamayeah! Good times ! Too bad New York don’t allow prospecting ;( there’s gold in them hills
@scarsprospecting here in western New york.. ive put in many days of gold prospecting only to find specs of glacier and or fine flour gold .A good outing would fetch me10 or so micro specs of gold working deeper pools with a 5 hp Honda dredge with a 4" in vacuum while scraping and cleaning out fissures going across the creek. I would suck up an old silver coin on occasion and even a 1894 NYS dog tax tag in nice condition with the dogs name stamped in the back of the tag " Moors
@@arcticmorning Sounds like you still had fun and thats what its all about
FCC needs to allow these companies to allow more output like they did the phone companies. Also you don't have the Etrac setup right because it will separate as fast as any out there
So, Merrill. Did you swing over the rock? What detectors found it? You left us mining geophysicists/hobby detectorists hanging!
The only currently popular non-gold specific detector I found to be decent for prospecting is the Equinox 800. Then again, it is the only one I've used. 😉The 800 has that gold setting and like I said it's decent but it's not a prospecting detector. Poking around in waste piles can be rewarding, though.
So the only hobby detector I've ever owned myself is that 800. It is still good as new but now I have an itch to get a new one and I've narrowed it down to 2…
Need help. I detect roughly 40 percent old yards and such, 30 percent parks and 30 percent beach. Pretty even but mostly yards, churches, and businesses.
Which one…
Manticore
Deus II
On your mark. Get set.
…Yards, parks, the beach…
I probably already know but…
GO! lol
Merrill is anything ok with you, your family and your house? The news told me about a lot of rain in New York!
Regards from Germany
Yes! We are fine! Thank you!
👍👍👍
Merrill what’s your opinion on the Anfibio ?
Unique. It’s like the elite athlete who struggles at sports. It sure could go deep (at times) but I struggled with it. It had the kitchen sink for controls but it came out at the same time as the equinox. The equinox made me put the Anfibio down.
0:39 Hello Merril, congratulations on the xp deus ? Togetherness, you will be awesome in my opinion albeit, I don’t know much about it so my opinion really doesn’t matter! Anyways all I know is that I enjoy your videos and you are my knowledge book on my metal detecting! As you know I own the xp deus 2 and the ledgand and the 800 etc. this problem came from you! So, 😂I NEED to start paying for my mistakes. I just bought the hf coil for the deus 2 and couldn’t get it to pair? I’ll try again. I have questions about the Great Salt lake here in Utah hoping you would share your wisdom with me? I’m struggling finding the 1800s gold I know is there, somewhere? Maybe it’s sunk to far in the last 100 years to be detectable?
The salt of great salt lake is a detecting obstacle. You have the right idea with the HF coil but that was meant for the D1.
@@MetalDetectingNYC I just figured that out! I should have checked before I bought it! I just figured that the deus 2 would have something like that? So I'll return it and buy something that will better my metal detecting? Thanks Merrill keep swinging
@@MetalDetectingNYC so again Merrill what do you mean when you say that? Give up on it? Or maybe or? It has to be there man! Think of all the 100,000 people every year in the late 1800s and early 19th they all thought it was good for you to emerge yourself in that lake!!!
Also one more thing, the black sand and all magnetic and salt there is so much of it! It's like putting ten Pacific oceans together and letting them condense and metal detecting in the leftovers?
Hi Merrill, you deserve all the presents you get! love the channel...and as Gary said you’re an excellent teacher and your videos are fun to watch keep up the good work mate🙏
P.S thank you on your advice between the Equinox 900 and the legend I ended up going legend for budgetary reasons but also knowing the legend is bullet-proof, I hope I made the right decision🙈
Thank you again! Steve.
Shouldn't the xp deus 2 now be number 1 on your list since you can get the master version for $799 which should boost its overall rating well past the legend and 700/900 detectors you have rated about it?
Arguably yes
Hi Meryl, regarding the V 80 quest metal detector. I noticed there is a seller in the US it is selling them. Have you any more information on the performance of them thanks Bruc
40k plus buddy!
Thank you for noticing. This has truly been a breakout year!
Gary is right. You have one of the best metal detecting channels on RUclips. You have taught me a lot and I appreciate what you do. You are a very good teacher. If this metal detecting thing doesn't work out maybe you could take a crack at education. Lol. Take care.
Did you let the XTerra have a sniff of that rock to see what it thinks?
I wonder how the internal batteries fare during sporadic use. I mean charged only 4-5 times per year. Or if you run it flat and forget to charge it if it's ruined?
With all of the detectors I own and use that is the exact scenario that i face. Sporadic charging doesn’t affect the battery life. If anything it preserves it.
I know you like to switch up detectors when you hunt, do you feel handicapped with the nox 800 over the deus 2? Especially when at the beach?
When they have an interior battery are those replaceable?
I’ve known a few that have replaced their equinox battery after the warranty is up.
Really wood like to replace my AT Max, can’t decide between XP Deus , the price still leaning towards it…..