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UtahRich
I've been multi-freq'ing it for a very long time beginning in the early 90's with my Fisher CZ-6. I was inspired to have a go following an article on multi-frequency detectors in Western Eastern Treasures magazine authored by Robert Sickler. Minelab had come out with the Sovereign and Fisher, the waterproof CZ-6. I was turned off the Sovereign by all the cabling and the separate target ID meter and more cable and it wasn't very ergonomic in hand. But it could sure find stuff. As could the CZ.

I also likes some of the performance of the CZ's personally favoring the CZ5's I had more than the 6a I got first, and never cared for the CZ3D. Two of those and both lemons in performance.

Of the FBS series I liked the Explorer II's except for the terrible weight and balance for me to deal with. I did, however, like my Sovereign XS2a the best of the earlier Minelab models with the 8" coil and the after-market '180' meter. Not the best balanced, but I had three challenging places where other makes and models struggled due to the big power transmission lines running down the open are and right over the playground & park areas. No problems for the Sovereign, and it still did well on the higher-conductor targets in private yards I worked now-and-then. I preferred it to the CZ's, too.

As for comfort and general-use performance, I liked the Equinox 800, in comparison, even though I didn't keep mine. For SMF work I preferred my Minelab Vanquish 540 w/5X8 DD. It's Multi-IQ only, but a very comfortable detector to use and almost comparable performance for most day-to-day applications.

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UtahRich
I never tried Whites offerings, but we've all seen what zincoln can do with his V3i

I think zincoln's V3i is a V3i-Lite version that weighs less w/o having internal circuitry and batteries. Bryan simply applies some blue tape to his coil or housing, then he scribbles something on it to alert him of what pitch to hum as he hunts. Then it's his psychic abilities that let him know when to say 'Beep' in the middle of humming a favorite tune, at which point he'll recover whatever is close to the coil's center axis point.

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UtahRich
I had a CZ in hand for most of the 90's. An explorer XS for almost all of the first decade of the 2000's, an Etrac after that. And now an Equinox. I'm a fan of multi-frequency, hence my interest in the Apex. I'm really interested to see what Garrett has come up with.

I know what some SMF detectors can do, in the right applications, and that's why I like the V-540. I am looking forward to putting the new Garrett Apex to work in both the SMF 'mode' as well as in the different single-frequency options. I have a feeling it might work well enough to give some of the other SMF's a little competition, and having the single-frequency options will add to its useful potential.

It is a beautiful day. My female landscapers are here taking care of my mowing, edging, and filling my bird and squirrel feeders, and a grandson is working on the overgrown weeds in my garden area and back parking area while I enjoy the AC and do some indoor stuff on some of our remaining hotter days of the year. I might head out to a park this afternoon / evening, and Tuesday will be a ghost town adventure with the Apex to get my evaluations started. Wish you were hear, even though Rippville has been getting a bit stingy as the year has progressed. just ask Gregg.

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UtahRich
Anyway, it is Saturday morning and I have a 1/2 acre yard of rock hard dirt waiting for me to finish piping the sprinkler system. . The overnight temps are dropping where I live. Fall will soon be here.

Enjoy working on your yard as it makes the other half of the family happy. Keep her cheerful so you can sneak in a little playtime when fall arrives.

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UtahRich
To those of you out hunting today, I say good luck. I look forward to reading of your adventures.

Thanks, I know I need it.

Monte

"Your EYES ... the only 100% accurate form of Discrimination!"
Stinkwater Wells Trading Post
Metal Detector Evaluations and Product ReviewsI'm now 'back home' in Farr West Utah monte@ahrps.org ... or ... monte@stinkwaterwells.com 503-481-8147Detector Outfit: A selection of my chosen makes and models, with the best coils mounted for the tasks I'll take on.F-19 * F-5 * Racer * Racer 2 * V-540 * Relic * Silver Sabre µMAX * Bandido II µMAX * XLTPinpointers: Garrett AT Pro-Pointers .. Headphones: 'Hornet' .. MS-3 Z-Lynk .. ML-80 *** All working well today to make memories for tomorrow. ***