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Utmike
My first "serious detecting" machine was the X-Terra 70. There were things that I liked and didn't about it, mostly disliked dropping money on pricey coils to see if I would do any better with them. That did lead me to the 6" 18.75 DD and it was a killer! I was hunting an old blacksmith's property (can you say iron everywhere) and in all metal, got a grunt/squeak that turned out to be an 1868-S Seated Half Dollar in the hole with a decent size rusted piece of straight iron.

When Minelab first contacted me that they were sending me the X-Terra 30 & 50, I was very interested and looked forward to them as I had only been using other brands and the Minelab Sovereign XS2a and Explorer II. I was quite interested because the SMF's were heavier, and while okay for some applications, I preferred (and sill do) to use SF detector.

The XT-30 didn't work in the different states I was hunting due to the terrible iron mineralized ground so it went to PA where it work fine. It had an unadjustable GB.

The XT-50, however worked okay, for the most part. I didn't like the rod set because they were too long and would adjust closer and comfortable like I like so I had to do some modifications to them. Also, the one annoyance I had with that early X-Terra design was with the coil sweep. They kind of needed 'controlled' sweep compared with all the other detectors I had, and they had a bit of a delayed response, too. I had other detectors that worked at different Frequencies and I didn't like the cost for a specific Frequency coil.

Also, while the XT-50 as 'okay' it just lacked a bit of what the X-Terra 70 offered and when Minelab sent me that one I was more impressed. Same rod issue and same 'delayed' or you could say 'controlled' response, and it seemed like they took forever to get a 6" coil out and to me. Glad to get the coil, but had no excitement of investing in one at a different Frequency. it worked, but I had several other detector with a 6" or 6½" coil, both Concentrics, and no issues with rod length adjustment, delayed response, and in side-by-side comparisons afield, the XT-70 never beat the performance they gave me, and sometimes didn't even match it.

Oh, and congratulations on nabbing one of those difficult-to-fine Seated Liberty Halves. My 2nd SLH was also an 1868 that I found here in Utah, right after I retrieved an 1871 SLH maybe 2" above it. It always pays to double-check a recovery spot.

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Utmike
It will be fun to see if the new one is a more affordable mid-level machine for those who aren't ready to drop the cash on an Equinox or Manticore. I'll be equally interested in user stories.

Dropping cash can sometimes get real frustrating. I have heard from some who parted with the EQ-800 and got the EQ-900 and some of said it is notably better, while a couple of them said they were doing just fine with the 800 and could have saved some money. A couple of others went with the Manticore and overall thy say is is an improve offering from Minelab, and half of those said they were glad they hung onto the EQ-800 mainly just for getting in the water. We all have our likes and dislikes.

I have two Vanquish 540's and they work well for intended applications. Knowing them I am aware of their strengths and weaknesses, and for what the Equinox 800 and Vanquish 540 can do in their Multi-IQ SMF function, the Equinox has an edge with Ground Balance and selectable SF operation, whereas the Vanquish 540 has neither of those options. Nor is the Vanquish waterproof. But I really enjoy it and it works well in the right conditions.

The new X-Terra Pro, from all I have seen or heard, works quite well, is lightweight, and well balanced, similar to the Equinox or Manticore. The four SF's chosen ought to provide very good general-purpose operation in a variety of applications, and honestly appeal to me more than anyone's SMF. Of course I have my V-540 so I'm hoping the new X-Terra Pro will be able to share search coils with it. If not, that's fine, too, because I think they made a decent new model that eliminates any need to buy a Frequency-specific coil.

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. ***