Comparing three units

[Old Chuck]

Hi, this is my first post and as with most folks, have a decision to make in the purchase of a detector. I am considering the Whites M6, the X-Terra 50 and possibly the Quatro. I will do mostly coin and jewelry but want the option to spend time at the beach in sand and shallow water. I do want to be able to change coils for different uses. I was locked on to the X-terra 50 because of the price and what it seemed to do but on some boards folks either love them or do not. Also, the coils were limited. The M6 seemed to be able to do all I want and has more positive feedback. The Quatro worked great if slow but seemed to have a steeper learning curve. I know that with price comes a better machine in most cases and want to stop my spending at around $600 or so.
I realize that with all forums each newby posts about the same questions and know it it a learning experience with all machines. However, I would appreciate any feedback you could provide.

[pris]

Welcome to the forum, OldChuck! Get ready, 'cause you're gonna love it here. I'm sure you'll get the feedback you need. I'm new to detecting, too, or I would help out.

good luck!

[julieburger]

Hi and welcome. I have an x70 and I love it I think for what you want to do with the x50 woud be a great machine. But then again I always agree with Chuck.

[Bill G]

The M6 is a great coin shooter, well maid, lots of coil choices, simple to use and gets great depth. I would say M6 all the way...

Good Luck with your decition,
Bill G

My M6 REVIEW

I got in my new M6 machine, put it together, and did some quick air testing. There was a minor fix that needed to be done. The discriminator knob was off by a notch forward. I pulled it off and rolled it back one notch so that the nickels would drop out at nickel instead of past the nickel mark on the dial. Now the dial is right on the money at the nickel & coin markings.

I took the M6 out to an old oilfield lease house sight from the early 1900's. The homes are gone and there is a ton of iron trash in the ground.

I have to say the detector did a fine job over all. Every bit as good as other units I have had or used in this area; including the XLT, DFX, and the MXT.(The M6 unit was not as noisy as the MXT in the iron trash, which was to be expected being a silent search mode detector). The silent search mode was nice if you prefer a non threshold based detector. I found the trick was to ground balance in a good area then lock the track toggle, this kept the chatter down from the iron trash. There was a noticeable difference between auto ground tracking and the locked in tracking position in the iron trash. Every now and then I would lift the coil to waist height and toggle the pin point on, then place the coil above the ground and pump the coil to check balance, no problems in this area of function.

I used the 6x10DD and the 5.3 coil, they both did well. The DD was a little quieter in the iron trash. The detector ID'd well only being fooled by a few flat iron washers or larger pieces of decomposing iron. It also ID'd a zinc as a screw cap once and most of the old pop tops Id'd as penny/dime if they were flat, but they had a slightly different sound to them and the ID bar would only fill in half way most all of the time even though it locked penny/dime. On a good penny or dime the ID bar would fill in all the way with a good lock.

I feel the detector discriminates in iron trash well and will be a great coin machine with good solid depth.

My finds included: a 1917 wheat, 1881 Indian head, 1902 Indian head, 1907 silver dime an old brass tool tag from the 1950's, a 1965 quarter, an old Milk of Magnesia toothpaste tin tube with a metal lid, and the regular modern clad items.

Take Care & HH,
Bill G

Every find is a good find, some are just great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[gordiesgirl]

Welcome to TQ. Whichever machine you choose I hope you find lot's. Happy Hunting

[anne]

Welcome

I use the Xterra 50, it is a great machine and does everything you require of it. Hope that helps.

[Old Chuck]

I went with the Whites M6. I appreciate all who offered an opinion.
I am sure any of the machines you suggested will do nicely but in the end, I chose the M6. Again, thanks to all who helped my decision.