I inherited a metal detector

[Martlet]

My grandfather passed away last year and left me his metal detector. It has the manual and headphones with it. It is a White's IDX Pro. I know nothing about metal detecting or this model, but I've always been interested in it. I even bought a cheap radio shack model several years ago to use on the beach.

This White's needs a new battery and charger. It's about $80 dollars for them. At this time, I don't believe it needs anything else. Is this a decent detector? Is it worth putting the money into, or should I put that towards another model? I'm sure this is quite old, as my grandfather hadn't been able to use it for years before he passed. I guess old is relative, though.

Thanks for any help or advice as I delve into this new hobby.

Mart.

[homefire]

Welcome to the clan! I don't know the machine but someone here will. I think you can use regular batteries in that unit. Give it a try!

[anne]

I don't have a Whites, but if possible why not send it to Whites for a service, it shouldn't cost to much and if you tell them how you came by it they might even do it for nothing.
Just a thought.

[schoser]

what ANNE said, bro! good luck with it...

[Ric-san]

Dont know much about White's as I use a Garret Ace 250...BUT, I was looking on the internet and came across this bit of info from their site..." Slide -in "AA" battery system for up to 50 hours of hunting. (Optional rechargeable system available.) So defiantly get a hold of Whites for some info ...

Metal Detector Features

[EBCIII]

Hey mart welcome to the site! Glad to have you drop by. I do not know your machine but have read about it. It is still being used by a bunch of folks. I say go for it! Heck they still list it on their manual page. Good luck with the unit, Beale.

[Buster]

I will say Welcome to this big site again....As for the detector..Good advise from Anne and the rest...I too would send it in for a service check... Buster...

[bill(de)]

Hi Mart,

The IDX Pro is a very good detector and was discontinued not that long ago.The charger and battery pack are great and would save you money over the long haul the but even if you just bought the standard battery holder and put AA Kirkland batteries from Costco the batts will last about 40+ hunting hrs.

There are features on the IDX Pro that would benefit a serious hunter or the casual hunter and with the addition of a small coil the detector works great at trashy sites. Depth is very good and Target ID is exceptional and will ID targets in Discrimination and All Metal Modes. The Black Sand Switch enabled will allow you to lower the discrimination setpoint below the normal setting and works great at iron infested sites and areas with harsh ground conditions.

If you have the standard coil i would invest in either the 5.3 Bullseye or 350 Snooper coil for hunting trashy sites. For me the IDX Pro is a keeper. Good luck if you decide to keep it and perhaps you could look into an inexpensive detector like the Fisher F2 and you'd have the tone ID to compliment the single tone IDX. I have both detectors and very pleased with them. Just some thoughts. HH Bill

[Classic II SL]

My buddy has an IDX PRO , I used it at a local park last summer, found 2 wheaties and a homemade silver spoon ring. The pro is a great coin machine, when the vdi #'s lock, it is pretty sure, that its a coin, jumping vdi #'s usually mean trash. Found a bunch of clad, later in the afternoon, in the sand, at the tot lot, locked penny, nickel dime, or quarter signals were dead on !!! Had the stock 9.5 coil on the one I used. You can get a battery holder for it that uses alkalines or rechargeables, or you can spend extra to buy a rechargeable battery pack, I'd opt for the battery holder with rechargeables, I run both my classic and mxt that way, works for me !! IDX Pro = KEEPER 4 SURE !!! GOOD MACHINE, YOU'LL LIKE IT !!

[RLOH]

Mart, you have one of Whites best and easiest detectors to learn. Yes, it is worth putting some money in. Try getting a hold of some alkaline battery holders, they are much cheaper than the rechargeables. It takes AA batteries which are cheap and the pro gets great life out of the alkalines. Mr. bill does a modification on this particular detector that increases the depth and since you got this detector free, the 85.00 to juice the Pro up will be money well spent. It is a very deep and accurate detector with Mr. Bill's mods. Also, do yourself a favor and buy a 5.3 coil. You will have the ultimate detector. If you don't like this detector after this, give me an email and I will buy it! R.L. Johnson