V3i/MXT Pro

Looks like there has been a $40 reduction in MAP for the XP MI-6 Pinpointer... It was $199 and is now $159. This makes the XP closer in price to the competition. Many manufacturers dropping prices recently and that's good for the consumer!

Sun Rays are great but the extra weight, wires, switch, cost and detector compatibility make it a niche accessory. They competed well against the original White's Bullseye and Kellyco Automax probes but not so much against modern handheld pinpointers. Now if someone would just come out with a waterproof handheld, that has ferrous and non-ferrous tones, at a reasonable price we would be set... Did someone say Minelab Pro Find 35? ?

Thanks everyone for the input... I just bought a 950 style SuperPulse coil. Couldn't pass it up at that price. I'm hoping it's a mono coil as I want to use it on a saltwater beach. I've found the dual field TDI coils are more sensitive to tiny pieces of trash in the wet sand.

Anyone know anything about the Super Pulse TDI coils on sale at cost? I wonder if the "950 Style Concentric" is a mono coil or a dual field?

That's a shame, because dollar for dollar, the TDI series are among the best PIs available. In my mind, the logical progression of the TDI SL would be to drop the electronics into a waterproof housing (similar to what was done with the MX-S). Keep the adjustable pulse delay, the target conductivity switch and bring back the T-Foot coil that the late Dan Geyer used to build. That would be one of the best saltwater beach set-ups available at any price. If White's priced that package around $1,000 they would hit a home run! They already have the technology at their disposal. White's should be consulting with people, like Reg, who actually use this equipment in the field. There is no need to reinvent the wheel here. A few tweaks and some repackaging would take the TDI to a new level with minimal engineering costs.

I love my Racer 2 but it was the same price as my MXS and it's not waterproof. I was expecting the R2 to be less expensive due to our strong dollar and the lower cost structure in Turkey. Don't get me wrong, the R2 is still a great buy... However, the Sweet Home built MXS is an exceptional value in my opinion.

Great write-up John, thanks! I use an RNB 3100 LI-iON in my TDI SL. It runs at a higher voltage (just over 12.5v) than the standard rechargeable pack and that helps to smooth things out with the GB off. I believe there are also some higher voltage packs available, on the forums, that fit the SL and are around 14v. Although, I haven't personally tried one of those. The thing I disliked most about my SL was the stock S-Rod setup that's also shared with the GMZ... The angle bothered my wrist and the grip was too thin for my liking. I had White's swap out the original S-Rod for a straight shaft (with a pistol grip like the one on the TDI Pro). My SL is now perfectly balanced, even with the 14x8 Digger coil (Dan Geyer version) attached. I can now swing it in comfort for 7+ hours without having to change battery packs.

I agree, very little difference in depth for any of the VLFs that I own. I also agree, it's now mostly about the features when it comes to a new detector. A balanced machine (not nose heavy), large/clear lcd readout, bright backlight for those early morning hunts, fast recovery rate, beach (salt) mode. All of those features are now expected on a newly designed mid-level model like the Racer or MXS. The highly effective ground tracking system is what really sets the MXS apart for me.

I have NEL Sharpshooters on my F75 DST, Racer 2 and Bandido II µMax detectors. I'm able to run the gain almost wide open on all those machines with very little chatter. In my experience depth is about the same as the stock coils. Also, NEL build quality is top notch with a nice even epoxy pour on the bottom and a heavy duty cable/connector combo. The Sharpshooter is one of my absolute favorite coils to swing!

I wasn't a fan of the White's comparison video either. The MXT is one of the best general purpose metal detectors ever conceived. The unique combination of a Dave Johnson designed ground tracking system, a true analog tone ID and highly effective Coin/Relic/Prospecting modes continue to make the MXT a huge success. That's quite impressive for an electronic instrument engineered in 1998. The MXT Pro will always command a prominent position in my collection of detectors.

My experience, so far, has been very similar to the video (above) by CCH... I'm quite impressed with the capabilities of the updated MX Sport. I think we all sometimes get too hung-up on the MX Sport vs the MXT Pro scenario. I own both and these machines compliment one another, rather than compete against each other... Similar to the CTX and E-Trac. The MX Sport is designed to be an effective all-terrain hunter. For instance, if want to wade out waist deep in the surf, and still have VDI readout capability, I'm not going for my Excal or my MXT Pro... The MX Sport is simply another arrow in the quiver.

Very impressive, I never realized how much work is actually done in-house. Many other companies today outsource almost everything and only do the final assembly. White's manufactures a truly American product... One of the best!

Thanks John

John, the MXT Pro is one of my all time favorites, as I prefer the analog audio. It will not be replaced by my MX Sport. I did do a quick side by side check in my test garden using the 10" DD, from my V3i, on the MXT Pro. I observed a stronger signal response with the MX Sport. My deepest coin is a quarter buried at approximately 12". I tested the pinpoint function, on that quarter, as other reports suggested a loss of audio after only a few inches. I had no issues with the pinpoint audio at that depth. It will take me several months to do a thorough evaluation of the MX Sport. So, I was simply sharing my personal experience with the firmware update (the topic of this thread). I wasn't happy with the machine before the update and I am now. You may likely have different observations with your equipment, in your soil. Tom

I just got my MX Sport back today with the new firmware update and I am very pleased. I live in PA and it was only a two week turnaround to Sweet Home and back. White's sent me a pre-paid UPS label, so there was no cost to me. The target recovery is now lightening fast with no tone smearing. Same performance with Audio Modulation on or off. SAT now goes up to 8. Pinpoint audio works as it should... Very loud on shallow targets and gradually modulates all the way out to about a 12" depth. The MX Sport is stable, quiet and also deeper than my MXT Pro (which is also a great detector). White's has always stood behind every one of their products I've owned. They have the best customer service I have ever experienced. Currently, I own several White's detectors, Racer 2, F75 DST, Excal II and a bunch of Tesoro's. They are all great machines, even though I could pick at minor flaws in each of them. In my opinion, the MX Sport is one of the best values available... Rock solid build quality, waterproof, excellent ground tracking system and a reasonable price.