Chase Goldman

But to be clear though you can only do that for multi tones (i.e., 2, 3, 4, 5-tones) and pitch tones. You can’t assign frequencies in Full Tones (...yet). But that plus the PCM/Square audio waveform setting and equalizer should be good enough to help get close to emulating the tone pitch and quality of other detectors. Lots of audio customization with Iron Volume (loudness), Audio Response (dynamic target-depth-based audio adjustments), Multi-Tone pitch adjustments, PCM/Square based waveforms, and the Equalizer. Experiment to see what works for your brain and hearing. See p. 15 of the manual for tone pitch adjustment instructions. https://www.xpmetaldetectors.com/uploads/files/document/gb-rc-deusii.pdf

I can understand blowback because I can’t understand why you would even consider keeping the Manticore. jk Strick is right, anyone who thinks the D2, Manticore, Legend, or Equinox is head and shoulders above the others or does it all is either lying or delusional. They all have their strengths and weaknesses and are all top end performers and that is why many of us own detectors with overlapping but complimentary capabilities. Even the Apex, Vanquish, and Simplex hold their own because they either have some of the DNA of these other higher end detectors, have versatility, and/or simply have higher end/faster signal processing than what we’re considered the classics or flagships of the past such as the Deus, F75, T2, AT series, and Whites MXT and Spectras. CTX 3030 still does some things better than the Manticore (while the Manticore does a lot of things better than the 3030). The whole fallacy that a detector’s worth or performance is proven by a detectorist’s latest and greatest find is pervasive on these Social Media Groups and in a lot of other forums. I call it the Magic Wand effect and it biases peoples’ perspectives such that more important elements to successful detecting such as gaining experience, learning to use whatever machine you have to it’s fullest extent, and researching and gaining access to killer sites, get ignored. The social media singular focus on the toy/tool and the edited end eye candy result (pics of only the killer finds and not the trash and “mundane” stuff) is really doing a disservice to newer members of the hobby.

Actually, the rated capacity (run time in amp-hours) of a battery goes down at higher discharge currents. You can actually get more amp-hours (which translates into more run time) out of the bank + internal battery combo if you use it from the get go (beginning of the hunt) as a maintaining source of power to replace what is being sucked out of the internal battery by operating the detector. Once you crank the output current of the power bank to both re-charge the depleted internal battery and provide power for detector operation you will actually get fewer total ampere hours out of the bank than “rated capacity” which is typically based on a lower nominal output current where I^2 R power losses are lower. Steve’s approach will maximize total run time vs. connecting it once the internal battery is discharged.

This will work as a good charge maintainer for the internal battery or emergency source of power to extend run time. However, the mAH capacity rating of the Manticore battery is 6800 mAH. This powerbank will get you some additional run time, but if you want to be able to fully recharge the Manticore in the field or replicate the Manticore run time with the external bank, I recommend a power bank with a minimum capacity of 10,000 mAH (the additional capacity ensures you can fully recharge the internal battery accounting for the inevitable power efficiency losses that occur when recharging at high rates of current).

Correct. PD only works if both the source and load have USB C ports. Power delivery enables both the voltage and current supplied by the source to be consistent with the requirements of the load via handshaking between the load and source contained by the maximum wattage and current rating of the source. That means a 60W PD bank can theoretically supply 5 volts at 12 amps (but is typically limited to 3 to 5 A max to not exceed typical USB cable ratings) or 24 volts at 2.5 A, etc. The Manticore's proprietary USB cable has a USB A plug which limits the output typically to 5 VDC at 3 amps max. So any 10 to 15 watt, 5VDC USB power bank that can supply at least 2A will suffice.

I was looking forward to D pitch audio on the 900 but it seemed more chirpy (EMI susceptibility) so I have been just going with the hot hand D2 relic workhorse, instead. But I think I just needed to trust what the 900 was telling me and crank the sensitivity down further than I otherwise would have liked to on the 800 and let the 900 do its thing. Also, I think I too need to give all tones a go vs. D pitch, especially when trying to ferret out high conductors in high ferrous trash. Thanks for the tips Jeff and Andy.

Yes, I do advocate use of complimentary detectors to cover the bases because no one detector does it all and it justifies my psychopathic addiction to detecting hardware. My preference is, however, finding the one detector that does the most while doing the least to compromise performance outside of its wheelhouse. With Nox 800, it felt close, but I felt I still needed my Deus 1 for some situations (i.e. thick iron patches). Since D2, I feel I am there but the Nox or Legend still get used occasionally because of their robust ability to go deep with their elliptical 10x5 coils, which I like to use in target dense situations or when swinging in restricted space areas (e.g., corn stubble). Despite the purported "advantage" of single frequency detectors over selectable single frequency or SMF detectors on the specific, niche target types for which they are optimized, I really have not seen it play out in real world scenarios of coin shooting, beach hunting or relic detecting. I own an F75 and an MXT which were considered the cream of the crop in single frequency detectors and while I have hung on to them because they are classics, they really no longer have a role in my personal detecting arsenal. The primary advantage of SMF is salt balance on the beach maximizing stability at high sensitivity settings. Also, SMF when coupled with robust target signal processing gives a "flatter" signal response across most target types as you are not limited by single frequency resonances on specific target types. This saves time in having to go over a site multiple times with different single frequencies to catch low mid and high conductors. Vanquish is certainly an option, but it is missing some key basic features that I mentioned previously, such as adjustable ground balance and remembering settings on power off. And I am personally no fan of the retro head unit design (though the weight ergonomics and compactness are great). Also, with Legend giving so much more bang for the buck and versatility at a similar price point (Legend $499 vs. Vanquish 540 at $380) , if you are looking to just add SMF to your arsenal at a decent price point, that is the detector I would personally target. But for bare bones SMF with limitations and limited features (e.g., no wireless), a Vanquish 440 has basically the same solid SMF performance as the 550 at about $290. It's a decent park coin shooter and will run pretty stable in wet salt sand. HTH

For one thing, it's easier to optimize the hardware around a single frequency. For example, even though the coil is technically not an antenna it does have an optimal operating frequency that maximizes its effectiveness. You can also optimize filters and signal processing around single frequencies, etc. This means that you can make a detector really slay on a narrow range of target types (e g., high conductive coins or gold) or in certain environmental situations vs. the more versatile selectable frequency detector operating at the same frequency. But of course, you lose the versatility. It's the classic One Trick Pony vs. Jack of All Trades, Master of None debate.

Problem is the Nox 900 is not a Manticore.

Do you find the 900 TIDs to be stable vs. the 800?

I guess White’s technically broke the selectable SF or SMF mold by providing the capability to select SMF or the individual SMF frequencies in its Spectra series detectors. But combined SF/SMF (and even multiple selectable single frequency) was otherwise scarce until ML transformed the detector landscape in 2018 by providing the choice of SMF/SF and relative affordability in one package. Garrett’s Apex made combined SMF/SF even more affordable than the Nox 600, though it’s SMF capability lagged Nox and the SMF-only Vanquish in performance. Following on the heels of XP’s relatively expensive but very capable SF/SMF offering, Nokta confirmed you can have the combined SMF/SF feature set and top notch SMF performance and submergibility at an Apex price point! ML answered the D2’s powerful SMF with Manticore, and now Quest is jumping in with what appears on to be a capable SMF/SF machine with some twists (a higher top end SF setting at 60 khz and SMF with an 80 kHz top end, and features utilizing the V60/80’s Gyro sensor). So now that combined SMF/SF is somewhat commonplace, the only driver for providing a selectable single frequency detector without SMF, would be to fill a value/price market segment gap, provide a unique capability not possible with SMF and/or to attract those who have not bought into nor are willing to pay extra for SMF, for whatever reason. Other than the odd choice of 8khz SF beach mode, there is nothing apparent that ML is trying “sell” regarding the Xterra in terms of special performance or why SF without a combined SMF feature set should be seriously considered by detectorists. ML must just recognize there is a demand for a selectable single frequency detector that has the latest and greatest in the bells and whistles department but without the desire to also have SMF.

Minelab didn't even believe it themselves even before Xterra Pro, otherwise why did they include SF on the Nox? The whole SMF vs SF debate is kind of ridiculous. We don't have to chose one or the other anymore as Nox, Apex, D2, Legend, Manticore, and the forthcoming Quest V60/V80 all have multiple selectable single frequency as a feature along side Simultaneous MF.

Bob, thanks for another killer outing. You were indeed the silver slayer. No silver for me this time out, but some killer and unusual finds nevertheless. Still doing some research on some of my finds and will post separately.

If it does come in in a price targeted between the Simplex ($279 US) and the Legend($499 US), it will be competitive. The Legend has selectable single frequency too and high recovery (which is why the Anfibios and Impacts are not long for this world despite some of their advanced filtering), so if ML overshoots Legend in price, then I see no point in this (except for the reason I described below). If you already have a 900, not sure what this brings to the table on dry sand as you can always go to SF on the Nox and this should have similar behavior to a Nox in SF. However, I do see one advantage in wet salt sand and seawater with the X-terra Pro. If ML is indeed using the square wave demod scheme mentioned by Carl above to achieve salt balance from SF 8khz Beach Mode vice being locked in Multi-IQ in Beach mode like the Nox, it might provide an advantage in severe EMI situations, which is something I know challenges you on your beaches, Nuke Em.

Gotcha, thanks. Yep, you are correct. The in-house engineering is primarily to develop their IP, the algorithms and they basically project manage the integration of the platform whose electronic, power, and mechanical design and manufacturing is outsourced to subs.

Don't recall anyone in this thread saying ML made their own chipset. If you referring to my post, I said that ML WiStream (I previously erroneously misidentifed it as WiMax and corrected that) proprietary wireless audio didn't need to be licensed from Qualcomm like APTX (i.e., the Codec family). Despite using an off the shelf chipset common to other proprietary wireless solutions from Garrett and Quest, WiStream was indeed ML's proprietary wireless audio solution (just like their detectors, which also use off the shelf chipsets) and unlike BT APTX-LL hardware which is compatible with other APTX-LL hardware across brands, is not universally compatible with other 3rd party wireless radios using the same TI chipset. In fact, in typical ML fashion, similar to their coils, they made sure their own WiStream modules were not compatible between their own detector platforms. Something Garrett and Quest do not do with their "TI PurePath" proprietary wireless audio solutions. Also, notice what PUHH said in his post, just because they have adopted a BT LE Audio compatible chipset, that doesn't mean they are using BT LE Audio and the LC3 CODEC for their detector wireless audio that would ensure that it is compatible with 3rd party BT LE Audio accessories once they start hitting the marketplace. It might be locked down by ML or utilizing a proprietary codec (doubtful, but who knows at this point). Unlike their APTX-LL implementation, ML has not explicitly mentioned BT LE Audio or LC3 codec compatibility or touted compatibility with forthcoming 3rd party or ML branded BT LE Audio accessories. We just don't know yet. Either way, it would have been nice to retain WiStream WM08 module compatibility on these new Nox's at least to bridge the gap until 3rd party BT LE Audio HW existed (if it is indeed compatible), despite the engineering challenges that approach presented as pointed out by PimentoUK. But instead of including a WM08 (or equivalent) like with the Nox 800, they force us to buy a 6" coil with the 900 whether we need it or not.

Because at the time, XP was rolling out a new beta update every month or so and those two modes are not really features. Also, they may not stick around after XP finally releases the finalized production version of the software (i.e., version 1.XX). There are a few features that are not documented, BTW such as: the hot key presses to bring up full screen TIDs (press and simultaneously hold the two right-most keys).

Thought I saw someone I recognized in that video.

Obviously Mike Hillis.

And on this site: https://treasurehuntingworld.com/2023/02/10/minelab-x-terra-pro-its-official/ They state the following: We don’t have any details on pricing for the EU/USA but the price in China is 5200 Yuan which equates approx to £630/$760. So yeah, not really competitive. We'll see what ML says at the IWA in Germany in March.

P13 and P14 are just preset "Custom" programs that XP decided to include in the update. You can see that they are based on P7 Mono (with Freq @40 khz) and P12 Beach Sensitive but with Pitch tones audio, respectfully. You can overwrite them with your own custom programs if you wish. There is nothing super special out them. HTH

Understood. The only point I was trying to make was that it's apparent ML has decided to Sunset their proprietary WiStream accessories going forward for whatever reason be it cost, packaging, memory, or...? I am sure if they really wanted to keep it alive, they could have figured out how to engineer it into their new generic/multi-platform control head/shaft form factor. But they have moved on, embraced the Nordic chipset and the outlook for home grown or third party wireless audio accessories (especially headphone receiver packs) for the Nox/M-core/Xterra Pro platforms is murky leaving users stuck for the time being or bolting on additional transmitters to a detector that already has a radio. Disappointing.

Pretty sure a 2nd WiStream radio doesn't appreciably affect price its just another chip and since WiStream is Minelab's proprietary wireless audio solution, no licensing fees like those required for APTX. Heck, they threw in a 6-inch coil I don't want or need to justify the 700 to 900 price delta (no 900 option that comes without that coil). So pretty sure appropriately pricing the Nox 700/900 was not driving removing WiMax from the newer Nox. I think they just decided to stop supporting it going forward. Anyway, if ML is indeed abandoing WiStream, would have preferred to have an LE based receiver to replace the WM08 lieu of the coil (or at least a option to purchase Problem is, for now, you're stuck with the ML phones with no 3rd party phones or receivers into which you can plug your own wired phones. ML should produce or work with a third party to provide a compatible receiver for Nox 700/900, Manticore, and now, apparently, Xterra pro.

Great tip.