tboykin

I will believe it when I see a nugget dug with it --- the QED has been on the verge of release for 6 years!

Thank you for this, will take this to heart and I hope to make it so next year.

I am curious what you guys think about the TDI SL. To start off - I KNOW it's not a GPZ! Price, weight, usability... it seems to have em covered as far as the under 1.5k pulse market goes. Maybe it's just under-marketed. Hope it's ok to ask here, I really appreciate what a resource this board has been for me in my first year at White's. I figure what better way to get an answer to a question than go straight to the folks who know best. So - let me know what you think about the ol' SL. Good. Bad. In-between. Open to suggestions.

WOW. Great pics!

Been getting into macro photography, here are some close-ups of nuggets found with a GMT in Northern California by the factory's own Steve Howard. What's your best nugget picture? Interested in seeing different photographic techniques... might steal some ideas from those with more experience. I know "size matters" so having a reference like a US Quarter is good, but I think there is a lot of beauty in seeing just the nuggets - texture, structure, color, that sort of thing.

Chuck Taylors are my shoes! Ah, gear. I used to work on movies and I must have spent $20k+ on custom workstations, monitors, mixers, microphones, etc. Tax time helped out a lot and I still use it for my second job which is doing sound design and mixing for commercials. I took a job at White's and told them I could bring my audio gear but they would have to buy a camera. When I lived in Los Angeles I worked with Panavision 35mm/16mm film cameras, Red, Alexa, and other traditional large-format cinema cameras with heavy primes. Of course I did a lot of gigs with lil' DSLRs but I just think they give a very "plastic" look and aren't good for handheld work. I remember on one set I saw a DP push a camera dolly with a brand new prototype Red camera with I believe a Canon CN-E 30-300mm... not realising the dolly track had not been "locked"... The camera and lens went sideways, there was glass and bits of electronics everywhere. I think the total bill for that goof was over $100k and the union was not happy. I like heavy stuff that can take a beating (and don't really like syncing sound) so here is what I use- Sony HXR-NX100 with Manfrotto sticks Sony NEX 5T for B cam when needed GoPro Hero Session 4 Sennheiser MKH60 (best shotgun mic IMO, very warm sound and low EMI response) Sennheiser G3 with PSC Millimic (prefer Lectrosonics but they are Minelab-level in terms of cost) Personally I would shy away from DSLR's. The audio is usually unusable (with few options for piping in good mics to the camera), the motion looks jelly-like, and any slight movement creates a very cheap image. Also, you had better be Johnny On The Spot with your focus pulls. The large sensors create a very shallow depth of field, which is pretty but requires a sharp eye, quick hand, and years of practice to keep objects SHARP. If you'd like to talk more about video gear please PM me so we don't clog up the board. Now back to your regularly scheduled programming related to inches, volts, and VDI...

That is true. I haven't found a way to make invisible soil yet, though I have a few ideas... I don't expect to convince anyone with a video like this due to a thing called "confirmation bias," but some people have asked for this kind of test specifically so I wanted to provide it for them. If you have any specific requests and there is a supporting demand for that type of video from others I will gladly shoot it. Up next I think I will do one on Audio Modulation and Sensitivity, since the two are related.

My $2000 camera, $1200 microphone, and $40 Chuck Taylors are not

How many nails can one machine take? I ran out - If you guys would like to see something specific for a video please let me know! I have a vial of nuggies I can use to show gold response next. But its pouring up here so I might have to wait for a break in the weather.

It depends on voltage, ground, and coil choice. A folded mono coil like the MJD will be more sensitive on smaller nuggets (and porous ones too). You will lose some depth, but using a "hot-rod" battery pack will help make up for it. I have seen guys use as high as a 14.8 volt battery pack for extra punch, which seems to get the SL closer to the Pro in terms of depth. In my own testing a modified battery holder (9 AA's instead of 8 for 13.5 volts) got me an extra 1-1.5" with the stock 12" coil on a nickel-sized target. Worth looking into further I think...

Very easy to modify it to a straight shaft (even carbon fiber). FWIW I prefer a hip/chest mount. Makes climbing cliffs much easier.

I think for the price you will not find a better pulse machine. But I could be wrong.

The Pro was a solid performer in terms of depth, though you had to fight the threshold to get it. The reason it is discontinued is the components are obsolete/prohibitively expensive. What improvements would you like to see in the TDI SL?

Currently that is correct.

Josh Bohmker helped us shoot this video for the TDI SL. He and his dad are refining a technique of hunting pocket gold down in Southern Oregon and I was able to join him and Dennis Dickson for a day trip. Afterwards we all hunted in the rain for a couple hours. Found an old stamp mill and the diggings but the cold rain seeped into our bones pretty quick. Did pan around the mill and managed some specks but we'll save the nuggets for the next trip down...dit

We're hoping to have some products that'll catch your interest in 2017, and I appreciate those of you who have helped out with opinions/thoughts/ideas. Thanks for putting up with old Spock on this board. Happy Halloween from everyone at White's Electronics! LIVE LONG and PROSPECT

John makes some of the best coils for the TDI out there. Vast improvement over stock, good sensitivity on small nuggets and very stable. I believe his coils are hand-made, so there is a level of craftsmanship that goes into each one.

Del, yes, you can still buy factory direct. Sometimes on our facebook we have "flash sales" where you can get things at a discount with a coupon code. But local dealers can often get you the best deal. https://www.whiteselectronics.com/product-category/metal-detectors/

Skip - that "other employee" was me....

I'll take ya up on that. Just can't have too many IPA's... My Grandma was Mohawk and my blood turns into fire when I drink.

Chuck - when I shot that crash test video the engineer mentioned the weight and made a compelling argument FOR it. Strength = weight, and as far as strength the MXS is a Sherman tank. It would not be able to take such a beating if it weighed 2.5 lbs. I have a Deus in my office that I was considering sacrificing to a similar test but I don't think it would survive a 6 ft drop onto concrete. Some people may have a hard time swinging 4 lbs, and I understand completely. For those people there are lighter machines, as well as options to mount a detector to a wheelchair or walker.

Del, I was having lunch with my wife who works down the street. She has top priority. Internet forums are probably down around #17 or so. But if I have a minute to spare at the office instead of getting a cup of coffee or reading the news I will jump on a forum to see what's crackin'. I'm a big fan of German efficiency... Here is what to look for on hardware - https://www.whiteselectronics.com/product-updates/ We shut the line down until 9-13-16, and used that time to ID, solve, and put measures in place to make sure that once and for all, the MX Sport was a solid choice for seasoned detectorists. We then revamped our production practices and began reworking all machines in stock at the factory and the returns we received from our dealers and distributors. It cost a lot of money but was our responsibility to do so. Since we have a combination of reworked units and new assemblies out in the world, the best advice I can give you is to look over the machine carefully for any cracks. We did what we could to get them all back, but there may be some still out there that need to be worked on. Although the "official" warranty is 2 years, the MX Sport is a special situation. White's will take care of any MX Sport owner with factory issues that we have seen. In my first few months here I was blown away by the generosity and care that White's shows its customers (and the reason I will stay). It's not the most profitable business model, but it is the best way to create life-long customers. If you have any further questions please contact the factory at 1-541-367-6121. It is the best way to get answers fast - sometimes I am out in the field looking for gold or shooting videos.

I am aware of this and have used both Coiltek and Miner John coils for the TDI Pro/SL. That's about all I want to say.

Glad to hear the sensitivity helped you pinpoint. There is a park down the road from the factory here in Sweet Home that I call "penny hill." Last time I was testing machines I stopped digging 50-75 VDI range because there was just too many pennies! But maybe I should go back to try and beat the "Penny King"--- https://www.whiteselectronics.com/find/bill-green-the-penny-king/