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A new Treasure Talk blog by Gary Drayton... The CTX 3030 Road Warrior

I would like to respectfully request something that I am sure has been requested before... The option, on a CTX 3030, of running 50-tone conductive -- i.e., the full set of conductive tones -- in "combined" mode. Right now, of course, we can only choose four "non-ferrous" bins of tone, above the ferrous bin, in combined mode. Combined mode is such a GREAT idea -- but in my strong opinion it is HINDERED, unnecessarily, by forcing 50 possible conductive ID numbers into only four bins. I have ALWAYS hunted my Explorers in full multi-tone, and would LOVE the ability to run a "combined/full multi-tone" mode on the CTX. Could you PLEASE ask the engineers/software designers to place that option into a future CTX "software update?" I can't imagine it's any more than just some simple software coding to permit that option... Thanks for considering -- Steve

So far I only have 2 days detecting on the beach but coins are no problem. Learning how the audio tones and numbers work together. The 3030 is rather intuitive...I haven't had too much trouble so far just getting the coins etc. I can tell a screw top from a quarter...But I had to be careful when I tried to rule all of those tones as screw tops because I found a few nickels that were in the same number range .....and they also bounce around. I'm very new with it. Found about 2 dollars in change so far...in two short hunts. I did find a neat little 1.5 gm pendant that is rose gold....that I thought was junk. Just getting settled in here..look forward to more fun. Thanks Fred and I pray you are feeling better. Paul

At one time before its release I had been interested in the Nokta Impact. Speculation ran rampant and I got sucked into the vortex. I already owned a Red Racer and a Gold Racer so I knew that Nokta/Makro made good detectors. As so often happens life intrudes on our metal detecting plans. In the last year I have not detected near as much as in years previous so I had shelved my interest in the Impact. Yet recently I have been able to detect more so I went ahead and acquired one. As usual, I first read the manual(what a geek). While the Impact is a more complex detector than either the Red or Gold Racer, the excellent menu tree and my perusal of the manual had me up and running in short order. At my first opportunity I took the Impact to a location that has had a serious pounding with the Deus, CTX, and who knows how many other detectors. I started detecting with the stock elliptical affixed to the stick. Although the Impact weighs about 4 Lbs. I thought it was nicely balanced so swinging it did not overly fatigue me. This machine has a mode for about any type of detecting you would want to do but on my 1st day I only tried 4 of them. GEN D, DI99, DI4, and VLX2. After a couple hours trying the different modes and learning the tones on the Impact I had found some non-ferrous items that were missed by all other machines but nothing that was a keeper, mainly miscellaneous bits of brass and copper. I thought it was time to switch gears so I threw on the 7" elliptical. I had previously been running mainly factory presets in the various modes but with this coil I wanted to gain back some of the depth I knew I would lose with the smaller coil so I bumped the sensitivity up. I worried about increased EMI but with this coil running hotter, EMI did not cause me any problems. I really like this tiny elliptical. It's the perfect size for working in the iron while still getting more coverage than a 5" or 6" round. I took this little football coil into the heaviest iron at the site and once again while I was able to pluck some non-ferrous targets out of that mess I found nothing to write home about(story of my life, LOL). I did try out the 15" coil. Honestly I am not a big coil guy unless I am swinging a PI and going for max depth. I love working in the iron with VLF's so usually a small coil is welded to the dirt end of whatever machine I am swinging at the time.This 15" is a coil I would use for very specific circumstances only as I would need to wear a harness if I was going to swing it very long. With the 15" mounted up to this machine it was very nose heavy and my arm hurt in no time at all. The wireless headphones seemed to work well. I did not notice any lag that would affect target recovery. A few times I thought I detected the slightest lag in heavy iron, but it was near the end of the day and honestly I was getting tired and probably a little cranky. Likely my imagination. At the end of my first day with the Nokta Impact I was favorably impressed with most aspects of the machine. My main gripes were 1) while well balanced it is still 4 Lbs. I am used to a Deus so when you grab this detector you wonder why it can't be lighter. 2) The tones are very digitized sounding. Some people may love these tones, me not so much. 3) The wireless headphones do not have a long enough adjustment band for me to wear them comfortably with a baseball cap. They rode up on my ears and irritated me. A few days later I decided to do a shoot out between the Impact and some other detectors I have to see how they performed with iron masking. This test was not done to rigorous scientific standards. LOL. Just a test I did for my own information. I can't post all the individual settings and results. I had to come to work on a tugboat and I forgot and left all my notes at home. I will give a quick synopsis of my findings. I hope some one finds it useful but it is just my own opinion. Others are likely to have different results. My friend Chuck(Strick) will post photos of the test for me because he is a good guy and has that down pat. The machines tested were; CTX 3030 with 6"R coil. Red Racer with OOR coil. Deus with 9" LF coil. Deus with Elliptical HF coil. Impact with 4x7" coil. I made sure the dirt was clean of targets befor flipping over a rubber welcome mat and inserting a 1926 SLQ and a 1855 seated dime into holes in the backing. I did this so the square nails I placed near the coins were slightly elevated over the coins. I manual GBed all the machines except the CTX. The dirt under the mat is kinda hot. It lights up most of the bars on the Deus FE meter. The results of the test were surprising to me. First that the CTX did so well in comparison to most of the other detectors. On the first scenario( quarter with one small square nail and one big square nail), all the detectors except the Deus with HF coil could generate a diggable signal on 25% +/- of angles swung on the target. The Deus with HF coil could get a diggable signal 360 degrees around the target. On the second scenario(dime with 3 nails), all the detectors except the Deus with HF coil could not generate a diggable signal from any angle swung. The Deus with HF coil could generate a signal 360 degrees around the target. As I said before I was a little shocked the CTX did so well in the quarter test scenario compared to most of the other detectors because I have seen the Red Racer, and Deus HF and LF coils eat it alive when comparing signals on live relic digs on un-dug targets in heavy iron. I thought the Red Racer would do better as I have also seen situations in which the little OOR coil on the Red Racer seemed almost magical on targets the Deus LF and other detectors have failed on. As far as the Impact is concerned I felt its performance in these two scenarios on that day in that dirt was was nothing to write home about but to be fair it did as well as any detector besides the Deus with HF coil. I was hoping for more as far as separation/unmasking ability from this detector with the 7" coil onboard. But I must say that a detectorist that I respect very much and I believe is a straight shooter tells me the Impact with 7" coil does beat the Deus with HF coil in some scenarios. Anyway, on that day in those two scenarios the Deus with HF coil spanked all the others. I am sure other detectorists will have different opinions or results and that is fine by me. I don't own stock in any of the companies manufacturing these machines. In summation I would say I do like the Impact. It has many fine features and I know I need way more hours on it to leverage all of its capabilities to my advantage. In my world the CTX is my park and lawn machine. The Deus with the HF coil has become my main relic machine for heavy iron. I love the Deus for its light weight, speed, and versatility. But now there is a new kid in town- the Impact. LOL . When I get time I know I will enjoy learning the nuances of this machine. I am looking forward to spending more time in the all-metal modes and some of the other modes I haven't explored yet, like Deep mode.

I've had one since they came out and 2 years ago it was standing there all sorry looking in the corner collecting dust. So I sold it. Guy who bought wasn't all that happy with it, Minelabs have a tendency to bash your ears if you let it. Guy couldn't handle the 50 tones. Ah well. But not having a CTX and all this talk about obsoleting this and that. Saw a nice CTX with a few miles on the skidplate looking for a second home. UPS guy delivered and a day at the beach was on the cards. This thing is the real deal, no questions asked. Just a lot of awesome RAW detecting power. Swings like a perfectly balanced boat anchor. Boy does it love high conductors. My settings for a moist windblown autumn beach. DEEP ON, LOW trash, Manual GB, Auto sens, 2 tones Ferrous with above 31 ringing Hightone. No need to complicate things. Treshold just below audible, Audio Gain at 5, etc. etc. This beach has seen hunters all summer long, so pulltabs, bottlecaps, foil galore. High conductors are just about gone. But there I was digging coins 2 scoops down on a windswept chilly autumn beach with a smile on my face like Garfield. Got a ring as well, just a shame it was a small little tire-valve nut. Thx Mr Herschbach, You really made my day. Thx Mr Minelab, You do know how to make the magic flow.

Can anyone please direct me how to download the gold codes I can not seem to download it successfully for ctx3030

This only fits the newer Minelab CTX 3030 and all GPZ 7000 units. Most people like me probably only want a replacement stand but for $15.00 with free shipping it is hard to complain. Except about the stand being so flimsy in the first place! Minelab Kit part #3011-0283 https://store.minelab.com/product-p/3011-0283.htm

Glad to see this. https://metaldetectingforum.com/showthread.php?p=2760349#post2760349

Aloha i decided to hit the beach again this week did 2 session 1 of 3 hours at night and 1 of 2 hours the day after i start to have fun with the CTX no gold yet but i found most of the fishing wet at 1 foot and more laying on a hard clay layer sand was mixide with large stone i think i would have struggled with a sand scoop big time ....i am gonna keep using spade till i find a sandy beach total 1 british pound and 2 pence i guess there was no fresh gold.... RR

"For some time now I have been keen to get my hands on one of Minelab’s CTX 06 six-inch coils for my CTX 3030. Recently, I finally bought one and couldn’t wait to get out and try it on some trashy sites that I have had success on in the past." Nice blog entry by Mike Gerlach at http://www.minelab.com/anz/go-minelabbing/treasure-talk/good-things-come-in-small-packages-detecting-with-the-minelab-ctx-06-coil

Went to the coast this weekend did try my luck on once a popular spot, i was using my CTX for the first time and i max out everything machine was stable but i found jacks£$t!!! I could feel that the machine is going deep but the spade i brought with me had a shaft which i didn't trust that much so i left a lot of target found 1 rivet 1 screw tap and 1 rusty piece of something.....the machine indicated target at 12" but i could reach them without breaking my spade and i had no spare.......well next time i will bring either a sand scoop or a better designed spade.. RR

I got a CTX 3030 for Christmas and left home for some better weather. I got my 3030 out for the first time at a club coin hunt a little over a week ago. I got it out for the second time today to detect a beach at a State Park beach. After about fifteen minutes, I started to hear a sound like a jack hammer. I stopped and took my headphones off thinking there must be a maintenance crew close by. The noise was gone. The noise was coming from the detector. I restarted the detector and from then on it would never go past the start up screen and no sound coming from the machine. I have a second battery and the 17" coil. I changed both and still would not go past start up screen. I am a thousand miles from home, my warranty info and the box it came in. Any thoughts out there? Sending off to a repair facility not knowing where I will be or when it might get repaired or replaced is not the option I am looking for. Norm McQ

Enjoy RR

So i decided to treat myself but not for any particular reason :) so i got myself a used CTX with 3 coils.......the wireless module, complete protection ,brand new XP back headphones but no charger :( , also got an xterra gold pack on his way used also but after swapping some gear with a friend and 13" detect coil for my Gbug....and i think thats all,no ...i forgot a headhunter pulse i bought and left to a friend who never used it ........i think i got enough gear for a while..... RR

Just published at Minelab's Treasure Talk blog at http://www.minelab.com/usa/go-minelabbing/treasure-talk/gps-mapping-with-the-minelab-ctx-and-gpz-detectors-part-2

There are two very good threads now on the CTX 3030. One function that I don't see discussed is the use of sizing . This feature was available on the Explorers and it would allow you to accept or reject targets and size them. You could make that target look bigger or smaller with sizing. Anything close would be included in that ID. This is a specific 'carve-out' which is different than the two 'modes' you can use in each program. Most of the time I hunt with the 3030 in All Metal mode (smooth only) on any of the programs. I have downloaded other programs but I am most familiar with the sounds of the coin and beach programs so I go to them no matter where I am. I have used in high iron trash the rejected iron and trash patterns by hitting the detect a second time. There are times on the beach when I switch between the different sizes. Have you other 3030 users found a useful time to change the sizing? (High trash/lots of targets maybe on smaller sizing?) Mitchel

Has anyone tested the sensitivity of the CTX 3030 6" round coil and or small elliptical coil on gold nuggets and if so how did that turn out? Thanks, Terry

Steve, How is the XP Deus working for you? Is it really a worthwile addition for a CTX owner with small 6" smart coil for unmasking? I tried the Nokta Relic. I wanted to like it but too many false signals had me digging tons of trash. Some iron gives high signals even just 2 inches down in my dirt, out of the hole it goes low signal. I don't have time for that. Coins go into the upper nineties for target ID so a nail & coin look the same. I understand it's different in other States with milder soil. I finally bought a new CTX instead. These machines work here! I never seem to be able to get away from a Minelab. (Fisher has been good as well. Accurate target ID) -Don

I took my new/used 3030 out in the yard today. I don't know much about what I'm doing with it yet but these were the first 2 targets I choose to dig. I must have it set in the miniature vehicle mode?

Tally - sov sg ,nel 6 gold 2 dollar coins 25 dollars in shrapnel - dry sand . Wet sand 6 more king Georges 1951 London mint (50%silver)10 dollars in shrapnel , and an an earring with 12 small stones yet to be assessed. 3030 - has been sent back to mine lab twice for repairs after purchase but it's good . You come to the beach Comp your 100 percent fit. Dry sand - 18 karat ring not confirmed 32 bucks plus change in the dry sand. Wet sand 5 bucks , large steel ring, and some old 1 and 2 cent peices . Thoughts gents

In my travels in the western USA I sometimes find myself in an area that does not lend itself to nugget hunting. If I want to satisfy my itch to metal detect I must go to a park, sidewalk strip, or relic location. I have been hunting with my buddy Strick on occasion and his main machine is a CTX 3030. I am impressed with his finds and the performance of the CTX. I am unimpressed by the weight of this detector. The CTX is the acknowledged king of accurate VID at depth. Is there a machine that weighs less than 3.5 lbs that has nearly commensurate VID capabilities to the CTX that I could purchase for coin and relic hunting? Also any opinions on the Coiltek Joey for the CTX versus the stock 6 inch?

From The Minelab Website CTX 3030 Mechanical Design Improvements Since the CTX 3030 was launched in 2012, Minelab has continued to refine the mechanical platform throughout the development of the GPZ 7000 gold detector, launched in 2015. While many of these ongoing design changes were specific to the GPZ 7000 only, two of the improvements are universal across both products and will now be available on all new CTX 3030 detectors from January 2016 onwards. These improvements are: New Battery Sand Seal The battery now has a sand seal fitted that minimises the ingress of sand that could potentially compromise the internal ‘o’-ring waterproofing rubber seal. New Armrest Lock The ‘turn’ mechanism that could become loose after repeated use has been replaced with a ‘push’ mechanism for increased reliability and ease of adjusting. New CTX 3030 detectors with these functional improvements will be identifiable through the addition of a NEW MECHANICAL DESIGN IMPROVED WATERPROOFING sticker on the front of the product carton. Current owners wishing to upgrade their existing detector should contact their local Minelab office for upgrade options and pricing.

This specimen was found in Downieville with my 3030. It is 18.3g.of mostly gold with a little quartz.