What Coils Are Compatible With Spectrum XLT?

[Steve Herschbach]

On 7/9/2023 at 10:31 AM, Daniel Tn said:

I've tried to find the 12" Hot Shot but no luck.  I've chalked it up to being a unicorn haha.

I do wonder though...how does the DFX compare to the XLT in performance? It looks like the layout and menu interface is basically the same. I MAY try to pick up a used DFX since I do have quite a few coils that could be used with it.  I'm assuming a DFX could also be put into a motion all metal mode like the XLT?  

Yeah very hard to find the Jimmy Sierra coils.

In general the XLT is just as good as a DFX for most uses, maybe better for some with it’s dedicated 6.59 kHz operation. The DFX in many ways is the same machine, built on the XLT platform, display, and general menu options. It however is a early selectable dual frequency machine, with the ability to run 3 kHz or 15 kKz or both combined.

The DFX is easily the better beach detector due to the dual frequency operation. It also does have far better coil support as being able to use all MXT/V3i coil variants. The Jimmy Sierra Bigfoot version for DFX was made with the DFX unique capability to shut off the rear half of the coil, and unlike other Bigfoot variants the figure 8 signal reversal front to rear is corrected with the DFX. I own a DFX specifically because there is no other detector/coil setup like it made by anyone else.

Oddly enough I also like the DFX because it’s not a super high gain overdriven machine like we get these days. Its performance is mild mannered compared to the current crop of SMF detectors, but it’s not going to bang hard on every tiny bit of metal in the ground. The 3kHz only mode does very well for silver while ignoring small foil etc. The 15kHz mode is great for jewelry, and can be run with un-normalized VDI numbers which expands the low conductor range.

One quirk about the DFX that can be good or bad, depending, is that it is always locked in salt cancellation mode, kind of like the CZ-3D. This means again that it’s relatively insensitive to tiny aluminum but also tiny gold. For my uses I am fine with this as I am not chasing micro jewelry. The XLT might have the edge there even though the DFX sports a higher nominal frequency. All the power goes into the XLTs single frequency. The DFX is always running in dual frequency mode and creates a single frequency mode by simply shutting off half the signal in processing. The V3i was a step up in repairing that deficiency.

I’m a big fan of the XLT/DFX display, prefer it over the Minelab 2D version personally. White’s SignaGraph Display Explained

All in all the DFX is the one old detector I simply can’t let go of. It’s not the sheer power of the machine, in fact, just the opposite. I like it for cherry picking shallower targets in turf, specifically jewelry, without getting bogged down with the false signals or hits on tiny bits the super hot detectors produce. In fact it’s been too long since I’ve fired the DFX up, and this list has inspired me to do just that, so thanks!

White’s DFX Engineering Report… and More

 

 

 

 

 

[Daniel Tn]

I found an old series on the Whites YouTube page regarding the XLT.  A lot of it I already knew but they did a decent job explaining some of the other settings I wasn't as familiar with. It's hard to believe that machine came out in the 1990s and will still absolutely hold its own against the modern machines of today.  Very fun machine to tinker with and SUPER smooth all metal mode.  

[Suncoast Kid]

EL NINO77, 

In regards to the XLT modification that you mentioned, in order to be able to use DFX, MXT, M6 search coils, will this modification also work on the XL Pro? You mentioned a 0.1 microF capacitor, I found a ceramic one rated at 16V? Could you please provide a little more details in regards to the modification. I've already completed the tone modification, and you caught my interest in this one. Thank you. 

[paul Muller]

Amazing this came up I was just getting my white Spectrum XLT ready to sell. never put much time on it and since I have a Equinox Minelab 800 I figure I no longer need it. But I bought mine new from Kelly co. years ago and had it equipped with a Hot Head Coil. After reading some of the comments here, starting to think maybe I should keep the old girl.

[JCR]

I encourage you to keep & use it some. It is still very capable even by today's standards. It is also a great teacher to learn how a detector operates & how all the settings adjustments effect performance. Modern auto pilot detectors may perform, but they don't connect you to the ground so to speak and can be kind of boring.

[Suncoast Kid]

Yeah, even by today's standards, the XL Pro analogs are still great detectors. They give you more info through the audio response than the sounds produced by digital detectors, and they perform very well in iron infested areas. Any of the original White's 6.59 kHz coils will work, as well as the NEL Snake, and Sharpshooter coils produced for White's detectors. The meters are great as they were designed for American coins, if you live in the USA, and are spot on when you find a coin. I still like the Knobs. Just set them where you want and go. Nothing like the time it takes to set up a program in a DFX. 

[Suncoast Kid]

The XLT is just as good. I know people that use them and they do just as well as people using the latest and greatest, just not so well on a saltwater beach, but inland they're fantastic. If you really know how to use it, no reason to part with it. I have the Deus I and II, and I can still go over to a neighbors yard and pop out silver and copper coins all day long with the White's. Great detectors especially if you know your machine. 

[paul Muller]

I may still sell it going to be 73 soon have too many detectors my main machines are a Minelab 800 Equinox and a Fisher 75, have some other Whites like Goldmasters, White Blue and Gray, D-tex and one old bird tube type Detecto , Garrett hustler etc. Kids don't like em SOOOOOOO! Anyway thanks for your info and for thoughts on the XLT.

[INT3GR8ED]

Suncoast Kid

Hey, I have a Whites Spectrum XLT. I just performed the mod El Nino77 talked about. I believe you're definitely going to need a higher voltage than 16v. I put in a 100v just to be safe. But it seems to work on the bench. I haven't tested it outside. If you need a capacitor I have a few. I could mail you one if you're interested.