X-Terra Pro Versus Elite - Real User Opinions

[CleotisJames]

On 6/20/2024 at 9:42 AM, Jeff McClendon said:

I don't own either one.

I was an Equinox 600, 800 and 900 owner from the time those Equinox models were first released.

I tested and detected with the Equinox 600 in its multi vs selectable single frequency settings. The difference is like day and night. Multi had very accurate and solid target IDs in moderate to high iron mineralization even on deep targets. Any single frequency option had bouncy IDs and up averaged everything badly to where a US nickel or similar target ID aluminum pull tab sounded and gave target IDs like a US quarter at 3" depth and that is with a 50 digit target ID system.

The X-Terra Pro is an Equinox 700 with no Multi IQ and with a 119 target ID system. I found the Equinox 900 to have really unstable target IDs even using its multi settings. I can only imagine what the Pro would be like here with just the single frequency options and 119 target IDs.

I would buy the X-Terra Elite or a new Equinox 600 (great sale prices right now) in a heartbeat over the X-Terra Pro 24/7 and enjoy using its Multi IQ technology and only resort to their single frequency options in an EMI emergency situation.

I and many other Equinox owners that new the story about Multi IQ vs single frequency use and target ID stability and accuracy tried to warn people about the X-Terra Pro. Unless your soil conditions are perfect with virtually no iron mineralization........Some listened. Some obviously didn't and were disappointed. 

Other than for monetary reasons (exploiting the Equinox form factor and reputation and piss off Nokta by competing with the Simplex), I cannot understand why Minelab even released the X-Terra Pro except maybe for beach and submerged hunting where its Beach mode apparently does very well. I was under the impression that Multi IQ was supposed to obsolete all single frequency VLF detectors according to Minelab.

I added the Nox 6" coil to my XTP and what a difference! I hunt similar coil conditions in my area & adjust sensitivity accordingly and I'm happy with it.

[1491]

Besides VDI (in)stability on the Elite or Pro, can anyone comment on the *tone* performance on these units? Are deep nickels or pulltabs up-averaged tone-wise? Same for iron? Asking for a friend who still has an ETrac. 😅 [ah, I see this Q was previously addressed: "Any single frequency option had bouncy IDs and up averaged everything badly to where a US nickel or similar target ID aluminum pull tab sounded and gave target IDs like a US quarter at 3" depth"]

[1491]

I just bought an Xterra Elite and had my first beach hunt with it. I hunt this particular beach frequently with the Minelab ETrac, so that is the only thing I can compare the Elite with. In short, the VDI stability, tonal stability, and depth on the Elite are impressive in Beach Mode, with multi IQ. My fear with the Elite, compared with the ETrac, was that I would 'lose information' by not having ferrous + conductive numbers on the Elite. It didn't matter. I'd say I dug the same ratio of good to junk targets with both machines. My ETrac is going to be jealous for several outings in the next few weeks.