White's Electronics Visit And A New V3i

[Steve Herschbach]

Back in 2014 I got a smoking deal on a like new used White's V3i with over a year of remaining warranty. It was my third after the original Vision and then later a V3i. I quickly found a platinum ring that almost paid for what I had into it, but unfortunately I got busy on other things and when the warranty was about up I sold it.

Well, I have regretted it ever since. The V3i is a unique detector that represents the end result of a design philosophy that I do not think we will see exceeded. You have programmable access to nearly every function that exists in a metal detector along with amazing control over the audio and visual interface. The bright, sharp, colorful screen has never been done better on any other model in the ensuing years. Owning the V3i is very much like owning a "design your own detector kit". I am very much not a person to have nostalgic feelings about metal detectors or to ever hang on to any very long. However, the V3i is in a class of its own in many ways and I decided if there was ever a detector I should just buy and keep it is the V3i. That being the case I decided to get a brand new one from the factory. I may very well end up using this detector to shoot a series of instructional videos about general metal detecting theory and technique. The functions and colorful screen can be used to well illustrate almost anything I can think of when it comes to metal detectors and how they work. Don't be holding your breath however - me getting around to doing some things like finishing the ATX Strip and Rebuild can sometimes take years!

I finally had reason to drive west to visit family recently, and made a swing by White's a part of that drive. I contacted forum member Tom Boykin (tboykin) who works at White's to set up a good time for a meet and greet. And so it was I found myself heading for Sweet Home, Oregon! Click on photos for larger versions.

Aerial view of White's facility....

White's sits across a bridge from the main of Sweet Home right on the banks for the beautiful South Santiam River....

Cross over the bridge and turn left and there is the sign...

First thing you see entering the main office building is a little detector showroom...

but the main attraction is a large display of old White's detectors and items found with them....

Here is the old BFO Nugget Master with dual meters. Ken White Sr. loved huge boxes, lots of knobs, and big or even multiple meters - I doubt ergonomic was even in his vocabulary! The big boxes were often empty with a little circuit board tucked in a corner. Next to the Nugget Master is an original type blue box Gold Master, part of the old T/R series. These are just collectors items folks so don't be tempted to buy one thinking you are getting a decent nugget detector - only the black box versions can be considered as modern detectors. The old blue box versions don't even ground balance.

And a real sweetie, the Treasure Master!

Anyway, I was running a tight schedule, arriving at Sweet Home at 11AM and heading on to Reno around 2:30 getting home near midnight. Tom was gracious enough to give me a tour of the facilities where I met faces both new and old, and he bought lunch to top it all off. Then I picked up my brand new V3i (which I really am going to keep) and hit the road for Reno.

Tom is an engaging young man with infectious enthusiasm and we are lucky to have him on the forum. He is still relatively new to detecting so go easy on him. The fact is though it will be people like Tom that take metal detecting to the next generation. Thanks for the tour Tom! For those who have not been so lucky check out the White's Electronics Factory Tour Video.

And finally, here is my new baby still waiting to make its first find...

[johnedoe]

Now your speaking my language........ Congrats on the new V3i.

I got mine at the factory also but that was several years ago. Also I am only a couple hours from Sweet Home and have been there several times just for the heck of it......

[FschJg]

I just traded my V3i in for another machine since in comparison it was lacking depth compared to my other VLF's. The V3i is a great coin shooter but here in Europe we need to look past 12" to find the good stuff. The V3i was just not able to do that. I wish I could have kept it since the display and the user interface was awesome.

[Steve Herschbach]

As always it just depends where you are. I have found the V3i to do well in highly mineralized ground like I have around Reno. Soil with lots of magnetite tends to compress the range of results obtained by all detectors by about 50%, making the differences seen in the field considerably different than experienced in other regions. White's being in Sweet Home, Oregon tends to build for this type mineralization, as it is what they have right out their front door. Same story though - you just have to find what works best for you in your soil on your targets. I admit I got the V3i again less for the performance and more for the whiz bang custom feature list.

[tboykin]

For those of you who have not had the opportunity to meet Steve Herschbach in person - he really is that smart!

[Deft Tones]

The D2 looks like it lost some weight (or bulk) compared to mine.

Did the D2 change or am I just looking at a photo fith a flattering angle?

[Steve Herschbach]

11 minutes ago, Deft Tones said:

The D2 looks like it lost some weight (or bulk) compared to mine.

Did the D2 change or am I just looking at a photo fith a flattering angle?

I thought the same thing and was Googling for part number changes yesterday but could find none. The scuff cover I ordered was large and a bad fit so I do think the D2 was slimmed down. I will weigh mine and post. More investigation needed.

[tboykin]

2 hours ago, Steve Herschbach said:

I thought the same thing and was Googling for part number changes yesterday but could find none. The scuff cover I ordered was large and a bad fit so I do think the D2 was slimmed down. I will weigh mine and post. More investigation needed.

We did slim it down. This was based on customer input as well as Steve's post about our "archaic" loop design.

[Deft Tones]

Better performance now? (Not that it was bad before)

I'm jealous Steve has a new D2.

I might have to get a whole new V3i sooner than I plan. 

Enablers - all of you. 

Thank you.

[Mike Hillis]

You know, I never use the stock coil on my V3.   Its always the 9.5 concentric, or the 5x10 DD, or the 10x12 SEF or even the 12" 300.  But never that D2 coil.   From the moment I first saw the D2 at the V3 release I've been turned off it.   It looked garage made cheap.   It would be ok if I made the coil in my garage for use on the V3.   But not as stock on a $1700 detector.  

Side note.   Coils are not parafocal on the V3.  Each coil requires program tweaks.  

Good luck with your new V3i.

I have stuff I want to post but no time.

HH
Mike