Differences Between MXT Models?

[GB_Amateur]

I understand some of the differences between recent models (different standard coil means different name) but what I'm asking about is changes over the 15+ years this detector has been made.  I may find a great deal on a used one sometime and would like to know how much different that particular model might be compared to a brand new one (other than the obvious issues such as warranty).

Adendum:  As usual I should have looked at Steve's nugget detector review page where there is quite a bit under the MXT pages.  Still not quite sure the info there (including link to Jeff Foster's table of differences) covers all the changes.  For example, are there only two temporal models, old one being simply 'MXT' and new one simply 'MXT Pro'?  And when did changes in operating characteristics occur (good to know since White's models have a sticker inside the battery compartment with date of manufacture)?

[Steve Herschbach]

Jeff's table of differences covers it - there are really only two MXTs. The others were coil and paint job variants.

If the unit has no Ground Grab button it is the newer MXT Pro. Anything without the Ground Grab button is the older MXT.

[GB_Amateur]

Good to know.  Thanks Steve for responding.

The world of metal detectors is rich in traditions, conventions, and naming/renaming practices.  For example, there are two Fisher Gold Bugs (1990's and 2010's versions), which are very different detectors.  Then again, there is the Fisher F19 -- different name but just the (new) Gold Bug with a few added features.  How many White's Goldmaster (and Coinmaster) models have been made, some similar and some quite different?  This is another example of knowledge being valuable.  The older MXT's on Ebay tend to sell for quite a bit less (typically $100 or more) than the newer ones.  Are the few differences worth the added cost?

You're probably tired of hearing that I lost 35 years between my early days of detecting and my current stretch.  Thankfully I have all of you here to fill in the knowledge gap.  Thanks!

[Steve Herschbach]

The two MXT models have the exact same performance. The only difference is some shuffling of control functions. Any actual performance difference would be related to different stock coil options, but the guts are the same.

I like that ground grab button though. The older MXT you had to flip to tracking, then flip back to lock to get a new ground balance.

[johnedoe]

I have an older MXT....

Really couldn't care less about the ground grab since you can still accomplish that by the simple flip of a switch back and forth.

Nor do I care about a backlight..... When I hunt at night which is seldom anymore I used a headlamp that illuminated the screen just fine when I needed it.

[auminesweeper]

I have owned the last 3 versions of the MXT, the first one I bought was the MXT 300 which came with the Racing Matt Black paint job and the 12"/300 coil and I used that big coil where others were using small coils because of the junk but I got the deep Gold and Silver in the first week of owning it, That started the fire and I have owned every model since,

There are many great machines out there but once you have used an MXT and you pick one up again a while down the track you get that "Oh Yeah" feeling and you know all is right with the World, It is just a nice machine to use that finds it all if it is within it's reach, There is no best machine but the MXT will put a smile on the oldest of faces and it will cover 99% of a persons needs.

J.

[Stah]

Greetings Auminesweeper.  The MXT has got me interested. Being an Aussie like me, how have you found it searching for gold in the heavily mineralised grounds such as in the golden triangle of Victoria? Should I be looking at a ML GPX 4500, which is dearer, or will this MXT do the trick. Another option was the ML Equinox that "everyone" seems to be talking about. 

Being a raw beginner I have started off very small with an Aldi detector, buried my wife's ring in 6 inches of dirt and detected it. Valuing my life I 1st put it into a plastic bag, just in case.

[Stah]

Thanks Phrunt. I value your advice.

[auminesweeper]

Stah,  

There is something that people need to realise and that is Yes Australia does have some very bad ground that will cause VLF's to whinge and moan but rest assured there is also places that PI machines suffer too and on coming storms within 200k's can make a PI unusable and  at one time VLF's are all we had and the biggest "Detected" nugget in history was found with a VLF at about a foot deep, (Fact)

In answer to your question "Yes" the MXT will work there, and Goldsearch Australia field tested it there and were quite successful, Only having to reduce the Gain by about 20% from the maximum, It is a simple machine to operate but don't let that fool you it can punch well above it's weight, See here, http://www.goldsearchaustralia.com/index.php/mxt_stories

 many people here and the Aussie forums find Gold with VLF's such the GMT, GB 2, and the Racers etc, and yes hot rocks will sound off on a VLF and with some VLFs you will have to work at a reduced Gain, but if you give 10 top detectorists who have used VLF's in the past they will find Gold in the GT with a VLF,

The MXT has found hundreds of Kilo's of Gold from the US to Australia,, Is it the best VLF out there ? I don't know but a few companies seem to be borrowing some of its features and renaming them and those machines work quite well in Oz too So there is always room for a good VLF in the arsenal,

With my MXT I have about 10+ coils so I can tailor my MXT for any task at hand, Take the MXT in shallow bedrock areas and you will run rings around a PI sniffing out all the tiny Gold, so what's the point of having a machine that goes 3 feet deep when you only have 6 to 8" of soil, Searching old mining camps and tailing piles are other good places to use a VLF,

Whites make no wild claims with the MXT it is what it is and it is still the best detector Whites have ever made, turn it on set it up and detect, Due to the lack of bells and whistles newer detectorists are unimpressed with the MXT, but bells and whistles won't find Gold and the battery life is in excess of 60 hours, My perfect detector arsenal would be the MXT as the main machine and an SDC and then a 45/5k and maybe the EQ/GM because all 3 of those machines have a proven history,

Lastly a couple of things to bare in mind, keep it fun, Don't over invest money in to this hobby that you can't afford because when your success rate dips so will your enthusiasm, and all of the above will effect a persons home life and I have seen that happen to a few good friends so keep it in check. There is no perfect detector and these three machines will always make you smile when used correctly.

hope that helps, 

  

[Stah]

Thanks Auminesweeper. That was very, very helpful. I am getting wise advice on this site. My search has narrowed considerably and yes, I shall consult my wife. I will be moving to Victoria in a month's time for work reasons and am keen to do a bit of detecting.

If you were to only have three coils for your MXT, what would they be?