97 of 99 people found this review helpful:

Review by: Herman Swogger

User Experience: 7+ years

Submitted on: Apr 14, 2008

User Rating:

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I have been metal detecting for over thirty years and have used machines from most manufacturers.

I would recommend the X-Terra 30 machine for just about any level of MD'er as it makes a great unit for the beginner or a veteran who doesn't need all the bells and whistles. While I believe almost every major maker of machines has very good and probably comparable models available on their higher end units, most drop off on performance considerably on their mid and lower end machines.

The X-Terra has all of the performance of the top of the line machine but doesn’t have all the modes available to this. This might seem like a big drawback unless your basically using it for coinshooting or jewelery hunting like I do and most other MD'ers probably spend most of their time doing. If you are gold prospecting or spending a lot of time in or around salt water, it might be better to step up to the X-Terra 70 or to buy a machine that specializes just in that.

Most of the machines I have used over the years have had some strengths and some weak points but I don't think I have ever used a machine that does everything overall as this one. It does a great job of masking out unwanted iron and it is extremely rare to be bothered by hot rocks, both of which are fairly common here in Ohio. It is fairly simple to use if you just make sure you get a repeatable signal and it sees through trash fairly well.

I had planned on buying a different machine from a major manufacture that was on sale but after talking to a sales representative, who was familiar with this area, he suggested this and what a great call that was. After trying it out on some coins that are buried in my yard and seeing that the number scale and depth reading seemed very accurate, I went out to an old farm house with a friend for real test. I found a Standing Liberty quarter, a gold ring, and a few wheaties at a good depth while my friend was limited to a few pennies and some clad.

About a week later, we went to a place that had some high tension lines and while he had to work in an area some distance away (recovering a gold ring for his efforts) I was able to detect right under them with no problems. I found a merc, an Indian head, and several old wheaties in an area that would be hard for most machines to hunt.

So for those people who want a turn on and go machine that works in most conditions and has great depth and accurate pinpointing and depth reading, I would highly recommend this machine.

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56 of 57 people found this review helpful:

Review by: Matt Peterson

User Experience: 6 months to 2 years

Submitted on: Oct 4, 2008

User Rating:

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I am very pleased with this metal detector. Though, as a relative newcomer to the hobby, I do not have much to compare it to. My detecting experience is limited to a machine my grandfather gave me many years back that I amateurishly used to play with (it was a very low end detector), and in anticipation of taking this hobby a little more seriously, I rented a White's Prizm IV for one weekend to make sure detecting was as exciting as I remembered. Admittedly, it was the Prizm rental that got me hooked for good on this hobby--my second beep was a silver 1948 dime! With that said, the X-terra is better than the Prizm and based on my interpretation of reviews, it is about the best detector for the money in this range.

Here are some pros I've observed in the past two weeks:

Set-up was easy. The process of setting up also gave me a chance to review the quality of the individual pieces, which I give very high quality marks to. I was detecting in minutes (low leaning-curve), and had a several coins in my pocket in the first 15 minutes.

I am really thankful for the large numerical display. Because of the size of the numbers, I never have to stretch down for a closer look (like I did with the Prizm), and the numbers are almost always indicative of what's in the ground. If it's a 40, I feel confident there's a quarter down there. The only time I've noticed the numeric ID is not aligned with what would normally indicate a specific coin or metal is when the object is very deep or is extremely corroded. In the latter case, the detector is still doing its job perfectly--the conductivity of the metal has changed.

The target discrimination is great. I've hunted primarily in parks so far, and my X-Terra 30 will pick up coins next to trash with no problem. I've gone down for objects that were buried with trash based on the independent signature of the keeper object. I'm not sure of the technical term for this--it is very precise in outlining the object. For example, because pull tabs will often show up in the same range as a nickel, I would normally lack confidence going down for that target. Yet, because the X-Terra 30 is so good at "outlining" the object, it will usually pick up on the fact there is a hole in a pull tab (not true with the other detectors I've used) and produce two beeps if passed over the right part. I use this concept as a guide with many objects. Also, junk targets tend to be "cracklier" when they beep. In short, I can separate out the good stuff based on the shape and sound of the object.

The detector is very light-weight; I've had no issues with fatigue. Yet, it still feels very sturdy.

To my surprise, the X-Terra 30 does alright on the beach. One of the complaints I saw repeated in reviews is that this would not work in wet sand, though was mediocre in dry. If I turn the sensitivity down to 7 or so, I've found I can detect in wet sand. Granted, I've only found a few coins so far, but I didn't think this would be an option. Dry sand is almost the same as detecting on grass. A few phantom beeps, but I only dig the repeatable signals, so that's not a problem.

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41 of 42 people found this review helpful:

Review by: Dan Elenbaas

User Experience: 7+ years

Submitted on: Aug 2, 2008

User Rating:

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I have had the X-terra 30 for 2 years. Assembly and operation out of the box are extremely easy. Resetting locked out targets is a little tricky, done during power up.

I like that no strap is necessary on the arm rest. It is very light. Target ID is somewhat useful. Quarters are always a 40, Dimes 36, nickels 8, pennies a 32 or 36. Tabs foil 8-12.

I prefer to hunt for coins. A ring now and then is a real plus. I can squeak an hour in now and then or 10 minutes at a park on a trip and want to get a few finds. I don't dig deep, usually inch or two. Being in Montana, I've ended up going shallower as there are so many stones and rocks. Ground is mineralized.

I've owned a White's 4900, Fisher 1266X, Whites IDX and now the X-terra. The X-terra works similarly to the IDX.

Pinpointing is far too vague, with a really goofy tone and screen system. Soup can size. Electrical interference like power lines mess it up. There are not enough divisions on the discriminator. The higher models may cure that. I do better with it in the Midwest, which has great soil, but as with the 1266, I feel I need some form of ground balancing. Sweep speed is not fast. Listen for a solid beep with no falsing or chatter. Raising the coil or re-hitting the pinpoint button while over the target helps reduce the target size.

Most unusual find by 2 persistent kids of mine was a crochet hook. Also, I found a track medal which I returned.

I am still searching for the perfect detector. This one seemed a little overpriced for its performance.

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32 of 33 people found this review helpful:

Review by: Josh Kessler

User Experience: Newbie

Submitted on: Apr 11, 2008

User Rating:

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I have always been a history buff, fascinated by antique relics and old coins. I've read many stories of people finding coins and hidden treasures all over the place, and I wanted my chance! I decided it was time to get a metal detector. After much research, it was clear that the price, quality, and technology of Minelab X-Terra is unprecedented.

Within the first hour of use, I had already mastered the discrimination and pinpoint functions, as the electronics are extremely easy to use. One simple Accept/Reject button filters out unwanted materials from your detecting area. I found two quarters and a penny in my front yard. One signal showed all five bars for depth. I dug about eight inches deep only to find nothing. I decided to try a little deeper and then found a piece of scrap metal. It was deeper than eight inches, proving the amazing sensitivity of this detector. The 7.5 kHz coil with VFLEX technology is very precise. The pinpoint function, with its graphical indicator, was dead-center over the object every time. I found the sensitivity adjustment to be very helpful as I detected in various environments, especially in those with any interference. The detector length adjusts for comfort and is very light, therefore, my arm never tired.

Now, more than ever, I get excited when I happen to find an old abandoned house or historical area. For the amount of thrill I have experienced with this detector thus far, it has easily paid for itself. This detector is great for both beginners and experienced hunters alike. You get the functionality of more expensive units all in one easy, simple-to-use piece of equipment. I would definitely recommend this detector to anyone.

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19 of 21 people found this review helpful:

Review by: Michael J.quarrella

User Experience: Newbie

Submitted on: Mar 17, 2008

User Rating:

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havan't had a lot of chance yet but making sure that this year, I will do a lot more. Still learning all the ways to make this machine work for me. I believe up here in Alaska I didn't get the right machine, I have passed over several gold pieces, both chains,rings And nuggets. I have no trouble with silver or clad coins etc. I know that I do not have the top of the line machine, and am starting to work on getting this one set correctly. The one thing I do know is therre is lots of oppurtunity here to make some great finds. I have a friend that has a white, and he has been finding some nice nuggets. up to 5dwt. and one 3/4 oz. We have several old homesteads that went down in the earthquake in 1964, and I believe there will be some finds there. Also there is many deserted old mines and mines where the old miners passed on and these have never been workede with a metal detector. Being a n old time alaskan I have been around a long time and know of places where no one else has been as yet. Of course with the sheer size of alaska, there will always be places to search. Just finding the right equiptment for the job is what I need to find out. Without knowing anyone else that has this type of detector, I now know I should have done a lot more research. I have only taken this one out [4] times and only found about $6.00 in clad coins. Passed over several others, and [2] small nuggets. WEll maybe this year, I will do a lot better, with practice of course. Would I recommmend this detector to all? I don't think so at this time anyway. I bought this minelab, xterra 30 from you last year, I know it is the lowest cost of the minelabs, and I still have a lot to learn.

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