Metal Detector Reviews: Whites DFX

[Detector]

I'm not going to spend a lot of time on the technical details in these reviews because that can be found from the manufactures. I will proved a link for those who want that information.

White's Electronics Metal Detectors

The DFX is Whites top of the line detector. With a suggested retail price of $1099.95 it's for the serious hunter to be sure. Although I only paid $889 for mine brand new. I've seen used ones sell on Ebay for around $700. As a top of the line it has all the bells & whistles and some features unique to only the DFX.

The DFX is a multi-frequency detector operating at 3khz, 15khz or both simultaneously. Most single frequency detectors operate around 6khz giving it good overall response to small gold targets as well as good depth while dealing with mineralization. The higher the frequency the more sensitive a detector is to small gold targets and the lower the frequency the better penetration/depth and better able to deal with ground mineralization.

What the DFX does it to give you the option to use 3khz when hunting demands maximum depth and mineralization is a problem, or 15khz when hunting demands extra sensitivity to small gold items and mineralization is not a problem. This is like having 2 detectors in 1. The DFX also allows it to be used with both frequencies at the same time. Once a target is detected the DFX checks to see if the target best responds to 3khz or 15khz helping to determine it's identity.

OK enough of the boring stuff. Lets get on to the fun stuff.

I've seen others say the DFX is a complicated detector and not for the beginner. To that I say hogwash. The DFX is as simple or complicated as you want to make it. For the beginner you simply turn it on, pick a preset program, ground balance and you're off. No different than any other detector. As you learn or if you are experienced the DFX gives you the flexibility to adapt to any hunting condition.

My first 3 months with the DFX was spent using only the preset programs and I found the performance to be excellent. My first day out I found a buffalo nickle at 8" in an area I myself had hunted to death. This same area has also been hunted by pretty much every detector in town.

The DFX seems to be one of those detectors you either love or hate. I've seen some reviews that were nothing short of
rediculious. They either have never actually used the DFX or had a bad experience with it. When I chose the DFX I could have bought any detector I wanted. I spent 6 months reviewing all my options and 2 months comparing the 2 top dogs. The Whites DFX and the Minelab Explorer II. I have not been disipointed in my choice.

Some of the features and their descriptions from the White’s web site:

Multiple Frequency Operation. Hunt in 3 kHz, 15 kHz, or use both frequencies simultaneously. Best Data displays the most reliable target info, or use Correlate to reject iron and other questionable targets.

EEPROM hunting programs. Use these Pro-designed programs or erase them and create, name and store your own custom metal detector programs.

DSF® Signal Filtration. Change your ground filtering at will, from 2 filters to 6. Use 2 for quick response in high trash
areas or 3, 4, 5, up to 6 for superior depth in mineralized grounds.

9 Turn-on-and-Go! Programs- ready to hunt right out of the box. Completely automatic, professionally engineered metal
detector programs for high performance.

10 Basic Adjustments and 34 Pro Options. Adjust virtually every aspect of your metal detector hunting. Popular adjustments include Tone I.D., Sweep Speed, Silent Search, Fade Rate, Recovery Speed, Block Edit, Auto Trac® Speed and more.

Complete visual display information. Target icons, VDI numbers and White’s exclusive SignaGraph® bar graph target signature. 3 independent and precise ways to define a target. Flip the trigger and activate the depth screen. Display size is 2 7/8 x 1 5/8

Automatic Ground Balance with AutoTrac®. Tracks and adjusts to changing grounds as you hunt

[Bubba]

Is this a good enough unit for somebody to just start out? I might be a little interested, but not sure if I have the time or enough interest to spend BIG bucks...

eBay: Whites Classic 5 Pro Metal Detector w/ 9.5" coil (item 160080726068 end time Feb-03-07 12:07:25 PST)

[Detector]

The Whites Classic series is good, but personally I think the Garrett ACE 250 can't be beat for the price.

eBay: Garrett ACE 250 Metal Detector FREE SHIPPING !!! (item 260082993514 end time Feb-05-07 16:16:04 PST)

Here is a link to info about the ACE 250

Welcome to Garrett.com

[booger]

Boy, do I agree, the White's detectors can't be beat, for all around performance, selection, and price ranges. The DFX works for any first timer, or the person who is serious about detecting. It works "out of the box" for anyone, as does the XLT. I started with White's with the Old Coinmaster 5. Any way a detector is no good unless you "Put the Coil to the Soil". Let's go hunting, (when it gets warmer)

[Detector]

Whites detectors have always been good too me. I've used a lot of detectors over the years. My first was the Garrett Money Hunter BFO I went through all the advancements from BFO to TR to TR Discriminator to VLF/TR Discriminator to VLF Discriminator. I've had all the Garrett Freedom series I II & III Garrett Master Hunter, Master Hunter ADS VII, Tesoro Inca and Mayan, Coin Masters and Gold Masters.

In 1991 I used my income tax return and bought a brand new Whites Spectrum Eagle. This detector took my detecting to a whole other realm. Talk about a difference in detectors. My hunting buddies John and Leland and I always took our new detectors to Wright Park for testing. Up until then we had never found anything there except for a wheatie or two. We just assumed the place was cleaned out by old Carl Clair.

John had the Garrett Master Hunter CX, Leland had the Tesoro Toltec 100 and I now had my Eagle Spectrum. All top of the line detectors. We got out by the band shell, tuned our detectors and started to hunt. We like staying close together so if one person gets a signal we all can check it out to see how our detectors respond to target and compare performance.

Two steps and my Eagle rang out with a good solid signal at 6 1/2". The VDI said 82-83 which is in the silver dime range. I had John and Leland check the signal and neither gave a signal they would dig. I checked again and it was solid as a rock so I decided to dig it. John and Leland watched as I dug not one silver dime but three silver dimes the oldest being a 1909 barber. I also dug three wheats and a 1942D silver war nickle out of the same hole.

This went on all day. I couldn't walk 2 steps without getting a good signal and dug coin after coin. It was as if no one had ever been below 6". Everything I dug was 6" or deeper and the majority had more than one coin in each hole. I ended up recovering over 2000 coins just around the band shell dating back to 1881(seated dime). Indian Heads, V-Nickles, Standing Liberties and Walking Liberties.

Today even the entry level detectors perform as well as my old Spectrum did.

I may get out tomorrow if the weather isn't bad. I think it's supposed to get up to 37. I know thats cold but I like to bundle up and go to the sandpit where the sand reflects the sun to make it a bit warmer, and the ground isn't frozen.

[Bubba]

Originally Posted by Detector

The Whites Classic series is good, but personally I think the Garrett ACE 250 can't be beat for the price.

eBay: Garrett ACE 250 Metal Detector FREE SHIPPING !!! (item 260082993514 end time Feb-05-07 16:16:04 PST)

Here is a link to info about the ACE 250

Welcome to Garrett.com

So are you saying that the Garrett ACE 250 is a better detector than the Whites Classic 5 Pro Metal Detector? I know the Garrett is about $200 and the White's is about $400. But take the price tag out of the picture, between the two, which is the better detector.

[Detector]

Normally I would simply say the Classic V is a set up from the ACE 250, which it is, but there are some things to take into consideration as well.

The Whites Classic series was replaced by the Prizm series so while the add says "new in the box" it is an older detector. BUT! not so old as to still not be a set up. I'll list some pros and cons and then tell you what I'd do. I'm going to ask a few people that have both these machines and see If I can get a one on one comparison from the field which is where it all counts.

Many detectors look good on paper but fail in the field.

PROS & CONS
Whites detectors are very good quality. Personally I prefer a construction of metal over plastic, but Garrett has been making detectors of plastic for years without any issues. John, a hunting buddy, uses a Garrett Master Hunter CX he's had for about 15 years and it's still in great shape. Metal, on the other hand, is heavier than plastic. The ACE 250 is easy to swing for hours being lighter.

I have some concerns with 2 items in the Classic add. First, the add calls it the "Classic 5 PRO" but under Features it lists the 8" coil not the 9.5" PRO coil. The difference between the standard Classic 5 and the Classic 5 PRO is the coil. You would want to make sure it came with the 9.5" PRO coil. Thats the "30% deeper" it talks about. Bigger coil = more depth.

The other issue I have with the add looks to be taken from the Whites site.

More than just a simple turn-on-and-go machine, the Classic 5-ID offers silent search discrimination that enables you to hear the faintest and deepest targets.

WRONG! Silent search does not enable you to hear faint deep targets. In fact it's just the opposite. To hear faint deep signals you MUST have a constant threshold tone so you can hear even the slightest changes in tone.

From what I've been able to find the ACE 250 and Classic 5 ID PRO are pretty much the same even in performance. Personally, if it were me, I'd go for the ACE 250. The ACE 250 is lighter and newer technology. The ACE 250 has become very popular which means there are more optional coils available and it's cheaper.

[Bubba]

Thank you very much for your knowledge and guidance!!

[Made in the USA]

Hey Detector, ya got any leads on a "bull$hit detector"??? Sometimes I need one when I am on this board!!