Starter: ACE 400i or XTerra 705

[Issa]

Hi guys, hope this is not a "tired" question. Would the Garrett ACE 400i or the Minelab Xterra 705 be a better starting pack for a beginner relic hunter? The sites would include old house gardens down to the beach. These two units seem to stand out for the price range. Any advise would be welcome. Thanks.

 

[B5MECH]

Hi Issa, I'd go the garrett, Nugget has just started doing a review on one in METAL DETECTORS" GARRETT SECTION" have a look
I've been using a fisher f22 while my ATGold is away for warranty and I think it feels like a cheap POS. the screen with it's buttons feels like cheap breakable garbage
And at night it reflects the light back at me because of it's size and position
Nugget mentioned the 400i was like his ATPro
Maybe have a search for how deep they can shoot a coin to compare
Since using the f22 have found it won't shoot deep 4inch plus coins, and small coins at 3inches are hard to get a solid signal from.
Good luck with your decision

 

[roy cobb]

I cant help much Issa but I'm about to take the 705 out for its first swing will give you my feed back and I think one off the guys I meetong has the garret 400i so if he does I will try and do a comparison would be good to see the results

 

[B5MECH]

Cool Roy, maybe you guys could do a review comparison, be good to see how deep they can shoot.
When my mate bought the f22 he thought it could do things that it can't, I can see why he lost some interest in it.

 

[Ramjet]

The 705 is a very popular detector and the 400i is a more recent upgrade to the Ace series. Just saying.

 

[Goldpick]

You will be able to grow more with the 705 vs the Ace 400i when you become more familarised with the detector. The 705 should wack it for depth, especially on mineralised ground, with the added ability to ground balance, beach mode, backlit screen and an all-metal mode for max depth - simply more features for the $$$. Nearly $650 for an Ace 400 is a bit rich for here in Australia when you see what else that money can buy, unfortunately a casualty of our poor exchange rates.

Remember the only real performance benefits on the new 400i over the outgoing EuroAce are the faster recovery speed, iron audio, slight change in frequency, and added target ID numbers.

You should also factor in something like the Red Makro Racer which can now be picked up under $700 - a fair bit of a detector for the money, including ground balance ability and backlit screen.

Don't get me wrong, the Ace series is extremely popular worldwide and quite capable, though personally I think you can get better value from other options in that price range.

 

[Issa]

Hi guys, Thank you, for the super feedback.

I will check Nuggets review on the Garrett detectors and await Roy's testing out of the ACE400i and the XT705. Goldpicks comment on being able to "grow more" could imply that the XT705 is more difficult to use, initially, compared to the ACE400i. Is this so?

I will also check out info on the "Red Makro Racer", but will only be able to make a decision based on feedback from the forum as I am a complete novice.

Thanks very much.

 

[rocketaroo]

I would suggest that ace will be easier for a beginner. I found the 705 a challenge initially, but it could well be the only detector, that you will ever need.

 

[Ramjet]

The 705 used to be compared to the At Pro but it is a much more expensive machine now. Reading Goldpick's comments I would go the 705. Learning is never going to be easy but you can still just turn it on and get swinging, As you gain experience you can start playing with the settings and "grow" with it.

 

[B5MECH]

Was just watching a vid on the 400i, didn't realize it has no ground balance and the guy using it dropped the sensitivity down to 2 to hit the salt water line
so in that the 705 would be the better choice or the makro red racer as GP mentioned
I thought 400i was to supersede the ATPro

 

[Goldpick]

Hi guys, Thank you, for the super feedback.

I will check Nuggets review on the Garrett detectors and await Roy's testing out of the ACE400i and the XT705. Goldpicks comment on being able to "grow more" could imply that the XT705 is more difficult to use, initially, compared to the ACE400i. Is this so?

I will also check out info on the "Red Makro Racer", but will only be able to make a decision based on feedback from the forum as I am a complete novice.

Thanks very much.

It will be a little bit more involved, though there is plenty of info floating about on this detector that it shouldn't be too hard to figure out, including you tube clips on how to get started with the 705.

The 400i is more of a turn-on-and-go starter detector vs the mid range 705. They seem similarly priced, though the 705 is definitely the higher end detector with expanded capability over the Garrett.

Either way, detectors tend to hold their value pretty well, so if you decide that detecting isn't your thing or the 400i isn't suitable, you can always sell to either get out of the hobby or upgrade to a more expensive detector.

 

[matchimus]

Hi Issa, I have a 400i and while I know nothing of the 705 I believe you cant go wrong with either. I am now a notch or two above the complete novice. One consideration for me was the only detector dealer in my town was Garrett so i liked the idea of just dropping in if I had any issues. Something I didn't fully consider were the accessories so factoring this into your budget might influence but I dont think I would consider anything below these two models (or the Racer). Besides the pinpointer I tried to do most on the cheap but only wound up buying the proper stuff anyway. Essential are the pinpointer, digger, and recovery bag. The headphones, coil cover, and cover for your button box thingy on your detector to protect it from mud all came with my detector. Also gloves and a bag to transport all this around. Then a bag to protect your detector if you got money left over. When buying my detector I didn't research resale just expecting it to be lowish but as Goldpick said resale is pretty good so you can look at the for sale section on this forum to see that which is a nice safety blanket. Best of luck.

 

[Issa]

Hi guys, Once again, thanks very much for the super feedback. I am very reassured that I am on the right track, both with the 705 and 400i. Although, the 705 seems to have the edge at present, especially with its ground balance capability. The beach capabilities are especially attractive. I will check out the Utube clips on it. Have you any comments on the 9 concentric coil which seems to be the standard coil that comes with the detector, which runs at 7.5kHz and is waterproof. The more specialist 18.75kHz Double-D elliptical coil seems to be the choice for gold prospecting, which would not be my application.

Matchimus's comments on the accessories being expensive is a worry! I believe I will not need to upgrade the coil from the standard 9" concentric (still learning about kHz, concentric Vs elliptical coils etc) as they seem to be quite expensive.

Thanks again for the feedback.

Issa

 

[B5MECH]

If your buying new try to get the gold pack, comes with an extra coil which is still should be good for coins as well as gold I would think

 

[matchimus]

Hi Issa,

I dont want to scare you off...just recommending getting the right tools for the right job rather than trying to do it on the cheap. For example I bought a couple of other diggers and they broke before getting the one I have now. Maybe if you can plan this ahead you could get a discount on them when you buy the detector? Or maybe early Christmas presents? Accessories with some general comments.

$75 digger -if I have to buy another it will be a lesche as the rubber handle grip on my garrett broke and others had the same experience (not a big issue it seems when wearing gloves). The handle aside I dont think you could break this thing. Lesche does seem to have a better blade for entering into the ground and making less of a mess.
$229 pinpointer -probably should have spent another $30 and got the orange one/waterproof one but have been using it in wet conditions with no problems so far. This has made life very easy. Stick it in the hole and go from there rather than scooping dirt up and waving it over the coil. Some targets blend in well with the (wet) dirt. Check out some of the other brands. I think most quality brands will serve you well. Dont but any cheapies off ebay.
$40 (i think) gloves from a hardware store - i have banker hands and were drying out but it was more about the protection.
$25 recovery bag - has 2 compartments, one for junk and one for the 'treasures'. Had to go round to mums and pull out her sowing kit to repair once but been good since.
Headphones - get better battery life but you feel less noticeable in parks where other people are. i expect they should come with the detector
Coil cover - I would assume these come standard with any detector these days
$75 detector bag - non-essential but piece of mind when not in use.
$18 brass screwdriver thingy. Apparently stops you scratching coins and can help to pop some of them out of soil without any mess. Still trying to master this thing.
$5? Small square pot plant base - As i scoop dirt out of the hole I put it on this. Easy to return the dirt to the hole and reduces mess significantly. Certainly check out some vids on how to recover targets.
Oh and always pack replacement batteries when you go.

regards, matchimus

 

[B5MECH]

You don't have to start with the most expensive accessories, I made my own plug tools, here's my tight wad version of a finds bag
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/401184942434?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
Took 2 weeks to get but is excellent
I'm sure you'd have a small garden spade is the shed for a start.........

 

[Goldpick]

Hi guys, Once again, thanks very much for the super feedback. I am very reassured that I am on the right track, both with the 705 and 400i. Although, the 705 seems to have the edge at present, especially with its ground balance capability. The beach capabilities are especially attractive. I will check out the Utube clips on it. Have you any comments on the 9 concentric coil which seems to be the standard coil that comes with the detector, which runs at 7.5kHz and is waterproof. The more specialist 18.75kHz Double-D elliptical coil seems to be the choice for gold prospecting, which would not be my application.

Matchimus's comments on the accessories being expensive is a worry! I believe I will not need to upgrade the coil from the standard 9" concentric (still learning about kHz, concentric Vs elliptical coils etc) as they seem to be quite expensive.

Thanks again for the feedback.

Issa

The elliptical gold coil isn't just for prospecting, you will find it is also very popular for coin/relic and jewellery detecting, especially in junky ground. I'd try and get the dual package that includes the elliptical coil vs the standard 705 pack, much cheaper in a package vs buying it seperately.

If you cannot extend yourself to afford the 705 gold pack with the extra coil, don't worry too much, just make do with the concentric until you can afford a DD coil at a later date.

Here is a link to a blog from Minelab on the coils for the 705, it explains the difference between the concentric and DD coils, on which areas they are best used on, and a section on the range of frequencies on offer. There are 4 parts to the blog.

https://www.minelab.com/anz/go-minelabbing/treasure-talk/which-x-terra-coil-is-best-for-me-part-1

Also keep in mind that you are not limited to Minelab coils for the 705, NEL make various coils to suit this detector, including coils with 3 switchable frequencies saving you from having to buy a number of coils with different frequencies (see link below). The rule of thumb is that the higher the frequency, the more suited it is to low conductor targets (gold nuggets, gold jewllery, thin copper/silver targets), whereas low frequencies suit high conductors (copper/silver coins or jewellery).

NEL also offer a full range of coils for the Ace 400i, though the stock DD coil will cover most detecting scenarios.

http://nel-coils.com/index.php/en/production/nel-hunter?id=1411

http://nel-coils.com/index.php/en/production

 

[rocketaroo]

I wouldave liked that 3 frequency nel coil, but it wasnt released when I had mine.

 

[Issa]

Hi guys,

I have just browsed the Minelab info on knowledge base on the coils and key technologies. Its excellent , so thanks for the pointer Goldpick. Its great that Minelab do their own R&D. I dealt with Carl Zeiss, an optics company, re work and it was the same. Good products based on their own R&D. Fully for it.

The 705 seems to be a detector that can be pushed quite hard (using NEL products etc) as one gets more experience, and also replenishes the reserves!
Thanks again, and I will certainly get back to you guys as I progress.

Issa

 

[Nugget]

I haven't used a 705 personally so I can't really comment on that, but as mentioned I'm currently using a 400i for coin and jewellery hunting in fairly mild ground.

So far I've been very happy with the ACE in terms of depth, sensitivity and ease of use, and to be honest I haven't encountered a situation where an auto or manual ground balancing would be required, it's been quite a stable and reliable machine in the ground I'm digging.

I haven't used it at the beach and don't really intend to at this stage, but I have seen videos online where the user notches out a couple of pixels on the VDI to get it stable in and around salt water. Although not ideal, if it works then why not.

At the end of the day, the worst user could have the best machine on the market and still find nothing, so pick a machine and learn it well

If you have any questions about the 400i, please feel free to ask and I'll do my best to answer.