Which X-TERRA coil is best for me? - Part 4

So where will you be hunting? Do you need a waterproof coil, or is water resistant enough?

According to Minelab, waterproof means it is submersible to one meter, making it ideal for shallow water hunting.

The X-TERRA coils that are considered waterproof include the 6-inch concentric at 7.5 kHz, the 6-inch Double-D at 18.75 kHz, the 9-inch concentric at 3 kHz, the 9-inch concentric at 7.5 kHz and the 9-inch concentric at 18.75 kHz.

In addition to these Minelab coils, Coiltek markets a 15-inch All Terrain Double-D coil that is considered waterproof, by Coiltek’s standards. The remainder of Minelab’s X-TERRA coils, the 5 X 10 Elliptical Double-D at 18.75 kHz, the 10.5-inch Double-D at 7.5 kHz and the 10.5-inch Double-D at 18.75 kHz are classified as being “water-resistant”. This means they may be splashed, washed, used in drizzling rain, or moved through wet grass. But they must not be submersed under water.

So now we know that size of the coil can determine the X-TERRA’s detecting capabilities. We understand how Double-D coils can help neutralize the effects of magnetic mineralization and how to determine if we would benefit from using a Double-D coil at a particular hunt site. We know how each coil frequency responds to specific targets. And we know which coils are waterproof and which ones are water resistant.

But before we make a coil decision based on these technical merits, we need to consider one more thing... will we be hunting in surf, turf or stubble?

If you are going to be detecting in yards and parks, any of the coil’s designs (spoke style or solid bottom, round or elliptical), will glide over the ground quite easily. Same goes for beach hunting across the dry sand (If you’re going to be in or near the water, make sure your coil is waterproof).

The open design of the spoke style coils make them lighter weight and allow me to isolate exact locations when pinpointing. But in sites with tall weeds and stubble, I’ve found that they are more difficult to maneuver in and around the vegetation.

As I’ve said before, there are no magic wands in metal detecting. One’s person favorite coil will likely be different than the next.

Over the years I’ve found that a “favorite coil”, just as with a favorite detector, is based on what you find when you first start using it. It perpetuates itself... The more you use it, the more you’ll find with it. The more you find with it, the more you like it. And the more you like it, the more you use it. And on and on and on...

Regardless of the logic behind that, I hope you found the blog post interesting and the information useful. If it didn’t address a question you may have concerning X-TERRA coils, don’t hesitate to ask.

Randy Horton (Digger)
You'll never know for sure......unless you dig it!