Understanding your X-TERRA eBook

I've been metal detecting since 1972. I like to hunt for old coins at old sites, with the term "old" being relative to where I live. During that time, I've owned and used just about every land detector that hit the market. As time went by, like many of you, I found many of the "old reliable" sites that I hunted were producing fewer and fewer good coins. When Minelab included me in the original field tests for the X-TERRA, I had high hopes that this new technology called VFLEX would increase my finds. As soon as I got the X-TERRAs out in the field, I knew I had my hands on something special.

Since field testing the X-TERRAs, I've spent thousands of hours hunting homesteads, picnic grounds, fairgrounds and old parks. While detecting, I paid close attention to the subtle changes in the audio tones, adjusted the settings in an effort to fully explore the functionality and made direct comparisons of the various coils at each of the sites I hunted. I took hundreds of pages of notes as to what worked best for me, and why. Documenting the functionality and performance of the X-TERRA became almost as much of a passion as detecting itself. I've shared many of my "opinions" in posts made to the X-TERRA forum, where I serve as Moderator. And more recently, I've written several blog posts here on Minelab's Treasure Talk blog. Eventually, these “notes” made their way to the folks at Minelab. I am pleased to announce that Minelab not only honored my request to make this information available at no cost, but their graphic designer has greatly enhanced my "text version", transforming it into a 96 page eBook entitled "Understanding your X-TERRA" which is available on this website.

Understanding your X-TERRA eBook by Randy Horton.

"Understanding your X-TERRA" contains information on how to properly set up your X-TERRA, how to better understand its functionality and how to maximize its performance for specific sites. I've included my own personal "theories and opinions" on what works best for me, and why. For example, one section I call "Circular Discrimination" helps explain how the "wrap around effect" can be greatly reduced on deeply buried iron targets.

"Understanding your X-TERRA" also has a Question and Answer section where I was able to ask Dr. Laurence Statmatescu (Senior Technical Manager for the Minelab engineering team, and inventor of VFLEX technology) specific questions regarding the X-TERRA's functionality. I think you will find his answers quite interesting.

In addition to several pictures of the type of places I like to detect, I've also included pictures of some coins I've found while detecting. Among my favorites are the older "fresh from the field" silver coins and the three rare 1877 Indian Cents I've found.

In closing, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Minelab for making "Understanding your X-TERRA" available to those wanting to learn more about the X-TERRA. I would also like to thank the many folks who have participated in the X-TERRA forum at www.findmall.com. Without the interest and ongoing support of Minelab and literally thousands of X-TERRA users, this eBook would not have been possible. I hope you enjoy the eBook.

Please feel free to post your questions and comments to this blog post.

You’ll never know for sure… unless you read it!
Randy Horton (Digger)

The complete eBook is available to download in PDF format here:

Understanding your X-TERRA (US Letter size)

Understanding your X-TERRA (A4 size)