The Searcher July 2006 | 51
Spec sheet
Operating modes Coin & Treasure: Tone ID, Meter ID Motion with
Threshold.
Prospecting: VCO motion with Iron Mask & Threshold.
Frequency 3, 7.5 & 18.75 KHz
(coil dictates frequency)
Standard Search coil 9" Concentric coil (7.5KHz)
Weight 1.3kg (2.9lbs)
Battery type/life 4 X ‘AA’ /approx 20hrs
Accessory search heads 9" Concentric 3KHz
9" Concentric 18.75KHz
10 x 5" Elliptical ‘DD’ 18.75KHz
10" DD 7.5KHz
When I tested the X-Terra 50 a couple of months ago I
was impressed with its performance so when Minelab sent
me the new flagship of the X-Terra range, the X-Terra 70
I was more than happy to put it through its paces. This
was mainly because I wanted to see whether it performed
any better than the 50 or whether it is the same machine
with the odd extra whistle and bell added. I also requested
that the new 18.75 KHz ‘DD’ or widescan, elliptical coil
be sent as well as the standard coil as I felt many serious
users would be interested in the higher frequency
alternative.
Not long after arrival the ‘70’ was assembled and ready
to go. The stem and control box are exactly the same as
the X-Terra 30 & 50 so it is the same lightweight (1.3kg
2.9lbs) chassis and the same build quality. The same 4xAA
battery set up is also used. The stem colour is described
in the manual as ‘Dulux Notre Dame’- which is grey to
you and me! (Minelab have even given the colour reference
number -36672 so if you scratch the stem all you have to
do is nip down to B&Q and buy a tin. 10/10 for attention
to detail Minelab!) Seriously though the grey, sorry Notre
Dame is an attractive and appealing colour finish.
Minelab X-Terra 70
the searcher
FIELD TEST
After a short time playing with the various controls
I realised this is a more advanced detector than I had
initially assumed and although the basics were straight
forward enough, my first part of the test needed to be
make a cup of tea and read through the instruction
manual. The manual explains every control clearly with
both descriptions and diagrams and also goes some way
to suggesting the conditions under which the various
modes or setting are to be used.
Controls
All functions are accessed through the keypad and are
conveniently positioned within easy reach of your thumb
for convenience whilst in use.
The diagram (next page) is reproduced from the
instruction manual to give Control layout and descriptions.
Uses
The X-Terra 70 has two main detecting modes; Coin &
Treasure (C&T) mode and a Prospecting mode. It also
accepts coils of three different frequencies – 3 KHz,
7.5 KHz (supplied as standard) and 18.75KHz making
for a very versatile detector indeed.
The C&T mode is designed for general purpose use
(and beach use when the beach Ground Balance is
activated) and has meter and adjustable multi tone audio
ID. The operator can select 1, 2, 3, 4 or 99 tones for true
audio ID. Discrimination in this mode is in the form of
28 individual blocks along the bottom of the screen.
Any one of the blocks can be accepted or rejected to
suit your requirements. As with this, and any other
detector, utilising this notch Discrimination system
caution is advised so as not to reject wanted targets.
The Prospecting mode is a more specialised mode
and although designed with gold prospecting in mind
is useful for achieving greater depths and/or Sensitivity
to smaller objects. It is also an advantage in areas of
higher mineralization (pasture being a good example).
In this mode there is no form ID, simply an audio signal
to indicate an accepted target. Discrimination is of the
more traditional accept/reject scale. The level of which
is displayed together with a numeric counter.
The Prospecting mode takes a bit longer to master,
but it’s worth it, more on that later.
Air testing
For an initial air test the detector was used in factory
presets except for the Sensitivity which was pushed up
as high as possible whilst still remaining stable. This was
done for both modes as Sensitivity is adjusted separately
for each.
There is no point boring you with pointless air test
results other than the depth difference in each mode.
Pre decimal Cut half
penny (hammered silver)
Coin & Treasure 24cm 13cm
Prospecting 40cm 19cm
The Prospecting mode was considerably deeper although
recovery speed is a little slower in this mode suggesting
it would struggle on junky sites.
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