Upgrade help: Minelab X-terra 70 vs. Tesoro Cortes

[TNDave]

I have been away from this forum for a very long time and whole lot has been found since I last posted. I passed the 4,000 coin mark day before yesterday. I am in the process of taking pics and will post very soon. (Gold has been found!)

Anyway, since this hobby has attacked me with a vengence, I need an upgrade. I am currently using a Bounty Hunter Pioneer 505. I feel as though I have mastered it, but I rarely get anything deeper than 4 inches. I mainly hunt schools and parks and would like a great coin shooter, but I want the gold and silver rings too. I will also occasionaly hunt old homesites.

I think I have narrowed it down to the two listed in the title. I could spend a bit more money if someone posts a legitimate reason to go that way.

Any comments will be appreciated. Thanks guys!

[TonyinCT]

I like the Cortes for better accuracy in pinpointing and it has better depth than some detectors costing more. Lightweight and a smooth operating machine. The X70 is also a good detector but I think to take advantage of it's potential you have to use more than one coil which adds cost to the overall situation. It really is a toss up in my opinion as to whether or not one outperforms the other.

[Boris]

I can only say that I have the Xterra-70 and love it, I had the same tough choice to make and who knows I may have loved the Cortes as much or more. I can say that there are a lot of great people on these forums that are much more expierienced than I am, and I read a lot of reviews and asked a lot of questions just as you are. Good luck and enjoy this great hobby.

[SkiWhiz]

I don't have either detector but I know that the Tesoro is made in the USA and has a lifetime warranty and what better combination can you get than that . Steve.

[TimC]

I am a dyed in the wool Tesoro fan, but I have to say in this case I would go with the Xterra 70. I have one with 2 extra coils and really like it. While I do not have a Cortes, I do have the Deleon which has the same circuitry as the Cortes and when I first got it the thing it gave me fits of wanting to wrap it around a tree and I was convinced there was something wrong with it until I called Tesoro and talked to Vince and a Technician and they assured me it was just the nature of the beast in that it was HIGHLY sensitive (an understatement) and prone to much electrical interference and so it was until I learned how to read it and all the little chirps and bleeps it made although I like it now, but I like the Xterra more.

[TNDave]

Thanks guys for the info. I am going to go with the X-terra. Now if you guys would be so kind as to tell me your opinion on an additional coil. It comes with a 9 inch (7.5kHz), but I want another smaller one. There are several options and I am still way too new at this to know which one would serve my needs best. I am mainly searching parks and schools. I want the older deeper coins and rings. I will post the link to the page with the other coils below. Thanks for any help.

http://www.kellycodetectors.com/mine...b-xterra70.htm

[Boris]

If you have decided on the X-Terra 70 and need info on it I suggest you go to this forum, I have learned a lot from it. There is a forum dedicated to X-Terra users.http://www.findmall.com/

[ded]

I have the x-50 and think the 5x10 18.75khz works best for me.
But if I owned a x-70 I would be looking for a 10 1/2 inch DD with 3khz to get the deepest coins, hopefully they make one soon.

My 10 1/2 DD 7.5 khz coil is deeper than the stock, or 5x10; but it is fooled by twist off bottle caps; in a park it makes for a lot of extra work. Private property works great usually.

I wish I could try or get an accurate review on the 10 1/2 DD 18.75 khz. If the ID was as good as the 5x10 but deeper it would be worth it.

Does anyone use a 10 1/2 DD 18.75 ?

[Sphelt]

I have given some thought to this thread before replying. I have a Cortes and love it. That said it is 2001 technology and Tesoro is rumored to be working on a replacement. I'm not sure I would purchase a Cortes at full price at this point, I would wait a while to see what Tesoro might be releasing soon. If I had to make a choice right now I would be tempted to go with the newer technology of the X-70, mainly because of the higher frequency it is capable of for prospecting as well as general detecting.

Good Luck!!
Jim