1st off, I consider the DFX a fine machine, otherwise I would not have reccomended it. I do not own one. I do own now 2 Explorer II's. With all of the higher end machines comes capabilities that the others do not have. One of the pluses is being able to program the machines for almost unlimited VARIATION in hunting conditions. The Explorer II is definitely a turn on and go machine. The "Quickstart" mode is the factory preset program for coins, with limited ability to change the program. Minelab suggests that you spend at least 30 hours in this mode to familiarize yourself with sounds (28 variations) along with other basic operation. It will be an outstanding machine in this mode, and you will be finding other items besides the coins. I found a large gold ring in a ballfield two minutes after 1st turning on the machine for my 1st hunt with it. WHEN YOU are able to venture into the advanced mode it opens up a whole other realm. You can save the programs in six memory cells, as well as four user A / user B banks. Once you store a program, it is a turn on and go machine from its last used settings or recall of anything stored. You can also recall a stored program and tweak it for current conditions without saving, or re-save if you like what you have done. I myself have a few stored programs for the various types of hunting I do. If I am changing, it takes about 30 seconds to load another set of parameters, otherwise I leave it alone, and just turn it on and hunt. There are also MANY programs listed on internet forums and websites to get you started, and then some. I think there is room for improvement of the machine, but if we are honest, I think all of them can be improved. I would not even consider using the Ace 250 that I bought for my wife in some of the trash filled areas that I have hunted, or in areas where the good coins are a foot down. Any of you who have read my many post in this or the old forum know that I do not put other machines down unless they are the ones that are made just to fleece the public. I realize that we pay for what we get, and some machines are just more capable than others by design. The operator also has to develop proper technique, and have patience and perserverance in order to be successfull. I researched my purchase for 4 month before making the final decision. I am hoping that I have given you what I know in order to help you make the best decision for YOU.