Troy Shadow X5

Shadow X5

Randy in USA -
The Shadow X5 is a well built detector and is very good in moderate to mild mineralization. However, it doesn't do well in areas of higher mineralization, it's noisy like the Fisher 1266 and doesn't reject iron very well at all, not nearly as well as most other detectors I've used. It's overall performance is no better than most of the detectors I've had in the last 10 years, not as good as some I've had, and certainly not worth the price I paid for it. The X5 would be a decent buy for half it's price but it was way overpriced at close to $1'000.

Sep 24, 2006

25 Yes
18 No

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X5

Roger L. in Grove Hill, AL -
Perhaps the best build quality of any detector, but given the cult type devotion and hype from dedicated X series users the performance was a disappointment. Depth and target sensitivity was typical of detectors in it's frequency range--good on low conductors, average on mid range conductors and poor on high conductors. A second X5 was tested to insure the first one was operating correctly, both had identical performance. A decent buy at half its price, not so at full price.

Jan 25, 2006

25 Yes
20 No

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The Porche Speedster of Metal Detectors

Mark R. in Santa Cruz, CA -
When I was a kid, my father had a '54 Porche Speedster--one of those "bathtub" convertibles. It was painted bright red. It had a very simple panel--just the basics--and a modest engine. But it would pass anything in a tight curve--it loved curves, and the driver could really feel the road. Well, the Troy Shadow X5 is a lot like that car.

I've had my X5 for two years. I do coin shooting in parks and dry beach sand and some relic hunting. Sometimes I take the detector backpacking. It's wonderfully light weight and rugged, and the single 9V battery lasts for three long, eight-hour days of detecting.

The X5 is very good for small targets, perhaps because of the relatively high 19 kHz frequency. It finds small jewelry, lead shot, and similar items. As you'd expect, the 7 inch coil is particularly good for this, but I also do well with the 9 inch if the soil is not too trashy. Push the VCO/no motion mode button and X5 pinpoints very well.

I've used it in black sand and highly mineralized soils and it worked reasonably well. I even used once to hunt for gold nuggets. While I didn't find any gold that day, the very small lead shot and mineralized rocks I did find makes me believe that if there had been a large nugget, I would have found it. BTW, like all TR VLF detectors, it does not work in salt water.

On larger targets, it will go deeper than I usually want to dig. Every manufacturer claims their detectors go the deepest, but the X5 has not disappointed me (in the conditions around here--beyond that I can't say).

I've owned several other detectors. I gave my last target ID detector away when I bought the X5 and I would do it again. Every feature on the X5 works exactly as advertised, and I can't think of anything I would change to improve it. But no one detector is right for everybody.

The performance of the X5 depends a lot on the driver--maybe that's why reviewer's disagree. The more you use it, the better the results will be. But you have to be willing to really listen to the signal and to use the Target Check switch effectively.

Unlike some detectors, the X5 is very predictable, stable and fast, so it gives you consistently good information. And since all the information is audio and all the controls can be worked by touch, you can keep your eyes on the road (and watching where you step). But it's up to you to do the driving.

Is it worth the money? That depends. If you plan on doing a lot of detecting, or carrying your detector long distances, or you want a rugged unit that won't let you down, then yes. If you like to use a different detector for each situation, or you like to fiddle with menus, then obviously the X5 is not for you. Or if you're on a tight budget.

One last point: make sure your headphones have a volume control, becaues the X5 doesn't.

Nov 07, 2005

36 Yes
3 No

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Shadow X5

Allen M. in Chatanoogo, TN -
The X5 is a well made detector but like the John N I found it to be way overrated. It has great depth at some places and barely average depth at other places. It also makes lots of noise like a Fisher 1265 I had. I talked to Mr. Galloway on the phone and he told me to set the ground balance different. I did like he told me but it still makes lots of noise. It cost too much too. It would be okay for a third of what it cost but is not worth $985.

Oct 08, 2005

24 Yes
23 No

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Troy X5..Too much hype!!

John N in Vancouver, Canada. -
The Troy X5 is a nice detector. It has an excellent manual ground balance system that is both easy and qucik to set. It has decent depth but it just didn't deliver the deep detecting, that many people raved about. In parks especially, where the ground was nasty it was just average. The build quality is excellent but then again it's built by Fisher and is on par with the CZ series of detectors for build quality, it even has the same identical battery clips as found in the CZ 70 ... so nothing special here. I took it for a two week holiday on the Oregon coast and Washington State beaches and it's beach mode and beach disc... was far from adequate in any wet/salt mineralized areas. It may be ok in the non mineralized wet salt sand of Florida but not here!! Finally , there is the price....for a non metered single frequency metal detector it is just too high. Sure I know I bought one and paid the price (also bought the X3) but I wouldn't do it again. There are just too many other well made machines with more features that perform very well for alot less money. If it was priced at $300.00 less I would say it's getting you your money's worth. But as it stands, look extra close if you plan on getting this one!!!

Sep 29, 2005

24 Yes
22 No

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worth every find

Frank in Santa Rosa, Ca USA -
I hold a metal detecting outing on the second sunday of every month. so i get to see how everyone uses their detector.I am the only one in the county with a Troy X5 or at the club
I have had my X5 for about 11 months now
I was really impressed with how light it is.
( bad back)
I was impressed with how easy it was to learn beyound the factory presets.
and the best part.
I found gold with this X5 last summer. so i can say confidently that this detector runs true to its name ATD( all terrain detector)
The X5 has a beach setting that allows it to go where others have a problem, Like wet beach sand, or hot ground or high akaline areas.

Its a little pricey, but if you consider that some people have one detector for the beach,one for the park, another for the mountains, in the long run you will be saving money


I own a whites GM II, GM III also a DFX
the GM II and GM III are my back ups
the DFX is for sale :-)

Mar 01, 2005

29 Yes
14 No

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Troy X5 ... a deep detecting machine ...

willee in CC Texas -
I have used many detectors over the years and found the Shadow series has always been a hot performer.
It will detect deeper than just about any other detector.
The controls are well thought out and cover just about every condition you will encounter.
It is even weatherproof in case you get caught out in the rain.
It is expensive for a non-visuial detector but it is made by Fisher and has a lifetime warranty and there are some used ones around.
This is one HOT detector and is ideal for those places that get searched a lot as it can find those targets other detectors can not see.

Dec 21, 2004

28 Yes
3 No

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One of the bests ! ( The best ?? )

JM Thonon in Belgium, EU. -
Super sensitivity, all ground - exceptional in forests, good for the beach and black sand operations, superb Build quality, water resistant, extra light, ..etc
I was finding smalls targets at over 10 inches deep. Pinpointing is also very easy. It's easy to operate and discriminates very well.
Highly Recommended for serious finders.

Dec 21, 2004

17 Yes
4 No

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Troy Shadow X5

Keith in USA -
I have been using my Troy Shadow X5 for several months now and have been impressed with the performance and quality of this machine. It is simply one of the best built metal detectors I have ever owned.

The X5 is deadly on coins and relics. Small, and I mean small gold, copper and lead items can't get away from it. Small brass fish hooks and small lead split shot fishing weights are common finds around lakes and beaches. The pinpointing feature is excellent with the large spider coil that ships stock with the X5.

This detector is as light as they come and a pleasure to swing for extended periods of time. It is also water resistant so you can use it in the rain or spray and not have to worry with covers. The controls are well thought out and easy to use.

The one complaint I do have is the size and throw of the target check toggle switch. It wears on you finger after a few hours if you are not wearing some kind of glove. The shaft of the toggle switch could have been a bit bigger, longer and rounded to make it more comfortable.

It does take a few hours to get used to the X5 but once you begin to have some confidence in the machine it's a snap to tell memorial pennies from wheat pennies with the Target Check Switch.
All in all it's a nice machine. A bit high priced but should last for many years of serious metal detecting.

Sep 24, 2004

60 Yes
5 No

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