Whites DFX
Street Price $1000 - Coin, relic
Number of Reviews: 53
on 6 pages.
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Also in this price range:
Whites DFX
Fisher Coin Strike
Troy Shadow X5
Don't believe what everyone says!
E H C in Upstate, NY -
I have read the digging deeper with the DFX and have spent hours tuning and adjusting to no avail. This machine will NOT go deeper than 5 inches in my part of the world unless its big and iron in content. I have not given up, but if the coil I purchase next doesn't net me any positive results, then I will throw in the towel and have to be content with the 4 inch finds. I read alot of hype about finding this and that coin at 9 inches and fell for it hook line and sinker thinking that I'd put this to work inside of a few days and be finding coins at great depth......it is really not that complicated although it seems overwhelming the first time you skim through the factory manual at all the variables you can change.
This is not a difficult machine to learn so long as you take the time to comprehend what you are reading and have the patience and persistence to repeat steps and learn the effects of your changes if they are evident, not always the case....and frustrating when you can't tell whether you've had any positive results or not.
Long story shorter........don't believe all the hype about dimes at 11 inches.....don't count on it without either some perfect ground conditions and some serious good fortune.
I'm not putting the DFX down, but rather making someone else that may be contemplating a purchase.... as was I a few months ago..... understand that this machine is NOT as magic or SUPERCALIFRAGILISTICEXPIALIDOCIOUS as a lot of people make it sound.
I am overall pleased with it, but very disappointed with a DFX300 that only gets 2 inches deeper than the detector I had in the 70's....
Not for lack of trying, this machine is far from what I expected for depth.
Jun 25, 2009
2 Yes
1 No
ibsparky96
Jerry in Ks -
I have used this for the past year now in many places all over the country and found it to be a most impressive detector. I have used 5 different brends of detectors but none are as programable as this one. If simple is your way then this is not the detector for you but if you like electronic gadgets and like to change programs this is the one. I REALLY don't recomend the beginner mess with the the pro options until they do their homework on this unit. Lots of books for this detector out there. I call it the pandora's box of metal detectors. If one gets into the programing without learning what changes can happen then they will have a useless noise maker. I have hunted with a variety of detectorist with different machines and I have outdone even the minelabs. I truly believe any brand of machine is only as good as the operator but if one has the time this is a really good tool. I have found coins past 9 inches with stock coil and caches to 2 feet with the spider coil. The only bugs me is this detector does not like EMI(ATT wireless cell phones are the worst). I have some custom programs I have created for this at www.dfxonly.com as well as others.
Jun 06, 2009
5 Yes
1 No
Whites dfx
troy in ohio -This is a great detector (dfx)... I have used the xlt for many years and moved up to the dfx! The biggest difference is the dfx has two freqs...and its not gonna leave anything behind!
The dfx is like the xlt with high power lines but the dfx is a little more unstable when your near high power lines or a big transformer. Other than that there is a hugh learning curve to the xlt or the dfx but the installed programs work great...so it is turn on and go also! I really enjoy my dfx and wouldnt trade it for nothing...
Jun 05, 2009
3 Yes
0 No
DFX = dissapointment
PJ in Louisiana -
Over a year ago I purchased the newest and greatest detector Whites ever produced!! The DFX was far from great and if that is the best they could do then I feel sorry for them.
My issues:
Machine comes with a useless 9.5 concentric coil
Must purchase aftermarket coils to get best performance
Too many choices for setting up the machine. Countless hours of adjusting required to make DFX perform at a marginal level.
Two freq's available
Iron falsing to no end and EMF makes the DFX useless.
What's the remedy? Buy a Minelab! Problem solved.
May 21, 2009
0 Yes
24 No
Still Learning
Martin in Lincs, Uk -I hunt mainly on high mineralised soil full of raw iron ferrite rocks which generally sorts out the men from the boys when it comes to detectors. I've only owned the DFX for two weeks with the 6x10 and 12" spider coils and on my land which I thought to be hunted out so far i've 4 Hammered's 1 cut half and my first cut quarter & 2 relics yet to be ID.
I cant recall anyone saying about the sensitivity of this machine, its top notch & 6x10 coil is a must for the east of england.
Drawbacks, you have to read the books and learn the machine.
Mar 15, 2009
17 Yes
1 No
Go back over previous sites w/ wWhite DFX 300
Hans in Michigan -I just upgraded to a Whites DFX 300, from a Garret 2500. I just wanted to say that I have been finding more coins than ever. I did a side by side comparison. THe reult where the DFX registered a dime or penny 9" depth, the Garret didnt even register. It was a 1941 wheat. Proof enough for me!
Nov 28, 2008
52 Yes
1 No
Eu_citzen's review
Eu_citzen in Europe, Sweden -Pros:
Light weight
Quite many functions(aka flexible)
Discrimination works almost everywhere
Many coils available
Easy to use (if your not to fast trying to get into programming the machine)
You can use multiple frequencies
Cons:
You have to read books to under stand it better
Headphones are not always included
Depth is not alway very good
Note! The DFX is more of a modern coin shooter as disc is super but depth is not always so.
It really depends on what your after... Coins & jewelry the DFX will be a very good choice.
Here's some good info: (I did copy some indeed I wrote much there)
http://www.findmall.com/read.php?31,734662
Jul 09, 2008
21 Yes
9 No
Not a tough to learn as usually claimed.
Artur in Duluth, MN -I've owned the DFX for 2 years. I have several hundred hours logged with this detector and overall I'm fairly pleased with its performance. As stated in the title, the machine isn't that difficult to use. The settings are fairly self explanatory, though the toughest part of actually learning the DFX is finding clever ways to make the settings work together. Some settings impact others (ex sweep speed vs recovery speed vs filters used). This is a mixed blessing with this machine. One the one hand, you have the ability to truly customize, on the other hand it's easy to screw it up and come home empty handed. Also it takes a bit of tweaking at each site which can be time consuming as conditions change in the field. Experimentation is the best way to learn and gain experience. I've found that while there are very good books which can help you explore the DFX, it's really the conditions you personally face which will allow you to find your own best setting.
Depth: It's difficult to truly judge how deep a detector will detect, many things have to be taken into accout, but overall this machine will find 95% of the coins that are there to be found. My one dislike is that the DFX tends to break up fairly badly on deep targets, the Signagraph will also jump around. If the audio is somewhat repeatable with some bars to the right, dig the target. You might be surprised.
Pinpointing: The DFX is an outstanding pinpointer with a concentric coil provided you have ratchet pinpointing OFF. The VCO also helps to determine the depth accurately. Note that the VCO on and DC SENS up will make the detector squeal even though the target may be over 4 inches deep.
Signagraph: Helpful, but can be misleading in some instances. It wants to display iron along with a good target in highly mineralized soil. Overall, a good tool. Listen to it, use the graph as an assistant.
Discrimination: Very good, although setting discrimination with the menu can be a chore. Block edit is still confusing to get right. Small gripe but a grip nonetheless.
Dual frequency: I've found the DFX does a better job when 1 frequency is used in some conditions. Tailor the mode to the targets you intend to find. IE 3KHz coins and 15KHz in the jewelery department.
Battery life: For what this detector does, it's quite excellent.
Build and Customer Support: Second to none for both. My DFX has been used and abused. It's held up extremely well considering it's a computer on a stick. When severely abused, White's has always replaced or repaired no questions asked. Simply outstanding customer support.
My Likes:
GB offset - Makes significant difference on small deep targets. A setting not discussed, but a very powerful option.
Discrimination - Compared to other detectors I rank this one near the top.
Bells and whistles - if you get to know them, they can be a real advantage.
Accesories
Build quality and balance.
Adjustable filter settings - you'll know what I'm talking about when you hit a trashy patch, notching the machine to 2 filters makes it quite snappy.
Backlight - Very useful
Key shortcuts - Quick adjustments
DC Phase - Good way to gauge mineralization
Pinpointing
DISLIKES:
Susceptible to interference
Slightly Heavy
Need more EEPROM slots for custom programs
Out of the box, performance is abysmal.
Inter-related settings can really increase need for ibuprofen. If in doubt, reload the program.
Very choppy on deeper targets compared to some other machines I've used.
That's about it. I hope you were able to get something out of the review. It's by no means a perfect machine, but it can come very close with a bit of practice and knowing how to tweak the controls properly. This thing is suitably deep for most hunts, this statement is also subjective.
Jul 06, 2008
86 Yes
0 No
MY NEW DFX HAS MADE THE LAST 6 WEEKS MY BEST EVER!!
Neil in West Jersey in New Jersey USA -First of all let me say I am no newbie to metal detecting. I have been detecting for many years and have owned four detectors before making the leap to the DFX.
I had read reviews on nearly every land machine and narrowed my choice down to a few models. The bottom line was that the best posts in all of the forums came from DFX users. The only complaint I read about the DFX was that it takes some people a while to master.
I finally got mine in late March 2008, and let me tell you I LOVE IT. I read the manual 3 times before it arrived and after a few outings I felt comfortable with all 44 of the adjustable controls. If you are not comfortable with all of the adjustments there are also 6 preset controls for "turn and go" detecting.
You can control just about anything on the DFX, including things that are usually preset at the factory like sweep speed and recovery time. You also have the option of frequency ( High frequency for gold, low for silver and copper) or you can choose Dual frequency which is great for all around hunting. The dual frequency also makes the DFX a great beach hunting machine. Most detectors have trouble going from dry sand to wet sand, but the DFX does so with no problems.
The VDI Display has 195 "notches" which gives you accurate target ID. You can even tell a silver quarter from clad!!! The VDI also allows you to notch out pulltabs without worrying about notching out jewelry and gold.
Here are some of my results from the DFX from April and early May. All of the finds are from two sites I have detected many times before using other metal detectors:
24 Eighteenth and early nineteenth century "Flat" Buttons;
A few silver Rosies and a Mercury Dime;
My first silver "War Nickel" (I got one in pocket change the next day..weird!)
An 1809 Half Cent;
An 1801 Draped Bust Large Cent;
A 1942 Walking Liberty Half Dollar
These 6 weeks with the DFX have given me my best finds in 7 years of detecting. It is simply an amazing machine!
May 06, 2008
75 Yes
0 No
Going into my 6th year with the dfx
FrankGooch in Putnam County NY -I personally love this machine even though Ive never used another..I have found so many old coins with the dfx..My attitude is "If theres any coins here I will find them" Thats how confident I am with my machine....I have found them with the preset and after I made my own simple adjustments to the settings.
Mar 13, 2008
18 Yes
3 No