The 9.5in concentric and 10in x 5in elliptical coils used in the test

Basic Adjustments To The Preset Programmes

As already mentioned, the Prospecting programme settings are most suitable for searching in the mineralised and very difficult conditions described above; but they do need some minor changes. To fine-tune this programme (shown on page 55 of the handbook), I would suggest the following procedure:-

1. Set the volume, tone, sensitivity and threshold levels to your personal preferences.
2. Turn the Audio Disc ON (the prospecting programme is set for gold searching and therefore needs to be off).
3. Scroll down to Pro Options and alter Auto Track speed from 18 down to 8 or 9.
4. Continue to scroll down to Bottle Cap Reject and increase it from 1 to 3.
5. Go to Rock Reject and adjust to 10.
6. Sweep Speed should also be increased to between 12-15.
7. Scroll on to Pre Amp Gain and adjust to 3.
8. Most importantly go to 2 Frequency Best Data and turn it ON - this will automatically turn 1 Frequency off in the original programme.
   

This is all that I feel is necessary to match our bad British conditions, and as you become more familiar with the detector it may well be that you can make even finer tuning pay off. Remember, though, that these settings will only remain as long as the machine is turned on; when you switch it off the alterations will be lost and the detector will return to the factory settings.

To store the changes to the programme it is essential that they are transferred to one of the EEPROM Programmes. To do this after making the adjustments do not turn the detector off. Press Menu, which will take you to the preset programmes. Press Enter and using the down Arrow scroll down until you reach the Prospecting programme; this will have a flashing cursor next to it. Carry on scrolling down until you reach any of the EEPROM Programmes and press Enter. The screen will indicate a flashing cursor at LOAD. Do not press but continue on to SAVE. Press Enter again and your personal settings will be saved safely for you to recall anytime after switching off.

Tests With Elliptical Coil

Using the same “in air” and “below the rock” tests with the elliptical coil the DFX picked up all the test pieces with ease. To say that I was astounded would be an understatement. These were the best results I had achieved with any of the machines I had tested, and transformed the DFX in my view from a top range detector to the top detector.

Over the same ground that has been the graveyard to many machines, I located 127 non-ferrous finds. These included buttons, musket balls, pieces of lead, a medieval thimble, jettons, some hammered silver and two personal seals. This was all in four hours of detecting! Depth was excellent. I found a hammered penny at a measured 9in, and musket balls at depths of up to 10in. The discrimination was very good and I dug no iron at all. On three or four occasions I had doubtful two-way signals, but these were easily identified as iron on the SignaGraph display.

Hammered silver found with the elliptical coil

The detector was very sensitive to the very tiny finds, which it identified at good depths. Pinpointing was very easy with both coils. One interesting fact was that even in the factory preset coin mode the DFX rejects modern iron centre copper clad 2p and 1p coins.

There are few faults with this detector, and those that exist are more than made up for by its performance. In certain configurations it is sensitive to high-tension electricity cables. On two occasions it also switched off without warning. The other more familiar “bad” design features of the XLT are still obvious: the control box and battery housing are at risk of damp when the machine is rested on the ground and the display screen is prone to scratching; as a result you really need to purchase covers for both of these components.

Summary

Going back to the original theme of which is the better type of machine - “turn-on-and-go” or user programmable - the question becomes redundant when talking about the DFX. Here you have a simple pre-programmed detector that can be up and running as soon as you get on site. At the same time it is a machine that can be adjusted to meet the most demanding of circumstances. Even when using the Pro options that have been stored in the EEPROM settings you still turn on and go!

My intention was to take some of the mystery out of the technical side of the DFX, and I hope I have achieved this aim. It is not a difficult detector to use provided you read the handbook. Sit with the detector and handbook, and go through each stage again and again until you understand what you are doing. Don’t attempt too many changes at once, as you will not be able to tell what differences the changes have had on performance. Go out with the intention of concentrating on certain aspects of the settings rather than trying to achieve perfection all in one go.

My suggestions as to the setting up of the detector are just a start, and I’m sure that you will rapidly become competent in achieving the right settings for your personal conditions.

I think that White’s should give you the option of either the 9.5in concentric or the 10in x 5in elliptical coils when the DFX is first purchased. I can see a use for both but in my book the elliptical coil was the winner.

Although the DFX is priced at over £800, this is money well spent and there will be no need to upgrade at a later date. I still have a long way to go with the DFX - experimenting with the frequencies for example - and you will find the same. Therefore be patient. I am fully aware that the cynics will say that this is another “be kind to the manufacturer” report and that I have exaggerated some of my comments. But I can assure you that I have never written a field test before, neither have I had any contact with White’s. I have written about the detector as I found it….there is no point in doing otherwise.

The White's DFX is available from Joan Allen Electronics Ltd, 190 Main Road, Biggin Hill, Kent TN16 3BB, UK. Telephone: 01959 571255, Fax: 01959 576014, E-mail: sales@joanallen.co.uk.

Visit the Joan Allen web site at http://www.joanallen.co.uk.

© Reproduced with kind permission of Treasure Hunting Magazine.