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Simplifying the XP Deus II
It is not for anyone to say whether the XP Deus II is the “best” or “deepest” detector on the market, there are too many variables at stake. However, it has many tools that give it some serious advantages in the field. The XP Deus is really the swiss army knife of detectors.
There hasn’t been a detector with this many bells and whistles since the CTX 3030 and the Whites Spectra V3i.
When comparing the XP Deus II to the Equinox 800 or the Nokta Legend, the user interface of the Deus is by far more complex. Not to mention, understanding the many types of headphones, remotes, and accessories can be overwhelming.
Much of this is the fault of the XP team. The engineers wrote the XP Deus 2 users manual in very technical language. Even after the first XP Deus they still do not understand the importance of user simplification.
To help simplify some of the terminology of the XP Deus II we can compare it to other detectors like the Minelab Equinox.
Minelab Equinox “Simultaneous Multi Frequency Detector” (SMF)
● SMF is just advertising jargon. It simply means that the metal detector uses a combination of frequencies when penetrating the ground to analyze targets. ‘What’ frequencies the Equinox operates on and how they ultimately work together is a trade-secret (patented algorithm). We do know these frequencies vary depending on what factory mode you are in (Park, Field, Beach, Gold). Each mode has a unique signature of frequencies it uses, thus making it suitable for the environment it is designated to.
● The Minelab Equinox also has six single operating frequencies you can choose from- 4kHz, 5kHz, 10kHz, 15kHz, 20kHz, and 40kHz. Making it very versatile in many different hunting conditions where multi-frequency is not suitable. For example, multi-frequency is highly susceptible to environments with high EMI interference (electromagnetic frequencies from cell phones, radio towers, power lines etc.). EMI frequencies are in the air, and are entirely different from operating frequencies the detector uses to penetrate the ground.
● The incredibly simple user panel allows users to change operating frequencies and factory modes with the touch of a single button. This is where Minelab excels the way Apple does, they understand the importance of extremely simple user interfaces that are easy to navigate and learn.
XP Deus II “Fast Simultaneous Multi Frequency” (FMF).
● FMF is also just advertising jargon. XP has come out with their own multi-frequency programs, just like Minelab, with trade-secret algorithms that dictate how several different operating frequencies work together to run each factory program. As for the FM“F” or “fast” part, of course it’s a fast machine, that’s just part of the marketing pitch.
● The XP Deus II also has a Deus Mono factory program which allows the user to select from single frequencies 4.5kHz, 7.5kHz, 13kHz, 17.6kHz, 25kHz, 32kHz, 40.5kHz, and use offsets for each of those options that allow the user to actually choose from a total of 49 frequency options. Providing more options than the Minelab Equinox.
● The downside here is that to change frequencies, specifically to access single frequencies, the user has to push more than just one button, so toggling back and forth is not as efficient as the Minelab. One remedy for this would be to save two user profiles, one in your favorite multi-frequency mode, and one in your favorite single frequency mode. Allowing you to toggle back and forth more easily without having to push so many buttons.
● The upside is that the Deus II has far more customizable options than the Minelab Equinox. This can be a critical advantage in the field, despite the time it takes to access these other options.
Finally, it is important to remember when using the Equinox or the XP Deus 2 that the conductivity (target ID number) of your targets will change sometimes when in different programs, frequencies, or when using different coils.
XP Deus II Reactivity. What is it?
Very simply put, the XP Deus reactivity is also called recovery speed on the Minelab Equinox. Reactivity is how fast the machine is able to separate targets in close proximity to each other (trashy parks for example). Higher levels of reactivity will cause a loss of depth due to the detectors processor having to work harder. Be careful not to use high levels of reactivity if you are going for a lot of depth.
XP Deus II Silencer. What is it?
The XP Deus Silencer is a discrimination feature, almost exactly like the iron bias feature on the Minelab Equinox. Similar to the reactivity feature, the higher your silencer number, the more depth you lose. Again, because of the detectors processor has to work harder.
On the original Deus, the reactivity and silencer were linked, so if you changed your reactivity, you had to go back in and drop your silencer or the machine would automatically raise it. A complete headache which ‘may’ have been fixed in the Deus II. XP
Deus II Bottle Cap Reject
The XP Deus bottle cap reject is another discrimination feature, which may ultimately cause a loss of depth or targets. This feature may also mask a target underneath the bottle cap, so beware when using it. According to other users, bottle caps can be sniffed out using other methods that don’t sacrifice depth or masked targets.
XP Deus II Tones
This is the moment we leave the Minelab Equinox, and Nokta Legend in the dust. The XP Deus has such a vast range of options for adjusting tones and tone pitch that it becomes overwhelming for some. However for the expert detectorist who is willing to experiment and learn, these tools give you a serious advantage. Because the XP Deus has 99 segments of target ID conductivity scale, it opens up a vast amount of space to play with discrimination, tone break, and tone pitch.
● The Deus II has 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 tones, with options to adjust tone volume, pitch, and break. Another option is full tones, which is similar to 50 tones on the Minelab Equinox. Full tones gives every conductivity number a unique signature pitch. The end result is a more harmonic symphony of tones that blend together and allow a skilled user to pick out more audio nuances.
● Tone pitch can also be used interchangeably with the term tone frequency. This is where some users will get tone frequency confused with the detectors operating frequencies (4.5kHz, 7.5kHz, 13kHz, 17.6kHz, 25kHz, 32kHz, 40.5kHz etc.). The tone frequency, or pitch, has to do with the audio sounds the user hears, not with the frequency of the signal penetrating the ground. The frequency, or pitch of that audio can be manually adjusted on the Deus II anywhere from 202kHz (low sound/pitch), to 791kHz (high sound/pitch). Note: again, this is not tone volume, as in louder/softer, it is the pitch, as in squeaky high, or deep low.
● Changing the tone pitch of very specific target ID segments will help you discriminate out unwanted items while highlighting and amplifying desirable targets. Changing tone pitch is not a discrimination feature, there is no notching out target ID’s, and so there is no loss of signal or depth. When changing tone pitch you are simply changing the pitch of unwanted and/or desired items to your preference so you can clearly hear the difference! Any professional who understands the constraints of notch discrimination will understand the importance of this feature.
XP Deus II Pitch Tones
XP Deus Pitch tones is a feature that can be selected and used within many of the stock programs. Smaller and/or deeper targets will generate a weaker lower pitched sound. Closer and/or larger targets will generate a stronger and higher pitch.
Targets conductivity (silver, gold, iron) is not taken into account, although discrimination can still be used to eliminate undesired targets like iron). This is backwards from the way most detectorists are used to hearing tones so one must train their ears to this mode. Pitch mode has been praised for being king in iron, specifically because it is akin to an all-metal mode and creates the impression of being more reactive to targets.
XP Deus II Audio Type
● PWM is the traditional/original XP Deus audio, it has a squeaky duck-like sound to it. Some people say that PWM has more tonal nuances to it that allow the user to discern trash from treasure.
● Square is a new addition to the XP Deus audio options and it has softer fixed harmonics that have the flutey sound of a Minelab.
XP Deus II Audio Response Feature
XP Deus audio response does not give you any extra depth or power, but makes weaker, deeper signals louder. The downside to this is that you are amplifying a lot of small false signals from deep iron mineralization, which can overload your sound and cause you to miss targets. It is important to adjust the audio response feature for what type of ground you are detecting.
Another downside is if you run it too high you lose depth perception, because there is no longer any way to tell which targets are deeper and which are shallower. If you run it too low you will not be able to hear deep targets as easily.
What XP SHOULD have done which I have been saying for years is they should have made a function where shallow surface targets sound softer and deeper targets sound louder, that way there is a way to cherry-pick deep targets without audio overload.
XP Deus II Ground Balancing Features
Aside from the typical manual ground balance, and auto-tracking features that most detectors these days have, the XP Deus has a few unique ground balancing features that set it apart from the pack.
● Grab mode allows you to simply hold the pinpoint button down and pump the coil to immediately balance to ground conditions.
● Magnetic Ground is used only in beach and diving modes, and allows you to accept or reject black sand, ferrite, meteorites, or good deep targets that are usually masked by heavy mineralization.
● Ground Stabilizer has levels 1-3 and allows you to adjust the level of ground feedback depending on how much ground noise you’re willing to tolerate. An expert can use this tool to sniff out the deepest targets masked by heavy mineralization. XP Deus II Other Special Features
● IAR Discrimination is specific to gold & relic modes. IAR rejects shallow and/or deeper ferrous objects in relation to how far they are from the coil.
● Salt Sens is sensitivity for beach settings to help eliminate false signals.
XP Deus II X/Y Screen
The XP Deus X/Y screen is an optional display you can generate on your main screen which gives you visual target information graphics. As opposed to seeing just a target ID number that corresponds to the conductivity of your target (silver, gold, iron, etc.) the X/Y screen displays a cross upon which visual lines are displayed, usually in the form of ellipsoid (oval-like) shapes.
Depending on where these lines fall on the cross screen, the user can determine whether their target is ferrous, trash, or a good conductive target. In addition to falling more closely to the ferrous section of the cross graph, trashy target lines can also become more squiggly, and less ovular.
The main purpose of this article was not to get into the 12+ factory programs of the XP Deus II, or talk about its physical features. The XP Deus has many other features that make it stand out from other detectors, including an elaborate GPS system, and a diving mode that can go up to 66 feet deep!
The purpose of this article was to help give new users and potential buyers some clarity on some of the more complex features associated with the XP Deus II.
This article also aimed to make comparisons between the Nokta Legend, Minelab Equinox, and XP Deus II simply to help users better understand the universal concepts that just had different terms and labels applied to them.
Finally, this article pointed out truly original features of the XP Deus II that give it serious advantages in the field, for those who are willing to put the time in to learn the machine.