minelab 3030

[sugar]

if anyone is interested in technical data see if you can get your head around this




GPSi uses the high performance and flexibility of a u-blox GPS
positioning engine to seamlessly integrate location and time data with
detector settings and target information. This creates WayPoint, FindPoint
and GeoHunt files that are compatible with XChange 2.

Smartfind 2 greatly enhances Minelabs FeCo Discrimination to analyze
and display a targets Ferrous (Fe) and Conductive (Co) properties
on a full color LCD. Ultra-fast microcontrollers carry out digital signal
processing to provide significantly improved target separation.

FBS 2 combines Minelabs FBS multiple frequency rectangular-wave
transmission (1.5 kHz 100 kHz) with advanced digital coil-to-detector
communications. The precisely calibrated smart coils and detector
electronics allow advanced signal analysis for more accurate detection.

Wi-Stream uses efficient low-power digital audio transmission to achieve
no perceivable audio time lag (<10 ms) from the CTX 3030 to the WM
10. With multiple channel capability, this wireless technology provides
reliable communication with maximum sound quality.

The CTX 3030 uses advanced electronics and signal
analysis to give you much more information about
buried targets than any other detector.

With FBS 2 , Smartfind 2, GPSi and Wi-Stream,
Minelab takes the Worlds Best Metal Detection
Technologies to the next level of performance.
Key Technologies
*Supplied with Standard Pack only. Available as accessory for Starter Pack.
^ Available as accessory.
Software

Overview Ultimate performance multi-frequency TREASURE detector with enhanced FeCo
discrimination, integrated GPS and wireless audio options, all in a sleek rugged
design that is waterproof (IP67 rating) to 10 ft (3 m).
Search Modes 10 fully customizable, including 5 preset (Coins, Beach, Relic, Silver & High Trash)
2 Pinpoint options (Normal and Sizing)
Discrimination Patterns 20 fully customisable (2 per Search Mode)
Discrimination Type Enhanced Color discrimination (35 Fe x 50 Co = 1750 segments), Target Trace,
Target Trace Pinpoint, Tone ID Profiles, Target Separation (Ferrous-Coin and
Ground-Coin), Accept/Reject cursors
Ground Compensation Auto Compensation and Auto Ground Balance
Noise Cancel Auto and Manual (11 channels)
Threshold Level adjustment (150), Pitch adjustment (130)
Sensitivity Auto and Manual (130)
Display Full color LCD with backlight and adjustable brightness (110)
Standard Coil (CTX 11) 11-inch waterproof Double-D smart coil
Audio Outputs Built-in speaker, standard ¼-inch non-waterproof socket, custom waterproof
socket (Minelab accessory headphones only)
Wireless Audio (WM 10) No (available as accessory) Yes (supplied with detector)
Headphones KOSS UR30 (100 ohm) supplied with detector (non-waterproof )
Batteries (Li-ion pack) Yes (with fast charger). 12 V car adapter supplied with Standard Pack only
Batteries (8 x AA pack) No (available as accessory) Yes (supplied with detector^)
Length Min 37 in. (940 mm) Max 55.3 in. (1405 mm)
Weight 5.20 lbs (2.36 kgs) including Li-ion battery pack
PC Connection XChange 2 (via USB) compatible with Windows XP, Vista and 7
Key Technologies FBS 2, Smartfind 2, GPSi, Wi-Stream

For quickly accepting or rejecting a detected target, the Identify function
saves you time and effort!

When editing discrimination patterns, there are four edit frame sizes to choose from. Use a fine
edit frame for precision targeting or a coarse frame for quick results on the go. Edited patterns are
automatically saved within your current Search Mode. Auto accept/reject discrimination features
are also available for fast pattern editing using sample targets.

Target Trace displays many
detections per second to offer
greater visual detail of a targets
identity. Multiple targets are
displayed as colored hot spots, or
streaks, across the Detect screen
turning everyone into experts.
Choose to have on or off while
detecting or during pinpointing.

Tone ID Profile

Select and adjust detection
audio tones so you can
clearly hear the differences
between valuable accepted
targets before deciding to
dig. Eight Tone ID Profiles are
available. Audio responses
can be matched with FeCo
discrimination patterns for
maximum versatility.

When you are searching, the Detect screen shows you all the target
information you need to find more treasure you wont miss anything!

The color display, Ferrous and Conductivity numbers, numerical depth indicator and sensitivity panel
will give you more confidence to find those elusive good targets in heavily searched and high trash
areas. Quickly select between two discrimination patterns (P1, P2) for each Search Mode. Activate
Target Trace to view real-time visual target information. Use Target Trace Pinpoint for target verification.

Ferrous-Coin Separation

Separates ferrous (iron) targets
from coin-like targets to improve
the identification of coin-like
targets that are in very close
proximity to ferrous targets. Find
the treasure others have missed!

Ground-Coin Separation

Separates ground signals from
coin-like targets to improve the
identification of coin-like targets
that are affected by ground
signals. This greatly improves the
signal stability of good targets in
mineralized ground.

When you want to check treasure locations or ground you have covered,
the Map screen shows you the way no need for a separate GPS!
The GeoTrail displays the path where you have been so you dont waste time detecting the same
ground twice. Use WayPoints and FindPoints to create your own treasure map. Quickly select
between three zoom levels (10 x 10, 20 x 20, 100 x 100) giving close up and wide views. The FeCo
target data can also be displayed so you can navigate and detect at the same time. Map details can
be turned on or off for easy viewing.

For recording find locations and entire treasure hunts, the Store
function does it all!
WayPoints are used as general position markers to easily navigate to your favorite locations.
FindPoints capture location, detector and target data for storing details of your treasure finds.
Record your entire detecting session as a GeoHunt for future reference. All information can be
uploaded to a PC and viewed on Google Maps using the XChange 2 application.

Waypoints

WayPoints are used just like
in other GPS devices. Each
WayPoint comprises of location
and time data. You can use
WayPoints to mark general
locations of interest and for
navigating to detecting areas.
One hundred WayPoints can

Findpoints

FindPoints bring together all
of the important information
you need to know about your
treasure finds. WayPoint data is
combined with target data and
detector settings, at the time of
discovery, to create a FindPoint.
One hundred FindPoints can be
stored in the detector.

Fill in your
favorite treasure
discoveries in
distinctive colors
with XChange 2

Navigation Tool

Use the Navigation Tool to guide you to the next detecting
site. No need to use a separate GPS device. Use the direction
and distance indicators to locate where you finished detecting
yesterday/last week/last year. Navigate to WayPoints you have
created on Google Maps and downloaded to your detector. Go
back to a previously marked FindPoint to search for more treasure

GeoTrail

A GeoTrail is a colored trail on the
Map screen which shows where
you have been detecting. You
can be confident that no ground
has been left unsearched. The
GeoTrail changes color when
being recorded as part of a
GeoHunt.

Geohunt

A GeoHunt is made up of your
GeoTrail and any WayPoints and
FindPoints you mark along the
way. A GeoHunt is displayed
on the Map screen and can be
placed onto Google Maps to
record your successes and plan
your next hunt. Ten GeoHunts
can be stored in the detector

Ground Balance
Improved ability to effectively
see through heavily mineralized
ground. This can enable accurate
detection at greater depth in
these conditions.

Audio
Threshold and Volume options
to optimize Audio settings
for your personal hearing and
detecting surroundings.

By connecting the CTX 3030 to XChange 2 you can transfer WayPoints, FindPoints and GeoHunts
to and from your PC (an internet connection is required to view Google Maps). All of your personal
detecting data is stored locally and securely on your PC and is not accessible by others via the internet.
Add text comments and photos to your finds and/or hunts. Important detecting information can
now all be stored in one place with one PC application.
Categorise and color code target types on your maps and arrange in Collection folders. You can
create an unlimited database of your detecting information for future reference.
Create new WayPoints for navigating to detecting locations of interest.
Edit, rename and download finds, detector settings and location data to your CTX 3030 to assist
with your next hunt.
The versatility of XChange 2 is only limited by your imagination. Take your detecting game plan to the
next level by following treasure trends and identifying potential treasure sites. You can even share your
favorite detector settings and exciting discoveries with friends.
XChange 2 will change the way you go detecting forever!
Edit Tone ID Profiles
Edit Discrimination Patterns
Add FindPoint Information
Your Detecting Connection
XChange 2 is supplied free on CD with every
CTX 3030 detector and it is also available as a
free App download from www.minelab.com/
apps for everyone to use.

[Mike]

uuummm , chef what do you think 

[Chef Geoff]

Well I've been following the different forums and like many others, I'm still waiting for some more in-depth information.. Obviously the GPS is Novel but that's all it is, as if you have a GPS then it becomes a luxury extra, likewise the wireless unit comes as an extra so is in effect no different than buying one from Highland innovations (though probably better tones).The waterproof aspect? once again handy to have but if you never surf or stream detect then it's not worth having.
The weight is heavier than the Etrac but the balance is meant too be vastly improved, but you are still going to be carrying 5+lbs around with you regardless (which is great if your water detecting as you need the weight).
The ability to nominate tones for certain fe-co no's is a much awaited benefit but the Rutus and Deus got there first.

"Separates ground signals from
coin-like targets to improve the
identification of coin-like targets
that are affected by ground
signals. This greatly improves the
signal stability of good targets in
mineralized ground".

This "could" be the interesting bit but will depend on what "coin-like" actually means? Is it all targets along the 12 ferrous line? if it is then unfortunately as I suspect of many of the other features, it's targeted at the American market. This makes sense as that market is huge in comparison to the UK and Europe.
But it does mean that this feature is not of any use (reliably) in the UK due to the variation in our coin types.
So I'm still on the fence at the moment and awaiting more information, but as it stands then it looks like a machine to maybe buy when and if mine crumbles to dust in my hands and not one to rush out and get to replace the current top Minelabs.

I know I have said it so many times before, but IB metal detectors and more precisely VLF technology is like having 100 bricks, you can build a wall out of them as high, wide or thick as you like but at the end of the day you still only have 100 bricks. When Charles Garrett developed motion discrimination machines back in the 70's the industry already knew that it was a dead end technology. A case in point is the Blisstool which is a proving to be a very deep machine, it seems that the circuit design has been directly lifted from the Fisher 1235X from 1982, the pre-set potentiometers have been replaced by variables (thus all the knobs) and the processors have been brought bang up to date to improve stability, so you can see we are still playing with old technology.
Yes Minelab added some more mortar between their bricks with their BBS/FBS (1992) system and other makes have utilised newer and better processors to analyse targets, but until a totally revolutionary new system is found then we are bound by the laws of physics.

OOooh! and of course we still don't know the price?

[rjm]

I think you've hit the nail on the head, Geoff.

The 3030 is still 5.2 lbs in weight, and it doesn't matter how well balanced it is, you are still carrying it around
and you will feel it! Users have deserted the current range due to weight issues and they go and bring out an
even heavier machine?

The FBS2 may be a bit better than the current FBS but I can't say it's going to be £1000+ better and goodness
knows how much the cordless headphones are going to be on top of the base price!

The Deus is rumoured to have a software update later this year (believed free) with better ground balance
adjustments and a few other nice touches. The super light detecting and amazing cordless headphones
for £1200, I think, still has the edge. Yes, performance is important BUT so is user comfort! I'm not going to get into arguments about which machine is better (they're both good) but even IF the Minelab was better I'd gladly lose a
few finds for the comfort factor............and I'm sure a few others feel the same.

[JBM]

I agree with you guys and wait to see when all the usual new owners start posting the real facts after all the shouting and dancing settles down have to tell us.

We have seen the hype before, so lets see how soon this new toy that's available to us hits the used market place.Jerry.