Minelab X-TERRA ELITE Expedition Pack Waterproof Metal Detector

The Minelab X-TERRA ELITE Expedition Pack is Minelab's own kit version of the X-TERRA ELITE: one detector, two waterproof elliptical Double-D coils (V12X 12 x 9 in and V8X 8 x 5 in) and ML 85 low-latency wireless headphones. The detector runs Multi-IQ simultaneous multi-frequency, with a single 15 kHz option in Park and Field modes, and is rated IP68 waterproof to 16 ft (5 m). It suits intermediate detectorists who split their time between parks, farm fields and saltwater beaches. It is the version of the X-TERRA ELITE we point most buyers to, because the smaller coil and the wireless headphones are already in the box.

Who the X-TERRA ELITE Expedition Pack Is For

Choose the X-TERRA ELITE Expedition Pack if you hunt mixed sites and want one purchase to cover them: the V12X for open ground, the V8X for tight or trashy spots, and wireless audio without a cable. If you are new to the hobby, our getting started metal detecting guide covers the basics before you take this one out.

A different model is the better choice if:

• You only need the detector. The standard Minelab X-TERRA ELITE is the same detector with the V12X coil only and no headphones, in a lower price band.
• Budget matters more than multi-frequency. The Minelab X-TERRA PRO has the same 16 ft waterproof rating, weight and battery, but runs one frequency at a time and has no Iron Bias control.
• You want finer discrimination control. The Minelab Equinox 700 has 119 discrimination segments against 30 on the X-TERRA ELITE, a different Iron Bias range (0 to 3) and sensitivity up to 28 where the X-TERRA ELITE stops at 25. It ships with one coil and sits in a higher price band.
• You mainly prospect for gold. The X-TERRA ELITE has no gold prospecting mode. Start with our guide to gold metal detectors.
• You dive deeper than 16 ft. That is the rated limit for the X-TERRA ELITE control box and both coils.

Key Features of the X-TERRA ELITE Expedition Pack and What They Mean in Use

• Multi-IQ simultaneous multi-frequency: the detector transmits several frequencies at once, so you do not pick a frequency for each site. Minelab does not publish the individual frequencies for this model.
• Optional 15 kHz single frequency in Park and Field: Minelab's manual suggests it for electrically noisy sites where one frequency may pick up less interference, at the cost of sensitivity across a wide range of targets. It is not available in Beach mode.
• Three search modes with two profiles each: Park 1 and 2, Field 1 and 2, Beach 1 and 2. Each profile is a starting point you can adjust, so you are not building settings from zero at every site.
• Target IDs from -19 to 99: ferrous targets read -19 to 0 and non-ferrous 1 to 99. Discrimination is set in 30 segments of four Target IDs each, so you accept or reject small groups of IDs, not single numbers.
• Iron Bias from -1 to 2: Minelab's manual points to settings 1 and 2 for ground with dense iron trash, and to -1 and 0 when you want to avoid missing a non-ferrous target.
• Auto, manual and tracking ground balance, with sensitivity from 1 to 25: you can match the detector to the soil and back sensitivity off when the ground gets noisy.
• Two coils: Minelab positions the V12X for covering ground quickly and the V8X for tight spaces. Both ship with skid plates.
• ML 85 low-latency wireless headphones: the X-TERRA ELITE uses Minelab's own wireless audio, so there is no cable between you and the detector. There is also a built-in speaker and a 3.5 mm headphone socket.
• Handle vibration, flashlight and red backlight: vibration can be switched on for all targets or for ferrous targets separately, and the backlit screen and keypad stay readable before sunrise and after sunset.
• Internal rechargeable battery with magnetic USB charging: Minelab's manual lists typical runtime at approximately 14 hours and a full charge at 5 to 6 hours with a USB charger rated above 2 A at 5 V.

What Is in the Box with the X-TERRA ELITE Expedition Pack

Minelab standard contents (Expedition Pack, part number 3707-0003)

• Minelab X-TERRA ELITE detector: control pod with internal battery, three-piece collapsible shaft, handle and armrest
• V12X 12 x 9 in elliptical Double-D coil with skid plate
• V8X 8 x 5 in elliptical Double-D coil with skid plate
• ML 85 low-latency wireless headphones
• Internal 3.7 V / 5100 mAh lithium-ion rechargeable battery
• USB charging cable with magnetic connector
• Getting Started Guide

Added by Serious Detecting

• Serious Detecting finds bag with 42 in adjustable waist belt
• Double serrated hand digger with belt holster
• Protective gloves

These three items are not part of Minelab's Expedition Pack. They add automatically at checkout as a separate cart item, one kit per detector.

Not included

• A USB wall charger. Minelab's contents list the charging cable only, so plan on a USB charger rated above 2 A at 5 V.
• Waterproof headphones for underwater use.
• A pinpointer or a carry bag for the detector.

Warranty: Minelab covers the control box and coils of the X-TERRA ELITE for three years. Minelab's product pages do not state a separate term for the ML 85 headphones, so ask us before ordering if that matters to you.

X-TERRA ELITE Compatibility: Coils, Headphones, Battery and Chargers

• Coils that fit: Minelab lists the V8X 8 x 5 in, V10X 10 x 7 in and V12X 12 x 9 in, plus the EQX 06 6 in round, EQX 11 11 in round and EQX 15 15 in elliptical. See our metal detector search coils.
• Coils that do not fit: coils made for the older X-TERRA 305, 505 and 705.
• Wireless headphones that work: the included ML 85. Minelab also lists the ML 105 headphones and the WM09 wireless module as compatible.
• Wireless headphones that do not work: Bluetooth headphones of any brand, and the Minelab ML 80 and ML 100. The X-TERRA ELITE uses a proprietary low-latency wireless link.
• Wired headphones: any standard 3.5 mm headphones fit, provided the connector overmold is under 9 mm (0.35 in) wide. Browse metal detector headphones.
• Underwater audio: Minelab requires its own waterproof headphones for underwater detecting, because their connector seals to the detector. When you go in the water without headphones, the waterproof dust cap must be fitted to the headphone socket.
• Battery: internal rechargeable lithium-ion. The X-TERRA ELITE does not take AA batteries.
• Chargers: any good quality USB charger rated above 2 A at 5 V, using the supplied magnetic cable. On land you can also run the detector from a USB power bank.

Where the X-TERRA ELITE Expedition Pack Works Well and Where It Does Not

Saltwater Beaches and Surf

Beach mode on the X-TERRA ELITE runs Multi-IQ only. Minelab's manual assigns Beach 1 to wet and dry sand and shallow water, and Beach 2 to surf and a fully submerged coil. Any remaining salt signal is given a Target ID of 0 so you can ignore it. In black sand, Beach mode lowers transmit power automatically to avoid overloading. In our view that means less depth in black sand.

Limits: the control box and both coils are rated to 16 ft (5 m), no deeper. Minelab does not list the ML 85 headphones as waterproof, so we recommend keeping them out of the water. Do not use the detector underwater while it is charging or connected to a power bank. Rinse every part with fresh water after salt use, including the shaft camlocks. Our guide to beach metal detecting covers technique.

Mineralized Ground

The X-TERRA ELITE offers auto, manual and tracking ground balance. In highly mineralized ground Minelab advises repeating the auto ground balance if the first pass does not quiet the ground, and you can lower sensitivity from the 1 to 25 range when the soil stays noisy.

Limits: this is a coin, jewelry and relic detector. Minelab lists gold among the targets Multi-IQ can find, but the X-TERRA ELITE has no prospecting mode, and we would not choose it as a main detector for nugget hunting in hot ground.

Trashy Parks and Lawns

Park 1 is Minelab's starting profile for modern coins and larger jewelry. Park 2 is the profile it recommends for smaller targets in trash-filled ground, including iron. Iron Bias and three recovery speed settings give you two more ways to deal with iron. A higher recovery speed separates targets that sit close together, at some cost in depth, and the V8X coil has a smaller footprint for working between targets.

Limits: with 30 discrimination segments of four Target IDs each, you cannot reject one single ID number on the X-TERRA ELITE. If you want that level of control, look at the Equinox 700.

Farm Fields and Relic Sites

Field 1 is for general hunting and coin hunting with high trash rejection. Minelab describes Field 2 as suited to sites with dense targets and trash, where it will better detect small hammered coins on edge or at greater depth. Start with the V12X in open pasture and plowed fields, and swap to the V8X around foundations and fence lines when the larger coil reads several targets in one sweep.

Depth

Minelab does not publish a maximum depth for the X-TERRA ELITE, and we will not quote one. Depth depends on target size, soil and coil. The on-screen depth gauge has five levels. For a US quarter, the top level means deeper than 8 in.

Weight and Battery on Long Sessions

Minelab lists the X-TERRA ELITE at 2.9 lbs (1.3 kg) including the battery, and it collapses to 25 in (63 cm) for transport. Typical runtime is approximately 14 hours per the manual, which covers a full day for most hunters. Because the battery is internal, there is no spare pack to swap in the field. A USB power bank is the backup, on land only.

How the Expedition Pack Differs from the X-TERRA ELITE, X-TERRA PRO and Equinox 700

All three X-TERRA models below share the same IP68 rating to 16 ft (5 m), the same 2.9 lbs weight, the same internal battery, 30 discrimination segments and a three-year Minelab warranty on the control box and coil. The differences are in the table.

Feature	X-TERRA PRO	X-TERRA ELITE	X-TERRA ELITE Expedition Pack
Technology	PRO-SWITCH selectable single frequency	Multi-IQ simultaneous multi-frequency	Multi-IQ simultaneous multi-frequency
Frequencies	Park and Field: 5, 10 or 15 kHz. Beach: 8 kHz	Park and Field: Multi-IQ or 15 kHz. Beach: Multi-IQ	Park and Field: Multi-IQ or 15 kHz. Beach: Multi-IQ
Iron Bias	No	-1 to 2	-1 to 2
Coils in the box	V12X 12 x 9 in	V12X 12 x 9 in	V12X 12 x 9 in and V8X 8 x 5 in
Headphones in the box	No	No	ML 85 wireless
Price band	Lowest of the three	Middle	Highest of the three

Closest model down: the X-TERRA PRO. You give up Multi-IQ, Iron Bias, the second coil and the headphones. You keep the waterproof rating, weight, battery and coil compatibility.

Closest model up: the Equinox 700. It is also Multi-IQ and IP68 to 16 ft, and adds 119 discrimination segments, Iron Bias from 0 to 3 and sensitivity from 1 to 28. It ships with one EQX 11 11 in round coil and ML 85 headphones, so you lose the second coil and move up a price band.

For a wider look across the brand, see our Minelab metal detector buying guide.

Why Buy the X-TERRA ELITE Expedition Pack from Serious Detecting

Every Minelab X-TERRA ELITE Expedition Pack ships from our Michigan warehouse. Serious Detecting is a family-owned authorized Minelab dealer, so the detector carries Minelab's full three-year warranty on the control box and both coils, and our team can walk you through Iron Bias and Beach mode settings before your first hunt. This detector qualifies for free shipping, 30-day returns and a price-match guarantee against other authorized US dealers. Browse the full Minelab metal detector range.