XP ORX Metal Detector Overview
The XP ORX is a single-frequency wireless metal detector made in France for detectorists who value simplicity, speed and low weight. The whole signal path is wireless: coil to remote to headphones over XP's own digital link, which is not Bluetooth. XP gives 750 g with the remote off the stem (it can ride on your hip), and the actual weight depends on the coil. The ORX ships with 4 factory programs (Gold, Fine Gold, Coin Fast and Coin Deep) plus 2 user slots. Sensitivity and discrimination run to 99 levels, the target ID (0 to 99) comes with an iron probability from 0 to 100 percent, and the gold programs add 5 levels of IAR (Iron Amplitude Rejection) discrimination. Ground balance is manual from 60 to 90 or a quick automatic grab, and a salt mode (ground rejection 00 to 25) is there for salty ground. The coil and remote run on rechargeable lithium batteries that XP rates at up to about 20 hours, and firmware updates over USB. The warranty is 5 years parts and labor from XP, with 2 years on the batteries.
XP ORX vs XP DEUS II: Which Should You Buy?
The ORX and the XP DEUS II share XP's wireless design but serve different buyers. The ORX runs one frequency at a time, chosen from its coil's range, with 4 factory programs and 2 user slots. The DEUS II runs Fast Multi-Frequency (FMF), transmitting several frequencies at once, and adds far more audio customization and advanced settings. The two use separate coil lineups, so plan coil purchases around the platform you choose.
For freshwater sites, parks, woods and dry sand, the ORX is a light, simple option, and with an HF coil it reaches high frequencies for small natural gold. For wet salt sand we would look at the DEUS II's FMF instead: the ORX does have a salt mode, but it is a single-frequency detector. If you want FMF in a light, simple machine, compare the XP ICON as well.
XP ORX, Best For:
- Relic and coin hunters working old homesites, farm fields and parks
- Gold prospectors who want HF coils up to 80 kHz in a light, wireless rig
- Detectorists who want 4 factory programs and few menus
XP DEUS II, Best For:
- Wet salt sand and ocean beaches, using simultaneous multi-frequency
- Difficult historical sites where more settings help
- Detectorists who want the widest range of audio and program options
ORX Settings That Matter in the Field
Reactivity has 4 levels (XP's values 1, 2, 2.5 and 3). Lower reactivity gives the greatest detection range; higher reactivity gives up some raw depth for cleaner separation in trashy iron, which is usually the right call on cellar holes and old homesteads. In the 2 gold programs, IAR discrimination (5 levels) adds iron rejection on top of the 99-level discrimination scale. Audio includes adjustable volume, threshold (20 levels), pitch and a selectable ferrous tone. A new coil pairs with the remote by entering the serial number printed on the coil, and the MI-6 pinpointer pairs with the ORX remote over the same wireless link (see XP pinpointers). Headphones are optional: the remote has a loudspeaker, and the WSAudio wireless headphones or wired headphones such as the FX-02 work with it.
Where the XP ORX Works Best and Its Limits
We recommend the ORX for relic and coin hunters on old homesites, farm fields and parks, and for gold prospecting detectorists who split time between coin sites and gold country in one rig. With the 9.5 x 5 inch HF elliptical it reaches up to 80 kHz, which can improve sensitivity to small, low-conductivity targets such as tiny natural gold. For heavily mineralized goldfields we recommend a dedicated pulse induction gold detector instead.
The ORX remote is not waterproof, so protect it in wet weather, and XP's ORX manual says the coil needs an optional antenna when it is submerged. The WSAudio headphones are rainproof.
XP ORX Packs and Coils
XP builds the ORX in 4 factory packs, each named after its coil and each with the S-Telescopic Lite stem and the ORX remote. Coil choice drives the frequency range, and the 13 x 11 inch X35 coil is an optional extra for open ground.
| XP Pack | Coil | Frequencies |
|---|
| ORX-22HFRC | 9 inch (22.5 cm) HF round | 21 frequencies, 13 to 59 kHz |
| ORX-ELLHFRC | 9.5 x 5 inch (24 x 13 cm) HF elliptical | 3 base frequencies, 15 to 80 kHz |
| ORX-22X35RC | 9 inch (22.5 cm) X35 round | 35 frequencies, 3.7 to 27.7 kHz |
| ORX-28X35RC | 11 inch (28 cm) X35 round | 35 frequencies, 3.7 to 27.7 kHz |
| Optional coil | 13 x 11 inch (34 x 28 cm) X35 | 35 frequencies, 3.7 to 27.7 kHz |
In our experience the X35 coils are a sensible choice for coins and general relics and the HF coils for very small natural gold, but we would not choose a coil simply because it offers the highest frequency. The ORX takes the 9 inch, 11 inch and 13 x 11 inch X35 coils and the 9 inch and 9.5 x 5 inch HF coils from the original DEUS range; the DEUS II FMF coils do not run on the ORX remote. To move an ORX to DEUS II technology, XP's DEUS and ORX Conversion Pack fits an FMF coil and WS6 Master headphones to the stem you already own. Browse all metal detector coils for compatibility checks before you order.
Why Buy the XP ORX from Serious Detecting?
- Free Shipping on Orders Over $99: Your XP ORX ships at no extra cost across the continental US.
- Authorized XP Dealer: Showroom in Ypsilanti, Michigan, full 5-year manufacturer warranty and product registration support.
- Help Before and After You Buy: Our staff answer setup, coil and ORX questions by phone or email.
