Minelab CTX 3030 Metal Detector with CTX 17 Smart Coil

The Minelab CTX 3030 with the CTX 17 Smart Coil pairs Minelab's GPS detector with a 17 x 13 inch coil for coin and relic hunters who cover big fields and wide beaches. The CTX 3030 runs FBS 2 multi-frequency with a full color screen and is waterproof to 3 meters (10 feet).

What is in the box with this Minelab CTX 3030 bundle

Minelab's standard contents for the CTX 3030 (Minelab part 3228-0101)

• Minelab CTX 3030 detector
• CTX 11 inch round Double-D Smart Coil with coil cover and coil hardware
• KOSS UR-30 wired headphones
• Rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack, 7.2 V, 34 Wh
• BC 10 battery charger (battery charging station)
• Universal charging kit: universal AC wall adapter and car charger
• AA battery adapter (alkaline battery holder)
• WM 10 wireless audio module with belt clip and charging cable
• Removable headphone module
• USB cable
• Arm rest strap
• Getting Started Guide

This Minelab CTX 3030 bundle also includes

• Minelab CTX 17 17 x 13 inch elliptical Double-D Smart Coil with skidplate (Minelab part 3011-0116)

What the add-ons in this Minelab CTX 3030 bundle do

CTX 17 Smart Coil: Minelab's 17 x 13 inch elliptical Double-D Smart Coil covers much more ground per swing than the standard 11 inch coil, which suits open fields, plowed ground and wide beaches. We would swap back to the 11 inch coil in trashy or tight areas. More coils are in our metal detector coils collection.

We would fit the CTX 17 on a large open field or a wide, clean beach, where coverage matters more than separation. Record the outing as a GeoHunt and you can see which ground the big coil has already covered before you come back. A larger coil also puts more objects under it at once, so slow your sweep and lean on Target Separation when the ground gets busy.

Who the Minelab CTX 3030 suits

We like the CTX 3030 most for experienced coin and relic hunters who want a lot of information about each buried target. FBS 2 transmits multiple frequencies from 1.5 to 100 kHz at once, and Smartfind 2 shows each target on a two dimensional display: ferrous 1 to 35 and conductivity 1 to 50. Picture an old property and a signal that may be a coin near iron. The screen gives you more to judge it by than a single number, and it rewards owners who learn how targets look on it. It is an older platform than the Minelab MANTICORE, and still a sophisticated detector.

Minelab CTX 3030 search modes and discrimination

Minelab gives the CTX 3030 search modes for Coins, Relics, Beach, High Trash, Silver and All Metal, plus custom modes and a custom user search profile, so each site can have its own setup saved. Sensitivity runs from 1 to 30 with an automatic setting, noise cancel is automatic or manual, and the depth indicator reads 0 to 30 cm (0 to 12 inches). Target tones range from a single tone to 35 ferrous tones and 50 conductive tones. Pinpoint has a Normal and a Sizing mode with a crosshair on the screen. We would start in the Coins or Relics mode that matches the site and change one setting at a time. Target Trace shows a real time animation of the many detections the CTX 3030 uses to settle on a Target ID, and Target Separation lets you tune the signal processing to the site. The User button can carry one of nine functions, among them Previous Mode, Pinpoint Type, Large ID Panel and the Navigation Tool, and pressing and holding Audio or Identify opens a Quick Menu for changes on the go.

Settings that matter on the CTX 3030

Minelab gives the CTX 3030 four Target Separation settings. Low Trash and High Trash match the trash density, Ferrous-Coin is for coins among dense iron trash in low mineralization, and Ground-Coin is for coins in highly mineralized ground. We would choose by the site, a littered homesite or fairly clean ground, rather than always running the most aggressive option. On deep silver among rusty nails, the readings can also turn inconsistent, so we would not rely on the Target ID numbers alone.

GPS, mapping and wireless audio

GPSi records where you have been and where your finds came from. WayPoints mark points of interest, FindPoints mark each find, GeoHunts record a whole outing, GeoTrails record your position every second as a trail of dots, and Minelab's XChange 2 PC software stores the data and your detector settings. The Map screen shows all of these in their relative positions, and the Navigation Tool guides you back to a WayPoint, a FindPoint or the start or end of a GeoHunt. Audio comes through the built-in loudspeaker, wired headphones on the 6.35 mm (1/4 inch) socket, Minelab's CTX 3030 waterproof headphones, or wirelessly through the WM 10 module and Wi-Stream.

Water, weight and power

Minelab rates the CTX 3030 waterproof to 3 meters (10 feet), so it works on land, on the beach and wading in shallow water. The shaft extends from 94 cm (37 inches) to 140.5 cm (55.3 inches). Power comes from a removable 7.2 V lithium-ion pack, with an AA battery adapter in the box for trips away from power.

Where the CTX 3030 works well, and where it does not

Beaches and shallow water: Minelab gives the CTX 3030 a Beach mode plus a Seawater function for hunting with the coil in salt water. Minelab marks the supplied KOSS headphones as not waterproof, so plan on Minelab's CTX 3030 waterproof headphones for submerged hunting.

Large properties: on a big historical property, a FindPoint on a productive patch of old coins makes it easy to find again. We would not treat GPSi as a replacement for dedicated navigation equipment.

Coils: we would run the standard CTX 11 for everyday detecting, the CTX 06 6 inch coil in dense trash and confined spots, and the CTX 17 17 x 13 inch coil on large open areas. The largest coil is not automatically the best one.

Long days: Minelab lists the CTX 3030 at 2.36 kg (5.20 lb). Six hours in a large field and you will feel it, so think about comfort and balance before you buy.

CTX 3030 or MANTICORE

For a high-end detector bought today, the Minelab MANTICORE deserves a look. Minelab lists it at 1.3 kg (2.9 lb), it runs the newer Multi-IQ+ platform, and it also offers two dimensional target identification. The CTX 3030 still appeals to experienced users who want GPS and the proven FBS 2 platform.

One mistake to avoid with the CTX 3030

One mistake we would warn new owners about is a discrimination pattern that is too restrictive. Targets in a rejected region give no audio and no Target ID. Hunting older coins, a good target near iron can give an unusual response, and a tight pattern may reject it before you hear it. Investigate repeatable signals rather than digging only what lands inside the accepted regions.

Getting started with the Minelab CTX 3030

Charge the battery pack, fit the 11 inch coil and start in the mode that matches your site with sensitivity on Auto. Spend the first trips learning where clean coins, iron and foil land on the two dimensional screen, and record your outing as a GeoHunt so you can see later which ground you covered.

Minelab CTX 3030 specifications

Minelab covers the CTX 3030 control box and coil with a 3-year limited warranty in the USA.

Serious Detecting bundle (added free at checkout):

• Lil' Digger Double Serrated Shovel
• Serious Detecting Finds Bag with 42 inch Waist Belt
• Serious Detecting Carry Bag
• Serious Detecting Cap
• Double Serrated Hand Digger with Belt Holster

For our full CTX 3030 guide, settings advice and comparisons, see the Minelab CTX 3030 collection.