Minelab CTX 3030 Metal Detector

The Minelab CTX 3030 is a waterproof multi-frequency treasure detector with a full color target ID screen and built-in GPS. It runs Minelab's FBS 2 technology, transmitting multiple frequencies at once, and reads targets on a two-axis display: ferrous content on one scale and conductivity on the other. It suits experienced coin, relic and beach hunters who want to log where they have been and what they found, and who want one detector that goes from a dry park to ten feet under salt water.

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. Smartfind 2 shows each target on a two dimensional display. 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.

If you mainly hunt saltwater and surf, the Minelab Excalibur II dives deeper. If you want most of the CTX's discrimination at a lower price band and do not need GPS, look at the Minelab Equinox 900.

Key features and what they mean in use

• FBS 2 multi-frequency. Multiple frequencies at once, so the detector reads a wide range of targets in one pass and stays stable on wet salt sand and mineralized soil where a single-frequency machine would false.
• Smartfind 2 with a full color 2D target display. Each target plots as a ferrous value (1 to 35) and a conductivity value (1 to 50). Target Trace draws the signal on screen so you can see two targets under the coil at once, and discrimination patterns are drawn on that same grid, with two editable patterns in each search mode.
• Built-in GPS (GPSi). Records your track as a GeoTrail, lets you drop WayPoints and FindPoints, and saves a GeoHunt of the whole session. XChange 2 on a Windows PC uploads it all and plots it on Google Maps.
• Waterproof to 10 ft (3 m). Control box and coil both. The supplied KOSS UR30 headphones are not waterproof; for submerged hunting, Minelab specifies its CTX 3030 waterproof headphones.
• WM 10 wireless audio. The Wi-Stream module clips to your belt and runs the supplied headphones, your own 1/4 inch headphones or its own speaker without a cable to the detector.
• Up to ten search modes. Five presets (Coins, Beach, Relics, Silver and High Trash) plus five custom modes, and a fully open discrimination pattern turns any mode into All Metal.
• Removable Li-ion battery with an alkaline fallback. The 7.2 V Li-ion pack is standard; an 8 x AA holder is in the box so a dead pack does not end the day.

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.

Weight and balance

The CTX 3030 weighs 5.2 lbs (2.36 kg) with the Li-ion pack and the 11 inch coil. The battery sits behind the armrest, which balances the coil, but it is still around twice the weight of the MANTICORE or Equinox. Six hours in a large field and you will feel it, so for long sessions we would add a harness or hip mount. Length adjusts from 37 inches to 55.3 inches.

What is in the box

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

• CTX 3030 detector
• CTX 11 inch Double-D Smart Coil with coil cover and coil hardware
• KOSS UR30 wired headphones (not waterproof)
• WM 10 wireless audio module with belt clip and charging cable
• Removable headphone module
• Li-ion rechargeable battery pack and battery charging station
• Alkaline (AA) battery holder
• Universal AC wall adapter and 12 V auto charger
• USB cable
• Arm rest strap
• Getting started guide

Coils and accessories that fit

• CTX 06 6 inch round DD coil for trashy sites and tight spots
• CTX 11 11 inch DD Smart Coil (standard)
• CTX 17 17 x 13 inch elliptical DD coil for depth and coverage in open ground, though the largest coil is not automatically the best one everywhere
• CTX 3030 waterproof headphones for submerged use
• Spare Li-ion battery packs and lower shafts

Coils from other Minelab lines (Equinox, MANTICORE, Excalibur) do not fit the CTX 3030. All CTX-specific parts are in the Minelab CTX 3030 collection.

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.

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.

Old parks and homesites: where we like the CTX 3030 most. The two dimensional display and Target Trace help you judge a coin lying near iron before you dig.

Heavy trash: we would fit the CTX 06 coil and swing slowly.

Gold prospecting: not the right tool. Minelab's gold detectors are the gold detector collection.

CTX 3030 or MANTICORE

For a high-end detector bought today, the Minelab MANTICORE deserves a look. It runs the newer Multi-IQ+ platform and 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.

Warranty

Minelab covers the CTX 3030 control box and coil for 3 years.

Specifications that matter

• Technology: FBS 2 multi-frequency, Smartfind 2, GPSi, Wi-Stream
• Weight: 5.2 lbs (2.36 kg) with Li-ion pack
• Waterproof: 10 ft (3 m), control box and coil
• Standard coil: CTX 11 inch Double-D Smart Coil
• Battery: 7.2 V Li-ion pack, removable; 8 x AA holder included
• Audio: built-in speaker, wired 1/4 inch headphones, waterproof headphone connector, WM 10 wireless
• SKU: 3228-0101

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