Minelab X-TERRA PRO Waterproof Metal Detector, V12X Coil

The Minelab X-TERRA PRO is a waterproof single-frequency metal detector for coins, jewelry and relics in parks, fields and on the beach. Minelab's PRO-SWITCH technology lets you choose the operating frequency yourself: 5, 10 or 15 kHz in the Park and Field modes, while Beach mode runs at 8 kHz. It runs one frequency at a time; it is not a simultaneous multi-frequency detector. It has three search modes with two profiles each, adjustable recovery speed, ground balance and discrimination, and Minelab rates it IP68, submersible to 5 meters (16 feet). Minelab ships it with the V12X 12 x 9 inch Double-D coil. It suits someone who wants a waterproof, adjustable detector and enjoys learning how to optimize its settings. For the rest of Minelab's range, see our Minelab metal detectors.

Who the Minelab X-TERRA PRO is for

What we like about the X-TERRA PRO is that it gives you a fully waterproof detector with adjustable single-frequency operation and more control than a basic beginner machine: recovery speed, ground balance, discrimination, audio and operating frequency are all yours to set.

You can start with a factory search profile and begin detecting, then learn the settings as you go. We recommend it to someone searching parks, old farm fields, freshwater shorelines and relic sites who wants to learn how different frequencies affect target responses.

How PRO-SWITCH frequencies work on the Minelab X-TERRA PRO

The X-TERRA PRO uses selectable single frequencies, which means it operates at one selected frequency at a time. In Park and Field modes you choose 5, 10 or 15 kHz, and the frequency is saved per profile. Beach mode runs at 8 kHz only; the other frequencies cannot be selected there. Minelab recommends a noise cancel after every frequency change.

10 kHz is the default in Park 1 and Field 1, and Minelab describes 15 kHz as the frequency for low conductors such as fine jewelry. Minelab's general rule is that lower frequencies are ideal for larger, deeper items, while higher frequencies offer greater sensitivity to smaller, shallow targets.

Manually switching between single frequencies is not the same as simultaneous multi-frequency. Minelab's X-TERRA ELITE and EQUINOX detectors process multiple frequencies at once. For regular saltwater beach detecting, that is why we recommend the Multi-IQ Minelab EQUINOX 700, Minelab VANQUISH 460 or the X-TERRA ELITE over the X-TERRA PRO.

Minelab X-TERRA PRO settings that matter in the field

• Recovery speed (1 to 3): set per profile. A faster recovery speed helps the detector separate a coin from a nearby nail or piece of trash. A slower setting may give a stronger response from deeper, isolated targets.
• Ground balance (Auto, Manual, Tracking): the range is -9 to 99, and Auto ground balance is something you start yourself by holding the Accept/Reject button. Minelab recommends Tracking for saltwater in Beach 2.
• Noise cancel and sensitivity (1 to 25): noise cancel is not automatic at power-on. You start Auto Noise Cancel from the settings menu, and it picks from 19 channels in a few seconds.
• Discrimination and Target ID: Target IDs run from -19 to 0 for ferrous and 1 to 99 for non-ferrous, 119 in all, and you accept or reject them in 30 segments of four IDs each, or reject a target on the spot with the Accept/Reject button. The Field profiles reject IDs 1 to 4 by default.
• Audio: Target Tones 1, 2, 5, All Tones and Depth, volume 0 to 25, an adjustable threshold, and a separate ferrous Tone Volume. Ferrous volume lets you turn iron down instead of silencing it.
• Flashlight, backlight and vibration: a flashlight in the control pod, a red display and keypad backlight, and handgrip vibration you can set for all targets and for ferrous targets.

The six Minelab X-TERRA PRO search profiles

• Park 1 (General and Coins) and Park 2 (Fine Jewelry): Park 1 runs 10 kHz by default. Park 2 starts at 15 kHz with a faster recovery speed.
• Field 1 (Coins and Artifacts) and Field 2 (Fine Coins and Artifacts): Minelab's profiles for coins and artifacts, at 10 kHz and 15 kHz by default.
• Beach 1 (Wet and Dry Sand) and Beach 2 (Underwater and Surf): both at 8 kHz. In Beach mode Minelab gives salt a Target ID of 0 so that low-conductive targets such as gold chains can still be detected.

Every profile can be changed, saved and reset to Minelab's factory settings. An All Metal shortcut button switches off the discrimination pattern so every target is heard.

Beach and water hunting with the Minelab X-TERRA PRO

The X-TERRA PRO works in freshwater and saltwater, with performance limits in challenging saltwater conditions. Minelab rates it IP68 and fully submersible to 5 meters (16 feet). Within that rating you can move between dry sand, wet sand and shallow freshwater, and freshwater shorelines and streams suit it well.

Saltwater beaches are a different situation. Wet salt sand is electrically conductive and gives a ground response of its own. Beach 1 is designed for dry and wet sand; Beach 2 is meant for more demanding saltwater conditions, particularly with the coil submerged. Although the X-TERRA PRO has these dedicated Beach modes, its single-frequency PRO-SWITCH system does not give the same salt-handling advantages as Multi-IQ, so for regular saltwater beach detecting we recommend the EQUINOX 700, VANQUISH 460 or X-TERRA ELITE instead. See our beach metal detectors.

Waterproof does not mean every accessory is waterproof. For underwater use, Minelab lists its 3.5 mm waterproof headphones (part 3011-0372) as compatible with the X-TERRA PRO. Do not take it underwater while it is charging or running from a power bank. See our metal detector headphones.

One mistake to avoid with the Minelab X-TERRA PRO

Avoid jumping straight into frequency changes. Searching an old Michigan farmstead for copper coins and brass relics, we start at 10 kHz, learn ground balancing and recovery speed, and only then experiment with 5 or 15 kHz depending on the targets and conditions.

Minelab X-TERRA PRO weight, battery and build

Minelab lists the X-TERRA PRO at 1.3 kg (2.9 lb) including batteries. The three-piece shaft extends to 138 cm (54 inches) and collapses to 63 cm (25 inches). The display is a monochrome LCD with a red backlight that has three settings: Off, Low and High.

The 3.7 V, 5100 mAh lithium-ion battery is built into the handle. Minelab's manual gives approximately 16 hours of typical use, less with the backlight or flashlight on. Charging from flat takes about 5 to 6 hours with a USB charger of more than 2 A at 5 V; the magnetic USB cable is in the box. You can detect while running from a power bank, but not underwater. Minelab's manual says replacement batteries can be supplied and fitted by a Minelab authorized service center. Software updates install over the same magnetic cable from a Windows or Mac computer, and your settings are kept.

What is in the box with the Minelab X-TERRA PRO

Minelab's standard contents for the X-TERRA PRO

• Minelab X-TERRA PRO detector with three-piece shaft
• V12X 12 x 9 inch elliptical Double-D search coil with skid plate
• USB charging cable with magnetic connector
• Getting Started Guide

Minelab covers the X-TERRA PRO control box and coil with a 3-year warranty in the USA. Serious Detecting is a family-owned, authorized Minelab dealer with a showroom in Ypsilanti, Michigan, and our staff help by phone or email.

Coils and accessories that fit the Minelab X-TERRA PRO

Search coils: the V12X 12 x 9 inch elliptical Double-D comes in the box. Minelab also makes the V10X (10 x 7 inch elliptical Double-D, part 3011-0458) and the V8X (8 x 5 inch elliptical Double-D, part 3011-0457), and lists the EQX 06, EQX 11 and EQX 15 coils in the same X-TERRA accessory range. See our metal detector coils.

Headphones: the X-TERRA PRO has a built-in speaker, a 3.5 mm (1/8 inch) headphone socket with a waterproof dust cap, and Minelab low-latency wireless audio, which is not Bluetooth. Minelab recommends the ML 85 headphones and also lists the ML 105 and the WM09 wireless module, which lets you use your own 3.5 mm headphones wirelessly. Minelab's ML 80 and ML 100 are not compatible. For underwater use, choose Minelab's 3.5 mm waterproof headphones.

Pinpointing: the X-TERRA PRO has a pinpoint button and a 5-level depth indicator that Minelab calls a guide only. A separate handheld pinpointer still speeds up recovery.

Minelab X-TERRA PRO or X-TERRA ELITE

The X-TERRA PRO's biggest advantage is the amount of control it provides for the price. The Minelab X-TERRA ELITE shares the IP68 rating to 5 meters, the V12X coil and the Park, Field and Beach modes, and adds Multi-IQ simultaneous multi-frequency and Iron Bias.

Where the Minelab X-TERRA PRO works well, and where it does not

Parks and yards: we recommend the X-TERRA PRO here, with Park 1 and Park 2, three recovery speeds and 15 kHz for small targets. Our Minelab X-TERRA PRO field test has the settings and finds from two months across three sites. See more beginner and intermediate metal detectors.

Fields and old homesites: we recommend it for old farm fields and relic sites, where the Field profiles, ground balance and ferrous volume help you read iron-heavy ground.

Freshwater beaches, lakes and streams: we recommend it for freshwater shorelines, with the IP68 rating to 5 meters and the Beach profiles; Minelab's waterproof headphones are the ones to use underwater.

Saltwater beaches: regular saltwater beach detecting is where we steer people elsewhere. Beach 1 and Beach 2 work in wet sand, but for regular ocean beach hunting we recommend the Multi-IQ EQUINOX 700, VANQUISH 460 or X-TERRA ELITE. Our Vanquish 560 vs X-TERRA PRO comparison weighs the X-TERRA PRO against one of Minelab's multi-frequency detectors.

Gold: it finds gold jewelry, but there is no gold mode and Minelab does not position it as a prospecting detector. For natural gold, look at our gold detectors.

Minelab X-TERRA PRO specifications

Our advice: choose the X-TERRA PRO if you want a waterproof, adjustable detector and enjoy learning how to optimize its settings. For regular saltwater beach detecting, we recommend the EQUINOX 700, VANQUISH 460 or X-TERRA ELITE instead. For the rest of the range, see our guide to the best Minelab metal detectors.