XP XTREM HUNTER Deep Seeking Metal Detector with WSA-XL ST Headphones

The XP XTREM HUNTER with an XP DEUS II remote control and WSA-XL ST wireless stereo headphones is a two-box deep seeking detector built for large buried metal objects such as large relics, tanks and metal pipes. XP gives a depth of up to 5 meters (16 feet) on large targets, and the XTREM HUNTER is not a detector for coins, jewelry or small gold. XP's pack puts the XTR115TX and XTR115RX coils, the XTR-STEM stem and the XTR-CASE115 case together with the remote and headphones, so you can start without owning a DEUS II.

What is in the box with the XP XTREM HUNTER, DEUS II remote and WSA-XL ST headphones

XP's standard contents for the XTREM HUNTER with DEUS II remote and WSA-XL ST headphones

• XTR115TX front coil with wireless transmitter and battery
• XTR115RX back coil with cable
• XTR-STEM S-Telescopic stem
• 2 parts of the XTREM HUNTER stem structure
• Carrying strap
• XP DEUS II remote control
• XP WSA-XL ST wireless stereo headphones with USB-C charging cable
• XTR-CASE115 weatherproof XP case, rain and shock proof
• USB charger and USB-C charging cable
• 7 knurled assembly screws: two 5 mm x 30 mm, four 5 mm x 16 mm and one 4 mm x 12 mm

About the XP XTREM HUNTER

What makes the XP XTREM HUNTER interesting is that it addresses a completely different type of detecting. Most metal detectors are built to find coins, jewelry and small relics; the XTREM HUNTER is a two-box deep seeking system for substantially larger buried metal objects at greater depths. XP names large relics and underground objects such as tanks and metal pipes among its targets, and a buried metal container, a substantial iron relic or an old metal structure on a historical property are the kinds of searches where it becomes useful. A front coil with the wireless transmitter and battery and a back coil with a cable give it a detection geometry that differs from a conventional search coil. For coins, rings and ordinary relics we would choose an XP DEUS II with a standard coil, an XP ICON or an XP ICON-X instead.

How deep the XP XTREM HUNTER detects

XP states that the XTREM HUNTER can reach depths of up to 5 meters (16 feet) on large targets. That is an impressive figure, but it is a maximum for a large metal mass, not a promise for every object. A buried metal tank and a single coin produce very different responses, and the XTREM HUNTER is designed for the first kind of target. XP's own test samples in the manual run from about 25 cm (10 inches) to more than 1 meter (3 feet) across, and its signal examples use a 30 cm (12 inch) target. Target size, orientation, metal type, ground conditions and nearby interference all change the result, so we would choose the XTREM HUNTER for the size of the targets you are after rather than for the advertised maximum depth. Our how deep do metal detectors go guide explains why target size matters so much.

XP describes the XTREM HUNTER as naturally insensitive to small targets like nails, and a Q&A on XP's blog by a detectorist who tested it says it will not see smaller targets near the surface. That is also why it is the wrong tool for coin hunting in a park. Small natural gold nuggets fall into the same category: a prospector working a rocky hillside for small nuggets needs a detector designed for small targets.

FMF and iron discrimination on the XP XTREM HUNTER

The XTREM HUNTER runs on XP's Fast Multi Frequency (FMF) platform, which processes several frequencies at the same time. XP credits FMF with minimal ground noise and with limiting ground effects, which matters on mineralized ground where the soil itself can mask a deep response. FMF does not remove every problem caused by mineralization, and extremely difficult ground can still affect performance. XP's Discrimination setting (OFF to 5, off by default) lets the XTREM HUNTER discriminate some moderate-sized ferrous objects, on top of its natural insensitivity to nails.

The XP XTREM HUNTER and the DEUS II remote

The XTREM HUNTER is part of XP's DEUS II wireless system rather than a separate conventional detector. Once the XTREM HUNTER is paired with the XP DEUS II remote as a new coil, the remote shows the XTREM HUNTER's own menus and display, and switching back to a standard DEUS II coil to check a target at moderate distance is done on the same remote. XP's XTREM HUNTER Q&A states that it works only with the DEUS II remote: the original XP DEUS and the ORX do not work with the XTREM HUNTER, so we would make sure you know which DEUS II components it needs before you order.

Weather, battery and transport

XP says the XTREM HUNTER can withstand rain and adverse weather conditions, and the Q&A on XP's site puts it plainly: it is weatherproof but cannot be submerged. One Li-ion 18650 battery in the front coil gives more than 10 hours of use, which suits a full day on a large property, and XP gives a charging time of about 4 hours with a USB charger of at least 1 A over the USB-C cable. Actual run time varies with conditions, so we would charge every component before traveling to a site.

Before you dig with the XP XTREM HUNTER

The mistake we would warn about is assuming a deep seeking detector can tell you exactly what is buried. A strong signal several feet down could be a large iron object, buried metal infrastructure or another substantial metal mass, and the XTREM HUNTER cannot establish what it is or whether it has any historical value. It is not a substitute for professional utility locating equipment either: anyone planning to excavate should follow the proper utility location procedures and contact the local utility notification service, and we would never excavate on an XTREM HUNTER signal alone. Historical sites may be protected, so check permission and the applicable regulations before detecting or digging.

Pairing and the dedicated XTREM HUNTER menu

Pair the XTREM HUNTER with the DEUS II remote as a new coil: under Option, Pairing, Coil, enter its serial number. The remote then switches to a dedicated interface with settings optimized for large, deep targets. XP asks you to bring the remote's software up to date before pairing.

• Sensitivity: 0 to 99, default 85. XP says the most commonly used levels run from 70 to 90, lower in trashy areas or near power lines and fences.
• Reactivity: 1 to 3, default 1. The low setting gives the best depth and filters out interference and small targets, with a slower response, so you walk slowly; a higher setting helps pinpoint the target's position more precisely.
• Discri IAR: OFF to 5, default OFF. Level 3 rejects shallow ferrous targets and level 5 rejects shallow and deeper ferrous targets. XP gives anchors, hammers and horseshoes as examples of the moderate iron it is meant for. Iron is rejected only while you are moving; stop over it and it gives a mid tone.
• Ground balance: Grab or Manual, 59 to 95. XP says the factory setting of 87 works better in most cases; on special magnetic soils XP suggests experimenting with a lower setting.

The same menu holds Threshold (0 to 20), Auto Tune (OFF to 3), Audio Response (1 to 4), a 14 channel frequency shift with automatic scan or manual choice, Square or Pulse audio, a configurable 4-band equalizer and three programs, one factory and two user. XP's advice is to start every session with an automatic noise cancel scan to find the most stable channel.

Reading a target with the XTREM HUNTER

You judge a target from the sound and from the 4 second signal recording on the remote, which you can freeze with Play/Pause. XP explains that signal strength helps you estimate depth and signal duration helps you estimate size. In XP's examples a shallow target usually draws a double lobe signal with a negative one in between; at about 60 cm (24 inches) the first lobe stays strong and the second weakens; beyond 1 meter (3 feet) the signal is clear but quite faint.

To confirm a target, XP's method is to set Auto Tune to OFF, retune, then move slowly over the spot to find its exact position. A higher Reactivity setting makes the position easier to pin down.

Handling ground noise and interference

If the XTREM HUNTER is unstable, XP's advice is to reduce Sensitivity to 60 to 70, reduce Audio Response to 1 and raise the coils with the handle. Keep the handle adjusted so the coils stay a sufficient distance off the ground, which avoids excessive sensitivity to surface targets. The XTREM HUNTER works best held horizontal; XP warns against turning it on its side at 90 degrees during tests, and it only detects accurately on its bottom (ground) side, so never pass a test target over the top.

Before you start, take off anything metallic: XP lists shoes, smartphones, belt buckles and keys, and warns that most hiking gear has a wire metal frame that interferes with the XTREM HUNTER. XP recommends sports shoes or rubber boots, checked with your pinpointer for wire mesh reinforcement. Keep a safe distance from industrial areas, houses and power lines, and do not test it indoors, where there is too much interference.

Switching to standard DEUS II coils

The remote in this pack is a full XP DEUS II remote control, and switching between the XTREM HUNTER and a standard DEUS II coil is done on the remote. Pair each coil once under Option, Pairing, Coil; after that you choose the coil in the same menu and the remote changes to that coil's menus. XP suggests switching to a standard DEUS II coil to confirm targets at moderate distances, and names the Relic program as a good choice for that job.

WSA-XL ST headphones and audio

The WSA-XL ST headphones in this pack are XP's wireless stereo headset. XP rates them rainproof, tested to IP68 at 1 meter (3.3 feet), and notes they were not designed for diving: the rating means they survive a drop into water or spray from waves. They weigh 250 g (8.8 oz), fold for transport and offer 10 volume levels, and XP's DEUS II manual gives about 15 hours of battery life for the WSA-XL ST, and XP rates it at about 2 hours to recharge over USB-C. XP gives the headset a 5-year warranty with its lithium battery covered for 2 years. XP's XTREM HUNTER manual also lists the WSA II XL, WSA II and WS6 headphones for the system. For other options see our metal detector headphones.

Pulse audio offers more sound dynamics and, in XP's words, improved detection of deep targets; XP's manual notes that Pulse is not available through the speaker or the BH-01 headphones.

Transport and charging

The XTREM HUNTER comes apart and packs into the XTR-CASE115 XP case, which XP describes as rain and shock proof. The case measures 725 x 480 x 170 mm (about 28.5 x 18.9 x 6.7 inches), and XP gives 5.8 kg (12.8 lb) for the XTREM HUNTER in its case. Charge the front coil over the USB-C cable; XP gives an operating and charging temperature range of 0 to 40 C (32 to 104 F). The WSA-XL ST headset charges over its own USB-C cable. We like the included case for anyone moving the XTREM HUNTER between properties, because it keeps the specialized parts protected in transport.

Who we would recommend the XP XTREM HUNTER to

We would not recommend the XTREM HUNTER to everyone interested in metal detecting. Someone who mainly searches parks for coins would gain little from a two-box deep seeking system. Someone who researches historical properties and specifically wants to locate substantial buried metal objects has a much clearer reason to consider it. The biggest reason we like it is that it expands the DEUS II platform into an application conventional search coils are not designed for: locating large buried metal objects at substantial depths. More two-box and deep seeking options are in our deep seeking metal detectors collection.

XP XTREM HUNTER specifications

XP covers the XTREM HUNTER with a 5-year warranty on parts and labor. Batteries and connectors carry a 2-year warranty. The WSA-XL ST headset carries its own 5-year XP warranty with the lithium battery guaranteed for 2 years. Serious Detecting is a family-owned, authorized XP dealer with a showroom in Ypsilanti, Michigan, and our staff help by phone or email.

Spare stems, cases, screw kits and charging parts are in our XP XTREM HUNTER collection, and every XP detector we carry is in our XP metal detectors collection.