ACE 250/Minelab X-30 Review!

Alas, the long awaited ACE 250/X-Terra 30 comparison review! So here it go!

Price:
When considering price as a variable, I really had to take in what you get for the money. Obviously in looking at the initial price tag, the Minelab would seem to be all that much better.

The ACE 250 ranges anywhere from $180 to $250 brand new. When I purchased mine, I got it at an unbeatable price. The machine itself, with it's graphic ID, depth meter, pre set discrimination modes and pinpointing, the price was well worth it. I think any of you out there considering the ACE 250 as a first machines, pick it up for that $212 bundle price and you'll be happy.

The Minelab, though roughly twice as much, really in all is NOT twice the detector. Great machine, but for the low end model in the X-Terra line, less money would be great.

Category Winner: ACE 250

AVG USER RATING:
After reading over 100 reviews at numerous online vendors, information sites, blogs etc...

Category Winner: X-Terra 30 (94% approval rating)

Usage Type:
The ACE 250 is a land machine, simple as that. It thrives at playgrounds with wood chips and even sand. Hunting open fields, not a problem. But word to the wise, DO NOT think the ACE is a beach machine. Sure, dry sand it will work just fine. But once you pass the cut and hit the wet stuff, you're wasting your time. Even with the sensitivity way down, it's just a hassle.

Unfortunately, the X-Terra is no different. It thrives in the same areas the ACE does.

Category Winner: DRAW

Weight:
For a lot of people in the hobby, weight is a big issue. These machines are both just under 3lbs, which by hobby standards is quite light and both are very well balanced on your arm which help in lengthening those outings

Category Winner: DRAW

Depths and Depth Accuracy:
The ACE has a "Coin Depth" scale on the right hand side of its screen to indicate depth. It is in 2 inch increment starting at 2", and ends at 8"+. The depth at less than 4" is very accurate, surprisingly so... but anything shower deeper than that is a tossup for the most part. It could be 5", it could 10"... sheesh, depending on what it is, it can be 1" under your coil lying on top!

The X-Terra 30 has a slight edge here. First off, it has 5, 2" depth increments. Anything up to 6" in depth is generally spot on. Past that, sure, you know it's deeper than 6", you just don't really know how deep. I do tend to trust the depth gauge on the X-Terra a little more, and sometimes will double check ACE readings by passing over with the X-Terra.

Category Winner: X-Terra 30

Target ID and its Accuracy:
The ACE uses a graphical target ID in where it places a block underneath a word or graphic representing a certain coin or metal type. There are 12 of these segments. Up to 4" it is VERY accurate. Unfortunately the areas between foil and gold... and penny and dime seem to be grey areas that include lots of different things and it can be hard to really know what it might be.

The X-Terra also has 12 ID segments, but instead uses a numbering system from -4 up to 44, in increments of 4. I cannot begin to say how much more I love this type of ID. 99% of the time, what it reads, is what you get. If I hit a -4, it's nearly always some old rusted piece of iron or a nail. A 32, I'll be expecting a penny, 36... a dime. There is some grey area with the 16, 20, 24 and 28 signals, but in general, most of those are trash (though not always!) It ID's coins VERY accurately, and other types of metals are pretty consistent as well.

Category Winner: X-Terra 30

Battery Type and Swing-time:
Both machines use 4 AA batteries, and can last upwards of 30 hours of swing-time, but expect between 20 and 25.

Category Winner: DRAW

Discrimination and Tones:
The ACE 250 comes with 4 preset disc. modes; All Metal, Jewelry, Relic, and coins. It also has a Custom mode which lets you program to your own liking. It's relatively accurate, more so at shallower depths. There is only one volume with this machine, but there are three distinct tones. Mid range tones for nickels, pull tabs and gold, high range for silver and most coins, and the low tones generally represent trash (but not always!)

The X-Terra only comes with 2 preset modes; All Metal and then a separate setting that can be used to illiminate iron signals. It also has the ability to edit and use a custom setting. This machine does have a volume control, and does give different volumes of signal (or at least it seems to). It also has the three main tones that are the same as the ACE.

Category Winner: X-Terra 30 (Presets don't justify a machine, but being able to pick up faint signals, and along with volume control edge out the ACE)

Pinpointing:
When I first got the ACE, pinpointing was a feature all new to me. Sure I could do the "X Marks the Spot" style of pinpointing, but that's not very accurate. But the ACE has a button that you hold down, and slowly move the coil around to listen for the strongest signal, and visually see that all 12 segments illuminate. It's relatively accurate, definitely get's you close. I just couldn't get center coil with the feature. It would always be closer to the rear or off to the right side.

The X-Terra's pinpointing feature is a god sent. Not only do you not have to hold down the button, but it's super accurate. I would say 95% of the time the item is center coil, and if not, just behind it. Similar to the ACE, you're listening for the louder tone and for the segments to be filled completely.

Category Winner: X-Terra 30

Other Stuff:
The ACE 250 is not complete just by itself. Garrett offers a larger coil for large coverage areas, and also a small 4" sniper coil for those small trashy areas. Sun Ray also makes one of their popular in-line probes, the YF-1, that can be used in conjunction with the ACE.

The X-Terra, well... is pretty much WYSIWYG. I do believe there is an aftermarket coil for it, but the 9" coil it comes with is a good size and works well.

Category Winner: ACE 250

Overall:
The ACE 250 is a wonderful machine, and don't let anyone tell you different. You don't get to be the #1 selling machines in the world by being crap. It does have its limitations, but for your average guy hunting around parks and playgrounds on his off time, and with a small budget, you can't do much better. It has great features and all in all is accurate and easy to use.

The X-Terra 30, though much more pricey than the ACE, is only slightly worth the extra money. That being said, the superior pinpointing alone is enough to sway me. That and the much more accurate number based visual ID are top notch. Greatly accurate, and very easy to use... if you can afford the higher price tag.

Overall Winner: X-Terra 30

NOTE: All air and ground test up to 6" showed nearly identical, accurate readouts by both machines. At 6" there was a little more variance with the ACE, but still relatively accurate. Air tests were done with one each of a penny, nickel, dime, quarter, $1 coin, 14k Gold chain and a .925 thick banded women's ring.