Minelab Explorer XS: Broadening the Horizon of Metal Detecting with the Minelab Explorer XS

Minelab took a leap forward in terms of metal detector technology when it introduced the Minelab Explorer XS. The Explorer XS measures 53 inches when extended and 43 when un-extended. Without the batteries, it weighs in at 3 pounds 8 ounces – heavy enough to be stable but light enough to not tire you easily when exploring.

One of the unique features of the Explorer XS is the FBS technology. The Explorer XS is the first ever metal detector developed by Minelab that has the FBS Technology. FBS or Full Band Spectrum is the successor of the previous technology found on earlier Minelab metal detectors, the BBS or Broad Band Spectrum. Unlike other metal detectors that offer only one or two frequencies, the FBS offers 28 different frequencies. The end result is a deeper, more accurate reading than other metal detectors on almost any type of area.

Assembling the detector is a breeze. You have three major sections: The handle assembly, the shaft assembly and the search coil. Assembling each of these sections is discussed clearly in the manual. You don’t have to make any guess where each part of the detector goes. Setting up the Explorer XS once assembly is done can be done in two ways: Quickstart mode or the advance mode. The Quickstart mode is for beginners who are itching to start detecting. The QuickStart mode is the optimized factory default setting for almost any surface. In the Advance mode, you can set it up any way you want through the different settings available. Using the Advance mode, you can specifically target certain objects.

The visual display of the Explorer XS is a 64 x 128 pixel LCD. While it is easy to read, reading it on direct sunlight can be quite problematic. The fonts are also quite small and you’d probably need to close up on the display just to take in all the information being offered. The coil that comes with the Explorer XS is a 10.5-inch “Double D” waterproof that can penetrate quite deep. Mineralized soil or clay soil, it doesn’t matter, it can get the job done. Discrimination of the Explorer XS is done by the Smartfind Two-dimensional discrimination. The Explorer XS can alert the user about targets in two ways: by using the LCD or by the speaker or headphones for audio confirmation.

The Explorer XS comes with a rechargeable NiMH battery pack and a battery pack that can takes AA alkaline batteries. The NiMH battery pack is rated to last up to 11 hours while the 8 AA alkaline batteries can last up to 14 hours.