So whats the story with Troy's Shadow??

[Huizer]

Hi all, Just wanted to see if any of you have had a look inside a Shadow (X5,X3,X2). I heard somewhere that its all surface mount and very efficient circuit. I would like to know what the story is with the 9 volt battery? Is this a detector using the same old circuts but just so efficient that all it needs is 9 volts or is this some radical new design that doesn't need a lot of juice? Whats with the frequency? why so high? has anyone used/played/tinkered with one? are they worth the money?
I am getting tired of reading reveiws from people who buy something and love it because they have not tried others and have no reference point. I would love to find a reveiw that really tells me what its all about, like, why is it better? What are the advantages? and logical explanations why it does what it does. If you go to the websites of metal detector companies they never give you the indepth thinking behind the design but rather try to impress you with photos of all the finds that people have made with it. Many cases they could have used any detector to make those finds.
I am not searching for treasure but rather information. (which in itself is treasure)

Thanks, Dan.

(I really like this site, it combines the perfect amount of geek and tinkering about a hobby that I really enjoy)

[Mrand]

Now only photo. Comment later.
Mrand

[bakergeol]

The high frequency is why I bought the X-5. Unlike most coin and relic detectors it can be used for nugget/ gold specimen hunting because of it's high frequency. It could detect specimen gold that other VLFs or PIs are incapable of detecting.

No single review or reviews will solve anything. There probably hasn't been a detector so loved and hated by so many people. It's the old "detector wars" thing.

But hey why are we talking about the X-5? They haven't manufactured one in quite a while so no one is paying $1000 for a new one. Why would one want to consider a used X-5 now? What everyone is waiting for is Troy's next machine (X-7)? Tone ID? digiital? It does indeed exist as some folks have seen the prototype. If you want a used X-5 at a great price just wait until Troy's next machine hits the market. When that occurs there will be quite a few X-5s in the classifieds with great prices from X-5 users upgrading.

Let the debate begin when the X-7 is introduced.

HH
George

[Huizer]

Thanks for the heads up on the new X-7. I currently own a Whites XLT-E. It is a good machine, not great. I love the fact that it can be tweaked all over and set up to how you like it. I hate the fact that you have to munch through all those menus to get to what you want to adjust. Sheesh!, I hardly have any time to get out as it is....the last thing I want to do is stand in a park trying to tweak the detector. I want a simple turn on and go detector but a quality one. I would rather take the extra money that I spent on XLT features and put it towards depth in a no nonsense turn on and go detector. I always use the presets in the XLT anyways. I like knobs for adjustment....on the fly tweaking....you are wondering about a target?? just tweak the discrimination knob and it will help you decide. Personally though, if you ever wonder about a target you should be digging them!! Could you imagine an XLT with all the features as little knobs to adjust!?! Just rows of tweakability right at your fingertips! That would be sweet! Anyways, I was just trying to get info on other detectors cause i am up for a change.

Thanks, Dan.

[Unregistered]

Most current detectors are mostly surface mount. In fact, unlike the detector pictured, many detectors have surface mount capacitors. Surface mount parts are now used in most electronic devices, but they do not make a circuit more efficient.
Circuit efficiency is increased by using close tolerance components (meaning that the actual values of the components are close to the ideal values calculated by the circuit designer). Most of the components in the picture are 1% (very close tolerance).

[Unregistered]

Most current detectors are mostly surface mount. In fact, unlike the detector pictured, many detectors have surface mount capacitors. Surface mount parts are now used in most electronic devices, but they do not make a circuit more efficient.
Circuit efficiency is increased by using close tolerance components (meaning that the actual values of the components are close to the ideal values calculated by the circuit designer). Most of the components in the picture are 1% (very close tolerance).

[Elie]

Most current detectors are mostly surface mount. In fact, unlike the detector pictured, many detectors have surface mount capacitors. Surface mount parts are now used in most electronic devices, but they do not make a circuit more efficient.
Circuit efficiency is increased by using close tolerance components (meaning that the actual values of the components are close to the ideal values calculated by the circuit designer). Most of the components in the picture are 1% (very close tolerance).

[Bugar]

On that new Troy Shadow

OK, i got a X5, like it fine, good detector, alright it was made by Fisher, the X2 was made by Tesoro, any hints or rumors as to who is making this new X7 or whatever it is going to be called?,,, I'm taking a wild guess that maybe Garrett, since they are in Texas, and are making so many changes and growing so much with a newer -larger facility, HUH? who's gonna make it???:confused: let's get some ideas or rumors going at least

[Goodrat]

Troy is making his own this time

Can anyone guess my that large cap (probably an early mod) had to be 180V?

[Mrand]

I have schematic and therefore I'm able to answer. This cap is fulfilling two functions.
1.Is normal cap in motion filter in Disc Mode.
2 Is Sample & Hold cap in All Metal (Pinpoint) mode.
And therefore voltage must be 180V.
Mrand

[Bugar]

Recieved an e mail from Troy Yesterday

Seems like the perfection and development is going a little bit slower than he would like but still moving right along, and yep there is a new Troy on the way soon as he gets it PERFECTED, Kinda nice to have a person that owns a company personally contact you and tell you how things are going, and even talks to you on the phone like a friend,= Mr Galloway=5 stars *****

[Carl-NC]

Any idea who is doing the circuit design? Dave Johnson did the X5, but Dave is now with BH...

[Unregistered]

JC1

Can anyone guess my that large cap (probably an early mod) had to be 180V?

I didn't look it up but it looks like a panasonic capacitor.

Polypropalene - lower dialetric absorbsion (spell)

than polyester, which is smaller cap and cheaper cap

but bunnie dave missed that.

someone else probably fixed it.

It could probably use a couple more as signal caps

in a couple more places. too late.

polypropalene is not often used for cost

performance is always better.

used for phase shift caps in motor/power circuits

Carl can explain it all.

JC1

[Unregistered]

JC1

Oh btw there is not 180v on that cap

max 9 v with the tiny 9v batteries

that won't find a pot o gold at 2 feet.

another advantage of polypropalene

temperature stability

in line polyester cap cause big phase shift

make you think you found pot of gold

when its just another nail

in this case probably temp stab.

don't think those guys think in terms of dia absorbtion

---------------------------------------------------

plagerism is when you steal from one

reasearch is when you steal from many

JC1

[Unregistered]

JC1

Having done this crap for awhile

the red cap, up and to the left

in the picture, second from left

almost perfect square viewed from top

will be a 1 uf polyester for comparison

the far left one is probably 0.47 uf

you can see that the polypropalene is much larger

and the higher voltage is not needed but

the cheapest ones that they could buy

should be available in 50 v also