ReviewFinder Metal Detectors

Minelab CTX 3030

TLDR: The Minelab CTX 3030 is a versatile and effective metal detector with customizable features, waterproof capability, and excellent target identification, making it suitable for experienced treasure hunters.
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Consumer sentiment:
In comparison:
Minelab CTX 3030 rank #8 out of 47. Very high levels of customer satisfaction.
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9.4
Amazing

The product receives amazing reviews on average (consumer score 9.4). This is slightly above the median metal detector score of 8.5.

About consumer score

Price:
The lowest price we found for Minelab CTX 3030 is $1999, available here. This is above the median metal detector price of $295.
  • Lowest price: $22.99
  • Median price: $295
  • Highest price: $8999
  • Minelab CTX 3030 price: $1999
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ReviewFinder: reviews, prices and alternatives summarized by a powerful AI engine.

Expert consensus

The Minelab CTX 3030 is a versatile and effective metal detector with customizable features, waterproof capability, and excellent target identification, making it suitable for experienced treasure hunters.

The Minelab CTX 3030 metal detector is a versatile and effective tool for metal detecting. It offers a range of features that make it suitable for various treasure hunting purposes. The detector comes with an 11-inch Double-D coil, but users have the option to customize it with different coil sizes, allowing them to adapt to different conditions and target sizes.

One standout feature of the CTX 3030 is its waterproof capability, with a housing that allows it to be submerged in water up to 3 meters or 10 feet. This makes it suitable for detecting in water environments such as beaches, streams, rivers, and even seawater. However, the included headphones are not waterproof.

The CTX 3030 uses a VLF transmitter and operates at multiple frequencies, improving target identification and discrimination. It also has built-in pinpointing capability, allowing users to precisely locate targets without additional tools. The frequency can be adjusted between 1.5 kHz and 100 kHz, offering flexibility in detecting different types of metals and targets.

Experts highly praise the CTX 3030 for its excellent target identification capabilities. It can identify multiple targets simultaneously, with near-instant target identification and color target ID. The detector provides reliable and accurate target information, even at great depths, making it suitable for coin and relic hunting.

While the CTX 3030 is a professional-level machine with advanced features, it does have a learning curve and may be challenging for beginners. It is designed for experienced users who are willing to invest the time to learn how to use it effectively. The detector offers a padded handle for comfort and a compact, lightweight design for easy carrying during long hunting sessions.

In conclusion, the Minelab CTX 3030 is a powerful and feature-rich metal detector suitable for experienced users. It offers customization options, waterproof capability, multi-frequency operation, built-in pinpointing, and adjustable frequency settings. It is highly recommended for various treasure hunting purposes, including beach hunting, underwater detecting, and general treasure hunting.

Features

The Minelab CTX 3030 metal detector is a versatile and effective tool for metal detecting, offering customization options, waterproof capability, multi-frequency operation, built-in pinpointing, and adjustable frequency settings.

The Minelab CTX 3030 metal detector offers a range of features that make it a versatile and effective tool for metal detecting. It comes with an 11-inch Double-D coil, but users have the option to customize their detector with different coil sizes, including a 17-inch elliptical Double-D coil and a 6-inch coil.

This allows users to adapt the detector to different conditions and target sizes.

One standout feature of the CTX 3030 is its waterproof capability. It has a waterproof housing that allows it to be submerged in water up to a depth of 3 meters or 10 feet. This makes it suitable for detecting in various water environments, such as beaches, streams, rivers, and even seawater.

However, it's important to note that the included headphones are not waterproof.

The CTX 3030 uses a VLF transmitter, which is a common technology in metal detectors. It operates at multiple frequencies, improving target identification and discrimination. This makes it effective in detecting different types of metals.

Another useful feature of the CTX 3030 is its built-in pinpointing capability. This allows users to precisely locate the target once it has been detected, making it easier to recover without the need for additional tools. The near-instant target identification further enhances the pinpointing process.

The frequency of the CTX 3030 can be adjusted, offering a wide range of choices between 1.5 kHz and 100 kHz. This flexibility in frequency settings allows for more effective detection of different types of metals and targets.

Overall, the Minelab CTX 3030 is a feature-rich metal detector that offers customization options, waterproof capability, multi-frequency operation, built-in pinpointing, and adjustable frequency settings. It is suitable for various metal detecting purposes, including beach hunting, underwater detecting, and general treasure hunting.

What is the size of the coil of the Minelab CTX 3030?

The Minelab CTX 3030 comes standard with an 11-inch Double-D coil, according to a product review on toolguider.com and huntingformetal.com. However, there are other coil options available for the CTX 3030, including a 17-inch elliptical Double-D coil and a 6-inch coil, as mentioned in a product review on undercoil.com and detecthistory.com. These different coil sizes allow users to customize the detector for different conditions and target sizes.
Based on 7 quotes from 5 sources [show quotes and sources]

Is the Minelab CTX 3030 waterproof?

Yes, the Minelab CTX 3030 is waterproof. According to multiple product reviews, including those on metaldetectorlab.com, cutaplug.com, and treasureseekr.com, the CTX 3030 is completely waterproof. It has a waterproof housing that allows it to be submerged in water up to a depth of 3 meters or 10 feet. This makes it suitable for detecting in various water environments such as beaches, small streams, rivers, and even in seawater. However, it is important to note that the headphones included with the metal detector are not waterproof.
Based on 6 quotes from 5 sources [show quotes and sources]

What type of transmitter does the Minelab CTX 3030 use?

The Minelab CTX 3030 uses a VLF (Very Low Frequency) transmitter. VLF technology is commonly used in metal detectors as it provides good depth and sensitivity to different types of metals. According to the product reviews on diggersanddetectors.com and huntingformetal.com, the CTX 3030 is a multi-frequency VLF detector, which means it can operate at different frequencies to improve target identification and discrimination.
Based on 4 quotes from 3 sources [show quotes and sources]

Is the Minelab CTX 3030 equipped with a pinpointer?

Yes, the Minelab CTX 3030 is equipped with a built-in pinpointing feature. This feature allows you to precisely locate the target once it has been detected. It provides accurate and precise target location, making it easier for you to recover the target without the need for additional tools or devices. This can be a valuable feature for both beginners and experienced detectorists. According to the product review on metaldetectorlab.com, the CTX 3030 offers near-instant target identification, which can further enhance the pinpointing process.
Based on 2 quotes from 2 sources [show quotes and sources]

Is the frequency of the Minelab CTX 3030 fixed or can it be changed?

The frequency of the Minelab CTX 3030 metal detector can be changed. It offers several frequency choices that can be adjusted using the control box. According to a product review on metalpursuits.com, the CTX 3030 has a massive range and allows you to choose from multiple settings between 1.5 kHz and 100 kHz. This flexibility in frequency settings can be beneficial for various metal detecting purposes, as different frequencies can be more effective in detecting different types of metals and targets.
Based on 3 quotes from 2 sources [show quotes and sources]

Target Identification

The Minelab CTX 3030 is highly praised by experts for its excellent target identification capabilities, making it a top choice for coin and relic hunting.

The Minelab CTX 3030 is highly praised by experts for its excellent target identification capabilities. It utilizes advanced ferrous and conductivity target resolution to identify multiple targets simultaneously, allowing for better target separation and more accurate identification results.

The CTX 3030 offers near-instant target identification, saving users time and effort by avoiding unnecessary digging. It has color target ID and rapid digital signal processing, combined with precise FeCo discrimination, making it one of the best models for discriminating bad targets. The CTX 3030 provides reliable and accurate target information, even at great depths, making it a top choice for coin and relic hunting.

It also features the Threshold Pitch feature, allowing users to customize the constant background hum or tone produced by the detector. The experts agree that the CTX 3030 offers accurate results, quick response time, and reliable information, making it a highly recommended metal detector for various treasure hunting purposes.

What are the target identification capabilities of the Minelab CTX 3030?

The Minelab CTX 3030 has excellent target identification capabilities. According to experts in the ReviewFinder database, it uses advanced ferrous and conductivity target resolution to identify more than one target at a time. This allows for better target separation and more accurate target identification results. The CTX 3030 also offers near-instant target identification, which can save you time and effort by avoiding unnecessary digging. It has color target ID and rapid digital signal processing, which, when combined with its precise FeCo discrimination, make it one of the best models for discriminating bad targets. Overall, the CTX 3030 provides reliable and accurate target information, even at great depth, making it a top choice for coin and relic hunting.
Based on 9 quotes from 6 sources [show quotes and sources]

Is Threshold Pitch available on the Minelab CTX 3030?

Yes, the Minelab CTX 3030 does have the Threshold Pitch feature. According to the product review on Kellyco Detectors, the CTX 3030 allows users to adjust the threshold pitch, which is the constant background hum or tone that is produced by the detector. This feature allows users to customize the pitch to their preference, making it easier to detect subtle changes in the audio response.
Based on 1 quotes from 1 sources [show quotes and sources]

What do the experts say about the accuracy of the target identification capabilities of the Minelab CTX 3030?

According to the experts, the Minelab CTX 3030 is praised for its accurate target identification capabilities. It uses target separation to provide the best target identification results, as quoted from a product review on diggersanddetectors.com. This means that it can distinguish between different types of targets and accurately identify them. Furthermore, the CTX 3030 offers near-instant target identification, as mentioned in a product review on metaldetectorlab.com. This quick response time with no latency allows users to receive target information in a timely manner, enhancing their efficiency in treasure hunting. Additionally, the CTX 3030 is known for providing reliable target information even at great depths, according to the same review on metaldetectorlab.com. This is particularly important when searching for deeper items, as other detectors may fail to provide accurate target identification. With the CTX 3030, users can trust that the target information they receive is dependable, which can save them time and effort by avoiding unnecessary digging. Overall, the experts agree that the Minelab CTX 3030 has excellent target identification capabilities, offering accurate results, quick response time, and reliable information even at greater depths.
Based on 3 quotes from 2 sources [show quotes and sources]

How deep can the Minelab CTX 3030 detect targets?

According to various product reviews, the Minelab CTX 3030 metal detector is capable of detecting targets at a depth of 10 to 15 inches on average. However, it is important to note that the depth may vary depending on the ground conditions and the type of coil being used.
Based on 4 quotes from 3 sources [show quotes and sources]

What discrimination settings are available on the Minelab CTX 3030?

On the Minelab CTX 3030, there are two discrimination patterns for each of the ten search modes. You can quickly toggle between the two discrimination patterns by pressing the detector 5. According to a review on toolguider.com, the CTX 3030 offers a great new range of discrimination features. The detector analyzes both the ferrous and conductive properties of the targets and shows them on the LCD display, making it one of the best models for discriminating bad targets. Additionally, the CTX 3030 allows the user to adjust both ferrous and conductive parameters by "resizing" each target group through simple programming in the Tone ID Profile. This means you can customize the discrimination settings based on your preferences and the type of targets you want to find.
Based on 5 quotes from 4 sources [show quotes and sources]

Ease of Use

The Minelab CTX 3030 is a professional-level metal detector with advanced features and a learning curve, best suited for experienced users.

Based on the expert reviews, the Minelab CTX 3030 metal detector is a professional-level machine that offers a range of advanced features and capabilities. However, it does have a learning curve when it comes to handling, and beginners or those without experience with metal detectors might find it challenging to use at first.

The CTX 3030 is designed for seasoned enthusiasts who are willing to invest the time and patience to learn how to use the machine effectively. It offers a large number of customization options, allowing experienced users to fine-tune the settings to their preferences.

The handles of the CTX 3030 are padded, providing comfort and a secure grip while using the metal detector. The compact and lightweight design of the detector, with a weight of just over five pounds, makes it easy to carry and use during long hunting sessions.

The CTX 3030 uses a lithium-ion rechargeable battery, which is included with the detector. This battery is designed to provide long-lasting power for extended detecting sessions.

In summary, the Minelab CTX 3030 is a powerful and feature-rich metal detector that is best suited for experienced users who are willing to invest the time to learn how to use it effectively. It offers a range of customization options and comes with a padded handle for comfortable use.

However, beginners or those looking for a simpler and more user-friendly experience may find other models more suitable.

What is the weight of the Minelab CTX 3030?

The weight of the Minelab CTX 3030 metal detector is just over five pounds (5.2 pounds) according to verified product experts on ReviewFinder, specifically the quotes from diggersanddetectors.com and huntingformetal.com.
Based on 5 quotes from 5 sources [show quotes and sources]

What are the dimensions of the Minelab CTX 3030?

The dimensions of the Minelab CTX 3030 metal detector are not explicitly mentioned in the available reviews. However, based on the information provided, we can infer that the detector is compact and portable. The weight of the CTX 3030 is mentioned to be just over five pounds (5.2), indicating that it is lightweight and easy to carry. While the exact dimensions are not specified, the overall design of the detector suggests that it is ergonomically designed for comfortable use during long hunting sessions.
Based on 3 quotes from 3 sources [show quotes and sources]

How does the Minelab CTX 3030 compare in terms of handling?

The Minelab CTX 3030 is known for its professional-level design and capabilities, but it does have a bit of a learning curve when it comes to handling. According to the product experts, users will need to thoroughly understand the instruction manual before operating the machine effectively. This means that beginners or those without experience with metal detectors might find it challenging to handle at first. However, once you learn how to operate the CTX 3030, you will be rewarded with its full power and capabilities. It is designed for seasoned enthusiasts who take the craft seriously and are willing to invest the time and patience to learn how to use the machine effectively. In terms of handling, the CTX 3030 offers a large number of customization options for the user, which can be both a benefit and a drawback. While experienced users might appreciate the ability to fine-tune the settings to their preferences, beginners might find it daunting. So, if you are new to metal detecting or prefer a simpler and more user-friendly handling experience, there might be other models available that are easier to use.
Based on 4 quotes from 3 sources [show quotes and sources]

Are the handles of the Minelab CTX 3030 padded?

Yes, the handles of the Minelab CTX 3030 are padded. According to a product review on metaldetectorlist.com, the CTX 3030 is designed with an armrest behind which the machine's battery pack is located. This design feature ensures that most of the weight is concentrated behind the armrest, making it comfortable to hold. The padding on the handles further enhances the comfort and grip while using the metal detector.
Based on 2 quotes from 1 sources [show quotes and sources]

What type of battery does the Minelab CTX 3030 use?

The Minelab CTX 3030 metal detector uses a lithium-ion rechargeable battery. This battery is included with the detector and is designed to provide long-lasting power for extended detecting sessions. According to the product review on diggersanddetectors.com, the CTX 3030 comes with a rechargeable lithium-ion battery and a fast charging station.
Based on 5 quotes from 5 sources [show quotes and sources]

Expert Reviews

There are people on the Internet whose job is to review products. Below are their opinions.

ReviewFinder database has 25 expert reviews of Minelab CTX 3030. Out of the 25 reviews, 4 are video reviews. We value video reviews of products a bit more and rank them a bit higher.

Expert reviews [21]

93
Total expert reviews: 21
  • with a score: 6
  • without a score: 15
Highest score by cutaplug.com
100
Average score based on 21 reviews
93
Lowest score by huntingformetal.com
88

Score distribution:

80-100
60-80
40-60
20-40
0-20

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ReviewFinder: reviews, prices and alternatives summarized by a powerful AI engine.