Software - the big debate!

[oldartefact]

The divide here is simply either up to V4.1, or, V5.0 and later. It generally seems to be if it ain't broke, then don't try to fix it, unless you bought an x35 coil.

Looking like there is a three way split from here

[Oxgirl36]

The divide here is simply either up to V4.1, or, V5.0 and later. It generally seems to be if it ain't broke, then don't try to fix it, unless you bought an x35 coil.

Hmmm not really sure I agree. Version 5.0 and 5.1 have problems, with v5.0 being very unstable, at least in my experience. I doubt anyone has stayed on these out of choice. I suspect it is those without the ability to move to 5.2 because they don’t have a controller or access to a windows computer. Or potentially because they are new to the Deus and don’t know what they are detecting with isn’t ideal . However had I chosen to cluster version 5 software into 1 choice it would have (at this point in time) been the most common with 20 of the 51 votes, compared to 18 for v4 and 12 for v3 and 1 for v2.

Ignoring those people who bought a machine with pre-installed software, I am guessing people mainly moved to v4 if you wanted to pair an Mi6 pinpointer or bought a HF coil. Or, in some cases, because they thought it might just be ‘better’. As it happens v4.1 is a brilliant upgrade.

People moved to v5 if they wanted the extra headphone functionality, or if you were using an X35 coil. Or again potentially because they thought it might be ‘better’.

Version 5 is not meant to change anything else about the existing detector experience - but it has. Hardly anyone (I think it was just 1 person) has mentioned moving to V5 for the extra headphone functionality. I thought that might be more important than it appears to be if you look at this survey.

It would be very interesting to do some real scientific tests of V5.2 versus V4.1, as the problems with the earlier versions of V5 have tainted what many of us think it can now deliver.

Anyway thats my current thinking

[Easylife]

The divide here is simply either up to V4.1, or, V5.0 and later. It generally seems to be if it ain't broke, then don't try to fix it, unless you bought an x35 coil.

Hmmm not really sure I agree. Version 5.0 and 5.1 have problems, with v5.0 being very unstable, at least in my experience. I doubt anyone has stayed on these out of choice. I suspect it is those without the ability to move to 5.2 because they don’t have a controller or access to a windows computer. Or potentially because they are new to the Deus and don’t know what they are detecting with isn’t ideal . However had I chosen to cluster version 5 software into 1 choice it would have (at this point in time) been the most common with 20 of the 51 votes, compared to 18 for v4 and 12 for v3 and 1 for v2.

Ignoring those people who bought a machine with pre-installed software, I am guessing people mainly moved to v4 if you wanted to pair an Mi6 pinpointer or bought a HF coil. Or, in some cases, because they thought it might just be ‘better’. As it happens v4.1 is a brilliant upgrade.

People moved to v5 if they wanted the extra headphone functionality, or if you were using an X35 coil. Or again potentially because they thought it might be ‘better’.

Version 5 is not meant to change anything else about the existing detector experience - but it has. Hardly anyone (I think it was just 1 person) has mentioned moving to V5 for the extra headphone functionality. I thought that might be more important than it appears to be if you look at this survey.

It would be very interesting to do some real scientific tests of V5.2 versus V4.1, as the problems with the earlier versions of V5 have tainted what many of us think it can now deliver.

Anyway that's my current thinking

Ok, maybe I should have just said either up to V4.1 and V5.2, as we know that the lesser V5.x's are pants. It's all good up to V4.1, no matter what version if you don't have the x35. I disagree that you should cluster that V5.x results without clustering the V2 to V4.1 results as that is the divide where the software quite changed. Maybe others will agree or disagree on this? Personally V5.x just seems dumbed down to help cure the instability issues, though many will probably not really notice this if they don't know any better. I did some of my own tests of V5.2 vs V4.1 and was quite shocked at the loss of performance, but would still welcome some real world tests though.

V4.1 = 31 VS V5.2 = 20.

[f8met]

You also may not be comparing apples to apples. Most would be on V5.x due to having the X coils where as a lot might still be on black coils with V4 or using HF coils.

The coils will make as much difference as the software. I don't feel the need to go up to V5 as I don't believe it will offer me anything over V4 with a black coil. My next coil purchase would probably be an X coil so I would have to upgrade. I am yet to be convinced the X coils offer much advantage in the UK.

[john Colin]

You also may not be comparing apples to apples. Most would be on V5.x due to having the X coils where as a lot might still be on black coils with V4 or using HF coils.

The coils will make as much difference as the software. I don't feel the need to go up to V5 as I don't believe it will offer me anything over V4 with a black coil. My next coil purchase would probably be an X coil so I would have to upgrade. I am yet to be convinced the X coils offer much advantage in the UK.

A good point, it may be more interesting to poll what software with what coil works well and why?

[shaggybfc]

You also may not be comparing apples to apples. Most would be on V5.x due to having the X coils where as a lot might still be on black coils with V4 or using HF coils.

The coils will make as much difference as the software. I don't feel the need to go up to V5 as I don't believe it will offer me anything over V4 with a black coil. My next coil purchase would probably be an X coil so I would have to upgrade. I am yet to be convinced the X coils offer much advantage in the UK.

Absolutely.
The software, even though it was designed to be comparable for all the coil, it's fundamentally different. It's like having Apples IOS and Android - technically do the same but differently.
With the X35 coil range, it needs the V5.2 software, and I for one have seen some great results from the combination.(not with V5.0 or V5.1, but certainly with V5.2)

Previous coils don't need the upgrade. There is no point upgrading if your'e using the older coils - with the caveat of the lite on increased WS4 functionality. (and I think this is an issue for those users). Putting V5.2 on the older coils will not give any benefit and may even decrease the performance of the machine.
For me, XP should have and still should make this clear to users. They shouldn't have called the V5x upgrade V5x, they should have called it Xcoil (or something to signify the difference)
It will be interesting to see what XP do with the next generation of updates - see if they stick with a single version or branch it off into 2 versions.(one for old coils, one for HF coils)
only my opinion, I could be way off the mark with it
Andi

[chillidog]

5.1 no problems with my set up and happy with my find rate too

[Oxgirl36]

It will be interesting to see what XP do with the next generation of updates - see if they stick with a single version or branch it off into 2 versions.(one for old coils, one for HF coils)
only my opinion, I could be way off the mark with it
Andi

And if you have 2 different types of coils what happens then?

[chip]

It will be interesting to see what XP do with the next generation of updates - see if they stick with a single version or branch it off into 2 versions.(one for old coils, one for HF coils)
only my opinion, I could be way off the mark with it
Andi

And if you have 2 different types of coils what happens then?

That’s the million dollar question?
Answers on a postcard

[Kefyn]

V4.1, using the 11 inch standard coil, the hf elliptical and the mI-6 pointer.
Had no issues with v4.1 so see no point upgrading to v5 . ( not tempted by the new coil hype)

[oldartefact]

Land type x Version number x coil option x find outcome .. creates so many potential results as to render any comparison of version versus version ... a somewhat less than academic endeavor.
Its a bit like a random group of patients comparing their experience of aspirin vs ibuprofen, based on their own individual usage.. unfortunately the results/conclusions cannot be relied upon.
Version versus version stuff is admittedly very very interesting, but are any conclusions actionable? I suspect not. That said if we are comparing version vs version functionality, there is an awful lot we can learn from users of more recent versions, given that there have been functionality upgrades.

[littleboot]

I had to laugh at the quote in Koala's post.

I can't think how i failed to spot that it was a part of some neoliberal global conspiracy, I just thought that it was French!

I dunno Fred, he may have a point. Its all kicking off over here, there is a blockade stopping me getting to the supermarket for booze, the petrol station has run out of fuel, and Paris is starting to resemble Beirut.

As an XP owner I read threads like this with great interest. It all seems so complex. All this changing and up-grades that turn out to confusing down-grades. Isn't it unnecessary? Surely all this fiddling must get difficult to re adjust to.
I run my GMP on arable, pasture and woodland and I can set it up from scratch in 10 secs to suit each search type. I may modify a setting slightly if it is busy or there is coke. Otherwise it is what it is. I can concentrate on listening, looking for tells in the lie of the land or in the soil, knowing that I haven't got something off kilter that has eroded my confidence or stopped me picking something up.
NOTHING is more unsettling and damaging to one's enjoyment of the hobby than always having doubts as to whether your settings are right for the job. (Except ill-fitting footwear. )

[Steve_T]

Well summed up littleboot

As mentioned many times its confidence in the machine, to much messing with settings and changing things can knock your confidence and I think it does have a negative effect

I doesn't help when claims from manufacturers that a new update will enhance with nothing coming from it or not working as claimed or buggy.

I rarely tweak my programme of choice and then only slightly so my confidence is high and my glass is always half full, and it has to be there to be found in the first place

But after all said above a lot of updates have come out when conditions have not been favourable due to the lack of moisture in the ground, but there must be something fundamentally wrong if there are constant updates,

I wonder if the updates are due to other competitors machines being launched with very good results from the get go and the updates and new coils are to retain allegiance. I don't need to mention the machines I refer to, we all know which I mean

It's all about profit and clever marketing, but get it wrong and they loose for a long time especially the price of a new coil compared to the price of a new change of brand and good second hand market price you can get.

Regards Steve

[shaggybfc]

It will be interesting to see what XP do with the next generation of updates - see if they stick with a single version or branch it off into 2 versions.(one for old coils, one for HF coils)
only my opinion, I could be way off the mark with it
Andi

And if you have 2 different types of coils what happens then?

It would be quite easy really. The unit is a small computer with plenty of computing power. At turn on, you select what set up you’re using. If older coils, it loads up V4.1 and if the newer HF X coils, it loads up X5.2. Having 2 programs on the same unit should not be insurmountable.

[oldartefact]

The divide here is simply either up to V4.1, or, V5.0 and later. It generally seems to be if it ain't broke, then don't try to fix it, unless you bought an x35 coil.

Hmmm not really sure I agree. Version 5.0 and 5.1 have problems, with v5.0 being very unstable, at least in my experience. I doubt anyone has stayed on these out of choice. I suspect it is those without the ability to move to 5.2 because they don’t have a controller or access to a windows computer. Or potentially because they are new to the Deus and don’t know what they are detecting with isn’t ideal . However had I chosen to cluster version 5 software into 1 choice it would have (at this point in time) been the most common with 20 of the 51 votes, compared to 18 for v4 and 12 for v3 and 1 for v2.

Ignoring those people who bought a machine with pre-installed software

Hi Jan, but didn't we all buy machines with pre-installed software... that said the only reason I dare not upgrade, is the very real potential that i will fry my coil, fry my control box, and fry my brain...
I really feel for all those people who have by their own fault or others, trashed their machines, and then have to wait on the good will of others to sort it out.
Hope your toe is feeling better
HH & BW John