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With the word sport in its model name, it’s natural to assume that this is an all-terrain metal detector.
You would be right to assume so.
The White’s MX Sport is a submersible detector that can be taken into the murky depths of the water world to the dry deserts for gold and old coins.
But, how does it really perform as a single frequency metal detector?
To see what features it offers and how this interprets to all-terrain performance, read on.
Update: White’s suspended their operations in June 2020 and shortly after, Garrett Electronics announced their acquisition of the popular metal detector company. As a result, the White’s MX Sport is no longer available. For some great alternatives in a similar price range, check out our reviews of metal detectors under $1000.
At a Glance…
✔️ Best Feature: Selectable tone ID
❌ Worst Feature: Firmware issues
👌 Ideal For: Shallow Water, Water, Submersion, All Terrains, Gold, Silver, Prospecting, Coins, Relics, Jewelry, Beginners, Intermediates, Experts
Our Verdict: It’s hard to achieve all-purpose performance from a single frequency metal detector. But, the White’s MX Sport delivers surprisingly good results with its 13.8 kHz frequency and adjustable features that helps you find more in any terrain.
Who is the White’s MX Sport Best Suited to?
The MX Sport is priced in the mid-level market that is usually aimed towards intermediate and advanced hobbyists. It has quite the impressive list of features to attract its target demographic, and it performs well as an all-round metal detector.
Even so, it’s a metal detector that should be on a beginner’s radar, but not the brand-new beginner. The amateur that has seen some level of experience with a metal detector who is ready to acquire more out of their upgrade would be a better fit for the Sport model.
It offers some user difficulty that does not go unrewarded as ground balance is fully automatic and adjusting threshold is a master skill that will need to be learned. It may be out of a beginner’s budget, but it’s justifiable as an upgrade that can be taken into freshwater and then used on dry land without worry of performance in either terrain.
How Does the White’s MX Sport Perform?
The MX Sport metal detector is a VLF single frequency machine operating at a good 13.8 kHz frequency. White’s is marketing it as a high-performing, general-purpose metal detector that is good for everything from coins to gold.
With the addition of a Prospecting search mode, there’s no reason you can’t dabble in prospecting for nuggets. With its many features, you’ll be able to ground balance and adjust threshold to hear targets of all sizes and decent depths.
Since it’s also submersible, it’s a great option for hobbyists that like to take all-terrain literally. You can go from the waterbed to the dry desert and then back through the wet plough fields to uncover your finds.
Features & Benefits
Selectable Tone ID
There are several tone IDs that you can choose for fast identification of a detected object. The Sport detector offers 1, 2, 4, 8, and 20 tone settings.
1-Tone is a mono setting with all targets sounding at the same pitch. 2-Tone ID designates iron with a low tone and all other metals with a high tone. 4-Tone ID splits it with a low tone for iron, medium tone for foil, pull tabs, and nickels, and high tones for coins. 8-Tone ID further separates trash items and coins more specifically while 20-Tone ID designates a tone for each of the 20 discrimination segments.
Rejection Volume
This is a very unique feature that is impressive. Rejecting a metal usually means silencing it, but in this case to improve detection performance, you can actually maintain audio on rejected targets at a lower volume.
Rejected volume allows for independent volume control within each preset tone range. This means that you can reject targets and still hear their signals at a given percentage that you set the Rejection Volume for.
For example, rejected targets can be set to be heard at a maximum volume of 70% of normal volume on accepted targets. It can be decreased in 10% increments to 0% which is where audio is suppressed on rejected targets.
7 Search Modes
The White’s Sport metal detector features six search modes each with their own parameters set for general use. You can modify the search modes and they will be saved and remembered after it’s been powered down.
The modes are: Coin & Jewelry, All-Metal, Beach, Prospecting, Hi-Trash, Relic, and Pinpoint. Along with these search modes, you can adjust for sensitivity, threshold, and frequency shift.
You also have the Salt Track Program that can be added or removed to any of the search modes by accessing it through the Options menu. It helps to compensate for wet soils, wet sand, and alkali patches (salt) when prospecting or hunting for treasure.
If you want to start fresh with a clean slate, performing a factory reset will bring all search modes back to their default settings.
Ground Balance
Track is the fully automatic ground balancing feature that allows the detector to self-adjust to ground minerals in gradually changing mineralized soils in any given area.
Locking in ground balance puts the MX Sport into Ground Grab mode. This means being able to lock ground balance values for spotty, highly mineralized areas for improved, stable performance.
However, you cannot override auto or ground grab to manually perform ground balance.
Submersible
The MX Sport metal detector has been designed to be completely waterproof and submersible to 10 feet. In freshwater, it will work excellently and can be ground balanced for the various minerals in the soils.
In saltwater, it’s still a single frequency VLF machine, so sensitivity and discrimination will need to be adjusted to compensate for false signals from saltwater. You can use the Salt Track program to help improve performance while scouring the ocean floor.
While land headphones are included in the package, you will need to buy the submersible, waterproof headphones separately. There may be packages that include waterproof headphones in the kit online.
Limitations
Firmware Issues
Older models were reported to have hardware and firmware issues, but they were addressed by White’s. The latest models have the updated upgrades, but it is necessary to keep an eye out on firmware releases by the manufacturer.
If you have any issues, you can always contact the American company. The MX Sport is also covered under a 2-year warranty and is transferable. However, it starts from the original date of purchase regardless of the who the current owner is.
Popular Questions
What Searchcoils are Compatible with the MX Sport?
All the searchcoils in the MX line are compatible with the Sport model. Because these require special connectors to provide its submersible advantage, the MXT coils are not interchangeable with the MX detectors.
The searchcoil included with the Sport model is a 10” DD that is round and open.
What Type of Headphones are Included with the White’s MX Sport?
Land-based headphones are included with the MX Sport along with a ¼” adapter for fitting any wired headphones to the detector. Stereo headphones between 8 and 150 ohms are compatible with the MX.
However, to be able to detect underwater with headphones, you must purchase the waterproof Sport headphones to connect to the socket on the control box. The headphone cable and headphone connect cap should be firmly tightened to ensure ultimate waterproofing while it is submerged.
What Batteries does the White’s MX Sport Metal Detector Use?
The MX Sport requires 8x AA batteries to operate. It has been confirmed that they last approximately 20 hours with use of the backlight and without headphones. With headphones to help conserve battery life and minimizing use of the backlight, you can extend operation to 40 hours.
Rechargeable batteries can also be used with the MX Sport. Depending on type, battery manufacturer, and use of settings, operational hours will vary.
Is the White’s Sport Detector Adjustable?
The shaft is adjustable from 41” to 50”. An armrest is included and is adjustable with an included strap. The entire assembly weighs approximately 4.2 lbs including the batteries. The detector can be disassembled for easy transportation and storage.
Does the Sport Metal Detector have a Backlight?
The MX Sport does have a backlight that can be toggled on and off with a quick press of the power button. Brightness is also adjustable by accessing the Options menu to select Light to adjust brightness intensity.
Conclusion
The MX Sport is a welcome competitor to the market amongst other amphibian detectors in this price range. It will come down to the frequency and the specs that will determine if it’s the right one for you.
The selectable tone ID, auto ground balance and ground grab, and submersible advantage gives it an upper leg over its competitors. If anything, it has more to offer the general-purpose hunter with its many search modes, adjustable threshold, and 13.8 kHz frequency.
Put your pedal to the metal and test out the Sport in every terrain. It’s made to handle them all.