3 Frequency NEL Tornado Coil for Minelab X-Terra metal detectors (review, facts +)

My main metal detector used to be the Garrett AT PRO. I wrote a lot about it in the beginning, when i just had created the blog.

Then I sold it and bought a Minelab X-Terra 705 with two coils. Naturally, the detector had a great impression on me, because it was on a higher level of functionality than the AT PRO. Unfortunately, or fortunately, I do not know. AT PRO was good, but it did not meet my expectations for the price. The water-resistance too, was not the best, and other disadvantages, about which I wrote in my article, comparing the Garrett AT PRO and Minelab X-Terra 705 .

Naturally, I wanted to see what options i had to improve my detector. Fortunately the season was over, some of my best finds were sold and i could purchase more detecting gadgets. How can I improve the device and improve the quality of the detecting? Naturally, the purchase of a new coil! They did not sell the Mars MD coil on our market, but there was Nel. There are many Nel coils in the line for different purposes. I was looking for something for everyday search, so that you can replace it full-time and increase the productivity. The selection was limited – so i chose the suitable Nel Tornado model, which has the size of 12×13 inches. For daily search it is the most optimal size. I researched some about the coil and compared it with what I currently have in stock.

The coil was delivered in a box, and that is important – then you will have a smaller risk to get it broken and bend the wire at the connector and so on. Nel provides a 2 year warranty on the product, but now (in November 2016) offers a share if you register a coil on their site, you can receive an additional one-year warranty to the coil.

Included was also a bolt for fixing the coil to the rod and clamps for the wires, useful thing, sometimes it happens that the coil responds to the coil cable, especially when it is twisted and dangles. In addition to a bolt retainer and rubber seals, they reinforce the coil ears from excessive friction.

The connector for the coil is also protected by a rubber cap, and will help to keep contacts from possible moisture and corrosion.

What I particularly liked – they even included a small manual and advice on how to use and how to readjust the detector to quickly get used to the coil. This is necessary because sometimes the familiar signals and tones may change slightly.

Now we turn to the most important. Since the device itself weighs almost a kilogram (along with a cover and dirt on it when used), the coil weight is very important, and every 100 grams will count, and impact the search performance and duration. This is especially true if you dig in the wood and often have to walk several kilometers to find a position or a place where there was a fight or scuffle, for example. Surprisingly, the Tornado was slightly larger in size than the normal 10.5 inches, and somewhere 100 grams heavier. The standard one weighs  596, and the Nel Tornado weighs 670.

As you can see, the difference in weight is only 70-grams. Not very significant difference, given the difference in size of the coils.

Naturally, my curiosity went on and I wanted to check the weight of the 15 “inch coil from Minelab 3 kHz. I remember that when digging in the same field with it, two hours later, my hand started to feel tired. It is clear that this is a matter of habit, but still a good coil from Minelab weighs almost 1 kg.

909 grams. At 300 grams heavier than the standard model.

I will now use Tornado as my main coil, let’s see what bonuses it will bring in the upcoming season! Especially considering that i will try to find appropriate headphones. I will keep you updated!

I wish good signals for everyone, and if there is anything to add or ask – write it in the comments, share your post with your friends in social networks, for me it will show me that you like my posts and this will give me more motivation to write new stories in the future!