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Read the CS440XD review
The CS440XD presents a different take on the way the machine seperates good targets from bad. Just like its big brother, the CS770XD it is a superb choice for beginners in the hobby. I really like the construction qualities of the C.Scope range. They are so light in weight yet have a robust feel that you just don't get with other budget priced metal detectors.
I chose a windswept beach in mid-winter to put the CS440XD through its paces. It's amazing how much stuff these holiday beaches can produce even after other detectorists have been over them. On the beach you are seeking tiny coins and jewellery in an area that can sometimes be measured in kilometers. Relatively speaking, it's more demanding than the proverbial needle in a haystack. To narrow down the odds of finding valuables you have to search slowly and methodically to cover every centimeter of sand. Waves are constantly sifting and moving the sand. The result is that heavier metal objects get moved around and deposited in spots that are changing all the time. The sweep speed of the CS440XD is completely non-critical so is ideal for this type of careful, methodical searching.
The little 9 volt battery fits neatly in a compartment at the back of the control box. Switch on, set the tuning and discrimination level and off I go. I aim to divide the search area into square boxes, search one way and then cover the area again at right angles, Push-button retune irons out most of the ground interference problems. The CS440XD was great on the beach. After an hours searching and with the aid of a clever sand scoop I had recovered 3 metal toys, a handful of loose change, and one small finger ring, so small it must have been a child’s ring. Sadly it was of no great value!
Next, I tried a stretch of local woodland. There's a tremendous feel of history and an intriguing atmosphere to this place, but it never usually produces much in the way of finds. Still I did up with a few finds, a broken section of a medieval strap end which looked really interesting and an ornate hinge which might have come off some sort of trunk or a carriage door. My next find was a loud signal just to the edge of the footpath and after digging down about 12cm I unearthed a large ‘Cartwheel’ penny dated 1797. In my mind I could almost see this large penny bouncing out of the man’s purse as he galloped along on his horse. Then disappearing into the ground and remaining lost for 200 or so years! It's fascinating to conjecture how things came to be lost.
My last test with the CS440 was a field that has some kind of roman settlement on it and consequently is contaminated with iron junk. However for anyone with the patience the rewards can be a roman coin or two. After setting the discrimination level a little higher than I normally would I found the CS440 rejected up to 3” nails very well and larger iron bits and pieces gave an ‘iffy’ signal which, with practice soon allowed me to recognize iron signals most of the time. Sadly no coins were found on this occasion but several bits of lead were unearthed and a small concave copper alloy object which looks like it may be part of an animal’s crotal bell.
VERDICT
My test of the CS440XD proved it to be the sort of beginners' machine with performance to satisfy any enthusiast and because it utilizes the ‘non-motion’ detection principle it offers surprisingly good depth. The CS440XD works well on the beach and copes with salt wet sand very well. It would be great for the kids (and most grown ups!) to keep them entertained on a beach holiday. It's also good for more serious inland use. Overall, the little CS440XD is a superb general purpose detector.