Review — Performance & Use

The XP ORX has earned a strong reputation among UK detectorists as a fast, lightweight, and no-nonsense machine for those who value performance over bells and whistles. On ploughed and pasture land, users report the ORX punches above its weight, especially when paired with the X35 11" coil. It's frequently praised for its rapid recovery speed, allowing crisp separation of targets in iron-infested sites — a key advantage in the UK’s complex historical soils.

Several hobbyists on UK forums described it as an ideal 'grab-and-go' detector, noting its simplicity and responsive audio. The wireless setup — from coil to headphones — reduces clutter in the field, and many highlighted how refreshing it is to swing for hours without fatigue, given its sub-800g weight. The ORX’s four preset modes cover most common scenarios, and though limited compared to the XP Deus, the customisation available via the two user profiles is enough for intermediate users.

Its high-frequency operation (especially the 31 and 80 kHz options with HF coils) has been a boon for small hammered coin hunting, with multiple field tests showing impressive sensitivity to low-conductivity items like cut quarters. A few reviewers mentioned that its performance on wet grass or damp soil can be twitchy, particularly without careful ground balancing, but this was resolved in most cases by switching to lower frequencies or adjusting reactivity.

UK YouTube testers consistently noted the ORX’s snappy user interface and large ID display — useful for quick glances without breaking rhythm. Volume adjustment quirks were a recurring point: some users didn’t like the lack of fine control in the WSA headphones, while others worked around this with aftermarket solutions.

While beach detecting isn’t its core strength, it handled dry sand adequately in most reports, but struggled on wet sand — as expected for a VLF detector without multi-frequency tech. No users considered this a dealbreaker, as the ORX is clearly tuned for inland, relic-heavy UK sites. Its overall performance on medieval farmland and Roman-era pasture was frequently cited as its biggest strength.

It’s not the machine for those who want deep menu diving or custom tone profiles — but that’s exactly why many UK users prefer it. The XP ORX knows what it is: lightweight, fast, sensitive to small finds, and ideal for history-rich UK land where separation and reactivity matter more than gimmicks.