Description

The Minelab CTX 17 Smart Coil is a 17-inch waterproof elliptical DD search coil designed for maximum depth on the CTX 3030 metal detector. CTX 3030 owners working large open spaces, farm fields, wide beaches, desert washes, need ground coverage and depth penetration that the stock 11-inch coil can’t deliver. This 17-inch elliptical coil significantly increases sweep width and pushes target detection deeper, letting you cover significantly more ground per pass and reach coins, relics, and large silver that sit below the standard coil’s detection envelope. The tradeoff is weight and maneuverability: this coil excels in open terrain where you can swing freely, less so in tight trash or rocky undergrowth where the 6-inch or 11-inch coils shine.

What’s Included with the CTX 17 Smart Coil

• Minelab CTX 17-inch Smart Coil for CTX 3030
• Coil cover
• Coil hardware

Why CTX 3030 Owners Reach for the 17-Inch Smart Coil

• Significantly increases ground coverage per swing in open fields and wide beaches, letting you search large sites faster while maintaining depth.
• Provides greater depth than the stock 11-inch coil on large targets, silver dollars, cache containers, deep relics, in low-mineral soil.
• Elliptical DD geometry maintains full-spectrum performance across the entire 17-inch footprint, unlike concentric coils that lose sensitivity at the edges.
• Waterproof construction matches the Minelab CTX 3030 metal detector submersible rating, letting you wade tidal flats and river shallows without breaking the seal.
• Need tighter target separation in trashy parks? The CTX 6-inch Smart Coil handles high-iron sites where the 17-inch coil would mask targets.

Maximum Depth in Low-Mineral Open Ground

Farm fields and pastureland

We run the 17-inch coil in plowed Midwest farm fields where the soil is low-mineral loam and targets sit 8-14 inches deep. The extra coil diameter extends the electromagnetic field deeper into the ground, pulling clear signals from seated silver and large cents that the 11-inch coil reads as faint whispers or misses entirely. Swing speed matters: keep the coil low and sweep at a steady walking pace. Rushing the swing collapses the detection field and you lose depth. In open terrain with minimal trash, run sensitivity at 28-30 (Manual) and let the coil’s size do the work.

Wide saltwater beaches at low tide

The 17-inch footprint covers wet sand fast during the narrow low-tide window. We’ve pulled silver rings and Spanish reales from 12-14 inches in packed wet sand where the stock coil gave no response. The DD coil configuration rejects ground mineralization better than concentric designs, keeping the CTX 3030 stable in variable saltwater conditions. Run Beach mode with the standard auto-sensitivity; the coil’s waterproof rating lets you wade knee-deep without worry.

Desert washes and dry lake beds

Open desert terrain is where this coil excels. Low ground mineralization, sparse vegetation, and the ability to swing wide without obstruction let you cover acres per session. Old coins, bullets, and relics that migrated deep over decades of wind and rain come up clean. The elliptical shape tracks contours better than a round coil, and the DD array maintains target separation across the long axis.

How it compares to other CTX 3030 coils

The CTX 3030 platform supports three Smart Coil sizes, each optimized for different hunting scenarios.

Specifications

• Compatibility: Minelab CTX 3030
• Coil size: 17 inches
• Coil shape: Elliptical
• Coil configuration: Double-D (DD)
• Waterproof: Yes
• Included accessories: Coil cover, coil hardware

Why Buy from Serious Detecting

Serious Detecting is an authorized Minelab dealer, so your CTX 17 Smart Coil ships with full manufacturer warranty coverage. Our team runs the CTX 3030 platform in the field and stocks the full Smart Coil lineup, from the 6-inch trash coil to this 17-inch depth specialist. Every order ships free, and we back it with a 30-day return window and price-match guarantee. Questions about coil selection or the technologies behind modern detectors? Call us.