The XP ICON X vs Minelab Vanquish 560 question comes up constantly at the counter, because they sit either side of the same decision: how much machine do you actually need to start finding things?
The Vanquish 560 runs Minelab's Multi-IQ simultaneous multi-frequency — the same family of technology as machines costing far more, in a package aimed squarely at newcomers. The XP ICON X uses XP's FMF fast multi-frequency in the brand's characteristically light, fully wireless architecture. Both are genuine simultaneous multi-frequency; neither is a switchable single-frequency machine.
XP's defining advantage is weight. If your sessions run long, the ICON X is noticeably kinder on the shoulder, and the wireless design removes the cable that is the most common failure point on any detector. The Vanquish answers with simplicity — fewer settings between you and a signal.
Choose the Vanquish 560 if you want the shortest route from box to first find, with Minelab's dealer network behind it. Choose the ICON X if lightness and the XP ecosystem matter, and you are comfortable with a newer platform — see our ICON X early verdict for why we hold that score at 4.2 for now.
Also worth reading: our beginners buying guide, which ranks the machines we hand to first-timers in the shop.
Honest advice for your ground and budget · 01724 845608 · Mon–Fri 9am–5pm · Sat 10am–12pm
Crawfords Metal Detectors is an authorised Minelab dealer and an official stockist of XP and Nokta. We test and sell the products we review.
