Battle of the Giants: Minelab M15 vs. Coiltek 18" Mythtek
Which "Big Coil" belongs on your Manticore?
When you own the most powerful detector on the market, you eventually want to push it to its absolute limit. For Manticore users, that means going BIG. But there are two very different ways to do it:
- The Official Choice: Minelab's M15 (15x12" Elliptical)
- The Aftermarket Beast: Coiltek's 18" Mythtek (18" Round)
Quick Specs Comparison
1. The Minelab M15: The "Agile Giant"
The M15 is arguably the best-engineered large coil Minelab has ever made. The magic here is the weight. At only 650g, it is shockingly light for its size. You can swing this coil all day without a harness.
Performance Note: Because it is elliptical (football-shaped), it separates targets surprisingly well. If you are hunting a farm field with scattered iron, the M15 can still pick out good targets between the nails. It is sensitive enough to hit small hammered coins and thin gold rings, making it a true "All-Rounder."
2. The Coiltek 18" Mythtek: The "Depth Monster"
The Mythtek is a different animal entirely. It is a massive, round, 18-inch platter. It is designed for one purpose: maximum ground coverage and maximum depth.
⚠️ Warning: The Weight Factor
Weighing nearly 1kg, this coil is heavy. Even with the Manticore's carbon shaft, the nose-heavy drag is significant. You will need a detecting harness (like the Pro-Swing 45) or a counterweight system to use this for more than 30 minutes.
Where it Wins: If you are on a "hunted out" pasture or a clean beach, this coil revives the site. It sees deep, large targets that the M15 might miss. It covers 30% more ground per sweep than the M15, allowing you to scan massive acreage quickly.
Detailed Comparison
Separation & Trashy Sites
Winner: Minelab M15
The M15's narrower profile allows it to sneak between iron. The Coiltek 18" sees so much ground at once that in trashy areas, it can get overwhelmed, putting multiple targets under the coil simultaneously which confuses the ID numbers.
Depth on Large Targets (Hoards/Relics)
Winner: Coiltek 18" Mythtek
Physics wins here. A larger round coil produces a larger detection field. For deep jars, cannonballs, or deep silver caches, the Mythtek punches deeper.
Pinpointing
Winner: Minelab M15
The M15 has a distinct "center line" that makes pinpointing easy. The Coiltek 18" is vague; the signal stays loud over a huge area, forcing you to dig wider plugs.
The Verdict
Buy the Minelab M15 if:
You want a daily driver. If you want more coverage than the stock coil but don't want to wear a harness or sacrifice separation, this is the perfect balance.
Buy the Coiltek 18" Mythtek if:
You are a specialist. If you are chasing a specific deep hoard, clearing a clean pasture, or want to scour a massive beach at low tide, this is your heavy artillery. Just be prepared for the workout.
