Mental Metal - Mental Metal Detecting

XP Deus II Firmware 4.0 is a big update. Metal detecting doesn’t change often. Incremental tweaks, minor stability updates, maybe a new coil every few years, that’s usually the pace of innovation. But XP Deus II Firmware v4.0 is different. This update isn’t a refinement. It’s a rethink of how information reaches, you, the detectorist. In a recent livestream, XP Metal Detectors officially unveiled firmware v4.0, calling it the biggest breakthrough since multi-frequency. After seeing it myself, I am very intrigued by what they are offering. Here is a recap of their live stream. More Than Stereo: The Real Breakthrough At first glance, v4.0 appears to be about stereo headphones. And yes, XP did release new true stereo headphones to support it. But stereo is only the delivery method. The real innovation is something XP calls Multi-Processing. For the first time in metal detecting, the Deus II can run two independent detection channels simultaneously on one swing, with one coil. Think about that for a moment. Instead of choosing between depth or separation…Instead of rescanning a target with multiple programs…Instead of switching modes mid-hunt… You now get two detectors working at the same time. Two Channels, One Swing With Firmware 4.0, the Deus II processes two detection streams in parallel. While both channels share the same coil and frequencies (frequency is coil-controlled), nearly everything else can be different: Reactivity Sensitivity Audio type Iron handling Motion vs non-motion behavior Each channel sends its own audio stream, which is why the new stereo headphones are essential. Older mono headphones simply can’t carry this information. The result is simple but powerful: more information, delivered instantly through sound. Dual Reactivity: Depth and Separation Together One of the most impactful uses of multi-processing is dual reactivity. Traditionally, detectorists choose: Low reactivity for depth and smoother audio, or High reactivity for iron separation and fast target response With v4.0, you can run both at once. One channel can be slow and deep, pulling faint signals from depth. The other can be fast and aggressive, slicing through iron and trash. When you hear a target, your ears instantly tell you both how deep it is and how well it separates. No rescanning. No guessing. Morphing Audio: Depth You Can Hear Another major addition is Morphing. Instead of a static tone, audio now changes dynamically as the coil gets closer to a target. Shallow iron, deep iron, and borderline signals each behave differently in your headphones. The benefit?Your ears become a depth gauge. Without looking at the screen, you can tell whether a signal is deep, shallow, or worth investigating further. This is especially powerful in iron-heavy sites where visual target IDs are unreliable. Chorus Effect: Highlighting the Deep Stuff Firmware v4.0 also introduces a stereo chorus effect and it’s a game changer. This effect is applied only to faint, deep signals. Instead of sounding weak and easy to miss, deep targets gain a subtle stereo “presence” that immediately grabs your attention. Testers reported pulling deep coins from sites they had hunted repeatedly, simply because the audio made those whispers stand out in a way they never had before. Dual-Axis Detection: Motion and Non-Motion Together Another standout feature allows users to combine: Standard discrimination (motion mode) on one channel All-metal non-motion mode on the other This lets you hear everything metallic while still benefiting from discrimination audio at the same time. It’s ideal for: Cleaning out small but important patches Relic and archaeological-style hunting Confirming deep or questionable signals Again, the key is efficiency. One sweep delivers full context. Stereo Panning: Audio Where You Want It XP didn’t just add stereo, they gave users control over it. With v4.0, you can: Center audio like traditional XP sound Push channels left or right Assign certain information to specific ears For example: Clean targets centered Iron-heavy responses pushed to one side Alternate audio cues separated spatially Your brain processes spatial sound faster than visual data, which means quicker, more confident dig decisions. Even Mono Users Get an Upgrade While multi-processing requires stereo headphones, v4.0 still offers something for everyone. XP introduced a new audio option called Low Square: Bass-heavy Low-frequency Designed to blend well with other tones This new audio type is available to all Deus II users, even those running mono headphones. Performance, Battery, and Compatibility XP addressed the practical concerns directly: No performance lag No loss of battery life on the remote All standard coils supported Firmware v4.0 is free, as all XP firmware updates are. Release Details (Important) Firmware v4.0 release date: January 23 Download via XP Update Server Update required for: Remote or WS6 Headphones Coils are never updated As with all major XP updates, custom programs will be wiped, so backing up settings beforehand is recommended. Why This Update Matters Firmware 4.0 isn’t about flashy features it’s about decision-making. By delivering depth, separation, and target confidence through sound, XP has reduced screen dependence and increased efficiency in the field. Iron-heavy sites, hunted-out ground, and complex targets all become more manageable. XP didn’t just improve the Deus II.They extended its lifespan and redefined what a firmware update can do. This isn’t an upgrade you’ll “try later.”It’s one that fundamentally changes how you hear the ground. But... we'll know more once the update gets in the hands of the users. The date is set for January 23rd 2026. Will you be getting the update? Looking for the ST headphones? You can order them from Fort Bedford Metal Detectors. They offer fair and competitive pricing with great service and support. Give them a chance to earn our business but make sure you tell them Scott from Mental Metal Detecting referred you. Give them a call directly at 1-814-215-1732. Join us on Patreon! Unlock exclusive behind-the-scenes content, tips, and discoveries from my metal detecting adventures by joining the Mental Metal Detecting Patreon! As a supporter, you’ll get early access to videos, members-only tutorials, and insider updates on my hunts for relics, coins, and treasure. Your support helps keep the channel going and gives you a direct line to shape future content. Come be part of the treasure-hunting community and help uncover history, one signal at a time! Enter to Win a Brand New Minelab Manticore Enter by midnight January 25th 2026. All of the information on how to enter is in the video linked below. Good luck! and don’t forget to get entered into the Bonus Round as well. https://youtu.be/fjdF_m_yf1Q