2015 etrac

[E-Trac-Ohio]

The E-Trac is a great machine just the way it is but ... a no glare screen and Auto + 5 Sens would sure be nice !

 

[ChicagoJohn]

The E-Trac is a great machine just the way it is but ... a no glare screen and Auto + 5 Sens would sure be nice !

Good idea!

Waterproof

Auto 5 plus

fold to fit in my coat so I can metal detecting in Cook Co Forest Preserve!

 

[ironsight]

I'll tell you what, the eTRAC maybe a great machine but its rapidly becoming or is outdated due to the competition. Its years old technology.
Adding FBS-2 IMO would increase the cost of an eTRAC-II considerably maybe even approaching the CTX and IMO isn't all that necessary.
A lot of us have a small fortune invested in aftermarket coils which won't work with FBS-2.

Beef up the uProcessing, fix the screen glare, add some detecting goodies borrowed from the CTX along with other goodies mentioned in this thread.
http://www.findmall.com/read.php?63,2041416

 

[Nuke em]

Maybe old but it works and on beaches other than a PI is the best by far. FBS that is.

A Deus is an old Goldmaxx Power in a mobile phone case .
A Whites V3i is a DFX with a colour screen .
Blisstool V5 is an updated V3 .
F75 ltd is an updated F75

In fact if you look at all the types of top end machines they are all updated versions of earlier models in one way or another . In terms of Garrett and C.Scope , Viking , Tesoro/Laser , Fisher / Teknetic's they have not brought out a new top end machine for the hobby market since the stone age or feels like it.

FBS 2 is just software and the coil is just another coil , by then I think there will be SEF , Nel and other coils for FBS 2 and I don't tend to buy other coils much anyway . As with the CTX Minelab would probably give away an extra coil with an ET 2 anyway and if not the consolidating all their FBS as FBS2 will save them having to make 2 types of FBS .

As for detecting goodies , spade , bag , and books ? keep them , don't need them with all the info on the forums and if the machine is 3 piece then it will break down and fit into a rucksack . Sorted.

 

[ironsight]

In fact if you look at all the types of top end machines they are all updated versions of earlier models in one way or another . In terms of Garrett and C.Scope , Viking , Tesoro/Laser , Fisher / Teknetic's they have not brought out a new top end machine for the hobby market since the stone age or feels like it.

FBS 2 is just software and the coil is just another coil , by then I think there will be SEF , Nel and other coils for FBS 2 and I don't tend to buy other coils much anyway . As with the CTX Minelab would probably give away an extra coil with an ET 2 anyway and if not the consolidating all their FBS as FBS2 will save them having to make 2 types of FBS .

As for detecting goodies , spade , bag , and books ? keep them , don't need them with all the info on the forums and if the machine is 3 piece then it will break down and fit into a rucksack . Sorted.

Where to begin!!

First, FBS-II technology is patented by Minelab.
It is the sole discretion of the Minelab suits on whether to allow aftermarket Co's. like SEF, NEL, etc. to manufacture and sell their cloned FBS-II coils and if so probably for a hefty royalty, highly unlikely to happen in the near future. Remember the FBS-II coil has a uProcessor chip with its proprietary software embedded in the coil transferring its target information up the stem digitally to the control module. Its not just plastic and copper. Can see it now, Patent infringement with following law suits!
I understand Coil Tech was granted such permission but without the other major coil manufacturers in the pool there will be no low cost competition at least in the near future maybe when Minelab comes out with FBS-3. lol.

Old technology. Although the current eTRAC is still a great all around detector, it can't tell the difference between a deep severely corroded nail and a silver coin. Also has problems detecting certain small form factor jewelry like chains, small earrings, split rings, etc.

Finally detecting goodies borrowed from the CTX software. NO! not accessories like books, spades, bags, etc. What i meant by 'detecting options' or 'goodies' is being able to custom program different tones on various parts of the screen and a whole host of other cool CTX features.

 

[Nuke em]

The finally part I agree with , but you can tell the difference between a rusty nail and Silver , even the Explorer can do that. Well I can tell.

There will always be some company that will make after market coils and wont care about laws. Look at Nel before they were aloud on here ! And there will be a market for them , and in a way it would help Minelab , as that might push sales of Minelab up again which in UK and Europe are quite a lot lower than of late.

Must be off to the beach now

 

[looknforgold]

I'll tell you what, the eTRAC maybe a great machine but its rapidly becoming or is outdated due to the competition. Its years old technology.
Adding FBS-2 IMO would increase the cost of an eTRAC-II considerably maybe even approaching the CTX and IMO isn't all that necessary.
A lot of us have a small fortune invested in aftermarket coils which won't work with FBS-2.

Beef up the uProcessing, fix the screen glare, add some detecting goodies borrowed from the CTX along with other goodies mentioned in this thread.
http://www.findmall.com/read.php?63,2041416

Nice post, and I love a lot of what your saying, In your OP, what machines are it's competition, and comparable? I dare to compare the finds of these competitors to what the Etrac has done to this point. outdated some, but, the market moves so slow on these things.....but it's still one of the best out there IMO and it's track record still is going very strong (as well as the price, lol), which I'm sure you will agree

If they can come out with the features most of us are looking for, it would be a nice move on Minelab's part, all that would remain is what is going to be that final price?

 

[Nuke em]

Old does not mean incapable .
The ET will find all that it could before the CTX came and 99% of what the CTX will find .

These are the machines in the ET class and that includes older machines .

ETrac , Explorer XS/11/SE , CTX 3030 , Whites V3i , Deus , Fisher 75 / Teknetic's T2 , Sovereign Elite/ GT . There are others from companies East of the old curtain but most of the machine outside the FBS don't have the target info and proper multi tones the FBS has . Which to me is a quality that is second to none. Being able to give Ferrous and Conductivity read out too make the ET type still top notch.
For me what lets the V3i down is the complicated menu and old style construction , as for the Deus - great on plough and sites where you are finding lots of stuff that you are sure about but with the buzz buzz tones you cannot i.d. the target and the numbers are only conductive or Ferrous and sometimes vague , The Fisher and Teknetic's are better than they were but I don't like the battery case position and don't like the Stem or position of the control box . Have heard that they can break off when put in a rucksack . Sovereign's are a Golden oldie but with mainly just sound its going to be very hard to know what you are digging .

Why I like the ET best compared to the CTX , It breaks down into 3 pieces for rucksack carriage , simpler menu , no need to have a bungee or arm strap on , lighter " a bit" , not to much of a menu which means you can navigate quicker , RNB battery pack far out lasts the battery on a CTX , much cheaper spares and a cheaper machine with 95%+ of the CTX capability.

Why I like the CTX a bit , like the ground balance , clock , 2 target track , ability to affix tones to small areas " but not small enough and not in small blocks" , waterproof though did not need to be that heavy .

If I were starting out fresh I would still go for the ET .

But it does need updating a bit.

 

[ironsight]

Old does not mean incapable .
The ET will find all that it could before the CTX came and 99% of what the CTX will find .....

Why I like the CTX a bit , like the ground balance , clock , 2 target track , ability to affix tones to small areas " but not small enough and not in small blocks" , waterproof though did not need to be that heavy ......
If I were starting out fresh I would still go for the ET... .

But it does need updating a bit.

OK Nuke em, now we can agree with all the above you wrote.

I don't have and likely will never have a CTX less'n i find one in the bushes or win the lottery. But from reading the CTX posts here and elsewhere, far as raw detecting power, the eTRAC can hold its own against the CTX especially with some experience.

The CTX goodies you mentioned are just about all software related which IMO should not add that much to the futuristic eTRAC-II price tag. The screen would definitely need updating with maybe more pixels but it need not be a color screen to keep the cost down. Hopefully, the new screen will be non-glare... screen sun glare is one of the biggest complaints for the current eTRAC.

Yep after all these years.... agreed, it does need updating.

 

[Nuke em]

More pixels on the ET would put the CTX at a disadvantage , they wont do that even If it should have more.

 

[ironsight]

More pixels on the ET would put the CTX at a disadvantage , they wont do that even If it should have more.

More pixels or not, i'd like to see a glare resistant screen. You woulda thought after all the negative complaints regarding screen glare over the years, surely Minelab would of fixed that with the CTX but they didn't.

Once again i find it hard to believe Minelab listens to their customers.
I've worked for hi-tech companies where the suits and bean counters more often than not don't give a sh!t about customer or engineer input.

Even though there's a lot of CTX's out there with apparently some goofy issues, i think the CTX in the long run its gonna be a flop for Minelab.
Why? Not everyone needs GPS, not everyone needs waterproofing and not everyone can afford to drop $2500 on a metal detector.

 

[Nuke em]

More pixels on the ET would put the CTX at a disadvantage , they wont do that even If it should have more.

More pixels or not, i'd like to see a glare resistant screen. You woulda thought after all the negative complaints regarding screen glare over the years, surely Minelab would of fixed that with the CTX but they didn't.

Once again i find it hard to believe Minelab listens to their customers.
I've worked for hi-tech companies where the suits and bean counters more often than not don't give a sh!t about customer or engineer input.

Even though there's a lot of CTX's out there with apparently some goofy issues, i think the CTX in the long run its gonna be a flop for Minelab.
Why? Not everyone needs GPS, not everyone needs waterproofing and not everyone can afford to drop $2500 on a metal detector.

Did I right the last post ?

I could add many other things that minelab should have done ,
1, Should have started at the bottom of the range , replacing the Terra with a new Terra range and the ET/ Safari with a ET level machine with the FBS 2 capability . They would have got Minelab out of the doldrums' that it seems to be in but as you say they " even though they say they have " don't listen to the mere modest detectorist , only the elite or a select few or that's how it appears to a lot of people.
2, The CTX when released should have been designed like a modern Terra , 3 piece stem , detachable waterproof control box , ET style menu with the CTX extra's included , a paperback manual , GPS stuff should have been an attachable extra , also I feel that the machine is too far balanced back to the rear as it means you have to ware the arm strap or it falls from your arm .
As for the weight the CTX is a step back when its main competitors are making lighter machines ( Deus and F75) the Minelab's seem be getting heavier , SDC 2300 / CTX 3030 / GPZ 7000 ?? .
3, And Codan getting rid of people that knew the hobby ,people like Des Dunne and others , shifting production to Malaysia makes Codan look like they are trying to build on the cheap sell for megabucks .
A good policy if you are just looking after the share holder or the Directors bonus but not so good if you want to sell lots of machines to as many people as you can .

Here in UK and I presume the rest of Europe to a point the Deus is the main detector that sells the most with maybe the entry level Garrets being another . East European machines are getting better and attracting more and more sales , we have fake Minelab machines out there making people think what they are buying though that may be affecting other makes ? shifting production to Malaysia may have made that easier ?
Minelab need to get it right or there are many competitors that will race ahead and I for 1 would hope they do get it right . Beach detecting wont ever be the same again .

 

[Dale(Ia)]

More pixels on the ET would put the CTX at a disadvantage , they wont do that even If it should have more.

More pixels or not, i'd like to see a glare resistant screen. You woulda thought after all the negative complaints regarding screen glare over the years, surely Minelab would of fixed that with the CTX but they didn't.

Once again i find it hard to believe Minelab listens to their customers.
I've worked for hi-tech companies where the suits and bean counters more often than not don't give a sh!t about customer or engineer input.

Even though there's a lot of CTX's out there with apparently some goofy issues, i think the CTX in the long run its gonna be a flop for Minelab.
Why? Not everyone needs GPS, not everyone needs waterproofing and not everyone can afford to drop $2500 on a metal detector.

Did I right the last post ?

I could add many other things that minelab should have done ,
1, Should have started at the bottom of the range , replacing the Terra with a new Terra range and the ET/ Safari with a ET level machine with the FBS 2 capability . They would have got Minelab out of the doldrums' that it seems to be in but as you say they " even though they say they have " don't listen to the mere modest detectorist , only the elite or a select few or that's how it appears to a lot of people.
2, The CTX when released should have been designed like a modern Terra , 3 piece stem , detachable waterproof control box , ET style menu with the CTX extra's included , a paperback manual , GPS stuff should have been an attachable extra , also I feel that the machine is too far balanced back to the rear as it means you have to ware the arm strap or it falls from your arm .
As for the weight the CTX is a step back when its main competitors are making lighter machines ( Deus and F75) the Minelab's seem be getting heavier , SDC 2300 / CTX 3030 / GPZ 7000 ?? .
3, And Codan getting rid of people that knew the hobby ,people like Des Dunne and others , shifting production to Malaysia makes Codan look like they are trying to build on the cheap sell for megabucks .
A good policy if you are just looking after the share holder or the Directors bonus but not so good if you want to sell lots of machines to as many people as you can .

Here in UK and I presume the rest of Europe to a point the Deus is the main detector that sells the most with maybe the entry level Garrets being another . East European machines are getting better and attracting more and more sales , we have fake Minelab machines out there making people think what they are buying though that may be affecting other makes ? shifting production to Malaysia may have made that easier ?
Minelab need to get it right or there are many competitors that will race ahead and I for 1 would hope they do get it right . Beach detecting wont ever be the same again .

Nice post Ironsight! You're telling it like it is!!

Iowa Dale

 

[ironsight]

Hey Nuke em, i'll give you this much, you sure are hung up on FBS-2.

Agreed on the Minelab doldrums, if not already they sure are gonna be if they don't wise up and quickly do so.
The Deus and the new sprouts of European detector companies are apparently listening to detectorists and designing their hardware accordingly. What a refreshing thing!

When was the last time we seen a Minelab rep on this or other forums replying to questions or asking us, their so far loyal customers what we want in a new Minelab product? Seldom to never!

Its like the Minelab elitist management is above us pee'd-ons who only want our money. But company loyalty only goes so far.
Its like its their way or the highway is my take on their marketing philosophy.

Well i'll tell you what Minelab management, that 'highway' is looking better and better all the time!
I'm looking at buying a new detector and so far no Minelab product is in the running. And i sure ain't gonna spend $2500 on a heavier detector with GPS or water proofing (and expensive Minelab aftermarket coils) which i don't need with only marginally better raw detecting capabilities than my eTRAC.

Sorry to say Minelab, but this is my interpretation of your pathetic arrogant upper management cabal.

 

[Nuke em]

What it is about FBS is that its the most stable on the wet beach so they only have to get the rest of the machine right for me.
They sacked all the people that kept in touch with us although Des still goes on forum's including MLO but I have heard he is in the Fisher camp . Minelab's loss.

 

[JackalopeZL1]

I find it odd folks people say the etrac does not find gold?? I have had no issue with gold even small gold.

 

[screw cap junky]

I would much rather them fix the screen to make it more visible ...

amen to that. a great machine but trying to see the menu outdoors is a real pain. with the cover it's dam impossible most of the time.
and the balance needs work also.

 

[Nuke em]

If you are tall like me 6 ft get a tall mans stem and then extend it to the point where the coil meets the ground 2 feet in front of you , that's the best position for the coil , it also stop the wobble inside the stems that once used to break or weaken the cam locks.
If the contrast is set right its not too bad to see , even the CTX is bad , in fact I think worse .

I would put a bet on there being a new ET in the next year to 18 months and a new cheapie in the next year , if not then Minelab is beyond hope .
Fisher has brought out or going too 3 new machines called the F11 , F22 , F44 . With all their other machines in production there might be a few job vacancies soon

Its getting like an arms race , pity Minelab seems to have its head buried in the sand. Or is it ??

 

[sprchng]

I'd like to see an etrac II --- just give it the FBS II technology , the difference in recovery and sensitivity makes performance like night and day--- a no brainer.
Don't care about the weight but the ergonomics could be improved as the CTX proves that.

 

[Nuke em]

CTX is to heavy , too expensive to buy and to maintain in the long run , so don't want the ET 2 to be like that . A new lighter 3 piece stem or a Golden Mask 5 telescopic stem then they will have cracked it . And the FBS 2 without the GPS stuff then we might start seeing Minelab's rule the roost on UK and European detecting digs again .