2nd Machine ?

[pescadore]

Had a question for die-hard E-trac users. I love my E-trac and have done really well with it so far but I am kinda missing my fast response quick park hunt machine. I was curious how many E-trac users also keep a fast response machine in their arsenal for a quick hunt that you are just trying to find as many coins as you can. I love finding silver but I also get a kick out of just going to newer parks every now and then and raking in as much clad as I can find and maybe a silver ring or two. I have had several other machines that are better at that type of hunt than the E-trac in my opinion. I sold my X-terra 705 to be able to afford the E-trac and it was a fairly fast machine but even it was not as fast as some others. I am thinking about getting a fast machine as a backup and quick hunt machine and was just wanting some opinions. I have also participated in some competition hunts and may get back into that if I get another detector. I still am a silver hunter at heart but sometimes a change is nice.

 

[Critterhunter]

I'm thinking along the same lines. A faster machine as a backup to my Minelabs for days I'm just in the mood to swing faster, do a fast clad hunt, or have less chance of missing targets in heavy trash with a bit faster swing, without having to crawl as slowly through it as much.. Also want a backup faster machine for fast scouting through the woods looking for areas of activity, as often I can go for long periods of time before starting to hit signals. After I clean out the spot I can come back with my Minelab to find the deeper stuff and such. So, my thinking is an At Pro. Great price for one, and also the added perk of being able to go neck deep while water hunting instead of just belly button deep with my land machine chest mounted. Another perk is it'd be handy on rainy days for land hunts.

That's my line of thinking for a backup to my Minelab. Might as well kill two birds with one stone by it being a land/water machine with full function LCD screen so it's just as at home on land as in water. And, it's not heavy so the land hunts are just as comfortable as water hunting with it.

I've seen some guys pull some impressive silver out of iron with that thing. We all know Minelabs are very good at finding coins in iron, but just the same there are days when you'd like to do that but not have to crawl through the area quite as slow as you have to with other machines.

I've been toying with the T2SE or F75LTD as well for a faster backup machine. I wouldn't have the water hunting ability of the AT Pro, but I've heard of guys getting some Minelab-like depth with those machines in certain grounds that aren't too mineralized at least for some people. Only problem is I hear is that in the wrong kind of ground they can be somewhat unstable, and also that they are prone to EMI problems. I've got a friend who's offered to let me borrow his F75LTD so I plan to see well it does in my soil before making any kind of move on that, but all three of these machines are the ones I've been thinking about complimenting my Minelab with on certain days. Just not sure which one yet.

You might look into the T2's little brother the Omega as well. I hear some good things about those too for a faster machine.

 

[E-TREC-Virginia]

Well, one of the fastest machines out there is an XP Deus. It would be perfect for that type of hunting. A little expensive for a backup machine though.

 

[pescadore]

Glad I'm not alone. I've seen a couple of deals on the classifieds that were interesting for different detectors. Since I already shelled out $1000+ for my E-trac and extra coils, I have to get something less expensive. I probably will try to find a good deal on a Troy Shadow X-3. I have had a couple of them and they are excellent competition and coin machines. No display but have switches you can use for discrimination if you choose.

 

[Bill_S]

Like critter said, Omegas are good for what you are describing and can be bought for a good price if you look around.

 

[morelic55]

Hands down the best "Other" detector you will find as a all around coin & relic machine. I use mine with the DD coils and it is great for any type of hunting. I tried the AT Pro and it is "Ok" but still not in the same class as the Minelab.............MO

 

[elki1052]

I have a T2 SE that I use just for that. fast (if I should said to fast for me) and deep as well.
It is My wife primery machine but when she is not hunting I use it to scout new areas and get a lot of clud,
HH.

 

[burlbark]

My 2nd machine is an etrac and my 1st machine is a v3i. Depending on conditions this can go either way. The v3i is exceptional in trashy areas with super fast recovery and laser pinpointing. It suffers a little in depth in mineralized soil. They both cant see a quarter in my yard at more than 9". The etrac is going up for sale soon...

 

[khouse]

I have a XT305 that complements the Etrac. I figured why buy a top of the line 705 when I have a top of the line machine..... ? The 305 has all you need - Ground balance, volume control, 2 frequency capable, noise cancel etc..... Plus the price is right. Used ones aren't much more than $200

 

[morelic55]

I have a XT305 that complements the Etrac. I figured why buy a top of the line 705 when I have a top of the line machine..... ? The 305 has all you need - Ground balance, volume control, 2 frequency capable, noise cancel etc..... Plus the price is right. Used ones aren't much more than $200

Good point, Combine the 305 with the 10.5 DD coil and the performance is almost the same as the 70/705 platform. However the 305 will not use the 3kHz, but heh, that's what the ET is for. People swear the 3kHz coil is hot on silver....MO

 

[DigginDoc]

I use a 705 but also an older Tesoro Eldorado with a big foot coil for coin hunting. I save the E Trac for old parks because our newer coins up here are so poor.
Cheers
Doc

 

[khouse]

I have to tell ya. The stock medium 7.5 kHz hits silver great too. I think a back secondary machine should be light weight and cheap enough to throw it around some. I mean you can loan it out without worring about it too. I find the 305 to be perfect for tot lots, vb courts and heck just a fun simple powerful machine to change up the pace.. The other thing is it has a modulated response too. All for a reasonable price.

 

[pescadore]

Thanks for all the advice, I have decided to put an AT Pro on layaway since it will double as a water machine or foul weather machine. I got the 2 coil pack so I will have the smaller coil for trashy areas and quick park hunts. I used an AT Pro after I sold my 705 prior to getting the E-trac for a couple of weeks and was pretty impressed with it. I think it will serve my purpose well, now I just have to pay for it !!!

 

[khouse]

That's a good choice too. Good luck with your machines.

 

[EOS]

E-trac and a XP Deus must be the perfect
combination.
Expensive yes, but it depends on how much you like detecting.

People tell me go for a Deus instead of Etrac.
It might be

 

[Sailorman]

I have an AT-Pro as my second machine. Very happy with the combination, especially as I have both DD coils and the little sniper coil. It's good where the Etrac isn't and the waterproof feature means it goes wading as well. You'll like that combination I bet!