about whites v3i and e-trac

[cypearl]

I have just read the compares at kellyco about whites v3i and minelab e-trac and its saying that the e-trac uses 28 frequencies and v3i only 3. Could somebody tell me please what does that mean? because I am on the thought which one im going to buy? thanks.

 

[Rob (IL)]

Unlike Whites who tell you exactly how he V3i works, The ETrac is a guess and they don't tell. They are not operating ON 28 frequencies. There are many opinions, check the Minelab forum.

 

[gilfordberry]

I could be 100% wrong about this, but as an ex-techie I think I have an idea about how these machines work. First, both use oscillators to generate specific frequencies. These "pilot" frequencies are then fed to amplifiers or frequency multipliers so that harmonics of the original frequency are added. Whites uses 2.5, 7.5, and 22.5 KHZ for the V3i. If you will notice, 7.5 is the third harmonic of the base 2.5 frequency and 22.5 is the third harmonic of the 7.5 KHZ frequency. These three frequencies are available to be sent to the transmit coil (individually or all three at once). Minelab uses similar circuits to generate multiple frequencies...in their case they claim 28 separate frequencies - but I'm sure they are all harmonically related to one or two base frequencies. The different transmit frequencies tend to stimulate targets more or less depending on how close the transmit frequency is "tuned" to the target. Of course, having 28 different frequencies sounds a lot better than three....but that isn't the real story...any time you mix two or more different signals in your transmit coil MANY separate frequencies are generated. In Whites case not only 2.5, 7.5, and 22.5 KHZ, but 10 KHZ (2.5+7.5) 25 KHZ (22.5+2.5) 30 KHZ (22.5+7.5) 15 KHZ (22.5-7.5) etc. etc. etc. As you can see, how many frequencies is kinda like arguing about how many angels can dance on the head of a pin. The big difference between the V3i and the Minelab, though is that the V3 has three separate circuits to analyze the response to each of their three main transmit frequencies individually while the Minelab processes whatever signals the receive coil picks up through a broadband amplifier (one circuit to look at all responses). Both systems are fully functional and both machines are state of the art. IMHO, though, the ability to see how the three different frequencies from the White's machine produce different VDI information and/or signal strength from the target is a big plus. You know what I mean if you are aware that a quarter response (VDI of 82 or so) that doesn't hit hardest on the 2.5KHZ frequency is NOT a quarter........

 

[cypearl]

you know i got the chance to get e-trac for about $400 cheaper than v3i but i realy want to get at beach something more valuable like gold ring or similar because i live near beach, except the coins ofcourse, which from both machines would you recommend?

 

[BIG G]

WOW,fantastic info gilfordberry,and in laymans terms Even i can understand.

 

[burlbark]

you know i got the chance to get e-trac for about $400 cheaper than v3i but i realy want to get at beach something more valuable like gold ring or similar because i live near beach, except the coins ofcourse, which from both machines would you recommend?

If you like finding gold rings than get the v3i... If you like distinguishing between bottle gaps and quarters get the v3i.... If you like the best customer service in the business get the v3i....

If the reason is price than save for a little while longer and shop around.

 

[cypearl]

-- moved topic --

 

[Bill_S]

I have used both detectors. I would go for the Etrac. Yes you can distinguish bottle caps from quarters with the V3i but the etrac will not false on them like the V3i will. So you will not even know they are there but on the V3i they will sound like a good target until you pinpoint them and see the dominant frequency. The V3i will also call iron good targets in the pinpoint mode. Many times I got signals and even when pinpointing the green was the dominant frequency and the target still turned out to be iron. Maybe I did not understand but I didnt think iron was supposed to do that.To me and in my area the etrac is deeper more stable and has a better target id. As far as customer service I have never had to use Minelabs because I have never had a problem with one. Yes whites does have excellent customer service.

 

[Blank Planet]

every detector has its good and not so good points only way i have found if i like a certain detector is to try it for a good 100hrs before i even think about whether i like it or not and really i don't think i have used one i don't like just like some better than others they all find stuff and depending on what i am looking for some work better than others.

i don't understand why people need to push the detector they use i use a etrac and several others, i do not own a V3I but that doesn't mean a V3I is no good if you like the sound of the V3I then buy one you may love it

if i thought one stood out way better than the others i would say don't buy it more stuff for me

gilfordberry thanks for that very good info as well/

BP

 

[Neil in West Jersey]

Last year I did a field test comaprison between the Minelab E-trac & the White's V3i on small gold targets. You can read the full report on my site by clicking here:

Since I published that I have spent a lot of time in the field comparing my V3i with E-tracs used by many of my detecting buddies. We are always comparing signals and the results are always consistant on small gold, buttons, etc. This is where the V3i excels. I will also add that it is not always an advantage. Digging down 5 or 6 inches for a tiny target that the e-trac missed takes time. Sometimes finding the tiny gold piece in the dirt pile is hardly worth the effort!

On Friday I met up with a friend using an e-trac and got a tiny signal that was fairly deep. At first the e-trac did not detect it, but with the Iron Mask on it was able to detect what he described as a "junk signal". My V3i was jumping from junk to mid range, but I was fairly certain it was a target worth digging. 5.5 inches down was a tiny button!

The V3i is also great at telling a bottle cap from a coin because it analyses the signal in three frequencies.

 

[Altamaha]

I have the E-trac and the V3i and love both of them. If I only have one shot at hunting a site then I take the E-trac. If I have access to a site for a longer period/multiple times then I take the V3i a lot of the time and sometime I take both. I feel that the E-trac is easier to deal with in iron infested sites. When it comes to depth the E-trac has nothing on the V3i (it goes deeeep), and especially on those small targets. When I want to look for gold Jewelery I take the V3i. For versatility and the ability to customize, it's definitely the V3i, and I just love the high definition color display and wireless headphones (wish the E-trac had these). The V3i has a longer learning curve than the E-trac, but when you get the hang of it wow, what a fun machine to use! Both of these machines are great performers when you learn how to use them, but remember that they are two totally different animals!

 

[5900_XL-1]

I have used both detectors. I would go for the Etrac. Yes you can distinguish bottle caps from quarters with the V3i but the etrac will not false on them like the V3i will. So you will not even know they are there but on the V3i they will sound like a good target until you pinpoint them and see the dominant frequency. The V3i will also call iron good targets in the pinpoint mode. Many times I got signals and even when pinpointing the green was the dominant frequency and the target still turned out to be iron. Maybe I did not understand but I didnt think iron was supposed to do that.To me and in my area the etrac is deeper more stable and has a better target id. As far as customer service I have never had to use Minelabs because I have never had a problem with one. Yes whites does have excellent customer service.

"The V3i will also call iron good targets in the pinpoint mode. Many times I got signals and even when pinpointing the green was the dominant frequency and the target still turned out to be iron." Maybe I did not understand but I didnt think iron was supposed to do that."

That screws with me also. martin

 

[Larry (IL)]

Iron wrap is common on all detectors that I am familiar with, even the ET. You can't say that you have never dug some nails thinking they were good targets.........

 

[Larry (IL)]

That is a good analogy of the two detectors, I have the V3i and SE Pro and that is how I use my two.

 

[Critterhunter]

The proof is in the finds. Browse through the Minelab forums and then browse through the Whites forums. I could get into a long winded message about why I prefer Minelabs but that's all that needs to be said about it. You can debate whether Minelabs are using a "true" multifrequency, but the proof is in those finds as to what works better. After owning many machines including 3 Explorers I went to a Sovereign GT, which is using "older" Minelab multifrequency technology. Still, *in my soil* I've never used a deeper detector.

The Whites will hit harder on tiny jewlery, though...But I'm after gold rings and old coins, and in that case there is nothing like a Minelab. If you are after tiny stuff then get the Whites. If you are after everything else then get a Minelab. Plain and simple. Being sensitive to tiny things can be a drawback. My Tesoros were and it made them very noisy hitting on all the little flakes of tinfoil and such in the ground. Just be aware of what you are in for if you want that tiny target sensitivity. On the other hand, I've dug shoe lace grommets with my GT at depths that you would not believe if I told you.

 

[hershey1]

When I am hunting relics using the relic mode if you edit out 1-38 the iron wrap around will not be a problem. HH One of my sons does very well with his V3i and we compare targets often and both machines are more than capable of finding deep targets. So whatever machine you decide on you will not be dissappointed.

 

[williamsingr]

Make sure your using a V rated coil on your V3i or you will lose power and start to miss targets. If you want real deep go with the 12 inch coil, if your in heavy mineralized soil the V3i smokes minelab and garrett both but hey dont listen to me check the reviews of all the pros especially the ones going to the U.K. and ask them which machine they leave behind in the closet.

 

[Bill_S]

if your in heavy mineralized soil the V3i smokes minelab

I don't think this is the case. Earthmansurfer had just the opposite results. He is in Germany and has some pretty bad ground from what I can tell. The Erac will go a lot deeper than the V3i in his soil. The V3i I had did go deep but the TID was real jumpy.

 

[Critterhunter]

I agree, nothing compares to a Minelab in being able to hand various forms of mineralized ground. In my mineralized soil my Whites were lucky to get 7 or 7 & 1/2" on a silver dime in the best of locations. In fact, nothing I've used in my soil was able to break that depth barrier until I got a Minelab. Funny thing is my Explorers didn't get as deep for me *in my soil* than my Sovereign GT does. Something about the differences between BBS and FBS technology must make BBS better in my soil. Maybe it's because BBS concentrates on the "lower" frequencies from 1.5 to 27khz, while FBS machines go from 1.5 to 100khz. As many know, lower frequencies tend to penetrate ground minerals better while higher ones tend to reflect off it. Even still, the Sovereign still has plenty high enough frequencies to hit hard on gold and other low conductivity targets, while still of course having the good low frequencies to hit hard on deep silver and copper.

Also, the Whites takes MUCH more effort to adjust for ground conditions, while thanks to BBS and FBS multifrequency technology the Minelabs require no such adjustments to perform at peak performance.

 

[Larry (IL)]

Once again we have to shut down a "mine is better than yours" thread........... grow up guys.