Am I crazy?

[HaroldILL.]

I am but that is beside the point. I just sold my E-trac and ordered an Se-Pro. I have had an E-trac since they first came out,But only tried an Explorer a couple times. I always wanted to learn that silver warble that the Explorer's have. I know some say the E-trac does,But it is supposedly more pronounced on the original Explorer's. One thing though I will have to get use to multi tones as with the E-trac I only used 4 tones like my CZ'S. I used numbers mostly on the E-trac and smart screen is the way to go with Explorers. Is there any other difference's Some of you who have used both can tell about or tips? Thanks for any reply's.

 

[Hotcz70]

not after seeing you hunted in four tones

I'm a die hard cz guy myself....STILL AM...and STILL use my cz70pro quite often...so I know where you're coming from about the cz tones.

There are definitely some differences and the E-Trac users who don't use explorers any longer will say they prefer the E-Trac...because it's smoother...because its ergonomics are supposed to be better...because it MIGHT visually ID at depth better ON OCCASION....and they are RIGHT.

I am one person who uses BOTH to this day and I prefer the explorers...WHY...BECAUSE AUDIO IS KING...and NO OTHER MACHINE GIVES THE UNMISTAKEABLE SILVER "WARBLE" LIKE AN EXPLORER. My choice for which detector I prefer speaks for itself because I have an E-Trac and a ctx3030 too...but I opt for the Explorer most of the time.

Since you used the E-Trac in four tones...you have a learning curve ahead of you my friend...and that's as honest as I can be...but if you take the time to learn it...you'll make some sweet finds with it that even your cz won't hit...especially in the iron.

My best personal advice.......

.....LEAVE it in the factory preset conductive sounds settings.. while hunting in the smartfind screen for at least 5 to 10 full hunts.

Don't mess with anything for some time. Those preset settings are there for a reaon...and that reason is to help new users adapt to the language the SE speaks.

IMHO the worst thing a new explorer user can do is switch anything at all...especially switch back and forth between conductive and ferrous sounds.

That will completely change what you hear and how you hear it over deep coins....and probably confuse you at this point.

Take your time...swing very slow...and do NOT worry about anybody's settings right now. There is a crucial time frame where you have to spend some quality time with your new friend...the SE...and nobody else. That time is the first few hunts.

Pay close attention to the barrage of sounds you hear...the nulling...the instability...etc...and don't get frustrated.

ONLY 2 things I would even consider changing from the stock factory learning settings which is pretty much a coin program....

1) possibly set the iron mask at -22 on the SE while continuing to hunt in smartfind screen.

2) The only other thing I would consider changing would be to put the sensitivity in semi auto and set it at 26 which will GREATLY cut down on the falsing and chirping..

Both of those change suggestions do not even need to be made IMHO...but if you must tinker...then tinker with only those two things.

Everything else....I strongly recomend leaving alone for a few weeks...and leaving it in the factory preset settings.

Do NOT try too much too fast...just have FUN.

These Explorers are more than capable of hitting 8"+ deep coins right out of the box in the factory preset mode.

Once you have quite a few hours on it...and have familiarized yourself with the "language" it speaks...then you can start to piddle with settings if need be.

You might even decide at that point that you want to give ferrous sounds/AM a shot. That is a proven method as well.

For now though...trust me...leave it as I suggested for a few hunts...then when things start to click a little...you can start piddling and tinkering

Of all the things I get asked about through messages...this is the number one thing...and my advice never changes.

I think it's a big mistake for new users to get caught up in what other's settings are and they try too much too fast...then get discouraged and sell the Explorer.

Just take your time...enjoy...and get a "feel" for the explorer before taking big leaps...and the learning curve will lessen a bunch.

After a few weeks or 5 to 10 full hunts...whichever comes first....then start pickin' the brains of everyone on this forum for tips...suggestions...advice...settings to try...etc. This place is a wealth of knowledge and there a ton of talented hunters here who will help you in whatever way you need.

Just make sure the info the person is giving is from someone who also uses an SE since that's the Explorer you have.

True an explorer is an explorer...but then again it isn't. The SE is a little hotter than other explorers and a little more chattery too...and sometimes the cursor will react a little differently than it does on the EX2 and XS from my experience.

First rule...hunt by sound alone obviously anyway

 

[HaroldILL.]

Thanks for the reply. I guees I should have bit the bullet with the E-trac and started out in multi tones. I will stick with conductive like on the big E. And stick with the pre sets as you say except for lowering the volume gain like on my E-trac as I like the deeper coins to sound softer. That is just the way I like to hunt. Thanks again.

 

[Critterhunter]

You ain't crazy. It's a Ford Vs Chevy sort of thing with people opting for one or the other.

After owning a few Explorers, I've been exposed to the Etracs by researching settings and patterns from the heavy hitters to help setup a few friends for them. One friend in particular doesn't care for that kind of research to figure out the "best" settings while I love that sort of thing, so I was glad to help set up a few programs and discrimination patterns (or lack there of) for certain situations (a deep/clean site program and a trashier site program). I've also used the Etrac a bit in the field, and after all that I'm opting to add another Explorer back to my line up.

Again, it's a Ford Vs Chevy sort of deal, so why my choice? I feel the smart find screen on the Explorer gives me more hints and info on targets not having the 12th line compression thing (IMO, but I know some disagree on that point), and I'm also one for the better audio in particular on silver. Some say the target conductivity ID is a little better on the Etrac at depth, but that's the last thing I look at on a detector when checking out a target and not my final decision on digging anyway regardless of what it says. If the audio tells me to dig then I'm digging, but it is nice to see that cross hair click around on the Explorer in that certain special way to give me a few potential clues to what the target might be, and give me an extra bit of enthusiasm on something the audio already convinced me to dig.

 

[EladSwerdna]

Yes, I think you are crazy. I used to have an E-Trac but had to sell it cause I was desperate for money. I ended up buying an SE Pro to replace it, but only because it was all I could afford.

In my opinion, and because I have experienced both machines, I feel the E-Trac is far better at taraget ID and has a slightly faster response time.

Bottom line: I miss my E-Trac and you should have asked us before you went crazy!!

 

[Elton]

Bryce gives solid a-1 advice you can count on to help you get going in the right direction..

 

[deeponedge]

I have and still use my etrac too.
I think my explorer's target ID is better at sound than my etrac.
I don't even run my "fast" on because I like the sound better off.
I like my etrac but I love my explorer and what it finds me.
Don't worry about feeling "crazy" bud. Just enjoy your new detector and have fun.

 

[EladSwerdna]

Yeah, now that I think about it, my Ex SE Pro has been really good to me. I've only had it for like 6 months and I've found some pretty amazing stuff with it.

I do love it, and I am sure you will too. Just make sure you share all your finds here with us!

 

[silverfix]

I might be considered crazy as much as I love this sport we call a hobby. Whatever you choose to swing will bring enjoyment.