Any Explorer uses try the Makro or Notka detectors?

[Chris(SoCenWI)]

As most/many of you know the explorers found incredible amounts of coins in previously "hunted out" sites. I'm sure there is still many more coins to be found in these sites that are still masked by iron or other trash.

I started with the XS, bought a F-75 that was supposed to be faster, and then a CTX 3030. I still mainly swing the XS. The CTX has the ability to see commingled iron/coin targets perpendicular to the center web, but for some reason only in target trace, no audio response. From what I'm seeing on differing videos, the Makros and Notka do give a response.

Has anyone from the FBS camp tried either?

Chris

 

[Davethejunky]

I have an Explorer XS and I can say the 2 are close in depth, but the Racer will separate much better. I usually grab the Racer when hunting but if I feel like using the Explorer I will use that till my arm hurts or I hit a really trashy spot then out comes the Racer. Its really hard to love just one of those machines because they are so good but I think the Racer has the edge for the weight, speed, and separation.

 

[Chris(SoCenWI)]

Hey Dave,

The videos I saw were quite impressive, just wondering how many people that were fluent with their explorers found a lot more with the new machines in worked out areas.

Is there anything that the Explorer still does better?

Chris

 

[Davethejunky]

I think the main (And hardest) thing with those who have used Explorers for years is to learn the new sounds. Once you are so used to one detector, it's hard to loosen that bias and give the new detector a fair try. As for finding things in worked out sites with the Racer, all you need to do put on the OOR coil, keep ID filter to preset or lower, turn gain down to 50 in iron infested areas and listen. You will find stuff that will amaze you, even if it's junk that reads like a coin. You will ask yourself, "How the hell did this get missed?" And those kind of junk targets I love, it shows your detector is doing it's job.

I have found some very deep coins with my Racer as well as shallow coins among tons of iron in places where Explorer was king. The secret to the Racer in heavy trash is the OOR and low gain, I don't think the Explorer can touch the Racer in heavy trash even with the same size small coil.

 

[petew]

I have been through a hundred single frequency machines trying to get one that will compete with a fbs unit.My opinion,it don't exist. The closest I've found was Russian machine,and it was not near as good as a fbs.The op asked about makro,I just sold a racer,and I'd be lying if I told you it lived upto the video hype.My soil is good,and its way too sparky to even figure out.
I wouldn't trade a fbs for 5 racers,fbs just works without even trying.No offense to makro owners.

 

[Davethejunky]

I have been through a hundred single frequency machines trying to get one that will compete with a fbs unit.My opinion,it don't exist. The closest I've found was Russian machine,and it was not near as good as a fbs.The op asked about makro,I just sold a racer,and I'd be lying if I told you it lived upto the video hype.My soil is good,and its way too sparky to even figure out.
I wouldn't trade a fbs for 5 racers,fbs just works without even trying.No offense to makro owners.

I have used the XS for years and know it well... Very well. Like I said earlier, the Racer is very close to the XS, a hunting buddy and I were at well pounded park with only DEEEEEEEP coins left. I had the Racer and wouldn't have taken it with if I didn't have a little faith in it. He was finding deep Barber dimes and IH pennies and I hadn't found anything. Then I got a very faint, high tone no number signal and had him go over it, he was getting a low tone. I dug maybe 10 inches and put my probe in the hole and nothing, I swept the pile and got a hit and pushed the dirt around until a 1857 half dime showed itself. He went over the hole again with the XS and got a low tone again, I got nothing.

20 min later the same thing but he got a good reading too, turned out to be a Cyrus Mccormic token the size of a half dollar a foot deep or better.

I have spent many hours learning the Racer, leaving other detectors at home forcing myself to use it and learn it. I love the Racer and take no offence, but remember, many many people said the XS sucked and was a lot of hype too. The last good detector minelab made was the XS period.

 

[Sweeping-4-junk]

I have used an explorer ror 10 years. My main machine these days is the Makro Racer. I still own the Explorer and would never sell it. The Makro does find high a quantity of coins on just about any site where people have been. I can say it finds coins very fast and it finds coins in the iron and foil and other trash . I don't dig much rubbish with the racer either. I have all 4 coils for the racer. Ther 10 x 5.5 is my favourite coil .. for the price the racer will easily compete with 2 k minelabs! .. Not bad...

 

[Southwind]

My personal thoughts, and experience, is I wouldn't trade my E-Trac for a create Racers. Never tried a Notka so I can't comment.

 

[Ringzapper]

I can't agree with that. I personally find the Racer seems to work better amongst iron than Explorer. I think the Explorer Is Totally Superb for cherry picking certain coins on coin shooting sites , the digital dual display of F and C numbers is so accurate at picking certain coins out once you know the numbers , on our iron infested sites sites the Racer seems to be sharp and strong on small silvers as small as your little finger nail..