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Any longtime Minelab Explorer users out there who like the F75 better?
- Thread starter NealNoIN
- Start date
Chip in Pittsburgh
New member
Hi Neal,
I've been using an explorer II since it came out. I was thinking about the SE, till I started reading about the F75. I finally took the plunge. It took a while for me as I was used to the explorer and chatter it gave. I always thought it was a busy machine, but enjoyed using it. Once I got used to the F75, there is no comparison. Depth is great and what I really like is how fast it is. With my explorer (which I still own) it would delay between hits, so often I had to hesitate and rescan so I wouldn't miss anything. With the F75 its true, it will hit three different items side by side or even overlapping and give unique signals. I think the explorer is a great machine, but for me the F75 has it hands down. Hope this helps.
I've been using an explorer II since it came out. I was thinking about the SE, till I started reading about the F75. I finally took the plunge. It took a while for me as I was used to the explorer and chatter it gave. I always thought it was a busy machine, but enjoyed using it. Once I got used to the F75, there is no comparison. Depth is great and what I really like is how fast it is. With my explorer (which I still own) it would delay between hits, so often I had to hesitate and rescan so I wouldn't miss anything. With the F75 its true, it will hit three different items side by side or even overlapping and give unique signals. I think the explorer is a great machine, but for me the F75 has it hands down. Hope this helps.
I had a T2 which is a kissing cousin of the F75. I liked the T2 a lot. My Explorer could beat it in depth on coin sized object almost all of the time. There are a few high mineralized sites I used it that it kept right with the Explorer in depth. The T2/F75 are excellent at picking out very, very small targets at excellent depths that the Explorer just won't see. In iron, I would rate them very comparable to each other with the edge going to the F75 on low conductors. The T2/F75 are extremely fast at resetting between targets. So, that aspect is definitely better than the Explorer. I really don't think there's a clear cut winner. I like both machines a lot. I sold my T2 to finance my astronomy addiction... 
I will be getting a F75 at some point here. What kind of hunting do you do?
-Bill
I will be getting a F75 at some point here. What kind of hunting do you do?-Bill
I had one instance that stands out in my mind where I was just walking across a field swing the T2 towards the area I intend to detect. We all know how strict we swing when we're doing this. Anyways, I ended up getting a quick dime hit followed by a pulltab hit. The dime ended up coming out of the same hole as the pulltab. The pulltab was about an inch away and shallower. But, the T2 still was able to reset fast enough to get them both! There's definitely no majic wand. I should say there are a few sites I put the T2 away at because it was seeing too much. The audio was just a constant chatter from the foil, etc. I am talking about those kind of sites littered with a lot of foil and lower conductors that most machines won't see that the T2/F75 can. I love my Explorer. But, the T2/F75 are the best machines to come out in a long time. The T2 wasn't the deepest in my area as I said. But, the F75 is supposed to be a tad deeper. If the F75 is deeper it will coorect one of it's shortcomings in my area. Even if it's isn't... the F75 is a great machine.
-Bill
-Bill
-Bill
-Bill
Charlie P. (NY)
New member
If you're into a foil field with the F-75 you can crank the discrimination up and cherry-pick the coins. I hunt a park that is loaded with foil and can get past it easily. I'm sure I miss a few coins, especially nickels, by doing that. But I still find nickels and much less foil so it must be doing it's job.
I have started now to try Bill's setting of a discrimination of 6 (as opposed to 45 with nickels notched back in). A lot more to listen to, but the sensitivity can be set 3X higher! Foil is "clicky" and does not return solid TID numbers. Still easy to avoid. I've even dug some just to reassure myself that is the case.
The F-75 is a whole different software "suite" than that in the T-2. It's just in the same wrapper.
I have started now to try Bill's setting of a discrimination of 6 (as opposed to 45 with nickels notched back in). A lot more to listen to, but the sensitivity can be set 3X higher! Foil is "clicky" and does not return solid TID numbers. Still easy to avoid. I've even dug some just to reassure myself that is the case.
The F-75 is a whole different software "suite" than that in the T-2. It's just in the same wrapper.
I've always been one to run with no disc or very little. So, I'm sure Bill's settings would work well for me. Cranking the disc is always an option but not one I prefer. The linear disc is something I did dislike on the T2 when I did use it. The F75's notch system remedies that problem also. The F75 may have a different software 'suite' but the underpinning and coil on the T2 impressed me enough to know I'll end up with a F75 at some point... I don't have the money at this point. But, a F75 will end up in my arsenal at some point. My other hobby takes up too much money at times...
-Bill
I don't have the money at this point. But, a F75 will end up in my arsenal at some point. My other hobby takes up too much money at times... -Bill
Mark in NC
Member
I also had a Explorer XS in the past... I did some side-by-sides on Saturday.. (not nearly enough to make any kinda claims for "dominance") However, I much prefer the F-75 for inland hunting. I admire the technology behind the Explorers, and found it to do a wonderful job at the beach in the wet sand (which the F-75 is not designed to do), but when hunting a home site, I loved the speed, depth, ID ability and separation the 75 gives me. The Explorer is deep too, but has to be worked much slower, which for my personal taste, is frustrating when you know time is limited. There also is no comparison when it comes to balance and weight..clear winner is the F-75.
Both machines are top notch in construction... durability is still sorta unknown since the F-75 is so new, but it seems very well constructed. I love the fact the lower shaft on the 75 is the same as on the old Fisher line. That makes it easy (and cheap) to have future coil/shaft setups on hand without just swapping (future) coils.
hh'n
Both machines are top notch in construction... durability is still sorta unknown since the F-75 is so new, but it seems very well constructed. I love the fact the lower shaft on the 75 is the same as on the old Fisher line. That makes it easy (and cheap) to have future coil/shaft setups on hand without just swapping (future) coils.
hh'n
Chip in Pittsburgh
New member
n/t
[quote Chip in Pittsburgh]Hi Neal,
I've been using an explorer II since it came out. I was thinking about the SE, till I started reading about the F75. I finally took the plunge. It took a while for me as I was used to the explorer and chatter it gave. I always thought it was a busy machine, but enjoyed using it. Once I got used to the F75, there is no comparison. Depth is great and what I really like is how fast it is. With my explorer (which I still own) it would delay between hits, so often I had to hesitate and rescan so I wouldn't miss anything. With the F75 its true, it will hit three different items side by side or even overlapping and give unique signals. I think the explorer is a great machine, but for me the F75 has it hands down. Hope this helps.[/quote]
Own the same machines and had pretty much identical experiences with these two machines.
Only recently did I pick up the Explorer to hit a local park for clad, after using the F75 exclusively since it came out. It REALLY shocked me how S-L-O-W the Exp II response time is!!! After whipping that F75 around and trying to keep up with IT'S quick response, I only lasted 15 minutes with the Explorer II. I know there are situations where "slow and steady" is necessary. but right now the F75 is my first choice.
Tagamet
I've been using an explorer II since it came out. I was thinking about the SE, till I started reading about the F75. I finally took the plunge. It took a while for me as I was used to the explorer and chatter it gave. I always thought it was a busy machine, but enjoyed using it. Once I got used to the F75, there is no comparison. Depth is great and what I really like is how fast it is. With my explorer (which I still own) it would delay between hits, so often I had to hesitate and rescan so I wouldn't miss anything. With the F75 its true, it will hit three different items side by side or even overlapping and give unique signals. I think the explorer is a great machine, but for me the F75 has it hands down. Hope this helps.[/quote]
Own the same machines and had pretty much identical experiences with these two machines.
Only recently did I pick up the Explorer to hit a local park for clad, after using the F75 exclusively since it came out. It REALLY shocked me how S-L-O-W the Exp II response time is!!! After whipping that F75 around and trying to keep up with IT'S quick response, I only lasted 15 minutes with the Explorer II. I know there are situations where "slow and steady" is necessary. but right now the F75 is my first choice.
Tagamet