Are The Etrac's and FBS days numbered?

[anton]

Hi All ..The reason i ask this, is because i had to get a repair done on my backup explorer se, and found,sadly, that just recently, Minelab has placed the explorer se on the 'obsolete' list (meaning,no further support and parts may or may not be able to be sourced and repairs would mean it would be more viable to buy a new machine)..luckily, i managed to get a new faceplate for my se..Anyway,i have to admit, the SE had a good run from 2006 to 2014..having just upgraded to an etrac ( a move i should have done years ago), im worried that the etrac wont be far behind...Now, seeing the Etrac is the last ' officially' supported Fbs 1 machine, what do you think the next evoution is going to be? i personally love FBS 1, because of the coil choices..many of us have more invested in coils than the machine,because the selection is good..The thing that turned me off on the ctx (and many people i know) was the LACK of coil options.So do you guys think we may see a fabled "etrac 2" or will minelab abandon the venerable FBS 1 and excellent coil selection and ' force us to fbs 2 or (yuck) vflex tech?..luckily i have a decent selection of coils from my Se,but im hesitant about further purchases...interesting times ahead, i suppose,even the ctx is four now,gee how time flies when your having fun !

 

[IDXMonster]

MSR service across the pond fixes them. I think there's a place here in the US that does also. I am buying a backup EX2 to my current EX2 just to have it handy if I have to send my main one away somewhere. I think with proper care and using it as gently as possible extends ANYTHINGS life,that will be key. There's enough good ones running around that the guys who like the FBS will be able to find one used,no doubt. I don't know what the production numbers are but between all the Explorers and etrac there must be buckets of them out there. As far as getting YOURS fixed if needed,there is still an avenue for that too. We're not out of machines yet!

 

[GroundScanner]

Call Kellyco, they may have a answer for you . I think but not sure they fix them. GL, GS

 

[anton]

MSR service across the pond fixes them. I think there's a place here in the US that does also. I am buying a backup EX2 to my current EX2 just to have it handy if I have to send my main one away somewhere. I think with proper care and using it as gently as possible extends ANYTHINGS life,that will be key. There's enough good ones running around that the guys who like the FBS will be able to find one used,no doubt. I don't know what the production numbers are but between all the Explorers and etrac there must be buckets of them out there. As far as getting YOURS fixed if needed,there is still an avenue for that too. We're not out of machines yet!

i agree with those sentiments, and number of machines out there..yes , i managed to fix my se thru minelab australia..obviously(i hope) when the etrac reaches it end of life,there will be options to have them repaired by non minelab sources...i,d like to think that the etrac may get another lease of life (continuing with fbs 1) similar to the explorer line (lol, minelab milked that for all it was worth )..

 

[treasure_hunter]

Hi All ..The reason i ask this, is because i had to get a repair done on my backup explorer se, and found,sadly, that just recently, Minelab has placed the explorer se on the 'obsolete' list (meaning,no further support and parts may or may not be able to be sourced and repairs would mean it would be more viable to buy a new machine)..luckily, i managed to get a new faceplate for my se..Anyway,i have to admit, the SE had a good run from 2006 to 2014..having just upgraded to an etrac ( a move i should have done years ago), im worried that the etrac wont be far behind...Now, seeing the Etrac is the last ' officially' supported Fbs 1 machine, what do you think the next evoution is going to be? i personally love FBS 1, because of the coil choices..many of us have more invested in coils than the machine,because the selection is good..The thing that turned me off on the ctx (and many people i know) was the LACK of coil options.So do you guys think we may see a fabled "etrac 2" or will minelab abandon the venerable FBS 1 and excellent coil selection and ' force us to fbs 2 or (yuck) vflex tech?..luckily i have a decent selection of coils from my Se,but im hesitant about further purchases...interesting times ahead, i suppose,even the ctx is four now,gee how time flies when your having fun !

Minelab repair center at Kellyco is still repairing most issues on the Explorer SE, Minelab still supports the SE Pro and many parts are interchangeable.....

 

[ironsight]

The eTRAC is still listed on the Minelab website as of a couple weeks ago when i last checked it. When Minelab officially obsoletes the eTRAC they still have to legally honor any outstanding warranty periods. Absolute worst case, eTRAC support would be a minimum of 3 yrs. after the official obsolete date though it'd be considerably much much longer due to unsold new eTRACs worldwide still in inventories.
Case in point, to my disappointment, while restoring my old Jeep last Summer, i was told Chrysler is legally mandated to make replacement parts available for a minimum of 7 years after the model's production obsolete date. Not sure if this applies to all U.S. automakers.

I wouldn't worry about Minelab support for the eTRAC at least for the foreseeable future. My guess, the eTRAC is still making a sh_t load of money for Minelab.

Far as 3rd party support, that will last only until spare Printed Circuit Boards and other proprietary parts run out. However, if Minelab releases its firmware code to the public domain that might be a different story as new printed circuit boards could legally be built by 3rd party companies. Doubt that would happen as Minelab would want people to buy their latest greatest detector instead of decades old rebuilt eTRACs still beeping around making zero money for Minelab.

 

[nalc472]

All Minelab need to do is make a e-trac2 with color screen, little faster processor, little lighter, waterproof and boom, sales go up up up. Whites is doing something like that with the new MX Sport that is coming out. Just a redo of what is good about the MXT. Minelab could do the same.

 

[mascard1]

you can get a face plate for explorer !!.....does not say explorer on it........for around 70.00....Easy to fix them!....If the touch pad buttons mess up....!

 

[IDXMonster]

you can get a face plate for explorer !!.....does not say explorer on it........for around 70.00....Easy to fix them!....If the touch pad buttons mess up....!

Good to know! I'll spend 70 bucks every couple years if that's what it takes! Love my Explorer....

 

[masterjedi]

All Minelab need to do is make a e-trac2 with color screen, little faster processor, little lighter, waterproof and boom, sales go up up up. Whites is doing something like that with the new MX Sport that is coming out. Just a redo of what is good about the MXT. Minelab could do the same.

The price would also go up and up. Heck I don't want everyone to have an eTrac, you eTrac users know what I mean.. And they already made this machine you describe. It is the CTX 3030...

 

[Sand dog]

I would love to see an explorer in an mx sport kinda housing for $1000. Or so. Just saying.

 

[nalc472]

If everybody knew the power of the e-trac there would be no coins left. lol.

 

[earthmansurfer]

All Minelab need to do is make a e-trac2 with color screen, little faster processor, little lighter, waterproof and boom, sales go up up up. Whites is doing something like that with the new MX Sport that is coming out. Just a redo of what is good about the MXT. Minelab could do the same.

And we have essentially been asking for years. I loved the CTX, as do most, but the weight is up there, though the balance is good. I don't want to wear a swingy thingy.
Minelab, just make a nice light FBS machine that goes a bit deeper, is water resistant, you will have a best seller on your hands.

 

[D&P-OR]

RIGHT!!!

If everybody knew the power of the e-trac there would be no coins left. lol.

 

[ducktrapper]

According to Amazon, the Etrac is already "obsolete"?

 

[nge]

n/t

 

[UtahRich]

It's days are numbered as are all other detectors. Not sure where that day will fall on the calendar for me. For some it will be when they are not longer sold. For others when it breaks and Minelab or others no longer repair them. If you look on the Detector For Sale Forum or e-bay, you will see that various models of Sovereigns come up For Sale Once in a while. I had an Explorer XS for a very long time before I moved to the e-trac. I think the e-trac out performs the Explorer XS, however, to somebody else a less expensive used FBS machine may be just what they need for occasional hunting.

Rich (Utah)