Best smaller coil for the ETRAC?

[RetiredVeteranTH]

Any advice?

 

[Cutaplug]

I own a 6x8 SEF butterfly coil and it does really well in trashy areas. It's just big enought to get some coverage but really seperates out the good targets from trash. I've also heard great things about the sunray x-5. Just getting ready to put up a video from a few days ago of me using the 6x8 in a trashy area so you might check it out. You won't go wrong with either of these coils...

 

[fsdigital12]

What he said. 8x6 set or x5

 

[RetiredVeteranTH]

Thanks, that was what I was thinking(those two coils), have to keep an eye out for the 6x8 SEF, maybe a good used one. I want to hunt parks so would like to get around the trash a little.

 

[khouse]

I have good luck with the Minelab 800 coil. It actually measures 7.25 inches round and is a DD coil.

 

[Sailorman]

A guy on another forum found the only small coil that would hit a dime on edge between two nails was a 4.5 x 7 Accelerator. I have an X-5 and it's pretty good but I'd also love to give that one a try!

 

[Sooper Dave]

I have the 8X6 SEF and the X-5 and I like them both. Both are great coils for trash. I have read good things about all the small coils for the Etrac. The SEF is hard to get your hands on but you should be able to pick up one used.

 

[Goes4ever]

I vote for the 6x8

 

[jmt48]

The coiltek "joey" for the etrac is awesome...it's not water proof but if you're in a dry area it's great, and it pinpoints very accurately.

 

[dk dogs]

I am also thinking of a smaller coil for next year. I think my buddy just got the X-5. I considering both options and will have to do some more research before I decide. Can someone post the pros and cons to either listed above?
Thanks

 

[Idaho PRB]

I have both the 8X6 SEF and the Sunray 5. The SEF is pretty much my most used coil. I like the fact that it is a nice compromise between a large coil and a truly small coil. I once found a Mercury Dime at 9" with it, so under ideal conditions, it's pretty darn deep. The Sunray 5 is a "Closed Design" so it doesn't snag on brush like the SEF and fits better in between and around obstructions. I always have both on the trip, with lower rods connected so I can switch quickly as the site determines.
That's my opinion.

 

[Bill M]

6 X 8 butterfly

 

[Joe Diggerall]

Dixie Normus has a 10"

Kidding.

Have dug a 7" deep silver dime with the sunray5" Don't have anything to compare it to tho.

 

[ryanchappell]

A guy on another forum found the only small coil that would hit a dime on edge between two nails was a 4.5 x 7 Excelerator. I have an X-5 and it's pretty good but I'd also love to give that one a try!

Do they make it for the E-Trac? Did he try a 8x6 SEF? I guess the 4.5" width might make the detection swipe smaller on the Excelerator.

I think the OP will get more use out of an 8x6 than the 5". It would be nice to have both, so you could go back over your shallow junky sites with the 5" after hunting thoroughly with a 8x6.

 

[Sailorman]

I think he tested every small coil there is! Yes, the coil is made for the Etrac but I also hear they can be on back order as the manufacturer has trouble meeting demand. I'd like to get my hands on one. I do like my X-5 in the junk though!

 

[Big Boys Hobbies]

Sun ray x-5 is my pick every time!

 

[EOS]

The baby-SEF 6x8 stays on my Etrac 90% of the time.
Its deep, good enough coverage, light and well build .

Mike

 

[Phillip_in_NM]

I read every post I see regarding smaller coils for the Etrac and I can't understand why there aren't many more people swearing by the 4.5x7 Excelerator. I use it about 95% of the time and absolutely love it. I bought a 6x8 SEF because of all the great things I had heard about it. I really tried to make myself love it, but after having the open coil catch on every rock, every clump of grass and every bit of stubble, I gave up. None of those problems with the 4.5x7 plus I can't tell any difference in depth or stability. The 6x8 might be great on lawns or the beach, but in the desert ghost towns where I typically detect the open coil is just an absolute pain in the neck.

So my vote is for the 4.5x7.

 

[E-Trac-Ohio]

This question has been asked by many people - many times - for a good reason.
I read every post and review available on small coils before I finally purchased one - there's a lot of forum members here with decades of experience in the field!
Here's a link to Bryce's ( the moderator of the Minelab Explorer forum ) field tests on different coils - this will answer all of your questions - there's a ton of great info. here !
http://www.findmall.com/read.php?19,1055627,1055627#msg-1055627

I decided to buy a 6" Excellerator coil two years ago - I agree 100% with what "Phillip_in_NM" posted above about open spoked coils like the 6 x 8 SEF hanging up on brush stubble and other objects .Open spoked coils are a nightmare to use in overgrown areas. Closed coils get around these areas much easier.
I've used the 6" Excellerator coils for over 1000 hrs. now ... it's amazing ! No hangups - great depth ( 8" dimes) - great separation in iron and it pinpoints like a laser !

Last Summer I went back to hunt the site of a Civil War era church - this church was torn down in the 1920's and the area was very overgrown.
The 6" coil found ( 7 ) 1800's coins (including a 1837 Capped Bust Half Dime) that I missed on the first hunt with10 x 12 SEF coil.
No lie - there were an average of 5 to10 (or more) old nails and other pieces of junk metal in each of the holes that the coins came out of !

From what I've learned so far about using small coils in junkie areas ...
swing very low and very slow - hunt the same area several times coming in from different angles - if there are any good targets in the junk - there's a good chance you'll find them !.

As far as the 6 x 8 SEF coil goes - this coil has a fantastic reputation.
Because of it's 8" coverage - many people seem to be using this coil as there primary go to coil for every day use - I plan on buying one soon and using it for most of my hunting.
The 6 x 8 covers 25% more ground than the 6" coil, goes deep and weighs one ounce less than the stock 11" Pro coil.
From everything I've read ... this coil seems to offer good area coverage, it's great in trashy areas and many people believe it will hit as deep ( or very close to ) the stock 11" Pro coil.

Good Luck !

 

[Jeff63]

Congradulations !!! Bart ,You did me well now if Minelab would let you sell the SEF coils since we can't get them from Kellyco most of the time then I'm ready to give you somemore of my money. I do use and like my X5, I'll back you up on the X5 anyday.