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Big jump to CTX or baby steps?

J

JonS

New member
I purchased a garbage metal detector several years ago and quickly became disinterested in the hobby. More recently I purchased a Tesoro Compadre to see if I'd have better luck and was hooked after finding a silver quarter the first night. Ironically, I've pulled nearly $10 in coins out of my front yard as well as 3 silver coins and there is a lot more dirt to search. I've been hitting parks, friends houses, and some older lots in the area.

I realize that although the Compadre is certainly a capable machine; I'm definitely losing some things that some higher end machines would help me find especially in trashy areas (which is where the Compadres simple feature set seems to really struggle). I've done enough hunting that I know I'll stick with this hobby and I feel that I'm ready to make the leap to a more feature-rich machine. I'm fortunate in the sense that I do have the money to purchase what I want without worrying that I can't feed my kids.

I've read quite a bit specifically about Tesoro's higher end machines (which seem to be 'mid-range' compared to the rest of the pack) and am finding most of my interest towards the CTX, Etrac, and Deus. To those of you that own the CTX; is the jump from the Compadre to the CTX too high of a hill to climb? Am I better suited to moving towards something like an Etrac or something else at half or even a smaller fraction of the cost? I realize there is a learning curve to any machine but I'm just wondering if those that are more experienced think this jump is too big. Did anyone start with the CTX or Etrac and if so what words of wisdom would you have.

I think this is my first post. Much appreciation to everyone for reading my story and answering my questions.

Jon
 
If you have the money for a CTX, I don't think you would be sorry for getting it. What an incredible detector.
 
I agree with Larry. Making the purchase is the biggest hurdle with the CTX. I personally think that all Minelabs are relatively easy "pick-up-and-go" machines. I think that any newcomer could pick up a CTX, turn it on in the stock coin mode, and then go straight out and find the good stuff without making a single change. I am a serial "tweaker" of settings but I know a guy that only hunts in the preset programs and he does GREAT (and I mean great) with his machine. Although tweaking might get you that slight edge, I think the much more important aspect of detecting is researching your spots and swinging your coil over something good. The CTX in its stock programs will let you know if there is good stuff under it, thats proven and a sure thing.

If I were you, I would go for it. The CTX will be a machine for you to grow into and should provide for a long-term platform. -Marc
 
It would be up to your billfold as to which Minelab you can afford or wish to have. I would suggest the CTX 3030, Etrac or the SE Pro. with Minelab you can't go wrong. Get the 3030 (top of the line) and be done with it. Then you won't be saying "Gee I could have had a v8".
 
OK, so I'm definitely picking up what I already knew... Guys with the CTXs really like them. If you have experience with multiple higher end machines; is there a big noticeable difference to you between something like the Etrac or Deus and the CTX? Just from a feature perspective the CTX seems to really be a marked jump in technology over the next machines in that class or am I wrong?
 
If a person can afford the CTX 3030 and enjoys this hobby it will get better and better. If you have any problems after you get a CTX 3030 here is the place to come too. Good luck and don't worry about the learning curve some of us are still in it. HH :minelab:
 
I started out with Tesoro machines years ago and liked them but wondered if "newer technology" machines would do better. When I bought my CTX it was my first Minelab machine. Having never hunted with an E-trac I first found the Fe/Co numbers confusing. My dealer helped me and recommended a book to me tailored for the Minelab Explorer and E-trac machines. After reading this book and practicing with my CTX I found the Fe/Co numbers not as confusing to me. I really like the CTX and no longer wonder if another machine might do better. Like someone else said by getting one "you wont be saying to yourself gee I could have had a V8". Sometimes I swing another machine but if I want to make sure I have not missed something I grab the CTX.
 
I too have owned other brands of detectors and still have a few, just for emergency back up, but the CTX is my first Minelab and I love it. Another reason that I think that it is so much better than the others and more expensive, is that it is a duel purpose machine and I look forward to being able to use it in the water at the beaches this winter. With it you have the best of two worlds. If money is no problem, I suggest you go for it. Once you get use to it, you will never regret your purchase and will love the hobby even more. This forum has guys with a world of knowledge and experience, all willing to help you with any questions or problems that you might have, which is another plus.
 
Jon,

Feel free to give me a call. I can get just about anyone finding silver with a CTX. I have a very easy setup to get you going. Feel free to call me with any questions. Love to help you. I have helped many guys here!
 
FedEx will be delivering my CTX3030 tomorrow. I had another machine and always felt that I should of had a V8! I am new, and don't have the experience others here do, but I had that feeling of I almost got what I really wanted with the other machine. I expect I will be happy in knowing that any problems, errors or lack of finding targets will be me, not the 3030.

I look forward to posting results of my finds and getting to know the users here as time goes on.

Ed in Virginia
 
Big Boys Hobbies said:
Jon,

Feel free to give me a call. I can get just about anyone finding silver with a CTX. I have a very easy setup to get you going. Feel free to call me with any questions. Love to help you. I have helped many guys here!
Click to expand...

Bart, I had actually planned on giving you a ring earlier today, but 'life' made work take longer than I had planned. I'll touch base with you tomorrow.

Thanks,

Jon
 
The CTX is not that hard to operate and learn. Very versatile with its waterproofing and nice balance. Can be used when underwater, wading, raining, snowing. The CTX makes finding coins seem just too easy. I have etracs too. They will sniff out the coins too.
 
Go with the CTX. I also own an E-Trac that I hunted with for 3 years - and it's a great machine - but the 3030 is better IMHO.
 
I started out with a safari and went to the CTX 3030 the day it came out, I have found a lot of information on this site that has really helped. Yesterday I found my first piece of silver a 1960 Washington quarter at 9 inches at a 12 45 along with over $300 in clad not to mention a button that may be a Civil War relic . I had found a diamond ear stud earlier this month 12-03 in a volley ball court with my Garrett pin pointer it kept falling through the holes in the sand strainer. A jeweler on Jewelers Row has offered me $2200 for the stone and I think I am going to take it. So in essence a guess you could say, the machine pays for itself. I did find more silver with the Safari but my coin count is better than double when I hunt with the CTX. The learning curve is not that difficult and personally I think you will be very happy with your choice.

If you can afford it, buy it, it will eventually pay for itself.

Bob Olender
 
You could do what I did. Spend around 4K on different machines and dodads or just get the CTX and be done. It is a sweet machine. If to much$, then Etrac would be a good next.
 
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