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Considering E-TRac

C

chuckciao

New member
I have been an x-terra user for the past two years and although I like the machine, I am considering an upgrade. I've read a bit about the ET and I like the fact that it can differentiate between ferrous and non-ferrous which has to be done manually on the x-terra. Can anyone help me with the learning curve and tips on getting started as an ET beginner.
Thanks
Chuck
 
The E-Trac will give you more information and more importantly pretty accurate information at depth. For instance, the X-Terra will let you know when something is 9" deep, but if you were to go off what the numbers were telling you, you'd think you've got a pull tab or shotgun shell (those 24-28 numbers). Pretty much the E-Trac will tell you a good sound with little variance in the coin range as far as numbers go. A good example is an Indian Head number is 30-38, with 34 being most consistant for me. So a 10" Indian Head will give a good sound with numbers generally in the 34-38 range.

It is a step up as far as depth is concerned and the Pro-coil is a deadly coil with good separation and coverage. I'd suggest watching a lot of videos and doing some search on this part of the forum pertaining to specific questions you might have. And by all means feel free to ask. I haven't been checking, but I'd assume there are some used available with the introduction of the 3030.

NebTrac
 
Thanks Neb Trac,
This is very good info. As a matter of fact, I find the depth gauge quite frustrating and misleading on the x-terra which gives a relative measurement which I find inaccurate quite often. I'ts good to know that the ET seems to handle depth more efficiently. I really enjoyed your You Tube Videos.
Thanks Again,
Chuck
 
Ok here is my two cents, I had the x70 and I thought it was the best thing since sliced bread, I was getting deadly with it, I thought no way I could ever get better results with an etrac, but my buddy who is a dealer talked me into an etrac 3 yrs ago....the first day I got it I dug a 8" deep barber dime with a nail in the hole, it literally screamed at me, now keep in mind this area was a small, very small front yard I gridded hard with my xterra, and it never made a peep over this barber, it sang loud and clear with the etrac.

Since getting the etrac 3 yrs ago I have dug 475 silver coins, 379 indians, over 1800 wheaties, lots of large coppers, tons of relics, etc......I absolutely love it. If your using multi tone on your xterra, the learning curve is virtually nothing going to the etrac, if your already in tune with hunting by SOUND and not by nmber it will be even easier.....any questions for me, feel free to ask here or PM me. Get the etrac and you will never look back!
 
About the depth reading. On the E-Trac, when it is a coin, it is real good with the depth except when the coin is shallow. That was my first lesson and one of the harder things for me to grasp. I'd only used the X-Terra with the stock coil, so I didn't get the 4 or 3 way "beep" when I went over a shallow target.

On a coin that is less than 3 inches, the E-Trac will sound off 3 or 4 times as the DD coil passes over and the depth meter might read 12" then 1". That is a sure sign. Over 3 inches on a coin sized object and things return to normal as far as the meter is concerned. Having Andy Sabisch's Explorer and E-Trac Handbook (virtually a must read), I was ready to recognize and deal with that. Relics and trash vary in size, so the reading is skewed. For example An old zinc canning lid at 12" (which is the depth that Nebraska State Law had deemed necessary to frustrate me ) will sound pretty much like a silver quarter at 6". So the depth meter really only applies to coins sized object, but I think this is standard on about any detector.

There are just so many options, both on the machine and coil choices....I'm getting close to 3 years on the machine and have no desire to upgrade.

Take care,

NebTrac
 
I had an Xterra 30, 50 and 70. The Etrac is years ahead in my opinion. I read stories when it first came out how difficult it was setting up and how some spoke about it's language. I can tell you that it's false. Here is exactly what happened to me about 7 months ago. I was hunting with Bill_S with two different USA brand PRO machines. I was pretty deadly with both these machines so I thought. Bill found two deeper targets that he said was coins with his Etrac. So I came over to show him how both my machines would easily pick those targets up. One machine couldn't hit one target while the other called it iron. Understand I did everything possible to bring out the target response Bill was getting. I could not. He then proceeded to dig up a 10 inch Barber dime. I thought "How could this be?" My 30 years experience and PRO machines should have hit that dime???? The next target he had found gave both of my machines an iffy iron response that I would have simply passed on. His Etrac was playing that sweet sounding music. He then recovered an 8 inch Wheatie. Two weeks later I bought an Etrac. My silver, civil war bullets and Wheatie count drastically rose. I have found no learning curve at all. I took to the Etrac immediately. Most of the settings are set once and then forget about them. Seeing is believing that's all I can say. FYI. I wish I was swinging a US made machine. But that soon fades when you dig up a 10 inch plus 1853 Seated Half Dime - and then some...................................
Check out Bill's videos under Dirtfishing and mine under mowerdog. He has a couple of hunts with the both of us. There you will see some deep silver come to light.....
 
Thanks to all that have responded to my questions about switching from an X-Terra 705 to the E-TRAC. I am overwhelmed by the positive responses for the E-TRAC and the generosity of it's forum members to share their ideas, tips, etc.
Looking forward to being a member of the E-TRAC community.
Regards
Chuck
 
If you plan on getting the E-Trac, don't give up / sell the X-Terra 705, they compliment each other, this is why I have kept my X-Terra 705.
 
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