Menu
What's new
Find's Treasure Forums

Welcome to Find's Treasure Forums, Guests!

You are viewing this forums as a guest which limits you to read only status.

Only registered members may post stories, questions, classifieds, reply to other posts, contact other members using built in messaging and use many other features found on these forums.

Why not register and join us today? It's free! (We don't share your email addresses with anyone.) We keep email addresses of our users to protect them and others from bad people posting things they shouldn't.

Click here to register!

Need Support Help?

Cannot log in?, click here to have new password emailed to you

Changed email? Forgot to update your account with new email address? Need assistance with something else?, click here to go to Find's Support Form and fill out the form.

CTX vs Etrac weight

wvrick

wvrick

Active member
What is the weight difference. I went to the Minelab page to compare the two and CTX is listed 1.6kg (3.5lbs) (ex. battery) and Etrac is 5.20 lbs (2.36 kgs) including Li-ion battery pack. I don't know why they even bother having a compare since they go different ways in how they list them.
 
My CTX with the rechargeable lith-ion battery and 11" coil weigh 5 lbs - 3 oz. (weighed on a postal scale) I sold my E-Trac so I don't have a weight for it. You may read many things about the CTX being heavier and heavy is heavy. For me, once I got the coil adjusted, in and out for balance, the CTX felt lighter than the E-Trac. It does not have me switching arms like I did with the E-Trac. Getting the balance right is the key..........
 
I agree with C&RHunter. The CTX is actually heavier than the Etrac, BUT, The weight distribution is better with the CTX. You have to set the CTX to fit you. Once you hunt with the CTX for at least 20 hours, go back to the Etrac and let us know what you think.
 
The CTX manual lists the weight of the detector with the Lithium Ion battery pack as 5.2 lbs. But, like GateKeeper said, the balance (once properly adjusted for you) makes any additional weight a non-factor.
I came from a Fisher F75, which weighs about 3.5 lbs. Honestly, after using the CTX, I actually thought it was lighter, until I read the specs.
 
Yeah, the CTX-3030 weight sits further back and offsets the weight of the coil and shaft. Therefore the FELT weight is less because it pivots at the handle with less torque.
 
Disregard the listed weight. Like others have stated, the CTX definitely feels lighter than the E-Trac. It is a very well balanced 5+ lbs. On the other hand, I swung a Garrett ATX (basically the same weight) at my local detector shop last week and that thing literally feels like it weighs a ton. Just goes to show that balance makes a world of difference.
 
The ctx is so well balanced it's not bad to swing! It's a 5 pounder but it doesn't feel like it!! Hope we helped!!
 
Thanks Guys, yes the balance will make a difference. :thumbup:
 
Just a quick side note.......If you are an arthritic, old f*rt like me, the 11" and 6" coils are great! However, the 17" coil rapidly became a real pain when reversing directions at the end of a swing. I'm sure it is no problem for all you young pups, but, after using the 17" for just a few minutes, I knew it was not for me.
 
I'm well on my way, retired and looking for the good life..lol so I'll steer clear of the 17" :)
 
wvrick said:
I'm well on my way, retired and looking for the good life..lol so I'll steer clear of the 17" :)
Click to expand...

Don't do it just on my word, but, I would advise trying one out before you lay down the bucks!! The 6" coil is terrific! I really like it in the heavily wooded and brushy areas, or, any high trash places.
 
I remember some of the folks having problems with etrac, I never really noticed it.
 
wvrick said:
I remember some of the folks having problems with etrac, I never really noticed it.
Click to expand...
I've been running an X-8 on my Etrac for dirt fishing and it's a much better balance than the 11". Many of my land hunting areas are pretty trashy and the X-8 gives good target separation as well as depth. I usually never change to the X-5 for TTF.
 
E-Trac is listed as 4.8 pounds with batteries. I have a Safari , it is listed at 3.6 Lbs. My CTX feels lighter.The CTX is balanced better. I have the 11" coil on both of them.
 
I swung the SE and Etrac for 6 years and never had an issue. After swinging the CTX from May to November of 2013, I've had X-rays for forearm pain, a visit to an orthopedic surgeon and now I having an MRI on my forearm on the 27th and another visit to a specialized orthopedic arm, wrist and hand specialist/ surgeon.
 
Duke-----You should have went back to the Etrac a long time ago (at least when you discovered you were having ongoing pain in using the CTX).------I sympathize with you as nobody should have pain in what's supposed to be an enjoyable hobby.------Myself, it's just the opposite---I messed up my right shoulder in a tree trimiing accident several years ago and ever since, I have not been able to use the Etrac for more than 2-3 hrs. a day with out encountering pain----but----with the wonderfully balanced CTX, I can swing it all day no problem.----I'll never get rid of ole King Etrac but have learned to just use him in "moderation" these days (before switching over to the CTX).------Wishing you the best---going back to the Etrac (in your case) may well be the right long term solution.----------Del
DukeOBass said:
I swung the SE and Etrac for 6 years and never had an issue. After swinging the CTX from May to November of 2013, I've had X-rays for forearm pain, a visit to an orthopedic surgeon and now I having an MRI on my forearm on the 27th and another visit to a specialized orthopedic arm, wrist and hand specialist/ surgeon.
Click to expand...
 
I went to an XP Deus. I'm eager to go back to my E-trac / CTX sites to see what I missed with them.
 
Duke,
Whatever you find you can use, I hope it works out well for you! This hobby is too much fun for something like you have to prevent you from enjoying it!

Hang in there....you'll get it!
 
DukeOBass said:
I swung the SE and Etrac for 6 years and never had an issue. After swinging the CTX from May to November of 2013, I've had X-rays for forearm pain, a visit to an orthopedic surgeon and now I having an MRI on my forearm on the 27th and another visit to a specialized orthopedic arm, wrist and hand specialist/ surgeon.
Click to expand...

You are pretty much the only person I have seen complain about this Duke. I would love to see a video of you swinging the CTX. Why does no one else have the issue you had? I swing the CTX for 8 hours at a time with no issues. I did have forearm pain and thumb numbing when I first started with the CTX until I realized I had the coil too far in front of me when swinging. Shortening the shaft a little and swinging the coil closer to my feet took the problem away almost immediately. I have mentioned this to you in the past, but I don't know if you ever tried my suggestion.

The CTX is a perfectly balanced machine as long as you have the length adjusted correctly. a couple inches too long and you will get arm and numbing issues very quickly.If any CTX owners want to see this for yourselves, just extend the lower shaft just 3" and swing for an hour, if you can. I had the exact same complaints duke had at first. I was amazed at the results when I shortened the shaft a bit, which makes a straighter line from your shoulder thru the wrist to the coil. That is the key - straight line from shoulder thru detector to the ground.

Just my 2 cents.
 
I did try shortening the staff and it didn't work. As far as others, I have heard from them through private messages. They have not posted here.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top