E-trac feedback appreciated, especially Aust owners

[Banjo]

hi guys,
been researching and found lots of great info on the E-trac from the US and UK users but not that much from my part of the world.

There are so many options out there but would like to do it right the first time, i am after a bit of an all rounder for parks as well as beach work for coins and jewellery, just wondering if i can hear some feedback on how they compare with past machines you guys have owned, is beach use limited with them i.e. shallow waves splashing over the coil and do you run them in stock form or run different coils etc

I have'nt come across any negative posts on the E-trac, also how far are we off a newer model do you think, if going off the Minelab gold orientated detectors and there release times maybe a new one is'nt too far off ?

thanks

Darren

 

[werewolf]

Hiya Banjo - are you aware of the Aus detecting forum?

http://forum.kimbucktwo.com/index.php

Relatively new but has a fair number of eTrac users and lots of info.

Check it out! See you on there.

 

[Banjo]

hi Werewolf,
i found it today mate, ive just come from there reading up on everything E-Trac, i will definitely join up

thanks

Darren

 

[BOIdaho]

I have only had my ETrac for about 3 weeks now on I am glad I bought it. I started detecting with an X-Terra 70, but always felt like I was missing the good stuff so I read lots of reviews on the Internet on Minelab detectors. Decided to stay with Minelab because their technical support is outstanding. The ETrac with its automatic ground balancing works very well. I have to warn you, if you get an ETrac you will need a bigger shovel. This machine does go deep and it's accurate, I have dug targets well over 12 inches. I also bought Andy Sabisch book which goes into more detail on operating the Explorer and ETrac models. I am very satisfied with my purchase.

Good luck, Boise Idaho

 

[terrywl]

I use an ET and an Excal II, on the beach and over wet sand I prefer the Excal by a wide margin. I don't have to worry about getting it wet, and it finds really deep targets. My ET does great on dry sand with a 15"wot but is really bad over wet sand, almost unusable. I have tried every setting I can think of and it is still a constant sound of woodwinds playing in my ear.

 

[gregliss]

Hi Banjo,

I've had my e-trac only about 10 months and I've really 'clicked' with it. I'm a historic site hunter, so I'm mainly looking for deep (8"+) coins and/or coins in heavy iron......e-trac excels in both these situations and stands well above my previous detector. So at the moment I'm like a kid in a candy shop making great finds.....got two 1862 UK pennies on the weekend @ 10-11". (12"+ is not unusual)

A few times now I've gone to pounded sites and the only place I found coins was in the iron patches outside the stables. God only knows how many guys went onto those iron patches and failed to detect one of those coins...... and it seemed easy with the e-trac, I'm no guru and have bugger all experience so I put it down to a great detector and the standard coil is fantastic.

However, I've found the ID unreliable over about 7-8" (on my sites) and varies a lot as you get deeper, CO numbers stay fairly consistent but FE numbers vary a lot. But when used as a tones machine as opposed to an ID machine, it's hard to beat! I know of a few guys that don't use the e-trac for recently lost surface coins and have lent back to their explorers as they prefer the more accurate IDs and therefore better trash rejection in their patterns....but that's them

In my limited experience, if you're after the deepies or you want to get amongst the iron outside of old stables or heavy trash, you can't go wrong!!

Cheers,
Greg

 

[Banjo]

thanks guys

I'm hearing different things in regard to how suitable they are on the wet sand, i would ideally like to be able to detect in the wet sand, i am thinking of an Excalibur but not straight up.

Greg, i mainly want this for current coins and of course jewellery but i would also like to have a machine capable of searching area's like you mention if i come across them, i know there is'nt such a thing as an allrounder but the E-trac would have to be right up there from what i'm reading, one thing i keep reading is the E-tracs are pulling stuff from pounded sites like you mention.

thanks again

Darren

 

[gregliss]

Haven't taken it on the beach yet so can't give you first hand info.

I've read mixed reviews on wet sand detecting (I've not done any myself). The large majority I read they run smooth and kick ass in wet sand, with a few saying they are unable to stabilise the e-trac. Two things I've read that fix this: 1. ensure ground is set to "difficult". 2. Remove the skid plate as trapped sand will cause faulsing.

Are you in Adelaide by chance? If so we could meet up and I'll give you a run down and a play if you like.

You could also think about hiring one for a couple days and put it through its paces, do some tests on the beach, compare your current detector, etc.....it's about the best way to assess it!

Cheers
Greg

 

[Banjo]

hi Greg,
thanks for the offer mate but i'm up Newcastle way unfortunately

i have actually gone ahead and ordered one so i should see it Monday, then the fun will start, really looking forward to it.

thanks for the tips on beach use, will definitely keep those in mind when i head there

Darren

 

[gregliss]

Darren make sure you get a copy of Andy Sabisch's book, it really does put you up the learning curve a lot quicker.

Read it initially, then again after about 30hours on the e-trac.......makes alot more sense to the second time! Different parts of it make more sense as you gain experience.

The worst part of owning an e-trac......is waiting for the the thing to arrive!!

 

[Banjo]

hi Greg,
should have the book coming with the E-Trac, everyone has been saying it's a must read so made sure of that

are you running your E-Trac in stock form ?

thanks again

Darren

 

[gregliss]

I have just added an X-1 probe.

I use the standard coil 95% of the time, 15" Coiltek on ovals with few targets, Coiltek Joey in the iron patches and very heavy trash.

Cheers,
Greg