E-TRAC vs CTX3030 :twodetecting:

[Antioch]

I have had the Minelab Exporer II then SX then SE Pro and then E-trac, I still have the old Exporer II but now have the CTX 3030. I part exchanged my SE Pro and Etrac for the CTX, best thing I ever done.

I have found hundreds of silver hammered with all of them but I really had problems with the E-trac, even my old Exporer II was finding stuff better than the E-trac, I regretted buying it and did not enjoy detecting with it.

Since I have the CTX3030 I do not need to use a bungee because of the weight, it is so balanced out that I do not feel worn out. I am a diabetic and also have liver problems so I usually get worn out quicker than others, but I have been out detecting and a couple of hours go by without realising it. and it is finding stuff quicker than ever, silver hammered, milled, copper coins and lots of medieval bits and pieces etc,

The greatest thing is the GPS WOW, I just turn it on to record out in the field and forget about it, when I find a hammered or something decent I record a find. I don't even have to turn the gps off, I just turn the machine off and when I get home I see where I have been over the field and where the finds were. It helps me see if the field is just scattered or if all the finds are near each other perhaps a small settlement. I can then go back to the exact same spot.

Also if I see crop marks from google maps I can place Waypoints in where the ancient buildings are and go right to them on the day. Now for us in the UK crop marks are not the alien stuff (lol) or what someone has done with a lawn mower, it is the dark shadows in the soul that show where ancient buildings were and have disintegrated over time. Most times we see them but on the field cannot find them, but now I can..... A few years ago some metal detectorist saw crop marks from a small plane a few weeks later they detected the field and found a hoard of hammered coins worth millions.

I know some will be upset with me but I give etrac 4 out of 10 and the CTX 3030 10 out of 10. What next will minelab come out with Jet Pack !!!

 

[DirtyDeedsDugDirtDeep]

Hi Antioch,
That is a brillaint idea about the crop marks.
Here in the States, I was taught to look for dark areas in plowed fileds long before there was any kind of Google, except for Barney.
Back then we walked along looking for Native American artifacts, and the darkened areas indicated, as you said, dwelling sites... or fire pits.
Your finds are truly inspiring.
Keep up the good work.

 

[Antioch]

( lol ) I said "it is the dark shadows in the soul that show where ancient buildings were and have disintegrated over time" I meant Soil not Soul just in case people in the US think we spell soil that way ( lol ) like you spell "color" we spell "colour"

 

[DirtyDeedsDugDirtDeep]

Interesting how our 'english' varies.
What we call kerosene, you folks call paraffin.
We use flashlights and you use torches.

 

[grouser]

I've heard that dark soil called something like "smitten" dirt I think..

 

[Silverstore]

I don't think the difference between the E-Trac and the CTX is so large.
The E-Trac finds nearly all - lets say 90% - that the CTX finds.
The E-Trac can not tell you as clearly what it is like the CTX.
But its a solid machine and it will work fine, in most cases.
I'd put the E-Trac higher, lets say 7 to 8 from 10 and not worse.