I actually just started metal detecting about 4 months ago with a X-terra 705. I then got a F2 as a back up, and a few weeks ago I sold my 705 on Ebay and got a new Etrac. The Etrac is great out of the box even with the stock coin program.
Here are some suggestions to do when you get your new Etrac or maybe any metal detector. I spend a lot of time online and especially in metal detecting forums, reading blogs, and chatting with seasoned vets....
#1 DOWNLOAD: download the owners manual (free) online and read it, even before you get the detector in.
#2 AIRTEST: when you get your Etrac in, do some air tests. I got new coins, old coins, jewelery pieces, tabs, cans, metal junk, etc, and just ran them by the Etrac and see the different readouts and hear the different tones and beeps and how it reacts to the different items. It will just give you an idea of what the machine does and sounds like with each of those items.
#3 DIG EVERYTHING: the first few times out with the Etrac, I dug everything! Sounds crazy, but for me it did two things. First; opposite the air tests, you don't know what is down there reacting like that. You'll slowly start realizing what a pull tab sounds like after digging about 25 or 50 or more of them. Repetition is good for learning. Second; I started forcing myself to pay attention to what is good and what is garbage, because I got sick of digging garbage all day and you start learning fast because digging garbage hour after hour stinks!...LOL.
#4 ANDY'S BOOK: read Andy's book. It's an easy reading book with tons of info. I go through it here and there, keep learning, and trying something from the book all the time.
#5 ASK: Ask questions and read what a lot of the owners of the Etrac are saying. You'll pick up little tips, tricks, and things to do or not to do. I'd even write some down on Post-Its because I didn't want to forget them. Nothing is worse than operating your machine incorrectly or with a bad setting and missing a great find.
I am far from being a master of the Etrac, but I am very analytical and obsessive compulsive and dive into anything I like 110%. I did the same process as I listed when I got my X-terra 705. For 3 months after I got the Etrac, I used it at least an hour every day and all day on my days off work. I learned how to run it as hot as I could and I could hear those beeps in my sleep and pretty much knew what they meant.
It's better to be limited by what your machine can do, than by your machine being limited by what you don't know...
just my thoughts.... any input is appreciated.... Hope my suggestions help.
Here are some suggestions to do when you get your new Etrac or maybe any metal detector. I spend a lot of time online and especially in metal detecting forums, reading blogs, and chatting with seasoned vets....
#1 DOWNLOAD: download the owners manual (free) online and read it, even before you get the detector in.
#2 AIRTEST: when you get your Etrac in, do some air tests. I got new coins, old coins, jewelery pieces, tabs, cans, metal junk, etc, and just ran them by the Etrac and see the different readouts and hear the different tones and beeps and how it reacts to the different items. It will just give you an idea of what the machine does and sounds like with each of those items.
#3 DIG EVERYTHING: the first few times out with the Etrac, I dug everything! Sounds crazy, but for me it did two things. First; opposite the air tests, you don't know what is down there reacting like that. You'll slowly start realizing what a pull tab sounds like after digging about 25 or 50 or more of them. Repetition is good for learning. Second; I started forcing myself to pay attention to what is good and what is garbage, because I got sick of digging garbage all day and you start learning fast because digging garbage hour after hour stinks!...LOL.
#4 ANDY'S BOOK: read Andy's book. It's an easy reading book with tons of info. I go through it here and there, keep learning, and trying something from the book all the time.
#5 ASK: Ask questions and read what a lot of the owners of the Etrac are saying. You'll pick up little tips, tricks, and things to do or not to do. I'd even write some down on Post-Its because I didn't want to forget them. Nothing is worse than operating your machine incorrectly or with a bad setting and missing a great find.
I am far from being a master of the Etrac, but I am very analytical and obsessive compulsive and dive into anything I like 110%. I did the same process as I listed when I got my X-terra 705. For 3 months after I got the Etrac, I used it at least an hour every day and all day on my days off work. I learned how to run it as hot as I could and I could hear those beeps in my sleep and pretty much knew what they meant.
It's better to be limited by what your machine can do, than by your machine being limited by what you don't know...
just my thoughts.... any input is appreciated.... Hope my suggestions help.