First Find with the E-Trac

[tyelvert]

Well......I have two firsts!......After being a whites user fro 38 years, I've just sold my v3i and purchased the e-trac. I have NO IDEA how to use the damn thing, but I gave it a test drive the other day. I found this heavy 2.5 ounce brass vase at about 8 inches (there was also a rusty nail in the hole). My first impressions:

V3i vs E-trac comparisons

I found that the E-trac to be 'physically' poorly designed:

Cons:
1) Lower shaft has 'play' left to right and vice-versa while swinging, simply not tight
2) Forearm rest is plastic and flimsy
3) Handle is way too soft
4) Coil has no after-market or factory stabilizer (difficult to keep at the correct angle, but read that you should NOT over-tighten)
5) Coil is overall thinner is plastic compared to the v3i coil (at least it has a coil cover)
6) Screen is too dim (in this day of technology, you would think that the screen would be bright and easy to see)
7) Not real user friendly (but at this point, that is just a learning curve and I have to get used to)

Pros:
1) Appears to be overall a much quieter machine in the field.
2) The target ID dual numbers being ferrous and non-ferrous VDI numbers (which are pretty interesting) mostly more precise and more accurate
3) Machine is lighter and easier to swing
4) Able to to plug into the computer to change and save settings
5) Although limited field use, it appears to be deeper


V3i is a much better physically designed machine, and a tighter overall unit.
HOWEVER, having detected for 38 years, I immediately find that the E-trac is technically and electronically way more advanced than the v3i and I clearly feel that I've made a positive switch. Tom

 

[LittleJohn]

I came from the V side too, and I dont have nearly as much good to say about them.

The etrac on the other hand is everything I had hoped it would be, and then some. Wasted almost two years of my life with that V and that is sad. Since I have started using an etrac...I have been completely satisfied, it is easy to use and it actually works without having to make 26 adjustments before it works correctly.

I wouldnt own another V if someone walked up and threw one at me....lord knows I felt like doing that many a time with that dang V.


Welcome to the etrac family...as well as the forums...with your first post.

LittleJohn

 

[tyelvert]

Thank You John....I am here in the northeast, and if the snow should ever staop falling, I will be keeping the 'rest of the e-trac' family my lastest thoughts, hunts, and finds. I am excited about the e-trac, I know the learning curve will get some getting used too....... I am happy to say the ole chatter box is GONE forever! Goodbye V

All The Best

Tom

 

[thE-TRACker]

To Tylvert...on the issue of the play in the shaft . Make sure that the upper shaft is pushed all the way in before clamping and the long tab must point down .I had the same issue but now have 0 play in shaft . Hope this helps .

 

[amc rulz]

Exactly how I felt about the two years I wasted with my dfx. Then I "Explored" the wonderful world of Minelab, and eventually ended up Etrac.
I think we are paying for the RnD of their advanced circuitry, what $ was left went into packaging lol, which isn't that bad at all.

 

[jimmy]

Yes it's quite a change going from a whites machine to the minelab Etrac and the learning curve is worth the time you invest , I swung an MXT for 9 yrs and although I was very successful I felt I was missing out on silver, sold my MXT in oct.2012 and purchased my new Etrac, since then I have surpased in a few monthes what my MXT didn't get in the last 3 yrs, however I found many many gold items with the MXT so the learning curve for gold items with the Etrac is my next challenge. Good luck in your progress of getting the most out of your Etrac it is much more versatile than anything on the market except the CTX 3030 but damn close to it in performance. HH