I've had multiple examples of the first three of the Explorer versions and at one time, thought they were THE holy grail of detectors. Used them as a primary for a lot of years and got to know most everything about how to best utilize one by trial and error and personal experience (not by trying to reapply something I'd read although I certainly "checked" others findings). My successes with them at the time prompted most of the locals to leave their detectors of choice and jump on the Minelab bandwagon much to my chagrin at the time. I'd owned and used most of the then available better detectors prior to getting an Explorer for the first time and after I got through the learning curve of the Explorer (then an XS) it seemed like I found more and at greater depths so what more could I want? I had no problem at all going much slower than a snail's pace with no pattern or IM usually and actually liked it because of the rewards. Well, then I started taking my detecting efforts to another level and actually started taking several differing brands/models of units out with my Explorer of choice at the time. I found out some interesting things. One "test" I usually did was to find a target (usually an abnormally deeeep silver coin) with my Explorer and then shut it down and fire up and examine the target with another detector. Most of the time, the other detector would hit the target also with a diggable signal, even when it was deeper than the "typical" capability of the other detector. This continued to manifest itself and eventually I came to the realization that certain (if not MOST remaining difficult) targets on a given day and conditions are just more detectable than usual. Armed with that realization, I actually started to have the confidence to take out other detectors and leave the Explorer at home or in the truck. As my skill level got to the point with the other capable detectors that it had been with the Explorer, I was at least just as confident with using them instead and forgoing the weight liability of the Minelab, it became the norm. In most circumstances that I tend to hunt now, the LTD is now my choice and in fact, an Explorer would not be a good choice, believe it or not. Given the years of T-2 and F-75 experience I've had, it was an extremely short learning curve to get the LTD to do and appreciate what it's capable of. I DO recognize that there are times where a multi-freq has an advantage and as far as multi's go, the Explorers are hard to beat. My biggest complaint is with the weight and the premise that they are infallible. I've seen otherwise FWIW. It's just that over time and with huge cash outlays and putting in an extreme amount of time in the field, "my current reality" changed and continues to have done so. Do I think the Explorers are junk, have some sort of agenda to bash them, and question how and why so many people do so well with them? Not at all.....I've just seen there's more to the story. Hope that's useful to you Elton.
