Hi I am looking at the Garretts gti2500 from kellyco with a couple different coils and the treasure hound for just over $1100 and also looking at the Minelab E trac with the standard coil for around $1400. I mostly want to hunt for coins, jewelry and relics, and the occasional casche. I would like to beach hunt once in a while. Between the 2 which one do you think is the best for the money. Will they reach the same depth under similar circumstances and coil size?
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GTI 2500 or Minelab E trac?
- Thread starter bg0719
- Start date
ChuckDiggin it in Florida
New member
The GTI 2500 is an interesting machine, but I doubt it's any match for the E-Trac in depth and ID.
grumpyolman
New member
My experience is there just aren't any solid producers like the Explorers or the E-Trac. For the difference in money I would think, a year from now, you'd be glad you got the E-Trac. It will be easier to sell if you don't like it and will relatively retain its price. It can be as difficult to run as you want or you can use a factory preset and turn it on and hunt. Be sure to get Andy Sabisch's book about the Minelab Explorers and E-Trac. It could answer a lot of questions you have and will provide as a good reference manual for later on. Jim
themartaman
New member
For beach, E Trac.
The 2500 gets my interest from time to time but I always remember that the 2500 is 10 year old technology and the E-TRAC is about 1 year old technology. Maybe Garrett and Tesoro will soon come out with something new that will be a step forward, I hope so. IMO, the three most advanced detectors and also the most productive are in order according to my opinion, (and I have all three)
1> E-TRAC
2>F75 LTD
3>White's V3
The ET and the LTD are both easy the learn, the V3 isn't, IMO, and actually I am no longer sure which of the first two, the ET and the LTD are most productive. They are both excelletn, deep, and they don't miss much... BUT... unless you only hunt the same beach or the same site over and over no one detector is going to be best. The ground minerals, ammount of trash, type of trash, and EMI all work together to thwart one machine and allow another one to shine. The V3 may well be the one that will work well in the most places because of all it's options. I like to have a choice of machines myself. I usually carry at least 4 with me all the time and at a new site I almost always use more than one... i've been to too many sites where my detector of choice just wouldn't do the job.
Of course I didn't buy all my detectors at once but over the years I acquired them. I've sold a few but kept all I really like.
That is my advice, FWIW. At that price point I wouldn't buy 10 yr old technology.
Julien
1> E-TRAC
2>F75 LTD
3>White's V3
The ET and the LTD are both easy the learn, the V3 isn't, IMO, and actually I am no longer sure which of the first two, the ET and the LTD are most productive. They are both excelletn, deep, and they don't miss much... BUT... unless you only hunt the same beach or the same site over and over no one detector is going to be best. The ground minerals, ammount of trash, type of trash, and EMI all work together to thwart one machine and allow another one to shine. The V3 may well be the one that will work well in the most places because of all it's options. I like to have a choice of machines myself. I usually carry at least 4 with me all the time and at a new site I almost always use more than one... i've been to too many sites where my detector of choice just wouldn't do the job.
Of course I didn't buy all my detectors at once but over the years I acquired them. I've sold a few but kept all I really like.
That is my advice, FWIW. At that price point I wouldn't buy 10 yr old technology.
Julien
Back in november I was in the same what to buy predicament . I liked the machine I was using but wanted to upgrade to a machine with more capabilities.
GTI 2500 Number of Frequencies 1, 702 kHz
E-Trac Number of Frequencies 28, 1.5kHz to 100kHz
I got the E-trac and Andy's book. love it.
GTI 2500 Number of Frequencies 1, 702 kHz
E-Trac Number of Frequencies 28, 1.5kHz to 100kHz
I got the E-trac and Andy's book. love it.
Critterhunter
New member
The GTI series weren't great even when they first came out IMHO. Sizing slots? Big deal, I had a flowing sizing display on my QXT Pro that I felt was MUCH better at providing target information with it's variable flowing sizing bars rather than static slots the GTI decides it wants to put targets into. I played with the depth on a GTI and it was decent (but not spactacular) but only in a VERY tight spot in the center of the coil's field. Move slightly off and you wouldn't even hear it, let alone get some kind of junk signal. I never seen a machine that had such tunnel vision and that wouldn't work too well if you were just nicking a target in the field with the side of the coil. You wouldn't even hear many targets because of that unless you were right over them dead center.
Go for the top 3- Sovereign GT, Explorer, or Etrac. I've owned Explorers but so far I'm liking the GT better for various reasons. The Etrac would be the only other machine I'd consider for max depth these days, with maybe the F75LTD being another. Many that have owned all 3 Minelabs say the GT is just as deep as the Explorer or Etrac. I know it is compared to the Explorers I've owned. Etrac is really the best there is when it comes to a computerized detector. Stay away from the Whites DFX/Spectras. More controls but worthless features for most situations and not nearly the depth of the Minelabs.
IMHO the best detector Garrett ever made was the ProPointer, and that's just a new pinpointer which I love.
Stay away from everything else they make if you are looking for the best performance in a machine. For a novice who only wants to get out once in a while and do things like hunt clad the lower to mid range Garretts are cheap and perfect for that and Garrett does have excellent customer service. But then again, I'd probably rather go for a lower end Whites which I feel has better performance and still great service. Either that or maybe a Minelab Xterra.
Go for the top 3- Sovereign GT, Explorer, or Etrac. I've owned Explorers but so far I'm liking the GT better for various reasons. The Etrac would be the only other machine I'd consider for max depth these days, with maybe the F75LTD being another. Many that have owned all 3 Minelabs say the GT is just as deep as the Explorer or Etrac. I know it is compared to the Explorers I've owned. Etrac is really the best there is when it comes to a computerized detector. Stay away from the Whites DFX/Spectras. More controls but worthless features for most situations and not nearly the depth of the Minelabs.
IMHO the best detector Garrett ever made was the ProPointer, and that's just a new pinpointer which I love.
Stay away from everything else they make if you are looking for the best performance in a machine. For a novice who only wants to get out once in a while and do things like hunt clad the lower to mid range Garretts are cheap and perfect for that and Garrett does have excellent customer service. But then again, I'd probably rather go for a lower end Whites which I feel has better performance and still great service. Either that or maybe a Minelab Xterra.EladSwerdna
New member
My first machine was a GTI2500. I ended up selling it. Just the other day I bought an E-Trac. After only one hunt with my E-Trac, I can say with confidence the it blows the GTI2500 out of water!
Get an E-Trac - you won't be dissapointed.
Get an E-Trac - you won't be dissapointed.
Dirt Driven
New member
I researched detectors for almost 6 months before deciding on the E Trac . It was a hard decision for me as I am sure it for you because it is a lot of money and you want to make sure your making the right decision. Garrett makes a great detector don't get me wrong but when truly sit down and take the time to compare the two the E Trac will clearly be the winner. Good luck with whatever you decide.
Go with the e-trac. I have owned the whites dfx and the garrett 2500. I now own two e-tracs. one for mumma and one for me and we love em. I thought about the 3030 but I don't need all the extras that they have. Im a coin hunter and not an under water hunter.... If mumma would let me buy another detector I would buy a third e-trac so my friends had a nice detector to go with us as well. Just my opinion, But I would by an e-trac.
ChicagoJohn
New member
I used Gartte 1500 and my friend used 2500. We sold it and use E-Trac! My friend use E-Trac and 3030. E-Trac give you less digging because of more target id and know whats below the ground. I found lot more nickels than pull tabs on E-Trac while you are not sure which one on 2500! Go for E-Trac and you will like it! Might not easy for the first time but use it often then you know your machine! Coin garden and look for clad coins at playground is good start to get know your E-Trac.