GTI2500 and the Minelab Explorer se

[roy c.]

I've had my gti2500 for 3 years now and never had a problem with it.In '07 I bought an explorer se and 2 weeks later the digital screen went out.It's widely known that the explorer goes deeper than any other detector,while the gti2500 is widely criticised for not going very deep.I've hit coins about 8.5 inches deep-that's not bad.

How would you guys compare these 2 machines when it comes to depth and quality of parts and workmanship? BTW..I sold my se out of that something else would go wrong with it. HH

 

[John-Edmonton]

Apples and oranges.......the Explorer will go deeper under certain conditions, and the GTI 2500 will our perform the Explorer under other conditions. The GTI 2500 can size an object, the Explorer can't. Depth really shouldn't be the ultimate reason for getting a detector. Who wants to go around digging DEEP targets all the time anyway. That's comparable to saying the fastest car is the best car. Most coins, jewelery and relics aren't that deep anyways, unless the area has been landscaped or ploughed under. I have dug 100 year coins at less then 4 inches. The majority of my finds are in the top 3-4 inches. Occasionally I will get one at 5-6 inches.

What's more important is how well you know your machine. When you get to the point where you can tell the machine what's under the coil, not the other way around, then you own the best possible metal detector that's out there.

And if you are searching for used Minelabs, be careful, as the older models can not be repaired anymore.

 

[roy c.]

I'm going to stick with my gti2500.Ijust dug up a 1939 wheat yesterday that was deep.

 

[Mick in Dubbo]

Hi Roy.
I hope you enjoy your 2500. I've got an XS Explorer and GTI 1500. I like both of them but grab the 1500 far more often. The Garrett's are easier to work with, but both machines will id targets really well once you master them. I like the long tone setting on the Explorer and prefer the Scorcher coil over the imaging coil on the 1500. It gives better audio feed back for the targets I go after; mostly in the pull tab to screw cap range. I reckon that the imaging coil would be a real doozy on US coins though. Same as our pre-decimal coins.
Mick Evans.

 

[roy c.]

I've sampled other machines,but I always keep going back to the 2500.It separates targets(coins from trash)better than other machines that I've tested.Mr. Garrett designed his machines to where ''recovery speed'' is automatic,so I can just turn on the gti and go.

Being meticulous is a good way to get the deep stuff,as my finds have increased using this method.All-Metal is another great program on the 2500,and it can size and discriminate in this mode as well. HH