HELP

[starky]

I am currently in process of selling my E-Trac, and purchasing the new CTX.
I have a couple friends that use and love their E-Tracs and want nothing to do with the CTX and are trying to persuade me from making the change.
In your honest opinion since you have made the change, Is the CTX worth the money, and will it truly out perform my E-Trac?
I had a great year with the E-trac will 119 silver coins, 11 silver rings, and 6 silver pendants, and this was my first year in the hobby, so now they have made me nervous to make the change.
Is the weight any type of a problem, and because of the weight difference, I see you have to pretty much use the strap all the time. Is that a hassle to undo every time you dig?
Just need some honest input before I make the plunge and put out some serious cash.
Thanks

 

[goodmore]

I slide my arm through the strap. It is worse with a coat on. But I can swing my CTX longer than the E Trac and I don't have to take Advil at night to sleep.

What makes the CTX better than the E Trac? It depends on the hunter I guess. The ability to customize the tones and set the break points is the biggest difference to me. It also is much quicker at recovery. I assume you used TTF in your hunting adventures. The combined mode of the CTX is like TTF on steroids. You no longer have to look at the screen every high tone. You set the tones up anyway you want to.

It always boils down to two questions. Is the CTX better than the E trac? The answer is yes. How much you get out of it dependes on the operator.

Is the CTX worth the money? That is a judgement call for each individual to answer. I will use the CTX for beach hunting. I am one good ring away from making up the difference in price.

I will end by saying this. Your friends love their E tracs and that is fine. A truely great detector. But don't let them hold you back. If you can afford a CTX give it a try. You can always go back if you want to. You might lose a couple hundred, but heck you will find that in clad next year. I guarantee one thing. They won't hear any signals that you can't with the CTX.

 

[chadwick]

Thanks for that goodmore . My wife and I are heading that way

 

[Larry (IL)]

The CTX is so well balanced I can hunt all day without fatigue. With the ET and SE, my arm started getting sore after three hours. Whether you really need a harness with the CTX is a matter of your physical condition. Is the CTX is better or worth the money, that is more dependent on your abilities and how well you learn and use the CTX. For me it is worth every cent and places I "hunted out" are now producing some nice finds again with the CTX.

 

[C&RHunter]

The pros and cons of the CTX has been discussed a lot on this forum, since the machine came out. Whether it is worth it or not, is what ever each person decides. Myself, I owned two Explorer XS machines, then purchased an E-Trac when they came out. I really liked all of those Minelabs. I have sold both XSs and kept the E-Trac for a backup when I purchased the CTX. I can say the E-Trac is still leaning against the wall where I placed it after receiving the CTX the end of May. For me, the CTX has proved itself and is all I use now. Others may not think so. The weight is not an issue for me (I'm 63), neither is that arm strap. I have never used the arm strap, while detecting on land. Just adjust the coil in or out for balance and you're set. One can never really know if what they find with a particular machine would have been found with another, unless both machines are there at the same time to scan the target with each machine before recovery. Like I said about "is it worth it or not", for me yes, I like and use the GPS, the ability to use this machine in the water allows me to do what water hunting I want without a additional machine, along with the XChange II app, etc.
At first, the different Modes, settings, and so forth can be confusing. The key, don't try to do all of the different things at once. Start using the machine and as you become accustomed to the machine and it's features, then start experimenting with different settings and modes. Good luck if you get a CTX and if don't, have continued success with the E-Trac. Either machine is very good and capable of locating fantastic finds......HH

 

[starky]

Thanks so much for your input so far, I already have my self convinced, and obligated as I have already ordered it, but with all the different posts I read, I start doubting my decision.
I need to quit reading the pros and cons, and just jump in with both feet once it arrives.
I just hope I'm not rushing things, as I have only had my Etrac for 8 months, and I know I haven't even touched the full capabilities what it can do. I just figure I might as well take the plunge, buy the CTX and commit my time through the winter months on reading, learning and small park hunts when the weather permits and try to get a decent understanding before spring and I am hunting along side the E-Tracs.
I am 43, been in construction my whole work career, and so my line of work has made me quite strong through the years, but has also damaged my elbows. After about 2 hours of swinging the E-Trac, my elbows would hurt horribly, so I am hoping the balance of the CTX will help that, I just hate swinging with an arm strap on. Once this beast arrives, look for me to attack you guys for advise and help.
When I got my E-Trac, I had the joy of becoming good friends with Terry "Goes4ever", and hunting with him all the time, he really helped me to excel with the E-trac. Him and I will continue to hunt together, but he will not be able to help me with the CTX.
Thanks again for your help!!

 

[goodmore]

Enjoy your new detector. Maybe you will convince some friends that you made a good decision.

 

["Dr.Tones"]

Just let your friends sit in the truck where they can watch you hunt in the rain or pull rings out of the lake. Or go for a hunt in an iron infested area and let them see your target trace feature. Sold.

 

[Atlas]

I had the same questions you have but took the plunge. I was actually thinking of an E-trac or CTX and went with the CTX. This may have made it easier for my since I didn't have one of the earlier offerings. However, I have owned an Excal for 10 year or so and am familiar with FBS and Minelab quality.

The balance of this machine is phenomenal. I have lighter machines that give me elbow + wrist pain after 2 hour hunts. I've hunted with the CTX for up to 4 hours straight with no pain. The wireless is great. I haven't used the GPS yet. The machine will sniff the goodies out in the junk and iron but you need to swing slow to get best results. I say slow and this is relative to some of my other brand machines that can be swung faster.

I'd say it's worth the money and am having fun learning the machine and finding cool stuff.

 

[Porschephile]

Naturally your hunting buddies are going to discourage you getting an UPGRADE!! LOL!

Seriously, it's a great machine and a pleasure to use. It will add a new dimension to your hunts since you can easily compare how the CTX handles a given target with your buddies' ETRACs...

 

[Big Boys Hobbies]

Feel free to give me a ring with questions about the CTX. Love to help you. I have used the E-Trac since it came out and have many hours on both. Make you a awesome deal on one as well! Be sure o mention Findmall when you call!
Bart 405-206-9010