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How hard is the V3 setup

B

BridgeHunter

New member
Hi just want to find out how hard is it to setup and programs for the V3? Going to buy a new detector a V3 or Etrac. I'm going to be hunting old houses place,the beach (pensacola and Gulf Shores, and around creek banks sandbars. I read a lot on both detectors a lot of people saying the V3 had a longer learning curve. Any info would be helpful

BridgeHunter
 
Both detectors will serve you well right out of the box. The V3 has many more programs already programed for the new user to get started. The long learning curve that is talked about refers to completely understanding everything the detectors can, and will do. I use the Hi-Pro program pretty much stock right out of the box with great results. The advanced side of the V3 gets quite deep since you can adjust just about everything from the language you want to the colors you see on the screen and even the size of words and icons if you don't want to put your reading glasses on...:laugh:
 
I know they are both great detectors. The reason I started looking more at V3 was that it had more programs and would pick up on smaller objects. Was a little worried about some having problems with depth on coins I've read in forums guest it could be the user or bad unit that happens? I've seen your post on the E-Trac forum. I have to two White Dealers one in Mobile and one in Milton so when I get home will see how the V3 works.

Thanks from the info.
BridgeHunter
 
:rofl: My post on the E-Trac forum was sincere but in reality, Ray and I are friends and I was giving Ray a hard time as I do from time to time..... :laugh: You will find the V3 more versatile though and like you said it is very sensitive on the small gold.
 
The V3 is pretty easy to learn. As stated by others the complexity only gets involved if you choose to delve deep into the inner workings. I use the coin/jewelry and coin programs quite a bit mostly stock, minor modifications to enhance discrimination in area's with a lot of bottle tops. The one thing I love about this little toy is the performance, it is extremely sensitive to small objects, I was astounded to pick out buck shot on one occasion, and then some civil war era rimfire casings. Even found a silver jewelry bead tonight at a tot lot and it was singing loud and clear.
 
Thank's for the info. Gald I found this forum it's one of the best one I've been in. Will let yall know when I get mine

Thank"s BridgeHunter
 
Just kidding.... just kidding..

6 months will probably be enough.

;)

J
 
Heck...have a feeling we'll be learning cool stuff two years down the road. I look back on when I first started using the V and it's a different world now. The big thing is once your even just a bit comfortable, most of the "learning" cross applies to the other programs and adjustments. Learning at that point is done in huge chunks and things really open up for ya. (Nothin' better than using a "complex" machine that is no longer "complex" for ya...and still...stuff to learn.)

If you are a somewhat confident "self starter" type....it doesn't get better than this box. This machine being described as "tough to learn" is hog wash. It is not. tough.
 
Not very hard, but You can make it complex if you need it.

I just finished my first day in the yard after the snow has gone and Im not sure how to say alot in few words.. let me try.

The step from SE to Etrac was a small step for Minelab but the step from DFX to V3 is a huge leap for detectorists..
 
Will I,m a mechanic and like to play around with most anything just to see how it works.

Thank's for the feed back on the V3.

BridgeHunter
 
Hi BridgeHunter,

You want to "hunt old houses,the beach, Pensacola and Gulf Shores, and around creek bank sandbars". I have both units and both could be set up to work well in these locations. The E would be easier to set up than the V every time. But, if you know the V you can make it shine where other detectors fail. This is, simultaneously, the V's greatest strength and its greatest weakness.

I tried the V's Salt Compensate method the other day and I was very impressed (as a previous XLT, DFX user)...worked very well (no falsing - except at VDI3 from salt or mineral concentration - I no-tone'd it...might be unique to Galveston). So, salt should not be an issue with either unit (Minelab's have always handled salt well).

Two main considerations - Both units say, in the manual, that they recommend a 2 second sweep speed from one side to the other. With the Minelab, it is advisable to never exceed this limit or you risk missing targets. The E-Trac will not even notice a target if you sweep too fast. The V, on the other hand, can be made to handle a very fast, or slow, sweep. Second consideration is TID at depth. The Minelabs excel at this (for the E-Trac, the CO value is almost always right on). The V, on the other hand, may see a VDI fluctuation or the VDI may be dragged down towards the ferrous part of the spectrum. This difference is due to the different discrimination methods used by both units (1-D, or a line, for the V and 2-D, or a grid, for the E)...suffice it to say that the V only uses the phase angle of the target and the E breaks the phase angle into two parts, the conductive and ferrous components. Both have their advantages.

There are plenty of threads about this but there is no subsititute for getting both in your hands, using them and making an informed decision prior to plunkin' down the cash.

Beep
 
Thank's Beep from the info. on both detectors. I was going to go with the E-Trac at first But like the V3"s sensitive and programs. And there is two Whites Dealers within 70 miles of me No Minelabs Dealers but the Internet. Oh I uses to work and my wife is from Texas and the ground does have a lot of minerals in it. That's why the deer have such big racks. Old rancher/ farmer told me that about 25 years old. You get your from the rivers and west shoreline. I will only get a chance to going to the beaches about 2 or 3 times when I'm home.

Thank's for the help and info.

BridgeHunter
 
I find the setup is easy - but it's not my first detector and I'm not new to detecting. One can start out with the factory preset programs, then work from there. One should not get too confused with all it has to offer, work with the basics first, then dive into the tweaks at ones pace. But once one does get going, it does have a lot to offer and that can be nice - something to expand and grow into.
When the DFX came out, a friend bought it as his first detector. He was confused and frustrated at first - after time using it, he was bragging on how cool it was. Maybe it was over his head to begin with, but it wasn't long afterward on how much he really liked it. Some will pick things up faster than others.
There's more I don't know about computers than what I do know - so I get started and learn a little more every now and then.
 
I can see where the V would be intimidating at first but when you consider that most of the adjustments will never be used by most of us, it is a lot easier to deal with. And you are right Tab, it is a detector that will grow with us as we become more educated to the capabilities of the V.
 
A other reason I'm picking the V3 over the E-trac is what I've seen on all the forums is Users of V3 help each other with problems and good advice. Not only that But with a White Dealer close by it's person to person and he wants by business present and future so that a big advantage. Plus helps the local small man (dealer) and not some Big Internet company. I'm not new to detecting so I know it will take a little time.
 
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