How is the CTX performing vs the ETRAC?

[MNetrac]

For those of you who went from an etrac to the CTX, I am really interested to know how the CTX compares in terms of depth, descrimination, and ultimately - are you finding more or finding deeper coins in locations that you hunted out? Does it re-open places that you thought you cleaned out?

I am trying to decide if I can justify the expense - I WANT one, just trying to determine if I NEED it.


Appreciate your candor on the good/bad/other.

 

[Jason in TN]

I have had both the depth I don't think will be a lot better. The I'd is better and the balance and comfort level of the CTX is much better. May have a better ability to find coins that are in heavy iron and trash better too. I sold the Etrac because it was uncomfortable for me to hunt with. The CTX I do not have that problem. It is waterproof too a big plus for rain or getting in the lake or beach. Where most of the gold is found.

Jason

 

[earthmansurfer]

I haven't found coins any deeper than the E-Trac (9" max so far) but I have found more coins at 9" in 40 hours with the CTX than I had with the E-Trac in 100 hours (same spot). I attribute that to better signal processing, better separation, faster recovery, etc.

Regarding finding more coins in hunted out spots - yes and no. If the spot doesn't have as much iron, as much iron mineralization, trash, etc. then I am only seeing a few more targets (maybe 5% - 10%) and I have to work hard for them. If the spot has more iron then I am seeing a huge performance gain from the CTX. I estimate that in one small strip (around 10ft X 40ft) I have found more coins at 8" and 9" with the CTX than I did with the E-Trac. The important thing there is that I hunted that strip from many angles, with 3 different coils (6X8SEF, stock and 13" Detech), etc. I ran both machines at manual 30 there though I have been running the CTX in auto more than I did the E-Trac as it runs slightly hotter.

I agree with Jason - I got the CTX because the E-Trac was too much for my back. An expensive upgrade but I finally found a machine in the E-Trac that worked in my somewhat iron mineralized ground and wanted continues success.

So, to justify the cost - Do you waterhunt? The CTX is an awfully expensive machine if you don't. The overall improvement is not huge but as I said, imo it depends on the spot. I know you can't really quantify a machine with %'s but overall I'm guessing the CTX is like a 15% - 20% enhancement in performance, but it costs like 100% more. So, you got to weigh the benefits and of course see how much money you have to spare! The E-Trac with the 13" Detech is a very nice machine and I think it reduces the distance between the machines a bit more.

Albert

 

[mtwolf2270]

I never owned an Etrac but just wanted to add that I do love my CTX but in fairness I water hunt during the summer months. So does my hunting buddy he just traded in his etrac for the CTX as his land machine because of the improved separation he feels that the CTX has a huge advantage in that department. I know Albert(earthmansurfer) has a lot time with an ETRAC and has really been comparing the 2 units. Also Evan ( gonehunting), Bill S have posted some great videos and both have hunted with the Etrac I would check some of there posts and maybe PM them. What I can say is I truly believe the CTX is different then any other detector even the ETRAC. For me the waterproof and time to upgrade justified the price. For my buddy it was the separation ability, balance and flexibility that made is mind up. Things I never thought I would love is the wireless and GPS never dreamed I would want or use them but I do. I also believe having hunted it side by side with an ETRAC and comparing signals the CTX is more stable gives better numbers and is faster at recovery imo. I hope this helps I think the guys I named have truly given very fair and accurate opinions.

Matt

 

[MNetrac]

I haven't found coins any deeper than the E-Trac (9" max so far) but I have found more coins at 9" in 40 hours with the CTX than I had with the E-Trac in 100 hours (same spot). I attribute that to better signal processing, better separation, faster recovery, etc.

Regarding finding more coins in hunted out spots - yes and no. If the spot doesn't have as much iron, as much iron mineralization, trash, etc. then I am only seeing a few more targets (maybe 5% - 10%) and I have to work hard for them. If the spot has more iron then I am seeing a huge performance gain from the CTX. I estimate that in one small strip (around 10ft X 40ft) I have found more coins at 8" and 9" with the CTX than I did with the E-Trac. The important thing there is that I hunted that strip from many angles, with 3 different coils (6X8SEF, stock and 13" Detech), etc. I ran both machines at manual 30 there though I have been running the CTX in auto more than I did the E-Trac as it runs slightly hotter.

I agree with Jason - I got the CTX because the E-Trac was too much for my back. An expensive upgrade but I finally found a machine in the E-Trac that worked in my somewhat iron mineralized ground and wanted continues success.

So, to justify the cost - Do you waterhunt? The CTX is an awfully expensive machine if you don't. The overall improvement is not huge but as I said, imo it depends on the spot. I know you can't really quantify a machine with %'s but overall I'm guessing the CTX is like a 15% - 20% enhancement in performance, but it costs like 100% more. So, you got to weigh the benefits and of course see how much money you have to spare! The E-Trac with the 13" Detech is a very nice machine and I think it reduces the distance between the machines a bit more.

Albert

Thanks Albert - great response. I don't do a lot of water hunting and that's a good point. You have a lot of informative posts and I appreciate the knowledge you share with the board!

 

[MNetrac]

I never owned an Etrac but just wanted to add that I do love my CTX but in fairness I water hunt during the summer months. So does my hunting buddy he just traded in his etrac for the CTX as his land machine because of the improved separation he feels that the CTX has a huge advantage in that department. I know Albert(earthmansurfer) has a lot time with an ETRAC and has really been comparing the 2 units. Also Evan ( gonehunting), Bill S have posted some great videos and both have hunted with the Etrac I would check some of there posts and maybe PM them. What I can say is I truly believe the CTX is different then any other detector even the ETRAC. For me the waterproof and time to upgrade justified the price. For my buddy it was the separation ability, balance and flexibility that made is mind up. Things I never thought I would love is the wireless and GPS never dreamed I would want or use them but I do. I also believe having hunted it side by side with an ETRAC and comparing signals the CTX is more stable gives better numbers and is faster at recovery imo. I hope this helps I think the guys I named have truly given very fair and accurate opinions.

Matt

Thanks Matt. I will check out those posts too.

 

[Big Boys Hobbies]

Wow! great reports here. I can say anything they haven't said already.

My favorite features are the target trace for seeing coin spills and a good target next to iron and the better ID at depth the CTX has. Holler if you have any questions. Love to help you! Bart

 

[Jressman]

I find that the FE numbers are so much more stable even at extreme depths than the etrac, which really clears up any iffy signal from iron.

I found a half cent deep in an area I pounded with the etrac....

That being said I just found a 1797 large cent in an area I pounded with my CTX3030 when I decided to dust off the old Etrac and give it a shot.

 

[mcb613]

Haven't found any new coins in hunted out sites that previously produced for the etrac. I ahve been reading and maybe just haven't unleashed the benefits yet. I was hoping to go over my old good spots and find new targets. None found to date. I do like the machine per say. Dont really see much benefit in the waterproof , GPS and wireless... I wish they made same machine without those and a bit less expensive.Anyway, I;m still working on it and will jumo with joy if I do find the benies. Dollar for dollar, buy a used etrac with an X-1.... which I greatly miss. HH

 

[MickTwin]

Thanks for that honest statement Jressman! Right now, I can't justify spending the extra $$ to upgrade from my 2 month old E-Trac.. especially since I also own a perfectly capable Sovereign XS-2 Pro for the beaches. BUT, there is a member of my metal detecting club (he convinced me to buy an E-Trac) who SWEARS by the CTX-3030. Says he's never found so many silver coins in such a short time! This done in areas he had pounded with his trac and the V3i he owned before that.

 

[taltexan]

If he found numerous silvers in an area where he had (pounded) with the Etrac he didn't know how to use the machine. As stated above the CTX has the ability to help in iron (nails) and possible faster recovery. I hunted with a guy who has the CTX and in our soil which is very stable I checked every signal he had and found nothing that the etrac would not have found. In really trashy areas the CTX did settle on target quicker with less jumpy numbers where the Etrac did show some iffy signals but the sound is what gives the best indicator. If I hear the correct sound I will dig....If you have the money go for the CTX but keep the Trac.....