How soon is too soon?

[MNCoinhunter]

I was considering buying a 10 X 12 SEF for my Explorer. But I can't help but think.."If it ain't broke, don't fix it"......how much better is the SEF really? Since my Pro Coil and the SEF are essentially both DD's....what major differences are there? Somebody convince me either way. Otherwise I'll use the money towards an in-line probe, a spare Garrett Pro-pointer, or an AT Pro (for water-hunting)..

 

[stubbs1]

I waited about a year until I bought one & bought the 6x8 after that. Now I use my 6x8 almost all the time. I dug 8 in. coins &its easier for me.

 

[D&P-OR]

I was considering buying a 10 X 12 SEF for my Explorer. But I can't help but think.."If it ain't broke, don't fix it"......how much better is the SEF really? Since my Pro Coil and the SEF are essentially both DD's....what major differences are there? Somebody convince me either way. Otherwise I'll use the money towards an in-line probe, a spare Garrett Pro-pointer, or an AT Pro (for water-hunting)..

Dave----I've got 'em all (except the AT Pro).----If you haven't got the Sunray X-1 probe yet--that would DEFINITELY be on the top of my list for next purchase.-----Best thing since sliced bread--once you use it a bit, you will wonder how you ever got along without it!-------Convinced yet????? ------------Del

 

[MNCoinhunter]

I was considering buying a 10 X 12 SEF for my Explorer. But I can't help but think.."If it ain't broke, don't fix it"......how much better is the SEF really? Since my Pro Coil and the SEF are essentially both DD's....what major differences are there? Somebody convince me either way. Otherwise I'll use the money towards an in-line probe, a spare Garrett Pro-pointer, or an AT Pro (for water-hunting)..

Dave----I've got 'em all (except the AT Pro).----If you haven't got the Sunray X-1 probe yet--that would DEFINITELY be on the top of my list for next purchase.-----Best thing since sliced bread--once you use it a bit, you will wonder how you ever got along without it!-------Convinced yet????? ------------Del

Do you think it is more practical than the pro-pointer?

 

[Elton]

In line probe is excellent. If you use multi detectors then the At Pro works very well with most of them.

 

[D&P-OR]

I was considering buying a 10 X 12 SEF for my Explorer. But I can't help but think.."If it ain't broke, don't fix it"......how much better is the SEF really? Since my Pro Coil and the SEF are essentially both DD's....what major differences are there? Somebody convince me either way. Otherwise I'll use the money towards an in-line probe, a spare Garrett Pro-pointer, or an AT Pro (for water-hunting)..

Dave----I've got 'em all (except the AT Pro).----If you haven't got the Sunray X-1 probe yet--that would DEFINITELY be on the top of my list for next purchase.-----Best thing since sliced bread--once you use it a bit, you will wonder how you ever got along without it!-------Convinced yet????? ------------Del

Do you think it is more practical than the pro-pointer?

Dave-----It depends on what you call practical. -------If you are using several detectors--I guess you could say the Pro Pointer is more practical in that respect and can be used with several detectors.-----As you know, you are confined to use of the X-1 with the Explorers & Etrac (Safari also, I believe).---The X-1 in-line probe is an excellent tool & IMHO the Pro Pointer is the best (hand held) pin pointer made at this point in time.-----What I do is I use both of them on my hunts and each fills a need (for me) in target recovery.-----The Pro Pointer does "cross talk" the Explorer/Etrac once in awhile but a noise cancel takes care of that (not a problem).---This has been my experience anyway.----If you are going to be hunting mostly with an Explorer or Etrac--buy the X-1 first--you won't be sorry! -----------Del

 

[MNCoinhunter]

If I were to buy the in-line probe it would go on my Explorer. Already have a Garrett Pro-pointer....just thought it might be handy to have a 2nd one around just in case...lol.

Maybe I should just buy the SEF..

 

[TURNMASTER]

I bought the AT Pro before the Inline probe and after an FBS 800. I also have the FBS Slimline, I kinda wish I had the Pro coil or 10x12 SEF and the smaller SEF. Next will be a set of waterproof head phones for the AT Pro.

Jeff

 

[sgoss66]

I use a Garrett Pro-Pointer, and I love it. Like Del said about the X-1, once I started using the Garrett, I couldn't imagine how I ever hunted without it. I love that thing. I just can't convince myself that the X-1 is ENOUGH of an upgrade over the Pro-Pointer (ESPECIALLY given that the last thing these Explorers need is to get even HEAVIER), and so I decided to get a coil instead. I got a 6x8 SEF coming in the mail. I have heard some say that the 10x12 SEF is heavier than the Pro coil, and not much if any upgrade over the Pro coil. The smaller 6x8, though, everyone seems to really like (and I wanted it for the trashy spots I hunt)

Just my two cents.

Steve

 

[MNCoinhunter]

Thanks Steve, I was looking into the 6 X 8 SEF also. I think that the 10 X 12 SEF may have a slightly narrower detection field, but it's not enough to justify buying it. My pro coil is more than meeting my expectations, so maybe a smaller SEF or something similar for really trashy spots.

 

[D&P-OR]

So now we're talkin coils! ---If you already have the Pro coil, an investment in a small coil (as far as a next investment in a coil purchase goes), before the 10X12 SEF, would be a very good move.(IMO).----That 8X6 SEF works trash quite well and gets (almost) as much depth as the X-8 (in my tests).-----The Excellerator 6" and X-5 are good small coils also but I think I would go with the 6X8 SEF first.----All this is just my opinion & you know what they say about opinions. ---I do own & use all these mentioned coils though.---------------Del

 

[scott (wi)]

I "over-hunted" a small local park with my 10.5 stock, 8" FBS and 15" WOT for six or seven years ... took my dog there every day for a walk. I pounded this park for all it was worth. I was certain I hunted it out. After my dog died (at 16.5 years she had a great life!) I hadn't hunted it for 3 years. This Christmas I got a 10X12 SEF and a new puppydawg and this spring thought what the heck why not give it a try again for old times sake? I found 4.5 silver there with the 10X12 SEF in three or four hours hunting (the half was a silver rosie cut in half) plus a few wheaties and I still have to go back over many areas I was pretty sure I didn't leave anything behind in that park but I was wrong. The SEF plus maybe some extra experience allowed me to squeak out a few extra coins. Is that worth buying a new coil ... well probably not but for some those few extra coins might be worth it. In my test garden I can't tell if the SEF hits deeper than the stock ... my first test was somewhat disappointing as I expected it to hit harder on the deep ones ... but there appears to be an clear advantage with the separation.

 

[dewcon4414]

If you have the Pro coil i wouldnt spend the money on the SEF. They both seperate very well. The pro is lighter and a bit more sensitive.... which means you may get a bit more noise if you crank it up to high. A nice small coil or defiantly the inline is a good purchase. The Pro vs the SEF to me came down to nothing but the money because i had to make the decision of one or the other since i have the SE not SE Pro.

Dew

 

[MNCoinhunter]

Dew, I am considering the 6 X 8 SEF now. There are a couple of spots I hunt up here that are absolutely littered with iron and trash. One in particular is hiding some old coins. This spot is where they dumped all of the old dirt from our Main St. when the re-paved it a few years ago. Went there yesterday and found another Indian Head penny sitting on top of the dirt. But I have to contend with a mountain of junk also.

 

[w6pea]

We have an SE Pro-2 with the stock coil and a W.O.T. . I would say learn the machine with the stock coil then get a Sun Probe S1 probe or what they use on the SE Pro2. jmho

 

[sgoss66]

What is an SE Pro "2"?

Steve

 

[D&P-OR]

What is an SE Pro "2"?

Steve

Good question!

 

[sgoss66]

Hey McDave --

Just FWIW -- I ran my new 6x8 S.E.F. coil through my test garden yesterday. Results? It is roughly 1 1/2 to 2" less in depth, in my soil, than my Pro coil. A 10" quarter in my garden, with my Pro coil, is a non-diggable target, but it will give an occasional, peep/chirp on myabe 5-10% of sweeps. This is the same response I get from an 8" quarter with the S.E.F. coil. Likewise, a 6" quarter in my test garden hits on the 6x8 (very diggable) about the same as an 8" quarter with the Pro coil (very diggable).

A 6" memorial penny is a pretty good, diggable target with the 6x8 in my garden, though it's getting near the limits...FE numbers are high on that 6" penny, but the CO numbers are pretty good. FWIW, I took it out hunting after testing in the garden, and dug a 6 1/4" memorial that hit exactly the same way "in the field" as the 6" penny in my test garden. A pretty good, diggable signal, but jumpy/generally-too-high FE numbers.

In addition, this coil pinpoints well, especially in trash -- as it allows you to "lock on" to more closely co-located targets and pinpoint them (as you would expect).

Looks like it will be a good coil. Whatever depth you get on your Pro coil in your soil, subtract about 1 1/2" to 2" and that's what you should get with the 6x8 (based on my testing). Please keep in mind that my soil is apparently challenging for detectors -- while most folks consider it "mild," it seems to be tough dirt to detect in, ESPECIALLY when dry (which it usually is here). So, take my depth values themselves with a grain of salt, as you may get deeper targets in your ground. But bottom line is -- for me, 6" coins are very diggable with this coil; you MIGHT be able to sneak an 8" quarter or half. For me, with the Pro coil, it's the same thing, but adding about 1 1/2". In other words, a 7" dime/8" quarter is diggable; you MIGHT be able to sneak an 8" dime/10" quarter, but that's pushing it to the max. So, 1 1/2" to 2" less depth on the 6x8 versus the Pro coil, but good target separation/pinpointing, and comparably-good VDI numbers.

Hope this helps.

Steve

 

[MNCoinhunter]

Thanks Steve....very much appreciated.