I am new to Mine Lab

[bad boy]

I don't own one yet but would like some opinions on which one to buy. I have been a Whites guy for 15 years. I just would like to know which is the new Mine lab on the market right now. Seems like the E-trac??is their newest model?? Is it better then the SE or SE pro. Like I said I never held one, so I am new to these detectors.

 

[goodmore]

It depends on a bunch of things. How much do you hunt? To get the benefit of a more expensive machine it has to be used. How old are you and are you in good shape? The Minelabs can take their toll on a bad shoulder and arm. Do you plan to hunt salt water or any water with the detector? The CTX is waterproof to 10 ft. The E Trac was the top end model, but the CTX has taken that spot. The more you spend the more bells and whistles you get. If you hunt well groomed yards the target ID features of the upper end models will help you out. They all get about the same depth. The more you spend the better they hunt the iron and help with target ID.

 

[bad boy]

Ok I understand, Mostly common sense, You answered my post, I wanted to see if the E-trac was Minelabs newest model other then the CTX. I take it they are heavier then a Whites machine since you mentioned the shoulder. Both of mine are bad, well so are my knees and back. I have many problems but I still try to get out. I am retired and go out when i please. Some day I would like to try a beach hunt, I never did that in all my years of metal detecting. Going for Gold nuggets always interested me also. I know you have to put your time in to find a nugget unless you are extremely lucky, Thanks for the advice......Pete

 

[DukeOBass]

Very heavy and ergonomicaly unfriendly. The Etrac has a lot less problems with it also. I was hoping MineLab would come out with an Etrac 2 instead of completely redesigning a proven detector line.

 

[Surfinsafari]

ML is coming out with a PI machine to compete with the ATX, compacts down to backpack size, is supposed to be the cats a**. Get an Etrac and have some fun.

 

[sprchng]

Don't overlook the Safari either.
FBS technology with a few less bells/whistles but nearly the same depth as the 3030 and etrac in a package that's lighter and more nimble.
Lighter than a V3i or MXT as well
A good value if you take the time to learn it

 

[surfchunker]

only problem for the on the Etrac is the display can be hard to see in certain light conditions. other than that I wouldn't change a thing

 

[surfchunker]

not to talk you out of a ML but the XP Deus is extremely light and a killer in iron

 

[Rick73]

The CTX is very well balanced and easier to swing than the Etrac.

 

[bad boy]

Thanks for the advice guys. When I get hooked up with my friend who has the Explorer SE, I will try his to see how they differ then Whites machines. I have found lots of coins with my XLT. The DFX is a little more chatty then the XLT, but I just bought the DFX. I sold it to a man years ago and he dies and I asked his wife if she wanted to sell it back to me, She did, and we agreed on a price. I think I over paid for it but it has a Sun Ray pin pointer on it and the woman needs help. I don't get out like I want to account of several disability's i have but I still get out. I just don't last as long as I used to. You young guys, Don't take your health for granted. I was the idiot in the work bunch always trying to out preform everyone. Lifting things that 3 guys should be lifting, but know I am paying the price for being stupid. Don't be a goof like me. Also I would not wait long to retire, if you can, go for it while you are healthy, Just a little old timer advice

 

[Goes4ever]

I can swing the etrac for hours on end without any fatigue and I am a smaller guy. IMHO it is easier and more balanced than the CTX. I used my buddies and think it is extremely back heavy. The huge back battery is a bad design

 

[basstrackerman]

I was also dumb in treating my body like it would last forever. Im 47 and retired from department of corrections here in ohio. Glad i got outta there as ive had knee replacement and 2 back surgeries ;(. Detecting, fishing, and deer hunting is my big 3 hobbies. good advice you give. Thanks

 

[bad boy]

Good to hear someone is listening, 3 knee surgery's, 4 back surgery's, 3 hernias, carpel tunnel both hands. etc. yea I am a mess but I still try to keep plugging along

 

[ironsight]

only problem for the on the Etrac is the display can be hard to see in certain light conditions. other than that I wouldn't change a thing

The display is only one of a couple dozen things on the wish list for an eTRAC-II.
If things didn't improve over the years, we'd all still be driving Model T's.
I'll bet most of those old timers also felt their new model T's needed no improvements.

......Also I would not wait long to retire, if you can, go for it while you are healthy, Just a little old timer advice....

Wise words if one can afford to do so. I retired in my mid 50's and never looked back. No more alarm clocks!
Unless you absolutely need a waterproof detector and GPS, forget the $2500 CTX. I tried one on for size once, didn't like the feel but thats my opinion only.

The CTX does have more detection features i'd like to see on a futuristic eTRAC-II but the current eTRAC holds its own regardless.
I can hunt for hours using a larger coil strapped on my eTRAC with no pain or fatigue issues. The key as with all detectors is to adjust the shaft length so the coil is as close as practical to the feet in order to minimize arm extension when sweeping which eliminates or reduces arm and shoulder fatigue.

I will say though, no gettng around it, the eTRAC is a heavier machine.
If you have pre-existing shoulder, elbow, wrist, etc. issues, you might consider a lighter detector.

 

[DukeOBass]

I used a 15x12 SEF coil on my Etrac all summer during the summer before last and never had any issue. The CTX created ongoing wrist issues for me after only 6 months using the stock coil and harness for part of that time.

 

[DukeOBass]

XP Deus is what I use now. Super fast processing and extremely light! I was a long time MineLab user, but they didn't have an updated E-trac to move into.

 

[DukeOBass]

That's why I just retired at age 57 on the 15th of August. It is sweet to be retired young and with good health. I wasn't waiting until I was too old, sick or injured. Waiting for higher Social Security payments is not worth it. They may not even be there or be cut in half so Uncle Sam can take care of all of the illegal immigrants on your dime.

 

[bad boy]

only problem for the on the Etrac is the display can be hard to see in certain light conditions. other than that I wouldn't change a thing

The display is only one of a couple dozen things on the wish list for an eTRAC-II.
If things didn't improve over the years, we'd all still be driving Model T's.
I'll bet most of those old timers also felt their new model T's needed no improvements.

......Also I would not wait long to retire, if you can, go for it while you are healthy, Just a little old timer advice....

Wise words if one can afford to do so. I retired in my mid 50's and never looked back. No more alarm clocks!
Unless you absolutely need a waterproof detector and GPS, forget the $2500 CTX. I tried one on for size once, didn't like the feel but thats my opinion only.

The CTX does have more detection features i'd like to see on a futuristic eTRAC-II but the current eTRAC holds its own regardless.
I can hunt for hours using a larger coil strapped on my eTRAC with no pain or fatigue issues. The key as with all detectors is to adjust the shaft length so the coil is as close as practical to the feet in order to minimize arm extension when sweeping which eliminates or reduces arm and shoulder fatigue.

I will say though, no gettng around it, the eTRAC is a heavier machine.
If you have pre-existing shoulder, elbow, wrist, etc. issues, you might consider a lighter detector.

Sounds good, I retired at 55, I was worn out and could not to the job any more, I was a Construction Electrician and ran big conduit, seems they always kept me doing that as I was good at bending. But a stick of 3in rigid is probably 75 pounds. Throwing that stuff around all day will tear a man down. Too bad we couldn't get hooked up. I don't know where you live but I am in Schuylkill County, placed called Quakake, near Delano. About 35 miles south of Wilkes-Barre, Pa. I will keep my eyes open to a E-trac. is it lighter then the Explorer

 

[surfchunker]

I know this is an Etrac forum but have you looked at the XP Deus ... probably half the weight of the ETrac and totally wireless ... they are a killer in Iron

 

[bad boy]

I have been not detecting in awhile and I never heard of XP Deus. I am a coin shooter for sure.