I got an 8" Minelab coil today for my SE...

[jbow]

I only had a few minutes to try it out before thunderstorms rolled in but it seems to me to be more stable than the stock 10.5 coil. It does not false near as much. Maybe I will like it better now. It is hard to like it when you have an F75 and a Tejon in the truck too.

I will keep making myself use it until I am sure I have learned it so I can know how good it is compared to those others. One thing I am already sure of is that no other detector matches the SEs TID capabilities. I use mine in digital all the time so I can learn the numbers. It's hard.. but like I said, i'll keep at it.

J

 

[DFX-Gregg]

All I am using until I learn the Se completely is the ML 8"...

 

[jbow]

I've used it a bit now and it is much more stable than the slimline 10.5. It seem's smaller than 8" though.

Anyway, I like it a LOT.

J

 

[Hobby]

Any more info on the 8" coil I'd like to hear more about it and the smaller coils 5" to. Do you find them that much better in trashy area's , How about on small Gold...Hobby......

 

[Steve(MS)]

I got the ML 8" a month or so ago and have had a 5" Exc. for a good while now, both are good for more trashy areas. The 5" is really good for super iron trashy areas and IMO is worth getting if you are in iron laden areas, I am talking about extreme conditions. If you learn it well, it will definitely make the finds simply because it has a lot smaller footprint. In such situations, take a lot more chances and dig a lot more questionable signals and it will pay off. Of course the depth is not as deep as the 8" and stock but that is not as important when detecting in trash. What I really like too is the fact that the small coil doesn't get fooled much on big iron or nails like some other brands/models if you really know the tones on the Explorer. About small gold, I don't know how small you are referring to but I dig a lot of buckshot, lead off nail heads and lead splatter a few inches deep. A high frequency detector would likely be a better choice if you are prospecting or a dedicated gold detector.

 

[Hobby]

Is the Sunray 8" coil better then the stock 8" .What's the big deal here I know thay cost more but are thay worth the X-tra $?..........Hobby........

 

[Steve(MS)]

I haven't used the Sunray 8, from what I have heard the SR is lighter than the ML, maybe others can comment on performance. Some really like the new 6" Exc. but I haven't tried that one either.
What type areas are you planning on using the smaller coil? This will give some direction to your coil choice. I find the ML 8" feels just as heavy or heavier than the stock coil but I bought a used one so I don't much $ in it. The ML goes for about 75. to 115 used, the SR is more.

 

[Hobby]

I'm hunting Park like area just alot of tinfoil and pulltab's that are shallow and deep. It hard to pinpoint with the 10" .The Sunray coils sound's like the way to go. Thank's for the info .....HH..............Hobby ..........

 

[grumpyolman]

The first accessory I got was the X1 probe. However, right next to it in improving the learning curve for me was the 8" SR coil. There was significant reduction in my frustration with the machine and it instantly became more fun. Now I am aware of the threshold without R2D2 noises coming from the innards of the beast and am becoming more in tune with deciphering weaker signals that might be the old stuff. In the final analysis I can't say whether the probe or the 8" coil is a better first accessory. Frankly! I need both! Regards.

 

[Magicman]

I use the Joey Coil 5x10 and I perfer it over the 10.5, must of my hunting has been in trashy areas. I used the 10.5 on the beach in St Augustine and had no problems. The next item is the x1-probe (said it would be a couple weeks before I get it, for a left swing. paid for already)