I have the itch to switch...

[Big Fang Coin Biter]

I have been using the Explorer since around 2000. Don't get me wrong - I love my Explorer II! I really would like to try out a lighter, better machine. Better is the tough part. I personally don't think the E-Track is better. I have a feeling the F75 and T2 are not better, lighter weight and similar results from what I can gather.

So what is the deal? Is detector technology so pushed to the limit that 10 year old technology cannot be bested? It just seems like the progression to the new super detector is painfully slow.

Whites came out with the innovative top of the line pulse machine. It is too specialized for my hunting though. Has anyone compared the new Whites Spectra 3V to the Explorer, depth wise?

To be honest, I figured by now the Explorer would be the weight of a Tesoro, have a rock solid ID, and be punching down another six inches! Unfortunately the weight has not changed, the ID still dances like a dervish, the ID at depth has actually gone worse with the SE model. I have no experience with the E-Track, but to me it is more of the same non-advancing upgrades (does anyone really use the electronic program transfer?).

So what do you think? Are we due for a quantum leap in detector technology? Are the detector companies really trying to make the next super detector? Why is ML adding electronic program transfer, when the thing needs to loose weight, have steady ID and to have more depth (to be the super-detector)?

Dang, I am suffering cabin fever here in the snow belt!

Take care and HH - BF

 

[dewcon4414]

I think we have to admit there are changes that can be made. I mean look at just the new coils what a difference they made. Id like to see that TID improved as well.... a squeek here and there to dig those questionable target does get old. Also if those Ferr numbers dont mean much get rid of them and stop confuseing people. Lets get down to the bare bones here. Make it lighter, programable... heck id pay for upgrades i can download (IF THEY WORK), give us more than one location for service, and improve the TID.

 

[Patrick(MI)]

You know when I get to thinking that my Explorer has reached it's potential I start reading posts in the classroom and discover another instructor, a better instructor, is giving direction to a new user. Reading the post I rediscover things I had forgotten about.
Also I go out to a good area and pick a small spot and start listening for those faint pin head size signals. I don't know about your machine but my XS, even on deep good targets, still keeps the cursor up in the upper right corner.
As for cabin fever you can still go out hunting even in winter. I have been out every weekend. Just think about where there might be places that you can go that aren't frozen 16" deep. If you think about it you'll discover there are places.

 

[toewarmers]

I sold my explorer to buy a XP deus. Fast reactivity, lightweight and great discrimination. Should arrive next week...

 

[Hombre]

Hi Big Fang

I have one of these simple analoge/digital meter detectors. Just click on the search featured at the top of page, type in classic id, exact phrase, Monte: author and all dates. should be several pages of stuff to read about these classic detectors from Whites.Just luv mine, running circles around a hunting partner with an Extera 70.

 

[Ray-Mo.]

n/t

 

[sasquache]

I'm sorry you feel that way bigfang but i think minelab is the top of line as far as metal detection goes and i think it would be a big mistake too switch so hang in there and dont give in to old man winter blues

 

[jeff & Maria]

I loved my Explorer II and it was always good to me. I bought the Etrac more because of the user friendly controls and the way it separates in extreme trash. I always hunted "All metal" with the explorer. Now I can hunt in in a coin mode and it will pick stuff out in a pile of nails. It is extremely stable! My explorer was tough at times. The Etrac runs as smooth as silk panties so for me the Etrac is better but that may not have been the case if my explorer was used in different ground conditions.

 

[Ray-Mo.]

Have you tried an E-Trac? I think you owe it to yourself to give one a try before you write it off as it has several improvements over the Explorers and I am not talking about the program transfer as I have yet to try that particular feature.It is better balanced and more comfortable to use for extended periods.

It is much more stable and so much smother to operate.The controls are improved and faster to use when switching modes.The pinpoint modes,yes two are far advanced compared to the Explorer II.You can actually get an extreme deep target signal and also get it in pinpoint with power/depth to spare.This alone can help a great deal in separating and IDing an iffy target from iron close by.

The auto sensitivity feature gives you real time readings and a lot of info about your soil conditions and can be switched from auto to manual and back as fast as you can touch the arrow button on the touch pad.

Recovery is faster with a much improved ability to pick the good targets out of heavy trash without sweeping the coil at an aged,crippled, dying snails pace.

I tried the V3 and wanted to like it but for all the great advancements it claimed it just would not do as well at detecting old coins at my sites.It was good at IDing rusty crown caps as quarters just like the F75s though.
The V3 is a tinkerers dream come true as you can spend hours fooling with all the possible combination of settings and get color graphs on the screen to soothe your eyes.

I have to agree with you that the SE was not that great of an improvement over the EXII

PS I am not saying the E-Trac is perfect.Just the best I have had the pleasure of using and learning for finding old coins in the turf,Ray. .

 

[Larry (IL)]

I don't want to start an argument, but I used an SE Pro side by side with a V3 for over a year........... I ended up selling my once favorite SE Pro.

 

[Dave-WI]

n/t

 

[Ray-Mo.]

You must be over here on the Explorer forum trying to ease your with-drawls Just kidding as I have seen the posts of your finds with the V3. Ever now and then I am tempted to get a later version of the V and give it another shot just to be safe,Ray.

 

[John LA]

If you are a dig everything person or a true relic hunter, I think the T2 goes deeper. I sold mine because I needed discrimination deeper than 4 inches and I'm a coin hunter.

 

[Larry (IL)]

Hey Ray, you are doing a fine job on the E-Trac forum.........only two fist fights and one hair pulling episode since you took the reins.........keep up the good work................. You are right though Ray, I'll always have withdrawal from the SE, that is one fine machine and I have been a Minelab guy for many years. When this weather breaks, lets round up the Guv, Bryce, 5th of Jack and go hunt'n some weekend?

 

[Ray-Mo.]

I am more than ready to get a little hunt together and would be honoured,Ray.

 

[kozyman]

Hi Big Fang

I have one of these simple analoge/digital meter detectors. Just click on the search featured at the top of page, type in classic id, exact phrase, Monte: author and all dates. should be several pages of stuff to read about these classic detectors from Whites.Just luv mine, running circles around a hunting partner with an Extera 70.

What have you been smoking?

 

[Ray-Mo.]

I to would go to my F75 if I were relic hunting a lot.

 

[david.di]

BF, based on what I think that you MIGHT require,the natural progression for you would be to an E-trac.

Simply because , it's a fairly simple transition to what could be considered the next level in the use of the Explorer genre.

P.I. seems another way to go but not unless there is a giant leap in it's abilities when it comes to true visual indication of what it is detecting.This may not be the ideal detector for many but I like to see and hear what is under the coil buy way of TID and a visual cross reference. Don't get the Etrac just for the program exchangeability as it does have it's uses. The Etrac IS lighter than the Explorers(the control box actually has less in it and is dimensionally smaller).Get the Etrac because there is not quite much more out there that can match it's serious detecting abilities.

If after you've tried and you don't think that you are getting any extra benefits from using it......just sell it.I don't see that there are any guarantees that the V3 will overtake the Etrac let alone the Explorer, in depth while detecting in all soil types though I am not absolutely sure that it can't. Maybe soon enough, I will be trying this out with my friend who has the V3....he just needs to figure out how to use it ,so we can attempt to compare apple with apples.

There are many, still waiting for the next step in what we hope will be giving us a super detector ......BUT WHEN WILL IT HAPPEN?....Who Knows?
In the meantime get an Etrac and learn to use it and I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.....or you'll hate anyone, me included for making the suggestion..I truly hope that won't be the case.

david di

 

[Big Fang Coin Biter]

n/t

 

[Big Fang Coin Biter]

About once a year I get on the old where's-the-bone and why-don't-minelab-listen kick. I really do appreciate all of your helpful comments. Ray-Mo are you a salesman? You should be, because you almost overcame the still lingering bad taste in my mouth from my SE purchase ($1000+ for a machine that works worse than my current model). I am not rich... enough said on my SE. I cannot drop $1500 for a new machine that might hit the spot.

I think I am using the detector that is probably best for me and maybe the best on the market.

If I was going to improve the Explorer it would be the weight of a Tesoro, have steady VID and go another three inches down. How many Etrac users would switch to my machine even if it had just two of the three improvements above (or one)?

I keep looking at my SE hanging there and thinking it would make a good down payment on something I might use. I just cannot come up with a machine that will fit the bill.

Larry (Ill) did you do depth comparisons on the SE vs V3? I would be very interested in your results.

Thanks again for all the comments and HH - BF