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I'd like to hear from people with considerable time on BOTH the Etrac and CTX 3030

T

TrpnBils

New member
So I've had an Etrac for a year and a half or so and have put some serious time on it. I like it a lot, but I'm wondering if a move to the 3030 might be a good move next spring. Looking at comparisons online, most of them seem to be from right when the 3030 came out in 2012-2013 and most of the reviewers seem to be doing it right out of the box with no real time on the machines.

If you have both, and have considerable time on both, I'd like to hear what your take on it is and whether or not you felt the upgrade was worthwhile. My main reason for considering an upgrade is I feel I could do better in some of the trashy and iron-infested home sites with a machine that responded faster. The target trace option has my interest.

My main types of hunting sites are old home sites, public parks, cellar holes, and a fair amount of door-knocking at existing houses. I know the big draw to the 3030 is the waterproofing. I'm a coin guy, hands-down. If I find relics or other interesting stuff, so be it, but it's coin-producing sites I try to hit hardest most of the time. I have water hunted with my etrac in knee-deep water, but it's certainly not a priority and I'm not sure how much water hunting I'd really do...who knows, maybe it'll become a new favorite type of hunting if I tried it. I don't really see a major use for the GPS as far as I can tell.

Performance-wise, is the 3030 noticeably better in the types of sites I mentioned? I'd like to hear from people who know both machines well.

Thanks!
 
TrpnBils,

Hi,

I helped develop both.

I've seen endless pondering on the subject.

Honestly, I'd keep the E Trac (probably the best machine out now)
Then, I'd take a SERious look at Makro's [future offerings]
They proved the "The Racer" to be superb in iron, acc to some owners, better than Deus

I've seen so many owners "ditch" their Brand X models for a "Deus" to be seriously disillusioned with that choice!
They realise a mistake and buy their 2nd E Trac or other.

Save yourself a fortune. Do what I 'advise'

But, come next spring, you'll have forgotten my advice and will more than likely buy a CTX
Or, keep your powder DRY and see what the other manufacturers will undoubtedly have released by then?

Glad that you do love your current E Trac...so do I.

Des D
 
Interesting.... I haven't followed anything that Makro has done, other than that I own one of their pinpointers. I'll take a look at some of their stuff, and I appreciate the advice!
 
Hi TrpnBils

This question has come up quite a few times over the years since this part of the forum was created when the CTX was about to be released..... There are probably some newer converts here to the CTX that don't recall these conversations and just may have some good information to add. I have used both detectors, but honestly it has been some years now since I had to use one. My recommendation to you would be to check out some of these threads that are from this forum regarding etrac / ctx comparisions.. I usually use Google to search the forum since it is much quicker...

https://www.google.com/search?as_q=ctx+etrac+better&as_epq=&as_oq=&as_eq=&as_nlo=&as_nhi=&lr=&cr=&as_qdr=all&as_sitesearch=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.findmall.com%2F&as_occt=any&safe=images&as_filetype=&as_rights=

HH
 
Well it depends which way the wind is blowing today ........meaning your going to get answers from owners that the CTX is better then sliced bread and they are glad they upgraded from the E-Trac ! However, I have seen several people switch back to the E-Trac for many reasons and I do agree with Des D that the E-trac is the best !!! However, (again) your going to hear from the CTX owners that the CTX is far better.........so there you go !!
 
roadapple said:
Well it depends which way the wind is blowing today ........meaning your going to get answers from owners that the CTX is better then sliced bread and they are glad they upgraded from the E-Trac ! However, I have seen several people switch back to the E-Trac for many reasons and I do agree with Des D that the E-trac is the best !!! However, (again) your going to hear from the CTX owners that the CTX is far better.........so there you go !!
Click to expand...

Any members on here that you know of that switched back to the Etrac? I'd be interested in talking to them too!
 
I remember a few (as in literally, maybe 2 or 3) who felt the cost of the CTX wasn't justifiable to the increase in performance and went back to the E-Trac. The vast majority of people I seen move away from the CTX never even learned how to really use it. I don't really care WHY. there are so many detectors available in all price ranges. Everyone should swing what they are happy with. I used the E-Trac for 5 years and have used the CTX for 2+ years. Yes, it performs better for me in my soil. I get more depth and I get more solid and steady VDI on coins even at max depth. The only times I go back to my E-Trac is when I have to send the CTX in for repairs (which is twice now. Once for a USB error and right now because I broke a battery latch)
 
I've used all the Explorer series since they've been out, I just left an E-trac for the CTX. If I went back to the E-trac now, I wouldn't feel like I was sacrificing any performance, just a few features that I really enjoy. But, I have to say in all fairness, I've only used the CTX for the last 3 weeks, it may be a coincidence, but I've found silver every single time I've been out so far :)
 
Ive owned 3 different models of Minelab. It seems to me that each model seems to get a bit smoother and quieter. Less chatter and less bouncing. Is the ctx worth the extra 1000 bucks from a etrac? It depends on whom you talk to. I personally like my ctx and don't plan on going back to my etrac. I think, with fairly rare exception....anything you find with a etrac ....you will find with an ctx...and visa versa. Beside if you water hunt or not....its nice to just hose off the ctx. I also think the target trace is worth the money. Several of the features.....I don't really use. They either aren't accurate and/or under developed and not updated.

When the etrac was top dog.....that was my detector of choice.....now its the ctx.
 
Both detectors get their fair share of gold stars from me. The CTX hangs on the wall more than the etrac just because I can match the coil to the site so much easier with the etrac. $350 a copy on the CTX coils is it's greatest detraction . The value goes to the etrac , the bling goes to the CTX. There are some nice features on the CTX that are very helpful , tone settings as much as anything , not that I can't live without.

You might as well resign yourself to the fact that eventually will have both just out of curiosity. Prices on like new CTXs have come down to make them very attractive in the $1400 to $1500 range , sometimes with more than one coil. Just be sure to get one with a little warranty remaining in case you discover there is a repair that needs doing
 
TrpnBils said:
roadapple said:
Well it depends which way the wind is blowing today ........meaning your going to get answers from owners that the CTX is better then sliced bread and they are glad they upgraded from the E-Trac ! However, I have seen several people switch back to the E-Trac for many reasons and I do agree with Des D that the E-trac is the best !!! However, (again) your going to hear from the CTX owners that the CTX is far better.........so there you go !!
Click to expand...

Any members on here that you know of that switched back to the Etrac? I'd be interested in talking to them too!
Click to expand...
YES ...... check out "Floodplaindetector" and be sure to see his 2014 year end results showing a mountain of silver coins he found and continues to find !!!!! He had the CTX and sold it to go back to the E-Trac.
 
roadapple said:
TrpnBils said:
roadapple said:
Well it depends which way the wind is blowing today ........meaning your going to get answers from owners that the CTX is better then sliced bread and they are glad they upgraded from the E-Trac ! However, I have seen several people switch back to the E-Trac for many reasons and I do agree with Des D that the E-trac is the best !!! However, (again) your going to hear from the CTX owners that the CTX is far better.........so there you go !!
Click to expand...

Any members on here that you know of that switched back to the Etrac? I'd be interested in talking to them too!
Click to expand...
YES ...... check out "Floodplaindetector" and be sure to see his 2014 year end results showing a mountain of silver coins he found and continues to find !!!!! He had the CTX and sold it to go back to the E-Trac.
Click to expand...

Thanks - I'll check that out!
 
Des

Strong words but I understand that one uses what they are comfortable with . . . . . switching detectors and mastering it take time and many hunters fall back on what they are familiar with. As far as the Makro, Deus, CTX 3030, E-Trac and a myriad of others, they are all decent units and in many cases have their place. The Minelab's stumble in high trash and that is simply the way FBS circuitry works - and the reason small coils and slow sweep speeds are a must. The Deus has shown itself to excel under these conditions which it what it was designed for. The Majro has its place and yes, it is less money but it is not a Deus or a Minelab.

I know you were involved in the E-Trac project as was I and it is still a potent machine - one that will run with the CTX 3030 in the hands of an experienced user. I use what works and for the type of hunting I do currently that means the XP or Minelab units most of the time with some others as conditions dictate.

I have seen plenty of woners ditch brand X for brand Y and vicea versa so to say one is definielty better than another as a blanket statement is misleading.

Good to see your postings again . . . .

Andy
 
I've had both etrac and CTX. Both good units. For the loot etrac gets the nod--- just get a sef 6x8 coil and hunt on.

True with both running stock coils, CTX with its better separation/ recovery is better than etrac, but not $$1,000 better.

The proprietory coils are a big turn off.

Many used coils for etrac so can be had at reasonable prices.
But for the water hunter--- no brainer,,CTX all the way..
 
I've had all the explorers and an Etrac and still own a CTX. I loved my Etrac and did very well with it. I love my CTX. My version of your questions answer is that I prefer my CTX to my Etrac because it brings more to the plate. To start with the CTX weighs a little more but feels like less because of the ergonomics. Recognizes two targets at once,adjustable tones.just to name a few. I miss knowing when I'm digging silver which you can do with a Etrac but never can tell for sure with a CTX. I don't think a CTX is any deeper at all than the Etrac but some of the options in the CTX may get you deeper in the end.

Note not your question but
The XP Deus is a highly adjustable machine that is an equal to a CTX or an Etrac in a good detectorists hands that takes the time to learn it.
 
I had the CTX from two days after it came out and before that had the Etrac. I have to say that the CTX excels over the Etrac in iron loaded areas as well as trashy areas. Since I mainly hunt parks and private homes, the CTX excels in this area. Also the depth of the CTX is greater than the Etrac, I have seen this in action comparing signals with Etrac users. If targets are 6-7" down, then both machines are good, but greater than 7", than its the CTX hands down. IMO
 
Heck , the 6" coil on the CTX hits solidly on 7" targets.
 
Etrac, not strapped in, heaps of coil choices, works well with all those coil choices.

CTX, waterproof, heaps more screen info, chose your own tones for what ever hunting, salt mode, updateable.

had etrac for 12 months and felt is was losing its sting, ctx came out with the big build up got one and couldn't run it like the etrac (sound) and was strapped in and was 99.9% ready to sell it then took it over pounded park found more coins so kept it.

still don't like being strapped in but learn to live with it, don't like that there is bugger all coil choices, don't like no updates for 3 years, don't like having that much money in an un warrantied detector and the way minelab charge to fix out of warranty machines that's scary, most of all I don't like minelabs attitude and if I could find a better machine to do what ctx does I would buy it, and well they know they have the best and they are not humble at all the worst thing about a ctx is its a minelab.

otherwise both machines in the car ctx gets picked out so etrac went.

really hope someone can make a machine to match and beat the ctx cause I am outta here but until then I cross my fingers nothing goes wrong that's the biggest minus of etrac or ctx is they are minelabs !!

AJ
 
OK, I'm lost on part of that AJ, what do you mean by "strapped in"?
 
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