I been with the Findmall since Guvner started this great forum and we see the best dealers here too as we see them always trying to help anyone with different questions, even though they may not have sold the detector they are using.
I have been wanting to post this for a while and never seem to get the time, but going to say some of the things I have seen since I been around with the Minelab since 1996.
I got a Sovereign XS back in 1996 and remembered how some were doing so great, so I got one and first time I used it I thought what did I just waste my money on as it was just too noise, but with the help of everyone on the forum I learned a little at a time until I spent the time to really get to know it well. It has been a super excellent detector for me, but the secret is I had to take the time to learn what it was telling me by actual hunting with it. Many I know sold theirs after a couple time out with them as they were different Then in 1999 the First Explorer XS came out and everyone had to have one, even me and after a few weeks you seen them up for sale by many, but a few kept them and got to know them well and we seen some great finds with them. I have a guy up here in ND that I hunt with still uses one and he has close to 400 silver(a week ago he had 385) for the year. Then came the EX 2 with the dual digital for conductivity and ferrous with many trading in the XS for one as they wanted something better, but found out the EX2 you still had to get to know the detector as there is a learning curve too.Those that got to know them do well as we see. Then came the SE and the SE Pro and like the others were a learning curve and if you couldn't learn the XS or the EX2 you had another chance with some better features, but the secret is to do well you have to learn the detector well by actually using it. When the E-Trac came out many switched to it only to try to run it like a Explorer and were not as good so they went back to the Explorers. What I found interesting is every one of these detectors started out as being love hate relationship with most people hating them and saying the detector they had used before was better.Many sold them and there were those that spent the time to learn them and do well. I remember not that long ago the E-Trac was not well liked and as time has went on they are now the one many compare the CTX too and saying how well the E-Trac is. Back to the secret is that those that spent the time to get to know them found out how well they really are. I learned that they had to be set different then the Explorers did for me and did much better for me.
Now we come to the CTX 3030 and we are seeing the same thing as I personally know a couple that after 1 week the sold the CTX3030 and went back to the E-Trac, but I bet they will be back to the CTX 3030 when they see what others are pulling out of the same spots they say is worked out. I feel they thought that the CTX 3030 would be the magic detector that they could turn on a go with, but I am and I am sure others see too that you cant use the same setting for everyplace you go,but this detector give you the options to be able to use it in most any situation unlike the others.
Because of health issues I have not used mine more than maybe 10 hours total and it is different, but I am still learning and seen some very impressive things this detector will do. Took it to well worked areas the other Minelabs have cleaned out and I have been learning and seen a IH penny found in one area where even new coins are rare to find as it gets gone over a lot. This IH was beside a nail. Picked up engraved sterling silver ID bracelet with out the chain in a very trashy area of a old park as I had a decent signal, but low tones all over and using my Uni Probe I was able to find it, but there was signals all over because of the nails. This ID tag was a good 9 inches deep. I would not of believed this in that heavy of nails and rusty bottle caps if I hadn't dug it as it was very impressive. Just tried a spot next to my bar I own that was a old garage back in the early 1900 and a place that is full of pull tabs of recent years plus beer cans and old parts. I was able to pull some new coins out of this mess and a few old copper and brass pieces with the stock coil as I haven't been able to get the 6 inch coil yet. I tried this with my Sovereign and my Explorers before with a 5 inch coil and couldn't do anything, so the CTX is impressing me.
Bottom line is everyone one of the Minelabs I have seen come out you have those that claim they are experts and say they are a waste of money and pick them apart as they don't understand them while those that take the time to get to know them seems to love them until the next new Minelab comes out. The secret is they get to know them well and know them enough to know how to get the best out of them. If it was just turn on and go and be a perfect detector and only get good targets then everyone will be doing it and leave nothing for those that enjoy the thrill of the hunt as we have to use our heads.
The Pros are the new battery system, the well balanced detector, being able to upgrade your detector, solid feel detector as you swing, the wireless headphones, the ease of pinpointing and the GPS feature I haven't used yet
The biggest con I feel is the price and do feel like many things that are new cost more when they first come out (like many electronic items) but will lower in price or a model with less features for less money.
Good luck to all that have a CTX and those considering getting one you will have to have the patience and learn it which is not that hard with all the good help on this forum as the Findmall ROCKS!!
Rick
I have been wanting to post this for a while and never seem to get the time, but going to say some of the things I have seen since I been around with the Minelab since 1996.
I got a Sovereign XS back in 1996 and remembered how some were doing so great, so I got one and first time I used it I thought what did I just waste my money on as it was just too noise, but with the help of everyone on the forum I learned a little at a time until I spent the time to really get to know it well. It has been a super excellent detector for me, but the secret is I had to take the time to learn what it was telling me by actual hunting with it. Many I know sold theirs after a couple time out with them as they were different Then in 1999 the First Explorer XS came out and everyone had to have one, even me and after a few weeks you seen them up for sale by many, but a few kept them and got to know them well and we seen some great finds with them. I have a guy up here in ND that I hunt with still uses one and he has close to 400 silver(a week ago he had 385) for the year. Then came the EX 2 with the dual digital for conductivity and ferrous with many trading in the XS for one as they wanted something better, but found out the EX2 you still had to get to know the detector as there is a learning curve too.Those that got to know them do well as we see. Then came the SE and the SE Pro and like the others were a learning curve and if you couldn't learn the XS or the EX2 you had another chance with some better features, but the secret is to do well you have to learn the detector well by actually using it. When the E-Trac came out many switched to it only to try to run it like a Explorer and were not as good so they went back to the Explorers. What I found interesting is every one of these detectors started out as being love hate relationship with most people hating them and saying the detector they had used before was better.Many sold them and there were those that spent the time to learn them and do well. I remember not that long ago the E-Trac was not well liked and as time has went on they are now the one many compare the CTX too and saying how well the E-Trac is. Back to the secret is that those that spent the time to get to know them found out how well they really are. I learned that they had to be set different then the Explorers did for me and did much better for me.
Now we come to the CTX 3030 and we are seeing the same thing as I personally know a couple that after 1 week the sold the CTX3030 and went back to the E-Trac, but I bet they will be back to the CTX 3030 when they see what others are pulling out of the same spots they say is worked out. I feel they thought that the CTX 3030 would be the magic detector that they could turn on a go with, but I am and I am sure others see too that you cant use the same setting for everyplace you go,but this detector give you the options to be able to use it in most any situation unlike the others.
Because of health issues I have not used mine more than maybe 10 hours total and it is different, but I am still learning and seen some very impressive things this detector will do. Took it to well worked areas the other Minelabs have cleaned out and I have been learning and seen a IH penny found in one area where even new coins are rare to find as it gets gone over a lot. This IH was beside a nail. Picked up engraved sterling silver ID bracelet with out the chain in a very trashy area of a old park as I had a decent signal, but low tones all over and using my Uni Probe I was able to find it, but there was signals all over because of the nails. This ID tag was a good 9 inches deep. I would not of believed this in that heavy of nails and rusty bottle caps if I hadn't dug it as it was very impressive. Just tried a spot next to my bar I own that was a old garage back in the early 1900 and a place that is full of pull tabs of recent years plus beer cans and old parts. I was able to pull some new coins out of this mess and a few old copper and brass pieces with the stock coil as I haven't been able to get the 6 inch coil yet. I tried this with my Sovereign and my Explorers before with a 5 inch coil and couldn't do anything, so the CTX is impressing me.
Bottom line is everyone one of the Minelabs I have seen come out you have those that claim they are experts and say they are a waste of money and pick them apart as they don't understand them while those that take the time to get to know them seems to love them until the next new Minelab comes out. The secret is they get to know them well and know them enough to know how to get the best out of them. If it was just turn on and go and be a perfect detector and only get good targets then everyone will be doing it and leave nothing for those that enjoy the thrill of the hunt as we have to use our heads.
The Pros are the new battery system, the well balanced detector, being able to upgrade your detector, solid feel detector as you swing, the wireless headphones, the ease of pinpointing and the GPS feature I haven't used yet
The biggest con I feel is the price and do feel like many things that are new cost more when they first come out (like many electronic items) but will lower in price or a model with less features for less money.
Good luck to all that have a CTX and those considering getting one you will have to have the patience and learn it which is not that hard with all the good help on this forum as the Findmall ROCKS!!
Rick
