Looking for comparison between Exp II and CTX

[BigTony]

Anyone now using a CTX and have used the Explorer II for a good amount of time in the past, I would like to hear your comparisons about how they compare in regards to parks.
Thanks in advance Tony

And if this was already asked and replied to please let me know the time frame and I'll search for it.

 

[BigTony]

n/t

 

[Dighistory]

The CTX gives me the ability to see on the display multiple targets which has afforded me the opportunity to recover good targets that I would otherwise have missed. That said the explorer II is an awesome machine that if I were mainly coin shooting the average newer areas, ( no significant history), I would feel very comfortable staying with the Explorer II.

I have hunted extensively with the Explorer II and sold it to my hunting partner when I moved to the CTX with the condition that if he ever decides to sell it I have first right of refusal which I won't.!

I still trade off with him on some hunts just because I understand what the Explorer is telling me so well. If the Explorer II was water proof it would have been a hard sell to get me to the CTX.

I do prefer my Excaliber II in most water situations but for an all around machine that I'm not scared to hunt with in the rain or shallow water hunting I really enjoy the freedom of the CTX.

If you are comfortable using the Explorer the transition to the CTX is an easy one.

Best of luck.

 

[BigTony]

n/t

 

[JJ]

I had about 8 years on the EXII before moving to the CTX. Didn't click with the CTX at first but now I wouldn't look back. The EXII is still a phenomenal machine but the CTX is too. The days of telling a clad dime from a silver dime just by the sound are probably gone though. It took allot of trial and error before I created settings and tones close enough to the ol' EXII. I'm pretty content once again.

Hunting in the rain or water is a huge advantage over the EXII. The CTX is so much better at handling EMI and difficult ground as well. Recovery speed is also a huge advantage with the CTX. I still prefer low and slow, but you will make finds with the CTX over the EXII because of the quicker recovery to threshold between very close targets and seeing multiple targets on the screen. Some Explorer guys are masters at interpreting the null in the threshold and still make good finds. I rank that right up there with reading tea leaves, more power to these guys. Guess I never achieved Explorer Guru status. Coil selection is much better on the EXII. The Sunray probe is far superior to these handheld jobs, you will miss that too. The CTX is much more ergonomic and can be swung comfortably much longer. I probably won't part with my EXII but I'm quite happy with the CTX on land or water. JJ

 

[BigTony]

Thank you JJ. That was very informative and too the point.One thing - I don't hunt in the rain unless it is just a sprinkle, like I did this past week here in NJ.
I am not a null guru but I do investigate further just in case something is hiding. Bottom line right now I love the EXP II but it is getting older.

Thanks again, if I do make a move to the CTX can I email you for set up tips?
Thanks Tony

 

[sube]

I had the exp 2 about 8 or 9 years hunt a fairground with it and mxt 6000 series 3 fisher 1266 and some others . The explorer pulled many good coins from here what did I leave well I ran the ctx here for 3 years and these are the coins I left behind .
Over a 100 Indians 1 seated 40 barber dimes 3 half's and 4 quarters 40 mercs 20 Roosevelt's 100 wheat's and rings and things .
This is a highly trashy place mind you 2 or three targets under the coil most of the time .
The explorer 2 is a good machine but not balance at all compared to the ctx recover speed is slow emi is worse on the 2 I always hunted in iron mast open screen and yes it was a lot of chatter and noise .
The ctx picked up Lot's of coins that were close to iron that the 2 just did not see and the major amount of coins I found here were with iron in the 6 to 8 inch range and a few in the 9 inch range this was using the 6 inch coil my fave.
I found a lot of coins with the 2 when I bought the 5 inch sun ray coil very good coil for trash but the ctx with the 6 inch coil smoked it .
The advantage with the ctx over the 2 are target trace knowing whats with the coin you hit recovery speed and combined mode seawater which let's me crank the 6 to 28 or 30 on sensitivity
The 2 still a great machine but I well not go back to it the ctx is that much better . sube

 

[JJ]

No prob Tony. If you know you are going to buy one, I would pick up a copy of Andy's book in advance and get a head start. The CTX manual is also available for free download. I would also be happy to send you the .mlf file of my current settings that can be downloaded to your machine through the Xchange2 software. A search of the CTX forum is also a great way to answer any questions. JJ

 

[BigTony]

Sube, thank you for that informative explanation, I understand much more now. Thanks for taking the time to respond I know you are a busy guy with all of the posts about recoveries and tips. Thank you for those!
I do have trouble finding Indian Heads with the Exp II but I do find coins mixed in with iron or aluminum stuff in the same hole often. I am better now at listening for the coin tone mixed in with the iron.
I understand from what you and others have stated that the CTX will alert you better that a coin is there when in trashy areas as compared to the EXP II - which is where most of us happen to investigate.

 

[surfman]

For what it's worth BigTony, the tones are not the same between the Excal and the Explorer. I have three Excals, had an Explorer Se Pro. Sold one of my Excal's and my Explorer Se to get my CTX. There is no comparison, the CTX is by far and away the best detector I have ever used. That said I still prefer my Excals on the beach. Have never been afraid of a leak with my Excals and they just flat out perform. On land the CTX is a beast. If there's something out there better I haven't seen it yet. In the heavy trash, even with the stock coil, it flat out amazes me. With the little 6" coil it's just mind blowing. The Explorer's are great detectors and have a great following but are just to slow to recover and not as deep as the CTX.

 

[BigTony]

Thanks Surfman, you and others are good salesman and I am really leaning on moving up to the CTX.
I use the EXCAL II on the beach but only have 7 hours or so on it. To me it seems like Minelab tones but I am still experimenting with it.
I guess I am just putting off the inevitable for now.
Thanks again for the information - it is helpful.

Tony

 

[surfman]

You are welcome and good luck BigTony. FWIW, when I got my CTX I had to get a bigger shovel. (I field hunt mostly) Get one and you'll see what I mean.