Need Some Help Choosing

[Bayoubug]

Ok... So I have been a long time user of White's detectors. I started out with the XLT then moved up to the DFX. I've been very happy with the finds I've made, lots of gold with some silver in the mix along the way. I have been looking at the V3i and the E-trac as my next detector. Part of me wants to stay with what is familiar in the White's machine, then part of me wants to check out the E-Trac. I had an Excalibur several years back and liked it because it was easy to pick up on the target tonal ranges. I really like the varied tones based on conductivity. The one thing that concerns me about making the switch over is difference between White's VDI #'s and Minelab's target # system. It seems that both machines have similar adjustments that can be made to the detectors according to user needs. I do like the fact that I can load programs via USB on the E-trac! the V3i doesn't have this option. Whites uses 3 frequencies on the V3i, while Minelab say they have have many many more working on the E-trac.

So... What I would like is for those of you who use either of these machines to leave me your feedback experience using that machine along with maybe some pros and cons. I would greatly appreciate the help in selecting my new machine.

Thanks in advance and HH

 

[Will1877]

Hi there fella, I fully understand the dilemma. Im relatively or should say very new to the Etrac but have three years and lots of hours with the FBS technology. I used the mine lab safari. I switched to Minelab after using the Whites XLT for five years. I tried really hard to make the XLT work and did ok with it at times. No doubt the Whites makes very capable machines but with that being said Minelab to me seems so much easier to learn. I for one am not much of a tech guy though. So far from what I gather there are lots of settings for the etrac as much as a guy could want even with that I still feel it is much easier to learn. I had the opportunity to test drive the V3i and it was not for me. I do not mean to disrespect an other forum but honestly the reason I went with the Etrac is because of the forums. What im getting at is go back to fall months for the Etrac forum exclude the winter months and just look at the pictures of finds posted compared to the V3i forum. Its not even close for every five pictures on the E forum there is one picture on the V3i page. Lots and lots of talk about settings though. So it seems to me that a lot of the fun with the V3i is the tech aspect of the machine. And please gentleman I mean no disrespect to another forum or machine. Im just giving my insight on what helped me make my decision. When I finally made the jump to the Minelab brand I was completely amazed at how much more silver I was finding. I for one am now a Mine lab to the core and am absolutely happy with my detector. Every time I turn it on I feel im only a swing away from my next treasure that is the confidence I have in Minelab equipment.

 

[Surfinsafari]

What Will said^^^^^. My Safari astounded me and then I bought an Etrac and it just knocked it out of the park. I don't think I could swing anything else and have the confidence I do with my Minelabs. I bought mama an ATpro because she wanted to get into detecting so we will have a heads up comparison but I feel like when I fire up the Etrac, I am using professional equipment that is as good as it gets. Can you tell I am thrilled with my Minelabs?

 

[dbennett7]

i would say if you are the kind of person that likes to experiment with settings the v3i would be for you if you want a silver seeking machine the e trac is the way to go like you i had mostly used whites they are a great machine found alot with my xlt the difference with the minelab will shock you one big tip is you have to get the whites mentality out of your head the biggest thing with the minelab you will have to learn to go slow and then slow down even more compared to the whites you will not be sorry dennis

 

[Bayoubug]

I appreciate the responses so far... They are very helpful... I'm not trying to start loyalty dispute here... I'm just trying to get the best information on both sides of the coin. I've been watching some of the youtube videos out there for both machines and they have been helpful. Thanks for the feedback so far... Please keep it coming... Thanks again in advance

 

[pointer80]

I had a dfx and sold it to buy a v3i. I can tell you I hated the v3i. I could not get it to settle down sometimes. I would take it to a spot one day it would be fine the next day at the same spot it would act erratic as heck. I also have a buddy that has a xlt and even after my experience went and bought a v3i and he has used it about three times because of the same issues. there is no comparison between the e-trac and the v3i. I would argue with anybody about this!! I did the same thing started looking at the finds people were making with the two machines and that told the story right there. It seemed like most people on the v3i forum were asking for help more than anything. I also talked to several people on the forums that did the same as me bought a v3i and sold it and bought a e-trac. I absolutely love my e-trac!! Good luck on whatever you decide and HH.

 

[basstrackerman]

Hi. Well for me i like simple. Ive used whites since 1978. I love the mxt series. And used the mxtpro since it came out. I used the whites vx3 for almost 2 years and really liked it sold it to try the v3i and hated it. It had emi issues in places. Depth was no better than any of me mxt mxtpro or m6 machines. I now have a mx5 and love it and now have a etrac and really like it. It loves coins its really easy to use and it gives me confidence. For me the etrac is better for me because its easier to use. Very deep and just feels right. Now i am a loyal whites guy so i will always use them but ive also use most tesoros, teknetics, fisher, garrett and a bounty hunter. I will keep my etrac and mx5 as they make a great pair. If you want to find silver the etrac will find it.

 

[jarid]

I started with whites MXT PRO and M6. And have owned about 20 machine's since then I currently have six Tesoros and one E trac I can tell you that I love all of my Tesoros. nothing finds silver like the E trac. (Just my opinion) there are plenty of great machines out there. But the E trac is the only machine that I have used that really is special or different.