I have had the E-trac for about 8 months and the 3030 for about 4 months....I just sold the 3030 a few weeks ago, I am an old throw back guy, I thought i would give the Minelabs a try after years of using the old whites analog machines, and to tell the truth i just had all kinds of trouble understanding those machines, I never new if they where set up right and i never really knew what it was telling me other than a dime or quarter , everything else was just a lot of sounds that drove me up a wall, I spent more time looking at menus and programs and setting, i still have the E-trac and use it know and then and i am hoping in time i can get more of a handle on it, but i still like using the whites 6000 di pro sl, i like the simplicity and enjoy using them. I know there is no secret to it just time in the field with the E-trac..
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New to E-trac and the CTX 3030
- Thread starter jhen999
- Start date
Minelabs are a little different. The first thing is learn the ETrac and you will love it. I think the simple ways is the best. Download Bill S program for trashy parks and slow swing in multi tone . Nice and simple program with lots of disc to quite down the trash. I still use the program a lot but I'm a simple guy. Once you are used to the sounds life gets a lot easier and you will hardly ever use the meter. Remember slow sweep speed and if you have a small coil use it. For me it was the easiest way to learn the machine. Now this advice will open a can of worms but just go slow and learn, you won't be sorry
You were right selling the CTX , its too much and not enough of an edge over the ET . Now for the ET .
Keep it , and use it , unless you do you will not figure it out .
I have 3 programs I use , 1 for non Ferrous trash sites and shingle or medium depth sand beaches , 1 for irony sites and for the sandy beaches , and 1 for quieter less trashy land and beach sites .
Don't do to much disc above line 18 as sometimes targets bounce about and if in non Ferrous trash you could miss a good target in trash.
Know your site , if you know what sort of target is there then its easier to find them when you hear the right sound and checking numbers will help , numbers wont guaranty it but will give you an idea.
Other than the Whites V3i the ET will outgun all the other Whites machines so keep the ET .
Let me know if you want the program's and I will try to send them in the next few days , you will need to load them in so hope you know how to edit the settings and screen. You can save 4 programs in the first section of the menu so you don't have to keep changing them , just go straight into the program.
All machines will have the same problems in trash , but a few will give you the info on the target where as most wont give you the right info.
Remember that if there is trash there must be valuables too .
Keep it , and use it , unless you do you will not figure it out .
I have 3 programs I use , 1 for non Ferrous trash sites and shingle or medium depth sand beaches , 1 for irony sites and for the sandy beaches , and 1 for quieter less trashy land and beach sites .
Don't do to much disc above line 18 as sometimes targets bounce about and if in non Ferrous trash you could miss a good target in trash.
Know your site , if you know what sort of target is there then its easier to find them when you hear the right sound and checking numbers will help , numbers wont guaranty it but will give you an idea.
Other than the Whites V3i the ET will outgun all the other Whites machines so keep the ET .
Let me know if you want the program's and I will try to send them in the next few days , you will need to load them in so hope you know how to edit the settings and screen. You can save 4 programs in the first section of the menu so you don't have to keep changing them , just go straight into the program.
All machines will have the same problems in trash , but a few will give you the info on the target where as most wont give you the right info.
Remember that if there is trash there must be valuables too .
Southwind
Well-known member
Don't get hung up on all the adjusting. As Terry suggested, load up the Trashy Park pattern and it will quiet down the ET. Once you get used to the tones and numbers of good signals you can then begin to up the ET up. My buddy I hunt with and I used Whites a very long time. It took me awhile to tame the ET but the payoff was amazing. My buddy was the same way and has thanked me several times now for getting him acquainted with the ET. He knows he's pulling coins he never would have if not for the ET.
I used a whites 6000 for decades. when I bought the etrac it was hard for me at first. its a 180 from the 6000. you have to detect with your ears instead of your eyes. the sounds drove me crazy at first.
but I went to a site that I hit a couple times with my 6000 and I couldn't believe how many coins the etrac hit that the 6000 had missed. nothing super old, just a lot of coins, and this was a small area. much deeper stuff. that impressed me deeply!. eventually the etrac sounds started making more and more sense. I never used the 6000 after I got my etrac except just to compare.
it really was like learning a new language for me. it was worth it.
also don't overcomplicate the settings. its really hard to screw anything up unless you do something silly like turn your sensitivity all the way down to 5 or something.
but I went to a site that I hit a couple times with my 6000 and I couldn't believe how many coins the etrac hit that the 6000 had missed. nothing super old, just a lot of coins, and this was a small area. much deeper stuff. that impressed me deeply!. eventually the etrac sounds started making more and more sense. I never used the 6000 after I got my etrac except just to compare.
it really was like learning a new language for me. it was worth it.
also don't overcomplicate the settings. its really hard to screw anything up unless you do something silly like turn your sensitivity all the way down to 5 or something.