New to forum but would like some advice

[ffighter559]

I have been looking at the ex and exII for sale on ebay and given all that I have read it seems to me ( a novice detectorist ) that there isn't much difference between the two becides the two readings on the screen. I guess my question would be, Is this true, or would you suggest buying the exII over the ex. There seems to be about a 2-300 dollar price differance in the two and it seems that everyone in these forums like them both equally well?

 

[PULLTABBY]

....But I did the same thing when I started looking on e-bay...
I decided to buy the XS two years ago and have NOT tried the Ex II yet ....no need to .... This detector works great for the $$$ saved...
If by chance this detector died and I had to buy another ... my best bet would be to buy another XS...
I would go head to head with an experienced EX II user and would find the same... signals...targets ...objects ect...ect...
Only downfall with buying a detector from e-bay is sometimes they don't come with the all the warranties and guarenties...
This is only MY opinion and not trying to sway you into any decisions....
They are BOTH great Machines and I would be happy using either one...
Maby others can chime in with an opinion or two...
.......Best of luck & HH

 

[DanInMA]

Hi Ffighter:

I own both the Exp XS and the Exp II. I had to buy the II because the XS has completely fallen apart and is out of warranty. As far as I'm concerned, the reasons to go with the II are structural, rather than electronic. Most of what plagued the XS has been addressed in the II:

Headphone Jack upgraded to 1/4" as opposed to 1/8" (mine had broken)

Lower shaft now made of carbon fiber-old metal one got loose at rivet
and wobbled--and is heavier.

Upper shaft in XS would fall out of control box--rectified in II

Arm rest repeatedly cracked and fell apart in XS--supposedly fixed in II.

II has a rest under the battery housing to keep the unit off the ground (and out of moisture)--XS had none.

Hopefully the coil and coil wire on the II is more resistant to cracking. I've been through 2 on the XS.


The main electronic improvements in the II are: the dual digital readout (as you mentioned) and a faster response time. These are both aspects I thought would have been important to me, but, in fact, have not been all that useful. I don't notice a difference in response time (maybe because I normally don't use any discrimination?) and I'm so used to using the "Smart Detect" (x,y graphical) display, that learning the digital would set me back in my detecting ability for too long. I was always completely satisfied with the XS's electronics.

In short, there are too many potential sources of trouble in the Explorer I (or the Explorer I XS) to consider buying a used one. Mine had been completely overhauled by Minelab (who did a masterful job, by the way) under warranty--but is weakening again. The Explorer II benefits from the engineering lessons learned from the imperfect Explorer I--I'd go with it.

Or, if you're still interested in the Explorer XS, I've got one cheap. I'll even throw in a roll of duct tape!

Just my experience. Hope it helps. HH, Dan

 

[WessThompson]

which I purchased on ebay...and I don't think there is a damn thing in the ground that the EX II would find, that I can't

As mentioned above, there are some structural differences, but other than the extra number in digital, I don't think the EX II will offer you anything that the XS can't.

My XS is starting to wobble a bit, but after contacting Minelab, I was told they will fix me up for free. Can't beat that!!

 

[Chris(SoCenWI)]

and it is holding up well. Perhaps if we get a cold spell again then maybe I'll see if minelab would give mine a tune up.

Minelab did address some of the mechanical problems with the EX II. For two-three hundred difference that will be a real hard call.

Chris

 

[Bob Szabo]

How much is cheap???

The XS I just bought was converted to hip mount by the friend I bought it from. If yours is our of warranty and your not using it anyway you should give it a try. He couldnt use it at all in its original condition due to a bad arm. Even with the hip mount the coils were a bit too heavy. Thats why he sold it. Its got very few hours on it and works great. I was a bit skeptical with his conversion but after using it I like it. Its comforatable doesnt get in the way like I thought it might and..... it doesnt kill my arm. Im not sure if Minelab would ever fix the electronics if they went bad but Ill take the chance with the price I got it for.

Here it is, kind of looks like a high tech vibrator


[attachment 15528 hipmount.jpg]

 

[Eddie in Poulsbo]

I agree with you 100% Wess. I thought about getting the Explorer II, but a fellow in my club has one and I have to say that my XS has out performed his to say the least. Someday when a manufacturer makes a machine that will actually tell you what your target actually is before you dig maybe then it will save us less time digging. I'm not knocking Minelab for one minute, but I think we all have dug targets not knowing just exactly what we knew for sure just what it might be.

Eddie

 

[ikon]

yep you are right wess. ive had my explorer since it first came out but ive taking big time care of it. i had the cracks in the camlock which i fixed myself . no problem. ive got tons of hours on it. this machine does so much and i know even the best are still learning and trying new things with it. maybe when they come out with the explorer 4 it might be time for an upgrade.
stan pa.

 

[ffighter559]

Thanks for all the advice and experiances, still not sure but the structural differences now have me leaning to the ex II

 

[cachenut]

One reason is new IC chips are more reliable and better than the older ones. Old chips usually have a higher failure rate. And old chips tend to fail more often just cause they are old.

And likely there are other small improvements you would not notice that effect how much and what you find.

Why buy old technology?

I also assume the minelab guys are innovative and made some improvements as well in the new model. I recall the stick is not plastic now and does not break.

Would you prefer to buy a detector that is 6 years old or 2 years old?

 

[Travis]

Hey ffighter (like the name, I'm a firefighter too! LOL), anyway, I just made the plunge in October and decided on the ExII after reading ALOT of posts on them. I am BRAND NEW to MD'ing, and I have to say I really like the two digit readout in the digital mode. I know I may get blasted for this, but as I am new to this it helps me better decide what is in the ground and when to dig by seeing both the Cond & Ferr. numbers. It is also helping me to learn the machine by sound because I can see the numbers and know it is probably a good target, I will then "scan" it more to get used to the sound aspect it gives. This makes me a little slow at covering ground, but I think it is a valuable lesson as I progress and come across those deeper signals later that they say you may only get a quick "blurt" from the audio, and not a good number. Just my 2 cents, hope it helps.
Also, I got mine from the Big E, and you can get a good deal on detector with extras if you look long enough and DONT jump on the first one. Set a good limit and let some pass you up if they go above that "magic" limit you preset. Also check out these guys offers on the forum classifieds. Good luck man.
Travis

 

[jb]

A broached the same question about a month and a half ago and got a good deal of information. I have, as others do also an XS and have used it exclusively for thousands of hours. I finally wanted a good, real good second detector and bought the II with all the goodies including the X-1 Probe along withe Coiltek Platypus Coil. Have only had it out 3 times due to weather here but like it so far. The big difference other than the dual numbers to me is the quickness of response to targets or so it seems. I hunt slow and my partner is 3 times around the area and done when I just get started. He mainly hunts surface and does good. I prefer old and deep and the II is good at both. If money is a problem then by all means get the XS, if not get the II, you won't be sorry with either of them. They will both do the job for you. Hope this help you, I didn't read all the other posts but am sure the advice is similar. J.B.

 

[Jack(IN)]

Until this month had the XS 2 as a backup for the last 15 months, seldom using it. Bought the 2 for $500 and just did NOT want to pass up on that deal, even now I'd say it has less the 150 total hours on it. Need to send my first Explorer in for a well needed vacation for some checking out. Differences I see in my short time in use are first the sounds differ slightly from the 1, a little lighter, recovery time, and a little lighter. I don't use the digital screen and since I go by sounds anyways, I'm actually digging more trash because I'm trying to learn the new sounds. I personally think you woun't go wrong with either, and if money is a problem go with the 1. I believe I have yet to pick up a coin with the 2 that the 1 would not have gotten as well. Might also look at the Quatro as well if your just getting started, poor mans version of an Explorer from what I've heard??