This advice is for new explorer users and is also the same message I have been copying and pasting for a few years now when asked about settings and that is:
IMHO....LEAVE it in the factory preset conductive sounds settings.. while hunting in the smartfind screen for at least 5 to 10 full hunts.
Don't mess with anything for some time. Those preset settings are there for a reason...and that reason is to help new users adapt to the language the SE speaks.
IMHO the worst thing a new explorer user can do is switch anything at all...especially switch back and forth between conductive and ferrous sounds.
That will completely change what you hear and how you hear it over deep coins....and probably confuse you at this point.
Take your time...swing very slow...and do NOT worry about anybody's settings right now. There is a crucial time frame where you have to spend some quality time with your new friend...the SE...and nobody else. That time is the first few hunts.
Pay close attention to the barrage of sounds you hear...the nulling...the instability...etc...and don't get frustrated.
ONLY 2 things I would even consider changing from the stock factory learning settings which is pretty much a coin program....
1) possibly set the iron mask at -22 on the SE (-6 on the EX2) while continuing to hunt in smartfind screen.
2) The only other thing I would consider changing would be to put the sensitivity in semi auto and set it at 26 which will GREATLY cut down on the falsing and chirping..
Both of those change suggestions do not even need to be made IMHO...but if you must tinker...then tinker with only those two things.
Everything else....I strongly recomend leaving alone for a few weeks...and leaving it in the factory preset settings.
Do NOT try too much too fast...just have FUN.
These Explorers are more than capable of hitting 8"+ deep coins right out of the box in the factory preset mode...
ESPECIALLY THE SE as it seems to be a little more sensitive than the other explorers.
Hence what I stated in the title about the SE being a little "quirky". It seems to be a tad bit hotter than the other explorers IMHO...and therefor you really need to pay close attention to how it does in the iron. It might not be as smooth as the other explorers in the iron but once you learn it...and practice it...I truly feel it outperforms the others in said iron...especially when you find the right coil for YOU.
Once you have quite a few hours on it...and have familiarized yourself with the "language" it speaks...then you can start to piddle with settings if need be.
You might even decide at that point that you want to give ferrous sounds/AM a shot. That is a proven method as well.
For now though...trust me...leave it as I suggested for a few hunts...then when things start to click a little...you can start piddling and tinkering
Of all the things I get asked about through messages...this is the number one thing...and my advice never changes.
I think it's a big mistake for new users to get caught up in what other's settings are and they try too much too fast...then get discouraged and sell the Explorer.
Just take your time...enjoy...and get a "feel" for the explorer before taking big leaps...and the learning curve will lessen a bunch.
After a few weeks or 5 to 10 full hunts...whichever comes first....then start piddlin' with whatever settings changes you feel necessary.
After that said initial learning time period I would then recommend trying some different settings if need be...and I'll provide mine below since you asked:
I also have very specific reasons for each of the settings I recommend...but at this point it might be a little overwhelming so no need for me to list them.
While it's true that NOBODY'S settings will be perfect for everyone and their conditions...it IS proven that these settings have worked well for many hunters from states all over the U.S....and in many different soil conditions, iron conditions, and trash conditions.
Smart Screen...not digital
Conductive sounds
Gain-10
variability-10
Limits-10
Max limits-10
Fast-Off
Deep-Off
Sensitivity-Semi auto 26 (Manual 26 if the ground is clean enough)
Iron mask-22 (same as -6 on the EXplorer2)
Theshold barely audible
Everything else stock preset
The 3 keys for me which make these settings effective for deep park silver at "hunted out" sites are the following...
1) high gain which allows deep silver chirps to be heard
2) Semi auto sensitivity at 26 which makes the SE very stable while still running the high gain setting I prefer. Because of this..the SE has no problems hitting 8" to 10" coins. If the ground is clean and you don't seem to get the depth you need.....give manual 26 a shot.
3) Iron mask set at -22. this is a precise setting for me that I never vary from. 1 setting higher....and deep iron starts to mimick deep silver hits...hence some falsing. Also at this -22 setting... I have no problems hitting the same 8" to 10" deep coins even while the SE may be nulling....which is very important.
IMPORTANT: Please be aware you will hear some falsing and it will be up to you to discern between falsing and deep coin hits. The semi auto sensitivity does control the falsing quite a bit...but you might still hear some.
IMPORTANT: Please have the confidence to know that if you are going slow enough through iron...that your machine will still let a nice deep coin hit signal through the nulls.
ONE MORE IMPORTANT BIT OF ADVICE: PICK UP A COPY OF ANDY SABISCH'S EXPLORER/E-TRAC HANDBOOK.
It is pretty much considered "THE" go-to source and contains a wealth of knowledge, tips, advice, etc for Explorer users.
[attachment 263918 book.jpg]
In it you will find tips and settings from different, experienced Explorer users around the country and Andy did a wonderful job compiling everything in an easy to read/understand format.
Here's a link to a post about his book...and someone responded with the exact link to order his book if you're interested.
http://www.findmall.com/read.php?19,1845807,1845807#msg-1845807
You might even get lucky and get one that Andy has autographed.
Welcome to the Explorer club...and have fun.
