opinions of people who owned and e trac or explorer before you got the ctx 3030 :thumbup:

[MEV]

Hello i just want the opinion of you guys on comparison to the ctx 3030 , is it a lot better than etrac and explorer, please be honest, i have seen a lot of good reviews on this metal detector, but also a lot of reviews that are saying its not worth 1000 dollars more, just dont know if this reviews are from people from other brands and are making bad publicity , or if the good reviews are from minlabe people trying to sell this detector, thats why i want reviews of people who owned an etrac or explorer or even fisher f75 or tesoros or x terra 705

Thanks !!!! And please be honest, im thinking in buying this detector

 

[MEV]

or maybe the people that are talking bad of the ctx 3030 are jealous because the ctx 3030 is better than there detector , i just don't know I'm going nuts on this decision

 

[ronfin]

I owned the ETRAC for 6 months, and it was an awesome MD. I found so many silver coins with it, a few coppers, and some rings. I loved it. Then the finds started to dry up in this one particular park, and there were a few areas that had too much trash, and the ETRAC would either null-out there, or just not "hear" anymore targets. I started hearing the reviews about the CTX, and was hesitant to spend the money to upgrade. The ETRAC was serving me well, so why bother? I started watching YouTube videos, and then came to this sub-forum at Findmall to read threads, and started noticing a lot of familiar names. I saw people that I knew had used the ETRAC and had posted videos with it, and they were raving about the CTX. Some said they didn't notice a change, but NO ONE said it was worse than the ETRAC, so the fact was there was some people experiencing better results. That's what pushed me over the edge to buy one myself, and I can honestly say I'm very happy. I took it back to the very spots that stopped producing, and in one day with a friend using the AT Pro, I found 6 deep silver dimes. Some at 11" and surrounded by nails. I was sold on its capabilities immediately! No one can tell me that I didn't get my coil over those dimes with the ETRAC and "miss" them, because I worked this spot for weeks. It's a small area. I also had my friend run his machine over some of my targets. His machine didn't hear all of them. Some he identified accurately, but some he just couldn't hear, so the CTX was doing a better job. It's also an easier machine to swing than the ETRAC IMO, and with the Target Trace option it's easier to decide whether or not I'm digging the iffy hits. If you're a serious hobbyist, and can afford the cost, then do it. I have nothing bad to say about my decision to get one.

 

[GateKeeper]

The guy's who were bashing the CTX either have never owned it or did not give it a long enough chance to understand it.
If you can afford it, then get it. It will find you more treasure than the Etrac. The CTX is better balanced, has better capabilities,
can be hunted with in the rain, can be submerged in the water, etc. You are getting two machines in one. What else is there
to think of? Sound's to me you have already made the decision, so call your dealer and get one.

 

[jas415]

I have to agree with Gatekeeper, You are getting two machines in one with the CTX. I had an E-Trac for a year and when the CTX came out I had the same conversations with myself, "Is it worth it?", well after getting it and useing it for e afew months I can say it is worth it. Since August 8, Mark and I dug over 160 silver coins all on demo lots with tons of trash, nails, iron, aluminum, pwewter, etc., and the CTX is outstounding in picking out coins from trash, at very deep depths!

The GPS is one of those "Gee Whiz" features and I have used it 3 or 4 times, mostly just to do it. But, I can see the benefit when working a beach or a large field.

By all means, if you can afford to get a CTX do yourself a great favor and get the small coil also.

 

[xQuestx]

I've had both, I loved the etrac,though love the ctx more. I feel its better balanced ,faster proccesser, waterproof, nice screen, etc.. I doubt you'll regret getting one.

 

[goodmore]

I have owned both. Is the CTX worth so much more? It depends on how often and where you use it. If you detect all the time and like to beach hunt I would say the CTX is worth it. If you detect once a month and let the dust build up on your detector then I would say no. The quicker recovery, and ability to customize the the tones makes it a better detector in my book. I have never used the GPS but some guys love it. All I can tell you is I am glad I bought the CTX. And I no longer need the 1000.00 Excal. So for me the price was a wash.

 

[jtram]

Of the detectors mentioned I own or have owned some if the others. I currently have a F75 a G2 a XTerra 705 and the CTX. I think each machine has a purpose for me. I am more of a relic hunter than a coin hunter and still try to learn the CTX in my type of hunting. I have found a few buttons and bullets with it in some of my old sites. As it stands now I am more confident with my G2 in thick iron and with the XTerra 705 and the 10" MF coil for deep targets in open fields. I use the F75 some when I am scouting for a new camp site because it is very light and batteries last a long time with it.

In some of the old civil war house sites that I have hunted I have found things that the G2 and F75 have missed. I really like all the information that the CTX provides. I am sure as I continue to learn the machine I am sure it will move out of the just coin hunting stage. I have spoke to members here that are making recoveries at depth like the XTerra but I have not had that success YET but I will. This is my first FBS machine the XTerra is the only other minelab machine that I have owned so I am not the most experienced with the technology but doing my best to learn. And if you ever have questions like I did the great folks on this forum will help anyway they can

HH
Jim

 

[denny]

Hello i just want the opinion of you guys on comparison to the ctx 3030 , is it a lot better than etrac and explorer, please be honest, i have seen a lot of good reviews on this metal detector, but also a lot of reviews that are saying its not worth 1000 dollars more, just dont know if this reviews are from people from other brands and are making bad publicity , or if the good reviews are from minlabe people trying to sell this detector, thats why i want reviews of people who owned an etrac or explorer or even fisher f75 or tesoros or x terra 705

Thanks !!!! And please be honest, im thinking in buying this detector

It is kind of overpriced but I needed a new water detector and took a chance with the ctx. Heard only good things about it from a friend who has tried many detectors and has years of experience using them. This past week in a old park I found 14 silver coins no later than the 20's with the ctx in a area many of us have hunted before with explorers, e-trac , etc. I hit it hard a couple of years ago and recently found a few silver there with the explorer xs with 10x12 sef coil. I think the faster processor and a more balanced weight on the ctx makes this machine better than the others.

 

[C&RHunter]

I have had 2 XS Explorers, 1 E-Trac, and now the CTX. I still own the E-Trac as a backup, but sold the Explorers. The E-Trac is still leaning against the wall where I set it, in the end of May. I had good results with the XS and the E-Trac, but liked the sound of the features offered on the CTX. After receiving the CTX the end of May, I know for myself I made the right decision. I really like the GPS, and the other features: different modes, ability to make sounds like you want, waterproof, and so forth, on the CTX itself. i really like the XChange2 software, and use it a lot as well. The CTX is way easier on the arm and shoulder, once you get the coil and shaft adjusted for yourself. As far as, is it worth it? Worth every penny to me. Once the original outlay of cash is done, there isn't an on going outlay of cash for this hobby. (try having horses, cars, or racing as a hobby, to me that's expensive). The resale value of the Explorers and E-Tracs has always been very good, getting half or more of initial purchase price back isn't uncommon on these machines, depending on condition and age. Some people that didn't like the CTX may have let the machine "beat" them. If a person over-thinks and tries to do everything all at once, they may get frustrated, and go back to the comfort of their old machine. I think going to the CTX from an Explorer or E-Trac is fairly easy, if you were operating them without a lot of confusion. Just start basic and then start using the various custom options as you feel comfortable with the new CTX..HH

 

["Dr.Tones"]

Just depends how serious about hunting you are. The fact that you're thinking about it tells me you're pretty serious. I have owned the 705 and had moderate success but in my hunting sites the better the trash separation the better you'll do. CTX is boss in trash. I personally use the GPS so that's a plus for me. Waterproof too pull the trigger, you'll love it. Actually... Don't get it. I want those treasures for myself.

 

[greedykind]

Love e,m both,own both machines,ctx way overpriced in my opinion,look at etrac forum and ctx forum and see which have more post of finds being made,not bashing ctx but in MY OPINION,it has nice options-wireless headphones,rainproof,better balanced ids a little better-----Etrac stepping on headphone cord,hunt with a rain cover,goes just as deep, has that wonderful silver warble when on silver find,not as balanced, use docs swingy thingy,coils and detector half the price and can use in line probe,hhhmmmmm you make the call,try to borrow one for a week and im sure you will have an idea.Good luck whatever you do etrac/ctx 2 best detectors on the market today.I dont think people are bashing the ctx as much as ctx users are bashing the etrac.Pm a few forum leaders and get their opinion,bryce,goesforever,bill s

 

[xQuestx]

Do you think the find rate is higher because a lot more people are using the etrac?

Love e,m both,own both machines,ctx way overpriced in my opinion,look at etrac forum and ctx forum and see which have more post of finds being made,not bashing ctx but in MY OPINION,it has nice options-wireless headphones,rainproof,better balanced ids a little better-----Etrac stepping on headphone cord,hunt with a rain cover,goes just as deep, has that wonderful silver warble when on silver find,not as balanced, use docs swingy thingy,coils and detector half the price and can use in line probe,hhhmmmmm you make the call,try to borrow one for a week and im sure you will have an idea.Good luck whatever you do etrac/ctx 2 best detectors on the market today.I dont think people are bashing the ctx as much as ctx users are bashing the etrac.Pm a few forum leaders and get their opinion,bryce,goesforever,bill s

 

[MEV]

Wow thanks guys for your response a got a lot of thinking

 

[BootyHunter]

Had the Etrac for 3 years, loved it, found a lot of good finds with it. Got the CTX3030 this year in July, in 6 months found First Franklin Half, First Barber Quarter, More Indian Heads than in previous 3 years, More rings in the ground than previous 3 years combined. I know how you feel in wondering if it is worth it or not, trust me, it is!! Also found my first pop out fob forgot to mention. This detector is the best out right now, Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[mcb613]

MEV, certainly the CTX is a great machine... but I dont think it does any better than the Etrac. My old hunted out spots are still hunted out regardless of what people say about never being hunted out.

 

[pasttom]

MCB how long have you had your CTX? Maybe you are not doing it right.

 

[Larry (IL)]

It is just the opposite for me. When I got my CTX, the first places I hunted were old parks that had stopped producing for me. I was finding again really deep IH's and silver that was once masked, I have new spots to hunt all over again.

 

[ohio mike]

It is just the opposite for me. When I got my CTX, the first places I hunted were old parks that had stopped producing for me. I was finding again really deep IH's and silver that was once masked, I have new spots to hunt all over again.

Ditto! What he said! ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

[Southwind]

Same here. Hunted our city park with the Explorer SE until it quit giving up the goods. Bought a E-Trac and started finding goods again for several years then it started to slow down. Bought the CTX 3030 and it was like a new site all over again.