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

[MEV]

Wow!!!!! thanks again to all of you for your responses , and yes i will buy it, but before, a have a few questions, what are those red yellow dots that appear on the screen Ive been watching youtube videos , Are there any instructional videos of ctx 30 30 for beginners

Thanks!!!!!

 

[mcb613]

I've had the CTX since they came out. I got early shipment. Got 50-100 hrs on it, so its not new to me. I guess i hit them well with the Etrac. Disappointed though on not experiencing new ground on old spots.

 

[GateKeeper]

I've had the CTX since they came out. I got early shipment. Got 50-100 hrs on it, so its not new to me. I guess i hit them well with the Etrac. Disappointed though on not experiencing new ground on old spots.

Sorry MCB, but you are still new to the machine with those low hours. Actually, we are ALL new to this machine. I myself have over 600 hours
on the CTX, and I'm still learning little nuances. The little things that make a difference every time I go out.

@ MEV, were working on them as we speak. They will be out soon.

 

[ronaldj2]

I remember when the Safari first came out, and some good folks were ready to throw in the towel. Don't take my word for it, read some of the older posts (if they are available). Those who stuck it out and really learned the machines got to reap the rewards (myself included). I couldn't afford to throw in the towel and I'm glad I didn't. With every new machine comes the learning curve, and the thoughts, and the doubts. Our worst enemy sits right between our two ears it is called stinkin thinkin. You know, the parade of thoughts, the woulda, coulda, shoulda's. I am seriously considering buying the ctx, the one thing I did learn is how to stop the parade before it becomes one. Now getting back on the subject of the ctx. Has anyone used it completely submerged, and what about the wireless head phones ? Is there any lag in the sound ? I like hearing about the recovery speed , and also how it is lighter than the safari, or etrac. Has anyone used the backlight feature yet ? I really missed that when I stopped using my xlt as much. You can do some night detecting when the daytime temps get way too hot. Well, sorry for the rant, just my six cents worth.

 

[GateKeeper]

1. I have had it submerged. No problem with the waterproof Grey Ghosts.
2. The wireless module does'nt have any lag.
3. It's so fast, that you do not have to turn on Fast ON.
4. Alot lighter than the Etrac. I have hunted with the CTX for many 8+ hour hunts without wearing out my arm.
5. Backlight works great. Just today I was hunting for about 30 minutes after dark, and it was bright.

 

[ronaldj2]

Thanks Gatekeeper for the 5, to the point answers to my concerns , appreciate the speedy response.

 

[sugar]

i have owned both i found no difference between the two detectors on depth using my beloved test garden which has been set up for a couple of years
the difference came when the 3030 shut down on several occasions and then the wireless module shut down i returned it to the supplier and after a week had a brand new one from minelab
most people would say that was a great result BUT i had kept mine in pristine condition and was not convinced that these detectors were not being refurbished and sent out as replacements i thought there was just too many being returned for minelab to just bin them
the fact was i had lost confidence and there sat a brand new detector which i walked away from and told the supplier to sell and YEP i returned to my ETRAC which has never let me down fingers crossed
of course this is just one story but at the weekend two metal detectorist were seen to leave the field both with 3030s and with different problems so that made me feel i had made the right decision this is my experience and my opinion and i am now looking to purchase a water detector which was my reason behind buying the 3030 in the first place and i will run it beside my etrac
it will mean about the same outlay moneywise and gives me two detectors

 

[denny]

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

If money is not a problem then buy it! If you go to another forum you are going to get negative feedback from other diehard users of other brands. On this forum your going to get positive feedback. I was in the same boat as you are only thing I didn't ask questions or post anywhere that would only make it worse to make a decision. I've found 15 silver coins in one week from one patch of grass. I've never did that! It's also been hit by my explorer xs with 10x12 SEF coil over and over. I had that machine for over 10 years.
The faster proccesor in the CTX makes all the difference.
I only had the machine a couple of months.

 

[ptdigger]

I loved my Etrac but the processor was slower than the CTX. I owned the F75 for proccesor speed when I needed it. If this was the only advantage over the Etrac, I still would have bought the CTX. But it has a lot more than processor speed over the Etrac.

Unfortunately I Have a very busy schedule and do not get to hunt as often as I want. When I do hunt, I want to make every moment count and use the best Detector on the Market. My opinion that detector is the CTX3030.

l have sold both my Etrac and my F75 and do not regret it. The CTX covers all my needs.

 

[greedykind]

Gotta agree with denny on this one if money not a problem then you should buy it.I also agree the best detector on market today,just not best for money spent in my opinion that would be etrac.I am finding indians that etrac has missed with my ctx and digging up coins at depts of 11" 3 wheats yesterday between 10 and 11" but worth high price?As long as you dont have to worry about the price you will love it.

 

[rc2125]

Previous machines = etrac, xterra 705 gold, fisher F70 & F75se and an excal for wading/diving. The ctx has amazing fast recovery speed , is very stable and can sniff thru trash and iron like nothing else out there. Ergonomics are excellent, its very well balanced and not at all heavy. Took it to a very trashy old spot that I pounded hard with the etrac and considered it hunted out, ...couldnt believe how many targets that are still hiding within the junk! I have yet to really learn it or take advantage of its versatility, have yet to run it in the water either. Sure wish they would have made it good for deeper diving use! Not so sure the display would survive much hard diving use though.
Typical of FBS, it wont hit tiny gold/platinum/etc that the f70, f75 or 705 will signal, like an earing backer or tiny earing. It does like square and bent nails, shows up like deep dimes so far. Just need the ice and snow to melt.....

 

[chadwick]

BUY IT if you dont like it in 6 months sell it but I bet you will love it

 

[ecdonovan10]

The CTX-3030 is a beast. Tough telescoping shaft, built like a tank. Water mode when coupled with waterproof headphones defies the elements and go into the water or takes a splash, stable in water, plenty of adjustments, updates are good, well balanced, battery life great, larger and smaller coils available, wireless headphone feature, and it is faster the the Etrac (and other Explorers). It is worth it? I would have liked them to keep it under $2000 but I am not complaining I like mine.

Ed D.