Question for explorer veterans...

[Minelab76]

This is mainly for folks who have gone through most of the explorer series...ie...the XS, II, SE, and SE Pro.

I have been stuck on my Explorer II since the release of the SE and SE Pro. I think the Explorer II is an awesome machine and I know it very well and it works great for me. I didn't buy the hype of the SE and was convinced I could find as much with my explorer II as I could with an SE. Of course with the SE you get a newer machine, but I did hear of some problems with the SE.

Out came the SE Pro. Ok, same beast really and the machine doesn't interest me any more than the SE. That being said, I am thinking I would like to give the Pro coil a go.

So, my question for the experienced explorer users is...do you prefer the Pro coil over the old coil and why? I am trying to determine if paying the money for the Pro coil is a worthwhile investment.

I won't even mention the E-Trac because we all know it's NOT an explorer

 

[Eu_citzen]

You should also ask for the S.E.F coil from Detech.. Just a hint.
They seem close in efficiency from what I hear.. Maybe someone else will chime in.

 

[jb]

I can't say that I'm an expert but I have been a Minelab Explorer user since they came out and consider myself fairly good among most others. I have the XS and also the EX-11 and have used every type of coil that has come along, small ones to the larger 15" ones from Coiltec. I followed the Pro Coil on the forum for some time but wasn't really convinced until we had a hunt with a club and one of the fellows was using one. It changed my mine and I came home and immediately ordered one. Not cheap but worth the price if you can get one. My finds became better in areas I had already hunted and was amazed at the finds in garbage and iron that I found. The weight is a lot less or seems to me it is or maybe it is the balance. Bottom line it is a great coil for an upgrade to the current series of Minelabs. The areas I hunt I have hunted for 13 years and so have other Minelab users but this coil is a keeper until I can afford another newer Minelab ?????? I like my XS and my EX 11 so don't see any need to up grade as yet. Haven't tried the SEF but have heard it is also a keeper.

Hope this helps somewhat, John

 

[king-ghidorah]

Upgrading your machine would just be throwing your money away. Now when it comes to the coil that is a different ballgame. better balance, better target separation and better depth and it runs more stable. Pro coil goes about 2 bills and the 12x10 ("butterfly coil") goes about 170. experienced users who have used both have commented on that they liked the 12x10 better. Not that one is significantly better than the other it's just a matter of personal experience and preference but to upgrade the coil is a good boost in performance and worth the $$ as far as what you are getting. Next week or so I am getting the 15x12 SEF coil ($190) but I see snow on the forecast for this coming Sat. I don't care if it's 8" of snow I'll still go out thee and at least swing it,heehee.

 

[Ron (CA)]

I have used all the Explorers and still like the E2 best. I use the SE now because I sold my E2 to get an E-Trac, but just traded my E-Trac for another E2 that I will probably go back to.

Both the E2 1050 coil and the Pro Coil are great coils and I do not think that the PRO has a huge advantage, but I do think it separates a little better. Will it result in more finds? -- maybe --maybe not. Is it lighter--yeah--but after five minutes the Explorer is still heavy!! I also feel that the Pro Coil has more drag in the turf vs the 1050. The rounded edges of the 1050 make it a great turf coil. I have compared a lot of in ground targets between the two coils and both seem to see what the other does. But I do keep the Pro coil on and use it 90% of the time. Get rid of the coil cover, it collect to much junk and it it will cause falsing.

I think if you upgrade your E2 with the Pro Coil you will have a great machine that will find tons of stuff. The SE and the E-Trac are good machines, but personally I don't think that they will find anything that the E2 can't.

Key is: learn the machine and you will find good stuff regardless of what coil you are using. But if you have the cash--get the Pro and give it a whirl!!

Good Luck

Ron

 

[Rick(ND)]

I have tried them all and now have a E-Trac which seems to work better for me. I like the SE and when the SE Pro came out with the new pro coil I like the way this coil felt as it was lighter weight or should I say felt lighter and seem to work better in trash and I could pinpoint better too with it. I have got some of the Pro coils for others in the area and they too feel they are better than the stock coils they had on their XS and EX IIs and we are seeing some great finds.
Now what I like about the SE, the SE Pro and now the E-Trac is the pitch hold as it makes it easier for me to hear those weak targets I missed before and the recovery seems to be faster too. With the E-Trac I now have I got it to try and after a couple of time out I sold my SE Pro as the E-Trac has been running very smooth and getting many coins I had missed before and not quite digging as much trash as before that fooled me. Any of the Explorers or the E-Trac are great detectors as we can see that with the finds being posted, but you got to get to know the detector and what each setting will do. Once you know the Detector and ad the new Pro coil I think you will agree this is a great coil and feels better swinging it.