SE Pro VS. Safari...

[njnydigger]

Hi hunters! I have pretty much narrowed my choice of new detector to either the Safari or the SE Pro. However, have a few questions for all you experts first as I am a proud user of the White's MXT 300. My new machine will be a back-up to the MXT.

1. Is the depth performance on the SE Pro THAT much greater than the Safari? If not, why the bigger price tag for the SE?? Any explanations on why the SE is "better" would be appreciated.

2. I've read the manual for both machines online several times, but, don't recall seeing anything on how to ground balance the units. Do you ground balance these units by pressing the button to choose a proper frequency when turning on the machine as it says in the instructions, or, is there another way?

3. Is the stock coil that comes with both the Safari and SE Pro adequate for coin/jewelry/relic hunting or would it be too large for "trashy" areas like parks, old homesteads, beaches, etc.? On my MXT, I used a 6X10 DD coil. It was so good I never took it off!!! What is the one additional coil you guys would recommend where I wouldn't lose too great of depth?? Oh yeah, do these "Excelerator" coils I keep seeing provide greather depth than the Minelab issued coils???

4. Any specific tips on setting up the Safari or SE that you can share? Any settings or programs you have been successful with?? BTW, It seems that the manual says that hunting in the "High Trash" setting is the way to go most of the time. Would you guys agree on this?

5. Being a proud White's detector user for two years now, I can honestly say that the recovery time on the MXT 300 is PHENOMENAL!!! How is the target recovery time on both the Safari and the SE Pro? Any one better??

Sorry for the many questions, but, just like the rest of you out there in computerland, I'm not rich. My new machine is a luxury for me. An expensive one at that. Want to make sure I'm making the right move before jumping into the pool

 

[wyohunter99]

I know this is short and sweet.... Buy the Safari you will not be dissapointed!!!!! They are awesome!!!!

 

[sopg1155]

There is no ground balance on the Safari or the SE Pro. There is a noise cancel button that you use to cut
down on EMI.The ground balance is done automatic on them.

 

[hershey1]

In my opinion if you are looking for a backup machine for a MXT you are looking at the wrong machines. The SE Pro and the Safari with their Pro-Coils are not made to back up anything. HH

 

[CrazyFlint]

I started with minelab and left for awhile (a short while) The machines are unbelievable.....Back up? Remember you said that when the MXT is in the case! I have three Minelabs and they just plain work.

 

[larryk56]

Here's the scoop!

I owned the SE Pro and Safari.

In my opinion ..... the Safari will provide you a enjoyable detecting experience.
The SE pro is much more involved and in my case ,,,... it gave me a headache.
Has a good learning curve for sure.

Get the Safari .....you will be hunting right out of the box. Truly turn on
a go! No Muss - No Fuss -

You simply can't go wrong with it! The only thing is .....
it takes a little time to get used to the tones.

The VDI range is also set up different than the Whites!

Happy Hunting!

 

[Mick in Dubbo]

I've been considering that when my old XS Explorer dies, it will be replaced by either one of these 2 detectors.
Because of the multi frequency FBS of these units, you don't have to worry about ground balancing them. They will kill any VLF detector in wet sand at the beach. ( Actually there is a local detectorist that takes his E-Trac onto the local gold fields to hunt for gold and it handles the ground extremely well. It was very quiet on noisy ground! Although it can't hit the real small nuggets, he did find himself a 2.5 ounce nugget with it!)
I did own an XLT for a bit and found that with it's standard coil on, it had poor target separation compared to the Explorer. I didn't get to hunt with the XLT much as it died before I got to know it so my knowledge of White detectors isn't that great.
You do need to move more slowly when using these Minelab machines in trashy ground, but can pick up good targets next to junk better than most detectors I've used. The audio tones are the most pleasant that you will come across on a detector too and once you train your ear (speaking about the Explorer, as I haven't hunted with the Safari) you can get a pretty good idea when you are over a coin, just by the tone. The Safari seems to have the same tones as my old Explorer, but that is only a casual observation.
Mick Evans.