Explorer XS? I have the older model Explorer XS (the one that takes the 1/8 inch headphone plug-in). Recently I was at the Jersey shore and was amazed (again) at the depth of which I was finding coins. I did not find anthing more than clad, but the depth at which I was finding some of these coins was, in my opinion, incredible. I was pulling out coins at 15+ inches. I previously use the Whites XLT and, believe me, it did not come any where near to these depths. I also cannot see that the new Explorer SE can do any better than the older XS--if there is any improvement that decreases the weight, that (in my opinion) would be the only real advantage that the SE would have over the older models (after detecting for about five hours, my arm was about to fall off!). So, if you are looking for a real bargain, there are some terrific deals out there on ebay, as everbody seems to want the SE, and are unloading their older XS) but in my opinion, it cannot be much better than the XS, or the Explorer II, so don't be afraid to spend a lot less money and be very happy! If anybody out there can give me a convincing argument as to why the SE is better than the older models, I think all detectorists would love to hear it!
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SO YOU THINK THE SE IS BETTER THAN THE
- Thread starter larryw
- Start date
I still use the XS, I past on the 11 and will probably pass on the SE, not because they are not great machines but you are right, the XS and Exp 11 can be had for half the price of the new SE. I bet the pinpoint mode on the SE is a great improvement though. For those that want the newest then the SE is probably the way to go. I think it is a bit early on reports on the SE, I like to wait and see how any of them are proved in field. I have learned to switch hands when one arm gets tired. Also one needs to go with what he has confidence in and experience....
I have the explorer 11 and i agree, I wrote about the same thing when the SE first came out and made a lot of people mad because they spent allot of money for little improvement,I would be mad to.They are all great detectors.I never use the xs, sounds like minelab started out on the top,that why most of the old stuff is so hard to find
Crowduck
Crowduck
brissietex
Member
I picked up a ExpII in excellent condition off Ebay to use along with my X-Terra 70. I am sure I didn't get the best deal out there but the cost was almost half the cost of a new ExpSE. So far, the two detectors are perfect complements to each other. Save enough to put a CoilTek 15" WOT on it to take to the beach. 
Brissietex
Brissietex
Arturo de Zorro
New member
I used my friend's Swingy Thingy bungee cord once and I felt it could help, I keep the coil laying on the ground and sweep it like a broom it keeps you swinging super slow. I had a SE for over a month and the weight was the same as my ExplorerII but why not just order the new coil for less then $200 and your old explorer will weigh the same as the SE. The depth on the SE was the same on more no less, but on the SE I could go from Smart screen to Digital screen in one push of the button, the old way it took four push of the button. Oh I forgot the almighty new pinpoint on the SE that seperates like no other detector made. Most long time Explorer user just X out the target in detect mode and don't use pinpoint and if you got the X-1 probe well thats what I call seperating the good from the bad. Sure is alot of SE owners buying X-1 probes. What has happen is Minelab made one great ExplorerXS and ExplorerII the improvement can only be small and the price was set at $1000 then and still is. If I still had the SE my cry would be I have a warranty and you don't, Ok start the name calling but I didn't kick your new hunting dog.
save yourself a ton of money and look for the used models (I recommend the Explorer XS) on ebay; if you get a machine in nice condition, you will not be disappointed! Forget the newest model, the Explorer SE, as it costs around $1200+ and for the minimal improvement, I really don't think it's worth the cost. Some people say the pinpointing is much improved on the SE, but if you know how to use the older models, and, with experience, trust me, you will learn that the difference is negligible--not worth an additional $500 or more!!!! I have noticed that some of the older models of the Explorer XS are going for less than $500--now THAT is a real bargain if you can get it! I offer the above advice as an experienced dectorist--do with it as you may--I'm sure there may be some out there that may not agree with me.
The SE is a little deeper, but i know it is faster responding, better pinpointing and easier to use. I also notice that pitch hold seem to let you know it seen a different target plus I can run my sensitivity higher than the XS or the II with no chatter on the SE which I do like.
I need to use it more myself, but the ground got frozen to fast for us up here, but did some test on my bar floor full of nails. Out of all of the Explorers the SE could see a coin better next to nails and even put a coin on top of one of the bigger nails and the SE got a signal I would dig if i had run in to it in the field. I never noticed this with the other Explorer as much as I do with the SE.
Now there is a person up here that has a half and silver dollar buried for years that are over 12 inches deep i was told. The XS and the II can see them, but a little iffy and not good ID, but when he tried the SE they were a good solid signal. When I see him I want to ask him to try the new coil off the SE on the XS or the II and see if that will make a difference or not.
We will see what will happen when more experienced users have used the SE for a while and find the right settings as I feel they will be different then the XS or the II.
Rick
I need to use it more myself, but the ground got frozen to fast for us up here, but did some test on my bar floor full of nails. Out of all of the Explorers the SE could see a coin better next to nails and even put a coin on top of one of the bigger nails and the SE got a signal I would dig if i had run in to it in the field. I never noticed this with the other Explorer as much as I do with the SE.
Now there is a person up here that has a half and silver dollar buried for years that are over 12 inches deep i was told. The XS and the II can see them, but a little iffy and not good ID, but when he tried the SE they were a good solid signal. When I see him I want to ask him to try the new coil off the SE on the XS or the II and see if that will make a difference or not.
We will see what will happen when more experienced users have used the SE for a while and find the right settings as I feel they will be different then the XS or the II.
Rick
Big Boys Hobbies
Well-known member
I for one like mine better than my old EX II. The weight is the same since i use the X-8 but it has a few better features. Not anything huge but they are improvements. Although several more conveniences sure do add up.
I know for sure I can run the sens higher and its more of a stable unit. Not as many false bleeps. The pinpointing is ALOT easier to learn. Sure once you learn the older explorers its not bad but there is a learning curve.
If you can have the $$$ I would get the SE. I personally think its a bit better than my old EX in several ways but any of the explorers kick the crap out of whites or anything else Ive used.
Isn't it ironic that people that usually don't have the SE say its not better but the ones that do usually like it better???
HH, Stoops
BTW, a sunray probe and a X-8 coil in my opinion are far more useful that upgrading to the SE. AWESOME accessories!!!
I know for sure I can run the sens higher and its more of a stable unit. Not as many false bleeps. The pinpointing is ALOT easier to learn. Sure once you learn the older explorers its not bad but there is a learning curve.
If you can have the $$$ I would get the SE. I personally think its a bit better than my old EX in several ways but any of the explorers kick the crap out of whites or anything else Ive used.
Isn't it ironic that people that usually don't have the SE say its not better but the ones that do usually like it better???
HH, Stoops
BTW, a sunray probe and a X-8 coil in my opinion are far more useful that upgrading to the SE. AWESOME accessories!!!
Mike (Virginia Beach)
New member
Well you make some good points, of course. But I would also say that you can't speak definitively about the Explorer SE if you haven't actually held one in your hands and used it. I've owned the Explorer II and now have the SE. Haven't Owned the XS but I've hunted with one.
1) You ASSUME it's not better but you don't KNOW it. Perhaps a head-to-head comparison on some real targets would have you reconsidering. Or perhaps not.
2) There is something to be said for having a new machine with a full warranty. If somebody is getting ready to buy, they might do well to consider that, since any savings of buying an older model can be wiped out with one repair. My SE is warranted for FOUR YEARS. How about your XS?
3) There were many quality issues with the XS that were resolved with the Explorer II and there have been further refinements with the SE. They are built better...fact.
There are as many valid reasons for getting a new one as not. Just my two cents.
1) You ASSUME it's not better but you don't KNOW it. Perhaps a head-to-head comparison on some real targets would have you reconsidering. Or perhaps not.
2) There is something to be said for having a new machine with a full warranty. If somebody is getting ready to buy, they might do well to consider that, since any savings of buying an older model can be wiped out with one repair. My SE is warranted for FOUR YEARS. How about your XS?
3) There were many quality issues with the XS that were resolved with the Explorer II and there have been further refinements with the SE. They are built better...fact.
There are as many valid reasons for getting a new one as not. Just my two cents.
Mike (Virginia Beach)
New member
n/t
Mike (Virginia Beach)
New member
Well thank you sir. Two sides to every coin.
But I can certainly understand being attached to a particular machine and not being in a hurry to "move up" to something else when you're comfortable with something that's working for you. Sometimes "new and improved" isn't always BETTER. I have a Fisher CZ-70. It's very low tech and simple when compared to the Explorers, in both design and operation. But I would put it up against one any day for depth and overall competency in any hunt environment. And it has a lifetime warranty. So while other machines come and go, it will always be in my collection. Like an old pair of jeans you just can't get rid of.
But I can certainly understand being attached to a particular machine and not being in a hurry to "move up" to something else when you're comfortable with something that's working for you. Sometimes "new and improved" isn't always BETTER. I have a Fisher CZ-70. It's very low tech and simple when compared to the Explorers, in both design and operation. But I would put it up against one any day for depth and overall competency in any hunt environment. And it has a lifetime warranty. So while other machines come and go, it will always be in my collection. Like an old pair of jeans you just can't get rid of.
I question that any of the three Explorer models would ignore a target at depth that any one of those detectors has located.
Being practical, we live in a society that loves gimmicks and manufacturers play on this and the consumers weakness to have the next model.
Camera manufacturers are renowned for this marketing ploy and we have seen new models superseding the previous model bought 3 months earlier. It's not the camera that finds the picture it is the USER.
This metaphor applies to Metal Detectors, dare we admit that in the hands of a capable detectorist, the "majority" of finds can be found with a simpler detector, that might not carry the prestige of the latest "singing and dancing", machines, but still comes home with the goodies.
I have to admit that I am amongst the culpables and a technoholic.
using both an Explorer XS and an Explorer II and I would aspire to an Explorer SE, except that having used both the above, I now realise that both of my machines have near as damn the same capability of finding the same buried coin or artefact and have personal doubts whether the SE would be vastly different for my needs.
When I go detecting I indiscriminately chose between either of my Explorers, with some assurance that I will not be losing finds by doing so.
Being practical, we live in a society that loves gimmicks and manufacturers play on this and the consumers weakness to have the next model.
Camera manufacturers are renowned for this marketing ploy and we have seen new models superseding the previous model bought 3 months earlier. It's not the camera that finds the picture it is the USER.
This metaphor applies to Metal Detectors, dare we admit that in the hands of a capable detectorist, the "majority" of finds can be found with a simpler detector, that might not carry the prestige of the latest "singing and dancing", machines, but still comes home with the goodies.
I have to admit that I am amongst the culpables and a technoholic.
using both an Explorer XS and an Explorer II and I would aspire to an Explorer SE, except that having used both the above, I now realise that both of my machines have near as damn the same capability of finding the same buried coin or artefact and have personal doubts whether the SE would be vastly different for my needs.
When I go detecting I indiscriminately chose between either of my Explorers, with some assurance that I will not be losing finds by doing so.
Hey all, This is my fist post in the class room and I just need to say, I really appreciate mikes non bias posts. I have only been detecting since June 2006 and I started using A friends DFX. The first detector I bought was A used EXP2. I read allot of post that told me to get A simpler detector, I am so glad I didn't.I recently found my first civil war bullets at a site that has probubly been hunted before, by who and with what machine I dont know. I found all four bullets at depths of 10 to 14 inches also A large cent that I thought I was goining to find china. The ground was soft and wet, and I think that makes A big difference in how deep you're finds are. My point is,each person is going to prefer one detector over another. If you wont the newest thing, and have the money buy it. But if your like me and buying A used EXP2 and the x1probe broke the bank, lesrn your machine so that one day you may walk behind the guy with the newest thing and find stuff he missed.
Its strange how a lot of metal detectorists are all so keen fisherman!! if there are fish in the pond , you stand as good a chance as any one, of catching one , yes the tackle you use does help , and you may be, spent a lot of money on it , then you see the little lad with his hand line pull in the catch of the day.
Its 20% skill and 80% luck same as metal detecting , the skill part of
metal detecting is researching the area you are going to dig or not to dig, did Shakespeare say that? any way ,I use an exploer 2 and a tesoro Eldorado' , they both give good signals on horse shoes at 9 to ten inches, same as large coils, just makes your arm ache, goes no deeper just covers more ground , small 5 inch coils are far more use full.
Alot of people buy detectors like my wife buys sun glasses, just because it got some flash Italian name imprinted on them she thinks they are the best , she pays for the name , and they where probably made in China anyway.
How this ??? when you pass a coin over your coil from the top side, it has the same affect distance wise as from the under neath of the coil. what we want is a clever person to devise a way of shielding the top and sending all that loss down wards , Bingo twice as much depth .
Ok I will keep taking the pills , Happy new year to every one .
Its 20% skill and 80% luck same as metal detecting , the skill part of
metal detecting is researching the area you are going to dig or not to dig, did Shakespeare say that? any way ,I use an exploer 2 and a tesoro Eldorado' , they both give good signals on horse shoes at 9 to ten inches, same as large coils, just makes your arm ache, goes no deeper just covers more ground , small 5 inch coils are far more use full.
Alot of people buy detectors like my wife buys sun glasses, just because it got some flash Italian name imprinted on them she thinks they are the best , she pays for the name , and they where probably made in China anyway.
How this ??? when you pass a coin over your coil from the top side, it has the same affect distance wise as from the under neath of the coil. what we want is a clever person to devise a way of shielding the top and sending all that loss down wards , Bingo twice as much depth .
Ok I will keep taking the pills , Happy new year to every one .
You stated that you previously used the XLT. I'm just curious if you no longer use the XLT. I mainly use the Explorer-II now because it's my latest buy. Have other machines, but I was thinking of getting the XLT as I like to take 2-3 machines. The Explorer-II is the only Minelab here so I can't compare to the other Explorers. Just wondering.....
Mike (Virginia Beach)
New member
The Darth Vader factor is a big deal...you will definitely pick up a lot more chicks with the SE than with the II or the XS, that's for damn sure! 
Mike (Virginia Beach)
New member
Learn that machine like you say and there won't be many walking behind YOU and finding anything. Happy hunting and keep posting!