Starting out with smaller coil?

[Phillip_in_NM]

First, let me say I'm a complete newb to the Etrac...maybe 4 hours total.

I've used two coils on it thus far - the stock coil and the 8" minelab coil. I've made better finds with the 8", it's lighter and I can pinpoint much faster with it.

So, here's my question to you experienced hunters:

You think it would be wise (or unwise) to learn the Etrac with the smaller coil and then move back to the stock coil when going for the real "deepies"? How much will I really lose in detection depth with the 8" as compared to the stock coil?

You guys really helped me out on my last question. I look forward to your comments.

Thanks,

Phillip

 

[Goes4ever]

personally I'd rather learn it with the 11 stock coil, I feel it pinpoints like a laser.

 

[RandyNorthridgeca]

The pro coil and the E-trac are a killer combo even in heavy trash. In my opinion the stock coil should be your coil of choice about 90% of the time. The smaller coils are fun to use and have their uses but the more time you put in with the stock coil the better it gets. Once you learn what tones to listen for you're off and running!

If you haven't bought the X-1 probe for your E-Trac I would pick one up as soon as possible. It will be one of the best accessories you'll ever buy for your detector. HH

 

[tippyhound]

I like you am fairly new to the E-Trac having only owned mine since Sept. of 2010. I own both the Stock 11" coil and a Sun Ray 5.5" coil. My preference to hunt with is the stock 11" coil, and find that except in the very very trashy areas it will work just fine if you just take your time and listen closely it will pick the coins out. I have found the 5.5" coil to be a great coil in areas that are so iron infested that you have a almost constant null. Using the 5.5" coil and running in TTF works really well for picking out coins in those conditions.

In very very trashy areas I do hunt with the 5.5" coil and have found many good finds picking through the trash. The 5.5" will give you about 8''s of depth, the 11" will do much better. My deepest coin to date was a 1835 Large cent found at close to a foot deep with the 11" coil.

The 11" coil is very good at picking up very small objects. When I purchased my machine the dealer advised me to buy a Sun Ray X-1 probe. I didn't listen at first but soon seen the light as finding those very small items is tough when they are as much as 10 to 11 inch's down.

Pin pointing with the 11" coil took some practice, but I seem to be much better these days. In 99% of the cases I find I am right on top the target when recovering it. I wasn't so good at first. You will find the pin pointer is a very valuable investment when it comes to recovering your targets, It will make for much faster and cleaner recoveries. Rick IL

 

[TerryR]

I started with the Pro coil but soon switched to the 8x6 SEF just for the sake that I hunt a lot in high trash. For me it was so much easier to use the small coil to learn. I now use the Pro coil 95 percent of the time and it work great. A bunch of the learning is your own comfort zone. Have fun and great ready to fall in love with a great machine.

 

[Phillip_in_NM]

Thanks for all the responses.... Looks like I'll learn it with the big coil and use the smaller coils for the more challenging spots.

 

[gmc]

Are you familiar with downloading other individual's e-trac programs, if so, is it real difficult? I'm trying to learn my metal detector better. I would like to find more rings/coinst etc. . . .without finding more trash/junk. Please give me a call at 336-983-7841 EST around 7:00pm or later if you can.

Thanks

Mitch

 

[joedirt]

I have 4 coils.

4.5 x 6 (very small. I call it the elephant foot)
6x8 SEF ( medium coil - very nice)
11" pro coil ( Don't use so much)
SunRay x 12" (Deep and solid hitter)

My best coins were found with the 4.5 x 6 (1869 nickel) and the SunRay X12 (1779 Reale)

I think your coil selection depends on the site, the iron content, other trash, soil condition, etc.

It would be prudent, in my opinion, to have a small, medium., and large coil to use as the situation dictates.