Tough question about Xterra vs Se pro

[cometguy]

I have a like new SE Pro that I am getting along with ok. I am not crazy about the multi tone. My other machines are two, three or four tone. I like the fact that the Xterra would let me keep that system. I have a chance to jump to a two week old 705 without losing any money. I posed this same question over on the Explorer forum. I know that it is really my decision but I wondered if anybody had any input. What would I be giving up? I also have trouble swinging the SE slow enough. Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks, Don

 

[dmgadway]

I had an SE Pro, now I have an xterra 705. I lthink the 705 recovers faster than the SE. I can swing at a good pace compared to the SE. You should be able to adjust the tones on the SE to suit you if thats the real issue. I also like the prospecting mode on the xterra, really finds the tiny targets. I cant give you a valid comparison as ive only had my 705 for a week, but so far it seems to do very well! Im not sure the SE did anything the 705 cant do. And the 705 is a very stable detector. Im already more comfy with my 705 in a week than I was in 3 months with my SE pro. Just my opinion. Hope it helps. I find detectors either fit you or they dont, kinda like shoes! lol! HH!

 

[Digger]

Explorers are good machines, as you know. I've owned each of them in the series, plus the E-TRAC. To answer your question as to what you'd lose.... you'd lose ferrous readings on TID. Does that matter to most detectorists? Probably not, if they were willing to admit it, as most of us dig targets based on the conductivity instead of the ferrous reading. And the X-TERRA has a very accurate TID based on conductive numbers. You will gain a detector that has a very forgiving sweep speed. So if you have trouble swinging the SE Pro too quickly, that shouldn't be an issue with the X-705. You'd lose FBS technology (multiple simultaneous frequency detection). But the 705 can be operated at any one of three frequencies, depending on the coil you use. You lose the "no need to ground balance" capability of the Explorer. But then again, the X-TERRA can be operated with Tracking. Better yet, you can offset the Tracking either with a positive or negative ground balance. Or you can set up with automatic ground balance and lock in the setting. I won't go into all the reasons I like the X-TERRA over the Explorer series. But I will tell you that the weight and balance will be a pleasant surprise. If you have any specific "things" you like about your Explorer, let us know and we can address how the X-TERRA may handle those situations. If you're not real familar with the X-TERRA, I'd invite you to read my eBook, Understanding your X-TERRA, which can be downloaded FREE from Minelab's website. HH Randy

 

[TURNMASTER]

Tough call. I have an SE (not pro) and the 705. The SE will hit targets I have missed with the 705, but not many. There are some houses I have hunted where I actually preferred the SE, but only a couple. I have not found the SE to be deeper for me, just slower. In the trash that has been a good thing several times. I still prefer the 705 though. Truth is that with a coil change I can find most anything with the 705 that I do with the SE. Yet I am still having a hard time letting go of the SE. I keep thinking that I will get better with it. I have a couple hundred hours on the SE and probably 1500+ on the 705 and at this point if I was to pick one it would be the 705 hands down. I have found Silver with both and Gold with both. The SE is A LOT heavier and has a very poor angle on the handle, the ergos are much better on the Xterra series.

Jeff

 

[cometguy]

Hey, thanks everyone for the input. I have decided to give the Explorer a whirl. I am going to take the summer and try to use it. I think in the right situation it will be fine. I think using it when I am hunting by myself will let me slow down some. I also have a friend who is really good with his Explorer and I am going to hunt with him a bunch. I can't see it ever being my main machine but I see lots of times that it may be the best one for the job. I still like a lot of things about the Xteraa. Randy, I did download your book. I will keep that door open but just not cross over there this spring.

Thanks, Don