What should I know about the Etrac?

[tjn63]

Hey everyone! I'm new to the E-trac club. I just aquired one through a trade. I'm actually more of a Whites guy. I've used the DFX for years and have gotten very efficient with it. This is the first Minelab machine that I've ever touched so we'll see how it goes. I've already been watching video's, and I've read a bit about the E-trac. I know Whites machines, and Minelab machines are completely different, but I think with the videos I've watched, and just my overall metal detecting experience I should be alright with the transition. I'm looking for depth, and target seperation in trashy areas...
What are your recomendations? Does anyone know of any good videos to watch?
I just have the stock coil. What other coils do you guys recommend, and why?
I use a 10x12 SEF on my DFX and it's gets me the extra depth that I want. I was kind of thinking of going the same route with the E-trac. What do you think?

 

[DiggerODirt]

Hello and welcome to the club.

The sounds and settings on the E-trac can be intimidating for a new user...You WILL get frustrated with the machine for the first month or so until you learn what it is telling you. I recommend staying with the stock coins or trash programs until you learn the machine...If you feel the need to tweak settings, this is what I suggest...Put your Threshold volume at 20 if you use headphones. Threshold pitch to 17, Variability to 28, gain to 20, DEEP ON, FAST ON...this will make those 40-50 signals scream and unmistakeable. For coils, I recommend the Sunray X-5, 6" EQ2, and the NEL Tornado...If you do a lot of hunting near electric fence or metal fence, the 5" Excelerator (thick white hockey puck) is great.

HH,

 

[Goes4ever]

This is EXACTLY how I have mine set up:

sensitivity auto +3
threshold limit just barely audible
volume limit 29
volume gain 29
response normal
tone id multi
sounds conductive
variability 29
limits 29
threshold pitch 28-29 makes silver scream out
deep off
fast on
trash high
ground difficult

I USED to noise cancel at every site, now I ONLY do if I get some sort of interference

 

[tjn63]

Thanks for the info! Unfortunately, I won't be able to try those settings out for at least a month or so when all of this snow starts melting! Seems like every time it starts melting, Another foot comes falling down!
Have either of you, or anyone else ever used the 13 inch Ultimate coil? What are your thoughts on that coil? I run my DFX on super high sensitivity, and with tone id on so I'm used to tons of noise, going slow and trying to sort through junk.

 

[Goes4ever]

I have not used it myself, sorry

 

[Johnnyanglo]

 

[DiggerODirt]

I also have not tried the 13" ultimate...I may get it some day...I want the 8x6 SEF first though. The NEL Tornado is my deep seeking coil for the moment.

HH,

 

[tjn63]

Thanks for the info everyone! I can't wait for this snow to melt!