Why use a Racer 2 rather than a Deus?

[Dan(NM)]

This is a serious question, I have a feeling because all I use is my CTX that I'm leaving some stuff behind in the trash and in the iron. I tried a Deus a couple years ago but I just could not sync with it, so I ended up selling it and stuck with my Minelab. I'm debating on whether or not I should go back to the XP or maybe give the Racer 2 a go round. Perhaps someone that has used both can shed some light based on actual experience between the two. I really like the fact that there are so many coils to choose from for the Racer and they are quite affordable versus the XP. The only thing I'm concerned about is the depth with the Racer 2 versus my Minelab or the XP. As far as the wireless capability goes, I'm hitched to my detector because I use a periscope probe, so that would be a non-issue for me on either machine.

 

[pasttom]

XP & Racer 2 are both great light, versatile and serious detectors. You would be well served with either. I ran a Deus for a couple years and would enjoy trying the new v4 and elliptical HF coil. I am VERY happy with my Makro Racer 2 and do not feel I need to spend XP money for an alternate to my CTX. Probably not very helpful but honest.

 

[Dan(NM)]

XP & Racer 2 are both great light, versatile and serious detectors. You would be well served with either. I ran a Deus for a couple years and would enjoy trying the new v4 and elliptical HF coil. I am VERY happy with my Makro Racer 2 and do not feel I need to spend XP money for an alternate to my CTX. Probably not very helpful but honest.

That's the information I'm looking for I have a CTX and I need a machine that will complement it.

 

[Kapok]

Not sure if this helps any, but I have an Explorer SE that I use in limited situations. For the most part I search iron infested sites, and the R2 is peerless in such situationsin my experience. The Explorer seems just too slow to process and separate all the signals, or I am too impatient to scan and then wait for the detector to tell me what it's thinking. Maybe if I hunted more grassy fields/parks I'd use the Minelab more as I respect its strengths in these areas. This summer it's been about 95% Racer. That being said, I would jump at the chance to try out a Deus though as I think it has a lot in common with the Racer..

 

[UtahRich]

Hi Dan,

My Racer 2 compliments my Etrac.

Rich (Utah)

 

[Southwind]

My 2¢

If you have the money go with the Deus. If not, go with the Racer 2.

 

[Kapok]

My 2¢

If you have the money go with the Deus. If not, go with the Racer 2.

That's pretty much where I'm at, but have to say the Racer 2 provides a lot of bang for the buck!

 

[oleterryg]

Dan, I don't own a Racer 2, and wouldn't recognize a Deus if it were a snake. However, I did take delivery on the Red Racer, or Racer 1, as it's commonly called, two months ago.

The RR has proved to be a game changer for me. Depth and target recognition is what I am referring to. The Racer 2 is purported to be superior to the RR, and if this is true, then the R2 must be one heck of a machibe. And now with the 7" concentric coil available makes it even better.

After reading the specifications on both, I wish now I had spent the extra money and purchased the R2. But make no mistake, I am perfectly happy with my RR. Every hunt is a new learning experience

 

[horikindaguy]

thumbs up on the Racer 2, It's light, simple to use (retains your settings) and QUIET in my areas....
I have found some nice items that I missed with my etac and ctx (long since sold).
I really like the coil selection also and am using the 5 x 10 (roughly) coil and it rocks.
I've been waiting on the redesigned wireless phones for mine and when my dealer gets them in (I'm in Canada)
I plan to order a set.....plug in transmitter is a nice touch...
Deus has always seemed too complex for my simple mind and I really don't like the charging setup you must use for it....
(and I could afford one if I really wanted it).

cheers

 

[Southwind]

I think, for the money, they don't get much better than the Racer 2. I do feel the Deus had a slight depth advantage and of course a little more adjustability to better work a site, but then some people consider it to have too many adjustments. I believe for some people it does, and they tend to get the Deus so far out of adjustment it fails to perform to its potential.

Nothing come close to the ergonomics of the Deus. Period.

I felt it was a toss up as far as accurate target ID at depth. Close to the same with maybe a slight lean toward the Deus as long as it was adjusted properly.

Both are great detectors, just at different ends of the spectrum in my opinion.

 

[Old Virginia]

This is a serious question, I have a feeling because all I use is my CTX that I'm leaving some stuff behind in the trash and in the iron. I tried a Deus a couple years ago but I just could not sync with it, so I ended up selling it and stuck with my Minelab. I'm debating on whether or not I should go back to the XP or maybe give the Racer 2 a go round. Perhaps someone that has used both can shed some light based on actual experience between the two. I really like the fact that there are so many coils to choose from for the Racer and they are quite affordable versus the XP. The only thing I'm concerned about is the depth with the Racer 2 versus my Minelab or the XP. As far as the wireless capability goes, I'm hitched to my detector because I use a periscope probe, so that would be a non-issue for me on either machine.

Dan - I recently traded my XP Deus (almost even) for a Makro Racer 2 and after 3 trips out, I'm EXTREMELY happy about that trade. Like you, I simply could not "sync" with the XP Deus. I found the user interface cumbersome and confusing, never got the depth everyone else seems to be getting and had constant problems pinpointing. I do think the folks who came up with the XP Deus are onto something, i.e., lightweight, totally wireless, collapsible and the ability to download program updates. I suspect we will see great things from them in the future.

But the R2 simply fits my style better. It's simple to use, yet can "grow" with you as you learn it's nuances. The ability to very quickly change settings on the fly is something I REALLY like. And the R2's reputation for unmasking in heavy iron is well-earned as my recent trip to a place I've pounded with other detectors revealed. So, while every hunter's style is different and, no doubt, the XP Deus is a great machine for some folks, I can personally give a high recommendation to the R2. I also own the Nokta FORS Relic and 2 Garrett AT Pro's but it looks like the R2 will be my go to unit from here on out. Hope that helps and happy hunting to you!

 

[Southwind]

Hey never underestimate a Volkswagen. Yes, they are simple and basic but they get around better in the snow than many other more expensive vehicles. Just not everyone likes driving a VW.

 

[Old Virginia]

I'd say the R2 is more like a Toyota Tacoma 4WD while the XP Deus is more like a Land Rover.

 

[oleterryg]

If it's a 54-55, it's a nickel. Can't get much simpler than that. If a nickel is anywhere around, the RR will point.

 

[GroundHug]

Here is another idea - maybe consider the Impact.

I had a Racer 2 and while it's a fine machine, it does not give you the ability to change frequencies like the Impact does (and like the Deus does). Impact seems to have all the "modes" essentially the Racer has, while giving you some it doesn't have, AND it has the ability to change frequency.

 

[OregonGregg]

Why the Impact ?? just because a machine has the ability to change freq. doesn't make it better. Give me a Racer 2 with a Nel Sharp coil or a Fors Core with the oor coil and I will out do your Impact machine in an iron /rusted tin infested site. The Impact is a great " all round" machine and does a lot of things good.........My Racer 2 or Fors CoRe with a proper coil attached, for the sites, I like to hunt ......does one thing great.

As far as the Deus.....depends on the environment you want to hunt. It's kinda like a Minelab....if you want to hunt parks it does ok. If you want to hunt extremely iron infested /rusted tin old sites like ghost towns etc.....there are better choices. You can try to convince yourself a 9" coil is going to do it all, it won't. It's no match against a small coil on any of the Nokta /Makro machines when it comes to handling these iron infested old sites. Like Monte has told me over and over....there isn't one perfect detector made. So I find what I think works best for me and the sites I like to hunt.

I hunt old ghost towns and old sites that are littered with iron and rusted tin 98% of the time....that's the kind of sites I am only interested in. Parks etc hold no interest for me. So I guess when you read my post....I am looking at this from that P.O.V I'm not saying the other machines are no good. I'm just saying what works for me in these old nasty sites.

 

[GroundHug]

The ability to change frequencies makes it more flexible to the conditions you may be facing in the field. And from that standpoint, it flat out IS better. Give the Impact a smaller coil, and you may not do better.

I had a Racer 2 and saw no need for it after getting the Impact so I sold it. That doesn't make it a bad machine, I just felt it was redundant as the Impact in my opinion can do pretty much anything the Racer can, and then some. But the Racer cannot do everything the Impact can in terms of adjusting to your local field conditions.

 

[OregonGregg]

First off I want to say sorry. I didn't try/mean to come across so crash But yes I'll agree that the Impact does offer more than the Racer(s) as far as features and might give slight advantages because of those features, but, I also feel that the Impact does not make the other machines ( Racers, Fors Core and Relic) obsolete. And yes a 5" coil on the Impact does a tremendous job and will be for most intents and purposes all you need in trashy sites.

But as far as "Flat out Better" no, not always. In the extreme iron trashy sites, the Racer 2 with either a NEL Snake or Sharp and the CoRe with the oor coil will still unmask better than your Impact regardless of Freq. I realize that most people with an Impact are not hunting extremely iron /rusted tin infested sites. That is why I stated it was my opinion, my P.O.V In my area in Eastern Oregon, those are the sites I hit almost all the time. These little towns have one park and then ya have to travel miles to get to another so I almost never hunt the parks, instead I just enjoy hitting old stage stops, ghost towns, and old homestead sites etc.

But yes I agree, the Impact is a very nice machine and offers a lot of features/modes etc. But if all I have is a Racer, no worries, it will get the job done too.

 

[oleterryg]

Gregg, what about your White's M6? Compared to Racer?

 

[OregonGregg]

Hi Terry,
Back in the day it was an MXT and the M6. Actually, I used the M6 the most. Put a ton of hours on that lil machine and it did find me a bunch of stuff. But then back in early 2015, I got a Fors CoRe and shortly after that the Red Racer launched and got it too. It didn't take long to realize that the MXT and M6 in the iron infested sites didn't do near as well as the CoRe and Red Racer did.

I sold the MXT and kept the M6, more for sentimental reasons. Also, the M6 is still a heck of a coin shooter machine. I take it out and play with it once in awhile.