worth the money?

[thE-TRACker]

O.K. I know you guys have been asked over and over if the 30/30 is worth the 2500.00 price tag but here's my deal. I presently own an E-Trac and a CZ21 for water detecting . I hunt the Gulf of Mexico from High tide beach sand to chest deep in water. I love the E-trac where the water breaks and up the beach and the cz-21 fairly well in water . I always said the perfect machine would be a waterproof E- Trac. Well, is that what we have ?I've read about some kind of "salt water" setting . Does this work to stabilize ?If the new CTX works as well in the salt water as an E-trac works on the wet sand/dry sand area , then I'm sold on the CTX and saying goodbye to my Fisher CZ-21 .What do you say salt water hunters ?Also, is the headphone issue resolved ?What kind would be best ?

 

[Crusty]

To answer one part of your question......no it is not a waterproof etrac. It is a much different beast.

Dave

 

[greedykind]

Well my opinion is that although i have only had the ctx a couple of months and have found a dozen silvers deep and a few indians i dont think i would have purchased this machine if i had a chance to use for trial run for a couple of months before purchasing.I love the wireless headphones and the ability to use in the pouring rain but my etrac is my personal favorite.That sweet sound of silver is not replicated on the ctx and the geo program is not very user friendly and quite confusing if you ask me.I havent used my etrac since picking up the ctx but boy do i think about it when i am out.There is no way this machine and this new coil technology is worth twice as much as the etrac not yet anyways.Not bsaying this sint a sweet detector but the comparion is for price tag of each versus detecting ability.No comparison etrac when just my opinion

 

[Rick(ND)]

They had been using their Explorers before and knew them well, then came along the E-Tracs and many did not like them at all and said they wanted the Explorer back again.The reason was the E-Trac was a little different and many didn't want to learn something different so they tried to run them like the Explorer. Now that some have taken the time to learn them and see what they could do some got them back again and now love them. I feel this is the same way with the CTX 3030 as they are a little different and we just got to learn how to use them and understand them.
Myself I sure didn't like my Sovereign when I got it, but after a while of use I loved it and always plan on having one around. Got the Explorer XS when it came out and not one bit happy with it even after several month of use, but seen where it did have some great advantages. Got the EX II and the SE Pro too and each one was a little better for m, but when the E-Tac came out and got the book of Andy Sabisch and sen where it was run different then the Explorers I loved it right away as it was great as I used the Sun Ray X-8 and was pulling many nice coins out of area I couldn't even work with the Explorers because of the trash. Now I got a CTX 3030 and first time out I found it is not what I expected, but with the help of many on this forum this detector has surprised me with what it can do in rusted iron and how I can set this up for most any site I want.
I do feel we will see more people going to the CTX after some of the finds that are being found in many area they were unable to work before as this could give more people to know it works and just got to use it and learn it more.

 

[goodmore]

Is the CTX a good detector? Yes

Is it worth the price?

That depends on how much you paid.
How much do you hunt?


I like mine more than I thought I would. I love the hobby and I try to hunt when ever I can. I have been on six hunts with mine so Iam no expert. But I have used other top of the line detectors. The CTX holds it's own very well against anything I have used. And just for the record I got a good deal on mine. The sponsors on here are great.

 

[Ferrous Bueller]

The CTX is a nice detector, I've had mine for about 3 months after owning an etrac. The waterproof feature is great for peace of mind.

I don't know, it performs great but I'm just kinda meh towards it. To me its not as fun to use, hearing the "sanitized" tones of the CTX compared to the silver warble of the older minelabs.

whether or not its worth it, is up to the individual.

 

[Porschephile]

Whether its worth it to you I cant say because their are too many variables that are present in your life that may be different in mine. I can say enthusiastically say that it was worth it to me. The CTX has already given me hundreds of hours of fun. I have already recouped a significant portion of the purchase price in finds. I am fairly sure that over the life of the CTX it will more than pay for itself. I have only hit public areas which I believe have been searched many times before yet I still come away with keepers. Sure you can do this with other detectors, so it really comes down to a personal preference rather than a pure economic decision, imo...

 

[jas415]

As for the land issue: IMHO The CTX is equal to or better than the E-Trac in every way on land and is a helluva lot easier on the arm. As for the saltwater, the discrimination ability and the sensitivity might require a smaller mesh scoop. The new 'seawater' edit works exceptionally well!! Almost total silence from wave action. Cant answer your headset question. Having said all that, the CTX is 'a different machine' from the E-trac in many ways and has a learning curve even if you have an etrac.

 

["Dr.Tones"]

I do most of my hunting around old vacant houses and farms that are super trashy. Literally it's not uncommon to go for minuets without hearing the threshold because there's just sooooooo much iron. That being said, I am extremely impressed how well the ctx does in that environment. It's lightening fast and has the ability to weed out the goods. I think one of the most exiting parts is that it's able to receive online updates via minelab. I'm more than happy with it. Since I bought mine in aug. I've found more silver and 1800's coins than ever before. But what it comes down to is, how serious about detecting are you? Are you like me and spend every second that you're not working either detecting or researching places to detect? If so then you'll want something that will give you the best chances to score the goods. No time for questioning your gear and wondering if you walked over that coin just like everyone else did. Those are the coins the ctx is pretty good at sniffing out.

 

[jimpugh]

You may hurt yourself digging....or taking the strong box out of the bank drawer.... defiantly have ta git a bigger Safety deposit Box

once you Graduate... to wide open and maxed manual.....

Etrac great machine for those that learned them first and fast ....but it will never be the Beast

Only thing better than the CTX.... is.... 2 CTX's

Happy Trails

 

[thE-TRACker]

Thanks for the great and honest inputs.In my original post I asked if it was worth the money .Really money isn't the object.If I thought this machine was as capable as an E-Trac ,was stable in salt water and could differentiate with co/fe numbers, the price would definitely be justified .I guess one of my main concerns is the waterproofing. Is the CTX mainly an all terrain, rainy day water machine or can it handle gulf of Mexico type conditions ?Again, thanks for your input.

 

[goodmore]

The only part of salt water hunting that scares me is scratching the screen with sand. But then I saw a post on maybe this or another forum. Get Minelab to put another screen in for you. How much can it cost? And you know what? That post is right on the spot. Take it out and use it. The build is great in my opinion.

 

[Jason in TN]

If you hunt for gold it will pay for its self beach hunting. I got about $1700 worth of scrap gold this summer about little over 80 hours on the beach and in the surf. For the beach to me it is a great detector. Have not done much dirt hunting with mine yet. Don't pay $2500 for one though they can be found a good bit less than that. Do some shopping around maybe even look for a used one. Good luck on your decision.

Jason

 

[Big Boys Hobbies]

O.K. I know you guys have been asked over and over if the 30/30 is worth the 2500.00 price tag but here's my deal. I presently own an E-Trac and a CZ21 for water detecting . I hunt the Gulf of Mexico from High tide beach sand to chest deep in water. I love the E-trac where the water breaks and up the beach and the cz-21 fairly well in water . I always said the perfect machine would be a waterproof E- Trac. Well, is that what we have ?I've read about some kind of "salt water" setting . Does this work to stabilize ?If the new CTX works as well in the salt water as an E-trac works on the wet sand/dry sand area , then I'm sold on the CTX and saying goodbye to my Fisher CZ-21 .What do you say salt water hunters ?Also, is the headphone issue resolved ?What kind would be best ?

The new saltwater update made a HUGE difference in the Minelab CTX 3030 performance on the beach. Several water hunter frinds of mine said it makes all the difference in the world.


Holler if you have questions or looking for a awesome Findmall deal on one! Bart

 

[dewcon4414]

You obviously are a water hunter as am i now. We know ALL water machines if used WILL pay for themselves quickly on someone elses dime. So i dont think that should be a consideration or excuse..... now as a dirt digger..... you have to think because you are getting into your own pocket because you keep a great deal of your finds.

Dew

 

[Larry (IL)]

I have to judge "value" a little different from those who sell some or all of their finds because I don't sell any of my finds. Based strictly on the fun factor of hunting and finding little treasures.................. the CTX is worth every penny.......

 

[TIM CLARK]

100 %

 

[Bromly]

The only part of salt water hunting that scares me is scratching the screen with sand. But then I saw a post on maybe this or another forum. Get Minelab to put another screen in for you. How much can it cost? And you know what? That post is right on the spot. Take it out and use it. The build is great in my opinion.

Wife and I got ours when they were first released. I recommend putting a $10.00 I-phone screen protector on asap. We did that right away and have over 1000 hrs hunting with zero scratches.
Before the CTX I beach hunted with excals,sov's,CZ21,etrac,sepro and a few others.IMHO there is no better beach machine. I wouldn't have said that before the saltwater update. The next best performing machine I use sometimes just to mix it up, is my SovGT with a 10x12 and remote pp switch. It still a joy to use, but just not as deep on gold as my CTX.

Just my 2cents, HH

Ken
Chesa. Va

 

[dadzjunk]

The only part of salt water hunting that scares me is scratching the screen with sand. But then I saw a post on maybe this or another forum. Get Minelab to put another screen in for you. How much can it cost? And you know what? That post is right on the spot. Take it out and use it. The build is great in my opinion.

Wife and I got ours when they were first released. I recommend putting a $10.00 I-phone screen protector on asap. We did that right away and have over 1000 hrs hunting with zero scratches.
Before the CTX I beach hunted with excals,sov's,CZ21,etrac,sepro and a few others.IMHO there is no better beach machine. I wouldn't have said that before the saltwater update. The next best performing machine I use sometimes just to mix it up, is my SovGT with a 10x12 and remote pp switch. It still a joy to use, but just not as deep on gold as my CTX.

Just my 2cents, HH

Ken
Chesa. Va

Bromly, I still have the original screen protector on mine that came with it and no problems with it yet, but I will just be starting my beach hunting this week, here in the Gulf Coast of Fl., and I will see if it stays on in the water, and if not, I will try the I-phone protector. Do you mind telling me what mode you are using for you best results on the beach? Thanks in advance for all of your help and advise. Also, are there any other percautions that I need to take with the CTX while beach hunting, that I didn't need to on land hunting?
Thanks

 

[Bromly]

The only thing I'd do different from dirt hunting is a leash. All my beach machines I use 6" to 8" x1/4" rope with an easy clip hooked to my belt. That way when I locate a target I can just let my machine hang to my side, then both my hands are free to dig. Plus I hate the thought of laying a detector in the sand.
As far as settings go, It's not rocket science with the CTX, I use beach mode,saltwater on and run an open screen using
combined sounds.But if I'm in an area with alot of iron and dont won't hear it all. I will run with some discrimination, the CTX
will still sound off with good targets next to iron.I also have DEEP and FAST off.

Hope this helps
HH

Ken