E-Trac vs Explorer SE Pro

[pelanj]

I am starting to really like the FBS technology. I am thinking of upgrading my Quattro to either E-Trac or Explorer SE Pro. What is the main difference between those machines (except for the IMHO useless USB)? And how about the older Explorer models? And compared to the Quattro/Safari?

My main criterion is depth. Recovery speed is not so important if its negative effects could be cancelled by a slow swing. Which coils would you recommend as accessories? I will be using it mostly in areas cleaned with my Silver (and maybe Golden Mask 3 or Tejon in future) for the remaining deeper coins. The Quattro can still find some left by the Silver so I would bet one of the E's would get even some more

[Jressman]

For the most part the Explorer SE Pro and Etrac are head to head on depth. The Etrac will however handle the trash much better, and give much more stable target ID numbers. Also the Etrac has a much easier learning curve, upgraded pinpointing capabilities and quick mask features that the Explorer lacks.

I just upgraded from an SE Pro to an Etrac and I can say the SE Pro can be had much cheaper and if your in a relatively clean area the difference aren't that much.

I have nothing but great things to say about the Explorer. Its a depth monster and for the price you just can't beat it.

[Big Boys Hobbies]

Jressman has a good post.

The Etrac is faster and has a few some cool new features. The auto +1 +2 +3 option is very cool. Easier to run right out of the box for most people.

Feel free to call me if yo have any questions. Be glad to help you.

[Iron Patch]

I too have wondered that for a long time, and just recently an online friend "upgraded" from an explorer II to an E-trac and wrote me to say my gut feeling about them having them same guts was right. He was even going to sell the E-trac and keep using the Explorer II, but since Minelab probably won't be fixing the II much longer he was leaning towards keeping the E-trac. Assuming that is the case about them having the same guts, and I believe it more than ever now, the only difference is the menu and settings. From what I've seen in the posts I would definitely not say the E-trac is easier to set up than the Explorer SE in all the ways that really count. How it might be easier is Minelab having more control in how the detector is set, and to me that's not easier, it's limiting. Sort of the same way they market the Quattro and Safari, and in those cases the fact you push less buttons doesn't really make it easier because you still have to learn the tones just the same as an explorer or any other detector. Way too many people think the lack of button pushing is easier and better but when you're talking the Explorer electronics the basics of high sense - low disc. works extremely well and pushing less buttons will not find you more. (It's probably close to the same and just saves you a few seconds the odd time you need to set the unit) So many times I have seen people with E-tracs posting to ask for help and I think... What didn't you buy an SE, would have saved yourself some cash, and I could tell you in 2 minutes the basic settings that work. Maybe the SE is actually easier to get to the settings that work well.

I started back when the XS came out and since then very little has changed in the units. Minelab just corrected some things that were bad ideas in the first place, and reworked some stuff to create a detector like the E-trac. But it's working because people will spend hundreds extra just because they think it's better. Anyway, that's how I see it and I don't care who buys and uses what, and I definitely would not buy an E-trac for more money .... in fact I would not buy one if it was the same price as an SE. I bought a detector a couple of years ago and could easily have picked the E-trac, but didn't and went with the SE... and that was the right decision then and still is today. I don't think you can lose with either but I look at the E-trac as an SE with hype and changes that won't find you more, just make some believe it will.

[pelanj]

Great, thank you all for your opinions. Still undecided, but I lean more towards the Explorer. At the end, I will buy either one used when there is one for a good price

[Bonesquat]

IP, your gravestone will have this etched into it.

[frhamlet]

I have the etrac but the only reason I don't currently own the se is I was more used to the increased sens. info on the etrac and the pinpointing on the etrac. I don't think Minelab should make both models. I like both models very much.

[Jack Flynn]

Originally Posted by Bonesquat

IP, your gravestone will have this etched into it.

IP is just slightly opinionated, just slightly LOL

[Iron Patch]

Originally Posted by Bonesquat

IP, your gravestone will have this etched into it.

I'm good with that as long as the date reads 2060!

[DaugBiscuit]

Iron Patch, you said (see quote)

Originally Posted by Iron Patch

What didn't you buy an SE, would have saved yourself some cash, and I could tell you in 2 minutes the basic settings that work.

I am getting an Explorer, it is awaiting my return from vacation and will be shipped ASAP. My question to you is this, what are the basic settings that work about which you speak?

I'm just wanting to be ready to try some settings that have been successful with other SE owners.
Don

[Iron Patch]

Originally Posted by DaugBiscuit

Iron Patch, you said (see quote)



I am getting an Explorer, it is awaiting my return from vacation and will be shipped ASAP. My question to you is this, what are the basic settings that work about which you speak?

I'm just wanting to be ready to try some settings that have been successful with other SE owners.
Don

Hunt in ironmask about -20 to start (-10 on an EXII or XS), and a moderate to high man. sens.. Find a good balance that's not too chirpy and leave those settings for a while. As you get to know the detector bump a notch lower on the IM and higher on the sense, and keep doing it until you reach the point you can run the detector very hot and everything still makes sense. It will definitely take some time and if you do it too fast... you'll see that you can't do it too fast. Most of the other settings are more just personal preference but I have always kept my gain maxed and prefer to use deep on, fast off. Even with the gain set at 10 once you have the experience you can still tell what's deeper, and especially what's very deep. So the basics I was referring to, at least what I would recommend what to strive for is... High sens., low disc. (IM) maxed gain, and deep on. The other big part is how you swing. The basics of that is to cut down your sweep depending on how much trash. With clean ground you can take a full sweep, but as the trash gets heavier you cut it down to maybe a foot, or in the places you're really trying to work out one more target just the wiggle. (like when you pinpoint) That's probably something to get you going but there's nothing that substitutes experience. You'll learn many little hints the more you use it, things that can't really be taught, like sounds etc.. Even just starting out I'm sure you'll see enough good in the detector to want to keep learning.

[Bespride]

Originally Posted by DaugBiscuit

Iron Patch, you said (see quote)



I am getting an Explorer, it is awaiting my return from vacation and will be shipped ASAP. My question to you is this, what are the basic settings that work about which you speak?

I'm just wanting to be ready to try some settings that have been successful with other SE owners.
Don

I'm interested in this too. I'll have mine by the weekend and want to get the feel of the machine's control layout and some sounds so the manual will make more sense reading it.