Etrac or Manticore

[marjam]

I am getting back into the hobby after being out for about 3 years now. I still have three detectors, Fisher F70, equinox 600, and my favorite detector I have ever owned, the Etrac. I didn't think I would ever want to buy another after the Etrac, but I am seriously considering the Manticore. I would like to hear from some of you out there that have had an FBS machine and have gotten the Manticore, and want to know in your opinion, is it worth upgrading. I have found many good things with the Etrac and feel if it's in the ground where I'm hunting, I can find it with that machine. I know the Etrac so well, just wondering what you all think about the Manticore when it compares to the older Minelab machines. Newer tech should be better, but I need convinced.

Thanks for hearing me out.

 

[hoser]

I too had the E-Trac and loved it. It found a lot of silver and a few gold rings for me and at that time I just knew I would have it forever. But age crept up on me, and I just couldn't swing that coil for six to eight hours like I used to. After an hour it felt like I had a cinderblock on the end of the shaft, so I decided to switch to a lighter detector and that's when I bought the Legend and now that I learned how to successfully operate it, I love it just as much. I would still have it if it didn't wear me out so fast. Weigh your options, think long and hard as to if a new machine is to your best interest and make your decisions from that. Good luck.

 

[WeirdGuyInPark]

I have both machines and i like the manticore a lot but my etrac is still king on the deepest silvers iv'e ever dug..I do think the manticore is equal on depth though but you have to keep the recovery lower to match the etrac depth..I rarly go above 4..When you start cranking to max recovery it becomes uless to me on fringe depth targets..Signals become short and choppy..I think its good to have that option to adjust it though..I can hunt longer with manticore but the battery life is not good..You'll have to charge it almost every time after 6 to 7 hours or you could get caught with a dead battery..As an etrac user i'm happy i got the manticore..You just have to be carelfull not to max out everything on the machine ecspecially the recovery and sensivity..

 

[tnsharpshooter]

I have both machines and i like the manticore a lot but my etrac is still king on the deepest silvers iv'e ever dug..I do think the manticore is equal on depth though but you have to keep the recovery lower to match the etrac depth..I rarly go above 4..When you start cranking to max recovery it becomes uless to me on fringe depth targets..Signals become short and choppy..I think its good to have that option to adjust it though..I can hunt longer with manticore but the battery life is not good..You'll have to charge it almost every time after 6 to 7 hours or you could get caught with a dead battery..As an etrac user i'm happy i got the manticore..You just have to be carelfull not to max out everything on the machine ecspecially the recovery and sensivity..

There is couple ways to set up Manticore with aftermarket battery, using charge cable to feed detector.
Big boys hobbies sells them.
I use a Deus pinpointer mount and a small round rechargeable battery on mine.
Keep your external battery hot and you won’t get caught with low battery in detector.

RNB Power-X Power Pack for Minelab Manticore, Equinox Nokta Legend 2

Extend detecting time with the RNB Power-X USB Power Pack. Compatible with Minelab Manticore, Equinox series & Nokta Legend 2. Lightweight, stem-mounted design.

bigboyshobbies.net

 

[Rattlehead]

I've owned the Etrac, CTX, Equinox & Manticore. Liked them all, but in my soil the Manticore is head and shoulders above the rest. Lighter, faster, deeper, more versatile, better display, better menu system.... the list goes on and on. There will definitely be a learning curve, and you may even dislike it at first due to stepping away from familiarity. BUT, if you put in the time learning to speak it's language, its an outstanding machine in my opinion. Having said that, if you're mostly just looking for silver in clean mild ground and don't mind the extra weight, the Etrac is a fine machine.

 

[yrekadude]

I loved my E-Trac especially for the "flutey" tones that are easier on the ears and I was able to hear the ridges on bottlecaps, I swear.. My only grip with the E-trac was it's weight, it was a bit heavy to swing. Now the Manticore in my opinion is a bit noisier and harsher on the ears but perhaps I never tuned mine quite as right as I should have to make it more quiet and stable. That being said, it has many cool features, the fact that it is much lighter and easier to swing is a big plus IMHO and if you have the money and you are looking for a new toy to learn and explore I say go for it and if possible keep your E-Trac too.

I took a break for a little over a year and sold all my gear, getting an EQ900 this week in the mail.. Kinda wish I could have afforded another Manticore though.

 

[Marjam42]

It sounds like, to me at least, that the Manticore is a good machine from what you all are saying. I may have to end up getting one out of necessity. I have two bad shoulders now and haven't been able to get out just yet due to all the weather we are having. Once the weather breaks, I am taking the Etrac out for a spin just to see how my shoulders hold up. A few years ago, I would gladly devote the needed time to learn a new detector, but I am not sure now. Once I get back out and the bug bites me again, it may motivate me. If so and depending on my shoulders, I may get the manticore. I will never part with the etrac unless it gets to the point where I can't swing it and it isn't doing me any good to keep it. I just wish that Minelab could marry full band spectrum with today's technology, that statement is coming from someone who doesn't know what the Manticore is capable of, but I owned many machines before the etrac, and once I got it, my silver finds went through the roof. Anyone that's owned one can probably say the same thing, so you know where I'm coming from.

 

[Kansashunter]

I am with you on the E-trac. Very good machine but still does not compare to the Manticore. Use em both!!

 

[Big Boys Hobbies]

There is couple ways to set up Manticore with aftermarket battery, using charge cable to feed detector.
Big boys hobbies sells them.
I use a Deus pinpointer mount and a small round rechargeable battery on mine.
Keep your external battery hot and you won’t get caught with low battery in detector.

RNB Power-X Power Pack for Minelab Manticore, Equinox Nokta Legend 2

Extend detecting time with the RNB Power-X USB Power Pack. Compatible with Minelab Manticore, Equinox series & Nokta Legend 2. Lightweight, stem-mounted design.

bigboyshobbies.net

Yes, the RnB is a great little weapon to have on the Manticore or an Equinox series.

 

[Big Boys Hobbies]

I am with you on the E-trac. Very good machine but still does not compare to the Manticore. Use em both!!

Same, still have my old E-Trac and Sun Ray probe, but she is closet queen now that I use the Manticore.

 

[Ludlow6]

I loved the etrac. I found more with it then any other machine. I had to switch as it was causing me trouble with my rotator cuff to the point I may have to quit detecting. I switched to the nox 800 and my shoulder problem improved.

 

[Surf Master]

Etrac's were great in there time , Ctx3030 faster processor & waterproof , I have had two eTrac's in the past , Have a CTX3030 for land & Beach , but grab the Manticore every time I beach hunt , from a Equinox 800 , Now if your a land hunter only , I would upgrade to a 3030 , If you beach hunt , You will like the - Manticore for the lightness , but if the slower processor on the Etrac doesn't bother you , I loved my Etracs to, the Silver Slayer with the SEF coils , Now I have yet to sell my F75SE , I nailed deep dimes with it in school yards with the little 5 inch coil , my opinion , keep your Etrac , hunt with both machines compare , before you sell it , you will find silver with both machines , its your choice to decide in time , no restriction on how many machines you have , I have 9 , but look out you get called the Museum Curator on the beach forum once you get close to ten Enjoy all your machines , happy hunting , Earl

 

[Surf Master]

Yes, the RnB is a great little weapon to have on the Manticore or an Equinox series.

Yes they are good on land , but they should make them so they are waterproof design , as both the Equinox which I used one of the RNB on , not the Manticore , you figure they are waterproof machines , the connection should be waterproof , its not , send that to RnB , land or dry sand hunting yes they are nice ! Could be hard to do simply because of Mine Labs Charging port which you use with the stock charging cable , also note the two little charging teeth corrode from salt water spray !