E-Trac worth the money

I was looking to buy a Explorer SE Pro but i have been looking at E-Trac also. My question is, is the E-Trac worth the extra money that you have to pay for it over the SE Pro? I mainly coin hunt and looking for deep silver in Iron and trash. Thanks

Those who use the Etrac will tell you "yes."  Those who use the SE will tell you "no."  The advice you need to consider is from the member that owns and has used both. 


Cheers,



Buckles

I did have the SE and sold it and got a e-trac. Out of the 2 I like the SE better. You can get a SE used for about $800. The Se is easy to use then the e-trac on setting , the e-trac is better on pinpointing , I like the tones of the SE better. I have the e-trac and I'll just have to learn to like it.

i can only speak for myself YES it is a little hard to learn but it is worth it,the first couple of times i used it i would have said no to that ? but I'm finally figuring it out  : tony

Or save the cash and get a used  Quattro yull get depth silver and relics. Ive seen some nice silver found with the Quattro

I was looking to buy a Explorer SE Pro but i have been looking at E-Trac also. My question is, is the E-Trac worth the extra money that you have to pay for it over the SE Pro? I mainly coin hunt and looking for deep silver in Iron and trash. Thanks

I have a e-trac and have had a se. I like the se better.

   If I thought the E-trac had any chance of being better than my explorer I would have one. Money wasn't the issue because in the last 6 months I bought another brand detector, 3 watches, clothes, and a pair of sunglasses which I would have gladly given up for a better detector. (actually could have had a few e-tracs)  But now I'm near broke, but very happy having an old explorer to swing. 

   

Well i started out with the SE with pro coil. Used it for about a year. I really like the machine. i sold it and bought an e-trac. Reason was is that so many e-trac users say its a great coin machine. and thats what i hunt.. Being the combine feature and easy editing "on the go" made the machine a must for me.

I have found more silver with the e-trac in hunted out places the first week with the e-trac than i did at 30+ locations with the SE.. just seems to find that old silver for me..  although the numbers were small.. still popped out great coins.

It really is all in the user. But with the faster processor, combine feature, and easier pinpointing (IMO) i think the e-trac is the only machine to have..  In fact its so good i bought another e-trac just to convert my dad.. although he is all tesoro. but atleast i have another one to let anyone i meet out in the field use one. thats what it comes down to. Hands on..

Hope this little post helped you...

also download the e-trac emulator on minelabs site.. its a great way to test the machine without buying the machine.. there is also an emulator for the Explorer SE as well

I have found more silver with the e-trac in hunted out places the first week with the e-trac than i did at 30+ locations with the SE.. just seems to find that old silver for me..  although the numbers were small.. still popped out great coins.

    I could hit 30 fields that never had a house and find nothing, but always find a few silver at the local park that's been deteted for 25 years. If the e-trac was really that good there would be a much bigger buzz about it than there is.

 
   

LOL you always crack me up with your post. specially being a minelab fan.. But if you lived close to me. i would make a believer out of you..    but you would have to leave that spandex suit at the house..

there is pros and cons to every machine.. but plenty of SE users on every detecting site that switched and plenty of others that just outright bought the e-trac will tell you.. its a great machine. Regardless of anything else. 

LOL you always crack me up with your post. specially being a minelab fan.. But if you lived close to me. i would make a believer out of you..    but you would have to leave that spandex suit at the house..

there is pros and cons to every machine.. but plenty of SE users on every detecting site that switched and plenty of others that just outright bought the e-trac will tell you.. its a great machine. Regardless of anything else. 

   Just look what you wrote!  You really expect people to think any top detetor is that much better, nevermind two top units from the same company. 

   I wish you were here so I could show you a thing or two about what I've learned over the last nine years using an explorer. People who make a big deal about recovery speed are the ones that I think never really did learn how to use the explorer around trash.  They don't know you adapt the speed and lenght of your swing depending on the conditions. They just swing the same way all of the time. That's probably why the E-trac, or any faster detector makes a difference because it's the unit doing the work, and not the users brain.  The problem is the machine will only do so much by itself.  I show plenty of fellow explorer users masked targets they can't hear and I have no question I would do the same to a lot of e-trac users. 

Me too.. I sure wished i lived closer to you and CPT Se.. I could learn a thing or two.. I never said i knew what i was talking about. Only thing I was trying to say is that the e-trac worked better for me than the SE pro.. that's all.. But i do think its comparing apples to oranges. These two machines are exactly that.. two different machines.. Comes down to what works better for the user.

Well i have decided to get the E- Trac. Sounds like it is better and easier to learn than the Explorer. Should be getting it soon can't wait to try it. Thanks everyone.

I never said i knew what i was talking about.

 Ok that clears it up.

Wow..  Guy comes in here giving his opinion and you pick an argument? Man. You haven't even used an e-trac so honestly you have NO basis for comparison..

Wow..  Guy comes in here giving his opinion and you pick an argument? Man. You haven't even used an e-trac so honestly you have NO basis for comparison..

   Nope. There would be no reason to argue with someone that makes statements such as yours. Don't you think it might be just a little misleading for someone who is trying to decide on a detector and sees a post saying I hunted 30 sites with the SE and got nothing, but the E-trac is grabbing silver from the beat sites.  I see lots of hype but only call out the ones that make statements that are ridiculous. Also, there's not any top detectors that are that far apart in performance to justify such a post.

No matter what kind of detector you get, just get out there and hunt and learn your machine.  I cruise the forums and see guys posting they have Explorers and E-tracs but aren't finding silver - just clad.  They're mad and think they bought the wrong detector.  The more experienced detectorists who hunt a lot post their silver finds all the time.  These are guys who also hunt with Explorers and E-tracs.  The detectorist is as important (if not more important) as the detector.  If he doesn't hunt a lot and learn what his detector is telling him, it doesn't matter whether he has an Explorer or E-trac.  Personally, I don't think you can go wrong with any model of the Explorer or the E-trac.  They're all great detectors.  But you have to learn what each one is telling you.  Do that and I think you'll love your detector no matter which it is.  Good Luck!

LOL you always crack me up with your post. specially being a minelab fan.. But if you lived close to me. i would make a believer out of you..    but you would have to leave that spandex suit at the house..

there is pros and cons to every machine.. but plenty of SE users on every detecting site that switched and plenty of others that just outright bought the e-trac will tell you.. its a great machine. Regardless of anything else.  

   Just look what you wrote!  You really expect people to think any top detetor is that much better, nevermind two top units from the same company.  

   I wish you were here so I could show you a thing or two about what I've learned over the last nine years using an explorer. People who make a big deal about recovery speed are the ones that I think never really did learn how to use the explorer around trash.  They don't know you adapt the speed and lenght of your swing depending on the conditions. They just swing the same way all of the time. That's probably why the E-trac, or any faster detector makes a difference because it's the unit doing the work, and not the users brain.  The problem is the machine will only do so much by itself.  I show plenty of fellow explorer users masked targets they can't hear and I have no question I would do the same to a lot of e-trac users.  

  Ever since the E-trac came out all you have done is bashed it and talked bad about it.  You always try to discount any tests done with it and frankly it gets old.  If you are happy with your explorer then great, but think when you were thinking about getting it, what if some old timer was all over the forum talking it down and about how it will never be as good as the BBS and the Sovereign.  Each of Minelabs detectors for the most part have been a progression forward, what makes you think it is any different with the Etrac??  The poster that you attacked was only giving his opinion about his personal experience, you have never claimed to have used an Etrac so I see your replies as 1 sided.  The ergonomics and weight issues alone are enough to take a real hard look at the Etrac over the Explorer.  If someone posts blasting the Explorer then please, let them have it with both barrels, but if someone is comparing Etracs and Explorers then you really cant comment until you have tried the Etrac.  Good Day.

any machine is only as good as you are working it.  To work it good you have educate yourself with it and practice with it.  The more time you spent with it the more you learn it's language of talking to you.  My 2 cents anyway lol

I have many machines and just bought an Etrac so I am looking forward to swinging and learning.

Thanks for all the options on here 

I run an X terra 705 and like the machine.  It is a quality tool.  I see many guys that find alot of silver with it.  They have taken the time to learn the machine.
I see guys with Explorers who love the machine and have found lots of silver.  They seem to love the machine.  They have taken the time to learn the machine.
I see guys with Sovereigns who love the machine and have found lots of silver.  They seem to love the machine.  They have taken the time to learn the machine.
I see guys with E Traks who love the machine and have found lots of silver.  They seem to love the machine.  They have taken the time to learn the machine.
I see guys with Garrets who love the machine and have found lots of silver.  They seem to love the machine.  They have taken the time to learn the machine.
I see guys with Fishers who love the machine and have found lots of silver.  They seem to love the machine.  They have taken the time to learn the machine.
I see guys with Whites who love the machine and have found lots of silver.  They seem to love the machine.  They have taken the time to learn the machine.

I could go on but you get my point.  I perfer a Mustang to a Camero.  I have spent much time in both and owned one of the 2.  I can make an educated choice.


Buy a machine and learn it.  Enjoy yourself and don't let 1 man make your choice for you in any thing you do. 

I owned the 70 1/2 Camero RS
Jeff

I own both machines and the Explorer is more accurate with its target I D on shallow coins.  seeya neilo

No...Sorry but, In my opinion it's not.   It is although, a great silver searcher. With a Buttload of bells and whistles.  I have many hours on this machine and find myself going back to my Tesoro (LIFETIME GUARANTEE) or, older Minelab often. (explorer)..

No...Sorry but, In my opinion it's not.   It is although, a great silver searcher. With a Buttload of bells and whistles.  I have many hours on this machine and find myself going back to my Tesoro(LIFETIME GUARANTEE) or older Minelab often.  You asked for the truth ...Buy a Tesoro.   LIFETIME GUARANTEE.  And look at what Crusader from Treasurenet finds with his.

   
   Guarantee means nothing to me, performance does. I'd buy a new Explorer every year if I had to.

   Crusader has been using a Goldmaxx power for quite a while now...  plus finds really have little to do with detector debate, they simply are a sign of good sites and the ability to get what's there. If it ain't there, you ain't gettin it.

    PS...  Probaby the number one reason I stick with my Minelab is it's accurate discrimination at depth.    Tesoro makes a good detector but it certainly didn't do for me what an Explorer could right out of the box.  I do finding myself wanting another Tesoro, but that's only until I use it a while, just not for me.


    PS...  I also had a Goldmaxx power and sold it.  Was good for the small stuff but like most detectors just hit too hard on small deep iron. I knew it would take many hours to avoid digging the stuff, and being how good it did sound i don't think I'd ever be able to avoid it completely, or close to completely. With Minelab changing the guts for the E-trac I may never buy another detector ever again.

I think it is.

No...Sorry but, In my opinion it's not.   It is although, a great silver searcher. With a Buttload of bells and whistles.  I have many hours on this machine and find myself going back to my Tesoro(LIFETIME GUARANTEE) or older Minelab often.  You asked for the truth ...Buy a Tesoro.   LIFETIME GUARANTEE.  And look at what Crusader from Treasurenet finds with his.

   
   Guarantee means nothing to me, performance does. I'd buy a new Explorer every year if I had to.

   Crusader has been using a Goldmaxx power for quite a while now...  plus finds really have little to do with detector debate, they simply are a sign of good sites and the ability to get what's there. If it ain't there, you ain't gettin it.

    PS...  Probaby the number one reason I stick with my Minelab is it's accurate discrimination at depth.    Tesoro makes a good detector but it certainly didn't do for me what an Explorer could right out of the box.  I do finding myself wanting another Tesoro, but that's only until I use it a while, just not for me.


    PS...  I also had a Goldmaxx power and sold it.  Was good for the small stuff but like most detectors just hit too hard on small deep iron. I knew it would take many hours to avoid digging the stuff, and being how good it did sound i don't think I'd ever be able to avoid it completely, or close to completely. With Minelab changing the guts for the E-trac I may never buy another detector ever again.

On my Roman Villa site, I hunted side by side with my detecting partner Michael, he used a Minelab explorer1, I used the Xp goldmaxx power....he got twice as many Hammered as me, I was quicker, but he was getting more depth. I would have one in a hart beat, but it's a weight thing with me, at this moment I am thinking of getting either the Se pro or the E traq, but the E traq is not getting good revues among the Boys here, and a lot are saying the the explorer1 is still the best.

No...Sorry but, In my opinion it's not.   It is although, a great silver searcher. With a Buttload of bells and whistles.  I have many hours on this machine and find myself going back to my Tesoro(LIFETIME GUARANTEE) or older Minelab often.  You asked for the truth ...Buy a Tesoro.   LIFETIME GUARANTEE.  And look at what Crusader from Treasurenet finds with his.

   
   Guarantee means nothing to me, performance does. I'd buy a new Explorer every year if I had to.

   Crusader has been using a Goldmaxx power for quite a while now...  plus finds really have little to do with detector debate, they simply are a sign of good sites and the ability to get what's there. If it ain't there, you ain't gettin it.

    PS...  Probaby the number one reason I stick with my Minelab is it's accurate discrimination at depth.    Tesoro makes a good detector but it certainly didn't do for me what an Explorer could right out of the box.  I do finding myself wanting another Tesoro, but that's only until I use it a while, just not for me.


    PS...  I also had a Goldmaxx power and sold it.  Was good for the small stuff but like most detectors just hit too hard on small deep iron. I knew it would take many hours to avoid digging the stuff, and being how good it did sound i don't think I'd ever be able to avoid it completely, or close to completely. With Minelab changing the guts for the E-trac I may never buy another detector ever again.

On my Roman Villa site, I hunted side by side with my detecting partner Michael, he used a Minelab explorer1, I used the Xp goldmaxx power....he got twice as many Hammered as me, I was quicker, but he was getting more depth. I would have one in a hart beat, but it's a weight thing with me, at this moment I am thinking of getting either the Se pro or the E traq, but the E traq is not getting good revues among the Boys here, and a lot are saying the the explorer1 is still the best.

   If really depends on a lot of factors and the person using it.  I have no doubt the Goldmaxx is a good silver finder, for me it was simply a question of how much small iron I'd have to chase to make sure i was getting all the small non iron targets. With my Explorer I dig things as small as I want to find, but don't have to dig iron to do it.

   As for the Explorers I've always preferred the XS but do believe the II is the exact same guts, so it was just something that was in my head. I currently have two EX II with older style coil and would not trade one of them to have both an SE & E-trac.

No...Sorry but, In my opinion it's not.   It is although, a great silver searcher. With a Buttload of bells and whistles.  I have many hours on this machine and find myself going back to my Tesoro(LIFETIME GUARANTEE) or older Minelab often.  You asked for the truth ...Buy a Tesoro.   LIFETIME GUARANTEE.  And look at what Crusader from Treasurenet finds with his.

   
   Guarantee means nothing to me, performance does. I'd buy a new Explorer every year if I had to.

   Crusader has been using a Goldmaxx power for quite a while now...  plus finds really have little to do with detector debate, they simply are a sign of good sites and the ability to get what's there. If it ain't there, you ain't gettin it.

    PS...  Probaby the number one reason I stick with my Minelab is it's accurate discrimination at depth.    Tesoro makes a good detector but it certainly didn't do for me what an Explorer could right out of the box.  I do finding myself wanting another Tesoro, but that's only until I use it a while, just not for me.


    PS...  I also had a Goldmaxx power and sold it.  Was good for the small stuff but like most detectors just hit too hard on small deep iron. I knew it would take many hours to avoid digging the stuff, and being how good it did sound i don't think I'd ever be able to avoid it completely, or close to completely. With Minelab changing the guts for the E-trac I may never buy another detector ever again.

On my Roman Villa site, I hunted side by side with my detecting partner Michael, he used a Minelab explorer1, I used the Xp goldmaxx power....he got twice as many Hammered as me, I was quicker, but he was getting more depth. I would have one in a hart beat, but it's a weight thing with me, at this moment I am thinking of getting either the Se pro or the E traq, but the E traq is not getting good revues among the Boys here, and a lot are saying the the explorer1 is still the best.

   If really depends on a lot of factors and the person using it.  I have no doubt the Goldmaxx is a good silver finder, for me it was simply a question of how much small iron I'd have to chase to make sure i was getting all the small non iron targets. With my Explorer I dig things as small as I want to find, but don't have to dig iron to do it.

   As for the Explorers I've always preferred the XS but do believe the II is the exact same guts, so it was just something that was in my head. I currently have two EX II with older style coil and would not trade one of them to have both an SE & E-trac.

The Goldmaxx is good on Silver....but only on ploughed land, if you want depth...forget it, but it goes through the Iron no problem, the problem with Iron only starts when it's deep, I think it's the case with most detectors, getting used to it, and I also believe the headphones play a great roll in what you decide to dig.

I just got my new e-trac and I like it, finding coins my other detector missed is great and finding them in the same hole with iron next to it makes me happy I'm sure the other older models of minelab are still much better and the new e-trac isnt but it does what minelab says it will i'm happy

To me one Sovereign is worth more than the E Trac,,,,..... but that is me not big on bells and whistles..And  i could find as much with my Sovereign as you with your E-Trac  ........probability MORE.....

Hey keppy glad to hear you have lots of love for your sovereign before I bought my e-trac I loved my sovereign elite I never counted them but I guess ive found over 1000 coins and some decent jewlery its for sure a great detector, but I am finding coins my sovereign missed with my new e-trac, not very many my sovereign did a great job I really hope you and most other people dont get an e-trac its not worth the extra money to just find a couple extra coins but since I already wasted my money on one I guess ill try to be happy with the couple coins the other guys miss.

Hey keppy glad to hear you have lots of love for your sovereign before I bought my e-trac I loved my sovereign elite I never counted them but I guess ive found over 1000 coins and some decent jewlery its for sure a great detector, but I am finding coins my sovereign missed with my new e-trac, not very many my sovereign did a great job I really hope you and most other people dont get an e-trac its not worth the extra money to just find a couple extra coins but since I already wasted my money on one I guess ill try to be happy with the couple coins the other guys miss.

Well i am glad you are makeing find's with your E-Trac but i have no plans to get a E Trac or explorer i have used the explorer and seen the E Trac working ..... and they do not do any more than my Sovereign .. just more bells and whistles to fool around with ... Who knows you might find some one to take it off your hands...i really don't think that Minelab can top the Sovereign for to me the explorer and E Trac are like you said costly and you don't get any thing better... sell it ... well you can get better if you want a gold detector that would be a...Minelab Gold Detector................

Hey keppy glad to hear you have lots of love for your sovereign before I bought my e-trac I loved my sovereign elite I never counted them but I guess ive found over 1000 coins and some decent jewlery its for sure a great detector, but I am finding coins my sovereign missed with my new e-trac, not very many my sovereign did a great job I really hope you and most other people dont get an e-trac its not worth the extra money to just find a couple extra coins but since I already wasted my money on one I guess ill try to be happy with the couple coins the other guys miss.

Well i am glad you are makeing find's with your E-Trac but i have no plans to get a E Trac or explorer i have used the explorer and seen the E Trac working ..... and they do not do any more than my Sovereign .. just more bells and whistles to fool around with ... Who knows you might find some one to take it off your hands...i really don't think that Minelab can top the Sovereign for to me the explorer and E Trac are like you said costly and you don't get any thing better... sell it ... well you can get better if you want a gold detector that would be a...Minelab Gold Detector................

  How can you know if a detector you've never used is not better? 

  Besides, good sites beat detector pretty much all of the time anyway.

Iron patch..........I have had the Explorer xs and 2 ..i owned them and used them...they did not show me any more than the Sovereign i used the E Trac and hunted with my bud that has one he let me use it and it..And it did not show me any more than my Sovereign. I would rather hunt than try to feel important programing my detector...My Sovereign will find any thing your Explorer or E-Trac will find and could be it will find more....

Iron patch..........I have had the Explorer xs and 2 ..i owned them and used them...they did not show me any more than the Sovereign i used the E Trac and hunted with my bud that has one he let me use it and it..And it did not show me any more than my Sovereign. I would rather hunt than try to feel important programing my detector...My Sovereign will find any thing your Explorer or E-Trac will find and could be it will find more....

   There's the proof you didn't put in enough time because it's no different than the settings on any other detector. I haven't changed mine in many years. Power button and go!

Iron patch..........I have had the Explorer xs and 2 ..i owned them and used them...they did not show me any more than the Sovereign i used the E Trac and hunted with my bud that has one he let me use it and it..And it did not show me any more than my Sovereign. I would rather hunt than try to feel important programing my detector...My Sovereign will find any thing your Explorer or E-Trac will find and could be it will find more....

   There's the proof you didn't put in enough time because it's no different than the settings on any other detector. I haven't changed mine in many years. Power button and go!

One big thing i don't like display screens and i have been useing Minelabs since 1992 is that enought time on minelab's for you

Iron patch..........I have had the Explorer xs and 2 ..i owned them and used them...they did not show me any more than the Sovereign i used the E Trac and hunted with my bud that has one he let me use it and it..And it did not show me any more than my Sovereign. I would rather hunt than try to feel important programing my detector...My Sovereign will find any thing your Explorer or E-Trac will find and could be it will find more....

   There's the proof you didn't put in enough time because it's no different than the settings on any other detector. I haven't changed mine in many years. Power button and go!

One big thing i don't like display screens and i have been useing Minelabs since 1992 is that enought time on minelab's for you

 I've had an explorer since about 2000 and haven't looked at the screen since maybe 3 months after I bought it.

Iron Patch , My kind of hunter don't look at the screen and don't get caught up with all those foolish settings just get out and hunt............

Iron Patch , My kind of hunter don't look at the screen and don't get caught up with all those foolish settings just get out and hunt............

  I wouldn't even care what detector if someone wants to give me a great site! 

Ya if you have a good site any top brand detector or even off brand will find the good stuff there...................

I was hoping this thread would help me decide on an above average detector. Now I am more confused than ever. My criteria is it can't be to heavy for this old body. It needs to work in trashy areas and when I hunt in fields it needs to go 10 to 12 inches deep. I need an Id machine with three too four tones and last considering my age I would like to figure out how to use it before I can't get out any more. Is there really a machine out there like this?

Burdie

I was hoping this thread would help me decide on an above average detector. Now I am more confused than ever. My criteria is it can't be to heavy for this old body. It needs to work in trashy areas and when I hunt in fields it needs to go 10 to 12 inches deep. I need an Id machine with three too four tones and last considering my age I would like to figure out how to use it before I can't get out any more. Is there really a machine out there like this?

Burdie

Hey Stan

You need to stop at a local shop and feel them out.  Or stop by my place and go play with any of them.
   
You know I now have an Etrac now but haven't used it much yet to give you an educated answer
But I have found gold with it already in a place I have hunted with my SE and DFX. It is lighter
than both the SE and the DFX.  I watched Juanmoretime use his Etrac while we were in Texas it really
performed well in his hands. 

Personally I think it is the coil that gives you the depth and location.  The bond that comes from using a machine gives you the wisdom of whats under the coil.  The Etrac will use most of the coils I have already for the SE.  Those FBS Coils are outstanding I think.

At first the SE drove me nuts being so well adapted to my DFX, but once I got it from staying with it.  It went like silk, nice and smooth.

You already using the XT probably will not have the learning curve I needed. 

But with electronics you are always almost going to have a better something coming out. 

Hey Burdie.. Dont get me wrong the e-trac is a good detector and I do believe it is "slightly" better than my sovereign I have a test garden the e-trac is just a small amount deeper it will find "some" coins the sovereign missed due to iron masking, with that said I'm dissapointed I expected my e-trac to be alot better than it is its a confusing machine the digital read out on the FE and CO numbers are highly unstable and jump all over the place making it almost useless " my sovereign digital ID is rock solid" its a very quirky machine and I find it hard to use I'm sure after I put a few months on the e-trac ill be comfortable using it, Its is a good machine but for the money I'm not very impressed yet anyway and i'll admit I have alot to learn still it has way too many settings "bells and whistles" some of my opinion so far could be from my lack of experience on the e-trac atleast I hope so.  - RonnieAZ

=[quote authorBurdie link=topic=264567.msg2031329#msg2031329 date=1258581185]
I was hoping this thread would help me decide on an above average detector. Now I am more confused than ever. My criteria is it can't be to heavy for this old body. It needs to work in trashy areas and when I hunt in fields it needs to go 10 to 12 inches deep. I need an Id machine with three too four tones and last considering my age I would like to figure out how to use it before I can't get out any more. Is there really a machine out there like this?

Burdie
[/quote]The ...Minelab Sovereign is the detector for you ...You can hip mount it that takes away the weight problem..............................It has tones you can tell apart.. not like some were all the tones sound the same.......... You can put a meter on it if you want to.................... And it is very easy to learn almost turn on and hunt..... The explorer and E-Trac will drive you nut's if you want to learn fast

Ya if you have a good site any top brand detector or even off brand will find the good stuff there...................

That's not correct, it all depends on the type of ground you are hunting. You can't say a off brand detector will out perform a top detector on land that has not been ploughed. Fair enough if the soil has been turned regular, then the finds will be close to the surface, but if it hasn't then the chances are that the higher end detetors will do better. Also you have to take into account contamination, again the higher end detectors will filter out this better the the less cheaper ones.

SS

I was looking to buy a Explorer SE Pro but i have been looking at E-Trac also. My question is, is the E-Trac worth the extra money that you have to pay for it over the SE Pro? I mainly coin hunt and looking for deep silver in Iron and trash. Thanks

I can't say whether the E-trac is worth more money than the Explorer SE Pro or any other detector.  I've never used any other Minelab but the E-trac.  So I'll just tell you about my experience with it.  I've only had the E-trac since April or March of this year.  I remember taking it to a particular school yard several times and never found silver there.  I was a newbie...a super newbie with that Minelab detector.  My repeated efforts at that site ended in futility.  A few months later I went back there and dug 3 or 4 silver dimes.  My detector didn't change, but I did.  Just by getting out there and hunting as much as possible, I began to learn more and more about what my detector was telling me about targets in the ground.  You've got to learn the language it's speaking.  I think that is the case with any detector.  Learn what it's telling you and you'll have more success.  I think you will also appreciate it more.  Now it's the end of the year and I continue to learn and find more.  Here's my most recent hunt from last weekend:
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/Dy3WGo1QHeE" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/Dy3WGo1QHeE</a>
You have to decide what detector you want to buy.  Then you have to take the time to learn what it's telling you.  I like the E-trac.  Later on down the road I plan on buying a backup detector.  It'll be a used detector.  It may be an E-trac if I can find one for a good price.  If I can't find a good deal, then I will buy one of the Explorer models.  I will then have to learn that detector just like I am learning the E-trac.  The more I hunt with it and learn - the more I will find and the more I'm sure I will be sold on it.  Best of Luck to you!

Hi Gibsondan, I agree with you 100% for the first couple of weeks I hated my e-trac I though I made a mistake and the posts about how good it is was all just hype wow was I wrong I'm just now beginning to scratch the surface of learning what the e-trac is telling me I was so used to a simple detector my good old sovereign the e-trac drove me crazy I thought it was a piece of junk I was actually pretty upset with myself for buying it. What it was is I just didnt have the respect or confidence for the state of the art technology minelab put in my hands the learning curve on this machine is pretty long for me and its not easy at first but well worth the trouble i'll never go back to the beginner detector again although my sovereign was awesome and I recommend it for a learning machine and its perfect for the not so serious guy who doesnt mind missing a few good finds I'm now hooked on the e-trac and still have ALOT to learn, anyway awesome machine I was just a bad user its early and about to walk out the door to do some detecting I found more coins in a patch I thought I had cleaned out the 1 silver dime supprised me I'm excited my old patches are like new ground again. best of luck to you guys and I apologize for me earlier posts about the e-trac I judged it before I spent the required time to learn such an advanced machine. - RonnieAZ

GibsonDan,

That was a great post.     some nice finds too 

Folks do need to know that it does takes practice to know the machine and know what it is saying.  With practice you build confidence and with confidence you build trust.  Just swinging and going you will find some stuff but knowing how to do tweaking here and there with the sense and discrim alone as conditions change will have you finding more. 

I look forward to using and knowing my Track as I believe it bring more to my table than some of the other machines I have and used.  Still owning and using some of the best in the manufacturers of Minelab, Fisher, Tesoro, and Whites.  None of them are 100 percent right all the time and to know exactly what is there you have to dig.  I try to always guess what is there before I dig and see how close I am to exactly what it is.  As I said in a earlier post not knowing a machine will drive you bonkers especially if your comfortable with another you have used for a while. 

Sometimes I also think folks believe we never find trash     and those of that hunt regularly know you will find a truck load or two of it for a few coins or relics.  One of the best features I have seen on the Etrac is I can pick up gold and silver in with the iron really well.  It is the first machine I have really been playing with a test bed before I hit the road on sites and fields.  It has helped me learn more on it quicker by the items I have buried in different places and depths.  And it found gold  where I have been before with other machines so though it might of been I missed it before with a coil it helped my confidence in it and say the Etrac is a fine machine 

   

HHs everyone and a Happy Thankgiving too.

BEF

 

Hi Gibsondan, I agree with you 100% for the first couple of weeks I hated my e-trac I though I made a mistake and the posts about how good it is was all just hype wow was I wrong I'm just now beginning to scratch the surface of learning what the e-trac is telling me I was so used to a simple detector my good old sovereign the e-trac drove me crazy I thought it was a piece of junk I was actually pretty upset with myself for buying it. What it was is I just didnt have the respect or confidence for the state of the art technology minelab put in my hands the learning curve on this machine is pretty long for me and its not easy at first but well worth the trouble i'll never go back to the beginner detector again although my sovereign was awesome and I recommend it for a learning machine and its perfect for the not so serious guy who doesnt mind missing a few good finds I'm now hooked on the e-trac and still have ALOT to learn, anyway awesome machine I was just a bad user its early and about to walk out the door to do some detecting I found more coins in a patch I thought I had cleaned out the 1 silver dime supprised me I'm excited my old patches are like new ground again. best of luck to you guys and I apologize for me earlier posts about the e-trac I judged it before I spent the required time to learn such an advanced machine. - RonnieAZ


I guess this means I can't buy it for a song? lol.... Happy you like it... I was seriously thinking of pming you with an offer....

TimTrac I'm glad you didnt I was feeling pretty down about buying it I may have sold it LOL, so glad I stuck with it I was just so used to my old detector I do love it now but the learning curve was longer than I expected I read guys say a day or two took me more like 2 weeks to really start getting comfortable found 2 silver in the last 2 days thats really really good for me I only had 3 silver before from years of trying my luck isnt the best. - RonnieAZ

For me the Etrac is worth the price, I have found 400 silver coins with it so far this year! My other hunting buddies moved to Etracs and are not too far behind. 

That's disgusting Goio.  Very nice!   Please tell me you live far from me as you are quickly depleting a non-renewable resource. JJ

For me the Etrac is worth the price, I have found 400 silver coins with it so far this year! My other hunting buddies moved to Etracs and are not too far behind. 

Those pics look like they should be in a brochure for the e-trac!  I'm jealous.  Is the e-trac much lighter than your SE?

Just go with the MPX Digital!