Minelab X-TERRA Forum

They are basically the same machine with a few software upgrades and that is a fact and is what i get told by many detectorists here including a expert on electronics who makes his own machines and coils.

Did not know that the Explorer SE was discontinued but suspected it would be as Des said that if any would then that would be the one to go.

I reakon a new Terra series in a year to 18 months.

Cant wait for my new coil to come next week , after using the 13 x 12 types i think the 12.5 x 8.5 should be good and for land very sensitive to hammered coins , also lighter than the 13x12 which i found heavy due to the s bend in the stem . Machine should have a straight stem.
I rate the Terra's very highly and had another £22.71p this morning on my local beach in 2 hours and 5 minutes. Going back with the CTX for the low tide when i have charged the headphone remote.
Have changed the tones to 50 conduct from combined , hopefully with be better.

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Uses- Minelab E.Trac , Minelab X.Terra 705 , X.P. Deus , 2 x Garrett probe

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Nuke em
They are basically the same machine with a few software upgrades and that is a fact and is what i get told by many detectorists here including a expert on electronics who makes his own machines and coils.

Did not know that the Explorer SE was discontinued but suspected it would be as Des said that if any would then that would be the one to go.

I think that you must listen to too much gossip.
The only difference between the SE (discontinued) and the SE PRO (still very much available) is the PRO coil. The funtional heart of the machine remains exactly the same.

And to say that the CTX is just a software upgrade from the E-Trac is simply rediculous. There is a significant difference in technology between FBS and FBS².

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>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>The Only Difference Between A Rut And A Grave........Is Depth!<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Ingham County, Michigan

No , i think its certain thats it a ET in a water proof stem and housing . FBS or FBS 2 or whatever , they are pretty much the same BUT that is what i wanted and have been out with it this afternoon and was not surprised in its capabilty at all except that if you ground balance before you start then it can find the smaller stuff easier for a while until it goes on an area that requires ground balancing again.
I have sorted the tones so for me its an ET that i will use in the wet weather and that is coming.
Found £19.86p with the CTX and this morning with the Terra 705 i found £22.71p though that was found mostly on the tops in two separate pocket dumps , used the ET oh i mean CTX on the wet.

Have used all the Explorers and ET and now the CTX and in my opinion they are the same . All you are paying for above the ET price is the extra gizmo's and a few tweeks. But even the top Minelab brass say they are no deeper or more sensitive than the ET , but as said i dont care about that.
Also had my Terra 705 number two turn up this afternoon so now i have all i need when the Blisstool arrives (if ever) .

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Uses- Minelab E.Trac , Minelab X.Terra 705 , X.P. Deus , 2 x Garrett probe

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Nuke em
No , i think its certain thats it a ET in a water proof stem and housing .

I'm not trying to hijack this thread, but when I see that someone is obviously posting incorrect information about a detector I am very familiar with, those comments will be corrected.

.....other than waterproof.......the CTX 3030 offers GPS/GeoTrail/Navigation/Mapping functionality, on-screen Navigation tool, Coordinate view for on-screen latitude and longitude coordinates, Ferrous -Coin and Ground - coin Separation that allow you to "see" multiple targets under the coil simultaneously, Ground balance capability for extremely mineralized areas, Previous Mode function that allows you to toggle back and forth between Search modes by pressing one pad, Trigger mechanism that allows for ease of pinpointing or back-scrolling through the menu, Target Trace and Target Trace Pinpoint that allow you to see color images of the targets on the SmartScreen, Smart Coil technology (similar to the X-TERRA) that maintains constant communication between the coil and the detector, dual Patterns for each Search mode that can be "toggled" by pressing one pad, Combined audio that allows the user to hear a combination of ferrous AND conductive targets, programmable audio tones so the user can program in the frequency of the tone they want to hear on specific targets, the ability for the user to resize the bins in the Tone ID profiles, the ability to play back those tones for review, wireless audio capabilities using Wi-Stream technology, software upgrades via your PC, rechargeable Li-ion battery pack, full color Liquid Crystal Display............there are probably more that I've overlooked. But considering NONE of these are available on the E-TRAC, it is clear that your certainty is uncertain, to say the least.

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You'll never know for sure......unless you dig it! HH "Digger"

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Digger

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Nuke em
No , i think its certain thats it a ET in a water proof stem and housing .

I'm not trying to hijack this thread, but when I see that someone is obviously posting incorrect information about a detector I am very familiar with, those comments will be corrected.

.....other than waterproof.......the CTX 3030 offers GPS/GeoTrail/Navigation/Mapping functionality, on-screen Navigation tool, Coordinate view for on-screen latitude and longitude coordinates, Ferrous -Coin and Ground - coin Separation that allow you to "see" multiple targets under the coil simultaneously, Ground balance capability for extremely mineralized areas, Previous Mode function that allows you to toggle back and forth between Search modes by pressing one pad, Trigger mechanism that allows for ease of pinpointing or back-scrolling through the menu, Target Trace and Target Trace Pinpoint that allow you to see color images of the targets on the SmartScreen, Smart Coil technology (similar to the X-TERRA) that maintains constant communication between the coil and the detector, dual Patterns for each Search mode that can be "toggled" by pressing one pad, Combined audio that allows the user to hear a combination of ferrous AND conductive targets, programmable audio tones so the user can program in the frequency of the tone they want to hear on specific targets, the ability for the user to resize the bins in the Tone ID profiles, the ability to play back those tones for review, wireless audio capabilities using Wi-Stream technology, software upgrades via your PC, rechargeable Li-ion battery pack, full color Liquid Crystal Display............there are probably more that I've overlooked. But considering NONE of these are available on the E-TRAC, it is clear that your certainty is uncertain, to say the least.

In my last post on here i said Gizmo's and that is what i meant , GPS , GeoTrail/Navigation/Mapping , Navigation tool, and all that stuff. That is stuff that i am many accross this side of the pond wont use in month of sundays . The rest is all but ET , numbers , screen patterns and tones , well at least in 50 conduct and coil except for the FBS 2 and different coil connector .

I did not want all these and wished for just a bit of improvement on the performance ie:- nulling on iron or bonfire markings , much better battery consumption, better screen but now you cant even see it unless the light is on at least 1, lighter construction but instead i find that the cost of a replacement lower stem is £120 here GULP , ET stem is around £25 to £30 i think .

In the basics which is all i am interested in and also many other here are too , are all that matters and the gizmo's above in your post Digger are all they are .

The CTX in its self is fine but again i think we have been suckered into buying a machine for £2000 UK price just because of a few software upgrades , and they are words from a friend also .
He will be selling his soon and i was thinking about until i sorted out the tones for the beach earlier , i will keep it but the whole big deal is really the cost , way to high.

There should have a been a version for those of us who just want to get on with detecting instead of annilizing every nook and cranny before putting a spade into the ground.

The ET and the CTX would have been the best machines on the market still without the add ons .

A good thing is the waterproofing and the Headphone remote though that could have been waterproofed as well.

No paper back user manual , tutt tutt.

Anyway i am satified albeit just with the CTX but wont sell my ET .

Anyway we better get back on track and start slagging the Terra , no way , what a machine cheap , economical , easy to use and basic detecting with no add ons . Does not null either .

You wont believe how that machine runs rings around many twice or 4 times it value. Very well done Minelab , thats why i have two and must have that coil that i am getting next week.

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Uses- Minelab E.Trac , Minelab X.Terra 705 , X.P. Deus , 2 x Garrett probe

Nuke, we both bought new terrors today, but do you know if there is any information on our machines, which tell us the manufacture date, so we know which version we have bought? Would be annoying if we purchased a non functioning coil and how do we know which coils are legal and which are not, when detector shops sell various types?

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E Gold Finger
how do we know which coils are legal and which are not, when detector shops sell various types?

That's easy.
The Minelab and Coiltek coils are the ONLY legal ones.
Buy one of the others, and you'll know the rest when you plug it in and it doesn't work.

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>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>The Only Difference Between A Rut And A Grave........Is Depth!<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Ingham County, Michigan

They are the post April machines and the so called ilegal coils are post April aswell and my post April coil Will work on my machine and it will work on the older machine too but a pre April ilegal coil wont work on a post April machine .

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Uses- Minelab E.Trac , Minelab X.Terra 705 , X.P. Deus , 2 x Garrett probe

Unauthorized just means they do not have permission from the maker. Look at iPads. They sell hundreds of different brands of after market accessories not authorized by Apple. They are making products that apple does not even make. And guess what? The manufacturers take into consideration a lot of these accessories into the next models, from big screens to computer componets, to video games and phones. Come on, like I said before they are making a product someone wants now or the would not have 20+ listings on eBay WITH SALES (poke minelab and coiltek in bottom here they are falling asleep).

And the "let's have patience" for electronics attitude will get you passed up by your compeditors real quick.

Also I did not see minelab say the coils are "illegal" on the link to the website Digger posted in the FAQ. And as far as I know unauthorized does not mean illegal does it? And why would eBay not pull them? I have not seen any negative comments except they are not authorized.

Not trying to offend anyone just trying to get the truth on the table. Good luck to all of you as I know the hunting season is getting started for most of us as it cools down.

Can someone pm me a forum where these coils are discussed both positive and negative?

OK. The thing is that they pirated the technology. It is patent registered and being produced w/o license. And we're not just talking about a simple wound coil. The Xterra has a chip in the coil that is patented that is being reproduced w/o license. It's on the same level as stealing software, only it's technology that has been misappropriated. They are reverse engineering them, which means that they do not have the actual specs, and it is entirely possible that they've missed a few details.

There's a bit more to it, but that's the basic jist of it.

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>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>The Only Difference Between A Rut And A Grave........Is Depth!<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Ingham County, Michigan

Do you mind if I ask where to find that info?

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Old Longhair
OK. The thing is that they pirated the technology. It is patent registered and being produced w/o license. And we're not just talking about a simple wound coil. The Xterra has a chip in the coil that is patented that is being reproduced w/o license. It's on the same level as stealing software, only it's technology that has been misappropriated. They are reverse engineering them, which means that they do not have the actual specs, and it is entirely possible that they've missed a few details.

There's a bit more to it, but that's the basic jist of it.

theres a chance in my opinion they mightve improved on minelabs design by reverse engineering thier tech this boils down to a supply and demand issue minelab has no supply there is obviously a demand and another company is fufilling it for those willing to take a risk. I watched a video of the 15x17 air testing and clearly hitting targets at 19 inches its safe to say it would in my opinion find target 12 inches underground

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Minelab Explorer SE w/ 10' slimline & 10x12 SEF
Minelab X-terra 705 w/ 3khz & 18.75
Whites Eagle Spectrum 91" w/ Bluemax600 &spec950
Whites Bullseye II pinpointer,

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BADBAJA
Do you mind if I ask where to find that info?

Check out the second pinned thread in this sub-forum, or click HERE to go to it.

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>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>The Only Difference Between A Rut And A Grave........Is Depth!<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Ingham County, Michigan

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firty13
theres a chance in my opinion they mightve improved on minelabs design by reverse engineering thier tech this boils down to a supply and demand issue minelab has no supply there is obviously a demand and another company is fufilling it for those willing to take a risk.

So stealing is OK as long as enough people think so?

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>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>The Only Difference Between A Rut And A Grave........Is Depth!<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Ingham County, Michigan



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/13/2012 01:01AM by Old Longhair.

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Old Longhair

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firty13
theres a chance in my opinion they mightve improved on minelabs design by reverse engineering thier tech this boils down to a supply and demand issue minelab has no supply there is obviously a demand and another company is fufilling it for those willing to take a risk.

So stealing is OK as long as enough people think so?

I see it as them copying the vflex "format" in a way they are offering products that minelab just doesnt. Im sure if minelab actually had made what people wanted then they wouldnt just get what they need from an "unauthorized source".
Id have more compassion to the matter if there were authorized coils that rivaled the unauthorized in performance and application but its aone sided battle how long can you wait for a company to create what you want before youve waited long enough, the x-terra series has been out long enough for the demand of certain accesories to be introduced but they havent been and someone else stepped up to bat.

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Minelab Explorer SE w/ 10' slimline & 10x12 SEF
Minelab X-terra 705 w/ 3khz & 18.75
Whites Eagle Spectrum 91" w/ Bluemax600 &spec950
Whites Bullseye II pinpointer,