Minelab E-TRAC Forum

I'm not sure where this machine fits in exactly. Submersible, Smartfind and FBS2 trumps the explorer/etrac, unless it comes in at an extremely high price there will be no reason to buy an explorer/etrac. I am guessing there will be a glut of used minelabs in a few months.

All the rumors EMS put out were correct. I'd bet his pricing of 2500 Euros (over $3000 US !!!!) is correct too. I guess this is one model I will never own!

The problem I see is that the anticipated pricing will be too much for the average hobbyist/detectorist and it is this group of people that will always be the backbone of detector sales. Unfortunately, only a select few will feel justified in purchasing at this price point. I feel that the price must not break the $2000 barrier. The bulk of the technology is unlikely to have cost Minelab millions to develop and so the price should reflect that. GPS and Wi-fi chips are dirt cheap on today's market but because it is new (on detector's only) then they feel justified in charging a premium. FBS2 is a likely a software progression from FBS. Many will find a way to purchase this new machine but at what cost? (Pun intended). I am not knocking the machine's overall presentation and capability but just feel that their market objection is so profit orientated. I would think that a sub $2K price point would see so many of these machines walk out the door.
Tony.

Too much for me Lucky I picked up a good E Trac on ebay this morning after the release of the cxt.

An ET and my Excal will see to all my needs. I thought ML would have brought out something like a waterproof 705 the compete with the AT Pro ?

The price is going to be out of reach of a lot of people......

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Excalibur 11 E Trac and a Garret pro pointer

What if the CTX3030 combines VLF with PI technology?

some thoughts here:
http://www.findmall.com/read.php?63,1692572


--Eddy C.

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Minelab E-TRAC | Garrett PRO-POINTER | Black ADA Invader
Member of the Task Force for Metal Detecting Rights

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Jason in Enid
All the rumors EMS put out were correct. I'd bet his pricing of 2500 Euros (over $3000 US !!!!) is correct too. I guess this is one model I will never own!

I only wish I had gotten the weight part. I can't believe how heavy that thing is! 5lbs! I wonder if the batteries can be taken off, even then, how could they possibly have made it heavier. I do wonder now if it has something else inside to cause that.

If it was one detector that could replace others, well it can replace a water unit, but not sure how fast it will be and it looks like the weight makes it prohibitive for many of us, me included.
All I can say is: "Thanks Minelab for making this so heavy that many of us can't use it. Thanks for listening to the customer." Big giant let down...

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Detector - E-Trac
Pro-Pointer w/ Sidekick (supertuner)
Lesche Knife

"Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering."
Yoda

talk about over kill , only thing i wish to understand is FBS 2 the rest of it i dont need, all the other things do they help find coins?

BP

It all boils down to cost, weight, and technology differences to existing machines. For me to swing something that is reported to weight 5.5 pounds and cost over $2,000.00, it would have to be a hybrid land and sea machine that would rival the best machines in all conditions, excluding the GPX 5000. Give me something like that and I'll consider it. PS... They should sell it with a Swingy Thingy included.

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HH

Steve - Northern Virginia

Detectors: Minelab Excalibur II w/ Plugger Two Piece Travel Shaft and Knob Guard
Minelab E-Trac w/ Sun Ray Probe, Pro-Tector Rain Jacket, Pro-Tector Padded E-Trac Cover, Swingy Thingy Harness
Garrett Infinium LS w/ Plugger Two Piece Travel Shaft

Accessories: Predator Tools Model 75 Digging Tool, Predator Tools Model 85 Digging Tool, Predator Tools Raven Model 25 Shovel, Sunspot Stealth 6.5 Classic Beach Scoop, RTG Beachmaster Water Scoop, Pro Beach & Water Hunting Pouch, Sun Ray Deluxe Treasure Pouch, Sun Ray Pro Gold Headphones, Garrett Waterproof Headphones, Garrett Pro-Pointer, Sun Ray Coin Popper, Minelab Detector Carry Bag

Excal II Coils: Stock 10"

E-Trac Coils: 6" DD EXcelerator EQ 2 Pro, Sun Ray Stealth X-8, 12x10" SEF (Butterfly), 15x12" SEF (Butterfly)

Infinium Coils: Garrett 10 x 14 DD, Garrett 8" Mono

Oldest Coins Found - 1816 Coronet Large One Cent (Matron Head), 1834 Bust Dime, 1847 Seated Half Dime

I did not notice the weight listing, 5.5 pounds.....ouch I don't think my old joints could handle that very long....swingy thing anybody!

weight listing, 5.5 pounds! Well I suppose this saves attaching a divers buoyancy belt to it when using in the water

Its far too heavy to be spending long hours in a field with. The Etrac is just over 3lb and that gets tough going after a few hours detecting. Is it any deeper than the e-trac? Why do we need GPS? Obviously Minelab think that we often get lost when out searching fields or beaches. It may have been a better idea to develop the E-trac and make it waterproof with the addition of FBS2. Its not bells and whistles we need... MINELAB DO YOU HEAR ME!

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Cumbrian Fox
The Etrac is just over 3lb and that gets tough going after a few hours detecting.

The factory spec is 4.8 pounds with the battery installed. With a Swingy Thingy it's no problem. Wrecked shoulder so I use the sling with anything.

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Garrett AT-Pro, Minelab E-Trac, 2 Pro Pointers and a probe rod.

If you stand up and be counted, from time to time you may get yourself knocked down. But remember this: A man flattened by an opponent can get up again. A man flattened by conformity stays down for good. ~ Thomas J. Watson, Jr.