Question! Is the E-Trac really the best coin detector?

[woodbutcher]

The 110 program Elmy posted is a absolute silver slayer,and a nickel hog program

 

[jmaclen]

This is one of the best topics on this site. Elmy always gave straight up, from long experience, truth filled advice.

Two quotes from Elmy that were right on the mark as far as this topic- Is the Etrac really the best coin detector?

"Some just don't understand the etrac/ctx 3030/v3i and they are not a good fit for them. Some don't get the nox and I am sure some won't like the legend or the deus 2.
Some want to run with a detector , some want to crawl along at a snail's pace. Some detectors are just too heavy. If it was the best detector to find coins ever and you just did not like the way it runs or the way it feels in your hands or sounds then it can't be the best ever to you. If it was that easy , everyone would drive the same model of a car."

And

"I do believe ground conditions are a big factor. Most of my best finds are 10+ inches in NW OHIO."

That second quote sums up my experience with the Etrac and CTX 3030. I used an Etrac for several years here since it was the only less than 4 lbs detector that sort of worked in my area. Here in the Denver area these two detectors struggle with the mineralization and have problems accurately identifying mid depth to deeper targets in the 6 to 10" range, especially low and mid conductor targets. I could drive 30 miles east or north of Denver and that problem was not really an issue. Drive 30 miles west or south of Denver and these detectors were basically unusable for even 4" deep targets unless I was digging everything.

That is where Minelab's Multi IQ technology that is in the Vanquish series especially the 60 series that can be user ground balanced, X-Terra Elite, Equinox series and Manticore along with Nokta's Score and Legend detectors made a huge difference as far as overall depth with accurate information, recovery speed, ground handling in general and the ability to detect targets of any conductivity very accurately even when deep=10+ inches.

Sure, Etrac and CTX 3030 could work well in some areas here. As soon as mineralization became an issue, it was time to switch to a Multi IQ type detector here.
Eventually I sold my Etrac and just stuck with Multi IQ detectors because they were much lighter, easier to setup, faster recovery speed and I knew from experience that they would work well just about everywhere I took them and didn't have to wonder if my FBS detector was going to work at one location and then just do poorly at another.

 

[woodbutcher]

Just my personal opinion, but the etrac is still today the only true coin machine. Everything else is multi purpose middle of the road technology

 

[jmaclen]

Just my personal opinion but I would rather detect with a Minelab Vanquish 460 or 560 for USA coins out here than the Etrac that was completely discontinued in May of 2022 and will no longer have Minelab technical support for repairs in May 2027.

Minelab have clearly moved on from the Etrac. So have a lot of people I personally detect with out here that used it or the CTX 3030 because they were the only SMF detectors that actually worked here for years. Most of these people are coin-jewelry hunters in the local parks here. They are all swinging a Legend, Vanquish, Equinox, Manticore or Deus 2 now and are very happy with the performance of those detectors for coins and jewelry and they haven't needed shoulder surgery after swinging them either.

 

[Blackflag]

I believe the Etrac and all of the explorers including the CTX are as good as any thing made for US coins at depth, all of the fbs series detectors definitely require a slower swing. The Etrac and CTX are top tier in the fbs line. The weight has always been a huge problem for me. I always have a good bit of fbs machines in my arsenal for work on my sites. I also have the new light weight top tier machines in my arsenal as well they are just as deep and a lot faster than the Etrac/ fbs machines in my dirt. So I definitely use the new machines (deus2/manticore) for the first few times on a new site. After that if the site is good I will put an Etrac or one of my fbs machines in there and make finds. Etrac and fbs machines are great units and can also be used for working in iron for low conductors if one knows how to run them. I modify all of my fbs machines for ergonomics and weight. Here is a 2 lb Etrac.

 

[woodbutcher]

Just my personal opinion but I would rather detect with a Minelab Vanquish 460 or 560 for USA coins out here than the Etrac that was completely discontinued in May of 2022 and will no longer have Minelab technical support for repairs in May 2027.

Minelab have clearly moved on from the Etrac. So have a lot of people I personally detect with out here that used it or the CTX 3030 because they were the only SMF detectors that actually worked here for years. Most of these people are coin-jewelry hunters in the local parks here. They are all swinging a Legend, Vanquish, Equinox, Manticore or Deus 2 now and are very happy with the performance of those detectors for coins and jewelry and they haven't needed shoulder surgery after swinging them either.

I can see how the weight of etrac would be a factor for senior citizens, but for those who can swing it ,well I don't think it's accuracy on nickels and high conductors is matched by anything on the market . I have a Manticore,deus 2 and several others. None come close to accurate identification of what's in the ground like the etrac, in my Pennsylvania soil.. id sooner swing the weight and retrieve a few good target and no junk by swinging the etrac than swing a D2 or this Manticore, and dig a bunch of junk and a few keepers.. But that's whats great about a big selection and our own personal opinions on what we want and use

 

[Blackflag]

Swinging a 5 pound machine will eventually catch up with most. You would not believe the difference in the Etrac at 2 pounds and being rigid. It is fun to hunt with.

 

[jmaclen]

Swinging a 5 pound machine will eventually catch up with most. You would not believe the difference in the Etrac at 2 pounds and being rigid. It is fun to hunt with.

Your scale weight photos are showing almost 3 lbs not 2 lbs unless I am reading them wrong.

 

[Blackflag]

Agreed, an Etrac at a high 2 pounds is a improvement.

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