I have been using a Whits MXT for 4 years, and have lately been thinking about getting a different detector. I look around and see alot of serious guys are using an Explorer. That's what brings me here.
I am happy with the MXT, but I get alot of small shallow tinfoil, and have never got a coin over 6". Some of the parks I hunt may have leftovers that are deeper than that.
The first thing i gather from Ex users is that it requires a slow sweep speed, and takes a few moments to pick up on different targets. If two targets are close, does it pick each one, or average them into one signal? Do you have different tones, and how many?
Some have commented that it is a heavy machine. I don't think that would be a problem for me, but I wouldn't know until I tried it out. Is the weight well balanced at the handle, or is it 'top-heavy'?
I think I have the basics down about detecting, but I have not used a programmable machine. I understand there is much to learn on the Ex. Are there default programs to begin with?
Most of my detecting is wandering around the parks, getting shallow clad and the occasional ring. It does not sound like that was the intention of the Ex design. Does anyone use it in this manner, and how does it work out? How would it perform nugget shooting?
If I do get an Explorer, it will be used. There are 3 versions out, I believe. Are there any of those I should stay away from due to reliability? Are they progressively better, or the same basic detector with added features? Also, how is Minelab service? Expensive?
Also, what about coils? I have better luck with smaller coils on the MXT, but have read a larger coil gets better results out of an Explorer.
I plan to download the manual when I get closer to making a decision, but thought I would hang around here and ask a few questions in the meantime. Anybody got any good stories about digging deep dimes out of a pile of rusty nails, or anything of the sort?
I am happy with the MXT, but I get alot of small shallow tinfoil, and have never got a coin over 6". Some of the parks I hunt may have leftovers that are deeper than that.
The first thing i gather from Ex users is that it requires a slow sweep speed, and takes a few moments to pick up on different targets. If two targets are close, does it pick each one, or average them into one signal? Do you have different tones, and how many?
Some have commented that it is a heavy machine. I don't think that would be a problem for me, but I wouldn't know until I tried it out. Is the weight well balanced at the handle, or is it 'top-heavy'?
I think I have the basics down about detecting, but I have not used a programmable machine. I understand there is much to learn on the Ex. Are there default programs to begin with?
Most of my detecting is wandering around the parks, getting shallow clad and the occasional ring. It does not sound like that was the intention of the Ex design. Does anyone use it in this manner, and how does it work out? How would it perform nugget shooting?
If I do get an Explorer, it will be used. There are 3 versions out, I believe. Are there any of those I should stay away from due to reliability? Are they progressively better, or the same basic detector with added features? Also, how is Minelab service? Expensive?
Also, what about coils? I have better luck with smaller coils on the MXT, but have read a larger coil gets better results out of an Explorer.
I plan to download the manual when I get closer to making a decision, but thought I would hang around here and ask a few questions in the meantime. Anybody got any good stories about digging deep dimes out of a pile of rusty nails, or anything of the sort?