Biggest waste of $1500 bucks I have ever done:thumbdown:

[TerryR]

I love mine. Yes it give weird readings and sounds, sometimes, usually when I try to get more out of it then I should or if I whip it to fast. The standard coin program with the threshold backed down to 18 is great and will produce coins in the 9 to 10 inch range all the time for me. Leave the fine tuning alone and see what happens. Gee the old Teknetics had the highest notes reserved for hot rocks so you learned to listen for the tones that were sweet music and not just the high ones. There will never be a machine that makes everyone do the happy dance, but I almost never bought this machine after reading the negative posts by a few people. That would have been my loss, big time. Last year I bought five new machines and I have 2 of them left. I just got rid of the ones that weren't for me. I was accused of bashing one manufacturer just because the machine broke down every three to four hours and I posted about it but I just got rid of it after the 3rd repair job in three months and swore never to buy from them again. It's a great machine and my personal thought is that no one has used one enough to know all the things that it can do.

 

[Erik in NJ]

And BTW I understand that you're frustrated, but your post here and on the other forum about "poor schlepps that couldn't afford the E-Trac" was uncalled for. Minelab has already stated in writing that the E-Trac was designed to outperform the Explorer and I believe them. That doesn't mean that just setting the machine up the way you set up the Explorer and not getting good results means the machine is junk. Get your SE out since you're not a "poor schlepp" and find some deepies with it that the ET won't find. Prove it to us and Minelab if you can - my big problem with the self proclaimed "expert" Explorer users that have dumped the ET or are trashing it is that NO ONE has done this simple experiment. It's just all hearsay like "I've pounded this place with the Explorer and I can't find anything good with the ET, or I'm digging too many nails, or I can't find anything deep, etc." Give us some quantitative data to work with otherwise your post isn't worth much and all those people that weren't sure if they wanted to lay oit the money seem to gravitate to these sensationalist posts and say "see, good thing I didn't buy the thing afterall!" it's like a self-fulfilling prophecy in many ways. Work with Minelab to get your machine set up right or work with the guys here that have been successful with it. Heck, come out to NJ and work with me and I'll bring out my E-Trac and SE and compare signals with you. But wait a few minites before you hit the post button and re-read your post and reason may make you decide against posting something like this for many reasons!

 

[M.L. Hinds]

n/t

 

[mblemmy]

wow this thread is getting long.......................... as lethal as the etrac seems to be as a good amount of us are having success with the etrac im am starting to wander.........

perhaps he sees how lethal it is and wants to squash sales of it to get all the spoils himself !!!!!!!!

 

[grumpyolman]

Hey! He doesn't like the machine and that's his right. He can complain (some see it that way) all he wants. Others might interpret his descriptions as frustrated and brutally frank. That's him. Not you! Why should what he says affect what anyone else finally decides to do about getting an ET or not? In the final analysis you are responsible for you and what you do. I choose to see his post as a perfectly normal response to a really frustrating experience he has had. He hasn't change my mind about the ET, but he did cause me to think about a few things. And after all, I think we all read the forum to investigate new ideas, to be mentally challenged, and to learn from others. He has done that for me. I don't think it does any good to demean anyone who has a different opinion, experience, motives...whatever. It's simpler for me to read it, evaluate what he and what the others have said, come to some conclusion for which I am the sole owner, and move on. People seemingly bashing him for him seemingly bashing the machine is neurotic. It is not functional for anyone. My advice, forget it and move on...or if he is willing it seems others have offered some time to explore and compare machines with him in a test environment. That's way cool. Regards...Jim

 

[thedeserttortoise]

Guy`s ! if you want a Nice EASEY on the ears programme stick These settings in and you will find a nice level of working.
It is......................
Sensetivity --------Manual . Try 24 (average)which isn`too severe.But raise it to your satisfaction as and when you feel the ground will accept a higher setting.

Or Auto +3.
move along to AUDIO
Threshold level 18or 20 whichever suits your hearing.
Vol limits----30
Volume Gain-----24(or less no higher)
Response.---- Smooth ,, pitch hold (whichever suits you)Smooth is the easier
Go to Tone ID settings.

Number of Tones=====Multi.
Sounds------Conduct ONLY.
Variability----30
Limits----30
Threshold pitch-------- 1

Go along to EXPERT settings now.
Recovery Deep ------- ON.
Recovery FAST------OFF
Trash density-----High or Low to suit the ground your working in.
Ground-----Difficult.
Noise cancel ...Whichever it arives at on doing it.


Go along to Prefrences.
Contrast----15
PINPOINT -------Sizing.
Show Sensetivity------ON
Show mode info -------ON
Display Time out. Off/On to suit you.

Use the Quickmask screen at 35 with nothing on the Conduct.

FORGET conscentrating on the DIGITAL FIGURES.... IE. Ferrous/conduct. They are a guide only.Where the X hairs are are more informative than the Digital readings.
Listen to the Sounds MORE they will tell you whether to dig or not to Dig .Listen for the EACH WAY REPEATABLE signals.
Iron will give a High squeal type sound. If you dig this sound and it IS iron, Remember it for the next time you hear it.
Low grunts can be good Targets

Use this Discrimination Pattern below . Its a thin 35 band along the bottom with just Nails added on top of it . Edit as shown and save it .

Thanks Jeb....I've been using mine exclusively for the last week. I have an X-Terra that I kept going back to until I discovered what I thought was a silver cache three days ago...Assayer bummed me out when he told me it was a lead alloy used for babbit bearings. I had to put myself back in the shoes of someone in the late 1800's and realize that lead was a hell of a commodity then. The cache was 16 to 18 inches deep and under a mesquite tree. I had fiddled with my settings and began running my audio gain down with smooth response too. I did lower my variability and limits also. I found that by lowering these settings the signals are easier to pinpoint audibly. My threshold is almost in-audible too. I'm just playing with settings and finding I like the unit a lot. I came across your post and I'm going to run your settings tomorrow. Thanks again..Tortoise

Post Script.. I have to add. If someone has a problem or dislike for a particular machine, I think its important for them to air that view. Thats what these forums are all about. In the same light though, once a view is aired, then its also open to critique or criticism. Also, a particular advantage to forums. I happen to like my E-Trac, but heck, I'm real new at this stuff and hardly consider my opinion very important due to my lack of experience. I do like knowing that others are not happy. I like knowing why. This is all educational and helpful to anyone that either owns the same unit or might be considering the purchase of one. Without this dialogue, I wouldn't had read Jebs posting and still been a bit behind on the old learning curve. My tweaks are a bit like his and I've found new confidence in my machine...... But, what if Minelab's QC is off. If a bunch of us all have the same problem and never aired it we wouldn't even know. So. This sort of communication is absolutely necessary to maintain the knowledge and confidence to evaluate ones self or machine....

 

[thedeserttortoise]

Hey! He doesn't like the machine and that's his right. He can complain (some see it that way) all he wants. Others might interpret his descriptions as frustrated and brutally frank. That's him. Not you! Why should what he says affect what anyone else finally decides to do about getting an ET or not? In the final analysis you are responsible for you and what you do. I choose to see his post as a perfectly normal response to a really frustrating experience he has had. He hasn't change my mind about the ET, but he did cause me to think about a few things. And after all, I think we all read the forum to investigate new ideas, to be mentally challenged, and to learn from others. He has done that for me. I don't think it does any good to demean anyone who has a different opinion, experience, motives...whatever. It's simpler for me to read it, evaluate what he and what the others have said, come to some conclusion for which I am the sole owner, and move on. People seemingly bashing him for him seemingly bashing the machine is neurotic. It is not functional for anyone. My advice, forget it and move on...or if he is willing it seems others have offered some time to explore and compare machines with him in a test environment. That's way cool. Regards...Jim

Well put Grumpy. I was typing to slow....

 

[Lubelaczek]

Amen. Well said Grumpyolman. Why to convince man that loves blondes to change his likings and love brunettes?! Waste of time... unless like you said we simply exchange observations and experiences...

 

[Trocar]

Ok, here's my 2 cents worth. I've been using the E-Trac for about 8 weeks now. Believe me, I've been ready to wrap it around a tree a couple of times. I did stick with it, and it wasn't easy. I've been a Whites person for 30 years and have used many other detectors also but going to a Minelab was rough. I think it's a good detector and I don't hardly know anything about it yet, still learning. When I get a new detector I go to a old hunted out Civil War spot close to my house because I know every detector in the county has also been there also. It's my proving ground. My last detector I used there was my T-2, and it found 6 bullets. I mean to tell you I've been there 5-6 times before that with my old Whites and found NOTHING. I got the E-Trac, been to the same site 2 times now about 6 hours each time. Check out the photo. The last plate I found was 10 foot from the first and was about 18-20" deep with 2 big rocks on top of it. I've been over this area with a bunch of detectors before. I've run it wide-open and also in the ML Coin setting. To be fair, I never tried the "Explorer" but I'm sure someone has had one in there at some time. BTW I live in WV so the ground is medium in mineralization. Here is something else. I took the E-Trac to the last DIV hunt in Culper,VA. about a week ago. Worse ground in the world. I got nothing but false signal, that turned out to be bad items after a good signal, or a ghost signal that I never could find. The "Explorers" I saw did well. Again, I'm real new to this type machine and I know I'm a neophyte in using it and setting it up for different needs. I do really like the machine because of what it's done in this old hunted out camp. I know it will be unbelievable when I learn it.
Thanks for listening to my input.

 

[Jeb NWR]

This Programme is Constructed By Gordon Heritage a Well known Minelab User Expert.Any probs or Question can be answered on the Minelab owners site.

Here is my 'latest' pattern mode that will run reasonably quietly. Dig all repeatable middle and low tones.... and all sweet rounded repeatable high tone signals where the curser is away from the bottom right corner of the screen. Pinpoint using 'sizing' all iffy signals and see where the crosshair sits (bottom right is usually iron.) If it's too deep to pinpoint, DIG!
Other settings
Set sensitivity to manual and run as high as possible (conditions allowing.)
Audio threshold pitch should be set at 1 (very important).

 

[grumpyolman]

Now having a post as long as this one about the relative merits and demerits of blondes vs. brunettes, describing experineces, might be a bit racey for a family type forum. Don't think guvner would create a subject just for that. Jim

 

[Jackalope]

Must say that this has been interesting reading but hasn't swayed me about the E-Trac one way or the other. When it comes to new metal detectors, I'm like a kid waiting for Christmas. The main reason that I'll eventually get an E-Trac is because I want one. The back and forth about it is all well and good but I want it because of the ground compensating capabilities/accurate depth and the sensitivity setting arrangement. My thinking on the visual ID arrangement is that it's just the same old stuff (conductivity) massaged a different way than my F-75. Tones are a different matter and I'm hoping to find clues that will help me find the good stuff and avoid junk.

Told my wife that I would compare the two (F-75 vs E-Trac) and sell the least likable. I suspect that this will be a difficult decision which may give me the opportunity to keep both. Maybe the F-75 with the small coil would be just right for her. Anyway, that's the plan.

Ground is tough here in Wyoming and I'm thankful for my Lesche Ground Shark. Without the Shark, I would have to give up on some areas because of the hardness of the ground and lots of gravel. GB is usually 83 to 89 with gravel a few inches down. The GB changes rapidly making me wonder if I'm at all near Ground balanced. So, that's where the E-Trac come in. Suspect that the E-Trac is much better at keeping ground balanced than I am.

Although I have no experience with Minelab products, I have the manual and I like the idea of being able to toggle quickly back and forth between Auto Sens and Manual. This has to be an aid in IDing targets. Would like to see more posts giving examples of how that works.

This is my first post on this forum and I'm impressed by the knowledgeable people here and the reasonable folks on both sides of the discussion. I'm looking forward to learning a lot here.

Ron

 

[Shambler]

My thinking on the visual ID arrangement is that it's just the same old stuff (conductivity) massaged a different way than my F-75.

If I'm not mistaken it's the inductance filters that set Minelab apart. There's only so much you can do with conductivity.

Consider picking up Sabisch's previous book on the Explorer XS and II (then you'll REALLY want an FBS detector ). There's one on ebay right now.

If Digitrich is even partially correct, Minelab went, if not backwards, then laterally with this product. We get it....it's got a faster processor and a bigger screen, but is that enough to justify the cost (and the alleged loss in discrimination)?

 

[Jeb NWR]

I`d keep THE TWO ! I have the E trac and the F75.But I wouldn`t part with my F75 for nothing.

 

[Jackalope]

Actually, the above post was my 4th on this forum. Couldn't find a way to edit it.

Ron

 

[digitrich]

Real bad when you start to push the sensitivity, but always present regardless. I am very surprised it happens in all metal. The older Explorers would false more with discrimination and less in all metal, but we go back to.... the Etrac is not an Explorer. The falsing at that top line on my ETrac is usually small nails signaling high. My SE falses high but ONLY to large irregular shaped deep iron, not to small nails.

 

[Ray-Mo.]

I can not argue with his sense of disatisfaction with his Etracs.Many people get divorced for the same reason.Machine/Wife, Husband not living up to there expectations.Sometimes it is the second parties fault and sometimes the first and sometimes a combination of the two.From reading his posts I would think there are some faults with both machine and operator.

Attitude has a great deal to do with success and his was sorely lacking when he made his post in the heat of the moment it would seem to me.I learned a long time ago that trashing something and or someone else does nothing to elevate one's self but rather just the opposite.

This thread is getting way to long and is like beating a dead horse so I will move on and not address it again.It has outlived it's usefull life span and is clogging up a otherwise productive forum.
My vote is that we all move on to more productive issues and post some find and helpfull info and get back to our mutual passion of metal detecting.
Just my oppinion on the matter, Ray.

 

[Ray-Mo.]

I can not argue with your sense of disatisfaction with his Etracs.Many people get divorced for the same reason.Machine/Wife, Husband not living up to there expectations.Sometimes it is the second parties fault and sometimes the first and sometimes a combination of the two.From reading your posts I would think there are some faults with both machine and operator.

Posotive attitude has a great deal to do with success and your's was sorely lacking when you made this post in the heat of the moment it would seem to me.I learned a long time ago that trashing something and or someone else does nothing to elevate one's self but rather just the opposite.

This thread is getting way to long and is like beating a dead horse so I will move on and not address it again.It has outlived it's usefull life span and is clogging up a otherwise productive forum.
My vote is that we all move on to more productive issues and post some find and helpfull info and get back to our mutual passion of metal detecting.
Just my oppinion on the matter, Ray.