Decision made

[smkunder]

Well after going back and forth for the past two years, on whether I would be able to handle the learning curve on my Explorer II, I have made my mind up that the Explorer is worth the frustration level that comes with it. I have tried several settings that have been recommended, and keep coming back to the settings that Bryce gives in Andy's book. I have thought about completely giving up on this machine and going back to my Whites several times. The last month I have made myself stick to one program setting and really listen and discipline myself on my digging of signals. I do believe it is starting to click. I seem to have the silver signals and Wheaties's nailed pretty well. I however do not seem to be able to hit nickels very well and jewelry at all. are there some key areas on the screen that these lower conductive signals seem to repeat? Also now that I am strictly swinging my Explorer, how do you folks deal with the weight of this machine. I am in my upper fifties and I have to tell you after 4 to 8 hours it literally kicks my butt! I can barely move my arm after a full day. Thanks all that have helped and gave me advice over the past two years.

Steve

 

[raweppler]

I have been using my Explorer II this year almost exclusively as well. My other machine is a Garrett GTI 2500. I have dug up a lot of nickels this year. I can most of the time tell when a nickel is hit versus a pull tab. I even dug up a 1902 V nickel at 9 inches this year.

I run the Explorer on Iron mask not with a setting around -10. I have been digging all signals which hit on the right of the screen. I have even dug 26 Indian Head pennies this year. The read below regular penny but above pull tab. Nickels read lower section of the screen and favors the right side of the screen.

You will just have to dig these lower signals and learn where nickels hit. I have also found 2 gold rings this year (i just posted one of them).and they read near the nickel range.

I think the secret is to dig all signals in the right side of the screen and learn what the machine tells you.

Good luck!!!!!!!!!1

 

[chillyhiker]

I m shot after 2 hours .........the swingy thingy is one solution but i havent personaly tried it. I switch arms from time to time to break up the stress.happy hunting

 

[Buddysox]

I have been swinging an EX 2 for quite a while now with all SEF coils that are not the lightest out there. The best thing I have found that helps Shoulder and arm fatigue is the way you swing it. Most guys I have hunted with seem to extend the arm and swing in an arc. The farther out the arm is extended the worse it is on the shoulder and back. Try tucking your elbow in aginst your side tight and keep it there as you swing by turning your body instead of the arm. Run the lower rod out as far as it will go and you'll see that ground coverage is about the same as before. This also makes for a nice slow even swing that is just right for the Minelabs.I have a 15x18 SEF that is like swinging a garbage can lid and have gone 6 hours with it and did'nt have to go looking for the asprin afterwards and I'm 61! This tecnique suits me so well I even swing the lighter coils the same way now. Try it.

 

[dippodigger]

Good decision smkunder. Stick with it and it will make you happy

 

[Dave-IL]

Hi Steve.
I bought an SE about 4 months ago and love it. In fact I bought Bryce's and within a matter of days he missed it and bought another SE to replace the one I bought from him..ha ha. He told me over and over to put it in the factory preset settings until I got used to all the sounds but I am stubborn and wanted to leave it exactly how he had it set. He was worried I would get frustrated and give up but I just kept going slow with it and only covering a small area at a time. I have never looked back and am having a lot of fun with the SE.

 

[Hotcz70]

IMHO you made a good choice sticking with the SE
As for hunting for 4 to 8 hours ....after that length of time...I'm hurtin' too. I'll be 48 in January so I ain't gettin' any younger either.