So I guess that makes it program-less. Not really but many ex-Whites users get an Explorer and then want programs to tweak it with. My personal favorite way to run the EII is: iron mask set with only about an eighth inch of the left side discriminated out, manual sensitivity set as high as possible, gain set a notch above factory preset (7, I think), Volume all the way up (control with headphones), Conductive tones, Recovery fast, and everything else left at factory preset. Some folks like the Variability set to max. I learned mine at preset, so I don't mess with a good thing. I may have forgotten some setting, since I never really mess with any of them, it has been a long time (thus the program-less comment). I do switch to Ferrous tones and no discrimination when hunting heavy iron, mostly in fields where I dig everything except iron.
If you are looking to spend time fiddling around with the controls, you will be disappointed. The machine performs better than most, even in factory preset. Set it as above and you will have the optimum settings (IMHO). Nothing left to do except go detecting and dig the deep ones. On my first time out with the XS, I was using factory presets with only the change of the sensitivity set to 26 - dug a measured 11" wheat cent!
Here is a tip for you. Go slowly and listen for repeatable tones - even if it is just a small peep. Turn 90 deg. and sweep the spot with a tight 3" sweep directly over the signal. If you still get the peep, start digging. Sometimes on the real deep hits I hear a tiny null before and after the tiny high tone. Trust what you are hearing even if it is faint. If it sounds good - dig.
I should also mention that the tones/sounds of this setup are not for the beginner. It can be overwhelming if in a trashy area. Generally everyone here agrees that to learn the Explorer, you should run it in factory preset until you get the hang of the tones and what it is telling you. If you press and hold the power button for something like three seconds, it returns to factory preset (I think).
Best of luck and HH - BF
