I'm very impressed! Wish I had got an E-TRAC a long time ago.
Like any machine, it has it's strengths and weaknesses. Certainly, an FBS unit should be a part of everybody's arsenal.
So, after much studying, I programed Johnnyanglo's 4TF " Just The Good Stuff" pattern in and Goes4ever's 2TF pattern utilizing Minelab's relic program as the disc pattern. I mostly relic hunt so these two programs made the most sense for me. I only had about two hours yesterday so I chose an old mine that had building foundations near it (living quarters) that was close to home. I previously told my hunting partner that I wasn't going to go back to this site because I've hammered it with multiple machines including the Impact and just wasn't making any good finds anymore. I started with the E-TRAC and the stock coil in the 2TF program and could not believe what I was pulling out of the ground! Within a few minutes I had recovered two copper two piece buttons in an area I had absolutely hammered with multiple machines (all VLF). I ended that hunt with five clad coins from the 60s and three buttons. Today I went to a " Indian Wars" Calvary camp that we have hit hard. Tough to come away with anything good anymore. I used the same setup on the E-TRAC and started in the 4TF. I realized quickly that the area was too trashy for this heavily disc'ed pattern as it nulled out for entire swings. I think this pattern would work well in moderately trashy areas. Not here. I switched to G4E's 2TF pattern and I was able to hear much more of w,hat was happening under the coil. To make a long story short, I recovered a nice suspenders buckle, six 50-70 Cal. black powder cases, two copper saddle rivets, and two fired bullets in ground that has been hunted to death by numerous detectors and operators. I recently purchased a 6x8 SEF coil and I believe it will do even better at these trashy places.
Dean
Like any machine, it has it's strengths and weaknesses. Certainly, an FBS unit should be a part of everybody's arsenal.
So, after much studying, I programed Johnnyanglo's 4TF " Just The Good Stuff" pattern in and Goes4ever's 2TF pattern utilizing Minelab's relic program as the disc pattern. I mostly relic hunt so these two programs made the most sense for me. I only had about two hours yesterday so I chose an old mine that had building foundations near it (living quarters) that was close to home. I previously told my hunting partner that I wasn't going to go back to this site because I've hammered it with multiple machines including the Impact and just wasn't making any good finds anymore. I started with the E-TRAC and the stock coil in the 2TF program and could not believe what I was pulling out of the ground! Within a few minutes I had recovered two copper two piece buttons in an area I had absolutely hammered with multiple machines (all VLF). I ended that hunt with five clad coins from the 60s and three buttons. Today I went to a " Indian Wars" Calvary camp that we have hit hard. Tough to come away with anything good anymore. I used the same setup on the E-TRAC and started in the 4TF. I realized quickly that the area was too trashy for this heavily disc'ed pattern as it nulled out for entire swings. I think this pattern would work well in moderately trashy areas. Not here. I switched to G4E's 2TF pattern and I was able to hear much more of w,hat was happening under the coil. To make a long story short, I recovered a nice suspenders buckle, six 50-70 Cal. black powder cases, two copper saddle rivets, and two fired bullets in ground that has been hunted to death by numerous detectors and operators. I recently purchased a 6x8 SEF coil and I believe it will do even better at these trashy places.
Dean
