Got A Sunray X-1 In-Line Probe Today!

[MHirschmann]

Hi Everyone, I wanted to thank everyone who replied to my post about the Sunray Probe vs. Garrett ProPointer. I went to my local MD shop today and purchased the Sunray In-Line probe. There were just too many positive comments about this piece of kit to not try one. I mounted it on my ET and in all of a minute, it was running. This really is a cool piece of equipment. I can't go try it out in the field today because its raining here, but I air tested a bunch of items I have at home and this probe is great. I really like that I can now have my audio in my ears, rather than out in the open with the propointer I have been using up to now. Being able to "read" targets in the whole, I think, is going to speed up decision making/recovery greatly. I also like that there are no lights or vibrations, no nothing! It is simple, seems to work and the added weight that people keep talking about seems barely noticeable. I will give my "first impressions" review, as I do with everything that I purchase, once I get a few solid hunts with it, but I think this addition is bound to be a "winner." I will still carry my trusty propointer but plan on using it at a minimum. Thank you again for all your replies and I look forward to using and reviewing this addition soon. HH -Marc

 

[hershey1]

You just bought the best accessory a metal detectorist can have. You will find that they are not heavy at all and most negative remarks are made by people that have never used one. Try not to forget to switch back to coil when you retrieve your target. HH

 

[MHirschmann]

Thanks Hershey1, Well I took my machine out for more of a test hunt tonight because I had an hour and a half to kill. I went to the park across the street which has been beyond completely hunted out. I thought I would dig some pull tabs just to try out the new probe. Well I ended up digging 3 amazing coin spills, one including a 1776-1975 Kennedy D Half Dollar!!! I totaled 37 coins in all. Looks like this park has not been as hunted out as I previously thought. This new E-Trac is simply amazing. This park is covered with detectorists on a regular basis. I decided to dig some iffier signals and they all paid off (except for the usual pull tabs of course). Looks like I will be spending more time over there as it is just across the street.

Ok, enough about the hunt. Here is my reaction to the first outing with the Sunray X-1 Probe on my new E-Trac:
-This probe is a must-have!!!! My first hunt with the X-1 has already completely increased my love for my new E-Trac. I tested my propointer on signals from the surface but got nothing on most of the targets. I then tried the X-1 probe and could easily read and separate targets from above the ground. I knew right where the good stuff was, where the bad stuff was, and with a big spill of 6 coins, I was even able to know that there were several coins, a few inches down, before I even cut my plug because I could single out coins in the spill with the probe. This probe is absolutely fantastic! Changing coils is so fast and easy. Switching between probe and coil is so easy. I have heard about so many people forgetting to switch back to coil, but I am so used to turning off my propointer as soon as I was done with it that it is a natural reaction for me to switch back to coil as soon as I have recovered my target. I can't wait to get in more hunts with this setup, but I conclude for now, that the E-Trac with a Sunray X-1 Inline Probe is for sure my favorite machine/setup that I have ever seen/tried/owned in my life!!! If you don't have one, see if you can try one. I recommend the X-1 probe to anyone at this point. We will see how it holds up over time but it seems sturdy and has been a complete success so far. I hope this helps someone out there who was wondering about the X-1. HH -Marc PS Thanks for reading

 

[ryanchappell]

I can't find an "on sale" price for this one. Everything I have bought has been at least 20-30% off the retail price, but everyone I talk to on about one wants retail. Maybe I will wait until winter...

 

[joedirt]

I love my X1 - I don't think I would go hunting without it.

 

[MHirschmann]

I completely agree with you joedirt, I don't think I will ever go out without this piece of kit again. I got to use it again this weekend and it is just amazing. I thought the propointer would be the last pinpointer I would ever buy, but after putting about 15 hours on the X-1 so far, I didn't even bother bringing my propointer along on the last 2 hunts. I say again, for those of you that haven't tried the X-1, do it. Borrow one, find a friend that has one, or ask your local MD shop if you can test one out. I can't speak highly enough about this item. As long as it holds up over time, I think this product is a complete must-have. If I have any problems with it, I will surely post it up on here. The switch is said to be rated to 100,000 uses, meaning that if everything else holds up over time, you shouldn't be hearing any complaints from me anytime soon.

ryanchappell- I looked around to see if I could get a good deal on the X-1 as well. I think this is one item that just "is what it is." I don't think it is unreasonably priced to begin with, TBH. I would be surprised if you could get a screaming deal of 20-30% off list price. If you do, please let us know where and I will buy another one to put on my Se Pro. I still recommend this product to you at full price. Keep in mind, the price includes the module, probe and modified upper shaft for your detector (thats a lot of stuff). Your finds with it will hopefully make up for the 20-30% thats stopping you from getting it. I paid full price for mine, and even if you get that discount, I won't feel bad about having paid full price for mine. This probe is just "that good." Let us know if/when you get it and what you think of it.

I want to state again, I am in now way affiliated with Sunray, or any other metal detecting anything for that matter. I am just a hobby-nut that is into pretty much every hobby you could imagine. I always post up my response to new items that I acquire because I have bought so much trash over the past few years that I like sharing when I find something worthwhile. I hope to save others some headaches when I give negative reviews, and I only post negative reviews when they are truly deserved. I also only post completely positive reviews when they are truly deserved. For items that have both pros and cons, I try to be honest and list them. The Sunray X-1, however, has received only positive comments from me because I have yet to find a single fault with it. I think a weatherproof rubber cover over the switch might be a good thing to keep the elements out, but thats just a detail. This unit really is cool. HH -Marc

 

[bentrac]

Where's the best place to get the x1 and is it easy to mount yourself and do you need anything else to mount to etrac other than what comes with it?

 

[MHirschmann]

Hi bentrac, I got mine from "Metal Detectors of Minneapolis." It comes with everything you need with the probe already mounted to a new upper shaft. The whole setup is very simple:
1) Remove your current upper shaft from your ET
2) Remove your coil wire from inside your lower shaft and let it dangle loose
3) Attach your new upper shaft with the probe mounted to it. The connector for the Sunray is inside the upper shaft and in order to get the connector out, you have to pull in the piece of white wax string until the connector comes out.
4) Insert your lower shaft/coil into the upper shaft
5) Wrap your coil cable around your lower shaft a few times and then connect you coil wire directly into the yellow Sunray Module
6) Using the supplied zip ties, mount the supplied mount for the probe where ever you prefer on your detector
7) You are now ready to go. To test your setup, flip the switch on the Sunray module down towards your coil; your coil should now be working as usual. Now flip the switch on the Sunray module the other way and now your coil should be "off" and your probe should be "on"

This probe takes 2 minutes to unpack, mount and start using. Even if you are not good at assembling stuff, you will have this whole project completed, from start-to-finish, in under 5 minutes.

Good luck and let me know what you think of it if you end up getting one. HH -Marc

 

[RandyNorthridgeca]

Very easy to install!

Unless you buy a used one I don't think you'll find a deal on a new one. The run about $190.00 and that's if you don't want to send in your upper rod to have it attached. If you order one with the upper shaft it will cost you another $41.00 so you're looking at $231.00. I'd recommend getting one with the upper shaft unless you're strapped for cash because, God forbid, if something goes wrong with it and you have to send it in to be repaired you'll be without your E-Trac for a couple of weeks because you don't have an exptra upper shaft.

Besides my E-Trac, I have the sunray probe on my CZ-3D, F-75, Sovereign, and MXT. I have an extra X-1 probe as a back up in case mine goes down. I've been using them for years.

It will be the best accessory you'll ever buy for your detector! Well worth the money if you have extra money to spend!

 

[bentrac]

Thanks for the info wasn't sure if I needed to get the upper shaft too but looks like I will, makes sense now. Just wanted to know what to expect when I order it. Thanks alot!

 

[MHirschmann]

You don't have to "get" the upper shaft, it comes with the probe. The upper shaft needs to be modified to fit the module and if you buy a Sunray probe, it comes pre-installed on a new upper shaft ready to go. You just have to plug and play with this kit. No work/modifications needed. Hope this helps. HH -Marc

 

[GoGoGopher]

Your NEVER going to want to part with that probe...You will be buying SunRay until the day you die, or the company dies...

HH,

 

[MHirschmann]

I sure hope the company doesn't die. If you have some insider info on that, let me know so that I can buy 20 units right now so that I have plenty for the rest of my life. J/K, I know Sunray isn't going anywhere. This really is an awesome addition, I used it again today and will again tonight and I look forward to every outing with it. HH -Marc