Had to turn the sensitivity down on the Omega today

[Cache Man]

Monte Thanks a lot This does help I was all set to purchase a E-trac but now I am undecided I'll wait awhile.Thanks.HH

 

[Monte]

First, you might wonder why the shrug shrug, and the answer is rather basic. Without more specific information, comparing different makes and models, and coils, and site environment and conditions, and desired results can be very subjective. Nearly impossible, and quite hard for some readers who peek in on our conversation to comprehend. This is especially true if they have limited metal detecting experience, and no (or very little ) hands-on with the models discussed. Okay, to the point(s).

Monte I take it you have used the explorer se ...

I've owned a couple of Explorer XS, and two Explorer II's, one Explorer SE Pro, and I've used the same model with the slimline coil, the Explorer SE. I also have a little time in with the Safari, which is a simplified Explorer.

... how do you compare the omega to the explorer line

I can compare a

 

[Monte]

There are seven to nine guys I know who abandoned their White's and other brands for the Minelab Explorer's in 2001 to 2003. ALL of them are devoted urban "silver shooters" and they mainly seek out old parks and sold schools and courthouse lawns and such in any and all older towns then visit. Their goal is to use the Explorer's ability toe more properly ID some of deeper (honest depth) coins in that +4" to 7" and 8" range that are higher-conductive. They all do very well on silver, believe me, and some much better than others. The more successful operators are able to hunt all day long and often during the night. They are healthier than me, to be sure.

Of that group, (and I recounted an it is 9 of them) six (6) went with the E-Trac and tried to put in the time to learn it. What the found was the coil (11" Pro coil) was better than they had used, but the felt Minelab over-achieved on the re-angling of the 'S' rod for a grip and put the control housing too upright. They tried really hard to bet to like the E-Trac an, after they felt somewhat comfortable with it, they compared it side-by-side with Explorer II's and SE/SE Pro's. Today, only two of the 9 still use an E-Trac and the others went back to the II's and SE/SE Pro models. Personally, I feel the same way at this point.

Hunting with 4 of them a couple of years ago at my favorite old town they all worked in and through and across a particular open area. I wandered in with a Tej

 

[Cache Man]

Thanks Monte for all your infoVery interesting Read I know what you mean about having more than 1 detector, I have 6 one I have had since mid 70's. Thanks Again HH

 

[Monte]

Thanks Monte for all your infoVery interesting Read I know what you mean about having more than 1 detector, I have 6 one I have had since mid 70's. Thanks Again HH

Thanks for your comments. I just hope I am of some help to somebody.

I used to have way too many detectors hanging around. I know, sometimes you can't have "too many," but that's only if you have a place for them as well as a purpose. Even right now I am hoping to hear back from someone who e-mailed me about an old Fisher that my brother had and I bought from him back in '72. I need it like a kick in the arse, but I'd like it for my den display and use in my seminars to show folks just how far we've come, and what we had to contend with. It's in great working condition, he said, so I am sure I would use it a few times every year when I "take a walk down memory lane" with one of my old-time favorites.

Still, they just don't match up with many of today's good offerings. By the way, a friend of mine stopped by this evening and I told him what I'm working with of late. He and his better half started detecting about '03 and she has an XLT and Classic ID, he had a DFX and currently has an Explorer II, Classic 5-ID and an IDX Pro. I told him I was using a Teknetic's Omega 8000. he said "A what?" I said Teknetics and he asked who made that? After a 3 minute rundown of the Tek to Tek/Bounty Hunter to First Texas/ Bounty Hunter to First Texas' offerings of Bounty Hunter/Fisher/Teknetics he still wasn't too excited.

I then showed it to him and explained how lightweight it was, how simple it was, and why I liked it. Then I put it in his hands, put some coins on the ground and turned it on. As I explained the various settings and display features, he would press touch-pads, sweep over various targets, and I'd guess that in perhaps 5-8 minutes I had his complete attention! He could see why I am so impressed, and I think he was as well.

It is interesting, to me, that we continue to get improved performance or features and have come so far from what I, and other like you, had the opportunity to cut our teeth on in "the good ol' days" of recreational metal detecting.

Al the best of success in your next jaunt afield,

Monte