first off....I'm flattered... and if I have gained the respect of you and some others on the forum because of my honesty when stating advice or opinions...I truly appreciate it.
To be honest...the thought has crossed my mind to "mess" with an E-trac at many of my beat up parks next season...just for the very reason you stated....to see if I could pop a few more deepies out that I missed with my SE.
I have no doubt that there are still some deepies there...because nobody gets them all. At least I don't anyway.
It's always fun to go back to a pounded park and take on the challenge of trying to pop out "just one more". Even more of a challenge when you know that you and a zillion other hunters have already been there time and time again over the last many years.
That's what it's all about for me anyway....a challenge. I can't think of any other hobby where a person can take on something head on....while enjoying peace and solace all at the same time.
I would love to try an E-trac for a few months....and see what I could do with it at my beat up parks....but I can't spend $1500 to do so. I am also having way too much fun with my SE right now....and it's because I have spent a gazillion hours in the field familiarizing myself with it....and what it does.
For me to think I could take an E-trac out of the box...take it to my beat up parks...and instantly dig up a few silver coins I missed with my SE...would probably be wishful thinking on my part. It would be wonderful if it happened that way...but then I wouldn't want to return it to whoever sent me one

If I had one at my disposal...didn't have to worry about sending it back at any specific time frame...and could use it...experiment with it...put it through the paces...etc....that would be great. If I was able to put a ton of hours on one...familiarize myself with it somewhat...learn it's quirks, etc....I would then possibly be able to give you an honest assessment as to whether or not I felt it was the new machine for me...and could steal some hunt time from my faithful SE.
I know one thing though....I would go into it thinking of it as just that...a "new" machine. I would not expect it to "out perform" my SE...or even perform like my SE...because it isn't an explorer. I would only care if I could thoroughly put it through the paces like I want to...tinker with some settings.... pound some ground with it...and make it "find" stuff for me that I missed with my SE. The only way for me to know that would be for me to put many, many hours on one. Even then though...to be honest...and that's the only way I know to be...I still wouldn't base buying one or not buying one just on what I reported. I am but one person...and while I am honored...and truly appreciate the respect from everyone....I would base my final decision on what a group of experienced hunters reported as a whole...instead of just me.
Take care buddy...and again...I''m honored...and I truly appreciate the respect you have given me. Good luck in '09.
Right now it's 3 degrees here...and the windchill is supposed to be -20 in the morning. yippee
