How does the Explorer compare with the Garrett GTI 2500?

[Mick in Dubbo]

I've read a bit about both of these machines and they seem to bit a bit more similar than some might think. I'm curios as to how they compare to each other from a discrimination point of view to real targets in the ground. I'm a coin hunter.
All points of view would be welcome.
Thanks.
Mick Evans.

 

[alton]

I have never used a Garrett but I would like to get a chance to play with the 2500. The one thing that I note about it is that it is a one frequency machine. Not necessarily anything wrong with that, but it makes me wonder about the depth on a range of targets.

It seems like it would have a great ID system. The guys on that forum seem sold on them.

HH Alton

 

[Dan-Pa.]

Explorer gives ID by freq. of audio (2, a digital screen and a target crosshair screen while the 2500 gives ID by blocks, audio(3)
and imaging which is useless after 6 inches on a coin target as its undecided...2500 is basically a user friendly machine and notching is easy while the Explorer has a learning period and notching takes some time to become proficient...Explorer is a deepseeking unit while the 2500 is a moderate depth unit with the exception of the all metal mode that ID's as it then becomes a deepseeking unit...
Sort of like comparing apples to oranges as they are different beasts and many swear by both....Yep I have used both and if offered either would take an Explorer but again only my opinion...

 

[jackintexas]

One thing for sure they are both heavy!

 

[Dan-Pa.]

Explorer gives 28 audio tones, don't have a prayer how that little guy got in there.....I actually think the 2500 is bulkier along with the weight but one can always pick up a 1500 and not lose much..Luckily my Explorer hunts are of several hours duration as old age don't come alone and I can handle it with the bottom pole and armrest set just right for me and just brush the ground with each swing. Back in the old days of 8-10 hr days I couldn't handle it. Many use the swingy thing and homeade devices and seem to do well..Perhaps the Explorer package with its superior innards can't be made in a lighter package , but would bet Minelab is working on it...
Again many swear by either so your call....

 

[Mick in Dubbo]

I thought that the replies may have been a bit more one sided, but I'm glad to see a reply by someone who has used both.
I think that the weight is about the same and it's just that the Explorers look more streamlined. The GTI2500 weighs 4.6pounds (2.1kgs), the GTI's 1500 weigh 4.1 pounds (1.9kgs), but I'm not sure what the Explorer weighs. I think that it is the same weight as the 2500, but Minelab haven't included it's weight in their specifications.
I think that it going to be a matter of comparing their different strengths to the type of hunting that I do. I think I'd be happy to own either one. I already own an Ace250 and an X-Terra30, but would like to upgrade to something with really good discrimination ability as I can afford it.
Mick Evans.

 

[Rick(ND)]

I have used them both and feel the GTI 2500 maybe easier to use, but the Explorer is deeper and better ID. The 2500 the detector tells you what is good and what is not, so if there is trash around a good target the ID will show trash while the Explorer may see both targets and let you decide to dig or not with the info it gives you . The Explorer has tone ID also along with the visual ID of the smart find or the digital numbers. The Explorer has a longer learning curve too, but those that spend the time to learn it seem to get a lot of good finds missed by others.

 

[Mick in Dubbo]

Thanks for the input Rick.
A lot of emphasis is put on by most about depth, but another consideration is target masking.There are probably just as many coins missed because of it. How do these machines stack up in that department?
Thanks.
Mick Evans.

 

[Dan-Pa.]

Your absolutely right we all worry about depth while target masking no matter what machine you are using cost the average hunter a lot of coins..2500 seems to jump between targets blocks when trash is encountered and the Explorer with the target crosshair movement alerts us to trash near good targets and gives us a pretty good idea what we are after..Might add the 2500 doesn't have a small coil that images and the Explorer does which helps target masking..Seems like Garrett just can fit the imaging innards into a small coil..My advice go to a mult line dealer and try them on for size and may help in your decision. Surely both are top of the line models and either a favorite of many...

 

[Rick(ND)]

In my opinion and from the test we have done with the GTI 2500 against the Minelab Sovereign on some actual targets in the ground we found that many of the deeper coin targets in a trashy site the GTI 2500 couldn't see or ID them as trash items. We are talking 9-10 inch coins and even in all metal on the 2500.
I was using the 2500 that day of the test in a area that was a bit trashy and was finding a few coins and after the test we did I got out my Sovereign and went right over where I just went with the 2500. First target nulled like iron, but could hear something good too, so I took the 2500 and it just showed iron. Dug the signal and it was a rusty bolt on the edge of a franklin half dollar. Found a few other nice coins I had missed before too.
The Explorer is even better at depth and ID then the Sovereign is for us up here in ND. This is why I feel the Explorer will give you more depth and separate the trash from the good items better, but you have to go slower with the Explorer and listen closer too as the Explorer will give you the info and let you decide what to dig while the GTI 2500 the detector tells you what to dig and what not too. The 2500 is a good detector too for some and if you have a club or a dealer that sells both of these detectors you can check with them too which seems to be the ones that does better. Our club now has over 80% Explorers and over 90% are Minelabs (Explorers, Sovereigns and X-Terras)and one lady just got a used 2500 to try this spring as she wanted the treasure talk feature.
Good luck with your choice and check out the differnt forums as to what detector is finding more in worked out areas that been mask by trash and also which is finding coins deeper.

 

[jackintexas]

If you would ask the same question on the Garrett forum you may get different answers.

 

[grumpy]

Mike ;
I hope I can help you at making your decision easier on a Explorer or a Garrett 2500 I have both. I use both. The easiest answer is get both but not a practical answer.
If you are going to get real serious and hunt for silver coins and such that you want good seperation good depth and all the bump you can get for your buck you only have one choice in my opinion. Minelab.
This is based on the fact you generally get the better coins deeper not a rule but generally a fact. My 2500 will go down a bit and will descriminate good but it is not an exray machine or mirical worker it still has flaws and it works only on condi. which if you have a pop can at say tewlve inches and reads in as a silver dollar it is going to tell you it is a silver dollar. So it has flaws.
The minelab has drawbacks also, It requires you to learn to use it and learn to use it the best way for you. If you want to work at it and learn it it will find, it will find accurately and deep.
Now the garrett if you are a school yard or park hunter and want to cover a playground for coins , clad and top jewels and move on to the next hunt I personally dont think you can even come close to moving over the ground as fast with a minelab as you can a 2500. However in my humble opinion speed is usually not the big issue. The only time I get excited about speed is if I get in to an event right after a large gathering and only have a few hours or less to hunt the area before everyone else cleans it out of surface coins. (surface clad buys batteries)
If you already have a fast coin shooter in the little machines I would get one that would do the heavy duty work and go minelab, the 2500 wont do that much better than the 250 garrett for fast coin hunting (wife has one of those).
Hope this is a help and remember it is only my two cents worth.
Good luck
Grumpy

 

[Mick in Dubbo]

You've both given me some very good food for thought.
It would be nice to be able to go to a dealer that sells both machines. The only shop in this country that I know of that does that, is about 3500kms away.Mind you, the Garrett master dealer and Minelabs head office is in the same city. They're a lot closer. They're only 1200kms away. My leaning though, tends to favour the Explorer.
All the best.
Mick Evans.