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I hate to always post negative...

M

MHirschmann

Member
comments on this forum. I am not a negative operator by any means but my Se Pro is driving me crazy. If you read any of my posts on the excalibur forum, I have nothing but good things to say there (with the exception of my previous stolen excal). I went out for another 5 hour hut today and had the same results. My Se Pro is so terribly unstable, regardless of conditions, settings etc. This machine really is almost unbearable. My Excal always brings home at least something interesting or is a stable running machine when there is nothing to be found. No drama, no hassles, nothing really to think/worry about. My Se Pro, however, seems to be really unstable, regardless of location, conditions or settings. I don't know what to do at this point. I have driven my sens way down to see if it helps but my numbers are still ALWAYS incorrect. I have never dug a single item that read "correctly" on my screen. I have had the machine tested and it is said to be "fine." I am the first person to admit operator error, but this machine is driving me nuts. I've had/read Andy's book from day one. I have read everything I can find about this machine and after countless hours on it, I still have ZERO confidence with this machine. Does anyone else out there have any tips? I am about to dump this machine somewhere and try something else if it doesn't get better soon. I wish this machine could be as stable/good/easy as the Excal. It clearly is not and, in my case, it doesnt seem like putting in the hours makes any difference. Sorry about posting another rant on this machine, I just don't know what to do with it anymore. -Marc
 
Sorry for your problems you are finding Ques how long have you had said machine for, I have had mine for 4 to 5 weeks and love it :)
real happy with it also have xterra 705 love it two but at moment explorer se wins the main machine vote xterra is now back up unless hunting only for $1 & $2 dollars coins
and then xterra win hands down on ease of finding them being mostly only 1" to 3" in depth the xterra just locks solid on em eats them up :)
From what I have heard about the the explorer numbers aren't that solid meaning will always jump about ,deeper the target more jumpy target ID
Smart screen I use if it jumps around top right corner on same plane without going way left I dig (this is what I was told to do from this great forum)
you can also use pin point mode it will swing the cursor way left if target no good if it still stays right top dig man dig :)
only new to this Explorer Se I m sure some one will help
New to this put all ears open many more people here have more knowledge than me new-be
Regards
Jeff
 
sometimes it's something simple. while kneeling down to dig, the machine acted up, the interference was a metal belt buckle i was wearing, maybe some metal brads on your boots.
 
John was the coil test with the machine? Id recommend you start posting for an EXPERIENCED buddy that uses the SE or find a club near you. That really helps. You really got to get away from that digital screen.... the chatter and the screen is just to mentally tiring. The Smartscreen is faster at a glance... then move to dig by tone. You also might talk to Tom Dankowski (NASA Tom) If you know who he is then you wont ask why i recommend you talk to him. He might be willing to CERTIFY your detector.... then at least you know its not the machine. He has a web site. Have you cleaned between your coil cover and coil? Surprisingly you get chatter from that and it dont take much. Also.... disconnect the UPPER connection going into your box..... mine wiggled loose and caused more chatter. Sounds like a cable to me. Ive not found these machines to be any noisers than any other machine.

Dew
 
I don't have an Explorer SE but I do have a Safari and an E-Trac. Check the connection where your coil cable connects and the connector will have a flat head screw on the machine connector and two phillips head screws on the coil connector. Make sure none have came out and take a small screwdriver and tighten them if they are loose. The reason I mention this a guy sometime back had similar problems like you are describing and that was the problem. I hope this helps. HH :minelab:
 
Hi:

If your trying to operate it like an Excal.. " it won't work". I too had problems getting use to the Se Pro.

I had to slow my swing way down in speed left to right. I had to run in iron Mask for my area to really settle the machine down.

Can I also suggest you do a factory reset. Then do some low sensitivity air testing. Outside away from all indoor Electrical activity.
One other thing. If your using the SE it has the 10" Slim line coil on it. A few of those coils were bad per this very forum.

The bad ones if I remember were always sounding off on the swing, and not giving a good Id. I am by no means a competent operator of my Se pro,
But I have managed to start finding good targets listening to the advice of all the "Expert" people on the forum.......

Dew and Bryce are both extremely talented with their machines. I am sure they will be glad to help you as they have both bent over backwards helping me get the small amount of "Starting to understand my Se Pro" ability I have garnered so far.

I was, on many a hunt, ready to wrap it around a tree.. One day I very nearly gave it away.. I was that aggravated. So I do know where your at with the aggravation.

Do you have a different coil you can try for checking out the difference of the coil response. Check your connector inside the rod where it connects to the head. Mine was loose and once tightened that did help with the falsing.Slow steady experience though," is what is really making the difference".
 
Marc,

They are suggesting something wrong with your coil or connection to the coil. What you are describing are classic symptoms of an open connection. First thing. Make sure you are in Manual sensitivity, and outdoors away from power lines. Start bumping the sensitivity way down, into the single digits. That should quiet it it down. Then try swinging back and forth a couple of feet in the air at this low sensitivity, sometimes the loose connection is only apparent when you are swinging. If it never quieted down or started making noises when you starting swinging in the air; can almost guarantee you have a bad coil or connection. Try another coil and see if you get the same results. Try finding someone close to you that also has an Explorer so you can compare results and settings.

If it is working correctly it could still be driving you nuts. Anyone who has been reading this forum over the years will remember many posts similar to yours. The folks who stuck with it are now posting all the great finds.

Chis
 
Marc --

Something is definitely wrong. What you describe is simply not right. I would hate to have you think this is what an Explorer is all about (your experience you are having with it). It's NOT! It should not be that noisy/unstable, and you should get good, stable ID on targets that aren't too deep and aren't co-located with trash.

The other posters above have had some great suggestions -- the Tom Dankowski idea is a great one. But, I am pretty sure there is indeed something not right with your machine. I would, if I were you, find someone else with an SE Pro, and run their machine a bit. If it works "better," then swap coils, and see if your machine behaves. Running through the different variables in this way should help you narrow down your problem. I don't know where you live, but I'd be glad to help if you are in my area (central Oklahoma).

But yes, coil connections, cleaning out between your coil cover and your coil, etc. are all important. To me, it sounds like a coil or coil cable or coil connection issue...as others have suggested.

Let me know if I can help you in any other way.

Steve
 
Hi everyone, and thank you so much for your responses, I really appreciate it. One thing has come to my attention in various responses. I am fairly certain I do have a connection problem that has been there from day one. The reason I say this is several of you have stated that if I have a connection problem, I should notice it by moving side-by-side. This is exactly what is happening. My detector falses at both the extreme-left and extreme-right portions of my swing and seems to recover somewhere in the middle. This happens no matter how slowly I swing and it has done this since I picked it up from Kellyco a year and a half ago. I will have to check my connections when I get home but it sounds like this is going to be the ticket. Thank you so much guys and I will keep you posted as to what I find. -Marc
 
Hi Guys, so here are the findings. I checked the connectors and the set screws on both sides took about a half turn, but did not seem terribly loose. I then took my coil cover off and noticed something. The bottom of my coil looks like snake-skin. The rest of my machine looks like new out of the box but the bottom of my coil looks like it has dried up or something and the best way I can describe it would be that it has micro-cracks all over the resin that looks like snake-skin. Is this "normal"? The resin on my Excal looks like it did on day one, with no cracks, scratches or visible anything, and the 2 machines are about the same age. Maybe I just have one of those "bad coils" that people are talking about. Anyone have any input? Thank you. -Marc
 
Sorry to be posting again but I've had another update. I called Minelab and went over the machine with Jeff over there. He had me perform a series of tests and concluded that my machine is definitely not operating correctly. We could not pinpoint what the exact cause was over the phone so I will be sending it in to have it checked out. What really bugs me is that the tests he had me perform reacted in the same way that this machine has from the day that I bought it. This leads me to believe I have been tearing my hair out over a potential lemon for over a year now. Although this is comforting in one way, it is also frustrating as it seems I would have been fine and happy by now if I had sent it in much earlier, I just assumed the problem was inexperienced user error. Ill keep you posted as to the findings once I hear from Minelab. Thank you all for your help, it is greatly appreciated as always. This forum is absolutely amazing and a true life-saver for everyone who is part of it. HH -Marc
 
Is this a new machine? If not possible someone was using it in salt water. You havent mentioned where you live perhaps someone on here lives close to you. Do you have a ML dealer near you? You said on the extreme left and right swing ..... depends on your swing that could be normal with an SE. They dont like you lifting your coil at the end of your swing... to much sensitivity and they will false as the coil raises off the soil. I dont really swing mine... its more of a painting motion keeping the coil on or very close to the soil.

Thanks for the AT-A-BOY Elton.... but i think everyone really enjoys this machine and tries to help new people trying to learn it. We have some awesome hunters that use this site.

Dew
 
Hi Dew, No, the machine was not previously owned. I bought it new from Kellyco about a year and a half ago. As for the swing, I don't "swing" it per-se either, that was just what I called the motion. I guess "painting," as you called it, makes sense too. However, maybe I am doing it wrong. I'll give it a try with different motions before sending it in but the tech at Minelab said it definitely was not responding correctly to the tests he asked me to perform. Thank you for your help, that goes for everyone on here. HH and Ill keep you posted. -Marc
 
I've had my SE PRO for about two years without any problems.......don't give up on it, it is a great detector and will give you an advantage others don't have...I have found a hundreds of silver coins etc... with mine....

John in Va...
 
I have an E-Trac and I got cracks in my Pro Coil, contacted my dealer, he contacted Minelab and I got a new coil in three days! Here is what it looked like.
 
Thats exactly what my coil looks like but mine has a lot more cracks. did your machine act up at all or was this just a "cosmetic" replacement. Minelab said my machine shouldnt be acting the way it is from these cracks as they are just epoxy and dont effect the coil. Have you noticed any difference from your cracked coil to your new coil? Your info would be very helpful as I feel that these cracks could easily cause a problem but Minelab told me they are "normal." Thanks -Marc
 
Thanks John, I will send mine in next week and hopefully they will get it sorted out. I will give it one last try when I get it back and that will determine whether I keep it or not. If I'm still not happy with it I think I will sell it for a Fisher f75 ltd as I have met a lot of fellow hunters who happily run this machine. I have only owned Minelabs up to this point but have had very slow turn around times on machines and had 2 machines so far that were defective out of the box. This really is a shame because the "good" machines that I have bought from them have been awesome, but the 2 bad ones have left a really bad taste in my mouth and the turn around times have doubled that taste. If they get this machine back to me in a reasonable time-frame, and if it finally works, I will stick to Minelab, otherwise I will be in a position to try a new brand for the first time. -Marc
 
Its a shame you are having this problem and if you have used MLs you have some idea as to how they should look and work. The old saying if it sounds like a duck comes to mine. They would have to replace mine nothing less would make me happy. You have to have confidence in the equipment you use. As far as the F75.... depends on where you are hunting. They are pretty sensitive to EMI you might take a look at a CZ if you decide to go with fisher. There are a lot of things i dont like about ML... but if you are looking for silver these are the machines to have.

Dew
 
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