I am interested in buying a used ETP. I have been checking most of the different classifieds on the net and cant seem to find any available. Are they that good of a detector and no one sells them ? I have 4 high end detectors, just looking for a lightweight competition machine and a lightweight detector for the grandkids when they get a little bigger. Thanks, Mark
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Is ETP a hot machine ?
- Thread starter SWMO Mark
- Start date
Mark in NC
Member
It's hard to not like the ETP. It is simple to operate, fast and goes surprisingly deep.
Bugar In. USA
Active member
Mine is excellent, everything works just fine (GREAT IN FACT) no problems
considering the budget price it sells for. I looked at it before I ever got two of them and Understood what some of the design features offered, and for the MSRP it was kind of surprising. While I am not a big fan of fully 'digital' circuitry designed detectors, the Euro-Tek Pro is a good example of what can be done at a low cost.
But I am not a newcomer or beginner in this hobby, either, so I was well aware that often we can have a 'simple' design that might work, but cuts some corners that a more savvy and dedicated detectorist might want or need in a versatile detector. I do not rely on one single detector to handle all of my hunting needs. I could, and I have that model in my detector arsenal and consider it my #1 'all-purpose' detector. It is very tough to match or beat in-the-field. But sometimes I might like to use a model that offers something just a little different, such as a lighter-weight package, a different search coil, manual Ground Balance instead of an automated GB circuitry, and so forth.
I wondered if the Euro-Tek Pro would be a model that I would consider to be a nice 'fit' in my regular carry detector battery because it is light weight, it does use a 5" DD search coil that I own and like, and it comes from the FTP Teknetics family of detectors models and amongst those is one my favorite FTP detector, the Omega. I have owned and/or used one or more of every current Teknetics model, as well as the Fisher F-75 Ltd, F5, and F4 and now F-19 and two Euro-Tek Pro's. Of them all, the Omega is by far my favorite FTP product.
When I compared the performance of the Euro-Tek Pro to other brands of detectors that sold in the close proximity price range that were also "turn-on-and-go" designed meaning they had a preset Ground Balance, such as the Tesoro Compadre and Silver µMAX, White's Coinmaster and Coinmaster Pro, Garrett's Ace 150 and Ace 250, and even the Fisher F2 and Teknetics Alpha and Delta, it was my opinion that once my Euro-Tek Pro was made functional, it provided very favorable depth of detection using the round 8" Concentric search coil ... which is the 'standard' search coil I definitely prefer on the Euro-Tek Pro.
Both of the Euro-Tek Pro models I received came with the 8" Concentric coil. On-hand I had my personal favorite Teknetics smaller coil, the round 5" Double-D, and I also had a brand new 11" BiAxial [size=small](Double-D)[/size] search coil to check out. My first unit was a good responder to most of the coins I sampled, but in checking it out initially, I noted that when I used the pinpoint function, the Ground Balance was VERY positive and it abruptly jumped from a Threshold setting to full audio when I lowered the search coil from about 6" to only 4" to 5" from the ground. From ample experience with other brands of detectors as well, I knew that there could be a problem with such a very positive GB on higher-conductive coins, and I was correct.
I used the Euro-Tek Pro for some typical urban Coin Hunting and it worked reasonably well for most common coins we find, from Nickels, to Zinc and Copper Cents, to Dimes and Quarters. It also nabbed some of the modern 'Dollar' coins which are slightly larger than a US Quarter, but have an audible and visual read-out that is quite similar in the VDI numeric signature. I wanted to see how the Euro-Tek Pro performed out-of-the-box, and it was quite 'OK'. Better than some of the models in its price range which have a delayed response, and it was as quick-responding as the better models it challenged.
Remember, this is for typical urban Coin Hunting where most coins and trash targets care usually fairly well spaced so there is not any serious target masking challenges, and on modern to-lot type sites with a lot of coins in close proximity, the quick-response was as pleasing to me as that which I get from my MXT All-Pro, MX6, Classic ID, Bandido II µMAX, as well as performance from an Omega, G2, Delta and such.
In 'the good old days" of detecting that I enjoyed from '65 through the '70s and into the early '80s, I did chance upon larger denomination coins much more often, such as 1 to 3 big Silver Dollars and 3 to 10 Silver Halves in most months of active detecting. We know those old halves and dollars are seldom encountered in the past 20-30 years, but they do surface to our surprise now-and-then, and because they can, and do, I wanted to make sure the Euro-Tek Pro was going to be responsive to the larger and higher-conductive coins. So, it was time for some 'bench testing.'
I used a few other detectors to compare the performance, if needed, but mainly checked out the Euro-Tek Pro with the stock 8" Concentric coil, my "field proven" 5" DD coil, and a brand new 11" DD coil off of a G2. This is where my suspicions were brought to light and confirmed. Like so many other detectors I have examined with a preset Ground Balance that was too positive, the Euro-Tek Pro struggled with the stock coil, and failed miserable with the two accessory coils I tried.
I used two sample rocks that are higher mineralized examples, producing a Ground Phase reading of about ±'84' on the Omega, G2 and MXT All-Pro. That's higher than the 'preset' Ground Phase on these three models which is '82.9' on the Teknetics and '83' on the MXT All-Pro. Checking the GB setting using the two sample rocks, I found the Pinpoint All Metal response to have a VERY positive GB even to those 'bad example' rocks.
The 8" coil did signal on a single silver half and a single silver dollar, but at a reduced depth and with a weaker, broken response at a little more distance from the coil. Using the 5" DD and 11" DD, the All Metal Pinpoint mode was still quite positive, and in the Discriminate mode the two larger silver coins did not respond positively, but produced a 'rejected' audio at minimum Discrimination accompanied with a jumpy VDI numeric read-out from the higher '90s' reading to the lower negative iron range readings. They could, at times, almost give a good response on occasional passes across the center axis of the coil, if they were close enough.
If I stacked two silver dollars together, or put the silver half on top of the silver dollar, the combined targets were totally rejected. This is the same behavior I see from many Tesoro models that have the GB trimmer set at a too positive setting. So, I wanted to see if I could improve the performance on my Euro-Tek Pro, and I carefully removed the control face to reveal a single trimmer on the back of the circuit board. That, I presumed, was a Ground Balance trimmer. I used the two very mineralized rocks and the Pinpoint mode to adjust the GB trimmer just to the point where I still had a slightly positive GB [size=small](when the rock was moved from about 6" to maybe 1½" from the coil)[/size].
To me that still felt a bit extra positive, but I wanted to check the performance in the Discriminate mode with all three search coils. The depth and responsiveness with the stock 8" was measurably improved, and both the 5" DD and 11" DD coils would then respond to all of the standard and silver coins I used, singly, to check performance. I put the housing back together then took it afield to check it out.
I noticed that the Pinpoint GB setting was not as abruptly severe, but it was still more positive than I would like it. However, I tested an assortment of coins laying on-the-ground, up to and including the silver Half and Dollar coins, and all of them produced favorable responses. It also seemed to get a little better depth on the US Quarter coin as well, and that was using all three search coils, but the stock 8" coil was more improved overall.
Caution: As with many other detectors, the GB trimmer, like the automated GB and manual GB on the Omega, doesn't have a fully ranged adjustment on the Discriminate mode's GB function. They are kind of working together, but there is more done in software or other design structure that you need to know that 'tinkering' like I did isn't always going to totally correct some performance like we desire. If you tinker, the manufacturer might not be able to fix something you goof up ... under warranty or without cost.
My personal decision was that is was a workable/affordable detector for a newcomer, or for a 'part-time' hunting Hobbyist who just wanted a quick and simple detector for some fast urban coin hunting. I liked the separate Iron Audio Volume, but I prefer a more equipped detector that an 'avid Detectorist' would use that has more manual control of the Ground Balance setting. It was either get an Omega or wait and see what else might come along that was new, but I did sell that Euro-Tek Pro to a fellow who enjoys using it in his urban hunting.
I did get a 2nd and it worked better right out-of-the-box with all the same coils. I also sold it to a fellow who still owns and uses it, and he tells me it is a great coin hunting detector. I agree, it serves that purpose just fine. For some competition hunts it might work just fine. For your grandkids or others to use, it can be a very good 'simple' detector that works fine for most hobby applications. I even thought about keeping my second Euro-Tek Pro form some of my 16 grandkids who are big enough to go detecting [size=small](at least 12 or 13 of them are)[/size], but I already have one or two units that serve that need, and for me and the types of sites and challenges I usually hunt, the Euro-Tek Pro wasn't a good fit.
The price is right so you ought to be able to find a clean unit, but they are inexpensive and I would suggest just buying one new so you have the factory warranty.
Monte
But I am not a newcomer or beginner in this hobby, either, so I was well aware that often we can have a 'simple' design that might work, but cuts some corners that a more savvy and dedicated detectorist might want or need in a versatile detector. I do not rely on one single detector to handle all of my hunting needs. I could, and I have that model in my detector arsenal and consider it my #1 'all-purpose' detector. It is very tough to match or beat in-the-field. But sometimes I might like to use a model that offers something just a little different, such as a lighter-weight package, a different search coil, manual Ground Balance instead of an automated GB circuitry, and so forth.
I wondered if the Euro-Tek Pro would be a model that I would consider to be a nice 'fit' in my regular carry detector battery because it is light weight, it does use a 5" DD search coil that I own and like, and it comes from the FTP Teknetics family of detectors models and amongst those is one my favorite FTP detector, the Omega. I have owned and/or used one or more of every current Teknetics model, as well as the Fisher F-75 Ltd, F5, and F4 and now F-19 and two Euro-Tek Pro's. Of them all, the Omega is by far my favorite FTP product.
When I compared the performance of the Euro-Tek Pro to other brands of detectors that sold in the close proximity price range that were also "turn-on-and-go" designed meaning they had a preset Ground Balance, such as the Tesoro Compadre and Silver µMAX, White's Coinmaster and Coinmaster Pro, Garrett's Ace 150 and Ace 250, and even the Fisher F2 and Teknetics Alpha and Delta, it was my opinion that once my Euro-Tek Pro was made functional, it provided very favorable depth of detection using the round 8" Concentric search coil ... which is the 'standard' search coil I definitely prefer on the Euro-Tek Pro.
Both of the Euro-Tek Pro models I received came with the 8" Concentric coil. On-hand I had my personal favorite Teknetics smaller coil, the round 5" Double-D, and I also had a brand new 11" BiAxial [size=small](Double-D)[/size] search coil to check out. My first unit was a good responder to most of the coins I sampled, but in checking it out initially, I noted that when I used the pinpoint function, the Ground Balance was VERY positive and it abruptly jumped from a Threshold setting to full audio when I lowered the search coil from about 6" to only 4" to 5" from the ground. From ample experience with other brands of detectors as well, I knew that there could be a problem with such a very positive GB on higher-conductive coins, and I was correct.
I used the Euro-Tek Pro for some typical urban Coin Hunting and it worked reasonably well for most common coins we find, from Nickels, to Zinc and Copper Cents, to Dimes and Quarters. It also nabbed some of the modern 'Dollar' coins which are slightly larger than a US Quarter, but have an audible and visual read-out that is quite similar in the VDI numeric signature. I wanted to see how the Euro-Tek Pro performed out-of-the-box, and it was quite 'OK'. Better than some of the models in its price range which have a delayed response, and it was as quick-responding as the better models it challenged.
Remember, this is for typical urban Coin Hunting where most coins and trash targets care usually fairly well spaced so there is not any serious target masking challenges, and on modern to-lot type sites with a lot of coins in close proximity, the quick-response was as pleasing to me as that which I get from my MXT All-Pro, MX6, Classic ID, Bandido II µMAX, as well as performance from an Omega, G2, Delta and such.
In 'the good old days" of detecting that I enjoyed from '65 through the '70s and into the early '80s, I did chance upon larger denomination coins much more often, such as 1 to 3 big Silver Dollars and 3 to 10 Silver Halves in most months of active detecting. We know those old halves and dollars are seldom encountered in the past 20-30 years, but they do surface to our surprise now-and-then, and because they can, and do, I wanted to make sure the Euro-Tek Pro was going to be responsive to the larger and higher-conductive coins. So, it was time for some 'bench testing.'
I used a few other detectors to compare the performance, if needed, but mainly checked out the Euro-Tek Pro with the stock 8" Concentric coil, my "field proven" 5" DD coil, and a brand new 11" DD coil off of a G2. This is where my suspicions were brought to light and confirmed. Like so many other detectors I have examined with a preset Ground Balance that was too positive, the Euro-Tek Pro struggled with the stock coil, and failed miserable with the two accessory coils I tried.
I used two sample rocks that are higher mineralized examples, producing a Ground Phase reading of about ±'84' on the Omega, G2 and MXT All-Pro. That's higher than the 'preset' Ground Phase on these three models which is '82.9' on the Teknetics and '83' on the MXT All-Pro. Checking the GB setting using the two sample rocks, I found the Pinpoint All Metal response to have a VERY positive GB even to those 'bad example' rocks.
The 8" coil did signal on a single silver half and a single silver dollar, but at a reduced depth and with a weaker, broken response at a little more distance from the coil. Using the 5" DD and 11" DD, the All Metal Pinpoint mode was still quite positive, and in the Discriminate mode the two larger silver coins did not respond positively, but produced a 'rejected' audio at minimum Discrimination accompanied with a jumpy VDI numeric read-out from the higher '90s' reading to the lower negative iron range readings. They could, at times, almost give a good response on occasional passes across the center axis of the coil, if they were close enough.
If I stacked two silver dollars together, or put the silver half on top of the silver dollar, the combined targets were totally rejected. This is the same behavior I see from many Tesoro models that have the GB trimmer set at a too positive setting. So, I wanted to see if I could improve the performance on my Euro-Tek Pro, and I carefully removed the control face to reveal a single trimmer on the back of the circuit board. That, I presumed, was a Ground Balance trimmer. I used the two very mineralized rocks and the Pinpoint mode to adjust the GB trimmer just to the point where I still had a slightly positive GB [size=small](when the rock was moved from about 6" to maybe 1½" from the coil)[/size].
To me that still felt a bit extra positive, but I wanted to check the performance in the Discriminate mode with all three search coils. The depth and responsiveness with the stock 8" was measurably improved, and both the 5" DD and 11" DD coils would then respond to all of the standard and silver coins I used, singly, to check performance. I put the housing back together then took it afield to check it out.
I noticed that the Pinpoint GB setting was not as abruptly severe, but it was still more positive than I would like it. However, I tested an assortment of coins laying on-the-ground, up to and including the silver Half and Dollar coins, and all of them produced favorable responses. It also seemed to get a little better depth on the US Quarter coin as well, and that was using all three search coils, but the stock 8" coil was more improved overall.
Caution: As with many other detectors, the GB trimmer, like the automated GB and manual GB on the Omega, doesn't have a fully ranged adjustment on the Discriminate mode's GB function. They are kind of working together, but there is more done in software or other design structure that you need to know that 'tinkering' like I did isn't always going to totally correct some performance like we desire. If you tinker, the manufacturer might not be able to fix something you goof up ... under warranty or without cost.
My personal decision was that is was a workable/affordable detector for a newcomer, or for a 'part-time' hunting Hobbyist who just wanted a quick and simple detector for some fast urban coin hunting. I liked the separate Iron Audio Volume, but I prefer a more equipped detector that an 'avid Detectorist' would use that has more manual control of the Ground Balance setting. It was either get an Omega or wait and see what else might come along that was new, but I did sell that Euro-Tek Pro to a fellow who enjoys using it in his urban hunting.
I did get a 2nd and it worked better right out-of-the-box with all the same coils. I also sold it to a fellow who still owns and uses it, and he tells me it is a great coin hunting detector. I agree, it serves that purpose just fine. For some competition hunts it might work just fine. For your grandkids or others to use, it can be a very good 'simple' detector that works fine for most hobby applications. I even thought about keeping my second Euro-Tek Pro form some of my 16 grandkids who are big enough to go detecting [size=small](at least 12 or 13 of them are)[/size], but I already have one or two units that serve that need, and for me and the types of sites and challenges I usually hunt, the Euro-Tek Pro wasn't a good fit.
The price is right so you ought to be able to find a clean unit, but they are inexpensive and I would suggest just buying one new so you have the factory warranty.
Monte
Monte, thanks for the info on the ETP. I have been hunting since 1971. So I have a lot of different detectors under my belt. I have found a used ETP, so hope to get out and play with it if the weather holds out. Being able to adjust the iron volume was one of the main things that got my attention, and price. Mark