Minelab E-Trac or CTX3030 Which one???

[St Bernard]

If you had a choice which of these two detectors would you pick for all around detecting? I have been doing a lot of research on both of them and they both seem like great detectors. I have a Whites MXT all Pro now which I will keep for gold prospecting. I know the CTX3030 cost quite a bit more than the E-Trac and is the extra cost worth it for a good all around detector? Feedback is appreciated. Thank you
------------------
Bill

 

[sprchng]

http://www.findmall.com/read.php?63,2276805

 

[St Bernard]

Thanks for that reference. I missed seeing that one. Appreciated
-----------------
Bill

 

[Larry (IL)]

Do you want or need the features of the CTX that the E-Trac doesn't have and can you afford a CTX, if so the decision should be pretty simple to make. The CTX is deeper, better balanced and waterproof amid other advancements ....... at a cost of course.

 

[St Bernard]

I think from all I have read on these two detectors it will be the CTX3030. I know it will be a learning curve like anything else but being retired I have plenty of time. I know there is help here in the CTX3030 forum. I do have a Whites MXT all PRO which I will keep for prospecting (nuggets etc). I can see the extra price for the added programs etc.

Thanks Larry (IL) for your input appreciated.
--------------------------
Bill :whites :

 

[mascard1]

Deeper?.....not if you know your E-trac........better balanced and waterproof ..Yes!

Do you want or need the features of the CTX that the E-Trac doesn't have and can you afford a CTX, if so the decision should be pretty simple to make. The CTX is deeper, better balanced and waterproof amid other advancements ....... at a cost of course.

 

[Larry (IL)]

I know my E-Trac quite well thank you and in my ground the CTX is deeper, maybe because I know the CTX quite well also .

 

[Southwind]

I agree if I had my choice it would be the CTX. It is a better detector in my opinion. In my soil it was deeper, more accurate and better balance makes it feel lighter. Also love the tone bins and the ability to see multiple targets under the coil at the same time. The E-Trac is a great detector, the CTX is just better in my experience.

 

[mascard1]

I didn't say the CTX...BAD....I have both..but if you hunt with tones...the E-trac is just as deep.....at least in California ground....CTX..is better in trashy area's....The CTX is way more fun to play around with with all the ajustments!!!

I know my E-Trac quite well thank you and in my ground the CTX is deeper, maybe because I know the CTX quite well also .

 

[D&P-OR]

Aw you guys----they're both gooood!!!------They are both the same but different! (did I say that) -----Meaning---they both do a lot of the same things similar but in a little different fashion.------I got 'em & use 'em both (and have for several years).-----One day I like the Etrac the best---the next day I like the CTX the best---depends on which side of the bed I got up on, I guess! -----As to depth---I'm seeing them about the same in my OR ground (with same sized coils).-----I like the tones on the Etrac the best but I sure like the way the CTX "slams" the targets on the CTX the best.------I'm not sidin with either one of ya----PEACE----you both my friends!!!! ----------Del

I didn't say the CTX...BAD....I have both..but if you hunt with tones...the E-trac is just as deep.....at least in California ground....CTX..is better in trashy area's....The CTX is way more fun to play around with with all the ajustments!!!

I know my E-Trac quite well thank you and in my ground the CTX is deeper, maybe because I know the CTX quite well also .

 

[jimmyzr1]

Do you want or need the features of the CTX that the E-Trac doesn't have and can you afford a CTX, if so the decision should be pretty simple to make. The CTX is deeper, better balanced and waterproof amid other advancements ....... at a cost of course.

How do you set the Etrac up to be deeper than the Ctx? I'm just curious. From what I've done and seen from my friends, the Etrac gets many more coins in the 6-10" range. I don't think I've found any/or very few coins that deep with the Ctx. I'm curious how you set yours up to get deeper than the Etrac on a consistent basis. I know it sometimes does better in heavy trash, but have not seen it deeper.

 

[chuck ky]

How does hunting with tones make a detector go deeper?

 

[Southwind]

For myself how the CTX goes deeper is having a more accurate target ID at a greater depth. I rely a lot on the combination of sound and TID. When you get a more accurate target ID at greater depth you dig deeper coins. Anyway that has been my experience.

Hunting by tones doesn't make a detector go deeper but it does make hunting much more enjoyable for me.

 

[HaroldILL.]

I had both and also didn't see much difference in depth? The target trace is the one thing I wish Etrac had , But other then that I prefer the Etrac. So I went back to it after using the CTX 3030. Also to Me the CTX 3030 was harder to swing balanced or not it is still a 5 lb. Detector. But on the Etrac I mostly use the Sunray X-8 Coil so that helps some. Also no matter how much you tweek it you still can't quite get the trademark Minelab Silver Warble like the Etrac and Explorer's have. JMHO.

 

[jimmyzr1]

Heck, mascard1 goes by tones 1st with his Etrac, then looks at id. I can't even hear half of the targets with my 3030 that he finds with the Etrac. I found 1 wheat today and he got like 5 wheats and 3 silvers.

 

[mascard1]

One of the Merks..I dug today was a 1-38..on Etrac..but sounded ..pretty good

How does hunting with tones make a detector go deeper?

 

[HaroldILL.]

One of the Merks..I dug today was a 1-38..on Etrac..but sounded ..pretty good

How does hunting with tones make a detector go deeper?

Just out of curiousity is your Etrac an Ireland made one?I know all the Know it All's say there is No difference, But the other's I had didn't I.D.as well as the 2 Irish Made one's.

 

[jimmyzr1]

Yes, his is an Irish made one.