More Probe Q's

[terrywl]

I am going to get a better probe this month and have a simple question. I use three coils with my ET and to save hassle I have them mounted on three separate upper and lower shafts. Changing coils is just a moments effort. From what I read Sun Ray would require three new upper shafts to retain this simplicity of use? Is there any way around this? I think the answer is going to be, nope, but thought I would ask just in case. Thanks in advance, Terry

 

[shwebb]

On the inline probe you only need one modified upper shaft And for quick change a regular lower shaft for eahch coil

 

[Barry NY]

Correct. i had the x-1 mounted on it's own upper shaft - that is basically a permanent mount for it. the lower shafts (with coil) just slip in. the cable is taped to the outside of the lower shaft so there is no feeding it inside each time you swap a coil. i would send in one of your upper shafts to have the x-1 mounted on that so you wouldn't need that additional expense.

 

[The Beep Goes On]

Here's some pics and info...

http://www.thebeepgoeson.com/display.asp?page=Sunray_Probes

You can have the switch mounted left or right. Also, if you ever plan on selling the detector you might want to keep the regular upper shaft and have the X-1 mounted on a new one.

 

[Big Boys Hobbies]

I have had a Sunray on both my EX II and my SE and my F-75. Its a GREAT probe! Its nice to have the discrimination of the detector in your hand. Although I like to pull out every metal target in the hole I dig to see what I am up against. Also it gets good depth.

However, It does add weight to you detector. Doesn't switch from machine to machine very quickly. It also is VERY easy to forget to turn off. I cant tell you how many times I've "heard" of that being done. NEVER have I done such a stupid thing and spent 2-3 minutes detecting my keys in my pocket with every swing! HA HA

The garrets probe is a really nice probe. It gets great depth, 2-3 inches ( about same as sunray ) on pennies. Can use it on any machine and lightweight. Vibrates nicely (had to pry it out of my ole lady's hands ha ha) and sounds off well enough that you can easily hear thru headphones and is very sturdy. I actually use mine sometimes to pry really shallow coins out in softer soil or scrape the sides of holes with it. I personally prefer the garrets over my old sunray. These are the only 2 probes that I have seen worth using. The others are either to flimsy or don't get good depth. The Whites bull-eyes are worthless. I let my boys play with mine.

HH, Both are good probes. You wont go wrong with either.

 

[jimmyk]

Don't get a Pistol Probe. They have cross interference with my E-Trac. I've tried the Noise Cancelling trick and it didn't work for me. Have sold it to get a Garrett Probe. I don't think it will have interference from the detector. Don't get me wrong. The Piostol Probe is the best (deepest) probe I've ever used. 3-4 inches easy on a coin. If it didn't interfer with my E-Trac (and vice perxa), I'd still have it. I hate the thought of added weight on my E-Trac. I'm too old and have too much arthritis in my shoulders to add more weight to it. HOpefully, the Garrett Pro Probe will be OK.

keep on diggin'

jimmyk in MIssouri

 

[Corpsegrinder]

I have to agree. The x-1 probe on an E-trac is the best combo i have run across. being able to pinpoint the target with the detectors own tones and discrim patterns makes for findin the exact location of the target a breeze..

I have detected many a years without a probe. soon as i got a minelab and tried one of those probes i was hooked. I honestly do not know how i would get by without one (not as easy as i am now thats for sure)

Get the X-1. And dont look back..

 

[Johnlightning]

n/t

 

[grumpyolman]

I run my coil wire up the shaft just like I would without the Sunray switchbox. Just below the connector point on the SunRay switch box, I cut out a chunk of the upper shaft so I can feed the coil wire from the inside to the outside of the shaft to accomodate connection to the switch box. Isn't hard to do. I don't think it weakened it one bit. it just takes a few minutes to unscrew the coil from the switchbox and pull that coil wire out of the upper rod. I have all the coils already mounted on lower shafts so I just grab the one I want to use and push the coil wire through a few inches of the uppershaft and pull it through the slot I cut. No coil wires to hang around and get caught on brush. The incredible function of the unit far outweighs any consideration of addittional weight. Jim

 

[Rick(ND)]

All my extra coils are on separate lower shaft and changing coils takes about 10 seconds to do. The upper shaft where the probe is mounted stays on as it is connected to the control head of the E-Trac and on the switching box of the probe is a connection for the coil. The coil wire wraps around the lower shaft instead of going thought the center of the shaft. Now when I want to switch coils I just unlock the cam lock for the lower shaft, disconnect the coil wire as it right there and easy to get at, slide out the shaft with the coil on it and slide in the different coil with the shaft on it and lock it down. Connect the coil wire and you are ready to hunt. On each one of my lower shafts with the coils I use black tape to hold the top of the cable to the shaft plus use this as a marker as to how far to slide it in for my comfort. To me it is the fastest way to switch coils with the S-1 probe.

 

[digitrich]

I now own more than a thousand dollars in Sun Ray probes, just to give you an example of how much I like them. Absolutely indispensable tool, I wouldn't want to detect without them. All my coils, I have on lower shafts ONLY, I have 15 coils or maybe more, I could not imagine how I would haul 15 upper and lower shafts all over, the lower shafts is bad enough. Switching coils is 10-15 seconds and your off. Grumpy's idea of having them pre-taped to his comfort length is a good one.
I would be careful of cutting a hole in the upper shaft and popping the cable wire through it, though. The upper shaft is metal and cutting a hole through it makes a sharp edge to chafe your cable wire. I bought a used SE that some one had done that to the upper shaft and I didn't care for it. I have never snagged my coil wires on a branch in the woods and I do hunt in the woods. My biggest snag is my headphone wire, not the coil cable wrapped around the outside of the shaft. Maybe I could cut a hole from my elbow to my ear and insert that dangling headphone wire

 

[terrywl]

Lots and lots of good responses from you all. Thank you. I am still waffling between Sun Ray and Garrett probe, only because I hate the idea of having spent the money for the upper shafts! Kind of a piss poor reason, huh?

 

[silvereagle]

i like the garett also alot, its on my belt and i dont want the extra weight,imo.

 

[coinnut]

Lots and lots of good responses from you all. Thank you. I am still waffling between Sun Ray and Garrett probe, only because I hate the idea of having spent the money for the upper shafts! Kind of a piss poor reason, huh?

I just got my Sunray probe in and the weight difference for me is not even noticeable. I love this thing!!! I gave it a good workout at a colonial cellar hole and it separated most of these buttons from iron. But I don't get the extra shafts worries you have. You only need one upper shaft. You send it in and the box from the probe gets welded to it. You only need one upper shaft. I mount my other coils on lower shafts only and changing the coil is a breeze. Not saying belt probes are bad, but I like the fact that this probe goes through my E Trac and still has all the functions that the E Trac does. It can show you target information, just like your screen. And it uses the power from your machine, no batteries needed. And for me the most important thing is "I CAN'T LOSE IT" since I lose a lot of things Here's a picture of the targets it separated for me. Some of these buttons were 6-8" down. Good luck at whatever you choose.HH

 

[E-Trac-Ohio]

I have the Garrett Pro Pointer and I really like it - tens times better than the V-Max that came with my detector. Because it will go through 2" to 3" of dirt I've found a lot of coins before I dug the hole - just popped them out with the tip of my digger. The Garrett is also nice and compact - I just keep it in my pouch rather than using the belt holster Garrett sends you.

It seems like 99% of the E-Trac owner's that are using the Sunray Probes wouldn't use anything else.
Most of these ET owner's have many of years of detecting experience.
I think it would be a real good idea for all of us looking at different types of probes - to listen to their opinions !
Bottom line - no matter what your in to - it's always a good idea to learn from the "old timer's" !

 

[moseng]

It seems like 99% of the E-Trac owner's that are using the Sunray Probes wouldn't use anything else.
Most of these ET owner's have many of years of detecting experience.
I think it would be a real good idea for all of us looking at different types of probes - to listen to their opinions !
Bottom line - no matter what your in to - it's always a good idea to learn from the "old timer's" !

Good advice! However... I am relatively new to MD'ing and instead of listening to the "old timers" had to try buy several probes before I decided on the sunray. So, some people (like me) need to learn the hard way I guess!

 

[digitrich]

because your hand held probe has no target ID and you will have paid for the Sun Ray probe 2 or 3 times over and still not have it. When you get good with your detector, you are going to be digging holes with several targets in them at a time. Most will be trash, nails, but one...... will be a seated dime....which target is trash and which is the coin????? Honestly, a probe without TID is pretty worthless in that situation and I dig too many valuable things to chance it. When you recover a target, sometimes there are more targets in the hole: EX: coin spill; So after you recover your target, you recheck the sides and bottom of the hole (which is now too deep for your detector to do), if you are using a hand held probe with no TID, you will chase nail after nail thinking they are good targets. With the Sun Ray, you have Target ID and you immediately know what you are chasing. My Sun Ray probe found me two extra Barber Halves that way, one day and two Indians that were all too deep for my detector to pick up as they were 3 and four inches deeper than the bottom of my hole. We all should thank Ralph personally at Sun Ray for making our hobby so much more productive and enjoyable

 

[Big Boys Hobbies]

Honestly, a probe without TID is pretty worthless in that situation and I dig too many valuable things to chance it.quote]

Worthless???? Really???? That may be the most ridiculous statement I have heard on here.

Why is it whatever someone uses or has on here is the ONLY one to have and everything else is totally stupid?? Or is it worthless??? There are SEVERAL options on probes for the etrac. ALL have advantages and disadvantages to them. You just have to pick the best one that suits you.

 

[The Beep Goes On]

Everyone goes through an evolution regarding preferences and equipment as their skills improve and their hunting style matures. TID is a major plus, but I think we have all bought and used various probes that did the job. Using various equipment improves our understanding. These probes have also taught us the value of TID, which we might not otherwise appreciate as much. If you recall, a lot of the beginner-oriented documentation references the "handful of dirt waved over the coil". Experience, research and hunting with others teach what works best for us, and it can be a circuitous path.

 

[Sonny(IN)]

Very well stated! He could have been a little more open minded.. Worthless is a little strong!