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My final evaluation of the new SE........

M

Mike from MI "Iron Brigade"

Moderator
Staff member
First let me say that I am a Die-hard Explorer fan! :)

The new SE is a great machine like all Explorers, but in my honest oppinion it does not out perform the other two models!
It is better looking, and has a few new bells and whistles, but does not go deeper, and the new coil is only 60 grams lighter.

If you never had an Explorer and was thinking about buying a new one, then it would not hurt to buy the SE. If you already have one and want to upgrade, don't waste your money.

True the processor is a little quicker, and it has the pitch hold option, and maybe a couple other insignificant changes.
But I believe that what the Die-hard Explorer lovers are really looking for is a super light weight model, which they have the ability to do, and they would sell a ton of them! The only other thing most of us want is more depth if that is even possible!

Again! I am not bad mouthing the SE. If I was buying one for the first time it would likely be that one. But I think Minelab has done what they did when they made the EX II. They only improved the XS with a couple small changes.
I was certainly honored to be able to test drive one of the first new SE's, but needless to say it is back at the dealer. I will stick with my XS. If they can do what we really want I will be one of the first in line for that model! :)

Feel free to ask questions if you like!

Die-Hard Explorer Lover!!! :)

Mike from MI
 
Hi Mike,

I'm a die hard explorer fan as well, Been swinging one since 2000 when they first came out.

You'll find the SE to do better in the trashy areas or get a deep coin on edge out in an open area or masked by trash, Once you pull out an old deep coin from a trashy area you see how the faster recovery speed enhances separation to capture the deep coin.

Remember, These type of signals are scarce and eventually the SE will find them....These quick test comparisons made by new SE users feeling the SE is not an improvement is too soon to evaluate the SE.

The faster recovery speed should be enough proof that in time the SE will get an old coin missed by the XS and II, I'm already seeing the positive effects from the faster audio recovery speed.

HH, Paul (Ca)
 
:thumbup:I totally agree Paul.....not only does the faster processor provide faster recovery speed to find more goodies in trash, but the coil being "only 60 grams lighter", definitely balances better and feels considerably lighter as a result.

The pitch hold tone also helps alot over the previous two models.

The VCO pinpointing mode virtually eliminates the often heard "pinpointing complaint" providing less time digging, and increased detecting time.

Sorry you feel that way Mike....but I'll bet the other Michigan SE users are glad to hear what you had to say.:beers:
 
For those having trouble pinpointing( yes I see some mighty large plugs) the VCO pinpointing would be a godsend. Also if your unit is out of warranty might be a plus also..Seems like used Explorers bring a good resale price, so might be worth updating with minimal cost...
Do remember bowling balls go for $200 plus a pop and new ones change monthly and old ones have a poor resale value..Also golf equipment is expensive and so is one day on the links...
 
I tested the two machines together. When I would get a target with the XS, I would shut it off then go get the SE to compare. And Vice versa. I truly believe that there would be very few targets found with the SE that the XS couldn't sniff out. And vice versa. True the SE is faster, but how fast does a machine have to be? Great machines they are! :)
 
It has a few more bells and whistles, but one has to weigh how important each one is to themselves. As for those scarce signals, when the Explorer came out it was already grabbing many long lost coins that no other machine could find in all those hunted out parks.
Cheers! :)
 
Good honest Post and to be honest, its the person hunting, not the detector who hears and decides what to dig, once you learn your detector, and you hunt in a manner that suits you(slowly here), and dig every deep signal, every good sound, every deep crappy sounds, or your hunch "iffy" sound, then I could care less which bell or whistle you want or need, your going to get those great coins. I have seen just to many GREAT finds from the older Explorers to buy the SE because of a couple adjustments or a little bit of weight difference. I have two Explorers, had sold a third, I am completely satisfied with what I have, this is MY opinion on the SE, My thoughts and as good as what others say about it, and mostly good, just for ME, not going to spend any more money when I feel the detectors I have are right for me!! I am sure the SE will be what many want and will enjoy and I hope to see the goodies found, and enjoy every post as well!! Minelab detectors just outclass the other detectors no matter if you have the 1, 2 or SE!!
 
Yes, the new SE does offer some improvements / enhancements over the XS or II models but I have to agree with Mike in that after checking countless signals with an SE and II, I did not find any targets that the SE could find that the II did not. Yes, in high trash it does react a tad faster but most Explorer hunters hunt slower in these areas anyway and while the response might be crisper on the SE, it is discernible on the II as well. The faster processor may allow one to hunt faster in these sites and the cursor does track more along the lines of the audio which is a plus.

As far as the coil weight making it feel more balanced, 60 grams does not make that much of a difference. If it did, then every XS and II users would simply swap to one of these new coils to get the benifit . . . . or use what we have been for years, a Sun Ray, Coiltek, Detech or EXcellerator coil.

The VCO pinpointing and active target ID in the pinpoint mode is a nice addition and will assuredly help a bunch of people but as those that have used other brands know, VCO is either a "I love it" or "I hate it" feature . . . . so it is a matter of personal preference in terms of it being a plus or minus.

Overall I have been impressed with the SE's performance, but then again I find that once ANY Explorer goes through an area in the hands of a seasoned hunter, there is very little left for the next deetctorist that comes through.

Andy
 
well said my friend! :)
 
I got to swing that same machine at Al's yesterday. I could tell the difference in the weight and I was tempted but snapped out of it when I remembered I'm not rich, hehe.
Neal
 
noticed the weight because the probe was not mounted to it! Did ya get my email?
 
Being saying this since day one ,here in the UK,AND GETTING SHOT DOWN BY THE SAME GROUP OF DETECTORISTS FROM THE UK, Minelab had plenty off time to change things drastically but NO they still use the same format has the explorer11 ,in there product review, they say lighter in weight, but only because they use a smaller coil,anyone with the ex11 will find anything the SE will find my honest opinion, we have been cheated into thinking we are getting so much more and we are not ,just remember this point 4 years to develop the SE detector, and we have very little from the biggest company in the detecting world a poor show no matter what some say.
 
One of the best tools in marketing is to feed the needs SLOWLY in order to reap the most gain. I won't be parting with either of my one year old plus Exp. II's anytime soon.
 
Hi Andy,

Good post Andy. I made basically the same comments about the new SE a few weeks back and took quite a bit of heat here on the forum. I went ahead and bought an SE anyway so that I could actually try one next to my XS. I'm one of those that does not like the new VCO pinpoint as the sounds it makes are very unpleasant to listen to. I've never had a problem with the XS pinpoint.

Now a couple weeks ago people were claiming some strange new undocumented features for the SE such as no longer losing signals in disturbed soil and such (I have the X-1 and don't remember losing a signal). Ability to find things on edge that the XS and II couldn't. Any comments on especially the former claim?

BTW, I replied to your message regarding that Indian Head cent, but I'm not sure if you'd mistaken me for someone else here as I did not hear back regarding the subject. Please drop me a note if you have a chance.
 
:poke:

Heh heh.... :rofl:
 
The way I see it Minelab have improved the Explorer yet again.

We first had the Explorer, after more R+D up came the Explorer XS,after that we had the Explorer II.... And now the SE.

And still at the same price!

If they were asking for an extra $200 ~ I'd be howling too.

The Explorer is still evolving, like the Whites 6000D series did; plus their Spectrum series, and each release with further embellishments.

The Garrett master hunter series is another example.


HH

Snowy

Changing,changing Onwards, and upwards !!!
 
Hey Snowy.....I couldn't agree with you more!:thumbup:

I guess you just can't please everyone.....and I've quit trying. It just gets down right tiring.:sleepy:

After awhile it's time to ignore it.:goodnight:

Those of us who enjoy the SE wil just have to put up with all of its' misgivings and under achievment.:rofl:
 
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