New explorer II

[joeg]

I just ordered a new Explorer II and I should have it today or tomorrow. What kind of depths can I look forward to getting out of this machine on coins on the deafualt settings?
I currently have an xlt and like the machine's discrimination and pinpointing abilities, but it has no depth (5 to 6 " max) I tried several custom programs and did not notice any real improvement. This is why I went for the Explorer II I heard that it has great depth. Any feedback would really be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[chevy]

I dont know if this will help because I am also a knew owner of the Explorer 11. I have had mine for 8 months the area I live in is heavily minerialized I have gotton silver at 7 to 8 inches took to the beach on a camping trip and did some hunting in the picinic area it was dirt and not sand the ground was moist with little mineralization and I was getting 11 to 12 inches my digging tool measures 12 and most of the time I was down to the top of the handle. I myself was beginning to wonder if I purchased the right detector but I know it has depth just have to get It set right for conditions. Hope this helps. Chevy

 

[joeg]

Thanks for the insight. I am going to have some fun going over the places I used my XLT on previously.

 

[Ace]

You made a good choice, actually the best, the Explorer 2 has great depth, and the discrimination it has can't be beaten. I'd reccommend buying "Exploring the Explorer S & XS" by Andy Sabisch, I bought it and it was of GREAT help, it explained more thoroughly how the Explorer works, it also explains when and how to use each of its functions, keep in mind the Explorer II is a beefed up Explorer XS, so the book does apply to the Explorer II. A great addition to your arsenal should include the Sunray X-1 probe (I couldn't even beggin to imagine being without it) and a smaller coil for the really trashy areas, a 5" or an 8" should suffice, for a 5" I'd reccommend the one made by Sunray or the one made by Detecht (Kellyco's EXcelerator, I have oen and it's great), as for the 8" Sunray makes one which I hear it's great, Minelab makes a 8" too, but I'd go with a Sunray. And a sturdy trowel, you'll be digging DEEP, trust me. You made a great choice!

 

[chevy]

Ace your correct insaying that the Explorer 11 is a good detector I have been searching a park in my area Medford OR which was established in 1890, I know this park has been beaten to death before but in just learning the Explorer I have pulled 4 mercs a couple of seateds and wheats out. These have been at about 6 inches I know there is still plenty of coin deeper so once I get used to the Explorer and my new X1 probe look out.

 

[Joe G]

Hey Joe,

I have the Exp II since April and have done most of my hunting at the beach (saltwater). I can tell you that the sensitiviy of this machine (with the stock) is pretty impressive. I've dug some incredibly deep holes in the wet sand. As far as dirt is concerned, I pulled a silver Washington a couple of weeks ago out of a hole that fit most of my Lesche in. Be prepared to dig deep. ( I highly recommend the X-1 )

As far as settings are concerned, go to the "classroom" forum and look up Cody's explanations of the manual. There's a lot of good information there and on a couple of other web pages...

Oh, nice forum handle by the way

 

[JBTN]

n/t

 

[joeg]

Thanks for all the feedback guys. I am glad I made the right decision. I can't wait to get out of work and start learning how to use this badboy. (I have to work 1 Saturday out of the month and wouldn't you know it would be this one) Anyone live here in Phoenix? Thanks.

 

[The Nutty Teacher]

Hello Sir,

That's precisely what I did this last summer. I was amazed and surprised at what came out of places I had detected for four years with my two XLT's. I'm thoroughly impressed with my Explorer II. There are some detecting situations where I still use the XLT's. If I'm deliberately looking for fast surface clad after outdoor concerts for example, for 15 minutes to a half hour, the XLT's are like handy coin vacuums. The fast clad goes into the savings account to buy more accessories. The main reason I use the XLT detectors even in those situations, is the lighter weight.

A good example of what the Ex.II can do was a 1916 Barber Dime loud and clear at a full ten inches.

I was told long before I purchased the Minelab that I would have a more difficult time pinpointing. Once you master the pinpointing techniques, I believe you'll find that it is more accurate than the XLT. That said, the Sunray Probe is a must, as depth is a real factor. If you have a good signal before you dig, given that you've pinpointed correctly, you will often have to dig to a significant depth to reestablish the signal with the probe.

In defense of my trusty old XLT's, I did find an 1876 silver, Russian, 15 Kopeck piece at 7 inches down, but I was running one of them so hot that it was overloading on quarters. I also purchased my EX.II with the probe and two coils, with what I found with the XLT's.

You'll really appreciate the quality and sophistication of the Ex. II.

Happy Hunting,

The Nutty Teacher

 

[joeg]

Wow that is some great depth. I will be looking into replacing my current whites probe soon. Thank you for the info. specifically on the XLT.

 

[ED-NH]

Hi Joe, I have an EX11 also. Depth will depend on conditions just as it will with any other detector. I think the EXll is awesome. I've dug quarters at 10+ at the beach on good days. Definately check out the Explorer Classroom. It is loaded with tons of great information from a lot of good people. They will help you too.

 

[WThesing]

Joe,
I got my Explorer late in July. I had downloaded and read the manual while comparing with other machines, and a few more times while saving for it. The learning curve wasn't all that bad. It just depends on how far "into" the machine you want to get.
I have found buckshot and musket balls in a cornfield as deep as 15". I have found smaller Rev. War uniform buttons in the same field at over 12". This is mineralized soil. I have found clad at the beaches at 18" - 20". I have lately been working a late 1700's farm that is very high in trash, and have found lots of coins mixed with trash at over 6". This soil is very soft, and the coins seem to be deeper than normal. I would stay in the quickstart mode for the 1st few outings, then slowly play with the advanced mode. In high trash, I have found that the auto setting and sensitivity at 24 - 26 works best, and manual when it is fairly clean. Even with sensitivity as low as 9 will still get good depth for coin sized targets.
Enjoy!!!!!!

Bill

 

[AgileMJOLNIR]

Hah. Not sure if I want to start posting her enow. I am another Joe G..lol

 

[MattR]

Hi JOEG!

Best wishes for you when you receive your new ExpII. It is a machine with good depth capabilities, in the right circumstances, but don't sell your Whites XLT.

Now remember this well......There will be days when you will want to bury the 'Big Hammer, in the big hole you've just dug, and sigh for your XLT.........Just remember....I told you so...MattR.UK.

 

[Jack(IN)]

the Explorer 1 and 2...I use the XLT for clad at school yards and when I want silver/deeper coins/relics I use the Explorer. Take your time and don't get frustrated and learn what that XS is telling you and you will have a deep coin finding machine...BUT you have to remember, if you want those oldies, go where they are...a couple years ago I was living where I was plucking Seated and Barber with regularity, now I hunt where there are mostly Mercs...the occassional Barber/Seated are great but know I'm not going to pull 50 Barbers a year unless I go where they are!! First year with my XS I found 360 silver coins...I've had my XLT since 2001 and combined all the years haven't come close to that total. Good luck!! BTW, not knocking the XLT, one of the best all round detectors!

 

[The Nutty Teacher]

Hello JoeG,

I'm sorry that I posted the incorrect date on the Barber Dime in the first post. I have corrected it in an edit. The barber dime was a 1916. I had the date of 1876 Russian coin on my mind and that date came through for both coins. Sorry for the brain cramp. I should have checked my post more thoroughly. I didn't notice the information error until I read my post this morning, over a month later.

Respectfully,

The Nutty Teacher