PLEASE HELP??? NEWBIE and OWN NO Detector

[shotdoctor67]

I can buy a ALMOST never been used Minelab ETrac for $1000 retail for $1,900.......... But the money is not as IMPORTANT as buying the RIGHT Detector..... PLEASE convince me WHY I SHOULD buy a MXT or MXT Pro?????? I WANT to be a regular poster and have FUN as you MXT people seem to have.... The MXT seems so much EASIER to run.... Thanks in advance....

 

[lusitania]

Hi shotdoctor67 I never used a e-track I'm sure it is a great Detector I have use the MXT Pro it is a easy Machine to lean lots of coil that will fit it. I never feel i;m missing anything with it. and White's will stand behind there Detectors like no other Company. good luck and have Fun!!!!!

Ken

 

[Joel-Winnipeg]

I run an older MXT. Great in the coin and jewlrey mode and have made good finds with it !
The Newer one is a turn on and go detector with minimal learning curve.
Would be a great machine ( MXT PRO ) as a first detector.

 

[Larry (IL)]

That is about the going rate for a used E-Trac, so you are not getting a "steal".

Any of the "top of the line detectors" are seldom a good way to get started in the hobby, the users often get discouraged and gives up on the hobby due to the long learning curve of the detector. You would be much better off getting an easy to learn and use detector like the MXT or MXT Pro. You can always get a more advanced detector once you learn the basics of the hobby and many users find that the MXT fills all of their detecting needs and have no desire to upgrade later on though.

 

[Nancy-IL]

I've had my MXT for years and I wouldn't trade it even for a brand NEW Minelab. Does that tell you anything? I can and do run with the big boys also.

 

[Bedrock]

I would tend to agree that a very good first machine would be something less than a top of the line model. A detector that is more "turn on and go" might prevent discouragement that could result from trying to learn the intricacies of more advanced models. It is also less of a shock to the pocketbook.

 

[etracjoe]

I've had my MXT for years and I wouldn't trade it even for a brand NEW Minelab. Does that tell you anything? I can and do run with the big boys also.

Did Whites pay you to say that? This guy is looking for actual reasons why he might not want the Etrac over a Whites. Not because someone here just has it up for Minelab.

 

[Nancy-IL]

Did Whites pay you to say that? This guy is looking for actual reasons why he might not want the Etrac over a Whites. Not because someone here just has it up for Minelab.

No one pays me to say what I speak. I was stating how much I like my MXT. Larry has owned and used Minlabs many times over. They are not for me. Therefore, that is an "actual reason" why I prefer the MXT.

Nancy

 

[Larry (IL)]

Go ahead and tell Joe about the $10,000 you get every time you say MXT...........

 

[etracjoe]

Real intelligent. I was just stating that the man's question was not intended for someone to knock another machine. And regardless of how much Nancy likes her MXT, she made it sound a little like Minelab makes an inferior product. This is how arguements start across these forums and also a good reason why we cannot have a comparisons forum. Maybe I am wrong and like she stated that is not what she intended to say but it is certainly what it sounded like. So put that in your pipe and smoke it!

 

[Larry (IL)]

Joe you are on the MXT forum causing trouble, you don't see any MXT users on the E-Trac forum belittling your comments to the same question do you? You are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem on comparisons. Nancy was not comparing detectors, just expressing her own opinion. She has tried my SE Pro and other Minelabs I have owned and she really does not like them. That is all she has said and she has every right to do so.

 

[TennBob]

LOVE THE MXT-300 GOOD FOR ALL FIND'S I USE IT A LOT C/J AND THE MOST FOR CIVIL WAR HUNTING HERE IN EAST, TN GOOD LUCK..

1954STREETROD
KINGSPORT TN

 

[Curt_in_W.Mass]

Just want to add my opinion.My hunting buddy Bruce uses an Etrac and i would say that it is an excellent machine,but as far as a first detector no way.Bruce has owned his for a couple seasons now and is still learning the various features...and also finishing my whole first year as a detectorist and using a new MXT that even with this machine i find combos of ways to use...but will say as a machine that you can turn on and go..cant beat the MXT..and it amazes both of us on some the very small objects this machine hits on and the depth is great..I got an 1803 large cent this fall at about 9-10 inches so that shows its not a toy...havent yet but do believe a decent pair of headphones is a must..the ones i got with machine i feel arent letting me hit even smaller deep targets,so....MXT..AND GREAT SET OF HEADPHONES...and you will be finding stuff all day long....and surely Etrac will do same but believe frustration will overcome you trying to learn Etrac as first machine...just my 2 cents worth...Curt

 

[Cajuncoinhunter]

SD67,

As a "new guy" also, here is my honest opinion of the MXT Pro......Without question, each brand of detector out there brings something good or unique to the table. Everyone has a personal opinion about a particular brand and I respect that. I know one thing for sure . . . you will find only what you swing your coil over; no matter what the brand name you have. I have only been detecting for about 7 months and was right in your shoes this past summer. No matter what brand you do choose, I've quickly learned that a detector is only as good as its user and vice versa. So, what do you want to do with your detector? Personally, I wanted a versatile detector that I could take to the beach, go to the ballpark with, hit old home sites and even use to ocassionally relic hunt because of where I live. Price was also a factor. Limited funds / married with kids etc. so my limit was $1000 for a NEW machine. Used was out of the question.... I didnt want someone else's problem nor did not want to invest too much $$ into something that I may not like or may not be good at. Didnt want to give it up in a couple of months and not be able to get my money back. I also wanted a proven, dependable and capable detector that would produce; give me some bang for my bucks... be able to find something old, something valuable etc. I did alot of research and asked alot of questions just like you are doing. There were several forums that I visited before making my decision. I got different views about different MDting brands. I also wanted a machine that I could quickly learn and that was simple to use. That was pretty important to me. Finally, I wanted good customer service and plenty of user information. ( I heard about The MXT Edge book too.)

I chose the MXT Pro for all the reasons above and have been totally satisfied with it as my first metal detector. It has exceeded my expectations. In my opinion, its easy to use, easy to learn. Simple turn on and go !! I absolutely love the TONE IDs. IT HAS BEEN VERY GOOD TO ME as I've made a few finds at good depth with it. . This forum has helped me alot and the people are friendly and always willing to offer good advice. I give it my full endorsement and think its definitely worth the $$ if you decide to go with it. I know that there are alot of good choices and good detectors but IMHO, you cant go wrong with the MXT. Hope this helps. Let us know what you decide on. CCH

 

[starvin]

I personally did not buy my MXT PRO! I was on White's looking at the models and my wife saw me go back to this one several times. I received the machine as a birthday gift along with Jeff Fosters book on how to learn the machine. Has it been easy for a newbee? No! It takes awhile, but it has been a lot of fun, even on frozen ground. I was going to buy the V3!, but luck had me when this one arrived.

 

[ExpIInut]

I can buy a ALMOST never been used Minelab ETrac for $1000 retail for $1,900.......... But the money is not as IMPORTANT as buying the RIGHT Detector..... PLEASE convince me WHY I SHOULD buy a MXT or MXT Pro?????? I WANT to be a regular poster and have FUN as you MXT people seem to have.... The MXT seems so much EASIER to run.... Thanks in advance....

I've used the Explorer range since they first came out (as my user name may imply) - I fancied a change and now run and have done for the last year or so an MXT - Do
I miss the Minelabs? YES - would I part with the MXT? NO - both excellent machines in their own way - for ease of use go for the MXT - can I have my $10,000 dollars now

 

[HuntinDog]

MXT,MXT,MXT PRO, MXT, MXT.... let see that's1 2 3 4 5 so $50,000.00 I'm running a little short after Christmas. So when will Whites send the check??

Ok, all kidding aside.
I've had my MXT for about 3 years and love it.
When I was a newbie about 10 years ago a got a Whites 6000 Di Pro SL and thought I would go out and find the "Good" stuff. Well the learning curve on that machine was a little more than I could stand and after about 6 months I gave up and it's sat in my closet ever since.
I haven't used any other brand or machines so I have no comparisons. My point is that if you start out with a detector that requires a lot of adjusting and long learning curve, you may end up discouraged and give up on the Hobie.
The MXT is an easy detector to learn and does very well in the field.
My hunting partner runs a top of the line Garrett and my Whites MXT keeps up if not out hunts him 9 out of 10 times, but like said before "you have to run your coil over it".
If I were to do it all over again I'd still go for the Whites. Their service (if needed) is Top of the line and hard to beat.
You can get some decent prices on the net for New/Used MXTs and have $$ left over for Headphones, Coils and such.
Once you've been hunting for a while you may or may not want to up-grade and like Larry said $1000 bucks is about what Etracs are going for now and no extras.
What ever you decide have fun and stop back by and say HI once in awhile.

HH

 

[YARDFISHING]

Found this with the MXT on January 1st in hunted out frozen ground at 25 degrees and the wind blowing. Just my pennies worth.

 

[RedRockNv]

Whole thing seems like a setup question. I have used the Minelab SE, Explorer II and another model I don't recall. Good machines but a steep learning curve. I have gone over the the same ground with my MXT that I had carefully searched with the Minelab and pulled out more finds. Is one better than the others? I don't know. For a good reason to get the MXT. I point to easy to use and understand knobs no menu's to confuse a user. Easy to setup and go. Comparing detectors is dubious at best as it is the correct user/machine combo that is key IMHO. Use what you have, learn it and buy the best headphones you can afford. Don't buy a thousand dollars worth of detector and five dollars worth of headphones. You would just reduce that thousand dollar machine to the level of the weakest link. Again just my opinion.

 

[jacknh]

I guess I have to agree with most of you here. I'm a newby... bought my detector this last summer but not before I did alot of research. I looked at the etrac and the v3 and various others and I talked with many people on various MDing sites and even people who had other brands of detectors swayed me towards the MXT due to it rather easy learning curve and it didn't break the bank. My wife likes to use it once in awhile and she was pretty amazed at how easy it was for her. I got the MXT edge by Jeff Foster and it's made me love my machine even better. I have the MXT 300 and if my wife should decide that this machine is hers then I'm gonna buy the MXT pro 'cause it has the extra features that I like , mainly the back light for hunting at dusk. Besides all that , this MXT site is loaded with great people who are more than willing to answer your questions no matter how stupid you may feel it is. Get yourself the MXT, a good probe , a digger and The MXT edge and you'll be on your way to a great hobby. You won't be disappointed. We're all looking forward to seeing your finds no matter what you get...... just get out there and start swinging. HH Jack