QUATTRO MP battery life with AA and NiMH?

[JOHND84094]

The Quattro is one of the detectors that I'm considering buying. What is the battery life with both types of batteries. I have heard that you have to go at a slower than normal pace with the Quattro. Is it not a fast detector? Has anyone had any problems with the push buttons on the control panel? The reason I'm asking about the buttons, is that I read an article on the Explorer SE, that the guy said that the buttons were hard to push. He said he was afraid that he was going to break it, because he had to push so hard. I'm impressed with the Quattro's features and good reviews. I would appreciate any feedback. Thanks.

 

[JohnA]

n/t

 

[JohnA]

Got distracted. On my third recharge with 2700 MA NIMH batteries from Thomas distributing. Getting 17 hours plus into one bar, and the machine is still operating perfectly. Haven't taken it down to the shut-off point. Use alkalines as backups. It is slow in trash, but it finds the good stuff very well, especially with the 8" coil. If there are a reasonable number of good targets, you are going to spend most of your time on your hands and knees anyway, so speed isn't an issue. I also own an Excal and Infinium, so I am used to slow detectors. I am more confident in my Quattro than my ACE 250, which is a pretty fast detector, although not as expensive.Don't have a problem with the buttons, tight but work fine and must be durable. Bought mine used in excellent shape, at least a second owner, and it works perfectly. It is built like a tank. Love the machine. If you decide to get one of the Explorers in the future the battery packs and coils are interchangable with the Quattro, so lurking in forums and E-Bay for accessories is a viable option. BTW, used ones don't show up very often. People seem to hang on to them.

 

[beachguy777]

John, definitely go with the rechargeable Nmh batteries, they're the only way to fly in my opinion. I've had my Quatro for a couple of years now and as of yet, no problems with the buttons. So far so good. It's a great, reliable, deep seeking, notch discriminating detector, and when they say slow, I have to ask, How, fast do you want to swing anyway? To me it's not "that" slow, but they also have a fast swing mode that is a little less accurate but identifies targets a little more quickly. I don't care where you detect, I think you'll like this detector, and if mineralization was a problem for you, with this detector it should be a "problem in the past". It is virtually noiseless at the salt water dark sand beaches I detect. Hope this helps. Marc.

 

[beachguy777]

By the way, I don't think there's too many detectors in the world that will go deeper than this one, at this price. I could be wrong, but, according to a whole bunch of other posts by other detectorists will probably support that. I've personally found pennys a foot deep and cans even deeper with a 10.5inch coil. It's definitly a "deep seeker".

 

[JOHND84094]

n/t

 

[beachguy777]

John, I was just re-reading this post, and as kind of an adjunct to it, don't even worry about the batteries, as long as you get two sets of rechargeable, Nickel metal hydride, or Nmh batteries, you'll be fine. Just keep em charged up all the time and you'll never run out of juice. The other issue about the buttons, all I can say is, I haven't had any go out on me so far after about a year or two of ownership, and they aren't that hard to press. Just give em a good press and it'll change modes or whatever one your pressing will do it's thing. I can't say enough about the esability of this detector, because of those buttons. There aren't any dials to turn at all. It's all buttons, and just setting it how you want it. Very user friendly in my opinion, and I've used detectors in the past that were just the opposite. Marc Trainor.