Racer 2 arrived today

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My Racer 2 arrived today. I have to say that I am very impressed with the quality and solid build of this detector. My only minor nag is that the stock coil is a brick! You could run this thing over with a tank and not hurt it. It does make a super light detector a bit nose heavy, but all in all, nothing too severe. I also have the smaller coil so that would probably make a big difference (even though the small coil is pretty hefty for its size as well!). You certainly can't say they made a flimsy coil!

It went together in minutes, the cam locks are probably some of the best I have seen on any detector. They don't jam like other locks are prone to. Nice touch to have the battery box and the screen covered with a nice protector. No more taking off your shirt to cover up the machine if you get caught out in the rain. (A definite plus for spectators!).

I was very impressed with how quickly and securely it ground balanced. No problem getting used to push forward for ground balance. My other machines are pull back, but really it's not like there's a learning curve! Two or three pumps and it is quiet as a mouse. Nice.

I haven't really put it through it's paces yet, but I did take it into my coin garden which is located in an EXTREMELY HIGH EMI area. My V3i simply fails to find anything there deeper than 4" regardless of any filter settings, gain adjustments etc. The Racer 2 hit 90% of everything there with no trouble. More impressive was the fact that it hit a 6" nickel that has eluded almost every other detector I have. Nice! I'm looking forward to putting it to the test out in the clean ground.

Display is very nice and easily readable. Learning it won't be much of a stretch. The VDI number are, of course, a bit different from what I am used to ,but again, learn them (I mean, it's only a penny, dime nickel, quarter, half and dollar and then some gold items) not expected to be much of a problem at all. I like the tone, not annoying or piercing, and the overload is such that you'll never mistake it for anything else!

Well All I can say is that I am so far very happy with this machine. I was tossed between this and an XP Deus (which I still think has the weight advantage), but hey, there's always room for another machine right?

I already went ahead and pre-ordered the wireless headphones. I have them for my V3i and wouldn't hunt without them. If you have a Racer 2 you should really get the wireless for them. It changes everything.



Well done MAKRO!

 

[nugget71]

Enjoy the R2 and go out and buy a treasure chest.
Your gonna need it lol.

 

[hrefab]

Thank you. I had to laugh about your tag line about careful what you say. I've noticed that some places really frown on not adhering to the 'company line"... LOL That' ok. I'm kind of a rebel myself LOL... I've heard nothing but positive things about he Racer and Racer 2 and did a lot of research before making my decision. I took the small coil out for a drive but I'm not comfortable with it. I have to do more homework on settings for that tiny thing. The large coil seems to be pretty sensitive and I'm well pleased with the way it works.

Now more Forum reading and YOUTUBE UNIVERSITY to get the finer points on setting it up.

 

[kaolinwasher]

sounds good

 

[JFlynn]

The one thing you will see is if you are not an audio hunter you are going to miss out. The machine tells you so much about what's in the ground once you learn it you'll be shocked. The stock coil is superb but the small coil there's nothing can touch it detector wise. Be meticulous with it searching and you will be rewarded. Study your targets very well from all angles and listen before you dig. It will train you.

 

[bleeohio]

What Jfynn says is true. It will go quite a bit deeper than it will id. I was surprised on the three tone how good of a high tone signal I get on a ten inch buried dime with only a flash every once in a while of an id number. The deep mode blows it up . But go on the tones and you'll sure dig some deep goods. Good luck

 

[hrefab]

I was very interested in the Small coil. However, I am a bit off with my settings for it. (of course, I've only had the machine for a couple of hours). Are there any recommended settings to start with using the small coil?
Also, I understand that the small coil is also a DD config? Is that right? Sure looks like a concentric to me.

I AM an audio hunter, but if my machine will show me VDI numbers, then I'll always look at them as well. I like ot have as much informaiton as possible. so tones and numbers are always a good match for me.

 

[JFlynn]

What is the great thing about the machines is the way they alert you as to something "is" there to investigate. You're a coin hunter I think you said. 3 tone, first tone break at 13, second at 78 or 79. You'll hardly dig any zincs. Set the above 78 at 700 hz, mid at 40hz or so, whatever your ears will let you hear that high tone best. Iron volume at 1, a slight buzz. Gain at 90, it makes a difference, lower is ok but good targets sound better to me that high. You'll have to learn what a good short report sounds like. A coin amongst 5 or 8 pieces of small metal all around will give you a sounding glimpse of the high tone. Most of the time you can actually isolate it too. When heavily involved with trash you still just might hear that glimpse of a high tone. IF it does not jump up into the 90s a lot while sweeping but stays in the 79 to mid 80's range it is worth digging or keeps giving you a good coin blipping ID a lot in the slow sweeps it is worth digging. What you will find is your pinpointer can't hardly find the target per there will be several things metal in the plug. Dig and LET the machine teach you, and most of all take your time, and investigate the target very good from all angles with the coil before digging so your mind can learn what you just dug sounds like.

 

[hrefab]

That's great information. Thank you! I set down some coins in the yard to see the different tones, but hadn't gotten to the Tone Break. I like that as I set up my V3i like that so I can tell if I'm getting a coin signal or a trash signal. Naturally, teh VDI numbers are different, but the principle is the same. I had the Gain at 90 as I had seen most of the video having gain set to that value. Now I need to get some time with the small coil to get comfortable with it. The large coil just works straight away. The small one, I think, needs some finessing to deliver the best performance.

I can tell you one thing, and that is that this detector has impressed the heck out of me. Build quality, ease of initial setup and pretty intuitive as well.

With forums like this and experienced users willing to give up some hints and tips, it just makes the whole experience that much better.
I really like the weight. I recently tweaked my elbow and honestly, the V3i, while not a particularly heavy machine, has been giving me a little trouble. I use a sling with it now just to alleviate the strain on my elbow until it heals up. The Racer 2 is so light, even with that heavy coil, that it doesn't bother me at all. By the way, for those who may NOT know it, if you use the strap, it will help immensely in preventing you from injuring your elbow tendons. It functions exactly the same as a Tennis Elbow Brace. That holds true for all machines.

 

[HaroldILL.]

What about Modulate Audio for those that don't know it's deeper targets sound softer. I never really got an definitive answer on that? I think this would be a plus in deeper iron listening for a high tone whisper.
I'm know expert as only detecting a little over 16 years,But that is the way I like to hunt and would be a deal breaker for Me.

 

[Monte]

you will grow to really appreciate your Racer 2 and the performance it can provide.

I set down some coins in the yard to see the different tones, but hadn't gotten to the Tone Break. I like that as I set up my V3i like that so I can tell if I'm getting a coin signal or a trash signal. Naturally, teh VDI numbers are different, but the principle is the same.

Depending upon the types of detecting you do [size=small](Coin & Jewelry Hunting or Relic Hunting, for example)[/size], and the amount of trash present and whether it is ferrous or non-ferrous in nature, you will determine which search mode you will mainly use. Then you can decide which search coil will be mounted and used most often and 'save' all your primary settings to memory so that the Racer 2 will start up in the mode or preference.

As you know, the numeric VDI read-out can vary between brands and models, and can also be different from buried targets than when they are recovered and 'air' checked. That is due to ground mineral make-up, the amount of dryness, dampness and wetness at the time of detection, target depth, and other variables. Still, what you are doing is good to learn the Racer 2's audio potential.

For the bulk of my detecting, which is Relic Hunting or just using the same settings in most urban sites, I like to hear the presence of ferrous junk and have my ID Filter [size=small](Discrimination)[/size] level set at '03', and depending upon the headphones in use I set the Iron Audio Volume to '01', '02', or '03' [size=small](usually '02')[/size] and also have a preferred Tone Break setting.

For me, a Tone Break of '10' and '65' is preferred in the 3-Tone search mode which I prefer for trashier places, especially when using either an 'ORR' or 5½" DD smaller-size search coil. Why do I like '65' for a Tone Break setting? Because most U.S. Indian Head cents and many early Wheat-Back cents from 1909 to about 1920 will register with a lower numeric VDI, similar to the modern Zinc cent, so I like to move those to the higher-pitch audio tone range. You will also be able to adjust the Audio Tone or Pitch in each search mode for your hearing preference.

I had the Gain at 90 as I had seen most of the video having gain set to that value. Now I need to get some time with the small coil to get comfortable with it. The large coil just works straight away. The small one, I think, needs some finessing to deliver the best performance.

Most of the Nokta and Makro FORS and Racer series models have a 2-Tone mode that is hotter or more sensitive than the 3-Tone search mode, so I run the Gain/Sensitivity as high as possible in the 3-Tone option. My Racer 2, usually using the smaller coil due to dense trash and brush and set to turn-on in 3-Tone mode, has a Gain setting of '99' and the 2-Tone mode, usually used with the 7X11 DD coil, has a turn-on Gain setting of '95.'

Why so high, some might ask? Because I have always preferred to operate at the highest Gain level possible or to be 'right-on-the-fringe' of stability, and rather than start out at a lower setting and keep wondering how I I can adjust it and tinker around with little increases at a time, I start out at, or near, maximum Gain. If everything is stable, I hunt away, and if it is a bit noisy and unstable due to EMI, then I just lower it enough to gain stability. With my Racer 2 in 3-Tone mode and a Gain of '99,' I seldom need to reduce it because I hunt far away from most EMI sources. Even in many urban environments with nearby power sources, '99' Gain still handles OK.

Each of us, however, just needs to learn our detector and settings for our hunting environment and be comfortable with them.

I can tell you one thing, and that is that this detector has impressed the heck out of me. Build quality, ease of initial setup and pretty intuitive as well.

Yes, indeed. That's one of the immediate things I noticed when unboxing my original Nokta FORS CoRe and Makro Racer models ... build quality. Then I installed the batteries, mounted a coil, and turned them on only to find that the thinking and behaving parts were as well thought out as the physical package, and they are 'simple,' functional,' and provide very impressive in-the-field 'performance.'

Monte

 

[horikindaguy]

My Racer 2 arrived today. I have to say that I am very impressed with the quality and solid build of this detector. My only minor nag is that the stock coil is a brick! You could run this thing over with a tank and not hurt it. It does make a super light detector a bit nose heavy, but all in all, nothing too severe. I also have the smaller coil so that would probably make a big difference (even though the small coil is pretty hefty for its size as well!). You certainly can't say they made a flimsy coil!

"yes, this is my gripe also. I'm using the 5x10 coil for that reason. too darn heavy Makro! Also they really should have used the T2/F75 shaft design as a model for better ergos....those 2 points are very disappointing...."

I haven't really put it through it's paces yet, but I did take it into my coin garden which is located in an EXTREMELY HIGH EMI area. My V3i simply fails to find anything there deeper than 4" regardless of any filter settings, gain adjustments etc. The Racer 2 hit 90% of everything there with no trouble. More impressive was the fact that it hit a 6" nickel that has eluded almost every other detector I have. Nice! I'm looking forward to putting it to the test out in the clean ground.

"were you using the stock settings? 2 tone or 3 tone?"

Well All I can say is that I am so far very happy with this machine. I was tossed between this and an XP Deus (which I still think has the weight advantage), but hey, there's always room for another machine right?

"R2 was much cheaper than Deus so has the advantage, also the long wait for Deus 4.0 and 5x10 is downright absurd...."

I already went ahead and pre-ordered the wireless headphones. I have them for my V3i and wouldn't hunt without them. If you have a Racer 2 you should really get the wireless for them. It changes everything.

"Dilek says 0ms delay! bs I say, I really hope they're under 40ms, and audio is clear compared to Deteknix, which were a disappointment...."

"R2 is good, thinking Impact will be great....."

Well done MAKRO!

 

[HaroldILL.]

WOW! I got Big timed!

 

[hrefab]

WOW! I got Big timed!

I don't know what that means???

 

[hrefab]

What about Modulate Audio for those that don't know it's deeper targets sound softer. I never really got an definitive answer on that? I think this would be a plus in deeper iron listening for a high tone whisper.
I'm know expert as only detecting a little over 16 years,But that is the way I like to hunt and would be a deal breaker for Me.

I know what you man. I don't think that the Racer2 has that feature. I know my V3i and my AT Pro will get softer the deeper the target is. I sure don't have enough time in with the Racer 2 to make any kind of definitive statement on all the features, but i didn't see that in the manual.. I'll tell you thins though. It sure finds deep targets. I went to teh park today and in an hour had well over a buck in clad, Quarters nickels and dimes and Copper Pennies. No zink

I did notice that the VDI numbers were sometimes a little off but that can be expected. What I was impressed by was a 8" nickel.. Around here, Nickels are hard to find (at least in my experience) for some reason. This thing knocked it right out.. It was so deep that my TRX pinpointer didn't pick it up until I dug the plug.

Another thing I noticed is that the Pinpoint Depth is way off... Then I realized that if you get a strong signal around the 80's.. Say 81 - 86 and it says 1" or 2", if your pinpointer doesn't pick it up, it's most likely a deep can... I could have added another 3 or 4 dollars to my take if I had recycled those cans I dug today LOL...

Getting to know it.. Not really a big learning curve. It's very straightforward. Just have to acclimate to the tones.. I'm going to do some experimenting with changing tone frequency and break points. More to suit my preferences.

 

[hrefab]

Should have said "I know what you MEAN"

 

[HaroldILL.]

The V3I has a Modulated Audio Adjustment of 5 levels from what I see. That is awesome as can be done to your hearing. So does The Etrac and CZ. Not many detectors today have that feature they either do or don't.
Makro likes to listen to customers I hear so they should add this to next model.

 

[hrefab]

The V3I has a Modulated Audio Adjustment of 5 levels from what I see. That is awesome as can be done to your hearing. So does The Etrac and CZ. Not many detectors today have that feature they either do or don't.
Makro likes to listen to customers I hear so they should add this to next model.

Got ya!

Yes, I have a V3i as well and it is just a tremendous machine. The learning curve on it is vertical.. I know people who have had a V3i for years and still don't know all the adjustments. It can be daunting to get immersed in the setups, the tweaks, the finessing and fine tuning to get the machine to do what you want it to do. The Screen is the best anywhere hands down.

Now the Makro Racer 2, from my brief exposure to it bets the V3i in terms of depth and response. I do agree that having the ability to assign tones and manipulate the audio is a really important feature,but the machine itself is so straightforward and simple to use, not to mention light, that it can be deployed and really mastered in a very very short period of time. Ultimately, the purpose is to find things, The V3i will find all kinds of things, show you graphs, scans, readouts and IDs. The Makro Racer 2 will find everything that the V3i will find, and then find things much deeper than the V3i (in my experience) with ease.

Perhpas the Racer 3 will incorporate some nicer features, but for now, I am amazed at the performance out of the box that this Racer 2 has delivered. If you have a V3i, the Racer 2 is a great compliment to it. When you feel like beign a scientist, use the V3i, when you feel like hunting and getting the deep targets, the Racer 2 fills the bill.

the only addition that I made to my Racer 2 is a ground bar to keep it from falling over

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