Safari-Explorer-E-Trac..a bit confused here :rage:

[moseng]

Only been detecting for a short while but hey, I'm hooked what can I say. I am using an ACE 250 now and while I am finding stuff (hence the reason I am hooked), every swing while fun has got me thinking that there might be something there deeper than this thing can't see or recongnize. Not to mention it would be nice if I could be more certain that it's a coin or a ring instead of a bottle cap or you know?

So.. Thinking about getting a Minelab but am wondering what the difference is between the 3 FBS machines and if they will make any difference (to me at least). I mean I read the specs but not exactly sure why I would want the added features of one over the other. Are they just nice to have or is it a case of more tools in the arsenal kinda thing? If the later, then which ones would "I" use? I want to mostly hunt for "old" sutff like coins, jewelry, and perhaps some gold since I live in gold country (California). Although I do intend to hang out a bit in Europe this year which will be nice for that old stuff I was referring to.

So my questions are...

1. What features (in your opinion) might I miss (or soon want) if I were to go with the bottom of the FBS line, Safari?
2. Is the depth these 3 can go the same, or is there a difference and why?
3. Is the processor used the same in them? If not what is in the Safari because I can't seem to find this.

I appreciate any insight you might have as well. Thanks!

 

[marxionu]

The only thing i can tell you is that i had Garrett GTI 2500 before now i have Safari and i dont miss Garrett at all. Depth is better, target ID is better only it takes time to learn sounds.

 

[mikewaz]

I'm in the same boat. I'm due for a new machine and can't decide which one yet. I'd love an ETrac, but it's an awful lot of money for me right now. The Safari looks great, but I've been seing quite a few Explorer SE's on Ebay and the prices on those is more in my range, and then there's always the Sovereigns..... yikes!
Mike

 

[NamVetLesTreasureSeeker]

Moseng, I have been studying those same (3) FBS Detectors for almost (2) months, and I am virtually narrowing it down to the SAFARI. I am currently reading
Andy Sabish's Book on Mastering the QUATTRO(Earlier version of the SAFARI-VERY SLOW Processors, than the SAFARI and a different color, But the same detector), and have already ready his book Mastering The EXPLORER S/XS. I would strongly recommend that anyone considering these models of detectors, either try & buy the books USED or possibly borrow them from friends. That way you can get an
INFORMED IDEA of what the Learning Curve is going to be like, before you put out ALOT OF MONEY for these High End but WORTH IT
(Technology Wise) Detectors!!
But, before I make any purchase
I am going to find a dealer that has demo models, so that I can PERSONALLY HANDLE the SAFARI, and maybe an EXPLORER SE. After (9) yrs., and
having purchased many detectors without handling them, I have LEARNED MY LESSON!! So, I will continue reading the forums on both detectors, until
i can put each detector in my hands, and THOROUGHLY TEST IT with Silver Coins/ Clad Coins/Pulltabs/Screwcaps & some Gold Rings to see firsthand
on how they ID with both the numbers, and More Importantly the (Bottom) Target Graphic ID. Bar!! Hope this helps, BEST OF LUCK, Les Robinson

 

[moseng]

Hope this helps, BEST OF LUCK, Les Robinson

Yep it does help! Thanks! I just started looking through "the Minelab Explorer and E-Trac Handbook". Unfortunately there is very little on the Safari since it is so new. Hadn't thought about reading info on the Quattro. I too hope to test drive before I buy if I can.

 

[Fortunehunter]

I have just upgraded from a Quattro to an E-Trac and I can say without a doubt that the E-Trac is a much better machine than the Quattro. I'll try and answer your 3 questions as best I can.

1. The Safari as you rightly point out is the base model FBS, it is a relative simple machine to learn to operate. There are lots of features it lacks compared to the Explorer & E-Trac. The Safari will only discriminate based on Ferrous readings, the Exp & E-Trac use both Ferrous and Conductivity. The Safari will only show the Ferrous reading of a target the Exp & E-Trac will display both Fer & Cond, which can make target identification a bit easier. The Exp & E-Trac have many more options for fine tuning the way the machine works and for adjusting the tones. These options can be great for people really serious about their detecting but will not necessarily allow the average person to recover more.

2. Basically the depth of the 3 detectors should be about the same. I wouldn't be worrying to much about depth, but more about target separation and identification.

3. I don't believe they would have the same processor as the internal software is totally different in each detector. The E-Trac would have the most powerful processor as it has much more software code to deal with. From what I have read I think the Safari and E-Trac would each operate a similar speed.


Which detector you choose will depend a lot on just how keen you are. If you are only likely to go detecting a couple of times a month then the Safari may well be all you need. But if you think you may get out every weekend then maybe the E-Trac is the way to go. Personally I would only choose the E-Trac over the Explorer as it has a much better menu and screen layout, and apart from that its a lot newer technology. You would also need to consider how technically minded you are as the E-Trac is a way more complex detector than the Safari, but if you are prepared to sit down and learn and understand the E-Trac then it need not be that difficult to use.

A great way to have a play round with the different detectors before you purchase is to download an emulator. There are excellent ones available for both the Explorer and E-Trac from www.minelab owners.com (close up the gap between minelab & owners). Can be a bit tricky to find the emulators on this site but they are there. I don't believe there is one available for the Safari though.

Hope this helps in some way. Whichever detector you go for I'm sure you won't be disappointed.

Good hunting,
Fortunehunter

 

[moseng]

Hope this helps in some way. Whichever detector you go for I'm sure you won't be disappointed.

Good hunting,
Fortunehunter

Thanks for the reply to my questions. I have both the E-Trac and Explorer emulators. Great stuff but still, not like actually swinging or placing a coin, ring, or some trash in front of the real thing. They do give a good representation of the actual device and features which is good. The emulator along with the manuals is certainly a right step in the decision making process. I am thinking I will use things like Smartfind, Quickmask, etc, that are not on the Safari but is it worth the extra $500 for me, that is the question. I can tell you that I am hooked and I KNOW that this addiction... I mean hobby will be with me for quite some time. As for how technically minded I am... well I have worked in I.T. for the last 15 years. I guess you would say I am a geek and so the ability to "tweak" things to my liking is in my nature. If I do buy a Minelab E-Trac that will mean forgoing any additional coils, pinpointer, etc for awhile though.

I still would like to know what processor is in the Safari.... my guess would be the same as the E-Trac only with different firmware.

 

[Onus]

Hmmmm, well according to my manual on the Safari and the information I have seen in the forums and the Safari in hand, I have to disagree on some points. The Safari will discriminate on both the ferrous and conductivity ranges and you can set it up to register on one or the other. She Safari also has the faster processor of the Etrac and will recover much quicker than the Quattro. The Safari is just more of a turn on and go machine than the E-trac, and is a little easier to learn to operate. Some fine tuning can be done, more so than the Quattro, but not to the extent of the E-trac. Onus

 

[moseng]

Thanks for all the help folks! After looking on the net, reading the manuals, more reading..., watching videos, using the available Minelab emulators, checking different manufacturers to see what they offered, and doing this all over again, I made a decision. I decided to take the kids college fund and buy an E-Trac. I am pretty much hooked on this metal detecting thing so I decided the technology of the Minelabs and the extra features of the E-Trac were what I wanted. The Safari is a great machine and I am sure I would not have been unhappy with it and the results it can achieve, but I am a geek and the "tweakability" the E-Trac offers sucked me right in. For those of you still undecided, good luck as it is a tough decision indeed!

Now, does anyone know where the treasure is?