Sunray vs Coiltek vs EXcellerator for a beginner on a budget

[Mojave]

Hi, I am about to purchase my Explorer SE.

I have read that the stock 10.5" coil is not the best coil to start off with.

I am thinking about buying two aftermarket coils, an 8" and a 12". Should I go with the EXcellerator (detech) coils on Kellyco (which I will get at a good discount if I go with them), the Sun-ray coils (I've heard great things) or the Coiltek coils such as the Platypus.

I have decided to hold off on buying the X-1 probe for right now. I will use the free pinpointer for the time being.

Advice welcomed. Thanks!

 

[txbluesman]

I would pass on the 12" coil and buy the probe & the 8" sunray coil. Sell your freebie probe on ebay for $50-$60.

 

[mattockman]

I would stick with the Minelab 8 (7.5)...It has been one great coil for me. Why by other brands. Now the 12" I would say sunray, it is pretty light for its size and works well with Minelab. Just my opinion.

 

[cspene]

n/t

 

[Hotcz70]

n/t

 

[jason_in_utah]

I bought the 8 inch minelab coil first and it is my favorite coil. I have used it for about 2.5 months and love it for it's depth and separation, especially where I hunt. Now I am a newb and the smaller coil has made it easier to learn the tones. That being said I got the sunray probe about 1 month ago and it is GREAT!.

So in my opinion those two items are the single best investments, aside from logging hours, to learning this machine.

Before I got the probe I spent a Lot, repeat A LOT of time in the hole. Now it is dig and on to the next target. Had I got the probe first I probably still wouldn't have the 8 inch coil.

So on a budget you have decide what your real need is IE. pinpointing or smaller coil for all it's benefits.

PS I had the kellyco probe and broke it trying to find a target, snapped it in two...lol

 

[Bill W.]

The 10.5 isn't that bad of a coil to start out with. The hardest thing to do is pinpoint with the older Explorers. Since the SE has VCO it should be easier. Practicing and understanding how to pinpoint with a DD coil is 90% of the battle. Getting the X1 probe would probably actual help a lot. An X1 will allow you to track down your targets more quickly and easily. You can also get iron falses of the edge of the coil. Without a good probe you can spend some time tracking down an iron false. If you have your Explorer setup right you'll be able to tell it's an iron false. But, until you develop an ear for coin vs. falses a probe will go a long ways. If your dead set on a coil I would get the SunRay 8 inch.

-Bill