The New E-Trak by Minelab uses a USB. FINALLY.

[JASONSPAZ1]

If you search my posts you can see a post I put up a few months back asking why the hell Metal detectors have not embraced the use of a PC and a USB cable to make metal detector settings. I guess Minelab listened. Here is a picture of the screen, and you can clearly see the symbol and port for the use of a USB.
It is about time.

 

[JASONSPAZ1]

I was the first to make the prediction about the USE of USB cables in a metal detector.

http://www.findmall.com/read.php?18,678031,678031#msg-678031


Of course this is all in good fun. I am not thinking I am all that and a bag of chips now.....lol
I just like to think Minelab read my post.....lol
Or I am a bit psychic

Take care

JASONSPAZ1

 

[Hard Nosed Dave]

I imagine you'd like to think that this is the case , being a bit physic that is. Crikey, I'd like to think I am as well...... though I know I'm not and I bet you aren't either....just good at guessing maybe?



Your mention of the idea of usb connectivity was as recently as March 10, 2008 02:17PM. Great idea by the way. One of the many that we have wanted and waited for.

If you go to this thread and follow the discussion' the allusion to USB connectivity to the Explorer and some other good ideas is clearly made by these good folk.

http://www.findmall.com/read.php?19,407351,407351#msg-407351.


I also remember that for the EX XS or the EX2, access to an external usb or (connection to an serial rs232 interface that the Explorer has inside it anyway) was being talked about in 2001/2002 on this forum.

I don't recall who mentioned 'cause if I did, I would link to the thread.

In the meantime, Minelab did bring out an external interface for one of their GP products a few years ago which many felt was very revolutionary in terms of detectors.

Many have also asked for some other things for the Explorer from that Minelab, that they had eventually given us through the differing and evolving versions of the Explorer.

So far, they've given us some pretty good improvements...........although the color display screen, built in gps and.....tahdah............a built in viewable digital clock.....of all things, might be handy.

I wonder if the USB port on the E-TRAC takes a blue-tooth dongle for wireless connectivity to a pc's usb interface.

Not to worry too much though. Our "prayers" to Minelab( rather our requests) have been answered and we've all won by the release of this great new detector from Minelab.

David Di

 

[brissietex]

n/t

 

[Hard Nosed Dave]

or any other transmitter dongle to a head set that will probably also use the E-TRAC's power through the usb which means you'll only need to put separate batteries in your headphone.

Great if it were possible. Theoretically it should work.

It's one of the first things I'll try , HOPEFULLY tomorrow.


David di

 

[Hard Nosed Dave]

n/t

 

[sangamon]

'spoze u think tha world iz round also?

 

[Gary in Daytona]

n/t

 

[Mike Bearden]

Hard Nosed Dave is right .... as already mentioned ... USB connectivity is not new to Minelab and it was only a matter of time.

JASONSPAZ1 ... Registered: 08/04/2006 12:53AM .... take my word it if you want ... if not that's OK too .... however, the current Findmall archives don't even go back far enough to reach the legit dates as to when this very thing was posted about many times over by Explorer users from way back.

When this forums FORMAT changed a few years ago ... some of this archives were unfortunately permanently lost ... and YES it has been mentioned as hopeful updates to the Explorer series for years and years.

This is simple TRUTH that Minelab DOES listen to the end users of their products.

The E-Trak has been explained to me by Minelabs ( people in the know ) that is what we've all been waiting on ... a Explorer on STEROIDS with all the bells & whistles ... and I'm COOL with that

MInelab Rocks

Mike

 

[bfodnes]

They read the forums and they listen,, at least to the guys wanting a usb connection..

Guess the "very few" of us that wanted a better balanced lighter machine was a minority.

After some years detecting and you start to enjoy the outdoors and the detecting itself,, comfort becomes high priority.

For me its a much higher priority then connecting the machine to a pc...

Guess maybe ill get a new housing and upgrade my modded xs.... its perfectly balanced....

 

[Mike Bearden]

But until you actually put a E-Trak in your hands ... you won't know how it feels ( balance wise ), neither will I or anybody else.

Somehow I just knew that folks would start complaining before they ever touched one, just goes with the territory ... I don't envy Minelabs job in trying to keep everyone happy.

I have close to 7000 hours of actual hunt time with the S, XS, EX II, and the SE Explorer series over the years, tried many others along the way but always trust the Explorer overall.

You are 100% right though ... the Explorers main faults have always been the weight & overall ergonomics ... especially for folks that like to hunt all day whenever possible.

Did not intend to step on anyone's toes ... just think we need to give the E-Trak a chance to prove it's worth before condemnation.

 

[Hard Nosed Dave]

n/t

 

[bfodnes]

Hi.

Thanks, it was really an easy task to mod it that way, only miss was that i melted the rubber grip when i was welding aluminium.

Actually my XS has more then 5000 hours too and i got a frozen shoulder from it twice, thats why i modded it.

Youre right ofcourse, i dont know the balance of the E-Trac, but I wanted to see a new top of the line Minelab in the X-Terra design.

Not bashing it, from the spec it looks to be the best Minelab coin/relic machine to date.

As I say, I want a new housing for my modded one.....

Regards.

bjorn

 

[mattockman]

n/t

 

[slow_n_low]

Hi all just joined your forum you should be ok with this one its lighter with the pro coil on and the angle of the handle is different, ive has a go with it and compared the faint just about out of reach signals with the SE, well the Etrak gave more solid and pronounced signals. Iset set the machine up as close as dam it to my program, the good thing is that i know with a little more tweaking i can get extra out of it as there is more to fiddle with
Only 25 mins to go for the video release