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Thinking of getting back into the sport. Which detector should I get?

T

travis1460

Member
Hey everyone it has been a long time since I have posted on here. I used to detect with my friend all the time and now we have went our own ways and I got out of the hobby. I have used multiple machines throughout the years my favorites are the explorer xs "last detector" and sovereign but now I'm wanting a new upgraded machine. I'm looking into the se pro, e track, or safari. Which would be the best recommendation? I know the pros and cons of minelabs but I still love the machines. Now I'm just split between these three machines mainly focusing on the e trac since its the newest latest and greatest but the se pro is more what I'm used to and the safari seems like a simpler old xs type version.
 
I have been in exactly your position.....think of cost. I was going for the safari at first but then considered other possible options. Etrac you would think would be best but I have heard is some cases SE is best.....So I would say....go with price and wont go too far wrong in any case.
 
As far as this is best or that is better... you are always going to hear the next generation is as good as mine. You know the CONS??? You mean there are cons to having an Explorer? Really if you have the money go for the Etrac. I use the SE with a SEF coil and its a great machine. I hunt with a guy that uses the XS and he kicks my butt quite often... so there isnt a real advantage, any of the Explorers do a great job. However, the Etrac has a different look with some really nice upgrades that make it easier to learn and use.

Dew
 
Never owned a Safari but I've owned both the SE and E-Trac and I thought the E-Trac was more stable, better balanced(SE tore me up) and deeper.
 
I agree with dewcon, last summer I started with a used XS then a SE and finally the Etrac. In a 4 month period my finds from parks I've hunted for 37 years were nothing but amazing. I found more barbers, seated and injuns than I had found in the last 10 years. Each machine increased my finds but with the Etrac my silver finds increased dramatically and I dig a lot fewer holes. Just my opionion but learning the Etrac was a snap.
 
the coil.

If you went with the E-Trac you would be getting these same advantages...AND quite a few more new tricks as well:clapping:

I'm not trying to talk you out of an SE...'cause it's my #1 machine....and ALL the explorers are silver killers. I will say though that the E-trac is a snap to learn in my opinion.

It is capable of being taken out of the box and finding an 11" deep silver coin the first time you use it.

I know....because I did it...and it opened my eyes....because I did it in the factory coin preset program..

Dewcon's advice was dead on...and usually is:cheers:

I would give the same...unless you are on a strict budget...I would seriously advise trying the E-Trac.

To me it was a lot like using my SE...only much more "tame"....not as much falsing like I get when running my hot settings with iron mask.:super:

That being said...IF you can find a good deal on an SE pro...or an EX2...don't rule that out either.

Lots of nice used machines from trustworthy forum sponsors right now because many are trading "up".

One more thing I remembered....Actually two advantages to getting an SE pro over the EX2 or XS...as the SE will ID in the all metal pinpoint mode.
 
You might want to pick up one of these state-of-the-art models being used by a club a few weeks ago . . . . .

Seriously, you have gotten some great insight into helping select the right detector for your needs . . . .
 
Hi Bryce,

I'm new to the forum and just getting back into the hobby. Is there really such a thing as "a good price" when buying new? I'm also looking at the E-Trac and SE Pro and no matter what company I talk to the prices are all about the same, including close to identical "freebie" packages. I've always negotiated deals on most everything I've purchased, but it appears that with a metal detector, the only place to find a deal is by going used. However, I'd prefer to purchase new. Any suggestions on where I might look to find a true deal? Maybe I'm looking in the wrong place. I've searched Kellyco and most of the other dealers. I'm surely not cheap, but we all want the best deal we can possibly get. Thanks in advance for your help and any suggestions.

Dom in Jersey
 
With the economy being what it is, everyone is trying to get the best deal possible but when you are looking at a detector that requires more than just "turn a knob and dig coins at 12 inches in high trash", you need to add a few other points into the decision making process.

Do you have someone that can walk you through setting it up for YOUR area and for YOUR type of targets? If there is no one in your area that can help you, you will be like one of those that you see on the forums voicing frustration that they are not finding what they had expected and wonder if they bought the wrong detector . . . with it often showing up on the classifieds at a bargain basement price.

There are some excellent dealers supporting this site that can provide support after the sale and do so on a regular basis but there just as many that have Internet store fronts that do not offer anything other than a label on a box and that can cost you far more than you might have saved in the field. If you do not understand how to set the detector for your conditions and your targets, you might just walk over that gold coin or diamond ring at 10" . . . . leaving it for the next guy to come along. That $100 you saved initially cost you $1,000 in missed finds . . . . .

Minelab has a minimum price their products can be sold at (as do others) which is why the price is teh same across the board. Look at the freebies that are included and put a real value on them . . . . . anyone can say a set of headphones is worth $100 or a digger $75 but if you already have them, what are they worth to you . . . . very little in actuality.

Evaluating what your needs are before the sale (making sure you get the right detector for your needs and budget), selling you what you need in terms of accessories (rather than what was left and bundled up) and helping you through the learning curve all have value and going solely on price has proven to be acostly mistake for many detectorists. On the other hand, if you are confident you know exactly what you need and will no help after the sale, then price may in fact be all that you are concerned with.

There have been countless threads on this very topic over the years and often the poster tosses in the towel and sells whatthey have out of frustration . . .

Just one person's perspective . . .

Andy Sabisch
 
Hi Andy,

Gosh, some great folks on the forum. As it relates to me, money is really a non-issue, but I always try to get the best deal I can on whatever I buy. That's just me. I surely know that the cheapest way can turn out to be the most expensive, so it's surely not just the dollars. I'm very serious about the hobby and nothing I purchase will make it to the classifieds out of frustration. I can handle a learning curve and I'm a stickler for learning all a machine I own has to offer. Would I like SOME ease of use in what I purchase? Absolutely!! Many people complain about a number of detectors and I take many of those reviews with a grain of salt. I fully understand that many of those complaints are due to the user not knowing his/her particular machine. Having been away from the hobby for so long and understanding the technological changes that have taken place over the years, I'm simply looking for a very fine detector (my wife also wants one, BTW), that I can use at the beach and inland, as well. More time will be spent inland at various parks and other areas that so many of us hit, and also areas where I've gained permission to go on the hunt. Trash is a big issue for all of us and that's one of my reasons for inquiring about various manufacturers and models. I'm just looking for some expert opinions on detectors that are well worth a look. There surely are a number of folks here that have the knowledge. Many things we purchase aren't the most expensive, but they do a super job. Thanks for the reply, as your input is much appreciated. Should you need some info from me to help in suggesting a brand/model, please let me know.

Dom in Jersey
 
You can't go wrong with the top three Minelabs- Sovereign GT, Explorer, Etrac. They are all the king of depth and performance on the market today compared to other detectors. I've owned several Explorers but prefer the GT for my specific personal reasons and feel it's just as deep or deeper. If money had allowed I might have went straight to an Etrac. As it stands now I bought a used GT and used coils so down the road I can get most if not all of my money back and buy an Etrac should I feel it would suit my hunting style better. It wouldn't be a depth or performance question over the GT, though, it would be because the Etrac offers some computer controls that I would find useful under specific situations. I miss a few of those on the Explorer but there are also many things I don't miss about it for my personal pros and cons list. Anyone of the three is going to out perform just about anything on the market.
 
Thanks for the input Critterhunter. I think after all my research and some help from the forum, I'm going for the Explorer SE Pro. I'm still not sure what to purchase for my wife. She doesn't want me to spend nearly as much on a detector for her, as I'm going to spend on the Explorer. She won't be on the hunt as much as myself. I just want to make sure I get her something that won't require upgrading for quite a while. Any help on machines that would be worthwhile to look at for the wife is much appreciated. Thanks in advance everyone!!

Best,
Dom in Jersey
 
Then I'd get her a GT. It isn't going to be outclassed by anything on the market now or in the near future. It also will be much easier to set up and use, not requiring her to learn how to set the various computer controls on other machines. You might find that a GT suits your hunting style as well and it ends up being your Go To detector as well. She can also hip mount it right out of the box which will make it much more comfortable to use. That's one of the complaints I had about the Explorer. It didn't balance well for me and even with my GT not hip mounted I still find it less wear and tear on me after a long day. The Etrac is much better balanced than the Explorer and is much more comfortable to use in the field, though I only breifly used a friend's and have not hunted all day with it like I have my Explorers.
 
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