What I would like to see on the next update of the E-Trac detector

[UtahRich]

How about a camoflage kit to make my etrac look like some low-end cheap detector, help keep the competition down.

 

[spdnj]

Can't believe no one has mentioned this, wireless headphones
Other than that I think anything they do to the machine would be more aesthetic, it is one great machine once you learn it.

 

[tippyhound]

A MORE DISTINCT EASIER TO READ TARGET SCREEN. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS SUCH AS SUN POSITION , OR IN THE SHADOWS THE SCREEN IS HARD TO SEE.

OUT SIDE OF THAT THE OPTIONS THIS DETECTOR OFFERS ARE THE BEST AND MOST USEFUL (HELPFUL) FOR LOCATING AND I.D.ING THE TARGETS I'VE EVER SEEN.

OVER THE YEARS MOST OF THE ADD ON'S FOR DETECTORS HAVE BEEN NOTHING MORE THEN BELLS AND WHISTLES. FEW ACTUALLY IMPROVED YOUR RECOVERING MORE TARGETS.

THERE'S A LEARNING CURVE TO THIS MACHINE BUT ONCE YOU GET IT DOWN WHAT IT HAS TO OFFER WILL DO NOTHING BUT IMPROVE YOUR CHANCES OF TAKING HOME MORE GOODIES. RICK-ILLINOIS

 

[EladSwerdna]

I know this might be a dream, but I have always wanted a GPS integrated into a metal detector. That way when you find something you can choose to save the readings and location of anything you wish to mark.

I know you can do that with a seperate device, (and I do sometimes) but wouldn't that be cool?

 

[Nick A]

Can't believe no one has mentioned this, wireless headphones
Other than that I think anything they do to the machine would be more aesthetic, it is one great machine once you learn it.

Wireless adapter for my current headset, maybe. No new headphones for me. I'm so used to the sounds of my old Grey Ghosts I can't give them up. I tried switching out to different high quality pairs I had once, and the sounds are completely different to me. I suppose I could learn a new headset, but I seriously doubt Minelab would supply as good a quality OEM headset as aftermarket ones.

 

[diggernash]

1. Adjustable break points for two and four tone modes.
2. Independently adjustable pitch for those tones.
3. LiPo batteries
4. A good screen, something in the range of a middle ground smart phone screen.
5. integrated GPS with qwerty key pad for entering dig info or touch screen with virtual keyboard
6. clock display
7. wireless connectivity to my desktop for dumping GPS, dig info
8. individual response for individual frequency responses to same target, maybe display 3 to 5 at a time, user selectable
9. blue tooth connectivity for head sets

I think all those are easy to implement. The LiPos, screen, GPS, bluetooth, and wireless would certainly add hardware cost. I think the others would be mostly programming changes. It would be nice if they could obtain their chips from one of the smart phone/tablet chip providers as most come with all of the above. Of course we would need and want a much larger battery.

Now the wish list item... A very limited capability integrated GPR unit. you would only need 18" of depth, but could get very accurate depth and sizing information for metallic objects. It takes practice, but for our use I would think that being able to say, "I have an object approximately 1 inch wide at a depth of 5 inches" could be very valuable. I know some like the anticipation. What can I say, I wanted to know if it was a boy or girl as soon as possible too. ; )

 

[101numlock]

i would really like to see a new screen design with a glass screen that you can use screen protectors for (like a smart phone) with the same type of buttons just below the screen similar to the layout of of whites(god help me!). I would also like to see them stiffen up there shafts to stop the infamous minelab wobble. Another feature that would be cool it the ability to load to diff modes into the quick-mask button, for instance you could hunt in ferrous 2 tone and with the push of a button you could switch to your alternate coin program.

 

[kevinslack]

im just happy with the way my e-trac is. 8 silver coins last week. and i hope to do it agin this weekend. running TTF in auto and the sensitivity goes up to 28 at the spot im hunting. but you do need to move the coil very slow to pick up the deep coins. i do wish they would be alot cheaper to buy, because the e-trac does cost alot of money by the time you get all the good things for it.

 

[SilverSeeker247]

How about just being able to buy the control box separately if your upgrading from a explorer SE. Since all the other parts are the same coils,up and lower shafts and batteries. They do this for most power tools these days. That would help lower the cost the most.

 

[BOIdaho]

I would like it if they could get all of the power in the coil to come out of the bottom, shield the sides and the top. This would allow me to get closer to playground equipment and boat docks.

 

[Diggler]

The things they can cram into a phone today... lots of these requests have to be doable. I would just like to be able to select, or at least observe which frequencies are being used.

 

[nge]

Nobody realizes the reason Minelab does the things they do........ It's called " Business" plain and simple. If they put all the reasonable, asked for upgrades into one machine, they would be out of business in short order. Why would anyone buy the next NEW machine? look what happened with the original SE. They stank with the factory coil, ( I really believe that was a prototype ). So they came up with the "DD" coil, and re-named the Machine SE Pro. Why do you think VW was so successful with the Beetle,they kept the same platform (body style) for years, every couple years change something and call it the NEW BEETLE for 1973...1974,1975 etc, etc. Minelab could call their new Etrac,The new self defrosting, easy to read, sooper dooper-pooper scooper, self defrosting, easy to read, automatic target retrieving, do all, never need upgrades, add all the different size "DD" coils. And then sell the whole works for just $800.00!!! Just a dream my dear friends, just a dream. And remember, auto companies do the same all over the world, why make an engine that will last way over 500,000 miles, they would never make money selling replacement parts for that engine. Those days are over, unless they sell parts due to an accident. I have not used my new Etrac (frozen tundra) I am sure I will be very happy with it............For awhile.........I think..........NGE

 

[Deep Digger]

1- A button on the keypad that switches between 2 seperate tone modes.
2- Any kind of screen besides the the omni-sun glaring one that's on it now.
3- It HAS to be lighter, or made to come apart so I can make a straight shaft for it
like I did for the equally tank like arm destroying Excal 2. Make it feel like a detector you
can swing with comfort without adding a swing support. It's a metal detector, not a backhoe, therefore
it should feel like a metal detector and not a backhoe!
Other than that it's as good as it gets.
Deep Digger

 

[Jason in Enid]

NGE, take a deep breath, let it out, and relax. We aren't trying to get Minelab to change anything, we know they probably dont care what a few people on an internet forum think. We are just brain storming and talking outloud for our own amusement.

 

[techtony]

With the ability to hook directly to the computer it would seem that the E-Trac could be repaired via technology... Maybe you would not have to send the computer in for repairs just hook up to your home computer and allow the computer to trouble shoot the problem. This could be similar to getting a 'check engine' light alarm in your vehicle where you can take it to a Auto Zone where the people hook the device to your car and it tells the problem. You could know the problem before you send it in, or find that the problem can be made by a reprogram though the internet connection. We have the best detector in the world...let it really shine!

 

[silverman]

Better arm cuffs from the factory. I hear the aftermarket ones are great, but the ones it comes with are terrible. And, a small light that fits on the end of the lower rod, so I can see after dark.