DetectingWales.com

Hey all was unsure wether to post this here or in the Minelab section but here goes....

I am fairly new to this game and have been using a Garrett Ace 250 for the last couple of months and not really found much to get excited about  :-[

But I am already thinking about upgrading the 250 as I am getting more serious and obsessive about 'tecting. Yes I know it's a great little starting machine but I feel I am already outgrowing it. I have been doing a fair bit of research and quite like the look of the Minelab machines.

From what I can see the E-Trac looks a bit too daunting for my limited experience and thus I don't think I am ready for such a machine. So I have narrowed my choice down to the following (in order of my current preference to where my heart is swaying!):-

Minelab Explorer SE pro
Minelab Safari
Minelab X-Terra-705

Obviously there are 3 distinct price brackets here (although price is not my main concern). I was wondering if anyone had any clear reasons which machine would be best to go for?

As mentioned I am fairly new to this game but not afraid to learn with the right machine (E-Trac a little too steep a learning curve though!). I want an all round maching that is suitable for both land and beach and something that will actually start turning up some decent finds with greater stability and more depth that the Ace 250.

As hinted above I am kind of swaying towards the SE pro but not sure if it's right for me at this stage and warrents the extra money over the Safari? But then again I don't want to be thinking of upgrading again anytime soon so I want a future proof machine that will last me a couple of years.

Thoughts? Suggestions? Preferences? and any help that may sway me to one of the above?

Thanks all,
Jonathan

JRD , Dont let the Etrac worry you fella. The  Etrac is not as confusing as some would have you believe. I went from a Whites DFX to the Etrac. Granted the first few times out I was scratching my head and getting splinters , but honestly the etrac is a doddle compared to my DFX. Once youre set up its switch on and go.

Why a minelab , i've just bought the new Teknetics g2 its set up for Euro conditions, worth looking into other makes , its is all according how much you want to spend

Hi again JRD.
OK firstly,  if you can put one foot in front of the other then you can use the Etrac, The SE Pro is, I believe more difficult to get to know for a relative newcomer and even this only takes a few weeks.
The Safari is a lovely machine, but is a halfway house and on paper gives no better performance than the Xterra 705 which in itself is a lovely light machine and is a joy to use and has made some lovely finds not least by myself.
So my recommendations would be either the Xterra 705/505 or the Etrac.
.

Is it 6volts , i haven't read that anywhere?, mind you , i also couldn't find what batteries it takes.

Hi JRD
I echo Geoff's sentiments the x-terra 705 is a super machine, I also have had some super finds, Are you at the rally on Sunday if so I will bring the 705 for you to try for the day
Pipster

4 normal AA batteries Mike

where did you read this Taff , i have researsced the machine and i can't find any mention

http://www.metaldetectorshop.co.uk/shopping_cart/metal-detectors/teknetics-metal-detectors/teknetics-t2-metal-detector/prod_61458.html (http://www.metaldetectorshop.co.uk/shopping_cart/metal-detectors/teknetics-metal-detectors/teknetics-t2-metal-detector/prod_61458.html)

Ok taff its the same as the T2, so it must be okay , i am relieved

Hi all - thanks for the replies thus far.

Mmm! food for thought! I thought the E-Trac was hardcore and difficult to master, it's interesting Geoff that you say the SE Pro is more difficult and the Safari is not good as the 705 - that's really upset my plans lol  ;D

The 705 tho has this got all the Full Band Spectrum (FBS) like the SE? This feature sounds quite impressive?

Thanks Phil I am at the rally Sunday so would appreciate a quick demo and if anyone else has any of the other Minelabs mentioned also I could have a look at at would be most helpful.

So the E-Trac or 705 then? Anyone else with any other views? Anyone recommend the SE pro or Safari?

Thanks all,
Jonathan

JRD I'm using my Etrac and youre welcome to have a go of that if you like. I do more talking than detecting anyway, so someone may as well make use of the machine...  ;D

Thanks Rob and Phil - that will make choosing easier

JRD there is nothing wrong with the SE in fact I love them but the Etrac is just a newer version of the explorer series and is just a bit more stable and user friendly.
No the Xterra is not FBS but has changeable frequencies by the use of different coils. The Xterra isn't better than the Safari it is about the same.

Thanks Geoff sound, clear advice as always - appreciate it mate.

Swaying now back to the E-Trac much to the wife's amusement! (No love I promise I won't spent £1000+ on a new machine)

Haha just noticed I have switched over from a Newbie to a Jr. Member - thats it I definately deserve a 'tector upgrade to match my new found status  ;D

 I'm not detecting on the day, and i'll have my mid range Whites M6 with me , you can have a go of that too if you wish

The x terra is a brilliant detector, my finds rate shot up when i had mine. I also have an e trac and if i were told that i could only have the one machine i would choose the x terra without any hesitation.
John.

after using the se for a couple of years now and with brill results my next upgrade has to be the E ;D ;D

Thanks all appreciate all the reviews

Any other opinions please fire them across as I am STILL undecided.

The x terra is getting a lot of love and I am tempted but I really fancy the Full Band Spectrum (FBS) system on the Safari, the SE Pro or E-Trac - anyone have an opinion on this is it worth the extra wonga?

the explorers are notoriously heavy....apparently the etrac is much lighter... ;)...byron

Well I had A Quattro when I first started Four years ago and still use it. Earlier this year I bought a SE pro and after a couple of months I still basically need a lot more using and understanding before I would be confident enough to use all the time. I still find a lot of things with the Quattro and pretty much know what the signal it gives means what I will find. At the end of the day it will be the money that will be the choice as the three different machines you mention have a  five hundred pound difference between the lowest and highest priced new. Anyway at the end of the day you still got to walk over it to find it. Good luck with your purchase.

Thanks All.

After all the reviews, advice and my on line search of reviews and videos - I am pretty much swaying toward the E-Trac.

I am hoping to have the patience to wait until after Sunday where I hope to have a good look at one in the rally, but knowing me I will probably buy it tomorrow  ;D

OK I warned you all I could not wait  ;D

I have ordered an E-Trac - should be here next Mon/Tue - Whoop whoop!

Thanks for all your help in deciding.

Time to learn and enjoy, hope you like it

me too mine came yesterday can't wait to try it  ;D

What you bought Phil