MineLab E-trac VS XP Deus

[rjm]

From memory the ET is 3.5 lbs+  (without battery and 4.8 lbs with battery) !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Deus is 998 grams (from memory)........     (1.9 lbs)

[Bryn81]

wow that is a big difference. something to consider i guess.

whats the Deus like on the beach any idea?

[rjm]

I've extensively used the Deus on the beach (wet sand) and it works fine. Had loads of rings and coins.

However, the Minelab is king, probably the best being the Sovereign.

I've used the Sovereign (had two over the years) and it just loves wet black sand.....and goes deep!


Later this year they are bringing out a coil mod which will enable you to hunt totally under water (with the Deus control box in a waterproof I-pod bag and waterproof headphones)

I have the waterproof bag and headphones (about £6 total off E bay) and await the coil mod. Now there's something the Sovereign can't do!

[Bryn81]

sounds like the Deus has really impressed you? guess i just need to make a decision and stick to it 

[rjm]

Yes I'm impressed.

The E Trac is very good but I just couldn't cope with the weight which is the same as the Safari.

If you do the beaches a lot  then picking up an E Trac for about £800 is very tempting.

[Bryn81]

i have alot of farm land where i live with roman villas,settlements and also a desserted medievil village so this will take up most of my time.

like the idea of beach detecting tho, lot of money to be found and rings 

[rjm]

I should add that these are my opinions and some may not agree!

My friend uses an E Trac (and does very well) but fancies a Deus for extended use such as on rallies.

A Deus on interest free from Regton has to be tempting. Bear in mind that a 13 x11 coil is due out for the Deus later this year (no one knows the cost but guesstimates are £400-£500) so if this puts you off you will have to be happy with the 9" standard coil...

Decisions, decisions !!   LOL  



I shouldn't really be answering as I'm a converted Deus lover: As you can see.  

[Bryn81]

is this new coil going to make £400 worth of a difference do you think? and how much do you think the mod that allows it to be used underwater would cost?

 i guess the Deus has a lot of potential as its really still quite a new detector on the market.

its my birthday sunday so i need to decide by then 

[rjm]

Personally I'd go for the Deus for it's lightness, fast response, versatility and quick learning curve.

If you don't like it you will get most of your money back.

The 9" coil is sufficient and more than capable. I'm a detecting geek and an old fool and can afford to buy the new coil.
Whether it's worth £400+ is down to personal choice.

The coil mod shouldn't be very much. It's more like an aerial to allow the wireless signal to travel through water. I'd guess £50.

The headphones on the Deus are lovely to use. In summer as they are so light and airy and winter as you can have them under your hood or cap.

On the beach, put the control box in the waterproof I-pod bag and you've nothing to worry about damaging. The bag I have has a cord which I tie around my waist. It's see through and even good to use on land when the weather is foul.

[nfl]

jeez buddy you could buy 2 etacs ,for the same money as a Deus with a new coil ,,,,was considering beetween the 2 for the end of this year think i will be staying minelab,,makes more sense finantially and new coils are half the price.

[rjm]

I know, I know............    I said I was an old fool   

[Bryn81]

i wonder what kind of extra depth you could get from that new coil tho? as said by paulywow its taking the cost of the detector with the new coil to around £1800.

guess the main question is is it worth the extra £££ instead of buying the etrac? i must admit i am still tempted by the Deus tho.

 i just want as many finds as i can get like any detectorist and its deciding which machine is going to do that for me

[rjm]

The new coil is designed to get most out of the 4khz frequency and getting larger items at very good depths.

Who can say how deep it'll go. Depends on many things such as soil and object conductivity/size etc.

Obviously it will go deeper than the standars 9" coil but if hammered coin hunting you may well find that the 9" coil will be better.

[Bryn81]

ok well thanks for your info its been very helpfull guess a trip down to evergreen on saturday is on the cards to test both machines. think the Deus has my money tho

[nfl]

i think its the area you detect and the nature in which you detect which determine how many finds you make, i know some machines are better than others but just cause someone has a £5000 tecter dosent mean they will find gold sovs in a bag of compost