I have been watching this and other forums closely for the past few weeks listening to all the different comments and hype about this new animal the Explorer. I did go out and get one and have been playing with it extensively in the past week and have come up with a few of conclusions. Before I go any further I must say that I am NOT an expert or dealer, just someone like you that enjoys new toys and a challenge.

Conclusion #1: There is a TOTALLY new concept/technology being used here that most NONE of us has ever played with before and that is the ability for the Explorer to read/measure objects by its level of FERROUS CONTENT. This is shown by where the cross hair positions itself horizontally on the Smart screen. Where the cross hair ends up vertically is where the target is measured by its CONDUCTIVITY, what most other detectors determine targets using and what we are all use to dealing with. Another way the machine lets us "measure/gage" the FERROUSE CONTENT is by going to the main menu, going to "audio", go to "Sounds" and select "Ferrous". What this does is lets us hear the tones in relation to how ferrous the target is, NOT what the conductivity is like we are use to with other machines like the Sovereign for example. I think this new ability to read the ferrous content right along side with reading conductivity is what is going to throw most people for a loop and cause the most frustration. (We just don't understand it yet) In order to fully understand/use this new technology will require us to "re-learn" how to detect. Sort of like re-learning how to ride a bike if we are to get the most from this machine. Only time and use will determine if this new technology will be of any use to us but I feel once we understand it, it will be a great benefit, we just need to be able to understand it.

Conclusion #2: A few people have already done this test and that is to try to program the machine to ignore pull tabs but still pick up everything elts. I have done the same thing and had the same results as everyone in that when you edit out all the pull tabs you have hanging around you will loose all your nickels and most of your jewelry. I then remembered back to a post from Andy a while ago where he stated that he was testing in a really trashy area and noticed that most of the pull tabs where the same and that he programmed the machine to just reject those particular pull tabs and was still able to pick up the good stuff. Well folks, IT WORKS! If you use the small cursor when you program the machine to learn/discriminate different items you will find that the ability to tightly "notch" out particular items is the best out so far. The closest that comes to mind is the Whites XLT with its -95 to +95 VDI numbers that each number can be taken out individually if wanted. The notching ability of the Explorer is ALMOST infinite (not quite) and I feel the reason for that brings us back to the fact the machine measures the target for its ferrous value besides its conductivity.

Conclusion #3: This is not an easy machine to learn. Lots of people where looking for that "silver bullet". And it just may be but not how we are all use to detecting so lots of people are getting frustrated. In order for even a seasoned professional to become proficient with this machine is for them to start from scratch. I would personally suggest that you sit down with the machine on a table, the instruction book and LOTS of different targets and go through the instruction book page by page doing all the "tutorials" that are in the book. Do not go to the next page until you understand exactly what you have done. Yes, there is the "Quick Start" and you can detect with it straight out of the box but as some of you have already found, you wont understand what is going on half the time. If you don't have the time or patients to learn something totally new, this machine is NOT for you. Remember, keeping an open mind with this machine is key. It is NOT anything like any other machine you have used and needs to be treated as such if you wish to become proficient with it.

Conclusion #3: What I call "minor" design flaws. The coil stand has GOT to go! Looks like an afterthought if I ever saw one. I will be first in line to get a stand that attaches to the battery compartment when someone comes out with one. Like Carl stated in an earlier post, the screen and push pad area is going to be really susceptible to getting dirty and it doesn't look like it will be an easy or inexpensive task to replace it when it gets scratched to badly. I personally would like to see a sort of clear plastic "rain bonnet" for the control box. It would protect it from dirt, scratches and could be replaced easily and inexpensively.

In closing I think that Minelab has a winner here. A few people will be let down cause it is not like your "old machine" and is not easy to use right out of the box. It will take a lot of "re-learning" but those who decide to make the commitment to keep an open mind and lean something new I think will be pleased overall with this machine. HH Will

• Re: My personal observations with the Explorer so far (Long post) Mike (CO) 14:41:35 1/24/2000 (0)