Questions for Minelab users

[Clad the Impaler]

Ok, so I'm buying my E-Trac sometime between now and the end of March (belated b-day present to myself). I need to decide if I want a sunray on it. Thoughts? I don't want a detector that's so heavy it'll make my arm hurt after only an hour or so. Also, what's the difference between the EXII and the EX XS?? I'm considering one of these two as an eventual secondary/ backup detector (as opposed to keeping my Ace). Thanks!!

[justdigging50]

Hi Paul
The sunray probe is great and I wouldn't want to detect without it. It does add a good amount of weight enough to get your arm a workout. I think it's worth the extra weight.
Hope you get your etrac soon.

[Treasure_Hunter]

Ok, so I'm buying my E-Trac sometime between now and the end of March (belated b-day present to myself). I need to decide if I want a sunray on it. Thoughts? I don't want a detector that's so heavy it'll make my arm hurt after only an hour or so. Also, what's the difference between the EXII and the EX XS?? I'm considering one of these two as an eventual secondary/ backup detector (as opposed to keeping my Ace). Thanks!!

I would give some strong consideration to the DetectorPro Uniprobe...........No extra weight on the detector at all, can be used on all your detectors, and the best probe...........

http://www.detectorpro.com/uniprobe.htm

[Mayo South Elgin]

Hi Paul

I debated over getting a Sunray probe vs getting the Garrett Pro Pointer and I chose the Pro Pointer because of the weight issue. One advantage of the Sunray over the Pro Pointer is it would be difficult to leave it laying near the last hole you dug, like I have done at least 3 times. I've also had it drop out of my pouch once when I checked the time on my pocket watch. As long as you hunt with people that have better eyesight than you, it's not a problem! I really do like the pro pointer in spite of almost losing it several times. This season I think I'm going to spray paint it fluorescent orange or chartreuse.

Regarding the Explorer XS, I have one that I used before getting the E-track. It's a great machine that finds deep targets. I'm not positive but I think the Explorer II came out after the XS. I don't know the difference between the XS and the II.

If you want to try it out just let me know ahead of time and I'll be sure to bring it along next time we get together.

[MR Senior L4S]

Ok, so I'm buying my E-Trac sometime between now and the end of March (belated b-day present to myself). I need to decide if I want a sunray on it. Thoughts? I don't want a detector that's so heavy it'll make my arm hurt after only an hour or so. Also, what's the difference between the EXII and the EX XS?? I'm considering one of these two as an eventual secondary/ backup detector (as opposed to keeping my Ace). Thanks!!

////////////// Garret Pro is OK. ( sunray shoving You VDI # , but very often people leave ""ON"" after scaning plug --------- BIG PROBLEM FOR 90% of detectorist ) EX II is the best from all purpouse MD , EX XS is older brother of ET-- but much worster and very unstable in operation .

[Corinth1812]

I have a sunray on my etrac, and it really doesnt seem to wear me out anymore than when i didnt have it. I used to have a bullseye, i love the sunray, i cant imagine detecting without it.

[kimsdad]

I like the Sunray. It's nice having the ability to tone ID your target with the probe, and like Mayo says, you'll never lose it! There's not a lot more frustrating than trying to backtrack on your random path in the woods looking for a dropped pinpointer while everyone else is still hunting. I know from experience.

If you're worried about weight, mount it back off the handle instead of down the shaft to help balance it a little more. The whole deal is going to be heavy compared to what you're used to, but you will get used to it!

[p2c]

Paul,
I generally love my sunray. Only problem is after a year, it seems to be on the blitz. Constantly falsing, I think a loose internal wire in the coil. But, I would be willing to spend another $200 to replace it. It works now, I am afraid if it gets worse I'll have to get a new one.
The only other problem is making sure you don't bump the coil/probe switch. There have been several times I've been swinging and especially on hillsides my knee bumps the switch and you don't notice it when it happens.
If you are afraid of the weight, just get a 12x15 SEF like I have and then after a few weeks swinging that, you'll be fine with anything.

If you don't go with the sunray, I think the Garret pointer pro is a good option. I've heard sometimes the pistol probe interferes with the e trac (or the e trac interferes with the pistol probe).

Make sure to get Andy S's book when you get your e trac.

[Lowbatts]

The Sunray is an extension of your metal detector, and like your metal detector uses the motion to find the target. You swing around in the hole until it locates the target. It will be a permanent fixture. Like the monkey on your back.

The Garret Pro Pointer is a stand alone product using a simple VCO tone for zero-motion pin pointing. Like the dog that hunts and goes into the weeds for that downed bird.

So they are not only very different animals in theory, they ae very different animals in practice. But both do the same thing, get that target back to you quicker.

It's easier to lose the Garret w/o knowing it and easier to leave the Sunray toggled on while you cover the next 50-feet of ground getting no signals.

So functionally they both do the job. In practice one is far easier to use and the other is far harder to lose.

6 of one and a 1/2 dozen of the other. Price differential? I'm betting there's package deals for both options depending on where you shop.

Backup machine with the Sunray option? Need another whole Sunray unit for it. Especially once you become dependent on that monkey.

Backup machine with the Garret? You can use any one of your guns, the dog stays the same, hunts the same.