Safari v. eTrac

[Fletch88]

I too am loving the Safari. Great audio and easy to go from conductive coin mode to ferrous all metal without digging into several layers in control. I use this like quick mask on the Etrac. It is the most overlooked machine I know believe.

 

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[BrettCo124]

Unless it somehow breaks, I will never own another machine other than my safari. It is a monster.

 

[dirtwizard]

same here, I all but stopped lusting after the higher end machines once I started swinging my safari. I was in the process of saving for an etrac when a member here listed the safari used at a good price. I decided I'd rather get a good detector sooner, and can always upgrade if I find something good.

The giant coil the safari comes with covers a lot of turf each swing which can become frustrating in heavy trash/iron. I put a 5" "excelerator" coil on it in that situation, and it can cherry pick small targets all day long, with a bit less depth power as the big coil. Great detector all around. Honestly the only thing I wish it had was a better display with backlighting and better LCD that looks less like a calculator's. It's audio tones are more pleasant to my ears than other machines that beep obnoxiously which is also nice.

 

[BrettCo124]

same here, I all but stopped lusting after the higher end machines once I started swinging my safari. I was in the process of saving for an etrac when a member here listed the safari used at a good price. I decided I'd rather get a good detector sooner, and can always upgrade if I find something good.

The giant coil the safari comes with covers a lot of turf each swing which can become frustrating in heavy trash/iron. I put a 5" "excelerator" coil on it in that situation, and it can cherry pick small targets all day long, with a bit less depth power as the big coil. Great detector all around. Honestly the only thing I wish it had was a better display with backlighting and better LCD that looks less like a calculator's. It's audio tones are more pleasant to my ears than other machines that beep obnoxiously which is also nice.

That's also what makes it so special though. It's simplicity for such an amazing device. You literally learn from it because of its distinct audio tones. The backlight isn't great but I've never had a problem seeing things. I'm almost positive the machine has a nose for silver, lol. I've had many machines in the past, and I've never had issues with selling them to upgrade. This one isn't going anywhere.

 

[Pick_axe]

For me this is a pretty encouraging thread. I just bought a Safari and I'm itching to try it out. I've read more positive posts about the Safari than negative. I can't qualify myself as an expert, but I've been detecting about 14 years with an Excalibur and lately with a Garrett 2500, and an AT gold. Because of the weather* here in the upper elevations I haven't been able to use the Safari yet, but I've air-tested it on everything from gold rings to watches, bus tokens, and as many coins as I can find. Mind you, I understand air-testing is no definitive way to evaluate a detector, but even in my electronically noisy house it impressed me. Totally subjective I know, but I don't think I wasted my money.

* Its snowing as I post this. Forecasts call for 5 to 10 inches.

 

[Keppy]

For me this is a pretty encouraging thread. I just bought a Safari and I'm itching to try it out. I've read more positive posts about the Safari than negative. I can't qualify myself as an expert, but I've been detecting about 14 years with an Excalibur and lately with a Garrett 2500, and an AT gold. Because of the weather* here in the upper elevations I haven't been able to use the Safari yet, but I've air-tested it on everything from gold rings to watches, bus tokens, and as many coins as I can find. Mind you, I understand air-testing is no definitive way to evaluate a detector, but even in my electronically noisy house it impressed me. Totally subjective I know, but I don't think I wasted my money.

* Its snowing as I post this. Forecasts call for 5 to 10 inches.

You can not go wrong with a Safari..

 

[Fletch88]

For me this is a pretty encouraging thread. I just bought a Safari and I'm itching to try it out. I've read more positive posts about the Safari than negative. I can't qualify myself as an expert, but I've been detecting about 14 years with an Excalibur and lately with a Garrett 2500, and an AT gold. Because of the weather* here in the upper elevations I haven't been able to use the Safari yet, but I've air-tested it on everything from gold rings to watches, bus tokens, and as many coins as I can find. Mind you, I understand air-testing is no definitive way to evaluate a detector, but even in my electronically noisy house it impressed me. Totally subjective I know, but I don't think I wasted my money.

* Its snowing as I post this. Forecasts call for 5 to 10 inches.

I wish I was where you are. It's 91 here and 95 percent humidity. Early morning or water hunting is all I do this time of year

 

[BrettCo124]

For me this is a pretty encouraging thread. I just bought a Safari and I'm itching to try it out. I've read more positive posts about the Safari than negative. I can't qualify myself as an expert, but I've been detecting about 14 years with an Excalibur and lately with a Garrett 2500, and an AT gold. Because of the weather* here in the upper elevations I haven't been able to use the Safari yet, but I've air-tested it on everything from gold rings to watches, bus tokens, and as many coins as I can find. Mind you, I understand air-testing is no definitive way to evaluate a detector, but even in my electronically noisy house it impressed me. Totally subjective I know, but I don't think I wasted my money.

* Its snowing as I post this. Forecasts call for 5 to 10 inches.

It will be great to you. Read up on the manual and take good care of it! Let your ears adjust to the sounds, and even though the numbers are promising on the screen, let the sounds guide you more. Thats what makes this machine such a beast. That's my advice.

 

[timelord]

The Safari is a great detector that is overlooked. Just remember if it sounds good dig it. Yes it is a little slow reacting but just go slow and you will find what others have missed.....

 

[Pick_axe]

I wish I was where you are. It's 91 here and 95 percent humidity. Early morning or water hunting is all I do this time of year

Trade you places for a couple weeks, Fletch.

 

[Pick_axe]

Thanks, Bret and Timelord. At my age I don't have a choice but to go slow!

 

[Loco-Digger]

I plan on adding an FBS detector to my arsenal. From what I have learned I will be looking for a used Explorer SE or E Trac. No sense in going to another technology and only getting a 2 digit VDI. I believe the 4 digit will give a better ID. JMHO

 

[IDXMonster]

I plan on adding an FBS detector to my arsenal. From what I have learned I will be looking for a used Explorer SE or E Trac. No sense in going to another technology and only getting a 2 digit VDI. I believe the 4 digit will give a better ID. JMHO

The FE/CO numbers are great,and it's counterpart,the Smart Screen which shows the 2 dimensional reading...whatever FBS you choose,you CANT go wrong,really. Once you've gotten one and actually LEARNED how to use it(which I'm part of the way there!)the thing will blow your mind. I've never seen so many coins come from such depths or out of complete garbage dumps. The trash is where it's at,if you have the patience and good settings. Let us know what you wind up getting for sure!

 

[Jackalope]

My collected database of multiple detector tests show these results on Jewelry (lower is better):

My database on a variety of coin targets. Too many detectors, so it takes two plots to get them all in.

On a variety of silver coins using discrimination with target in the ground (not air testing):

Someone else's detector testing ... next four plots I put together in plot form for convenience of other detectorists' use:

If the results are not what you'd hope it may be because of a limited number of testing tries on a particular target (meaning some targets are heavily tested while others have much fewer results) as more tests help control the outliers (averaging toward the center). Since different coil sizes were used during the tests by different people (each test was unrelated to the others - different people, different time, different soil) it was necessary to normalized the coil sizes to yield meaningful results and make an even comparison, however this introduces some degree of error, so take it all with a grain of sand.

Jackalope

 

[Fletch88]

I plan on adding an FBS detector to my arsenal. From what I have learned I will be looking for a used Explorer SE or E Trac. No sense in going to another technology and only getting a 2 digit VDI. I believe the 4 digit will give a better ID. JMHO

I've had 2 CTX, 2 explorers and an Etrac. I now have the Safari and like it as much as any of the others. Being able to run in coin mode (conductive audio) and then press one button to go to all metal (ferrous audio) is all you need to investigate targets. It has the same depth and a great silver warble as good the Etrac IMO.

 

[IDXMonster]

I've had 2 CTX, 2 explorers and an Etrac. I now have the Safari and like it as much as any of the others. Being able to run in coin mode (conductive audio) and then press one button to go to all metal (ferrous audio) is all you need to investigate targets. It has the same depth and a great silver warble as good the Etrac IMO.

Fletch...I've noticed if I use ALL the tones available(50 tone on the CTX,31 on EX2?,I forgot....) I get the "warble" on certain coins,and silver has its own deal going on,don't know why. Every time I hit a silver dime at 7" or better,it's has that certain quality to the tone that sounds like it's "wavering". I'm beginning to think it's a Minelab thing and it has to do with FBS in general. Sweet sound,the first time you hear it and RECOGNIZE it you'll never forget it!