Question for the Minelab guys....and gals.

[DiggerinVA]

I am not new to detecting but will be new to minelabs.....my question is: What is the difference in the Etrac, Safari and the Explorer's? I have hunted around Etrac's and have done the most research on them. I like the less weight, easier operation and less money of the Safari, but what am i losing? I want this machine for old, deep coins and a few trips a year to the beach.....thanks.

 

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Hope this helps. I have a Safari so if I can answer any of your question just ask.....

 

[CoinandRelicMan]

ETrack has way more discrimination adjustments and audio adjustments, Safari I would call a turn on and go it has many less settings. After using the ETRAC my Safari rarely gets used as I don't understand its language anymore and always did have the deep crushed can troubles with it. Once in a while i get a deep crushed can but its not prevalent at least .

 

[cudamark]

I am not new to detecting but will be new to minelabs.....my question is: What is the difference in the Etrac, Safari and the Explorer's? I have hunted around Etrac's and have done the most research on them. I like the less weight, easier operation and less money of the Safari, but what am i losing? I want this machine for old, deep coins and a few trips a year to the beach.....thanks.

Of the three detectors you've mentioned and the type of detecting you plan on doing, I'd recommend the E-trac, Explorer, and Safari, in that order.

 

[masterjedi]

I have been detecting since the 70's.... I have a new Etrac and had not used a Minelab either.... Its is really awesome on coins in open fields/low trash areas... Its slower but the VDI is the most accurate I have seen... I have my F75SE for speed and trashy/iron infested areas...

 

[Olegrumpy]

Some say the Safari isn't as deep as an Explorer, but in practice, I never noticed much difference.

I did not want to spend big money on a new Etrac, so I waited till a real bargain crossed my path : an Explorer II with very low mileage. I do NOT believe the Etrac is deeper, coil for coil, and the CTX has to be swung above WET salt sand to beat those two in the depth departement, something like 2 to 3 inches on coins.

Plus the Explorer's smart find screen has iron left and non iron right. Tha't what I always have known when I started to swing primitive detectors years ago. I can't get use to the below/above screen of the Etrac, but that's just me.

A 2nd hand Explorer (II or SE) will repay itself faster, just avoid the slimline coil on the SE.

Grumpy

 

[Professor of Engineering]

Hello DiggerinVA,

I bought a used Explorer SE (new pro coil) and an Explorer II at very low prices. Both detectors are very deep and return a lot of information (visual and audio) to the operator. I do not use much discrimination on either machine and move the coil slow and scrape the grass while swinging. I believe you cannot go wrong if you purchase one of these used. Getting them repaired may be a problem due to cost…etc., but if you get one cheap, think of it as a “use it till it breaks” machine.

Regards,

Doc

 

[dirtscratcher]

For an introduction to fbs I would recommend finding a used explorer. I recently found a ex11 for $275 and it came with the old fbs800 coil. These kind of deals are out there. That way if you don't like it you can still get your money back.

 

[CoinandRelicMan]

For an introduction to fbs I would recommend finding a used explorer. I recently found a ex11 for $275 and it came with the old fbs800 coil. These kind of deals are out there. That way if you don't like it you can still get your money back.

That is a great deal! The price on that coil has skyrocketed, I'd keep that coil if the detector dies even to use on a safari or etrac!

Sent from my XT830C using Tapatalk

 

[Kevin in IN]

Another you may consider, is soverign, no screen to deal with, tornado coils go deep, and it's a very good beach machine. Kevin

 

[Metal Detecting Stuff]

Great input from the posters I also feel the Minelab E-trac is very close in performance to the Explorer II, the Safari follows behind those two units and is priced accordingly.

Wayne

Metal Detecting Stuff

 

[Longhair]

Really, the technology is the same on all of them, so the most significant differences are features.
The Safari being Minelab's bottom of the line FBS unit, it has the fewest features. Displays only CO, least refined DISC, No GB controls, no backlight, etc...
The Explorer series is no longer produced, but was considered by many as the middle model. Displays FE/CO, better disc, auto Sens capable, Iron Mask, backlight, etc...
The E-trac is the top of the line, with the finest DISC, FE/CO display with "12 Line" normalization, fastest processor, (though it also has more to do than it's predecessors), and the most user adjustable features.