Is the Etrac worth it?

[TheRingFinder]

Hey Caveman -
It's great on dry sand / beach - It's not made for water, though you can detect in the water as long as you don't get the control box wet. Coil, cable and shaft are all fine in the water.
It comes with a dust cover for the control box, and I have hunted in the light rain without issues. Probably wouldn't detect in a down pour.
Good Luck!!

 

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[cudamark]

Hey Caveman -
It's great on dry sand / beach - It's not made for water, though you can detect in the water as long as you don't get the control box wet. Coil, cable and shaft are all fine in the water.
It comes with a dust cover for the control box, and I have hunted in the light rain without issues. Probably wouldn't detect in a down pour.
Good Luck!!

Ditto! The only thing I'd add is: Get the NEL 15" Attack coil for it for beach use. It's a great coil for wide open spaces. Goes deep and pin points well.

 

[huntindog1]

ETRAC can be a turn on and go detector with its factory modes already set for you or you can also play with the settings as you get more comfortable with the machine.

 

[Metal Detecting Stuff]

It isn't always depth that one needs, but better target separation and unmasking in iron. Better discrimination is also a key benefit on the Minelab E-trac.

Wayne

Metal Detector Sales Rental | Treasure Hunting | Metal Detecting Stuff

 

[Jackalope]

When I had the E-Trac (prior to the CTX), I always carried a clear plastic bag in case of rain. Just slip it over the control housing. I had a dust cover over the screen but the plastic bag was an extra precaution. I hunted in downpours just fine with the E-Trac. However, be careful in the water - if you slip and get the housing dunked - it's all over. I probed the edges of lakes and rivers a few feet out but that was about it with the E-Trac.

By the way, if you learn the E-Trac you should be able to find just about anything the CTX can find - their individual strengths and weaknesses about cancel out in my opinion. I tested both side-by-side, the E-Trac is just as deep as the CTX, so don't think you need a CTX (unless you're water hunting - then you do). The important thing is to experiment ... try every setting you can, and learn the machine well.

 

[cooper1841]

When I had the E-Trac (prior to the CTX), I always carried a clear plastic bag in case of rain. Just slip it over the control housing. I had a dust cover over the screen but the plastic bag was an extra precaution. I hunted in downpours just fine with the E-Trac. However, be careful in the water - if you slip and get the housing dunked - it's all over. I probed the edges of lakes and rivers a few feet out but that was about it with the E-Trac.

By the way, if you learn the E-Trac you should be able to find just about anything the CTX can find - their individual strengths and weaknesses about cancel out in my opinion. I tested both side-by-side, the E-Trac is just as deep as the CTX, so don't think you need a CTX (unless you're water hunting - then you do). The important thing is to experiment ... try every setting you can, and learn the machine well.

Maybe I am just to nervous, I have a dust cover I keep in my pouch, but If it looks like rain I head for the Jeep!!!.......overly cautious?

 

[Captain Caveman]

Maybe I am just to nervous, I have a dust cover I keep in my pouch, but If it looks like rain I head for the Jeep!!!.......overly cautious?

I'm with you cooper. If it looks like there is a chance of rain, I bring my F44 with me. As soon as I feel a few drops of rain, I put up whatever my main detector is for the day and bring out the F44. Better safe than sorry.

 

[Jeffsh]

I have found putting my extract in semi 14 and was hunting with a sunray 12 in coil and found a 3 pence 1914 silver at 14 inches. The entire teacher is a great machine.

 

[ScubaDetector]

I bought an E-Trac last spring. Showed up on Craigslist for 500.00 including a Garrett pinpointer, all books cd, box and warranty. He thought the warranty had expired. He didn't like the machine. I bought it in a heartbeat. Still had almost two years of warranty left. I downloaded Bills parks program. I haven't wavered from it and it is awesome on silver and deep wheat's.

Hard to learn? NOT. Sure I could experiment but no need yet. I am quite satisfied with that program. Heavy. YES. I just might be selling it, however, that is its only drawback. It is hard for me to swing with my neck and right arm problems.

 

[DeepseekerADS]

The FBS series are HOT. With all the detectors I'd used before, the FBS sent an incredible amount of sound (noise) into my ears. That frustrated me, too much noise, where were the targets!

But then I got used to it fairly quickly. When you hit a target, it sticks in all directions, repeatable. Maybe those who discarded them just couldn't deal with all those noises coming out of the ground. If you kill that noise, you're also cutting the sensitivity.

I deal with that noise now

 

[cooper1841]

I have found putting my extract in semi 14 and was hunting with a sunray 12 in coil and found a 3 pence 1914 silver at 14 inches. The entire teacher is a great machine.

What

 

[Captain Caveman]

I've found 7 silver coins since I bought mine 3 weeks ago. No learning curve for silver evidently. These all came from sites I've previously searched too. IMO, it's worth it.

 

[digger460]

So, now that I have an Etrac on the way , how good is it at the beach on dry sand? And, how waterproof is it for detecting in fresh water and being out in the rain?

Scooped that sucker up, didn't ya!!

 

[cudamark]

I bought an E-Trac last spring. Showed up on Craigslist for 500.00 including a Garrett pinpointer, all books cd, box and warranty. He thought the warranty had expired. He didn't like the machine. I bought it in a heartbeat. Still had almost two years of warranty left. I downloaded Bills parks program. I haven't wavered from it and it is awesome on silver and deep wheat's.

Hard to learn? NOT. Sure I could experiment but no need yet. I am quite satisfied with that program. Heavy. YES. I just might be selling it, however, that is its only drawback. It is hard for me to swing with my neck and right arm problems.

Get a sling and enjoy life again!

 

[DeepseekerADS]

Get a sling and enjoy life again!

Yep, a sling will help immensely! About a half hour with my Etrac my elbow was killing me. The sling made it a whole lot better.

 

[Kodiak43351]

Look at the deus also. I have no exp with the etrac but have heard great things. I would also like to mention AT Gold also It's deep and faster in the trashy spots than the etrac. I just got the xp deus and set up right it has stupid fast recovery. The at gold loves old copper and small silver both the dues and gold are lighter with the deus being like a feather compared to any other detector I've owned. I wish I could help you on the etrac but never used one.

 

[Sheppie22]

Get a sling and enjoy life again!

I use the Detector Buddy sling with my Etrac. Wouldn't hunt without it.

 

[cudamark]

I use the Detector Buddy sling with my Etrac. Wouldn't hunt without it.

Yup, that's the one I use!

 

[Scrappy]

My second career recovering artifacts for National and State historic sites relies on Minelab technology. I have filled museums with artifacts found by my CTX. Etrac, from what my friends say, is right there. You cant loose. However, I will say a Deus is an awfully beautiful machine. Whatever you choice, you'll find more stuff.