6000 di/pro... to e-trac ?

[moonshine]

My dilemma....I already have a perfectly good White's 6000di/pro detector that i have used for around 25 years. I know this thing like i know my own hands. Every sound it makes, and every indication on the dial....I know exactly what its telling me.

can't help but wonder though...."what if?" i bought an e-trac. would i really find deeper targets? would i really like it enough to justify the cost of the new unit, including the "cost" of "idling" a perfectly good detector? (the 6000) I would not sell the 6000 because it holds too many good memories for me. Mostly detecting with my dad, and i practically grew up with this thing. (Im almost 40 now)

On the other hand, I love detecting, my life is stable and I "could" spend the money, although it is a small fortune.

I just hesitate to do it, thinking it might be something i would regret, since i have what i think is a great detector already. On the other hand, I might end of loving the etrac just as much. And what better way to enjoy life than with a new, better detector.
Hobbies are part of what makes life worth living.

I guess what would really help is if anyone used a 6000di/pro and also used the etrac, how would you compare the two? would the upgrade be worth it?

Any thoughts from anyone would be appreciated. Ive probably been kicking this idea around in my head for months and months now. Sorry if this topic has been beat to death, I could really use the advice though. Can I justify to myself buying an etrac.

 

[liftloop]

hard to say that 6000 di pro is a pretty powerful detector, the e trac mite be better under power lines.and lighter.

 

[stasys]

I suggest you a sick etracmania, Iwas sick too, but if you want buy better second hand explorer, its the same deep and much more cheaper. I am telling not because I have explorer and cant afford etrac, but because did allot test with explorer and can say if you use it without discrimination its the same like etrac--speed and etc. good luck patiant Stasys, who after curing etracmania sickness happily use explorer

 

[Woodland Detectors]

hard to say that 6000 di pro is a pretty powerful detector, the e trac mite be better under power lines.and lighter.

(IMO) There is no comparison around electrical interference, the Etrac is superior. I hunted with a guy one day who was using one. We were detecting in Tennessee around an old Union Civil war camp, surrounded with hot fence. He couldn't get inside without electrical interference. The Etrac was whisper quiet. Nothing. I think that was the last time he used that machine. he called me the following week asking if I would take it on trade for a new Etrac.

They are both good machines though

 

[3RINGER]

Moonshine

I used that same detector for many years...others came and went but I seemed to always go back to the 6000. In 09 I found myself in a position to upgrade. Just like you and countless others, I searched the net to make the best buy.

I've detected for over 20 years and enjoy the hobby so I knew what I was looking for in a machine. After making my decision and getting the ET...along with Andy's book I can say that you will wonder why you waited so long.

Those places I hunted with the 6000 are now new hunt locations....not due to the 6000 being no good (you and I know better than that) but because the ET has so much more to offer.

The DD coil is just one. When the coil of our 6000 went over a iron target beside a good target...the good was blocked due to the con. Coil. With the DD im able to hit individual targets better. This is just one reason. And there is way more to talk about.

My finds have steadily increased over the time I've had the ET, but to go to a spot YOU have marked off as hunted out and pull in finds....you'll say to yourself "I've swung over this lord know how many time". You will also find yourself digging good targets with iron in the plug as well.

The ET has been good to me and others. Find someone who has one and go out with them and see for yourself. I gave my 6000 to my daughter to pass on the hobby. But don't take my word for it. Look at some of my post after getting it along with the others who use the machine. These guys are great about helping on the forum.

Never typed this much on any of my post I think...but I can't say enough about the ET. Good luck with what ever machine ya get...HH


TOM/TN

 

[johnnycat]

What about the learning curve of the E-Trac

 

[moonshine]

i really appreciate the comments. very sincere, no hype... you people here, are the only people i know who could possibly offer insights for me.

I forgot to say, that I am the type who loves a challenge. The harder something is, the more I like it. So if the e-trac is difficult to learn, but worthwhile to put the time in, that would be fine with me.

Again I thank you for the comments and I take them to heart. If anyone else has anything to say Im listening.

 

[ozbach]

The E-trac is easy to learn and operate.... ........I read the online manual before I even got mine, when it arrived I was good to go!...but the more you use it the better you get! just like any detector

 

[3RINGER]

Ozbach said it...read up on it, get the machine and you'll see. Don't worry about all these programs people post. That will come later. Use the stock programs and learn what the machine is telling you.

A test garden is a great learning tool as well. Various depths along with various targets. Typical trash targets as well. Even put good with bad to see how the machine sounds under these conditions. Play with the sounds to see what best fit you. Later on after have several hour of swing time then try other stuff with it.

Just remember that just because I use a setting...it may not be right for your soil.

Have fun and let us know how it goes.

 

[moonshine]

ok guys, thanks again.

one question about the e-trac, can it be "broken down" and backpacked to a site? I see there is a minelab backpack that you can buy, but can the detector be disassembled and enclosed in the backpack for hiking purposes? looking at a pic of the e-trac, it doesnt look like it would break down enough to fit. but on kellycos site they say it is for holding the detector and other stuff.

also, what about a sunray probe mounted on the detector, how would that affect the ability of the detector to "break down"?

the 6000 could be broken down, with push buttons on the two-part shaft. can the e-trac break down and be put back together as easily, with no tools?

also, one other thing ive been thinking about, with my 6000, the faster you swing it, the deeper it will detect. if you move a coin very slowly under a 6000 coil it will not set off the detector. how does this compare to the e-trac?

 

[moonshine]

Well thanks to the help of Mike at Woodland Detector Sales I am taking the plunge and "in the process" so to speak. Thanks again for everybody's insights.

 

[jas415]

I received my new E-Trac Monday a week ago. I used the old 6000 to 'clean' the west side of my front yard three days before the E=trac was supposed to be here. Totally went over every inch of it and dug every signal. When I got the E-Trac, turned it on with fresh batteries, then found 7 coins and several pieces of metal in the 'cleaned' area. The E-Trac is a quarter and dime hog!! I also had thought I had 'cleaned' a section of p[laygorund at the local emementary school, but the E-Trac uncovered 11 more coins as deep as 9 inches!! Today I found a Sakajawea dollar on the lot 8 houses east. Along with 4 dimes, three quarters, one wheatie and 9 pennies. Tomorrow I take it to the beach at Galveston.

I got the 6 inch coil for trashy areas and it is a jewel!!

Wednesday I will mail the E-Trac back to KellyCo to replace it as the 'backlight' function does not work. Comes on for just a second then drops out. If I hold the button down it powers off the machine. Not a big deal and as JW at KelleyCo said, "Duhhh, Hunt in the daytime"!! lol

 

[JDS]

3RINGER Hit the mark perfectly! Build a test patch and make it as diverse as possible. You may be happy with the results you are getting but build a test bed and you will find even more. I thought I was the only one putting multiple objects in my holes. Copper and Silver together will make the meter jump like crazy. Makes it hard to pin point and the sharp sound may put you off. I found a large copper wrist band with a Silver dollar set in it. I had to use a pocket pointer to find it and almost gave up. Now that I know what is sounds like I have no doubt that I have passed on some good targets.

Best of luck to you!

 

[Jason in Enid]

Moonshine, I made that very same detector change 2 years ago. I am glad I did it every day I hunt. I knew my Whites as well as you do yours. When I started using the E-Trac, I kept wanting to go back to what I knew. I was afraid I was missing good stuff with a machine I didn't know. Just don't go back. Put the E-Trac into a stock program and go use it. Don't mess with changes yet, just learn the new machine. You will be amazed at what your 6000 has been missing.

Get the Sabich book for the E-Trac and read it several times along with the owners manual. After you learn you E-Trac those will help you make the changes for your hunting type and location.

 

[moonshine]

would i really like it enough to justify the cost of the new unit

i love the e-trac. i have been out with it 3 times in the past 4 days. absolutely love it. it is better in several ways. better ground coverage, better depth, more information is given about the target. it is a far superior detector imo. feels like a race car.

thanks to everyone who responded to this thread. i know i made a good decision and i barely even know the e-trac yet. gonna have a lot of fun with this thing. dug the deepest target ive ever dug this evening... junk....but still....12-42 junk. (top of a pringles can) lol... about 11" down or so. honestly i couldnt beleive i actually found the target.

edit: I also like the fact that I dont have to "whip" the coil to get good depth. That takes a lot out of you.