E Trac for prospecting?

[baseballjeff]

Hello everyone,

I'm looking to buy my first metal detector. I'd like one that has a pretty easy to learn, and quite honestly a really good one that I can use for coin hunting, relic hunting when I travel, and prospecting for gold along the river banks here in Alaska. Looking around I really like the looks of the Whites MXT All Pro, though I've been feeling a tugging to the E Trac. Looking at YouTube clips of it caught my attention, the sleek design, the appearance of it being easy to learn, and the cool sounds!

Anyone have additional feedback?

Thank you!

 

[dirtfishingdave]

Hello, I have a minelab ctx3030, I have never used an etrac. I used an minelab explorer se before that. Although I didn't start out with a minelab as my first detector, I tried various types and bought what my budget could afford at the time. One thing I can definitely say about the minelabs is that they are a beast, but with a huge learning curve. The ctx3030 is a turn on and go machine, but there is so much to learn. I am still learning more how to use it and I have owned it for 10 months now. Being that you are in Alaska, I think I would buy 2 machines one for metal detecting coins and relics ect. And one for just gold prospecting. Imo a minelab detector is a serious machine geared towards a seasoned pro. I would start out with the whites mxt pro. I also used a whites dfx, learn the machine and dig all targets til you learn the machine, then after you learn the machine dig all the signals. You don't want to miss out on any gold nuggets!! But I don't know what your budget is and I would start out with a decent detector that isn't too advanced. You will soon realize that not every thing you dig is good, there is alot of trash out there! Good luck to you may find nothing but treasure!

 

[Longhair]

I suggest that you take a closer look at the Xterra 705. With a coil change you can go from a coin shooter to a relic hunter to a prospecting machine, all with the same familiar platform.
And it weighs less than an MXT, uses half the batteries, etc...

 

[Terry Soloman]

I suggest that you take a closer look at the Xterra 705. With a coil change you can go from a coin shooter to a relic hunter to a prospecting machine, all with the same familiar platform.
And it weighs less than an MXT, uses half the batteries, etc...

X2...

 

[cudamark]

I suggest that you take a closer look at the Xterra 705. With a coil change you can go from a coin shooter to a relic hunter to a prospecting machine, all with the same familiar platform.
And it weighs less than an MXT, uses half the batteries, etc...

X3 if you want just one machine. If you have a good sized budget, the GPX series Minelabs are hard to beat for gold. They're not the best for coin hunting in a park however. Since this is your first machine, I think it might be better to keep it fairly simple and get the 705. You can always sell it an upgrade if you want to get serious about any or all aspects of detecting. You may find you like one type better than another.

 

[jeff of pa]

I'd reconsider on the etrac if prospecting for gold is important, or buy 2 detectors.

the etrac is excellent for the other things you mention, but I do not think it has the frequencies
necessary to pick up raw gold