E-trac or safari??

[lil_eric30]

I have done a lot of research into my next detector. I currently use a whites coinmaster gt and have killed it with it! Found many great finds with the detector given it was my 1st one! I am upgrading to something way better now since I am sold on detecting! I know the etrac has all the bells and whistles and I which I am not scared off by. I have heard the safarii is a cheap mans etrac and want realistic feedback from owners of each? I am def. leaning towards etrac but there are other such as safari and xp deus which I have in the back of my head also. Any feedback would be helpful. Thanks!

 

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[ChampFerguson/TN]

I love my Safari, but you'll never get me to badmouth an Etrac. Most folks go by cost as they are similar machines, but as you said, you get more features with the Etrac. imo, its a personal call as to whether or not the extras are worth the cost. Have you ruled out a CTX? That is probably the ultimate in doo-dads and is waterproof to boot.


(fwiw, my lead machine previous to my Safari was also a Coinmaster)

 

[Sapper724]

I bought my Etrac used off eBay and it works just as good as a new one! I love it!

 

[marjam]

I own an etrac. I have had mine since late summer, and I have found quite a bit of stuff with it. Right out of the box it seemed to go deeper than any other detector I ever owned and that includes a whites Dfx. I say that because the dfx is a fine machine and for the etrac to be better without tweaking it is probably the biggest compliment I can give it. With the etrac exchange, you can download patterns which are programs that discriminate out certain things which takes the guesswork out of whether you have it set right. And with the iron numbers displayed along with conductive, it gives you a little bit more information on the display that can let you know to dig or not to dig.

I don't own a safari but I have heard its the same machine without all the bells and whistles. Users of the safari tend to rely more on the sound of the target as opposed to the display, which can be an advantage. Sometimes as with any detector those displays can fool you. Etrac users also get good with the sounds. I am almost to that point where I don't have to look at the display to know what it is.

I you are anything like me if you bought a safari you would be wondering if the etrac was better and eventually buy an etrac. If you are like that buy the etrac first and save some money. If you like to coin hunt, any minelab fbs machine is the way to go.

 

[gunsil]

I was the same way, and I bought the Safari due to affordability. It does have the same depth ability as the Etrac, but the Etrac does give more target info via the display. Since I relic hunt besides coinshooting I often dig odd signals anyways so the screen display isn't all that important to me. The thing I miss on the Safari is the backlit screen for when I am coinshooting in low light and do look at the target ID on the screen.

 

[marjam]

I hunt with my father in law but he's been unable to go out due to an injury. He uses a dfx and so did I until I upgraded to the etrac. He has yet to see it in action. I doubt he'll shell out the money for an etrac, but he might the safari. I just about bought one myself, but for reasons I mentioned earlier went with the etrac. I am satisfied but it is expensive. I will probably never own the ctx due to the cost. I hear its a fine machine though.

 

[pescadore]

If you can afford the Etrac then go that way. I have owned both the Etrac and the Deus and will tell you they are as different as night and day and both have their place in MDing. The Deus is lightning fast and has good depth. It is the best detector in heavy trash that I have used and you can swing the thing all day with absolutely no arm fatigue. The Etrac is a deep but slower detector. It forces you to slow down and really concentrate on your target which I believe is a big part of the success stories that you hear from users. I had a friend that was a very successful Minelab user but he bought the Deus after he did some research and saw mine. He found himself rushing through his hunts and so his find rate went down with the Deus. He now owns the CTX and is very happy with it. It is really personal preference and both the Etrac and the Deus are very capable of finding good stuff. They would be an amazing duo to cover all your bases if you can afford it. Personally, if I had to choose between the two, I would probably go back with the Etrac but I am very happy with my CZ5 and it is just as deep. I love the analog meter and it really fits my hunting style.

 

[Bart@Big Boys Hobbies]

I have done a lot of research into my next detector. I currently use a whites coinmaster gt and have killed it with it! Found many great finds with the detector given it was my 1st one! I am upgrading to something way better now since I am sold on detecting! I know the etrac has all the bells and whistles and I which I am not scared off by. I have heard the safarii is a cheap mans etrac and want realistic feedback from owners of each? I am def. leaning towards etrac but there are other such as safari and xp deus which I have in the back of my head also. Any feedback would be helpful. Thanks!

All great machines but performance vary greatly. Feel free to call me, I will explain them all to ya!

 

[lil_eric30]

Thanks a lot guys for all of your input! I am going in the way of an etrac. I Am making this decision of minelab quality and the world of some unknown for the xp deus. Have done the research I think u guys are right that I will regret getting a safari and wishing I would have got the etrac initially! The deus I am very impressed with from research but longevity it what I am scared off by. New batteries and charging issues scare me off?? I think I am pondering this too much so etrac it is! Never heard a bad word about and etrac and I want dependability. I am 32 years old and weight of etrac which I heard some concerns with will not be a concern! Quality and longevity is what I want from a good detector! Thanks again for the input!

 

[Metal Detecting Stuff]

You will love the performance of the E-Trac. It takes a slower swing because it processes so much information. It loves silver and works well in iron or mineralized soil.

Wayne

www.metaldetectingstuff.com

 

[lisfisher]

They are both great machines. The safari has same circutry as the etrac, just without all the bells and whistles, which you have to decide whether you need them or not, or will ever use them.