The etrac is one of the easiest out of the box machines to use out there. The way this works is, turn it on, adjust the threshold to your liking, start off in 4 tone, unless you want to get frustrated, dig everything with a conductive number above 32 or so until you learn the machine. Once you get comfortable then go to multi tone and hunt that until your comfortable. THEN start playing with the buttons.
That is what I did when I first started using one. I didnt read the manual because I was using my buddy GOIO's etrac. I used it for a week and found 13 silver coins in an area I had hunted before with other machines. That was in September of 08. I found as many silver that week as I had the whole year with another brand. Just make sure you keep the coil ON the ground or as close as you can and swing slow. 3-4 seconds per swing in not to trashy areas and slower in trashy areas.
BTW, I still have my original etrac and as soon as the snow melts and the ground thaws here in Utah, I am going to be hitting some spots. TMAN...