Explorer S

[biguglydude]

I just bought a used Explorer S. Used a few times then put up - he said. I probably should have asked this first but, can anyone give me some history on this model? Was it one of the first of the multi-frequency units? Sounds like it might be. Are their any short comings? I've heard a lot of good things about MineLab so I figured I couldn't go wrong.

 

[Woodland Detectors]

You made a very good choice.
Minelab has only been around since 1985 but, our machines are definitely ahead of most competitors.

History
Minelab excels in providing leading technologies for the metal detection industry world-wide. We are confident that our culture of innovation and commitment to quality will ensure Minelab continues to succeed in providing the world’s best metal detection technologies for consumer, humanitarian and military needs.

1985 - 1989 EARLY BEGINNINGS
Goldseeker 15000 launched - Minelab's first metal detector (1985)
GT 16000 launched - world’s first truly automatic ground-tracking metal detector (1987)
Eureka Dual Ace launched – world’s first two frequency detector? (1989)
1990 - 1994 A GROWING BUSINESS
Sovereign Series launched (1991)
Excalibur Series launched - Minelab's first underwater metal detector (1993)
Headquarters moved to Rose Park, South Australia (1994)
1995 - 1999 GOING GLOBAL
SD Series detectors launched (1995)
Australia Post, Australia Day Council Business Award (1996)
Headquarters moved to Torrensville, South Australia (1997)
Countermine division created (1997)
F1A4 mine detectors launched (1997)
Certificate ISO 9001 (1997)
Minelab International established in Ireland (1998)
Minelab USA established in the U.S. (1998)
AusIndustry Innovation Prize (1998)
National Winner IBM Business Owner Award (1998)
Telstra and Australian Governments' Australian Small Business of the Year Award (1998)
Explorer Series launched (1999)
2000 - 2004 ONWARDS AND UPWARDS
Electronics Industry Association "Gold Cup for Excellence in Innovation & Commercialisation" (2000)
City of West Torrens Business Award for outstanding contribution towards the Economic Development of the City of West Torrens (2000)
Design Institute of Australia - Design Citation for Explorer Metal Detector (2000)
GP Series launched (2000)
Finalist - SA CIMB Innovation Award category - innovator of the year (2002)
Recognised Supplier for Australian Department of Defence (2002)
F3 mine detectors launched (2002)
Array mine detectors developed (2002)
Torrensville site extensions completed (2003)
2005 - 2009 BIG CHANGES
Acquisition of Parketronics (2005)
AusIndustry Award in recognition of commitment to business excellence and in particular for innovation in the development of metal sensing technology (2005)
X-TERRA Series launched (2005)
AusIndustry Award in recognition of commitment to business excellence and in particular the company's ongoing commitment to business and technical excellence in the invention, development, manufacture, marketing and distribution of innovative metal detection technology (2006)
GPX Series launched (2006)
Recognised Supplier of Strategic Capabilities for Australian Department of Defence (2007)
L-3 Communications CyTerra Corp and United States Army in recognition of 5000th AN/PSS14 Mine Detecting Set (2007)
Codan acquires Minelab (2008)
Winner - Engineering Excellence Award for SETA technology used in GPX-4500 (2008)
Finalist - Engineering Excellence Award for Array metal detector development (2009)
2010 - PRESENT TOWARDS A PROMISING FUTURE
Manufacturing expansion with selected production contracted to Plexus, Inc. (2010)
Hugh Graham (General Manager, Countermine) awarded "Gold Medal for National COnstruction Grand Cross" (2010)
US office expansion (2010)

******Minelab Explorer SE Metal Detector
The Explorer SE is the third generation in the Explorer line and will surpass anything you've seen for depth sensitivity and superior target discrimination. This unit also takes advantage of Minelab's FBS technology, which means the signal received from the detector coil is analyzed by a wide range of responses. That allows the target identification to be more accurate. Ground balancing is automatic with advanced digital filtering to find what you're looking for in all types of soil ? from dry clay to wet, black sand or rich loam. Iron Mask with full ferrous discrimination capability. Quickstart setting nearly eliminates the learning curve. Now get out there and dig some treasure!

 

[Iron Patch]

Minelab released both the Explorer S and Explorer XS at (or about) the same time. The S has the same guts, but a few less features, and was not popular at it's price point so Minelab discontinued it maybe a couple years in. I think the only thing you are missing is some of the programming (which is useless) and the noise cancel feature (but you can do the same thing through the menu) Other than that you're good to go and I could use one of those units exactly the same way I use an XS or Explorer II. The only problem you will probably run into is the camlock at the top getting loose and the upper shaft starting to slip. This was a problem on the early explorers, and of course your detector being an S, it has to be early. The fix isn't too bad though, just a new housing. I would probably contact Minelab if I was you because there is some units they no longer repair and the way the world seems today, even if they can fix it, but it's not on the list, maybe they won't.

 

[biguglydude]

I would probably contact Minelab if I was you because there is some units they no longer repair and the way the world seems today, even if they can fix it, but it's not on the list, maybe they won't.

That's a good question! I guess I took that part for granted. I know Whites will still service the older coin masters...5000, 6000 models. That's old. If I am going to pay top dollar for a piece equipment, I would hope I could get out of warranty service for more than 10 years. I know this is used but, the used market is how many new model orders are made. I put an email into Minelab. I guess we will see. I just figured if the detectors were better than the rest...the customer service after the sale should be as well. Even the best equipment can be brought down by a so-so service policy.

 

[Iron Patch]

I would probably contact Minelab if I was you because there is some units they no longer repair and the way the world seems today, even if they can fix it, but it's not on the list, maybe they won't.

That's a good question! I guess I took that part for granted. I know Whites will still service the older coin masters...5000, 6000 models. That's old. If I am going to pay top dollar for a piece equipment, I would hope I could get out of warranty service for more than 10 years. I know this is used but, the used market is how many new model orders are made. I put an email into Minelab. I guess we will see. I just figured if the detectors were better than the rest...the customer service after the sale should be as well. Even the best equipment can be brought down by a so-so service policy.

The problem is the face plate would be different than the later models so that could be an issue with changing the housing.

 

[biguglydude]

The problem is the face plate would be different than the later models so that could be an issue with changing the housing.

I'm not sure I understand this comment. I never suggested mixing model parts. Only repairing.

 

[Iron Patch]

The problem is the face plate would be different than the later models so that could be an issue with changing the housing.

I'm not sure I understand this comment. I never suggested mixing model parts. Only repairing.

If the shaft starts to slip like on most early Explorers, the fix is a housing replacement, and the S face plate on the housing is different than the later explorers. Even if they didn't have the S housing there's no reason they couldn't fit your machine with the later housing and just fill in the hole (s) such as where the noise cancel button would be. So if Minelab says they will service it I think you should be ok.

 

[stasys]

biguglydude don't think from the first day about repairing your S before its not broken, no need to overcrowd your life with plus one problem more. start to use it and if you will decide one day to broke it broke it and after go to forum about cure. Slipping upper rod is simple to cure with small peace of duck tape. I use xs and its the same, and still no problem, my friend use S, and again no problem with upper shaft. S has one minus if you hunt with other minelab explorer people, ask them to push noise cancel!!! you will not have to do it manually! and in night hunt take a torch your S screen don't have it. good luck in hunting and broking explorer S!

 

[biguglydude]

biguglydude don't think from the first day about repairing your S before its not broken, no need to overcrowd your life with plus one problem more.

"Most Excellent" words to live by! I know I tend to "overcrowd" my life at times and I'm really getting better at doing it less. If I like something I keep it for a long time! Change is good at times but hard for me. Once I'm comfy with something I done. I also trend toward buying several models of things I like as well. I fear (the wife actually) this will lead to an E-Trac... I'll report back when it arrives.

 

[biguglydude]

The problem is the face plate would be different than the later models so that could be an issue with changing the housing.

I'm not sure I understand this comment. I never suggested mixing model parts. Only repairing.

If the shaft starts to slip like on most early Explorers, the fix is a housing replacement, and the S face plate on the housing is different than the later explorers. Even if they didn't have the S housing there's no reason they couldn't fit your machine with the later housing and just fill in the hole (s) such as where the noise cancel button would be. So if Minelab says they will service it I think you should be ok.

Aha! I get it now! Good to know. Thanks! I worry to much about things at times.

 

[Iron Patch]

biguglydude don't think from the first day about repairing your S before its not broken, no need to overcrowd your life with plus one problem more. start to use it and if you will decide one day to broke it broke it and after go to forum about cure. Slipping upper rod is simple to cure with small peace of duck tape. I use xs and its the same, and still no problem, my friend use S, and again no problem with upper shaft. S has one minus if you hunt with other minelab explorer people, ask them to push noise cancel!!! you will not have to do it manually! and in night hunt take a torch your S screen don't have it. good luck in hunting and broking explorer S!

Using tape is just a pain and won't last. Been there, done that, years ago! It all depends how much you're getting out for the shaft to start slipping. (I used to hunt a lot)

Hey, you guys can do whatever you want! It makes absolutely zero difference to me!

 

[stasys]

forgot to mention! I don't like on original 1000 or 1050 coils that coil connection point is not in center, like on pro and others.

 

[Iron Patch]

forgot to mention! I don't like on original 1000 or 1050 coils that coil connection point is not in center, like on pro and others.

That was one of my dislikes about the pro coil. To me the old one is the perfect coil all except for the weight.

 

[stasys]

Take of coil cover!its 69g if I remember. use epoxy with small grade fiber glass after you will get some deep scratches! and you will get slim coil weight.

 

[Iron Patch]

Take of coil cover!its 69g if I remember. use epoxy with small grade fiber glass after you will get some deep scratches! and you will get slim coil weight.

I didn't say it bothered me. Just a perfect coil would be lighter.

 

[biguglydude]

Got the "Explorer S" yesterday. Looks almost like new. Oh Man is this thing different! I have an MXT with about 2 months of experience and thought I was doing good! I feel like a fish out of water trying to talk my way off the hook with this thing. I'm on the learning curve now! My biggest issue at the moment is pin-pointing. I suck with this! If the round coils are good for one thing...that's PP.

 

[Iron Patch]

Got the "Explorer S" yesterday. Looks almost like new. Oh Man is this thing different! I have an MXT with about 2 months of experience and thought I was doing good! I feel like a fish out of water trying to talk my way off the hook with this thing. I'm on the learning curve now! My biggest issue at the moment is pin-pointing. I suck with this! If the round coils are good for one thing...that's PP.

Yes, it is different. I made the change from a GTI.

Your explorer coil isn't round? The main issue with pinpointing is DD vs concentric and shape doesn't make a big difference, it's just getting used to it being a little different.

 

[biguglydude]

Ok! After two days...doing very well with the Explorer S. I've gotten a handle on the pinpointing. After I hit a good solid high tone, I move the coil left and right about the "Ding Dong". I do the same thing with the top and bottom outter edge of the coil until I just loose the signal. Then step 90 degrees and repeat. I do the same thing in pinpoint mood. Both ways get me to a decent sized small hole.

I walked the yard with the MXT finding 3 targets. Two that look like pennies and one looks like a Nickle or pulltab. Walked the same area with the "S" and hit the same spots (nothing else yet). Two high pitched tones with 28 and one lower tone with a 10.

Turned out after digging to be two pennies and a pulltab! Far-out!

 

[biguglydude]

[/quote]

You're explorer coil isn't round? The main issue with pinpointing is DD vs concentric and shape doesn't make a big difference, it's just getting used to it being a little different.
[/quote]

Yep! My Explorer coil pattern looks like it's 3 or 4 inches wide going up the center of the coil ending about 1/2 inch outside the ring!

 

[bazinga]

Ok! After two days...doing very well with the Explorer S. I've gotten a handle on the pinpointing. After I hit a good solid high tone, I move the coil left and right about the "Ding Dong". I do the same thing with the top and bottom outter edge of the coil until I just loose the signal. Then step 90 degrees and repeat. I do the same thing in pinpoint mood. Both ways get me to a decent sized small hole.

I walked the yard with the MXT finding 3 targets. Two that look like pennies and one looks like a Nickle or pulltab. Walked the same area with the "S" and hit the same spots (nothing else yet). Two high pitched tones with 28 and one lower tone with a 10.

Turned out after digging to be two pennies and a pulltab! Far-out!

Use the smart screen, not the digital screen with the numbers. The numbers will only screw you up once you get to a park. Learn to go by sound, otherwise you will be checking the screen all the time. Just remember one thing, this isn't a White's... It actually finds deep old coins.