Yep, I'm happy to be PM'd and I'm also happy to chat by phone too. I'll send you my cell #, Truth, if you're interested.
I took a big jump in my "detecting" capability when I upgraded my coil on the AT Pro. If you're looking for depth, and addition 'oomph' when detecting for jewelry, you probably don't need a new rig... just a new coil.
Unless you're digging particularly trashy areas, upgrading to the NEL Hunter coil will give you quite a bit of extra depth. It's 12.5" by 9, rather than the 11x9 that is stock on the AT Pro. For whatever technical reason, I'm also able to better separate targets with the NEL Hunter. I've pulled gold off the TOP of iron with the Hunter, that I'm absolutely CERTAIN that I missed with the AT Pro. That particular area was a hot spot for lost items, and there was some rebar in the ground. I hit it at least a dozen times trying to figure out if I could pull anything off of it with the AT Pro stock DD. When I got the Hunter coil, it was the first place I went, and BAM... immediately pulled a gold ring off the iron. It was amazing. It was also only 2 grams of 10k (which is light and will show in the 40's). To be able to pick that signal out on top of a piece of rebar was amazing.
I know when I air test, I get another inch or two from the larger coil, but that's just air testing. I can't go more than 8" in any of my city parks, so I'm never pushing the machine to that extreme.
I can tell you, hands down, though, that a better coil will up your ability to pick out trash and good targets. I can hear rings better than ever, and I also cover more ground with every swing. The difference in weight is negligable (But noticable after several hours), and the construction of the NEL Hunter is definitely solid. Even comes with a coil cover that is nice and thick.
If you're looking at the Makro Racer 2, I can tell you the reviews I've seen have me VERY impressed with the response speed. Being able to pick out individual targets is critical for me... The depth on the Makro seemed pretty dang impressive, too. If I had money to blow, I might take a look at that product. But for me, getting 95% of what I want with a simple $125 coil upgrade pinched it. It takes a good year of clad to pay for a rig... only a month or two for coils. You might explore the coil market a bit more before sinking money into a new rig with "another" stock coil.
CHeers!
EDIT: I also just realized I've been pulling more small earrings out of parks than I did before with the AT Pro. I know my Stock coil couldn't detect most small studs (Air tested, even!), but I'll catch a whisper with the NEL hunter. In tot-lots, this thing is a jewelry finding whiz...