Looking for a Minelab, Sov GT or ExplorerII?

[lostlake88]

Decisions-decisions. Well i have a Tesoro Vaquero that I enjoy very much, but I am looking for a detector with a deeper punch. i have heard wonderful things about both of these detectors and I will be buying either one or the other sooner than later.

What machine is deeper?

What machine is more durable?

Which machine is easier to use?

Which has the best discrimination?

Thanks for the help!

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

How to Research for Treasure Hunting and Metal Detecting From Lead Generation to Vetting - Grab it through Amazon!

[jeff of pa]

The Explorer is Definately deeper & More Sensitive to deep Silver

But the Sovereign dosn't need a Direction Booklet the size of a Novel
and still won't disappoint

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

I have never used the Explorer II, but I love the Sovereign GT so much that even though I had one, I bought a custom water proof Sovereign when it became available......

 

[Sandman]

I will agree with Jeff and TH on this GT detector. It lacks a screen that can "lie" to you, but if you want to depend on a screen and love to tinker with programs and know how to set the clock on the DVD/VCR, the Explorer SE is for you. I like the simpler Sov GT for finding stuff almost as deep.

 

[Keppy]

I have to agree with all said above the Sovereign is the way to go........I don't like screens my self they do lie a lot were with the Sovereign it tells the truth a lot when you learn it's sounds. you will dig a lot less trash with the Sovereign..................And with other detectors you hear some people love them they hate them like them don't like them.......But with the ..Sovereigns... i don't think i ever heard any one say a bad thing about them any of the Sovereigns...............

 

[johnnyboy25]

had a sov and loved it (sold an xlt to get it and was not disappointed), the sov found 11 coins in my yard that i had missed with a radio shack model, tesoro bandito,then an xlt. all were 6 in. or deeper but along came a deal for an explorer xs i couldn't pass up so i sold the sov to purchase it. at first i thought i had made a mistake because the explorer has a bigger learning curve but with a little reading of andy sabisch's book and a little practice i began to understand the machine and i found 2 coins the sov had missed. both are great machines, if you want simplicity get the sov but if you are willing to spend some time learning i would go for the explorer. i think it gets a little more depth and gives you more target info. (i dig less trash) no matter which you decide on get yourself a sunray probe to go with it andyou'll have a combo that's tough to beat.....good luck and hh

 

[Iron Patch]

Just because someone uses an Explorer doesn't mean they do so for programs, or an ID screen. It's all about the electronics, and because the Sov. is not the same I don't see a point in some of the comments here... other than some prefer the Sov. and that's cool. So many people say similar things, like a detector with a screen is a coin detector, and one without is a relic... IT'S THE GUTS! That should be the #1 reason why we all use what we use. It is for me! (I don't believe in ID screens, why get a second less accurate opinion?)

PS... Have used an Explorer for about 7 years now and couldn't tell you what any screen reading means.

 

[Dixie Digger]

iv owned a lot of diff detectors and to date nothing out there works as well as the GT and Excal...if they come out with one i will buy it. DD

 

[Michigan Badger]

I've used the Explorer II and GT.
I was not impressed with the Ex.II.
I was very happy with the GT.

To me the added electronics and cost in the Explorer was to pay for the meter and gimmicks. But it's possible I didn't understand it and/or it was defective.

I got my GT near mint for $350 shipped. I found small silver jewelry with it that my other machines totally missed. The GT is one of the best there is for silver and ignoring nails.

Average depth on coins for the GT is like all the other VLF detectors that cost from about $200 to $1400....8 inches. Greater depth is possible under ideal conditions and with larger coils.

Some use the 15 inch WOT on the GT and claim depths of over 10 inches on coins (up to about 12 inches).

The Tesoro Silver uMax with 12x10 concentric coil is as deep as any other VLF machine. I hunt areas where snow plows pile snow and also push some dirt with the snow. This means very deep coins and rings. I regularly dig memorial cents at 10 inches deep with the Tesoro. Tesoros aren't as good on silver as the GT. Tesoros are much better on copper than the GT. Tesoros love the copper alloys and lead. They are the ideal Civil War Relic machines.

But Tesoros also love hot rocks and deep iron. With experience these can be avoided but it takes practice.

If you're primarily after silver--get a Minelab product (excellent on silver- good on copper).

If you're primarily after copper alloys/lead---get a Tesoro Silver uMax with the 12x10 concentric coil (excellent on copper - good on silver).

This is my opinion as of 8/17/08 10:12 A.M. EST (updated every 15 seconds).

Better yet get both!

This is the process I use and it works great here but maybe it's different where you live?

 

[Ricardo_NY1]

I actually like screens, nothing wrong with some additional informatiion to analyze...........but one lesson I've learned with the Explorer is, that the less you rely on the screen and trust the sounds, the more finds you will take home.