Minelab 705 vs Etrac worth the cost difference?

[ewcoinhunter]

Guys and Gals,
Looking to get another Minelab for coin hunting and maybe a little relic. I have had the Etrac and happy, do not own it anymore. I am getting back into this incredible hobby. I have heard great things about the 705, and always hear good things about the Etrac. The cost difference is huge, and I am trying to justify in my head. Money is not a problem! But why pay for the Etrac if the 705 can basically do the same thing within reason? I know you get what you pay for, but I am hearing folks with the 705 getting the same depth as the Etrac. Again just what I am hearing, not trying to start any arguments here. I would like some input from others either way? Finds with the 705? Depth? Or should I just go back to old faithful, being the Etrac?
Keep swinging...

 

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[Terry Soloman]

Huge difference in the two machines, hence the huge price difference. One is a single frequency machine, one is multi-frequency. Then there is the filtering and programing differences. The choice is up to you, but the DIFFERENCE in the two machines is pretty huge and undeniable. With all of that said, I still use my Tesoro Vaquero with a 12"x10" coil, so what the heck do I know? Good Hunting!

 

[ewcoinhunter]

Terry, thank you for the reply. I know these things, and maybe should have rerworded my question. But if I were to purchase the 705, what would I be giving up? Am I really going to miss that much? I have metal detected since 96' and know a lot of my sounds, etc., but always learning more. If an Etrac were to follow right be hind me and lets say the exact same way I swing, in a old home site lets say, is he or she really going to pick something up that I did not know was even there? I know if I just go purchase the Etrac, everything would be simpler, but if the 705 can basically do the same thing, I can vest my money in other items as well, like a Pro Pointer or??
Thanks

 

[Terry Soloman]

I really don't know what to tell you. I believe from past experience that the E-Trac is not going to go any deeper, or find anything that I am not going to find with my 12"x10" equipped Vaquero. The main thing about the E-trac is it will work in wet saltwater sand where my single-freq Vaquero won't. But, then again, I have a Tesoro Sand Shark for wet saltwater sand. The E-Trac is a sophisticated machine with a fairly steep learning curve. I do not have enough time (I only have about 100-hours on the E-Trac) on the E-Trac to really know how to use it to its full advantage. I have thousands of hours on the Vaquero and Lobo Super Traq, and just feel more comfortable with these machines.

I got an E-Trac for Christmas, and I sold it without taking it out of the box. I guess I am just not sophisticated enough for the E-Trac, as I am just too happy with my Tesoro's.

 

[Fletch88]

If money's no object, look at the CTX. It's an Etrac on steroids and doesn't mind rain or wading! It's very similar to the Etrac, but somewhat easier to navigate around in the controls than the Etrac IMO.

 

[ewcoinhunter]

Thanks Fletch. I have been looking into that one as well. I am trying to do as much homework instead of just spending the cash. It does look nice and has great reviews, still on my list.
Take care.

 

[Metal Detecting Stuff]

These are all good machines. I used an Xterra 50,then the Xterra 705 for a few years. Moved up to Etrac, and now use the CTX3030. The Etrac and CTX do well in highly mineralized soil. The CTX has a faster processor, and excels in iron.

Wayne

Www.metaldetectingstuff.com

 

[SusanMN]

I love my Xterra, but would switch to an Etrac if I was strong enough to swing it. I think it gives more target ID information and goes deeper than the Xterra. If Minelab could ever lighten up the Etrac or 3030, I'd buy one for sure.

 

[ewcoinhunter]

Thanks to everyone who replied. I went ahead and purchased the 705, with a Coiltek 6" and a Coiltek 15", and a set of Black Widows. If I can not hit them with this unit, there is none to be found !!
I will keep all posted as the year progresses. Does anyone know where to find a good setup for coins on the 705?
Keepim swingin...

 

[G.A.P.metal]

ewcoinhunter
Wow now that`s a nice unit,,,, small, large coils, and the BW phones.
I wish you well !
Gary

 

[SusanMN]

Thanks to everyone who replied. I went ahead and purchased the 705, with a Coiltek 6" and a Coiltek 15", and a set of Black Widows. If I can not hit them with this unit, there is none to be found !!
I will keep all posted as the year progresses. Does anyone know where to find a good setup for coins on the 705?
Keepim swingin...

The preset pattern 1 works well for coins.

 

[mreese1849]

I am curious what the tones on the 705 sound like. I had an se pro and have been wondering if minelab has the same type of tones for their machines. Let us know what you think about the machine. I am thinking about getting one myself.

 

[ewcoinhunter]

Thanks Gary. I will keep all posted.

 

[ewcoinhunter]

Thanks SusanMN, hope it does well for me as it has for you.

 

[ewcoinhunter]

Mreese1849, will do. from what I have seen and heard thus far via youtube, sounds close, maybe not a exact match, but close. I have had the SE Pro, and Etrac, they were pretty much spot on, but then again different. I am sure I will have to train my ears again.

 

[SusanMN]

I am curious what the tones on the 705 sound like. I had an se pro and have been wondering if minelab has the same type of tones for their machines. Let us know what you think about the machine. I am thinking about getting one myself.

Low garbled grunts on iron, high flutey on silver, and medium tones on pennies. A calliope sound, up and down the scale on tabs.

 

[huntindog1]

Etrac and ctx are going to go deep as well as give you advanced tools to eliminate digging alot of trash. Lots of deep detectors out there but its the tools to dig more coins that the Etrac and CTX goes above and beyond the competition.Unless you like digging lots of trash.

 

[Iron Patch]

Etrac and ctx are going to go deep as well as give you advanced tools to eliminate digging alot of trash. Lots of deep detectors out there but its the tools to dig more coins that the Etrac and CTX goes above and beyond the competition.Unless you like digging lots of trash.

I've come to realize for some people beep is just beep, and the fact a question like this is even asked makes me suspect the poster may be one of those people. It falls into the same category of people who say detectors with screens are for coins, and ones without are for relics....and the guts of the detector don't seem to count. There's absolutely no doubt in my mind the higher end Multi Freq. detectors are much better than something like a 705 to many, but I'm not sure if it's better for everyone. To some it's just a bigger heavier detector to haul around to do the same thing. Sort of like throwing your detector in the back of an 18 wheeler and driving to your site.

 

[ewcoinhunter]

Thanks Iron Patch. I have owned the other units, except the CTX. For sure I do think they are better, BUT from what I have seen the 705 in the right hands and trained ears can almost do the same thing.

 

[Iron Patch]

Thanks Iron Patch. I have owned the other units, except the CTX. For sure I do think they are better, BUT from what I have seen the 705 in the right hands and trained ears can almost do the same thing.

Yes, it is a pretty small % of targets, basically the tough ones that we're talking about that a more expensive detector might have the capability to get, and if you're not detecting in certain type of situations.... deep, salt, very masked, etc., that % gets pretty close to zero. I definitely need these advantages where I hunt, but if I was to switch to cleaner ground where the targets were usually 4"-6" it wouldn't be as big of a deal.