Minelab Explorer Discontinued...What Now!?

[ColonialDude]

As a diehard explorer user for many many years...I'm a little lost as to where to go now. I know I can continue to purchase used explorers for quite a few years...and probably on the cheap...however it seems perhaps now is the time to change....it's the end of an era.

The Etrac (never used one) seems like it's not of the explorer family but it's an option. Other machines I am considering are the 3030 and the XP Deus.

Any explorer users in the same boat?! What is your plan??

Any thoughts from former explorer users now using one of the above units?

Thanks

 

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[christo000]

Well I can't speak for the ctx or any other minelabs I've yet to use one, however I do use a deus xp & wow it is the lightest machine out there,folds up to like nothing, no wires at all huge + coming from my v3i with an attached sunray probé also its supposably the quickest in responce then any other to lots of great things another would b they have upgrades that r very easy to do unlike other companies that u have to pay for an upgrade & send it in, also make ur own programs lots u can do with the deus xp great machine

 

[Fletch88]

E-Trac all the way!

 

[gunsil]

They discontinued the SE Pro which is the middle of the "Explorer" series, they still make the Safari and the Etrac so you aren't really out in the cold. Both the Safari and Etrac use the same FBS technology of your beloved Explorer, and both are fine machines.

 

[dirtscratcher]

I currently use a 13 year old explorer xs that still works like new. When or if it ever quits I'll get another explorer of some sort.

 

[LI Tom]

I have both a XS and a II,so I'm good for awhile.I've seen the CTX in action and it looks like a winner but the price tag makes me gasp!

 

[ColonialDude]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I think I will stick with buying used explorers for now. I know the machine so well and have been swinging a version of explorer or another for nearly 10 years. I've tried many machines over the years and always went back, I'm sure I'd do the same with something else.

Although I haven't used one myself I know guys who have them and the Safari isn't in the same league as the explorer. From speaking with many of the old school explorer guys I know the E-Trac is a little different and more of a dumbed down version of an explorer...and not a better performer. Who knows. I do know I've found a pile of great finds with the explorer in sites that have been pounded for 20 years...so why change.

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

Just because Minelab has discontinued the Explorer doesn't mean they want repair them.... Any Explorer sold this year still comes with a warranty so they will be repairing them for years to come..... If you know someone with an ETrac you might ask to borrow one just to test drive..... You might be surprised.... Just a thought.

 

[m bryan]

Wonder why they discontinued it?

 

[shanemcn]

I just upgraded to an explorer se from an ace 250, I like it a lot but I think I'll be learning how to get the best results for a while, exiting to have a new machine.

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

Wonder why they discontinued it?

99% chance the reason was because sales of explorer had fallen too low. Right or wrong, with Etrac and CTX 3030 I bet sales of explorer had tumbled, this was reason the Sovereign line was discontinued....

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

 

[Jason in Enid]

If you love the model that much, buy a brand new one at the discontinued price and put it back in the closet for when your current one dies.

 

[Bart@Big Boys Hobbies]

If you love the model that much, buy a brand new one at the discontinued price and put it back in the closet for when your current one dies.

I still have a few left! Giving away free Minelab Pro-Find 25 with them as well!

 

[christo000]

I still have a few left! Giving away free Minelab Pro-Find 25 with them as well!

Nice deal top it off w/ a nice pinpointer u the man Bart

 

[Born2Dtect]

I own the EXP II, Etrac, and CTX-3030. They are all Minelabs. I did not buy the SE it did not impress me as an upgrade from the EXP II, just a newer coil, so I upgraded the coil (used for $150). Similar, but not. Each adds to the previous, but all work well. If you like the Exp SE you will like the Etrac. If you can afford the CTX-3030 you will like it.

Ed D.

 

[shanemcn]

I posted on this thread a few weeks ago after I got my se pro and free pinpointer , now I'm hooked , awesome machine and the pin pointer ain't bad either

 

[m bryan]

Noticed they have dropped another 100.00....If I had waited another two weeks I could have saved another hundred. lol

 

[Petrie502]

I've got a ctx and DEUS comparison video up on my you tube channel 502petrie check it out

 

[Col.Philo95thNY]

Join the band wagon

ColonialDude

Join the band wagon... The XS is not being repaired any longer, and the II and SE are next... The SE Pro is where I up graded from the SE, ann enjoy hunting with that one a lot. I recently came on a good buy on an E-Trac, which consist of learning a whole new language in the Mine Lab family of detectors, but to go even further, the CTX 3030 is a detector to contend with from the family. Although it still has a few bugs, like over heating on a hot summer day. To the GPS acting up, by asking to be connected to a computer for an up grade. But, all in all, I will be up grading to the CTX 3030 because, one... It's water proof, no longer do have to worry if water is going to get into your E-Trac, or SE Pro. Two, you don't need to have two detectors at the beach, and Three, the CTX has a load of options that will help you find more treasure.

I believe that Mine lab will soon be breaking out with another great machine, perhaps a PI with a good set of discrimination filters to get those real deep coins, gold, relics, caches. let's face it... The parks have been placing fill dirt at least 12 to 16" inches as I found at a lagoon I hunt at. After Sandy, I notice from the erosion that I was eye balling barbers and that the original brown soil had at least 12' of fill dirt on top. So, I did an experiment... going at a sails pace, I dug some very deep coins at, at least 10+ inches, some indians and silver, not to mention the farbs, hair pins, lip stick cases, and old square nails... So, yes... we need to move on with the times, but the XS and Mind Lab II are still some awesome detectors in the right hands and the right programs. I hope other agree, because this is just my two cents having used all of the Mine lab dtetectors except for the CTX, which is next on the XMas list...LOL. HH every one... Oh.... remember this... and I have encountered it many a time, that's why my approach to hunting an area has changed. How many time have you hunted in one direction and got no signal, yet, you come back at another angle, and bam, you get a good signal... Got my first Gold Coin that way, and many other nice finds... Miss by an inch and you miss by a mile.

Philo NY

As a diehard explorer user for many many years...I'm a little lost as to where to go now. I know I can continue to purchase used explorers for quite a few years...and probably on the cheap...however it seems perhaps now is the time to change....it's the end of an era.

The Etrac (never used one) seems like it's not of the explorer family but it's an option. Other machines I am considering are the 3030 and the XP Deus.

Any explorer users in the same boat?! What is your plan??

Any thoughts from former explorer users now using one of the above units?

Thanks