Minelab E-trac VS X-Terra 705

[Edwardo911]

So, Exterra 705s are on backorder .......and I have money burning in my pocket...and I'm bored....a bad combo to make a hasty decision....

What are the pros/cons of these two detectors? Or can they really even be compared to each other??

I'm wondering how much slower the recovery rate is on the E-trac, being that it's multifrequency, versus the 705. Is the E-trac effective at finding gold nuggets?

.....And overall target ID accuracy/discrimination/learning curve issues??

Which would you buy and why?

-Edward

 

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[TORRERO]

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[PENNYHUNTER]

Im not sure they would compare. but I have a e-trac and the recovery speed is very quick. I don't know how they do on gold but I would think it would do just fine. They are very sensitive. If I had the choice "witch I did" I would go E-trac. it is a good detector that is pretty easy to use....

 

[Dano Sverige]

As stated above,the Etrac has a very fast pick up rate,but also,to be used correctly..a huge learning curve! You can turn it on and just use the factory settings until you're fairly comfortable with it,and it'll do the job just fine,but later when you want to really try out it's capabilities then you'll need to learn or download programs that will give you a huge increase in finds possibilities etc.
One thing about the Etrac is..it's seriously a "walk..don't run" kinda machine.You'll spend a lot of time worrying about screen ID's and numbers,forget those,they're a visual AID only..to really get to grips with this machine and what it can do then you need to learn all the tones,what they all mean,and what the machine is telling you is under it's coil.It's a long process,but will find you the goodies anytime anywhere if you bother to learn it's language.

I only have the XTERRA 305..2 steps down from the 705 but not that much difference from what i read and found when i bought it as my first detector.
The xterra's are wonderful switch on and go machines.No real learning curve other than all the normal stuff,and of course the tone ID's.Mine performs great on land and at the beach,fast pick up rate as with the Etrac..and a hell of a lot lighter! lol.

If you're new to the hobby and deciding if you like it or won't then i'd go with the 705.If you know you enjoy the hobby and want to seriously get into finding the good deep and small stuff...get the Etrac.If you want to get in the water? get the Excalibur!
If you're greedy like me...get all three!

Minelabs are the only detectors i've ever had.Not being biased against any other machines,just haven't used any of them.Good luck with whichever you choose.

 

[Goes4ever]

I just upgraded from the xterra 70 to an etrac, and let me tell you there is NOT a huge learning curve. It is a simple turn on and go machine, don't let people fool you. I changed a couple settings to suit me and away I went. It amazes me everyday i hunt with it.

The xterra70 is a good machine, real good. I found 120 silver last year with it, but the etrac is an AMAZING machine. I keep taking it to homesites I ponded with the xterra and it continually finds stuff right among the heavy iron that the xterra totally missed. Its separation abilities is just awesome.

 

[Iron Patch]

I just upgraded from the xterra 70 to an etrac, and let me tell you there is NOT a huge learning curve. It is a simple turn on and go machine, don't let people fool you. I changed a couple settings to suit me and away I went. It amazes me everyday i hunt with it.

The xterra70 is a good machine, real good. I found 120 silver last year with it, but the etrac is an AMAZING machine. I keep taking it to homesites I ponded with the xterra and it continually finds stuff right among the heavy iron that the xterra totally missed. Its separation abilities is just awesome.

EXACTLY. I am so tired of hearing about the learning curve for the E-trac or Explorers being a reason to stay away. There actually is a learning curve, but it's learning the sounds which is the same as any other detector you will buy. Set the sens., disc., and swing! It's as simple as that! The only thing that might take a little while to catch on to is the switch to a DD coil from a concentric, but it's well worth making the change.

PS.... Ask Mainer, he believed the whole learning curve mumbo jumbo about the Explorer and bought an XLT. Now he wishes he hadn't listened!

 

[RPG]

I just upgraded from the xterra 70 to an etrac, and let me tell you there is NOT a huge learning curve. It is a simple turn on and go machine, don't let people fool you. I changed a couple settings to suit me and away I went. It amazes me everyday i hunt with it.

The xterra70 is a good machine, real good. I found 120 silver last year with it, but the etrac is an AMAZING machine. I keep taking it to homesites I ponded with the xterra and it continually finds stuff right among the heavy iron that the xterra totally missed. Its separation abilities is just awesome.

EXACTLY. I am so tired of hearing about the learning curve for the E-trac or Explorers being a reason to stay away. There actually is a learning curve, but it's learning the sounds which is the same as any other detector you will buy. Set the sens., disc., and swing! It's as simple as that! The only thing that might take a little while to catch on to is the switch to a DD coil from a concentric, but it's well worth making the switch.

PS.... Ask Mainer, he believed the whole learning curve mumbo jumbo about the Explorer and bought an XLT. Now he wishes he hadn't listened!

I been waiting for some one to say that. I'm just waiting for a little extra cash. The Explorer is next on the list.

 

[Iron Patch]

I just upgraded from the xterra 70 to an etrac, and let me tell you there is NOT a huge learning curve. It is a simple turn on and go machine, don't let people fool you. I changed a couple settings to suit me and away I went. It amazes me everyday i hunt with it.

The xterra70 is a good machine, real good. I found 120 silver last year with it, but the etrac is an AMAZING machine. I keep taking it to homesites I ponded with the xterra and it continually finds stuff right among the heavy iron that the xterra totally missed. Its separation abilities is just awesome.

EXACTLY. I am so tired of hearing about the learning curve for the E-trac or Explorers being a reason to stay away. There actually is a learning curve, but it's learning the sounds which is the same as any other detector you will buy. Set the sens., disc., and swing! It's as simple as that! The only thing that might take a little while to catch on to is the switch to a DD coil from a concentric, but it's well worth making the switch.

PS.... Ask Mainer, he believed the whole learning curve mumbo jumbo about the Explorer and bought an XLT. Now he wishes he hadn't listened!

I been waiting for some one to say that. I'm just waiting for a little extra cash. The Explorer is next on the list.

It's a mean machine! Granted you might find the sounds very different, but the same can probably be said changing to Fisher, or Nautilus etc..

 

[mainer]

Goes4ever and Iron Patch are right on this one. There is not a big learning curve to the explorer. Like IP said its the sounds that take time getting use too. I have had the explorer less then a year, and feel very comfortable with it in my hands. I know I am not finding everything, but I do feel I am not leaving much behind.

 

[Woodland Detectors]

I just upgraded from the xterra 70 to an etrac, and let me tell you there is NOT a huge learning curve. It is a simple turn on and go machine, don't let people fool you. I changed a couple settings to suit me and away I went. It amazes me everyday i hunt with it.

The xterra70 is a good machine, real good. I found 120 silver last year with it, but the etrac is an AMAZING machine. I keep taking it to homesites I ponded with the xterra and it continually finds stuff right among the heavy iron that the xterra totally missed. Its separation abilities is just awesome.

EXACTLY. I am so tired of hearing about the learning curve for the E-trac or Explorers being a reason to stay away. There actually is a learning curve, but it's learning the sounds which is the same as any other detector you will buy. Set the sens., disc., and swing! It's as simple as that! The only thing that might take a little while to catch on to is the switch to a DD coil from a concentric, but it's well worth making the change.

PS.... Ask Mainer, he believed the whole learning curve mumbo jumbo about the Explorer and bought an XLT. Now he wishes he hadn't listened!

LOL!