Need Tax Write Off Would E-Trac Be To Much For A Beginner

Scar

Full Member
Dec 25, 2010
193
114
I have never picked up a detector before and never hunted since I was a kid looking for arrowheads but treasurenet has peeked my interest. In my work I could use a detector to find corners of property that have RR spikes nailed into the ground so I could write the devise off my income tax. I need a more write offs for this year. I was just wondering if the E-Trac would be too complicated for a beginner? Would another brand or model be better. Most of my work is out in the country in Louisiana and I am around old homeplaces all the time. Would be much ablidged for any suggestions. I want to spend from $1000 to $2000.
 

Get the e-trac.......they have a good resale value......
 

I was just reading a post where another new guy got an Explorer (very similar to etrac) as a first machine and was having a terrible time. I was trying to imagine if it were my first machine how I would have adapted. You might do ok or you might get frustrated beyond belief and sell it to someone like me for half what you payed in a couple months. If I were you I would get an Xterra and learn the basics. It is pretty easy to learn and a very capable machine. Etrac takes time just to learn how to set it up even if you know what you want. Xterra much easier to get going and easier to pinpoint with for a new guy.
 

Hey Soup, Think I asked too many questions in my post, for a simple no answer. If your answer is no, to it being too hard for a beginner then thats cool but if you are answering no to it being the best machine, then what would you suggest? Thanks for your quick reply, cause I need to spend the money before the end of the year.
 

Hi! Scar as a Realtor myself :laughing9: go for the e-trac it will be easier for you to learn because you haven't been exposed to other detectors so it won't be as bad to learn the ins and outs of the e-trac. It's a great machine. I also bought mine for my business to find the corner pins. Yea right. :laughing9: :laughing9: :icon_thumright:
 

RW, I like the ability to connect to the computer that the E-Trac has. As for as me selling then I would be hit by the IRS. Got to keep all the stuff I have or they will be onto my butt. It would be nice to have a built in GPS. I could cover my tracks with that.
 

Hey Mike, if I buy it will probably be from you, I like the work you do with the kids.
 

Theres that dang Mike guy again :laughing7:
He is the best Minelab dealer out there.... :thumbsup:
(checks in the mail,right mike?) :laughing7:

Anyhow,the etrac is not hard to learn,it has basic programs built in just like every other machine out there that I am aware of...
When you have learned the basics,then you can tweak it if you must....
I bought the se first but really wanted the etrac,needless to say a few months later,I was calling Mike...for the etrac...no regrets on that purchase....

Just call Mike he can explain it all....

Good Luck out there....

Soup
 

get the etrac and run it for a few hours in the factory modes until ya learn it, might as well start off with a high end unit insted of wanting to upgrade in a year or so.
 

dogpound said:
get the etrac and run it for a few hours in the factory modes until ya learn it, might as well start off with a high end unit insted of wanting to upgrade in a year or so.
I agree, The learning shouldn't be too hard for you because you don't know better :laughing7:. It is daunting sometimes, so don't give up! That thing is kicking my butt cause I have had the xlt for 5 years and know it well. The point is, if you feel strongly about it buy the upper end I say, Cause I hate buying half and then wishing I had more.
 

From my own experiance,I bought an used Whites 6000d2 unit had it about two weeks and decided i had to get a better tector,so i bought a DFX which was great,then they came out with the V3i and i just had to get it too...So I would say spend the bucks for a top of the line machine,and tect away,the more time spent tecting the better the finds get...and if you have access to private propertys that are up for sale then you are in like flint,I would say Mike can do you as good if not better than most,he is a very honest person and he tects too,not some off the wall hobby shop with kids painting Star Wars fiqures like my closest dealer :BangHead:,take care and keep us posted,Dave
 

It is a done deal, bought from Mike today, hellof a nice fellow, I talked to him for about 30 minutes.
 

Yall posters have been great in helping me make up my mind on what to buy and where to buy it, much ablidged from this beginning detector. I am not a beginner at research and have over 30 years under my belt here in Louisiana. It is part of my work and I have many friends with thousands of acres that probably have never had a detector on their property. One friend alone has over 100,000 acres. I would think that most of these properties would have very few pull tabs and bottle caps but may have many square nails from the old home places. Once I get my feet wet or mud between my toes as we say here in bayou country with the new machine I would be glad to bring some along for part of the ride. The main part of the ride is secret and I would think that most of yall folks would understand that a half lifetime into something would remain private.
 

Just seen this, but you have done what I would have suggested, which is going for it.

All you have to do is put in a little time to get some good basic settings, then get out there. I don't think the E-trac is much more difficult for someone starting out because it's a clean slate, and someone who is making a change would probably be much more likely to get frustrated. That said, you're obviously still going to go through the learning curve every one does when they begin, and remember, it's much more about the site than the detector!
 

For what you mentioned, the Whites MXT would be a bargain and fully capable for the stakes and relics. When I looked for stakes for someone, I used a Tesoro Tejon and it worked great and sent a very clear message when the stakes were found. Lifetime warranty as well. Just another option that could save cash and be an excellent option for the relics as well. :coffee2:
 

Well Buying an E-Trac to Find RR spikes nailed into the ground
Would be Overkill :tongue3:

But I Take it You'll use it for Hobby too.

I'd say if you have a Memory Yet,
it is Probably the Best detector on the Market.

& as Far as Mike from Woodland, I Know my Next Sovereign will be from him
Once I Get a Round To it images.jpg
 

Top Member Reactions

Users who are viewing this thread

Back
Top