Comments on: Minelab Explorer SE: Loser http://treasurehunter.booklocker.com/2007/04/29/minelab-explorer-se-loser/ A blog dedicated to a discussion of the many forms of treasure hunting. Tue, 02 Dec 2008 15:32:51 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.5 By: Not 4 ME http://treasurehunter.booklocker.com/2007/04/29/minelab-explorer-se-loser/#comment-1306 Not 4 ME Wed, 24 Sep 2008 19:08:30 +0000 http://treasurehunter.booklocker.com/2007/04/29/minelab-explorer-se-loser/#comment-1306 Why do people make statements like "It’s a machine for ADVANCED HUNTERS. " So basically anyone who don't like it is not an "Advanced hunter" Being an advanced hunter has nothing to do with the machines performance and quality. To me the SE was no better than most of your high end detectors. In fact the depth and target ID were really not that impressive at all. The fisher CZ series are much better detectors all around...... Why do people make statements like “It’s a machine for ADVANCED HUNTERS. ” So basically anyone who don’t like it is not an “Advanced hunter” Being an advanced hunter has nothing to do with the machines performance and quality. To me the SE was no better than most of your high end detectors. In fact the depth and target ID were really not that impressive at all. The fisher CZ series are much better detectors all around……

]]> By: Robert http://treasurehunter.booklocker.com/2007/04/29/minelab-explorer-se-loser/#comment-1293 Robert Sat, 13 Sep 2008 19:21:47 +0000 http://treasurehunter.booklocker.com/2007/04/29/minelab-explorer-se-loser/#comment-1293 I was disappointed with the SE at first. I had buyers remorse very quickly as this is very expensive machine. I hated the pinpointer, the weight, how complicated it was to set up. I decided to grind it out and really LEARN this machine. After several months I figured out several things I will now point out . 1) Never dig based on screen reading. I pay very little attn to the screen except for depth. 2)Do dig based on tone. It's so incredibly sensitive. very impressive. It senses and alerts the difference between a worn merc and one is decent shape for real. 3)I gave up on the pinpointing feature. It's pretty terrible to be quite frank. I easily learned to pinpoint with a 90* sweep pattern with the tip of the coil. 4) You need to buy a good electronic probe for target deeper than 6". I got the Sunray and it is the bomb. 5) Incredible depth. I retrieved a Walker half at 14". I was shocked. I thought it was just another can lid when digging. 6)Sweep trashy areas very, very, very slowly and from different angles. Believe it. 7) Don't give up on this machine. It's a machine for ADVANCED HUNTERS. It is incredible for working hunted out parks, schools etc. GL HH I was disappointed with the SE at first. I had buyers remorse very quickly as this is very expensive machine. I hated the pinpointer, the weight, how complicated it was to set up. I decided to grind it out and really LEARN this machine. After several months I figured out several things I will now point out .
1) Never dig based on screen reading. I pay very little attn to the screen except for depth.
2)Do dig based on tone. It’s so incredibly sensitive. very impressive. It senses and alerts the difference between a worn merc and one is decent shape for real.
3)I gave up on the pinpointing feature. It’s pretty terrible to be quite frank. I easily learned to pinpoint with a 90* sweep pattern with the tip of the coil.
4) You need to buy a good electronic probe for target deeper than 6″. I got the Sunray and it is the bomb.
5) Incredible depth. I retrieved a Walker half at 14″. I was shocked. I thought it was just another can lid when digging.
6)Sweep trashy areas very, very, very slowly and from different angles. Believe it.
7) Don’t give up on this machine. It’s a machine for ADVANCED HUNTERS. It is incredible for working hunted out parks, schools etc.
GL HH

]]> By: tom Bolden http://treasurehunter.booklocker.com/2007/04/29/minelab-explorer-se-loser/#comment-1180 tom Bolden Thu, 24 Jul 2008 02:22:30 +0000 http://treasurehunter.booklocker.com/2007/04/29/minelab-explorer-se-loser/#comment-1180 Malcolm, I have not tried the new Garrett Infinium LS. Like you I have heard some good and some bad things about this machine. When you try it I would be very interested in hearing your conclusions about it. I have only owned one Garrett machine (the Grandmaster) and I have used a few others which were owned by detecting buddies of mine. I didn't really like the Grandmaster or the others that I tried basically because they had poor depth. These were older models however. I have owned one Tesoro machine (the Golden Sabre) and I liked it very much. Good depth and a very good coin machine. I have heard very good things about the Tesoro line. Good luck. Malcolm, I have not tried the new Garrett Infinium LS. Like you I have heard some good and some bad things about this machine. When you try it I would be very interested in hearing your conclusions about it. I have only owned one Garrett machine (the Grandmaster) and I have used a few others which were owned by detecting buddies of mine. I didn’t really like the Grandmaster or the others that I tried basically because they had poor depth. These were older models however.

I have owned one Tesoro machine (the Golden Sabre) and I liked it very much. Good depth and a very good coin machine. I have heard very good things about the Tesoro line. Good luck.

]]> By: Malcolm http://treasurehunter.booklocker.com/2007/04/29/minelab-explorer-se-loser/#comment-1179 Malcolm Wed, 23 Jul 2008 12:55:23 +0000 http://treasurehunter.booklocker.com/2007/04/29/minelab-explorer-se-loser/#comment-1179 Tom, have you tried the new Garrett Infinium LS? I've read good and bad about it, but I do intend to try one. I'm using the Troy Shadow X5 now, and consider it the best all-around machine I've ever had. I'm also looking at the Tesoro machines - any experience there? Tom, have you tried the new Garrett Infinium LS? I’ve read good and bad about it, but I do intend to try one. I’m using the Troy Shadow X5 now, and consider it the best all-around machine I’ve ever had. I’m also looking at the Tesoro machines - any experience there?

]]> By: tom Bolden http://treasurehunter.booklocker.com/2007/04/29/minelab-explorer-se-loser/#comment-1178 tom Bolden Wed, 23 Jul 2008 11:51:01 +0000 http://treasurehunter.booklocker.com/2007/04/29/minelab-explorer-se-loser/#comment-1178 I'm a computer programmer/electronics engineer and I've been into the hobby of metal detecting for thirty years now. I have owned many machines such as the Fisher 1260x, 1265x, CZ3D, Tesoro Golden Sabre, Garrett Grand Master, Whites Eagle 2 SL 89 & 91, & DFX, Minelab Sovereign, Explorer, Explorer I, Explorer II and now the SE. I totally agree that the Minelab Explorers including the SE are rip-offs. I guess the reason that I've kept buying them is because I hoped that Minelab would finally get their act together and make this machine live up to its potential, which just hasn't happened. The Explorers while well made are just too heavy. The smart find is a pure gimic (just a fancy analog display) which has never really worked well because of the cross-hair response time relative to the target signal and the lack of a grid/reference points on the screen (the SE has the same problem). Plus the plastic screen is very dififficult to read in sunlight because of glare. I guess minelab never heard of anti-glare coating, which is widely used on PDAs and works well. Not too much to ask for on a machine that costs nearly $1400.00! The SE does require quite a long learning curve to understand the settings & signals. As mentioned by others, the SE loves rusted nails, large iron & ferrous bottle caps. The most annoying thing for me with the Explorer Se (same as the older models) is the very slow response (due to the slow processor) of the cross hairs which will often freeze. There is absolutely no excuse for this considering the availability of super fast processors today. Great depth is one of the claims for this machine, but I just haven't seen it. When it come to depth it is just not in the same league as the Fisher CZs for instance. Target Id is ok but the Whites machines are so much better. The Whites machines are also much more comfortable and fun to use because of their lighter weight/better balance. I have found that the VCO pinpoint mechanism on the new Explorer SE works very well. In conclusion, the Minelab Explorer SE has so much potential that Minelab just hasn't taken advantages of. The machine is also very over priced for what you get. After investing around $5000.00 in Minelabs over the last several years, I'm giving up on them. I'll stick with the Whites and Fishers! I’m a computer programmer/electronics engineer and I’ve been into the hobby of metal detecting for thirty years now. I have owned many machines such as the Fisher 1260x, 1265x, CZ3D, Tesoro Golden Sabre, Garrett Grand Master, Whites Eagle 2 SL 89 & 91, & DFX, Minelab Sovereign, Explorer, Explorer I, Explorer II and now the SE.

I totally agree that the Minelab Explorers including the SE are rip-offs. I guess the reason that I’ve kept buying them is because I hoped that Minelab would finally get their act together and make this machine live up to its potential, which just hasn’t happened. The Explorers while well made are just too heavy. The smart find is a pure gimic (just a fancy analog display) which has never really worked well because of the cross-hair response time relative to the target signal and the lack of a grid/reference points on the screen (the SE has the same problem). Plus the plastic screen is very dififficult to read in sunlight because of glare. I guess minelab never heard of anti-glare coating, which is widely used on PDAs and works well. Not too much to ask for on a machine that costs nearly $1400.00!

The SE does require quite a long learning curve to understand the settings & signals. As mentioned by others, the SE loves rusted nails, large iron & ferrous bottle caps. The most annoying thing for me with the Explorer Se (same as the older models) is the very slow response (due to the slow processor) of the cross hairs which will often freeze. There is absolutely no excuse for this considering the availability of super fast processors today.

Great depth is one of the claims for this machine, but I just haven’t seen it. When it come to depth it is just not in the same league as the Fisher CZs for instance. Target Id is ok but the Whites machines are so much better. The Whites machines are also much more comfortable and fun to use because of their lighter weight/better balance. I have found that the VCO pinpoint mechanism on the new Explorer SE works very well.

In conclusion, the Minelab Explorer SE has so much potential that Minelab just hasn’t taken advantages of. The machine is also very over priced for what you get. After investing around $5000.00 in Minelabs over the last several years, I’m giving up on them. I’ll stick with the Whites and Fishers!

]]> By: NeilP http://treasurehunter.booklocker.com/2007/04/29/minelab-explorer-se-loser/#comment-1175 NeilP Fri, 18 Jul 2008 09:08:15 +0000 http://treasurehunter.booklocker.com/2007/04/29/minelab-explorer-se-loser/#comment-1175 I agree that the SE does sound confusing at times, and cant comment on depth of other machines, my last machine was an old C-Scope about 25 years asgo. I bought the Explorer II and then an SE when it came out. Yes they are difficult to understand at first, but it really sounds that either something was wrong or the sensitivity was set way too high if it was making noise when you brushed the coil against foilage. The upper threshold sound can be adjusted to suit the user, just turn down the upper limit in the Sounds section of the menu. It is too heavy, yes, that is a big problem, but using a harness helps. I now even use a harness on ligher machines, save me dropping the machine in water all the time when I am detecting on the beach. I have kept mine, but it has taken some getting used to, and I have come to it with no ideas of how other modern machines operate, so that probably helped. Just because it is Menu driven rather than knobs and switches it is no more prograble than an analogue machine. People tend to quite happily twiddle knobs and adjust till they are happy when using an analogue machine, but as soon as the word Programable appears, people seem afraid to change settings and fiddle with them. I agree that the SE does sound confusing at times, and cant comment on depth of other machines, my last machine was an old C-Scope about 25 years asgo. I bought the Explorer II and then an SE when it came out.
Yes they are difficult to understand at first, but it really sounds that either something was wrong or the sensitivity was set way too high if it was making noise when you brushed the coil against foilage.

The upper threshold sound can be adjusted to suit the user, just turn down the upper limit in the Sounds section of the menu.

It is too heavy, yes, that is a big problem, but using a harness helps. I now even use a harness on ligher machines, save me dropping the machine in water all the time when I am detecting on the beach.

I have kept mine, but it has taken some getting used to, and I have come to it with no ideas of how other modern machines operate, so that probably helped.

Just because it is Menu driven rather than knobs and switches it is no more prograble than an analogue machine. People tend to quite happily twiddle knobs and adjust till they are happy when using an analogue machine, but as soon as the word Programable appears, people seem afraid to change settings and fiddle with them.

]]> By: Malcolm http://treasurehunter.booklocker.com/2007/04/29/minelab-explorer-se-loser/#comment-1157 Malcolm Sat, 28 Jun 2008 19:10:45 +0000 http://treasurehunter.booklocker.com/2007/04/29/minelab-explorer-se-loser/#comment-1157 Mike, consider the Shadow X5, if you can find one. I understand production has ceased on this great machine. Mike, consider the Shadow X5, if you can find one. I understand production has ceased on this great machine.

]]> By: Mike http://treasurehunter.booklocker.com/2007/04/29/minelab-explorer-se-loser/#comment-1156 Mike Sat, 28 Jun 2008 17:30:42 +0000 http://treasurehunter.booklocker.com/2007/04/29/minelab-explorer-se-loser/#comment-1156 You sure saved me from a mistake. I've been trying to decide between the Explorer SE and either the Fisher F70 or F75. I guess I'll stick with Fisher. Mike You sure saved me from a mistake. I’ve been trying to decide between the Explorer SE and either the Fisher F70 or F75.

I guess I’ll stick with Fisher.
Mike

]]> By: Jerry http://treasurehunter.booklocker.com/2007/04/29/minelab-explorer-se-loser/#comment-1135 Jerry Thu, 20 Mar 2008 20:09:30 +0000 http://treasurehunter.booklocker.com/2007/04/29/minelab-explorer-se-loser/#comment-1135 I Found a HUGE TREASURE !!...and I'll share it with you all !! Many great e-books on the internet, but few ever deliver the goods. I have purchsed over 300 e-books hoping to strike gold, it took 4 years, untill 3 weeks ago I hit paydirt. I started making very good money working only 2 hours a day. I purchased a secret X6000 Code from Heather Williams,and with her instructions I turned my online computer into a cash exploding online ATM machine....well sort of, I now have money pouring into my paypal account every day of the week around the clock. This is the truth, there are still good people out there. Selling good info.But they are hard to find. I am glad I hooked up with this seller named Heather, her ebay account is Top_Secret_Money On Ebay !! Thanks Jerry http://heather48dd.bravejournal.com/entry/20870 I Found a HUGE TREASURE !!…and I’ll share it with you all !!

Many great e-books on the internet, but few ever deliver the goods.
I have purchsed over 300 e-books hoping to strike gold, it took 4 years, untill 3 weeks ago I hit paydirt.
I started making very good money working only 2 hours a day.

I purchased a secret X6000 Code from Heather Williams,and with her instructions I turned my online computer into a cash exploding online ATM machine….well sort of, I now have money pouring into my paypal account every day of the week around the clock. This is the truth, there are still good people out there. Selling good info.But they are hard to find.
I am glad I hooked up with this seller named Heather, her ebay account is Top_Secret_Money
On Ebay !!

Thanks Jerry
http://heather48dd.bravejournal.com/entry/20870

]]> By: John S http://treasurehunter.booklocker.com/2007/04/29/minelab-explorer-se-loser/#comment-1118 John S Wed, 16 Jan 2008 15:04:27 +0000 http://treasurehunter.booklocker.com/2007/04/29/minelab-explorer-se-loser/#comment-1118 I had a explorer11 and the ID in trash would just freeze ( to much money for that ) , know I have the F75 and like the small in the trash, work very good and ID works. In 17 hunts 190.oo in clad, 1 gold ring, `9 silver coins, some buttons and tokens. The f75 is very fast, I like it. I hunted with the cz's 13 yrs. like them , too. I had a explorer11 and the ID in trash would just freeze ( to much money for that ) , know I have the F75 and like the small in the trash, work very good and ID works. In 17 hunts 190.oo in clad, 1 gold ring, `9 silver coins, some buttons and tokens. The f75 is very fast, I like it. I hunted with the cz’s 13 yrs. like them , too.

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